Here it is now just past the summer solstice and the project to build me a studio overlooking our beach at home has only progressed as far as clearing the site, bringing up rocks from the beach for pier footings and felling timbers for the bones of the structure. Such is the reality when just you and your husband are doing the project in between all the other usual seasonal projects that must be completed before winter. Clearly there will not be a studio building for me to move into before winter comes this year.
But I was determined to have an atelier sooner than later so Kevin and I decided to put up a 4m four season bell tent for me to work from. Even this took a bit more time than expected because we decided it would be wise to build a platform for the tent and the spring was so wonderfully wet that the wilderness road leading to the build site quickly turned to muck. Our ATV can access it, as can the tractor - but the utility wagon could not handle the deep mud. No worries! We have a forest trail and the strength and endurance to portage furniture and supplies to outfit the atelier.
Kevin has given this space the name, Le Tente - and it is a nice name for what has turned out to be such a fantastic temporary studio.
I have had such nice days working on art! (And, of course, having my tea ceremonies!) I’m sharing some videos of working both inside Le Tente on a rainy day and working outside at my plein air rock painting station.
In one video I have finished up my first rock painting, which probably looks very strange to you - but think of it as some ancient fragment from a bas relief sculpture and maybe it will make more sense. When I was walking the forest trail again and again and again portaging furniture and supplies to Le Tente d’Atelier, I kept passing this small rock and the shadow/light played upon its surface, showing me a brow ridge and a nose in relief. When it came time to choose a rock as my first to paint on in the new outdoor workspace, I knew I just had to fetch this rock and give it the honour.
Having a secluded, private atelier at home, on our beach has fulfilled a dream of mine - even though for the time being, the atelier is a tent and not a timber structure - it nevertheless suits my needs perfectly. I’m so thankful!
I do not miss having a public studio and art gallery in town. It was a fantastic place there in the Harbour Centre, but after 18 years I was ready to give up running a business in that way and being reliably committed to dedicated business hours. I never wanted to stop making art, however! But I found I needed at this stage in my life more freedom and more solitude to allow me to continue to develop as an author and artist. So I am grateful beyond expectation for Le Tente! I love having a place to go to work on art again and also I love coming back up the bluff to make dinner and enjoy Kevin’s company. Life feels in good balance for me once more.
Moving into Le Tente d’Atelier Ravenseyrie on the North Channel
Interior of Le Tente
Atelier Ravenseyrie on the North Channel
My plein air rock painting station
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