The Artists’ House – A Few Things Unfolding…
I’ve been noticing something about myself lately…and I wonder if this resonates with you…
As I’m learning to be more patient with my painting—to let things take the time they need—I’m still someone who likes to have multiple creative threads on the go.
Maybe that comes from years of organizing art festivals, where everything was being imagined and planned at once. These days it looks a little different, but that rhythm still draws me there.
I’ve been working on some new projects; a nostalgic Harriet Butterly photographic collage collection, and also developing a journal series from my Water Series paintings—both slow in their own way, but excitingly taking shape.
The name Harriet Butterly has a story behind it and goes back to a bit of family humour. Before I was born, my parents got a dog and hosted a “naming party” (my parents parties were legendary). The dog was ultimately crowned Walter. And he was a memorable character…one of those dogs you never forget.
Not long after, a family friend, Harry Rogers, sent my mother a congratulatory card when I arrived. His message was that since they had chosen to name their dog after a person, it only seemed fair that their child should be named after a dog… and perhaps after him as well. His suggestion: Harriet Spot.
While the full name didn’t quite stick (thank you mom), the nickname Harriet did—and Butterly is my mother’s family name from Ireland.
