I was born in 1953, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada. I grew up in Ontario after my parents relocated when I was six months old. My family returned to Nova Scotia in 1968.
After attending the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design for four years in Halifax, during the 70s, I returned to study art again at the age of 56 as a mature student, at Mount Allison University, in Sackville New Brunswick, where I graduated with my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2012. I was very happy to receive the Catherine Arsenault-MacDonald Memorial Award. This award is given to those mature students who exhibit perseverance and determination in achieving their degree. This award meant more to me than my grades.
During the period in between my art education I worked for 20 years a Youth Care Worker, as an Apprentice Welder and an Equestrian. I'm blessed to have had varied and colourful life experiences, from baking bagels at the Wild Cat Cafe in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to teaching Middle Eastern Dance (belly dance) to fishermen' s wives in the small village where I have lived for over 22 years.
My drawing and painting subject matter involves representational, figurative, portraiture, and narrative imagery.
Over the years I wanted let go of realistic rendering, in order to return with a renewed perception, ideology of what it means to involve myself with art, and in particular with painting. I give myself permission now to make mistakes, which enables me to greatly enjoy the creative process, while sustaining my passion for realistic rendering or not, without any preoccupation with the completed outcome.
Horses have been a passion of mine since I was a small girl, and I always longed to have a horse. Unfortunately my family was never in a position to afford a horse. As an adult at the age of 40, I had the opportunity to finally spend all my time over a period of 2 years riding, working and studying all about horses on a horse farm. It was a dream come true but very hard work. If I couldn't own my own horse, I'd do the next best and most sensible activity as an artist and painting pictures of equines.
I have a particular interest and passion for the Canadian Heritage Horse.
After working for many years in oil medium alone, egg tempera now has gives me a deeper vision and appreciation for painting. I have been involved with continuing a series of egg tempera paintings on panels, based on the book, “ Women Who Run With The Wolves”, by Jungian analyst, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, that depict inter-cultural myths, fairy tales and stories that represent a longing for the wild and understanding the wild woman and knowing the soul.
Presently my interest in myth and story telling narrative has evolved and directly relates to my passion and interest in Tarot. I am undertaking a large number in a series of paintings that depict my own interpretation of the Mythic Tarot deck based on Greek Mythology and the Divine Feminine.
About My Art Work
My daily habit of writing, directly affects my creative process and is essential to my own creativity.
My overall purpose and mission is to enable individuals to connect with their own personal creative insight, and personal Archetype, discovering unknown depths in life, within the self, and re-connecting to the creative feminine.
I am deeply drawn to Archetype, universally existent in all cultures and based on story telling, which humans long for and we all have a story. Archetype provides a sense of mystery that informs our world and nourishes the soul.
Jung describes an Archetype as being " an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery defined from the past collective experience " ( i.e. Artist, Visionary, Goddess, Healer, Lover, Mentor, Rebel and Warrior)
http://catherinemeyersartist.blogspot.com
http://applerivertarotreadings.blogspot
http://eudemoniablog.wordpress.com/
BFA Mount Allison University
BFA Program 4.5 years NSCAD
5 comments:
Hey Cat,
I came across this article today about cynicism and wondered what you thought of it since you are in the artist world. Has cynicism infected the world of art, particularly among the young artists?
Bev
http://www.onbeing.org/blog/the-age-of-cynicism/7762
Sorry to post here, but I couldn't find an email! :)
Thank you Bev for this article! It's a topic that is good for people to think about especially being involved in the art world, which is often referred to as being the "art market" now. I became acutely aware of this way back in my early days as an art student. Returning to study as a mature student after thirty years gave me a unique perspective. I have to say I didn't find the level of cynicism so much different. Though perhaps there is more of a wake up call for so many younger students now as they are naive,and rather privileged. Once they get out this isn't so much the case and reality can come crashing in. No job and up to the neck in debt, after perhaps having high expectations.
The world needs cynics to cut through the crap of elitism. There will always be those who will become cynical to the point of being jaded, and that's not helpful or healthy. We have to find an inner resource to rise above of the horse shit and not get stuck in it. Integrity within the art world is hard to find by times. Many of the younger people I did meet where very intelligent, astute and wise beyond their years. The smart ones can see through the way things are as opposed to illusion and hype. They have become my friends and leave me feeling very hopeful.
Bev my email is catmey7@gmail
Thank you! I too felt that looking with a questioning mind wasn't a bad thing, especially if it cuts through the icing that hides the crap. But I can see how that mindset could become set in concrete if not careful too.
Thank you so much Bev for sending this link. I did a follow up more in depth post about this article. I thought it was a comprehensive well written article. Interestingly the fellow is a musician.
You know I can't help but feel a lot of empathy for a lot ofyounger people these days. They seem lost in so many ways. At least growing up in our generation we had ideals and felt much more hopeful.
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