Time Takes Patience & Patience Takes Time
Art Show Series launched in January of 2023
Currently showing at PH Coffee in Kansas City, MO
Currently showing at PH Coffee in Kansas City, MO
Artist's Statement by Holly Bastin
It has been pointed out to me that one of the most curious ingredients in my artistic process is time. As you will see in the descriptions of each piece, nearly all of these works were years in the making, spanning from a few days to a 10 years lapse, from start to finish. While many will pass right by this statement & find enjoyment in the art itself, a little patience to try to understand where it came from enriches the experience. Because of the amount of time involved in their creation, the deeper context of a lot of my work requires some personal history. I will do my best to keep the story of my life brief for those of you who did stop to read this :)
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. There is a soul level point of connection in it for me, it feels like it’s born of nature while also having been nurtured in me by my loved ones. Barely into their twenties when I was born, my parents were both artists, trying to figure out their places in the world. They were both quite talented visual artists, but each had their own complementary talents, my Dad as a pianist and strong tenor voice and Mama with her interest in fashion and cutting edge trends. Art was always surrounding me when I was with them, & often a way that I found connection with each of them. This was especially important with their separation &divorce when I was about 2 years old. From that event, I came to live with my Grandma & Grandpa & only saw Dad & Mama on weekends for most of that time.
It is hard to distill this era of my life into a tidy history, because it was kind of a hot mess. I can say that, at the time, I had no idea how chaotic it was - I was a young child & knew no other way of living. I can say that I knew that I was loved, delighted in even, a fortune that outweighed much of the misfortune that I experienced in my childhood. Art was the way that I most effectively processed the more difficult losses & deepest unmet desires in my life. In my darkest hours it has constantly been the thing that helped to pull me back into myself & see a way forward.
It is through art I have learned to trust my process, even though I can’t always find my way backwards through the chain of complex reasoning that led me to my conclusion. I create art for many reasons, my own pleasure, to explore difficult or complex feelings, to soothe me when life feels out of control & sometimes even draw myself out of hardened spaces within myself when I feel trapped in some way. Art is my greatest gateway for self understanding.
More recently I have been using art more intentionally as a tool in processing my grief. As you read the piece descriptions you will find many mentions of lost loves along the way. Truthfully, it has always been a way that I have expressed grief but, much like Dorothy & the slippers, it took time for me to realize this connection & bring more intention to it. In art I’ve discovered a channel for continuing the bonds I shared with people who have died, leading me into the best part of grief - that it is never really over. If it was truly love, it is never over. I’ve learned that there’s always a way to get to know someone better, even after they have been gone for decades. I’ve experienced myself!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate your time & patience - I know how your precious time is! If you have ever lost someone you love, living or dead, I hope you find something of understanding and comfort among these pieces. Take heart, you are not alone.
Take care out there,
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. There is a soul level point of connection in it for me, it feels like it’s born of nature while also having been nurtured in me by my loved ones. Barely into their twenties when I was born, my parents were both artists, trying to figure out their places in the world. They were both quite talented visual artists, but each had their own complementary talents, my Dad as a pianist and strong tenor voice and Mama with her interest in fashion and cutting edge trends. Art was always surrounding me when I was with them, & often a way that I found connection with each of them. This was especially important with their separation &divorce when I was about 2 years old. From that event, I came to live with my Grandma & Grandpa & only saw Dad & Mama on weekends for most of that time.
It is hard to distill this era of my life into a tidy history, because it was kind of a hot mess. I can say that, at the time, I had no idea how chaotic it was - I was a young child & knew no other way of living. I can say that I knew that I was loved, delighted in even, a fortune that outweighed much of the misfortune that I experienced in my childhood. Art was the way that I most effectively processed the more difficult losses & deepest unmet desires in my life. In my darkest hours it has constantly been the thing that helped to pull me back into myself & see a way forward.
It is through art I have learned to trust my process, even though I can’t always find my way backwards through the chain of complex reasoning that led me to my conclusion. I create art for many reasons, my own pleasure, to explore difficult or complex feelings, to soothe me when life feels out of control & sometimes even draw myself out of hardened spaces within myself when I feel trapped in some way. Art is my greatest gateway for self understanding.
More recently I have been using art more intentionally as a tool in processing my grief. As you read the piece descriptions you will find many mentions of lost loves along the way. Truthfully, it has always been a way that I have expressed grief but, much like Dorothy & the slippers, it took time for me to realize this connection & bring more intention to it. In art I’ve discovered a channel for continuing the bonds I shared with people who have died, leading me into the best part of grief - that it is never really over. If it was truly love, it is never over. I’ve learned that there’s always a way to get to know someone better, even after they have been gone for decades. I’ve experienced myself!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate your time & patience - I know how your precious time is! If you have ever lost someone you love, living or dead, I hope you find something of understanding and comfort among these pieces. Take heart, you are not alone.
Take care out there,
V i r t u a l S h o w
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