STILL PAINTING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
by Nancy Canyon
Lately, I’ve been pondering creativity, and how I’ve been stirred in many different directions throughout my life. Back in the 80s, I painted realistic tropical leaves and flowers. I felt passionate about my work and got a good start with a publication of a painting in an art calendar organized by Bainbridge Island Arts Commission. A painting by legendary artist, Alfredo Arreguin (RIP 2023), was printed on the cover. Additionally, each image was paired with a poem. I felt inspired by the publication and continued to paint, though I wasn’t writing poetry at the time, or perhaps I would have submitted a poem.
When the pandemic shut us down, my studio work faded. At home, I wrote poems, worked on my memoir, and worked on ZOOM as a writing coach for The Narrative Project. I made collage with friends via ZOOM and met with my writing group, Wildhaven Writers, but didn’t return to the studio and canvas for over a year.
Recently, feeling stuck, I read and re-read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic. From her book I gleaned the idea that creativity loves me, not just that I love to create. And being called wasn’t something I should be ungrateful for. Since I’ve read and re-read her book, I’ve changed my outlook on gratitude. I am happiest when making art. And clearly this has been a lifelong endeavor and I wouldn’t want it any other way. So thank you, Creativity, for calling me.
The painting posted above was done in 1986. It was one of my first paintings created in an original flower series. Below are two paintings; Yellow Water Lilies (SOLD) & Lavender Iris, both painted prior to the pandemic. I believe creations reflect their creator and that artists are equated with their art. Thus, if you were known for paintings like the one above and switched to something different, like collage, that switch would throw off the public. That is where I discovered the glitch in my thinking when it came to deciding what to paint. I had a little talk with myself about painting because Creativity had called me. My mantra became: I paint because Creativity loves me. I’m thankful for my gift. My heart guide my way.
I will be participating in Whatcom Artist Studio Tour again this year the first two weekends of October. The first WAST show will be at Chuckanut Bay Gallery, the opening this Saturday, 10-5:30. I have two small paintings in the show. Please stop in during gallery hours and view the work of the many amazing WAST artists.
I hope you’ll visit me in my studio at 1000 Harris, Fairhaven, #6 sometime. You can call and make an appointment or try the door and walk on up. Cheers!
Artist/author, Nancy Canyon, MFA, creates in a vintage studio/gallery in Historic Fairhaven, Bellingham, WA. Her paintings, photographs, and words are widely published: True Stories II-IV, Raven Chronicles, Water~Stone Review, Fourth Genre, Floating Bridge Review, Cirque, For the Love of Orcas Anthology, to name a few. Nancy works as a writing coach for The Narrative Project and teaches for Chuckanut Writers. Her memoir, “Struck,” detailing life as a fire lookout attendant in the Clearwater National Forest in the 70s, is seeking representation. Her novel, Celia’s Heaven, and poetry book, Saltwater, are available at Village Books in Bellingham, WA. For more: www.nancycanyon.com
