Meeting Myself in the Moments Between
Meet yourself where you are.
That’s the phrase that has been echoing across all the different parts of my life since it first came to me. It is the inspiration behind this painting, and a theme I explored throughout my collection, "The In Between".
'Meet yourself where you are’
36 × 48" Inches
Oil on Canvas
This time last year I was spending every day (and more than a few nights) putting in the work needed to be fully prepared for an incredible opportunity; exhibiting at The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles. In just two and half months I managed to paint eleven paintings, a feat that required complete focus and dedication.
On top of that, I also had to figure out the logistics of exhibiting at a major international show for the first time. This entailed buying a car and a trailer, all while planning a cross-country road trip (with my dachshund, Oliver) that would end in a month-long extended creative retreat in California following the show.
home studio, Canada
This was taken just moments before setting off on our drive to Los Angeles, CA. We built a crate into the trailer to transport all of the paintings. 
Santa Monica, CA
Move-in day for The Other Art Fair. I was on cloud nine! We made it. 
Sea Ranch, CA
Our first morning in Sea Ranch. The first outing was to the beach, of course. I’ll share more about the experiences from that show and the trip itself in the coming months, but that time - amazing as it was - is a big part of why I wanted this summer to feel different. I wanted to dedicate time and energy to the parts of my life that took a backseat in order to make my California adventure possible.
Meeting yourself where you are is about remembering the power of a deliberate pause, a slow inhale, a steady exhale. Not getting wrapped up in what you’ve done, or what you hope to do, and instead focusing on being present in each moment. A mindful focus on this idea has helped me gain some perspective on the parts of my life that give me energy and inspiration, as well as those which do the opposite. I really wanted my summer to feel good, and I realized that there was something standing in the way of that.
Lately I’ve felt myself growing increasingly disenchanted with the whole social media experience. It feels increasingly hollow and obligatory. Every Day May showed me how real authenticity and meaningful sharing on social media can be rejuvenating and help us build meaningful connections even when we’re not together. Maybe it’s just me but fewer and fewer things seem to be cutting through the noise.
I’d like to say that I thought about all of these things when I took my recent break from social media, but in truth it was entirely unplanned. I haven’t completely logged off, I’m still sharing the odd story or post here and there, but I’m already feeling the positive effects of scaling back. In the past this would have made me feel anxious and guilty, but since returning from California I am finding it easier and easier to remember that you have to Meet yourself where you are.
“I think it’s terribly dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people’s expectations.”
Making art is a paradox, existing in the liminal space between internal and external. The studio is an internal space, a place where I can process the experiences, memories, and feelings from my life and travels. Creating is a solitary act of commitment, transforming inspiration into something tangible. But art is also inherently for others. It’s a point of connection — a way to share my experience allowing it to resonate with others.
This blog is meant to explore that tension between internal and external experience. It is an extension of my art, an opportunity to explore the themes central to my work in a new way.
The creative act is a powerful tool for growth, even if no-one is there to witness it, and the most authentic way to connect with others is to be true to yourself. My hope is that I will find new ways to expand my perspective by creating from the inside out; making the thing that I need, knowing that as long as I meet myself where I am, it will resonate with others.
With Love,
Kristi