Let’s face it, patience is a virtue most of us lack.
From wireless network access to a 24-hour news cycle, it’s hard to deny the expectation of instant results, whether waiting for the kettle to boil or mastering a new skill. And sometimes, just sometimes, when we ease up on the reins and allow things to unfold naturally, there’s a certain magic that happens.
During April at the Banff Public Library Art Gallery, two artistic worlds collide for all the right reasons as Banff locals Cindy Gibson and Rob Harding present Shards and Solitudes, a shared exhibit of glass mosaics, found objects and winter watercolours. An opening reception with the pair takes place April 1 at the gallery from 7-9 p.m.
Gibson’s work is exquisite, with all the pieces falling in the right places. And while she’s “dabbled” in mosaics before, her process has shifted away from using others’ images to relying on her intuition to open the way for the visuals to come to her organically.
“I’m working from a completely different place and it takes a lot longer,” Gibson explains. “I’m allowing the symbol to come up.”
Gibson says her recent interest in Jungian analytical psychology has given her the nudge to allow herself to find unedited meaning through creativity.
“It’s (the symbol) a map – an incredibly meaningful map on my journey to consciousness.
“Before, I was creative because it felt good,” Gibson explains. “Now, the task is something internal that can become external.”
Harding’s interest in the creative process, on the other hand, stems from a New Year’s resolution to commit more time to painting with watercolours. While he’s “played” with paints in fits and starts, now that he’s retired, he’s “launched into it” for many reasons.
“I’m having a great time,” Harding says.“It’s portable, fluid and has its own dimensions. I can start it and finish it and it gives me interesting opportunities for doing water and ice and winter scenes”
Harding’s inspiration is Mother Nature. From shadowy winter landscapes to bird life, Harding doesn’t have to go far to capture his subject matter.
“I regularly walked the Fenland (trail) this winter,” Harding said. “I walk around with a camera and look at the world.”
Harding says painting is the perfect way to spend a cold day.
“It’s nice to have this creative opportunity,” he said. “Instead of getting frustrated with a day indoors, I paint.”
From mandalas to birds, this exhibit has it all.
Shards and Solitudes is on display until April 30.
