World of Winter festival is all about keeping the community engaged with the arts throughout the coldest time of the year. It mostly takes place outside where you will find huge interactive sculptures, light shows, and installation pieces throughout the city.

One of my connections reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested to participate in painting a lantern to be hung in an indoor gallery during the festival. Before I even knew the details it was a yes from me. I didn’t know how big the lantern would need to be or if it was a paid gig or not, but I knew I was interested in reaching more people with my art.

A lot of creatives talk about avoiding being “paid in exposure” and I definitely understand why folks would only accept cash offers for their work. For me I am willing to take up a certain amount of projects that are basically volunteer efforts in an order to share what I do with new audiences. I try to prioritize making money but fortunately or unfortunately it isn’t my top goal with art.

The lantern itself was crafted by the ever-talented Pia Lu. It’s 7x7inches of tissue paper and twigs and some type of glue.

Going into the painting process I didn’t have a clear vision. I just knew to use blue. By talking out loud with my girlfriend I arrived at some conclusions. This piece represents hot and cold, fire and water, a map- a path forward.

During the filming of my process I used a tall candle to illuminate the cube and sure enough the tissue paper started smoking. A small black char spot on the top led me to intentionally burning several holes and browning the edges with a lighter.

At the time of doing this project I am also fundraising for my two friends who are without heat or hot water in their home. Winter is near and I am thinking of them every minute of every day, desperately looking for solutions. Of course Life and Art are fully intertwined. All people are intertwined. Through the constant retelling of my friend’s story it has become part of mine. I will find any reason to talk about them until we can figure out how to keep them warm this winter. So this lantern is dedicated to them.

If you are reading this in 2023, we are still in need of help to supply a hot water heater and furnace to their household. If you can donate or share our fundraiser, click here.

Every contribution is appreciated.