Three In - Art comes Out - Vancouver, BC

"More of Me Comes Out When I Improvise"

-Edward Hopper

It's been 3 weeks since I planted my feet in Vancouver, which means the artwork created during the Between the Points Project is just about ready to ship out to the individuals involved.  It has been a rewarding experience and process being with these artworks for this long, and reflecting over the journey - the colors, textures, temperatures, interactions, etc.

I suppose, much like any trip, it is normal look back at the images created or the souvenirs procured during that time.  I've realized, however, that this journey and these experiences resonate within me without needing to refer back to a specific image.  Colors I didn't typically gravitate towards in my painting suddenly seem common on my painter's palette.

Images and motifs seem to seep their way into the artworks, almost without my conscious action.  When I look at the artwork after the fact, I feel the memory of that moment, of that place, come charging back to the forefront of my mind.

Nature, and natural elements and colors, have found there way into the artworks in direct and indirect ways.

Moments are still playing themselves over and over in my mind, as if I were there - feeling the feelings, hearing the sounds, seeing the sights,

holding that connection between the body and the earth.

As I finalize the last envelopes before sending the artworks out to those individuals involved, I feel it necessary to say
Thank you.
Thank you to Artist's Mediums of Williston Vermont for donating art supplies to the project.
Thank you to Black Horse Fine Art Supply for donating art supplies to the project.
Thank you to Desillusion Magazine for donating magazines to use as supplies for the project.
Thank you to you for this opportunity and being a part of its creation.

I will announce by the end of the week when the work has been sent out.  I would suspect it will take no more than two weeks to reach each of you.

I hope you enjoy the work.
I hope you keep in touch with the artwork inspired by the journey after the fact at:
www.jessagilbert.com
and
faeebook.com/jessagilbertstudios

or directly

jessacgilbert@gmail.com

It has been my pleasure.

Jessa Gilbert

Process, Memory, and Beautiful British Columbia

The dogs here can communicate in English and French.

Or at least that's what the government here is pushing for - that all dog owners must teach their dogs commands in both English and French.  Luckily, this breaking news story came around the same time Miley Sirus began twerking, so all in all we in Canada may be winning.

Set up has begun, and although there are minor tweaks to the studio to come, I feel I am closing in on a permanent set up.  I overlook my neighbor's beautifully manicured vegetable garden, a Sedarium plant I'm hoping becomes interesting and not just mold, and my Grandmother's (I think) table that I have turned into my painter's table.

It's been such a joy to go through the pieces created on the Between the Points Project.  Although I have landed here in Vancouver, British Columbia, I feel as though I'm still on the road when I go through these works.  It's as if creating these pieces in those places captured and retained the energy of that moment.  While I always thought of paintings and artwork being able to produce emotions for the viewer, these sentiments are much stonger than I had anticipated.

Even within the photographs I developed from my Ricoh 35 mm camera.  Perhaps that's just how memory works - it is jolted awake by images or things or scents.  When I began the Latitude/Longitude photographs I had this in mind - that a memory is actually a fleeting, unclear thing.  As theory states, "our perception of the past is always influenced by the present, which means it is always changing."

By having something, in this case a latitude and logitude location "trigger", in the foreground, the background becomes gauzy and painterly - much like memories.

This process of redefining what you see and how you understand it is essential for creating a body of work, or a process of working, that feels noteworthy - for me at least.  I also enjoy trying to think of past events in a different way.  Perhaps you can imagine an unpleasant moment in a positive or humorous light.

Like these:

Cloudy Mornings.

Although I was hoping for a beautiful sunrise in Virginia, I was greeted with cloud covered rolling hills.  I would pack a few things and go back to look, but the mountains were still fast asleep under their blankets of clouds.

Allergies.

Which plagued me State after State either due to dust of different things in bloom.

Desert Heat.

As my close friends like to point out, my body does not do an exceptional job regulating heat.  However, the colors of the desert feel alive, and though I was at times unable to take a step, the people accustomed to the desert heat didn't let it stop them.

Sometimes to energize the mind and body, for me, it is best to just get to work.  This project, as well as preparing for my next group show, the Lab Arts Show put on by Glitz Entertainment, as well as creating a new portfolio for the Open Door Gallery, who I am represented by here in Vancouver, has helped me to hit the ground running, and be thankful for everything I have, have done, and will do.

That doesn't mean I have chained myself to my painter's table.  It is still important to be outside in the real world - noticing color combinations,

compositions,

symbols,

and beyond.

Two weeks in, and things are settling in nicely as I prepare the artworks from the Between the Points Project to ship out this month.

So much to come.

Jessa Gilbert

www.jessagilbert.com

facebook.com/jessagilbertstudios

One Week In Vancouver, British Columbia

Learning to Simplify and Float

After two weeks in my car driving from New York to Vancouver BC, meandering through the Southern desert, I have begun to settle into my new home, finalize artworks to be sent out in the next few weeks for the over 50 individuals who became involved with this project, and stretch my legs a little.

I'd be lying if I said the first few days were very easy, for it is difficult to move into a new place with no phone, no friends, no bank account... but there are finer things here.

The Ocean.

The Mountains.

A Major City.

The Sunshine.

My Health.

Not to mention a new Studio to settle into.

Looking through my completed pieces from my journey Between the Points, I am noticing a theme of simplification.  Part of this could be due to certain landscapes - the endless golden fields of wheat in Idaho, the flat arid landscape of Northern Texas, or the seemingly endless sky of Oklahoma.

A certain amount of this simplification and editing could also be due in part to moving and being mobile.  One must be very thoughtful about what elements to include since there is limited space in a vehicle, and limited energy in packing boxes upon boxes.  Perhaps this process of simplifying my lifestyle through way of purging belongings found its way into my artwork.

An emphasis on color and light still reigns supreme in the pieces, drawing, watercolor, acrylic, photography, and collage.  I am fascinated by the way in which shadows and tones are dispersed across landscapes and objects depending on their light source.

I have noticed more of a sense of humor and light-heartedness in these small works than I tend to exhibit in my larger acrylic paintings.  Maybe due to their size I feel more free to explore and take chances.  Going through these types of exercises is incredibly valuable for it reinforces the importance of taking chances and risks.

I decided to take the weekend to further reflect on the pieces, and get outside while the weather was nice.  I made my way to Garibaldi Park for some backpacking and camping.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of bears the entire night.  The upside to this fear, much like when I camped at Canyonlands in Utah, is that I was happy to get up and out of the tent early.

The rain from the night before, along with the clouds cloaking the mountain range made for a beautiful and inspiring morning.

I can say without a doubt that until staying in the mountains and waking up to this incredible landscape, where the trail head was an under 2 hour drive from my front doorstep, I didn't know how to feel.  Being within the mountains, and spending time out of the studio surprisingly, helped me grasp that I moved to one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to.  I'm excited to continue to build an Art portfolio, become involved in a new community, and see how this fantastic land seeps into my artwork and creative process.

(So Much) More to Come.

Jessa Gilbert

www.jessagilbert.com

facebook.com/jessagilbertstudios

instagram.com/jessagilbert

Day Fourteen - Pacific North West and Canadaland

Press On.

What I liked most about my hotel that night was probably the sign along the driveway stating:

 "Picking up Prostitutes will get you arrested".

Luckily, there were no prostitutes to pick up, my level of cash was low, and my door had a deadbolt.  The other positive things to glean from this was that it was very easy to wake up early and get out of there.

I found myself at a shipyard near Seattle during the early morning exploring the rippled paint, piles of equipment and machinery, and no signs of prostitutes.

I love the way in which natural processes can take over, such as rust, corrosion, and moss.  In particular I enjoy when there is a clearly defined line between past and present take over.  Perhaps its the juxtaposition between the elements that most intrigues me.  A difference in texture, creation, time, etc. 

Into the City on the Sea, and what a beautiful blue day it was.  What a treat, considering I had only heard about how rainy it was.  Thanks for looking out, Seattle!

I strolled down to the water's edge to check out the boats and markets.  Having a sea port of entry, or a well defined system, into the city is so critical to a culture of a location.  I've realized that I'm drawn to these locations, be it by rail yards or sea ports, for the textures they have.  Each location is used and worked incredibly hard, and typically for some time now.  The wear upon the buildings, streets, and machinery feels similar to painting and drawing in regards to its pentimento.

I had been so spoiled with my past city visits of having empty streets.  Seattle's market on a Sunday, however... very much the opposite of empty.  

From fish to fruit, feet to flowers - all senses were aroused upon entering the Pike Street Market.  It reminded me of descriptions I've read about India's markets in being and "assault of the senses", but I would imagine much more tame.  I loved the myriad of texture and color, as well as the energy created within the structure.

I found my way down a quieter alleyway, and stumbled across a small artisan press shop called Pike St. Press.  They specialized in had pressed and printed cards, prints, stationary, etc.  Really unique and well crafted products.  You can tell they had really talented artists working here with a unique, and light hearted, perspective.  I adored their use of text and script in many of their pieces.  I'd definitely check them out.

Not to mention they have a changing artwork outside their building made of chalk.  Chalk is one of my favorite materials to see utilized in public spaces for the same reason I love rail yards and ports - the marks and motions inscribed prior to the top layer seem to always appear.  They may recede to a state where they blend into a foggy background, but that history of motion and action is ever present.

Speaking of history revealed... I had to check out one of the more foul public works I've heard about: The Infamous Gum Wall of Seattle.  Not only is everything sort of dripping and full of, I'm sure, living and breathing organisms, but the smell is... well... less Fruitalicious Gum and more repulsive.

I couldn't help myself, but I can assure you I got out of that hallway about as fast as I found my way into it.

Before I left Seattle I felt like I needed to see a few more cleanly places, so I continued around a few blocks before hopping back into the art mobile for the last leg of the journey.

The landscape started to become much thicker during the trek from Seattle to the Canadian border.  It went from more open freeway streets into thick forests, always with mountains looming in the background.  I could tell I was heading in the right direction.

I love entering British Columbia, whether it is by plane or automobile, because they have done a great job making it feel beautiful and well designed.  At this particular border they have a state park with a Peace Arch.

And with that, into Canadaland I went!

I was ushered into Vancouver with a setting sun, mountains getting ever closer, and an incredible sky of clouds.

In 14 days, I made it to my new home, and what a creative and inspiring journey it was.  Before I get to packaging up the artwork for Between the Points Project, I had to take care of a few things first.

What can I say... after well over 4,000 miles, I think I earned it.

Thank you Artists' Mediums of Williston Vermont, Black Horse Fine Art Supply of Burlington Vermont, Desillusion Magazine, and to everyone who became involved with the project along the way!  I look forward to sending the work out to you all within the next month.  I'll be updating this with the status of shipments.  If you ordered an artwork and are concerned about the address you gave, or have any special instructions please feel free to contact me directly.

Thank you for being a part of the journey and creation Between the Points.

Jessa Gilbert

www.jessagilbert.com

facebook.com/jessagilbertstudios