On Friday night I was part of the crowd celebrating the opening night Vernissage for a new art exhibition in Old Montréal. The group show was organized by “Artists in Montréal”, and I was pleased that two of my more experimental -watercolours were juried into this exhibition; the maximum number of artworks for accepted artists for this event.
All in all 59 member-artists were accepted into this show, 28 with only one work and 31 with two paintings, so I was honoured that both of my pieces were selected. Participating artists were encouraged to provide very descriptive summaries of each painting, so I had fun with mine.
For “Hot & gritty day in the city (CN Tower), Toronto”, my description was “Summer smog so thick, it’s gritty; Toronto sunset”. And for “Cosmic crocuses” I wrote: “Flowers floating in space, or a Listening Post for alien messages? You decide!”
And, of course, I used my Artist’s Statement to raise awareness of chronic pain as part of my Art Despite Pain initiative. I began learning to paint – and even to draw – in 2021, as DIY movement-therapy for my right hand and arm which are significantly affected by CRPS rare disease. At the time, I couldn’t draw a stick-figure! This art-learning was also a form of DIY brain-plasticity training for my CRPS-related Mild Cognitive Impairment, as well as a pain management technique.
Then I naturally began using my artwork to raise awareness of chronic pain – and to encourage others living with persistent pain to try creative pursuits to improve their pain-management and quality of life – through my Art Despite Pain initiative. My art practice is so heavily intertwined with my chronic pain advocacy and awareness activities that I can’t separate the two!
The Galerie BOA Gallery is allowing accepted artists to display “a small box of small works” – unframed pieces on paper rather than on canvas or board, as well as greeting cards – during this event, so a number of my smaller paintings are on display on one of the tables. Some are plein-air watercolours, and a few were painted off my bike-as-easel set up during cycling rest breaks.
My “small box” featured 25 of my more abstract and contemporary watercolours, along with 20 hand-painted cards. “Featured” in the past tense, because at least one of my small paintings was sold on Friday night, which was a lovely way to begin the exhibition for me!
The “Summer Dreams” art show continues through July 24th, in the stunning Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal) district of the city. There’s no entry fee, so feel free to drop in to visit this exhibition – it’s one of very few free activities in this area.
Exhibition details:
Galerie BOA Gallery
263, rue de la Commune est
[between Place Jacques Cartier and the domed Marché Bonsecours, in the heart of Old Montréal]
July 19 to 23: 1000 to 2000
July 24 only: 1000 to 1600
As always, thanks so much for stopping by! Keep well, and look after yourself.