Hi everyone,
I have a collaborative show coming up with my long time friend, and amazing poet Astrid van der Pol. We hope you can make it out to one of our 4 viewing dates Saturday May 20th, Sunday May 21st, Saturday May 27th, Sunday May 28th, 2023. Viewing time 1-5 PM daily.
THE DEAD CAN SWIM: A Poetic Field Guide to the Sea
Astrid van der Pol - Poetry
Amber MacGregor - Visual Art
May 20, 21, 27, 28, 2023
at errant artSpace, 975 Alston St. Victoria BC
Salt-Dried Sailor Invert (detail) ©2020 Amber MacGregor
It's not over until it's over.
Will it ever be over?
Is anyone else feeling the relentlessness of COVID-19? As things worsen exponentially in the USA and South America and things continue to open up despite that, I'm feeling more and more confusion over how we continue to live our lives.
I believe we are meant to be learning a lesson here. We are just not getting it and until we get it things will continue to escalate.
I have had to stop and take stock of everything that I am doing in my life. It's time to make some major changes. I am beginning with how I understand myself and my art and teaching practices. I want to make use of my experience in art and education to help make the lives of my students and all those around me, richer and more meaningful. Also I want to help everyone to understand that creativity is our pathway out of all of this mess. We need to come up with creative solutions. Creativity isn't just the domain of artists, it's the soil of revolution for anyone willing to answer the call. Art isn't just decoration or icing on the cake of life, it's where we find the meaning, and intention, and magic of our souls.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that your dreams are not worth pursuing. We need all the dreamers and their dreams more than ever now. Whatever your "art" is pursue it!
Art is revolution!
Wow! What a long strange trip it's been! :)
To get you caught up on what i've been doing lately, I was teaching at Central Middle School last year from November 2018 to May 2019, grade 6-8 Art. Very intensive stuff, lots of great creative kids at that school! Then on to a little subbing for the last two months of the school year.
Summer has been busy with my Masters in Art Education studies, lots of writiing and working on art projects including a series of self portrait double and multiple-exposure photographs, which I will post some of soon and a continuation of the series I am working on in tandem with Astrid Van der Pol on cyanotypes in response to her beautiful poetry about the sea, "Souvenir Hunting".
WAKE 1 cyanotype on w/c paper ©2019 Amber MacGregor
I'm not sure what the new school year may hold, I am looking forward to working with students wherever I end up hanging my hat for the year! Wish me luck my lovelies! xo
Hi Everyone,
I've been so busy teaching I haven't had a moment to write about what's going on with me.
It's been a busy time, with much teaching, learning and art making on my part. It's always great to have such a flow of energy and ideas happening as I do when I am around young student artists at work.
I have recently taken down work from two shows I was in last year, Refugium: Poems for the Pacific at the Maritime Museum in Victoria BC, that ran from October 5th to December 16th 2017, and 2 pieces from the Open House + Winter Warmer Show at errant artSpace in Vic West that ran from December 8th through the 16th 2017.
This year I'm hoping to continue work on a collaborative art and poetry project that I am working on with my good friend and amazing writer Astrid Van der Pol. Also I have embarked on some work of my own involving marine ecosystems and creatures of the deep!
So on to some new work and new adventures in this new year!
I wish you all a joyful 2018!
Hi Everyone,
September has been a rollercoaster ride of a month so far! I've been working on a painting for Refugium, which is an artists and poets collaboration that opens at the Maritime Museum here in Victoria BC on October 5th. Here is a peek at my work in process, titled "Aristotle's Lantern", it is a response to the poem of the same name by Lee Beavington. The opening is also a book launch for the book Refugium: Poems for the Pacific. Each work in the show was made in response to one of the poems in the book.
In other news I've just taken a position teaching Media Arts at a High School in Victoria, BC, so it will be a very busy fall for me! I'm very excited to be working with some great young folks to expand their artistic horizons!
I hope all of you are having a great beginning to your Autumn season, finding your creative centre and doing what makes you happiest!
It's been a long time since I've had some time to dedicate to my webpage.
Detail of work in progress for Refugium, ©2017 Amber MacGregor
I have had a great summer of visiting and spending time with my family and am now working on a painting for an artists and poets group show titled Refugium, that will be opening at the Maritime Museum in October 2017.
I will be back as a Teacher On Call in the Greater Victoria School District 61 in September!
All the best everyone!
Wow! What a long strange trip it's been! I am finally back! With some time to dedicate to my art practice before I forge ahead into the world of teaching.
I have just finished my 16 month course in Secondary Art Education. It was thrilling, terrifying, exhausting and rewarding!
I had amazing mentor teachers and supervisors and incredible students to work with, each and every one of which has assisted me in innumerable ways and I am full of gratitude for all of them and their lessons, and questions and thoughtfulness.
I hope everyone is making and being and dreaming!
I look forward to reconnecting with the arts community and being present in my studio!
xo
Hi All
There is a sale on in my Society 6 shop 12/12/16 from 12am to 11:59pm
25% off and FREE worldwide shipping!
www.society6.com/polkadotmoonstudio