Arteles Catalogue 2023-2020

Back to Basics program / JULY 2023
Blaine Deutsch
USA
www.blainedeutsch.com/artwork
About
I’m a painter, printmaker, designer, producer, cyclist,
conversationalist, writer, and seeker of inspiration. My daily
intent is to further my skills as a storyteller, image maker, and
amateur quantum physicist. I have a giant garden, partially
for all the great produce it provides, but also because it
functions as a grand experiment in wonder. I truly believe
that we are each better for the people around us and that
it is possible to do great work while still being nice to one
another.
Much of what I do in life is based in research - my own desire
to learn more. Art, cooking, writing, exploring. I want to know
how, and sometimes more important, why. When I hear about
something that interests me, I'm soon surrounded by any
books I can find on the topic. If I try a new dish, I'm in the
kitchen the next day in attempt to create my own version. I
often ask friends what color a song is, because I love to think
that all our senses can be tricked to take on other roles and I
feel the idea of perception is far too often overlooked.
Rediscovering Intention
Though I didn’t accomplish all I set out to do while in Finland,
I achieved more than I could have ever imagined. Arriving
with a box of supplies and ideas I had been holding on to for
a while, I thought I knew exactly how this month was going
to play out. But the air, the people, the sense of space all
helped me to quickly realize this opportunity had other plans
for me. This was my first hint that this month was going to
change me. This experience allowed me to fully lean into the
idea that our focus should not be on making art, but rather,
creating a space in which art is made. The physical space
- stopping to truly absorb all that surrounds us, respecting
the studio. The mental space - daily meditations that forced
time to behave differently. The personal space - cultivating
community, finding trust amongst a group of strangers who
have all dedicated our lives to being vulnerable and baring
our souls.
I experimented with new techniques, filled notebooks with
ideas, picked blueberries every morning, hiked the forest at
2am, and rode a bike to Mouhjiärvi for ice cream. I pushed
myself, let myself rest, tried to include intent in every action.
I had dreams more vivid than ever before. I left with a head
full of ideas, the reassurance that I’m doing exactly what I
should be doing, and the promise to myself that I would be
back there some day.