Artists’ Workshop: A Day In The Life

Monday (September 13^th) was the first day of the 2021-22 painting season with my Artists’ Workshop friends and colleagues. It was great to all be together again. The Covid situation gave us quite a merry ride through last year’s season.

The fact that all nine members of our group are double vaccinated brings some level of comfort. Still, with Covid numbers through the roof in this province, we’re being cautious – working at a distance from each other and wearing masks when we are moving around the space….

We work in the auditorium of the Grace Westminster Church here in Saskatoon on Mondays from September through April, with a month or so off at Christmas. Everybody brings their own supplies and projects and everybody does their own thing.

Although we have access to the space from 9 to 4 each Monday, people have their own rhythm of participation. Some come early and leave early. Some come later and stay later. Some change it up depending on what is going on with their art and in their lives.

During the day, in addition to working on our projects, we usually circulate informally to see what others are doing. Opinions are sought and offered. Problems are solved – or not. Laughs are shared. There’s a real sense of comradery and strong support for each other’s artistic practices.

We mostly adjourn from our work and convene for conversation over the lunch hour. Sometimes there are short jaunts to a nearby coffee shop to pick up fresh java or get some fresh air.

Once a month we hold a business meeting to discuss plans for our annual show, finances, and other initiatives on which we might collaborate. We regularly hold critique sessions to improve our skills at analyzing our work and advancing our artistic eye.

I thought you might enjoy an inside look at what’s involved for me to relocate to what I call ‘Studio Two’ each week.

It starts with deciding on a project focus for that week and packing up art supplies, equipment and lunch. I usually swing by Tim Horton’s and grab a coffee and a muffin to start the day.

On arrival at Grace West, I grab a table and set up while catching up on a bit of the news from the last week. And after that, the work commences and the day unfolds.

Every day is different. But I always feel uplifted after a day spent in the company of these fine people and artists.