When I walked into my new studio at Harcourt House for the first time, I was startled to see the previous Artist in Residence had white washed the walls. I really appreciate the thoughtful gesture but the stark white shocked me. It was almost like the terror of a writer faced with a blank page or an artist with a virgin canvas.

I had a moment of panic thinking, “Oh God! Can I do this?”

Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Then I noticed that the blinding white walls were not perfect. At the base were a few inches of paint drips remaining untouched. Who knows how many individuals and previous artists in yearlong residencies mixed the colours that flowed from beneath the white down the wall and onto the floor.

That little bit of imperfection was (and is) my saviour. As an imperfect person on the cusp of a dream opportunity, I know there will be failures and successes, good days and bad. The imperfect walls and floor give me the breathing space to not worry about mess, to get my hands dirty and be a brilliant experimenter of creative thought.

Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

I am overflowing, literally running over with joy and thankfulness for this opportunity, for my (imperfect) white walls and my welcome new title. Artist in Residence. I’m so ready.

Check out my Alexis Marie Chute website for more blog posts about my artist residency. Here is a post called: “Moving into Harcourt House, Artist in Residence Studio”

Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute