“The past no longer exists, and the future is not here yet.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh, You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment
These simple words remind us of the only place where life truly unfolds – the present moment. It’s easy to get lost replaying old stories or worrying about what’s ahead, but right now holds all the possibility we need. This is where inspiration strikes, where ideas take shape, where hands begin the work of creation. As artists and makers, staying present can be a radical act—one that clears space for curiosity, play, and growth. Let’s pause, breathe, and step fully into this moment together.
Katja Farin joined us to talk about Tricksters, their recent show at Gaa Gallery. The works in this mixed media show relate to each other in that Farin imagines the ceramics in the show emerge from the world of the paintings. To create the work, they will often either create an object that appears in one of their paintings or paint an object they have created. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
Shelley Hirsch joined us in December 2020 as the pandemic carried on. At the time, she had just finished a live stream for the Electric Eclectics Festival. Rather than simply stand there and perform while being filmed, she instead made the performance an homage to the apartment she had lived in for 44 years and was about to vacate. Over a period of months, she was filmed in various parts of her house doing all sorts of things. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in Your Pocket.
The present is where your art – and your life – begins.
Outings.
Join me at Massey Klein Gallery for Post Liminal, a collection of new paintings by Chrissy Angliker.
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.
More Books to Read.
Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Jessica Hancock is reading The Book Seller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts That Illuminated the Renaissance by Ross King.
Opportunities.
At Kala, artists-in-residence gain 24/7 access to Kala’s studios, labs, housing options, project spaces, staff support, workshops, and a vibrant community of 70+ artists across diverse disciplines. To learn more, visit the website. Deadline for applications is July 26.