A recently relocated artist is about to introduce herself to her new community in a creative fashion.
For the next 12 weeks, Diane Rae will be painting on a large canvas at various locations throughout Nanaimo as part of a public art project, with the first public event kicking off today (Jan. 6) at Wellington Library.
“It’s a large-scale painting,” Rae told the News Bulletin. “I will be starting the painting at the Wellington Library and I will only be painting that painting during the 12 weeks.”
The public art project, which is called On Site Art Interchange, is an opportunity for the public to interact, ask questions and become inspired.
“My hope is that they will be inspired,” Rae said. “If they’ve been interested in doing art themselves and they have been investigating it, then this might be an opportunity for them to see that it is not such a scary process.”
This is not the first time Rae, an independent artist for nearly 30 years, has held her On Site Art Interchange.
Rae previously hosted the public art series in Port Alberni last year, where she painted a picture of Newcastle Island.
“I wanted to challenge myself with something new,” Rae said. “Painting is usually done so privately and I figured that after 30 years I should be able to do that openly and in an educational format.”
Last month Rae, who has previously worked in Vancouver and the Interior, moved to the Harbour City from Port Alberni.
“I wanted to be in a place where there were more people and a more cosmopolitan place and Nanaimo seems to be picking up so much,” Rae said. “So I thought Nanaimo would be a good place to be.”Rae grew up in Hamilton, Ont., and attended the University of Toronto, where she graduated with a degree in fine arts.
After a few years working various jobs, Rae decided to become a fully independent artist and moved to British Columbia in the late ’90s.
“I couldn’t be happy with what I was doing in other jobs,” she said. “I didn’t find any satisfaction and it wasn’t what I wanted to do.”
Rae explained that painting in public is an optimal way for her to remain motivated.
“This is definitely a way for me to continue to paint because it is not always easy to set yourself down and paint,” she said. “If you put a goal before yourself then backing out is more publicly embarrassing than doing it.”
She said that painting in public is also a great way for her to receive constructive criticism.
“One of the biggest advantages to being a student is the critiquing that goes on with the other students,” she said. “One of the things that you miss terribly when you’re on your own is people giving you feedback.”
As an artist, Rae’s main goal is to inspire people to believe that they can have a say in art.
“I like to make it an enjoyable experience for people so that they are not intimidated,” she said.
On Site Art Interchange takes place today at 1 p.m. at the Wellington Library.
For more information on Rae and On Site Art Interchange, please visit www. myartshow.files.wordpress.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.comTwitter: @npescod