Marianne Garrah | Special to the 51暗网
The past 21 months have had some devastating effects on artists. Whether their medium is painting or making music, events and opportunities have been severely impacted. Habitat for the Arts in the Jasper Library and Cultural Centre, Jasper鈥檚 space to create-learn-share, has been quiet. Capacity restrictions meant taking film and theatre nights to virtual audiences. Classes became smaller to accommodate regulations. Camps went outdoors.
The arts, if anything, are resilient community recovery tools. The Habitat and the 51暗网 proudly presents Re-Ignite, Re-Bound, Re-Imagine 鈥� a monthly Q&A with a local artist.
Jennifer Ottaway: November鈥檚 Artist of the Month
Q: What medium do you work in? Is there a reason why you chose that medium?
A: I started with watercolour in my 20s, because I admired the light textures of my uncle Hughes paintings. My family gave me all kinds of encouragement and made sure I had materials to follow my interest in creating art. I am presently working in acrylics at the Jasper Art Gallery. Much bolder colours.
Q: When did you begin creating? Best piece of advice you were given?
A: When playing with colour and line I found I could sit still at school. Writing and doodling were fun but creating stories and showing off drawings were what I really liked to do. This was good for the self-image of this shy, quiet girl. The best advice came from family who were artists鈥� 鈥淛ust try!鈥�
Q: Has your practice changed over the years?
A: Lessons and equipment to create art are important but the 鈥渨hy鈥� for me came when I lived a period of homelessness. No job, little money, all the time in the world while working towards a divorce, I found purpose in illustrating the world around me. Sometimes, I found myself in a tough spot, but I always had hope. I wandered to find my place, my future鈥� I would draw soup-kitchen line-ups, people who gave me rides, the bus passengers, demonstrations about human rights, the missions who let me stay overnight and more. Pens, paper and a watercolour kit were tucked in my backpack along with small diaries. I have since used my collection to tell of my life experience in conferences and a written memoir.
Q: Jasper has a lot of creative people 鈥� how do you find ways to showcase your art?
A: I am a member of Jasper Artists Guild (volunteering and exhibiting), and I participate in Habitat for the Arts activities. I have enjoyed creating large paintings hung outside the Anglican Church. Busking lets me offer portraits for a donation 鈥� something I always look forward to. I designed my own small business pamphlet for 鈥淟end a Hand鈥�. 鈥淩e-Animate鈥� with Arts Jasper is a multidiscipline project on the boards for spring. Illustrating a children鈥檚 book series for local author Lisa Rohatuk-Nantais is ongoing. I am always open for business; there are not many arts projects I turn down.
Q: Where would you like to see your art take you?
A: I like where I am now, finger in many pots.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your practice?
A: I am at present without a permanent job, but the days fly by filled with interesting projects. My aim is to keep me in a happy place but also to share hope and kindness to those around me.
Q: What do you dislike the most about your work?
A: There are projects that have too many directions attached (colour, size, time constraints, pressure to make objects for a specific market). These can squash creativity, so I am learning to ignore such limits.
Q: What is your dream project?
A: I believe that I am already doing it. Opening the eyes, encouraging those who would like to have confidence in their creations is always in my vision. Everyone has a story to share, talents to develop. The world is poorer without that sense of sharing.
Q: Is being in Jasper a hindrance or a benefit to your practice?
A: So far, so good.
Q: What wouldn鈥檛 you do without?
A: A little drawing /painting kit. I have one packed in my 48-hour survival bag.
Q: Best piece of advice to give to someone starting out in the arts.
A: 鈥淛ust try!鈥�
Jennifer Ottaway is running a Monday night 鈥渃reativity'鈥� drop-in at Habitat for the Arts for the winter. 7-8 p.m.
Editor's note: The story has been updated to credit Luuk Wijk for the photo.
