An art practice is a lot like life.
There are many phases and stages, kind of like a trendy haircut I’ll get one year, and then I’ll look back at a photo and cringe a bit, five years later.
Because it’s a continual exercise in vulnerability and experimentation, there are many things about the artistic process that can seem a little embarrassing later on. That, and it’s also common to look back with a kind of admiration that only hindsight can bring, and wonder why I stopped using a certain technique, and when.
Looking back on the stages of my life as an artist, I’m reminded of the encouragement from creatives who are a little farther down the road in their practice. Two of my favourite pieces of encouragement are so simple; they both just have two words. One was from an awesome artist, Zoe Pawlak. She simply said something to the effect of “start somewhere!” I was inspired, both by her, and the simplicity of her advice. Around that time, I decided to open an instagram account.
Ten years later, with those two words still in tow, I imagine that one day, I will look back on today, and remember the ways I decided to take myself just a little more seriously as an artist. “Somewhere” can be anywhere, or anything, and I agree, it is indeed, a great place to start.
“A Tall Order” Marcie Rohr 2016, pen and acrylic paint on paper, 4 x 6 in
Looking back at some older artwork, I’ve always enjoyed the phase that I made these small, intuitive drawings. These little pen and acrylic paint works were a nod to a simple life. I thought they would look great in a tiny home! I sold them at different fairs, like the Royal Bison art Fair, and a little shop in Edmonton called Habitat. Through these works, I was able to start somewhere, in a few different ways.
“She Brings a Promise” Marcie Rohr, 2016. Ink and acrylic paint on paper, 4 x 6 in.
The other two word, favourite phrase came from Gathie Falk, when She said “keep going!” in an interview, in response to a question of how to encourage new artists.
After years of keeping going, just like She said, I can see what She means. It seemed I would always call myself an emerging artist. This is how I thought of myself for twenty years. Suddenly, with two galleries representing my art work, and many solo exhibitions under my belt, I have to say, I must be a mid career artist. This is, of course, just a title. What matters is that I believe anything behind me is small in comparison to what is ahead. Deep down I truly believe I will always be emerging. I have big hopes and I’m excited to see what happens as I continue to start somewhere, and keep going.
“Make Believe” Marcie Rohr 2017, acrylic on birch panel, 30 x 24 x 1.5 in.
If I was going to add anything to these amazing little bits of advice, I would say, “start anytime!” because anytime is a great time to start. I would tell myself and others, never ask if I am/you are too late so start learning anything — anything at all! There is no such thing as being too late when it comes to a creative practice. If you are an emerging artist, keep going! If you are a mid career artist, I hope you are challenging yourself to keep things fresh and new, by taking a new class or experimenting with fresh materials in the studio.
Here’s to embracing experimentation, and looking back on the past with a cocktail of admiration and cringe for all that was expressed in that previous life.
Let me add here that when I was looking at what paintings to show for this post, there were a few I laughed at and also cried a little on the inside thinking that at one point they were my best work. If that was my thought back then, what would I say about my work today, in twenty years from now?
There’s only one way to find out!
Finishing off this post with a photo from around 2017. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned about curating my booth since then. I’m dying a bit while also looking at that young emerging artist momma with a lot of admiration. I am a big believer that time is not linear, so I’ll send me a big hug and whisper some encouragement to keep making art!
If you are a creative, I’ll send it your way too!
Peace,
Marcie
