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I’ve been playing more with collage lately as it

I’ve been playing more with collage lately as it tends to be what I like to do when I’m needing to feel some creative flow. These are a few simple collages that I made from using leftover paint on paper scraps or the backs of old paintings. It’s all about experimenting more with colour and form. This was what I wanted to explore in my applications for an artist residency. I couldn’t wait so I started trying some things early this year. Turns out I was accepted into two international residencies this year but obviously in these circumstances I’m not able to attend. Like many others out there, cancellations are not new but it still sucks because you put a lot of work in, between the heap of rejections you receive. My heart just bleeds for those with cancelled shows and openings.
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All I can hope for is that I can attend next year to delve even deeper. So in the meantime I’m continuing my experiments in my own studio, taking it slow and reflecting on what direction I want to take my work. All part of the process. No matter how hard it gets, I can never live without making art. .
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#collage #cutandpaste #colourstudies #collagesketch #shapes #shapesstudy #colourandform #abstractcollage #contemporarycollage #analogcollage #kunst #vanessalam #abstractart #yvrart #canadianartist #femaleartist #ltmiseemyart #todaysartreport #theideafoundation

I’m still here and still making. Just immersing

I’m still here and still making. Just immersing myself in colour. I’ve been using up extra paint to make myself some colour swatches plus some collage material if I have enough. Something about fanning these out that makes me happy. I look for all the little things now. .
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#colour #painting #exploringcolour #colourpop #studiotable #colourmeditations #rainbowcolors #colourswatch #leftoverpaint #studiolife #allthelittlethings

I’ve been in a bit of funk lately and couldn’t

I’ve been in a bit of funk lately and couldn’t pin point out what I was actually feeling. Today I realized it was grief. Grieving at the loss of normalcy and know that there continues to be so much uncertainty. I try to keep my day job completely separate from my art practice but now those worlds are colliding. Like many health care professionals in the community including myself, we have been deployed to support the work of COVID-19 indefinitely. Art allowed me to cope with my day job but it is no longer enough. I am so grateful that I still have a job but now being immersed in all things related to COVID-19, it’s even harder to escape from it all. So I’ve had to find other things to do to take care of myself. .
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I thought I would share some pages from the book It’s OK to feel things deeply by @peopleiveloved in case it might help you. These drawings and words always warms my heart. .
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📖Re-reading this book was a good reminder to sort through my feelings and sit with them. When I was growing up feelings were seen as a sign of weakness. Over the years I’ve had to unlearn that as an adult. Lately, I’m finding solace in music🎶, giving myself challenges by guessing songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s and breaking out into dance 💃🏻in the studio. Going back to meditation helps keep me grounded. Walking in the fresh air always give me a dose of energy. I’m now making things that don’t require too many decisions other than to just enjoy the process. 🖌✏️✂️
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What do you find helpful for your self-care? Hope you are all well and safe. ❤️❤️❤️
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#endurance #adaptingtochange #selfcare #selflove #lovingkindness #coping #carissapotter #itsoktofeelthingsdeeply

Trying prototypes on paper. Still lots to work out

Trying prototypes on paper. Still lots to work out. But these colours together make me happy. ⠀
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#vanessalam #abstractart #inprogress #colour #prototype #sculpture #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #wip #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

Mini study with monotype print cutout. #keepmaking

Mini study with monotype print cutout. #keepmaking⠀
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#drawing #sketch #shapestudy #shapes #monotype #monotypeprint #vanessalam #abstractart #abstractpainting #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation #contemporarycollage #papercollage #workonpaper #fineart #kolaj #cutandpaste

Feeling tired this Monday. These quick shape and c

Feeling tired this Monday. These quick shape and collage studies are always a good pick me up for me. ⠀
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#drawing #sketch #paintingsketch #colourstudy #shapestudy #shapes #monotypeprint #cutouts #collagestudy #contemporarycollage #workonpaper #abstractcollage #artprocess #papercollage #yvrart #fineart #kolaj #c_expo #cutandpaste #vanessalam #abstractart #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #todaysartreport #femaleartist #canadianartist

This is a close up of one the framed collages in t

This is a close up of one the framed collages in the post I shared two days ago. It was part of a series that I started during my residency in Berlin in 2017. It was a great way to play with colours and textures as well as explore found material in a new city. When I came back, it was too hot to be in the studio over the summer so I retreated to making collage at home. ⠀
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It seems fitting now that collage can be a creative outlet if you’re finding yourself at home. @thejealouscurator is even proposing a #30dayartchallenge to do whatever project you want from now until mid-April. Making art is one of the few things worth getting caught up in right now.⠀
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#vanessalam #contemporarycollage #jealouscurator #papercollage #yvrart #fineart #kolaj #c_expo #cutandpaste #abstractcollage #workonpaper #keepmaking #cutouts #shapestudy #artprocess #throwback

Doing research whenever I can even at bedtime. Thi

Doing research whenever I can even at bedtime. This is my current pile of my books on my bedside table. I often only get through a few pages but I still try. .
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#bedtimereading #artbooks #artbooklove #artresearch #artprocess #artonthebrain #artisticresearch #fineart #reading #ilovebooks #artideas #artinspiration #bedsidereading #jessicastockholder #matisse #abstractart #matissecutouts #poeticsofspace #gastonbachelard #rebeccasolnit #laurafarina #robertlinsley #juxtapoz @juxtapozmag

If you’ve ever wondered what my work would look

If you’ve ever wondered what my work would look like in your home, here’s are some great shots from a client at her cabin in Joshua Tree. Such an incredible space with amazing light.
I’m always curious to see where my art ends up so feel free to email me any photos if you own any of my work. .
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📸 @tatianaet
#fridayinspiration #friyay #vanessalam #contemporarycollage #kolaj #joshuatree #workonpaper #abstractart #abstractcollage #dreambedroom #artforinteriors #analoguecollage #artinthehome #artinsitu #artconsultant #dreamcabin #fineart #femaleartist #insitu #collageonpaper

Just need to keep making and these studies with mo

Just need to keep making and these studies with monotype cutouts are very satisfying to make. ⠀
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#drawing #sketch #shapestudy #shapes #abstractdrawing #abstractart #vanessalam #contemporarycollage #papercollage #yvrart #fineart #kolaj #cutandpaste #workonpaper #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #todaysartreport #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

Reusing painted cutouts from the backsides of cut

Reusing painted cutouts from the backsides of cut monotype prints. ⠀
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#drawing #sketch #sketchbookpage #paintingsketch #colourstudy #shapestudy #shapes #vanessalam #abstractart #artprocess #abstractpainting #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

Another shape study with monotype cutout. . . . .

Another shape study with monotype cutout. .
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#vanessalam #contemporarycollage #papercollage #yvrart #fineart #kolaj #cutandpaste #drawing #sketch #shapestudy #shapes #linedrawing #abstractart #monotype #abstractdrawing #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #contemporary #cbcarts #todaysartreport #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

I wasn’t a fan of this painting sketch but then

I wasn’t a fan of this painting sketch but then I came back the next day and seeing
them against my small studies, I could see that I was making some progress. Fresh eyes always see more than you realize. .
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#vanessalam #abstractart #studioscenes #abstractpainting #studiofriday #paintingstudio #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #wip #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #bts #shapestudy #paintingsketch #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #artistatwork #theideafoundation

#tbt to a sunny afternoon and when I made assembla

#tbt to a sunny afternoon and when I made assemblages from wood scraps. Part of the fun is just searching and collecting materials. I’m trying to use completely different materials now and it’s interesting to see how it’s changed from my original process. I was so comfortable doing it a certain way and it’s taking me more time to work out a new process. .
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Sounding it Out, 2016
Mixed media on wood scraps
9.75" x 12" x 3.75
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#assemblage #assemblageart #throwback #woodscraps #wallassemblage #wallsculpture #abstractart #yvrart #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #artforinteriors #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #new_and_abstract

Detail of painting sketch on paper. I love the int

Detail of painting sketch on paper. I love the intensity of this cobalt blue. It’s hard for me not to use it everywhere. ⠀
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#drawing #sketch #paintingsketch #colourstudy #shapestudy #shapes ##vanessalam #abstractart #abstractpainting #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #wip #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist

This started off as just scrap paper to wipe off e

This started off as just scrap paper to wipe off extra paint from a brush. I added some charcoal with some leftover monotype cutouts and I now I have this mini study. Chance can be your friend sometimes. ⠀
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#sketch #shapestudy #shapes #vanessalam #abstractart #abstractdrawing #cutouts #monotype #workonpaper #contemporarycollage #kunst #kolaj #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

#bluemonday I didn’t think that I would like wor

#bluemonday I didn’t think that I would like working small but I love making these studies with monotype collages. ⠀
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#drawing #vanessalam #sketch #paintingsketch #colourstudy #shapestudy #shapes #monotype #monotypeprinting #bts #artprocess #studiomonday #abstractart #abstractdrawing #cutouts #workonpaper #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

Today’s mission is to #failharder So many things

Today’s mission is to #failharder So many things don’t work out but I have to try it for myself in order to know. I still push to see if it really is worth saving or if it’s a dead end. These are piles of cut outs of monotype prints that I went through to be able hone in on the one idea that I wanted explore. It’s never a waste if I can to a move to a more exciting place than where I started from. ⠀
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#vanessalam #shapes #shapestudy #wip #trusttheprocess #inprogress #studiowall #bts #paintinglife #yvrart #fineart #painting #abstractart #theideafoundation #keepgoing #monotypeprint #createtoexplore #canadianartist #femaleartist #studiofriday

#tbt to last summer when my studio was packed ful

#tbt to last summer when my studio was packed full of new work. Slowly planning new projects to fill up the studio again. ⠀
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📸 @byron_cameraman ⠀
#paintingstudio #studioscenes #vanessalam #abstractart #abstractpainting #bts #throwback #studiowall #paintingstudio #artprocess #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #wip #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

Working on some shaped panels that I started last

Working on some shaped panels that I started last year. Time away always brings more clarity. ⠀
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#vanessalam #shapes #atmyfeet #abstractart #studiofloor #paintingstudio #wip #abstractpainting #new_and_abstract #abstraction #LTMIseemyart #yvrart #fineart #contemporary #cbcarts #inprogress #todaysartreport #painting #femaleartist #artforinteriors #paintersofinstagram #canadianartist #theideafoundation

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