The Gateway, a little red building with a beautiful stained glass facade, greets visitors to Camano Island.  The Camano Arts Association is now operating a gallery here to showcase members' work and connect with the public.    Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camanogateway/ or at https://camanoarts.org/ to see the wonderful work being created on Camano Island.  A little demo yesterday was a wonderful way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The November/December cover of the Saturday Evening Post features my painting, Snow Day,  one in a series depicting the fun of an unexpected day off from school.  The memories of my children when young inspired the series and the Post requested use of this painting.  I am humbled and honored.

The Novel Corona Virus guidelines  mean lots and lots of time at home.  That time has been put to use to finish the studio space in the lower level of my home.  This is my 4th studio-the only one that has been located inside my house.  That adjustment is a work in progress but I feel extremely grateful to have this bright and beautiful space to paint.  Stay well, everyone, and hope to have some new paintings to share soon. 

Things are coming along (slowly) with the studio set up but finding the time to get back to painting while working on our home has become a real challenge.  The incredible sunrises, the changing light as the clouds pass over the mountains and the bay inspire.  Soon, soon.......Until then, some mini paintings will have to do.

Studio News!

Since my last entry in April, we have successfully made our move to Washington State-a long planned for and anticipated life change!  My new studio will be in our home on Camano Island-a loft space perfectly suited to the gorgeous view out the studio windows.

The setting, perched high on a hill overlooking the Cascade Mountains and Port Susan will be an ongoing inspiration-maybe even a distraction- with the continuous changing light.  Since little or no work has been done for the last 5 months, I am so eager to get back to painting.

A piece of my heart will always be with The Fine Arts Building.  I know that unique experience helped me grow as a painter and friendships made will be for a lifetime.  I’m grateful for the support received and hope to share the beautiful Northwest with visitors for many years to come.

There are many opportunities here and I am excited to join with other creatives once we are more settled.  More news to come and, finally,  new work, too!

My Dear Friends,

With a twinge of sadness, I am writing this entry to notify you that I have closed my studio in The Fine Arts Building.  Since 2006, I have enjoyed this beautiful, historic monument to the arts-the oldest art colony in the nation.  From the unique experience of being transported in one of the few remaining manually operated elevators to the sounds of music wafting throughout the building, there is so much to miss, and miss it I will.

The many friends made here, be they fellow creatives or the wonderful countless visitors who have visited my studio have contributed to what has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  There is nothing that compares to the privilege of doing what you love and the freedom to share it, as we have done, during our Open Studio and other events.

For now, all has been moved to my south loop home-a bit too small to absorb it all.  In the coming year, we intend to explore a move to Washington state where our granddaughter (and her parents :) reside.  

Thank you for the visits, the conversations, for allowing me to explain my process and buoying my sometimes flagging confidence over the years. I will never forget the repeat and loyal visitors and also the one time “out-of-towners” who never failed to surprise-making every single opening a unique experience.  

My website will remain up, though it needs a significant overhaul!  I will continue painting-hopefully forever-but there will be a brief interruption for now.  I feel so fortunate and want you to know how much I have appreciated your support.  There are many areas yet to be explored and I am very much looking forward.

Kind regards,

Debra





http://www.debralepage.com

Yes, May 1st marked 11 years for me here in the historic Fine Arts Building- I can hardly believe it myself.  Half of that time alone in 180 square feet and an equal amount of time in a larger space with 2 studio mates; one constant and the third changing every 1-2 years.  Sharing our most intimate and creative hours week after week establishes a lasting bond, even when one moves on.

Moving on is a subject that comes up more and more.  Lately, conversations with fellow creatives in this building center on what comes next; what do we do when the lease renewal comes around?  Are we going to stay or go?  Are we able to keep this gig going even when obligations to family pop up; when work isn’t getting done; when sales decline…  

Travel has kept me out of the studio for weeks that turned into months over the last couple of years.  Each long trip seemed to be preparing me for the inevitable-and I could begin to feel that maybe I was ready to let it go.  But, each time I returned from one of those trips, the sounds, sights and even smells (varnish, paint, old wood..) pulled my soul back into my little corner of this beautiful old building.  

During our Open Studios last Friday evening, I met a couple of new tenants.  Their excitement about moving into the building was contagious and I found myself telling them about my favorite things here in the FAB, as follows:

-Winter is the best time to work in the building.  There is no cozier spot on earth than the FAB in winter-to come in from the cold, embrace the warmth and sink into the sounds of piano, violin, cello or voice emanating from various studios.  Often, choral groups will gather on the top floor and sing acapella-the beauty of the voices drifting down through all of the floors.

-And then again, Spring is the best time to work in the building.  The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra makes its home here.  Rehearsals for spring concerts give you a front row seat-or at least a listening treat.  The city feels vibrant and it spills over into our building as we pass the outdoor seating of the Artist’s Cafe on the ground floor.

-Also, Summer is the best time to work in the building.  Windows open, and all of the above comes drifting up to our 7th floor studio through the Venetian Courtyard.  The courtyard is a lovely space to have lunch al fresco (though renovation will limit that this summer). A short walk to the lake or Buckingham Fountain refreshes and renews.

-For sure, Fall is the best time to work in the building.  The art world in Chicago unofficially begins in the fall.  All over town and among our FAB Studios members, hope and opportunity abound.  Exhibits are planned for the annual Chicago Artists' Month and our Members' show for December.   The possibilities seem endless heading into the holiday season, culminating in the special Holiday Open House mid December…..which brings us to winter…..

When that hard decision is made to leave, I know all will go on.  New faces with unique offerings will fill the studios.  My love for the Fine Arts Building is not unique.  Others feel it, too, and the building will continue to nurture its tenants as long as it stands.  

A heads up-there will be a BIG art sale when that time arrives-so check back often….

​Of late, my creative activity has taken the form of finger painting, play doh, make believe and the like-all involving my almost 2 year old granddaughter.  I’ve spent quite a few weeks away from the studio over the last year in her company, whether on vacation or caring for her in her home in Washington.  In a way, it has been reminiscent of the days when my own children were young and I had put “my” art on hold while engaging them in similar activities.  We always had paper, paints etc set up on a huge art table in our home but I rarely did my own work.  Still, it was satisfying in its own way, to see the many projects our kids and their friends created.

For the first time in months, I was in town and able to participate in our Second Fridays Open Studios in The Fine Arts Building.  After spending so much time with the above mentioned 2 year old, I felt a bit rusty when it came to discussing my work while doing demonstrations.  I was feeling a bit “off” you might say.

We always have a real mix of visitors to our open studios-all ages and all walks of life.  Most come because they’re curious about our historic building and then, happily it seems, wander into one studio or another that sparks their interest.  I like to think our studio is one that surprises-my studio mate demonstrating encaustic techniques and I with watercolor on that slick Yupo surface.  To many, it’s new and, therefore, interesting.

One set of visitors, a mom and her daughter, came by near the end of the evening.  The young daughter, mom said, was very much into art and wanted to come to the Open Studios.  We were experiencing a lull in the evening and so launched into our demos, afterwards asking our young friend to try her hand at encaustic, then watercolor.  Very quickly, I was reminded that this is what I most enjoy about art.  Showing a young person something new and encouraging them to try it.  It also reminded me of the fun, both when my children were young, and over the last year with my granddaughter, seeing the spark of creative energy and watching it grow. 

In a follow up email, the mom of the budding artist said she spent the weekend creating art and shared a photo of a painting she made.  It was a beautiful, flowing painting with lovely energy-so wonderful to see and a reminder that, through art, making connections with others is most gratifying.

Collaborative works by Claris Cahan and Debra LePage for FAB Studios Members Show during Chicago Artists Month in October:  Terrain #2 in series and Fragments of Terrain, respectively.