Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Painting, Sewing, Walking.

Over the past few days, I have rediscovered the joys of meandering (albeit quickly) throughout some of the fantastic neighbourhoods of Montreal.

I don't have a "job", I can work when I want to (though I should work MORE) and I find great joy in just going... going... seeing and observing what is around me. That's work, right? I am a visual artist. Also it is kind of my job to keep my body as healthy as I can. That's why I am jogging more often, now that I let my gym membership expire for the summer.

Yesterday and the day before, I broke out a huge pile of fabric that I had salvaged from the "trash" at my former work-place. These are new fabric swatches, and my my my don't they make for cool patchwork! I am sewing them together and will make skirts and perhaps things like bags out of them. If it works WELL then I'll try selling some of these creations. I'll keep you informed.

I have some Raw Umber paint on my palette right now, I painted some of it on about 12 little paintings earlier. Now I'm thinking to hit some of the larger works… the Poetry-Paintings. I am working on Ghazals and Shakespearian Sonnets. I have broken down the rules for these poetic formats, and am re-translating them into a visual language. Perhaps this linguistic approach to painting is inspired by my surroundings... I live in a mainly French part of the city, and I am trying to learn that new language. Perhaps it is this learning process that has made me seek something "about language" in my new work. I don't know. I have been leaning more abstractly over the past few years anyhow, and these paintings are certainly that.

Well I’ll just keep on walking, running, stretching my body and my mind to make things, observe, and be happy.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Barcelona... Cottage... Should Clean My Apartment.


Hi. I am thinking, seriously, about applying for Artist-In-Residence programmes. I really really really want the one that is through the Quebec Arts Council... to Barcelona, Spain!!! I'll apply for it next year. I'm looking at other options, too.

I am thinking about travelling in Europe in the next year or so, even if it's just as a tourist. I might hit Zurich with some pals who know someone there; I would go to France and the UK and hopefully Italy. Maybe Germany. I don't know, it all doesn't have to be "at once"... I could go back again in a few years!

Another thing that I am thinking about is this fantastic little cottage for sale up in my favourite part of town. It is worth about $100,000 more than the current place I own. I wonder if it would be worth looking into... perhaps for now I'll just continue plugging away in the current spot 'til I know what's happening a little more down the road. I wouldn't need to worry about neighbours with adjacent walls creating horrific noises during renovations. I would like that a GREAT deal. Plus I'd have a little yard!!! Anyone want to donate/lend free of interest $100,000? No? Ok. No worries.

Well anyhow, if I am considering leaving for three months to Barcelona next year, or travelling for a while, or even selling my place (or renting it out), I perhaps should focus a little on cleaning it more regularly, and fixing things up rather than wearing them down. Just a thought.

PS The above photo is of the veggies that were turned into a salad by moi last night.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

What? Natasha Henderson Writes A Blog?



Hey-de-ho! I am writing a blog, still. Yes, here it is.

I had meant to write a big art-review about some exhibitions that I saw, I had meant to get out to another big exhibition and write a review about what would have been there.... but these things didn't happen. C'est la vie.

Anyhow, what I HAVE been doing is keeping busy with lots and lots of painting, cartooning, making assorted "crafty" things that add to my knowledge of how to put stuff together, hitting the gym almost daily, some embroidery-digitizing, going out in "social situations", walking and jogging and picnics in the park, watching free films from the library, etc etc.

My gym membership has now expired, so I will be doing more jogging than previously. I am also thinking of taking one introductory kick-boxing class. A friend of mine has kick-boxed for years, and I'd like to give it a shot. The gym is officially a little boring. Weights. Cardio machines. Nothing else. So... time to try a crazy sport.

Today I am going to head up into the park to try painting/drawing on-site. I normally don't do that, but it is a lovely day and I really want to paint and also hit the park. This shall bring together the best of both worlds. Hmmm. Perhaps I'll actually wander beyond the park, try it out in different places. Up the mountain? In the Old Port? Oh dear.

OK. I have dusted off my blogging-skills, and hopefully next time I write it will be clever and witty and fantastic. Thanks for reading!