Finding the artist, one more time.
If you had told me a decade ago that I was about to enter an extended period of time without making art, I would have sworn it to be impossible. Surely such a thing would kill me, or at the very least turn me to stone. Well here it is, after eight years of artistic celibacy; I’m not dead and my spirit thrives. It did, however, become evident during that time that making art is an essential part of who I am.
Until early 2000 art making was a huge part of my life. I had a lovely large studio and spent a good part of everyday and more frequently night working on projects both for exhibition and for fun. I attended classes, workshops and art retreats, sat on the board of art organizations, adjudicated children’s art and gave workshops. I painted in acrylic and oil, used mixed media in various ways and by the end of the 90′s, was principally engaged in making found object sculpture and jewellery. I was also part of an artist’s collective called The Coterie of Malcontents, working on group projects from exhibits to workshops. My artist friends and I spent a great deal of time creating beautiful or whacky (or both) gifts for each other that were presented at our not infrequent get togethers. Art made up a large part of both my work and social life.
In 2002 I moved from Manitoba to California. As beautiful as Canada is there are things that I confess I was quite happy to leave behind; chief among them the winter weather.
What I dearly missed, however, in addition to family and friends, was time and space for making art. I didn’t die or turn to stone, but clearly something was lacking.
Tide Pool Table
So how to begin the journey back? The lack of sufficient time and space made working in old familiar media unavailable to me but there had to be something that could take its place. With the help and encouragement of my sweetheart, it became apparent that the best way to sculpt and paint without the ability to do either was to create mosaics. Mosaic art makes it possible to build and sculpt using mixed media, to play with colour, to be expressive, and as traditional or avant-garde as I choose. It can be done in a relatively small space and doesn’t require concentrated periods of time. So, I bought some books and started breaking things.
Tide Pool Table
I began with a couple of smaller pieces as a means of learning technique and experimenting with media. I learned some valuable lessons about adhesives and grout and discovered that I really like working in glass. I also discovered that I can work much the way I did with painting and sculpture. I was never a big fan of making sketches or maquettes before I started a piece but preferred to work organically, starting with a picture in my mind and allowing it to develop as I worked. I am now working that same way in my mosaic creation – no pattern, just an idea and an image in my head with any number of places to take it.
It’s time to play again, and whatever the outcome, I’m having fun and feeling once again, like an artist.
Hi, Cate
I really love these colorful pieces and your story of how you're moving back to art. Keep up the good work!
best,
Jim
Thanks Jim and thank you for all of your support. Great job! -Cate
This is fabulous Cate! I am so proud of you! I loved hearing more of your story and seeing the gorgeous shots of the Tide Pool Table! So happy to be able to share you and this page with my followers! Great job and keep it up!
Kitty
Thank you Kitty, you're so kind. I'm also happy to be sharing your site on mine.! Cate
Lovely post, Cate…so glad you found your art AND your heart! Looking forward to seeing you thrive…
Thank you so much Laura, that's my hope. So far so good.
Absolutely beautiful work Cate and very uplifting story. Your colour choices are so harmonious.
Thank you Christine. I really appreciate your remarks.
Thank you for posting your story, and the photos of this beautiful piece.
Thank you so much Liza!
Your work is lovely and we need more of it in our world! Glad you came back to the art world, it would be a sorry place without you. Keep on making your mosaics and keep us posted on new works. Really happy to see you have a web site too.
Thank you Ruthee! It's very good to be back. I still don't have enough time for it, but I'll keep creating. There's no turning back this time.
Cate you are truly talented and I love both your table and your fountain… Amazing work !!!. I love not only the pictures of your work but also loved hearing about the journey you have been on these last years…. It sounds like you have re-discovered your passion and now that you have found it I hope you never lose it again….. Proud of you girl . Love Sue
Thank you so much Sue. I'm glad you're enjoying the posts. I'm very happy to have discovered a new outlet for my artistic passion and don't plan to let it go dormant again. Love Cate
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