2020 Vision

​I'm not going to pretend I came up with that but I mean to use the term more figuratively.

My website does a good enough job in telling you tidbits on myself. My education, my interests, my experience with various mediums. With a blog I want to go more into it, so I hope it's to your liking!

Here's a piece of trivia for you, before I get too deep into things:

The name I chose to represent myself and my work is Willowind Studios. 'Willow' is my favourite type of tree... graceful, solemn, and resilient. 'Wind' is the element I affiliate with, both powerful and soothing. The two together make a nice alliteration!

When I graduated from Sheridan College in May 2019, that was the end of my post-secondary career, which spanned the length of eight years. Almost of decade of solely focusing on my art, all thanks to the support of my family. It goes without saying that I'm now faced with dilemmas. What now? How will I make a living with what I've learned? Does a skill's worth strictly equate to how much sustainable income it can generate?

My work doesn't scream 'fine art', but a lot of thought and research back the concepts because that's simply how I think. I have a whole world I get lost in but have a hard time expressing it in words. I connect to the craftsperson more, there being a greater emphasis on skill, discipline, and attention to detail. In fine art, I am a printmaker, and in craft, I am a glassmaker, both highly intensive and complicated processes When it comes to establishing my place in the art world, I'm interested in applying the two practices together in harmony; a hybrid practice to match a hybrid artist.

That's when I'm focused on exhibiting work. Since graduation, aside from artist-in-residence and call-for-submission applications, the summer and fall of 2019 resulted with fruitless attempts and no feedback. So I decided, while I waited to hear back from the juries, to offer my illustrations on print-on-demand websites such as Society6, Redbubble, and Art of Where. These shops are under the domain of Spicy Honey Heart, a branch (heh!) of Willowind. The separation is a form of categorizing my channels of work, since themes are everything to a brand. Willowind offers thoughtful, precious items that address death and celebrate life. Spicy Honey Heart offers fun, colourful designs subject to my whimsy. 'Spicy honey' is memespeak for glass, in case you didn't know. And more alliteration!! I love it.

So you can imagine that my time is divided between the two realms, the two personas (fine art/craft versus graphic illustration), which is a fairly successful decision so far. And by successful, I mean I'm always working, always busy, always creative. If I can't work on one body of work for whatever reason (lack of facilities, inability to travel, etc.), I can work on the other. But Spicy Honey Heart is all passive income, with a portion of the expenses dedicated to manufacture and shipping. I need to start dedicating more time to Willowind, and to you.

For 2020, I see more focus, more pop-up shows, more audience engagement, more applications, and let's not forget more blog posts!! I had always hoped to make these in podcast form, but until I'm able to justify a proper microphone I think it'll just have to wait.

​Next week I'd like to go into how I ended up in this weird niche of glass, print, and digital art. Until then!

Gosia

P.S. I'm planning something very special for Monday. If you don't follow my Facebook page, please consider following it so you don't miss the launch. You can follow the social media icon on the sidebar!