The Plan

Life imitates art—or perhaps art imitates life. I’m not entirely sure which comes first, but I do know they are deeply, intrinsically connected for me.  

Most of my artwork is unplanned. It rarely begins with a clear vision -- instead, it starts with a feeling. From there, each next step reveals itself in the moment, unfolding naturally until the piece is complete. To say I am not a planner would be an understatement—but that shouldn’t be mistaken for a lack of drive or commitment. I simply work best by thinking as I go. In fact, the act of starting is what propels me forward.

I believe there’s a difference between the thinking brain and the writing brain. When I write, like I am now, my thoughts flow in a relatively continuous stream. But when I speak—especially when telling a story—I rarely move in a straight line. I wander, I circle, I take unexpected turns. And yet, somehow, I always find my way back to the beginning.

I believe I have an internal drive to solve things.  Puzzles, mysteries, contradictions, why my brain won't let things go at 3:00 in the morning.  Art, for me, is one of the ways in which I solve things. For me, ART is the ability to reproduce thought.  It provides my mind with the tools to figure out this world and the way in which the world affects me. It is my method of processing—of translating thought into something tangible. It gives my mind the tools to better understand the world and how it shapes me. There’s a particular calm that comes from experimenting, especially when combining materials that aren’t “supposed” to work together. In another life, I think I might have made a great detective.

There’s also a common misconception that I need to be right. That’s never really been the point. What drives me is the search for answers—no matter who finds them. I have a tendency to approach problems backwards, piecing together solutions from whatever is at hand, kind of "MacGyvering" the solution.  Watch me make a dump truck out of a toothpick, and olive, a tricycle and some duct tape.  It may not be conventional, but it will get the job done!

In the end, my process—whether in art, thought, or life—is less about control and more about discovery.

Which leads me to this trip.  This Canadian Adventure is definitely one of discovery, and I am very much looking forward to all that will be discovered and revealed on this trip.  Equal parts adventure and discovery.  

Canada here I come...