I will be having my first radio interview Saturday September 13th, at 2pm. Alison Fordham will be Interviewing artists in the Dubai scene, i will be joined by Fatima Rehman (who does Arabic calligraphy and Islamic miniatures), and an interior designer.
Organic Patterns
Studio Time:
I am settling into a new routine in Dubai. Painting in the morning (vs afternoon) while my son is at school. Painting in airconditioned heat (vs. humid cool Vancouver the paint dries faster here), a small space versus my large studio in Canada. I am painting on an easel, when I have been painting on the wall since Art School. A smaller footprint, the painting and my body parallel, the space the easel takes up was where I mixed my paint. I am used to working on three or more paintings instead of just one… among other adjustments.
I feel like I am painting with jet lag. I have to suffer a few weeks until my body and mind get on a new schedule. Working my schedule backwards so I am waking up at 5am to do my emails and planning.. only then ready to paint by 9am! Is there any way to speed up the adjustment process? I miss my morning jog on the dyke to Steveston and Starbucks.
But I have the company of Marina Harris and her dog Frixo. He reminds me of my childhood pet. When I drop the lid of my pen, Frixo picks it up for me. Nice to have adoring company with no interruptions about mortgages when you paint.
I am now teaching at the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre Centre in the Mall of Emirates. It is very interesting to me to talk about art for three hours. To be helping art students, guiding them with my experiences. Timing the information and giving them what they need at the right time.
It is interesting to refresh and explain the basics, the habits of excellence. It is no different for a professional artist. We lose focus, interest, engagement, purpose, perseverance. We require the same basics for our careers.
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