Summer Camp Workshops

August was an incredibly fulfilling month for me as the artist in residence at Richmond Nature Park. Alongside my work on the legacy public artwork, I had the pleasure of facilitating four workshops. Immersing myself in the serene environment of the park while engaging with the community was a truly enriching experience.

One of the highlights was working with the summer camp children, introducing them to analog image-making techniques. In an era dominated by technology, it was refreshing to see their enthusiasm for these hands-on activities. In total, I had the privilege of working with forty-seven children, organized into age-specific groups. For the older children, I introduced Lumen printmaking, while the younger ones enjoyed leaf rubbing and tree bark impressions.

As a mother to a young child, I find immense joy in working with children. They have a unique ability to remind us of the wonder in the world around us. Each workshop was a resounding success, with the older children particularly thrilled to see their prints develop after exposure to sunlight. We also had time for some mind and body exercises and open group discussions. Sharing that my daughter would be starting Kindergarten this fall and receiving advice from the children was a heartwarming experience. Their innocent and sweet responses were truly priceless.

The final session with the youngest group was especially memorable. The children generously gifted me their artworks and taught me how to draw beyond stick figures. Their purity and kindness deeply touched my heart, and I found myself moved to tears. Being present with their beautiful energy and sharing a creative day was a profound experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to all the young artists who brightened my day, the dedicated camp leaders and assistants, and the incredible staff at Richmond Nature Park. Their support and the magical participants they arranged made this month’s residency an unforgettable experience.

Anthotype Printmaking Workshop

Anthotype printmaking stands out as the most playful and engaging form of alternative photography I have ever encountered. The process of experimenting with organic emulsions and UV light to create highly detailed images is nothing short of magical. It was an absolute delight to share this unique process with the intimate group that attended our August workshop.

Each organic emulsion requires a different duration of sunlight exposure to develop an image. For this workshop, I chose a plant base with the shortest exposure time to ensure participants could see results quickly. After a demonstration and group introductions, everyone eagerly took on the role of a scientist, crafting their own emulsions.

This workshop is unique in that it allows participants to treat the substrate and experience the entire process from start to finish. I was incredibly fortunate to have Erzsi Institorisz assist me, along with two summer park volunteers. Erzsi, whom I have worked with many times, is not only one of the most talented and dedicated individuals I know, but also one of the most helpful. Her assistance this summer has been invaluable. The two student volunteers also exceeded expectations with their maturity and work ethic, making them incredible assets to the team. Their contributions helped create an easy-going and creative atmosphere for the day.

Once everyone had coated their paper and allowed it to dry, they began arranging their compositions using selected pressed botanicals. Watching participants rummage through my treasured collection of pressed plants always feels like witnessing a treasure hunt.

After arranging their artworks, we laid them out in the sun for exposure and embarked on a guided nature walk. We were privileged to have Angela Soon, the park’s botanist, guide us on this walk.

Angela is a wealth of knowledge, explaining the complexity of the environment and geological history in a tangible and engaging manner. The park’s ecosystem is unique, with origins tracing back to the arctic plants brought to the region during the last ice age. The Sphagnum Moss, which forms the foundation of the bog, creates a harsh and acidic environment well-suited for these arctic tundra plants. Angela’s guided talks always captivate the group, fostering a deep connection with our environment and reminding us of the significant geological shifts that shaped our current landscape. Learning about nature and the symbiotic systems that sustain life often sparks a sense of stewardship among participants.

After completing the walk and experiencing the unique sensation of the underground moss, we returned to the picnic shelter, guided by the soulful music played by Erzsi.

The excitement was palpable as everyone rushed to the exposure table to see how their prints had developed. This moment never loses its charm, and I share in the participants’ excitement each time.

The prints were met with enthusiasm, and participants had many questions about other approaches to organic emulsions. I was happy to share my knowledge, and I have a feeling that some will continue to explore this art form on their own.

The day was extraordinary, blessed with beautiful weather, an amazing team of assistants, and a talented group of community members eager to try something new. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to my team, the Richmond Nature Park staff, the Nature Park Society, and the City of Richmond for providing me with the opportunity to create with the community and serve as the artist in residence at the Nature Park.

Seniors Lumen Workshop

As someone who has always cherished the wisdom and serenity of my grandmothers, I find immense solace in the company of seniors. Their peaceful ways and the life lessons they’ve gathered over the years are truly inspiring. Recently, I had the privilege of spending a day with Richmond’s senior community, guiding them through the creative exploration of Lumen Printing, a camera-less photographic method.

After our group introductions, we immediately embarked on a nature walk and ecology session. It was an honour to have Perry Poon lead our expedition, sharing his extensive knowledge of hummingbirds with the group. The opportunity to view preserved bird specimens up close allowed us to appreciate the intricate details and delicate scale of these fascinating creatures.

Following our nature session, we transitioned into the Lumen Printmaking process. The group’s enthusiasm to see their prints develop added a vibrant energy to the day. Engaging in creative play is a powerful way to learn, and I love witnessing this pure and curious energy! I also love how each participant creates a completely unique expression, despite using the same subject matter and methods, which serves as a beautiful reminder of our individual creativity and uniqueness. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the process and were thrilled with their prints!

As in previous workshops, I meticulously scan each print to archive the originals for both the participants and for inclusion in the legacy artwork, as Lumen prints fade over time with light exposure. This part of the workshop is typically slower, but the group’s patience and contentment created a serene atmosphere that deeply affected me. Usually I find myself rushing during this part of the day, yet I noticed how everyone was enjoying their conversations and being outdoors, which made the waiting time a delightful experience.

When the workshop concluded, I accompanied the group to the bus and shared heartfelt hugs with everyone as they boarded. It felt like bidding farewell to dear friends, with the hope of seeing them again. This afternoon was incredibly special, and it was an absolute honour to work with such an extraordinary group of individuals. My heart soars for days after every workshop, but this one truly underscored how much I love being around senior citizens. On my drive back to the studio, I called both of my grandmothers to share the magic of the day!

A big thank you to Victoria Griffith, a talented local artist, for assisting me during this session. Her support was invaluable and greatly appreciated. I also extend my gratitude to all the staff at the Richmond Nature Park for their invaluable contributions to this program, the Nature Park Society, and the City of Richmond.

Chlorophyll Print-making Workshop

Working with alternative photographic techniques requires a willingness to surrender—to let go and embrace the unexpected. Our scheduled Chlorophyll print-making workshop exemplified this beautifully. While UV exposure is crucial for this process, the weather forecast threatened rain and cloudy skies. Undeterred, I devised a contingency plan to ensure an engaging afternoon of art-making for our participants.

The diverse group of local community members eagerly delved into two camera-less photography methods, which we divided into separate sessions throughout the day.

Trust-building exercises started the workshop, and soon the group was immersed in the history and process of Chlorophyll print-making. Despite its apparent simplicity, this technique is the most challenging alternative photography form I’ve worked with. Patience becomes essential as one navigates the unpredictability of working with nature—an excellent teacher for on-the-fly problem-solving.

Participants were paired-up to collaborate on the creation of leafy compositions, this intentionally integrated to depart individuals from the usual solitary art-making process. Groups were provided with a selection of transparencies sourced from the Richmond Nature Park Society’s slide negatives archive. Scanning biophilic compositions from the 1970s onwards, I aimed for intriguing fusions with our contemporary project. This merger of past creative exploration and our current program symbolizes the park’s enduring role as a place that has fostered artistic endeavors for over fifty-four years.

Between exposures, we embarked on a nature walk led by park botanist Angela Soon, and zoologist Hugh Griffith. Their insights into local flora and bird species fascinated us. The real gem was the Merlin app—an auditory delight that identifies birds by their songs. As we listened, we deepened our connection to the biodiversity surrounding us.

Guided walks in the park are integral to every workshop I facilitate. The juncture of environmental education and sensual experiences with nature forms the cornerstone of my creative process, which I eagerly share with the groups.

After this inspiring time in nature, we seamlessly transitioned to the Lumen print-making portion of the day where participants composed botanical artworks on 5x7" pieces of photographic paper.

As the group carefully composed their artistic expressions, the shelter echoed with live music by Erzsi Institorisz—a talented Richmond musician, environmental advocate, and founder of the Greenseeds Music Society.

In the available UV light, the group exposed their prints for approximately twenty minutes. As each participant unveiled their Lumen masterpieces, ghostly floral depictions emerged—each unique to the artist’s creativity. Witnessing everyone’s excited reactions during the unveiling brought immense joy. These processes never fail to surprise; their element of unpredictability taps into our curious, child-like qualities.

Having large groups come together to explore new forms of art-making is such a great opportunity to learn from the varied outcomes as everyone’s artwork renders uniquely.

Another aspect I love about Lumen prints is their ephemeral nature—they gradually fade into black over time, if untreated. As I refuse to use the toxic ‘fixer’ required for preservation, I scanned the prints to create a digital archive for each participant. I additionally introduced the group to the option of making their own organic fixing agent made from just salt and water. Participants eagerly took home their originals to conduct longevity experimentation.

As with all workshops in this program, the artistic expressions from each session are also kept on my hard drive as these will accumulate into a collaged public artwork, set to be unveiled at the Richmond Nature Park, later this fall.

The day was exceptionally fulfilling for me, and I believe the group shared a similar sentiment. I extend my gratitude to the remarkable members of the community who embraced something new, and participated in this creative event at the Nature Park. A special acknowledgment goes to my assistant for the day, Erzsi Institorisz, whose impeccable presence infused the day with magical energy, and once again, I express my thanks to the Richmond Nature Park, the Park Society, and the City of Richmond for their unwavering support, which significantly contributed to the workshop’s resounding success.

Digital Photography Workshop

 

After months of meticulous planning and dedication to the vision of this program, the inaugural workshop at Richmond Nature Park on April 20th, 2024, unfolded into a tapestry of shared creativity and community spirit. The overwhelming enthusiasm from the community, which led to a wait-listed registration, was a testament to the collective yearning for artistic exploration.

Bathed in the sublime light of an ideal day, we found harmony with nature’s canvas. The true essence of the workshop was embodied by the vibrant assembly of local photographers, each bringing their unique perspective and innate talent for capturing the ephemeral beauty of our natural world.

The day was further enriched by the collaboration with Flick Harrison, a media artist and advocate for community engagement. Having been guided by his wisdom during the ICASC FUTURES/forward mentorship in 2020, it was profoundly meaningful to co-create this experience alongside him. His unwavering support and insightful mentorship have been pivotal in my journey as a community-engaged artist.

Our session commenced with communal activities designed to forge connections, my personal favorite being the spontaneous portrait session. This was followed by an enlightening discourse from Angela Soon, the park’s botanist, who unraveled the geological narrative of the park’s evolution. A guided sojourn along the ‘Pond Trail’ boardwalks allowed us to immerse ourselves in the presence of iconic flora, such as the Sphagnum Moss, which anchors the bog’s unique ecosystem.

As we gathered amidst the verdant heart of the park, I shared insights into the technical nuances of creative aperture control and the art of composition—foundational elements of my photographic practice. Despite the diversity of equipment, from smartphones to DSLRs, the focus remained on mastering the tools at our disposal. The artistry lies not in the device but in the intimate knowledge of its capabilities and the deliberate intent behind each captured moment. In the realm of contemporary art, entire exhibitions have been curated with images captured on the most unassuming devices. It is a reminder that the true medium of an artist is not the instrument but the vision they bring to life through it.

The compositional techniques we explored transcend the medium, applicable to any device in the hands of a storyteller. It’s about the art of pause, the contemplation behind each frame, the narrative we yearn to weave, and the meticulous orchestration of our visual symphony. The collective brilliance of the group shone through, as each individual contributed to a tapestry of shared wisdom and camaraderie.

In this blog post, I wish to share a glimpse of the aperture insights that illuminated our workshop. Aperture, akin to the eye of the camera, dictates the story’s depth. The elements of light and focus, from the ethereal blur that cradles a subject to the crisp expanse of a landscape, is all controlled by the aperture’s setting. To master this, one may embrace aperture priority mode—or manual, for the intrepid—bearing in mind that a smaller f-stop number narrows the stage to a single actor, while a larger number invites the entire ensemble into clarity. While other elements play their roles, this is a splendid starting point for those eager to experiment and discover the interplay of these values. During the workshop, I presented visual exemplars of depth of field (pictured below), each a testament to the narrative power held within the choice of aperture.

The top image shows a ‘shallow depth of field’ - f/2.8.
The image below was captured with f/8.

Personally, I use aperture priority mode, often opting for f/8 and f/11 to capture the grandeur of landscapes, steadied by a tripod’s embrace. For portraits where the background fades into a dream, f/2.8 and f/5.6 are my confidants. As a self-taught photographer and artist, I advocate for the relentless pursuit of practice, for it is through exploration and experimentation that our craft truly flourishes. Should this post spark a desire to delve into the realm of aperture, I invite you to download the exercise crafted for our workshop.

Engage with it, witness the effects firsthand, and let experience be your guide.

A heartfelt thank you to the souls who graced our gathering, each a vital thread in the fabric of our collective artistic journey. My gratitude extends to Flick, whose enchantment infused our session, and to the Richmond Nature Park, its Society, and the City of Richmond for nurturing this program’s growth.

With anticipation, I await our next session on June 1, 2024—a picnic-style workshop where we will craft Chlorophyll prints and enjoy the melodies of live music. Join us for an afternoon where art and nature coalesce in celebration.