NORTHWORD MAGAZINE
May/June 2018
Creative Space, by Jo Boxwell
http://northword.ca/features/creative-space
AT THE MUSEUM “The studio building overlooks the harbour, which makes it easy for me to go for a walk along the waterfront for a bit of exercise, fresh air and beautiful scenery (and coffee at Cowpuccino’s).”
Suzo’s studio is located inside one of Prince Rupert’s most striking buildings. Exposed beams and high ceilings might describe a trendy artist’s loft in one of Canada’s big urban centres, but here on the coast, Suzo is describing the great cedar longhouse that is the Museum of Northern British Columbia.
Suzo is a painter who has been living in Prince Rupert for the past two years, and she shares her space with a local photographer. Here, she has room to create, to build her canvas stretchers and to store completed pieces and shipping boxes. She often works alone, bringing in the sounds of others through CDs, CBC radio, or audiobooks played on her phone through a small speaker.
“I like its loftiness. Where my easel is set up is under the highest part of the ceiling, it just has a good feeling. The floor is cement and I sit on a rolling chair when I paint. I enjoy the feeling of rolling 20 feet back to look at the painting.”
Suzo appreciates having time to work alone, but she also embraces the influence of others. Her most valued critic, her partner, has multiple sclerosis, so the wheelchair-accessible features built into the museum were a major selling point when Suzo first considered moving in. Foot traffic, particularly during the tourist season, was also attractive.
“I do like drop-ins. I put out a sign that says ‘Painting Studio – Open’ in hopes of luring curious people. It’s nice to have conversations about art and this is one way of making that happen.”
Suzo’s first local exhibit will be at the Ruth Harvey Gallery located within the museum, aptly titled I Like It Up Here (November 23rd, 2018 to January 15th, 2019).
May/June 2018
Creative Space, by Jo Boxwell
http://northword.ca/features/creative-space
AT THE MUSEUM “The studio building overlooks the harbour, which makes it easy for me to go for a walk along the waterfront for a bit of exercise, fresh air and beautiful scenery (and coffee at Cowpuccino’s).”
Suzo’s studio is located inside one of Prince Rupert’s most striking buildings. Exposed beams and high ceilings might describe a trendy artist’s loft in one of Canada’s big urban centres, but here on the coast, Suzo is describing the great cedar longhouse that is the Museum of Northern British Columbia.
Suzo is a painter who has been living in Prince Rupert for the past two years, and she shares her space with a local photographer. Here, she has room to create, to build her canvas stretchers and to store completed pieces and shipping boxes. She often works alone, bringing in the sounds of others through CDs, CBC radio, or audiobooks played on her phone through a small speaker.
“I like its loftiness. Where my easel is set up is under the highest part of the ceiling, it just has a good feeling. The floor is cement and I sit on a rolling chair when I paint. I enjoy the feeling of rolling 20 feet back to look at the painting.”
Suzo appreciates having time to work alone, but she also embraces the influence of others. Her most valued critic, her partner, has multiple sclerosis, so the wheelchair-accessible features built into the museum were a major selling point when Suzo first considered moving in. Foot traffic, particularly during the tourist season, was also attractive.
“I do like drop-ins. I put out a sign that says ‘Painting Studio – Open’ in hopes of luring curious people. It’s nice to have conversations about art and this is one way of making that happen.”
Suzo’s first local exhibit will be at the Ruth Harvey Gallery located within the museum, aptly titled I Like It Up Here (November 23rd, 2018 to January 15th, 2019).