Words from the Artist, A 2009 Reflection

09/01/10

A 2009 Reflection from Chris O’Hoski


Words from the Artist




“2009 was a very powerfully changing year for me, I’m disappointed to see it go. For me, it was a year of revival, renewal and in a lot of cases rebirth.


My only hope and prayer is that this same momentum can continue into 2010.


As artists, we often get caught up in image – if not the images we create, than the image we present to people. Our personalities have stereotypically been vague and often times perceived as different, allowing us to remain silent in many ways.


I’ve decided to write this to be as transparent as possible. I should also warn that I’m not the most eloquent person by any means.


After a three and a half year hiatus from any “practicing” forms of visual art, I decided to embrace my creativity again near the end of 2008. I had the most productive, fun and transitional year I can remember in my near 27 years on the planet in 2009.


It’s only appropriate and NECESSARY to thank some very important people for giving me opportunity and taking risks on me, not only as an artist, or a teacher, but most importantly as a friend or relative.


My first and most important thank you goes to Brigitte Huard for taking the chance on a new teacher at the Grimsby Public Art Gallery. Thank you for taking the chance on a friend too. I have learned more from Brigitte than I’ve learned from any person in any school, employment or artist setting. I’ve learned many, many, many life lessons from her too. Brigitte has single-handedly brought a new purpose and goal to my life, and is a better artist and friend than I'll ever be.


By that same token I also thank Rhona Wenger for all of the opportunities I’ve been given too, along with Allison Poole.


My other thank you’s go to Andrea King who made it all possible with one single conversation.


My continued thanks go to my hero, my mentor and my dear Uncle, Joseph Devellano. Who will forever not only remain as my largest source of inspiration for creativity, but the biggest influence in my developmental growth as a person.


My wonderful Mother, Father, Brother, Sister in Law and Niece could never be forgotten as my largest support systems either.


My continued thanks also go to teachers Sheena D. Robertson, Michelle Sylagy and colleagues like Jennifer Murphy and Gustavo Romero.



Pablo Picasso one said “Every child is an artist. The problem is keeping them that way, once they grow up”. If I have to remain a child, and lack maturity in order to be an artist, I hope I never truly grow up. Growing up, by translation, means losing the ability to be truthful and losing the ability to be creative and learn. The traits and growth of a child are all things we can benefit in learning from. I will treat each step as if it’s my first, and treat each of my works as if they’re studies.”