By Emily Larman
Vincent Van Gogh once said that, “The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.”
Laurie Geddes, a Collingwood grade 8-12 art teacher, didn’t always see herself in that role. Ms. Geddes is an Emily Carr alumni and an avid artist, but she admits that art was not always something which she wanted to pursue. During high school, she aspired to be a zoologist but eventually came to the realization that through encouragement and compliments from peers, art was what she was good at. With that push in the right direction, she ended up majoring in painting at Emily Carr. She cites painting as her main art form and enjoys working with oils. She now works more with acrylic due to a lack of proper work space and the toxicity of oils. Currently she is enjoying experimenting with collage and paint and dealing with “the juxtaposition and absurdity of it.”
Vincent Van Gogh once said that, “The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.”
Laurie Geddes, a Collingwood grade 8-12 art teacher, didn’t always see herself in that role. Ms. Geddes is an Emily Carr alumni and an avid artist, but she admits that art was not always something which she wanted to pursue. During high school, she aspired to be a zoologist but eventually came to the realization that through encouragement and compliments from peers, art was what she was good at. With that push in the right direction, she ended up majoring in painting at Emily Carr. She cites painting as her main art form and enjoys working with oils. She now works more with acrylic due to a lack of proper work space and the toxicity of oils. Currently she is enjoying experimenting with collage and paint and dealing with “the juxtaposition and absurdity of it.”
I asked Ms. Geddes why she was passionate about art and she responded that she loves the act of creating something, “how it allows [you] to experience the present and wholeheartedly enjoy the process.” She added, “Humans have always created; it is something we need to do. Art is engrained in our daily lives in so many different ways. As well, there is something really satisfying about looking at a painting that you have done and thinking…wow…I did that.”
Ms. Geddes explained how as an artist, one is not always happy with one’s work, always seeing things that could have improved upon. However, when asked what her favourite piece she ever completed was, she jumps back a few years to a painting aptly named, “The Flying Leap of the Flea.” It was featured in an exhibition at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and was sold. “It was one of those paintings that was hard to part with,” she explains.
Ms. Geddes explained how as an artist, one is not always happy with one’s work, always seeing things that could have improved upon. However, when asked what her favourite piece she ever completed was, she jumps back a few years to a painting aptly named, “The Flying Leap of the Flea.” It was featured in an exhibition at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and was sold. “It was one of those paintings that was hard to part with,” she explains.
As far as her favourite artists go, she says she really enjoys Vermeer and particularly enjoys observing Dutch Renaissance paintings. “[Vermeer’s] ability to capture light is unworldly.” She also proclaims her love for Edward Hopper : “His ability to create a sense of ‘quiet’ in his paintings is amazing. You can almost hear the people breathing.”
Ms. Geddes talks about how she enjoys teaching a variety of age groups and skill levels and particularly enjoys teaching the Enriched classes and working with students who intend to pursue art at a post-secondary level. A student in her Visual Art 11 Enriched class said, “She’s really nice and teaches really well. If you ever need her, she’s always there to help and critique and shows you the proper way.”
Ms. Geddes talks about how she enjoys teaching a variety of age groups and skill levels and particularly enjoys teaching the Enriched classes and working with students who intend to pursue art at a post-secondary level. A student in her Visual Art 11 Enriched class said, “She’s really nice and teaches really well. If you ever need her, she’s always there to help and critique and shows you the proper way.”
Ms. Geddes, a mother of two young girls, also delights in teaching younger children: “I really enjoy their sense of excitement and willingness to jump right into a project without apprehension.”
She hopes to continue to make art in the future, trying to carve out time between her work and her family. Her aspirations include putting on her own exhibition through the Emily Carr Alumni society. Whatever you do, Ms. Geddes, we are rooting for you!
She hopes to continue to make art in the future, trying to carve out time between her work and her family. Her aspirations include putting on her own exhibition through the Emily Carr Alumni society. Whatever you do, Ms. Geddes, we are rooting for you!