I always say that everyone should spend at least ONE day outside in the public world as a muralist. This is because of the fact that you are thrown into a space where you can’t escape from. You must stay in this contained area and get the job done. People will come and go around you and that’s life. Whether you decide to interact with the bystanders and curious folk is your decision. But to that I say: Embrace the interactions and take the chance to cultivate human connection. This is something so essential to our beings that we often forget about it.
Photo by Shane Parent, during my community mural project at the Bentway, October 2021
ART REMINDS US THAT WE ARE ALL HUMAN
We often get lost in the day to day and forget about our humanity. We try to fix all these problems in our lives and in others and forget about what makes people human. Before we are artists or pastors or waitresses, we are first and foremost human. “People are not projects we have to fix, they are human. So focus on their humanity, not on their problems.” This train of thought was inspired by the words of a kind and wise human I met in the summer of 2021 while painting a Bell Box. I ended up chatting with this pastor in the Etobicoke-Lakeshore neighbourhood, while I was technically painting on the church’s property, and we ended up connecting about art on a deeper level. Sometimes it's those random moments of human connection that make public art so special. Art can be a way to foster those human connections we forget about.
HUMAN CONNECTION
This may sound cheesy, but it’s true. Being in the public world, outside, instead of being a screen, you meet people IN PERSON. People you would never usually come across (see point above) and there is something magical and wonderful about those spontaneous and chance encounters. Someone from another world you can learn from or connect with or just say hello to.
THE ART OF LISTENING
Listening to people’s stories is a really refreshing and humbling experience, something people don’t get in other fields. During and after the pandemic, I noticed the extreme loneliness of people in Toronto. The fact that people were so open to talking to strangers meant that they were either super friendly or really lonely, maybe both. Regardless I ended up chatting with different people that seemed to need some human interaction. Being that person in their day gave me such a priceless and heartwarming feeling that can’t be easily expressed. It just goes to show how you’ll never know the true impact you can make in someone’s life. So you should always strive to be kind.
A LESSON IN PATIENCE
Being out in the public tests your patience. It can be loud, noisy, smelly, amongst other things. And challenging yourself to be patient and get the job done will help you grow in the long run.
GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
With public art projects, you are often thrown into different neighbourhoods and areas you may not be familiar with. That is part of the fun and messiness of the job. Exploring these spaces allows you to embrace the unknown and unexpected. You might find new inspiration where you least expected it. You might make new friends. Regardless if you have enough time, you will gain a fresh perspective. Be open to the universe and what it will show you.
BUILD SOME BACKBONE
You never know how someone will respond to your art. Not everyone will like it and that’s okay. You will have to learn to be less sensitive. This young kid would give me feedback during the process of one of my first utility boxes, when it didn’t look very good at the beginning. Instead of dwelling on it, I laughed it off because the art process is often ugly and he was just being blunt, as kids are. Thank goodness he told me it was looking better after a few days. Phhewf.
BECOME MORE HUMBLE & PRACTICE GRATITUDE
Unfortunately you will see all kinds of people in difficult situations, living on the street or in dysfunctional relationships. It’s not your fault, you are just a witness to what’s happening around your job site. Realize that you are being paid to do a job you love. This is a truly humbling experience when people around you may have so little.
INCREASE YOUR AWARENESS
When people ask me if I listen to music while I’m painting, I usually say no. When I’m outside in public, I don’t feel comfortable shutting out the present world with music. I like to be aware of my surroundings and the people that will unavoidably approach me. This a safety concern for people, especially women, working in my field. This is also a good skill to develop in general when living in a big city or travelling to new places.
INSPIRE OTHERS & SPARK CURIOSITY
Creating art in the public world has shown me time and time again that this can inspire people to follow their passions, live their dreams, do what makes their soul shine. I’ve heard little kids say “I want to be an artist when I grow up” or older adults tell me about how they used to love to paint back in the day. This brief experience can encourage people to get in touch with their creative selves once again.
A REMINDER TO ENJOY THE PRESENT
In today’s modern world, we often forget to enjoy the present moment. So I encourage you to PAUSE every now and again. Find delight in what surrounds you on a daily basis. Maybe it’s the gradual growth of a plant in your yard, maybe it’s colour of a mural in your neighbourhood, maybe it’s the feel of a hot beverage warming your body. Bask in the beauty presented before you.
Photo by Shane Parent, during my community mural project at the Bentway, October 2021
Every year as the weather gets warmer, and spring turns into summer, I am now embracing the season in a whole new way – with the excitement of mural season. Especially after the long winter months in Toronto, I can truly appreciate the opportunity to practice my art outside. This comes with all the distractions, loud noises and strange smells, unpredictable weather, but mostly the kind and curious community members. Creating my art in the open air for the public to enjoy has truly been a heartwarming experience.