Billie Reath-Lang
Medium: Watercolour, Gouache and Ink
Location: Qualicum Beach, BC
Website: http://billieblueart.weebly.com/
Bio: Billie Reath-Lang is an illustrator from Qualicum Beach, BC. She obtained a Fine Arts Diploma from North Island College in 2018 and is currently working towards a BA in Visual Arts at Vancouver Island University. She creates narrative artwork that encourages discussion, thought and imagination from her viewers. Although Billie is known to touch on social justice issues in her artwork, her work is not solely political. She is inspired by family photographs, children’s illustration, historical artwork and events, and the environment that she lives in. Her education in Studies of Women and Gender also influences her work. Billie believes that art-making is a powerful tool that can be used to comment on the world we live in or escape it altogether.
Q & A
1) Have you had to adapt your studio/home/space to be more suitable to your practice during this time?
I’m very privileged to have had a space at home dedicated to my studio needs for the past 4 years as an art student. I thankfully have not had to make any drastic changes to my studio during quarantine.
2) Can you describe your daily/weekly art practice, anything that you do differently because your studio is in such proximity?
I have been spending a lot more time in my studio than usual as I am no longer going to classes. My self-isolation schedule has allowed me to slow down and approach my projects at a much slower rate, working only a few hours a day on each project to finish up my semester. It has been quite a shift for me to adapt to. I am trying to consider it a blessing that I have extended time to work on projects.
3) Has this time of self-isolation changed your practice in any way. I know a lot of artists are missing things (materials, space, etc). Has this time pushed you to be more creative or think outside the box in your practice and can you give us an example?
I have personally found it a struggle to be motivated and find inspiration. While I have been granted more time to work on my art I am finding it easier to be burnt out when working on my projects. I have been battling this feeling by trying to switch up my routines during self-isolation (i.e., take walks, colour in a colouring book, take a day and just relax!) and remind myself that I am doing the best I can during this strange time.
4) What is your favourite part about your home-studio?
My favourite part about my studio is that it is solely my personal space. This pandemic has made me think about how privileged and grateful I am to have a big studio space for the storage of past projects and to create new ones without feeling crowded. I can keep it messy and not care during the stressful times of my semesters, clean up whenever, and organize it to my liking.
5) Do you have any goals of creativity for this time?
In this time of self-isolation, I feel I can only do what I know - continue to work on projects and ideas, build up my portfolio and be hopeful for the future. I am trying to consider this time of quarantine a blessing - I can continue to work on projects and build a portfolio without having to worry too much about other obligations!
6) Any messages you would like to share with everyone during this time?
Despite the nature of our situation, I think we are seeing and are going to see a lot of exciting things from everyone’s efforts to flatten the curve. Galleries are going virtual, allowing for a more international audience. Art centres are looking at unique ways to bring their communities into the virtual world, and people are looking to the arts community for entertainment and happiness in these uncertain times. What I have found most helpful during this time is to look to my artist friends and discuss the ups and downs we feel during this time. I think there is no better time to connect with other artists and support each other. In doing so we will all continue to keep this arts community alive!