Love Inspired

‘Wedding Tree’ arbutus menziesii, Bodega Ridge, Galiano Island, BC Canada

In August we attended the wedding of our granddaughter on Galiano Island, one of the Gulf Islands, British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. The setting was as beautiful as the weather. I was struck by one of the native trees, arbutus menziesii (known as madrone or madrona in US), a broad leaf evergreen with clusters of creamy white flowers in spring, red fruit in the fall and striking peeling reddish orange bark year round. It provides food for wildlife and is host to numerous insects and birds. With deep roots it thrives in drought, and firmly secures earth on steep slopes. The tree can grow over 30 meters tall and live hundreds of years. Sadly, recently urban development has contributed greatly to its decline in its native habitat. In honour of Paige and Jeff’s celebration of love, and as a tribute to one of our endangered natural treasures, I have created ‘Wedding Tree’ (limited edition of 10).

Natural Beauty of Autumn

‘Liminal’ - Chiba (Japanese maple) harbinger of winter in our front garden, Kitchener, ON Canada

Autumn or Fall conjures up for me mixed feelings. Fall is a happy time for me celebrating thanksgiving; many, many birthdays in our extended family; gorgeous beauty in nature; time to put the garden to sleep… I even tolerate Halloween! However, I also feel the loss of the warmth of summer, almost always wondering if I made the most of the short season; coming to terms that I am one year older, and still getting used to the idea of being an “elder”; preparing myself for hibernation till next spring… From the perspective of an art photographer, the season is full of promise, capturing that ‘perfect’ fall scene, discovering the hidden late blooming gems of the garden like tricyrtis, fall crocuses, catkins on the locust and red berries on the aronias, and being blown away by the brilliant burgundy, burnt orange and popping golds of the native shrubs and trees that surround our home. A few personal and family happenings sidetracked me this fall, however I am grateful for life and all the parts of creation that sustain our lives, especially the nurture and love of family. This autumn I have had a much more profound experience of liminality than I can remember, amplifying the realization of transitions and being neither here nor there, in between summer/winter, young/old, wellness/sickness, even life/death. I have renewed my appreciation for who we are and what we have, here and now.

Pioneer Tower, Doon village, Kitchener, ON Canada

‘Golden Sunset’ near Paris ON Canada (available at Uptown Gallery Waterloo until January 2023)

‘Harvest Traditions’, Mennonite families harveting stooks Hawkesville ON Canada

Benjamin Road, Waterloo ON Canada

Overlooking Hidden Valley, home to endangered species and precious wet lands and woods, Kitchener ON Canada (available now until Jan 2023)

Celebration 2022 Uptown Gallery Waterloo

Opening Reception: Sunday, Nov 20, 2 to 4 pm

Focus on BIPOC artists

Kindred Spirit Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, Grebel Gallery

now till December 16, 2022

Peony

Symbol of the transforming power of love, courage and kindness in Chinese culture and art

Artist Statement by Michael ManChoi Chow

I find inspiration in the natural world, especially our gardens at home, Edenwilde, in historic Olde Berlin Town, Kitchener, ON. In the past 3 years when there’s been so much uncertainty, fear and anxiety, loss and change, in our world and my world, I found solace in being “grounded”; literally, connected to the earth, getting dirty, becoming one… Whenever I could, I played in dirt, till the very last day before the snow covered us. Change is difficult but possible with clarity and resolve. In Chinese folklore and art as early as the 6th century of the Common Era, the peony is symbol of the transforming power of love, courage and kindness.

'Country Fresh' part of Relationship & Emotion show at Uptown Gallery Waterloo

It has been a wonderful Sunday afternoon tradition for me and my wife Bonnie to drive through the countryside in Waterloo-Wellington County in Southwestern Ontario. In late winter and early spring, there is no more distinguishing and unmistakable scent than fresh manure just spread over the fields. As we turned the bend over the crest of a hill, our olfactory sense was rudely awakened long before our other senses told us where we were and what we were seeing! I wanted to capture the richness of the experience and the beauty of the landscape. After a long winter, seeing the seemingly barren fields without snow was refreshing and brought a feeling of elation, punctuated by the fresh aroma of black gold. The dramatic sky convinced me that this scene was worth capturing and had great potential for the upcoming exhibition “Relationship and Emotion” when I will be a Featured Artist at Uptown Gallery Waterloo. Take a deep breath and take in that wonderful country freshness!

'Desolate' part of Relationship & Emotion exhibition at Uptown Gallery Waterloo

I know I tend to avoid “negative” emotions and want to focus on feeling “good”. However, there are those days when pretending to be feeling good just doesn’t cut it, because deep down I have this unsettled, yucky feeling in my gut. It usually takes me a while before I am ready to acknowledge that yucky feeling, and when I do, it doesn’t make it go away, but it does allow me to pause and reflect and try to understand why I feel the way I do. Easier said than done to be sure! Fundamental to any spiritual tradition is the struggle between good and evil, yin and yang, sacred and profane, and I believe that in the personal spiritual realm this paradoxical antithesis is just as pertinent and necessary for one to accept, to find solace, inner peace, and harmony with others. “Desolate”—perhaps better titled “Desolation & Consolation”—is my attempt to express this phenomenon.

Let me know if you feel the balance between desolation and consolation comes through to you, or not!

'Melancholy' (part of Relationship & Emotion show at Uptown Gallery Waterloo)

"Gray overcast sky with a glimmer of light backlit this rural scene in late winter along a back road in Waterloo County (southern Ontario). The brightly coloured orange snow fence broke the sombreness"

Title: Melancholy

Medium: Photography on canvas, edition of 5, Dimension: 16"x 32"

Price: 575.00

Trusting my instincts is not always easy and I’ve discovered that if I can pay attention to my gut more often, it really pays off. The creative process is such a mystery, part intuition, part science, part technique and part luck! In this exhibition ‘Relationship & Emotion’ I really want to explore the relationship between the artist and the subject of the art, the viewer and the art, and the relationship between the viewer and the artist. I find it fascinating to pay attention to those who view my art and observe their reactions. At the exhibitions I have participated in over the past few years, as well as interacting with visitors during the weekly sessions at Uptown Gallery Waterloo where I am a member, I observe the emotional reaction to the art of the cooperative artists exhibited. As a featured artist, we get the opportunity to shine a brighter spot light on our art. I am amazed at the various and diverse reactions and interactions with my art—surprise, admiration, thoughtful reflection. In this show, I intentionally created pieces that evoked deep emotions that I felt as I was driving through the countryside last winter/early spring. “Melancholy” is a typical farm scene around Waterloo County, yet this scene got me to stop driving to turn back and look again. It took me some time afterwards to think about what it was that grabbed me, but trusting my instincts I framed the photo without being too analytical, and in processing it, I tried to remember and stay true to the feeling I had when I was in the scene, in the moment, and let the work emerge: melancholy! I would love to hear what you see and how you feel as you interact with my art.

@manchoichow facebook.com/manchoichow

'Relationship & Emotion' at UTG

I am one of 3 Featured Artists in ‘Relationship & Emotion’ at Uptown. Striking art with plenty of variety and styles.

Artist Statement:

“ManChoi wants to explore the emotional and spiritual impact art (in particular his photography) makes on certain relationships—those between artists and their subject matter; between the viewer and the art object; and most importantly, between the artist and the artist-within-you in the viewer. In the exhibition “Relationship and Emotion” he has created landscape images that may evoke (even provoke) emotions such as surprise, desperation, loneliness/connectedness, melancholy, and serenity.”

I welcomed the opportunity to explore this challenging and profound theme, and started preparing months in advance. I finally chose 3 single pieces as well as a set of 3 (available separately as well) among many images I was drawn towards, all taken in late winter and early spring in 2022. I chose to print some on canvas (including metallic canvas) and one on traditional baryta photo paper; all are framed and ready to be installed in their new home.

In upcoming blogs I will comment on other pieces in this exhibition, let me begin with ‘Tree Line in 3 parts’.

‘Tree Line in 3 parts’ (a)

‘Tree Line in 3 parts’ (b)

‘Tree Line in 3 parts’ (c)

Driving through Waterloo County I pay attention to the natural environment that evokes feelings in me; I am getting better in trusting my intuition about whether a scene is worth stopping and capturing, after many a time when I regretted not listening to my heart. This particular stand of trees, a bush in the midst of a farmer’s field, on a cold late winter’s day at first sight seemed quite ordinary. Yet something stirred in me, and I stopped to look more carefully. Initially, I had a feeling of isolation and unbelonging, perhaps because of the vast, bleak fields of snow surrounding them, as well as the nakedness of their branches. Yet when I stopped and paid closer attention, as well as being more attuned with my soul, I connected with their spirit of solidarity and communal refuge that transcended their seeming vulnerability. My feelings turned warm and I felt consoled. To honour my spiritual encounter and to invite others to look more closely at what we often overlook and take for granted, I decided that the set of 3, rather than a single image, would better capture the fullness of my awakening.

Nature is full of surprises!

This spring has been unusual…or is it summer already? First week of June and we were still wearing sweaters in the evening and barely hitting 20 C in the afternoons, then in the second week, we are scorching with heat. It happens every year, our gardens transition from barren nothingness to lush paradise, yet somehow this year, perhaps because of the cooler days and lots of moisture, the rebirth to fullness in the natural world seems particularly spectacular to me. Now with the heat everything is going full tilt! The locust (twisty baby) was more perfumy and prolific with blossoms than most other years I can remember, right on cue following the dogwoods opening act. Prior to that, our red buds and witch hazels took centre stage before anything leafed out, except for the snow drops. And now peonies, thalictrums, roses, solomon seals, and soon goats beard…. Nature is full of surprises!

‘Firecracker’ (witch hazel) in full bloom

Busy bee on thalictrum (meadow rue)

Solo Exhibition at FAC Kitchener

I am deeply indebted to Kris and Annemarie from Framing & Art Centre, Kitchener, for hosting an(other) exhibition of my art, on now till the end of May. Framing & Art Centre Kitchener is in the heart of Belmont Village.

All art displayed is printed with archival materials and in limited editions. Custom print sizes are available. Hope you can come down soon!