Today is a Monday long weekend here - known as "Simcoe Day".

Today we celebrate (or give thanks!) for Lord John Simcoe.

He was a pretty cool dude, with an interesting military, political and judicial career. He introduced trial by jury, the basis of modern courts and established the City of York - later known as the City of Toronto.



The coolest thing he ever did though?  He abolished slavery in Upper Canada.  Thanks Lord Simcoe! It's celebrate *you* day!

Enjoy your Monday, I'll see you on Wednesday!

These are two works that were made for a show last year about this time, that are going to be exhibited at the end of the month at a new show in Chicago (deets to follow). I am updating this one by adding more current information as sadly, legislation against womens' bodies continues:

I present a selection of what I am concurrently working on:

Yesterday, I added a post-script to my original post, answering a question I am often asked "What is 'art' to you?" because I am often blathering in my posts along the lines of "this is art" and "this isn't art, it's just  'pretty'."

                                                                          "Fern No. 3" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

In talking with Deidre Adams on Facebook yesterday (one of my very favourite artists, actually, so you really ought to check out her work) I realized that my original definition of "art" as it applies to me, was actually fairly unclear, and also, might have inadvertently been insulting to some of you. And if you found it so, I apologize!

"Walking While Black" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

So, to be perfectly clear, when I am talking about "what art is" - I'm not addressing that in a large-scale, KIT'S DEFINITION OF ART APPLIES TO EVERYONE" way.  I'm always, only talking about it in the context of my own work.  So:

When I make "art" I am trying to convey something or evoke a response.

"Lake of Dreams - Quartet" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

If I have no intention in the creation of the piece, then I feel emotionally separated from it, and I find no pleasure or "art" in it. I may be making something "pretty", but to me, it is bereft of meaning.

"In Dreams" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

To find happiness in my own work, I need to find meaning, which sometimes is there when I begin the work, sometimes develops in the acts of creation, and sometimes travels with me the whole way through, only to slip away as I near the end.

"Written On The Body" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

"Meaning" is often transient in my work, but will sometimes reappear through some odd alchemy that I can't control.

"Incendiary: Marie-Joseph Angelique" (c) 2012 Kit Lang