Editor:
Creativity takes many forms on the Sunshine Coast. Artists, chefs, florists, gardeners, these are readily imagined creative people. I used to imagine those folks getting a little light bulb over their heads and then making whatever it is they make, and making it well.
However — spoiler alert — it doesn’t work that way.
Creativity usually shows up in subtle ways, often without any fanfare or lightbulbs.
I’d like to give a little shout out to someone here on the Coast who fosters that kind of subtle, quiet creativity in so many people, often without even knowing it.
Local artist Tzaddi Gordon has been making art in our community for many years. Currently living in Sechelt, she had a wonderful and well received show at GPAG in Joe’s Lounge earlier this year, featuring her blackout poetry. She is a multifaceted artist, but what I love about most Tzaddi is her commitment to creativity.
Today, the 20th of June, is her 3,000th consecutive day of making something. Tzaddi creates every day and posts it on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tzaddimade/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tzaddimade). Every. Day. For 3000 days.
Recently, she’s posted images of pencil drawings, paintings, blackout poetry, sourdough bread and altered images from her iPad. She has not missed a day. And the thing is, while some of her work turns into “something,” a lot of her work is just creativity showing up in solid form. It’s her brain making her hand move, her thoughts wandering into “what if I moved the paintbrush over here?” Or “What if I shape the bread this way?” And sometimes it’s not even conscious thought that creates the doodle, the poem or the line. It’s just creativity.
I’m inspired by Tzaddi’s 3,000 days. I am not an artist in the traditional sense of the word, but I am an artist because I am creative and I am not afraid to see where that creativity takes me. I learned that from Tzaddie’s 3,000 posts. So, thank you, Tzaddi. And thank you to all the artists on the Sunshine Coast, famous or not, those that make art and put it away, whose creativity shows up in unorthodox and delightful ways. I’m glad you’re here, inspiring me.
Kim Fenton, Roberts Creek
