Member of the Month – Kamloops Arts Council
Full Name: Chloe Murray (she/her)
Medium: I am enjoying using all different mediums right now and experimenting.
How long have you been doing your art: I have always enjoyed art since I was a child. Last year I decided to go back to school and complete my BFA and have been enjoying really getting back into creating.
What got you originally interested in the art you do: I am enjoying mixing materials, mark making and abstract pieces. I think that working in early childhood education and doing art activities with 3 and 4-year-olds was such an interesting experience, seeing their own interpretations of the world we live in and their confidence to express themselves freely has always stuck with me. My mother always did art projects with me and I have also always done art with my daughter, sharing that time together and watching her free spirit in creating still inspires me.
What is something you have learned about yourself through your art: I have learned that letting go and just trusting your gut and intuition is important, it can be difficult to push through. I’ve also learned to embrace the “accidents” that come along in the process, they often end up being my favourite parts of my work.
What do you enjoy the most about your art: I enjoy creating, taking risks, mixing, exploring and the surprises that come with doing so.
What is something most people don’t know about you: I immigrated to Canada from the UK when I was eight. Both of my parents grew up in Africa, and most of my family still lives in England, South Africa and Australia. Having my family in different parts of the world and experiencing those places also inspires me.
If you could teach everyone one art medium or method, what would it be, and why: I really love using inks, I think that just using a simple black India ink can be so versatile in the tones you can create by diluting, the marks you can create, the feathering it creates when you drop it on to water on your page. It’s a fun medium to work with and explore.
What do you think makes art important: I think that having your own representation of the world or ideas and showing that in your own way is important because you are the only you.
Why are you a member of the Kamloops Arts Council: I am a member of the Kamloops Arts Council because I love where we live and I love art, I look forward to meeting and connecting with more artist within Kamloops and seeing their work.
What are you looking forward to the most in this upcoming year (A special show or project you’re working on): This year will be my second year into my BFA at TRU and I’m looking forward to continuing my studies and exploring different areas. I am really enjoying my time there.