By Morgan Booth

 

Ingrid Singing Grass is a painter working and living in Halifax. Ingrid uses painting as a source of catharsis and also as an expression of joy. Her emotional connectivity to each piece is shown in the bold and intuitive use of colour in her work.  We had Ingrid paint as  a competitor in the first ever Art Battle Halifax in January, and we look forward to having her at the easel again for Art Battle 47, March 22nd.

 

Why did you choose Singing Grass as your artist’s name?

Ingrid Singing Grass is a fusion of my given name and found name and is the one I usually use on my artwork. There was a time when I only went by Singing Grass. I wrote this over a decade ago: “As I walked from the forest into the sunlit field, I was greeted by the chorus of a multitude of hidden grasshoppers. I sat amongst the fragrant grasses and flowers, and the singing rose in a great crescendo. My heart soared with peace and gratitude as I felt my oneness with Mother Earth.” The name “Singing Grass” reminds me to appreciate the magic that is within and around us all.

 

 

Your work is very vibrant, what draws you to working with so much colour?

Thank you. I love colour—I love all of them. Together they show the beauty and vibrancy of diversity. Diversity is essential to life. In liquid form, they can swirl and dance together in infinite combinations. They represent, reflect life and the universe. They relate to emotions and can link to memories. Freely playing with them, allowing them to interact and seeing what happens is magick.

 

 

What is your opinion on art as an industry?

I’m hyper uncomfortable with it. I want to get my work out there, to share it, to give it purpose beyond my sanity. Like most of us I’m drawn to want money and the ego lifts of “success” in our society. At the same time, I am very protective of my process. That may sound cliché, but there are many times when I’ve been stuck in horrendous depression, caught up utterly in my own angst and been totally overwhelmed. Then I paint, and somehow it all comes out, and as I let the paint flow, I let the pain go, little by little. Not only is that more valuable than money, but I fear that process being tainted by greed, and our society is ripe with it. I don’t understand pricing of what I do, especially in context of the disparity of value of this thing we call money.

 

 

You painted in the first Art Battle Halifax, tell us about your first Battle experience.

It was so uplifting and inspiring and beautiful. The support for and between the artists was amazing and touched me deeply. I was fortunate to have had some experience live painting and that gave me confidence to help with the performance anxiety. I knew after nearly two decades of painting that it would be fine. Massive kudos to all those who had never painted in front of an audience! A brave and talented lot, I loooooved the range of work. All of it was wonderful. I was uncomfortable at first about the competitive aspect—I worry about people’s feelings including my own, but everyone was so kind to each other. Really nice time. The painting part was fun and exciting and it was a thrill to get such generous feedback and to auction off my painting. I made several new friends and am highly motivated to go kick some painted butt!!

 

 

 

What is the importance of the viewers perception of your work, do you try to provide a clear concept, or do you like to have the viewer draw their own conclusions?

I love hearing what people see in my work. Most of it is totally abstract, so it’s up to the viewers’ imagination to draw images. Sometimes people have been convinced that I’ve intentionally put something in they see so clearly when I really haven’t. We all see things from unique perspectives. Besides, I can’t keep up with my rambling brain babble that narrates in the background as I paint, so how could I really explain it? Sometimes there is a clear intent that I want people to know in which case I’ll indicate that with a clear title. Once upon a time, I didn’t title or sign my work and gave them all away. Sometimes I title pieces randomly. Lately, there’s been some stronger messaging like a piece I did related to indigenous solidarity and a spiritual experience I had in Mexico.

What do you think Art Battle fits into the art scene in Halifax?

I’m a bit of a fringe dweller though I do know a lot of artists, does that make us a scene? I think it’s a super fun way to bring together artists with each other and with everyone who loves art. We can learn from and support each other. I can isolate with my art and that sucks. It’s awesome to know people care, and I’m so happy that so many of us are getting the chance to experience that.

 

 

 

What do you think Art Battle fits into the art scene in Halifax?

I’m a bit of a fringe dweller though I do know a lot of artists, does that make us a scene? I think it’s a super fun way to bring together artists with each other and with everyone who loves art. We can learn from and support each other. I can isolate with my art and that sucks. It’s awesome to know people care, and I’m so happy that so many of us are getting the chance to experience that.

Ingrid Singing Grass will be competing in Art Battle 47, March 22nd at the Bus Stop Theatre, Halifax

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