10 facts about Coley: an informal introduction

Hey folks! This is my first "blog" post since my angsty pre-teen years. That takes me way back to GeoCities-- all we are missing is a midi cover of the 1997 smash hit My Heart Will Go On by Céline Dion ; ' )

Since I'm generally averse to most of how art is handled online (presence and content makes me want to smash things) I'm planning on using this space more like a journal. Mostly it seems like a good way to get ideas and feelings out, and perhaps if I'm inclined to start writing poems or prose again they will have a home here.

That said, I think it's time for an informal introduction! Here's a list of facts about me, in no particular order, that I think help explain some of what you'll see in my work.

1. I grew up in the country and I love being outdoors-- every year I go backwoods camping in Temagami and I spend time in the Georgian Bay ecoregion each summer.

2. I have been performing my whole life, starting with interpretive dances to ambient jungle noises in my grandparents' living room. My favourite performance role was as Minerva, an underwater escapologist. I performed a variation of Houdini's Water Torture Cell nearly 300 times. Yes, I can teach you how to pick handcuffs!

3. I wasn't always sure I was cut out to be an artist, so I also briefly studied archaeology, art history, and Celtic studies concurrent to my studio art classes during my first degree.

4. I used to keep a toad hotel, where I would rescue toads from window wells and provide them with fresh moss, water, and bugs. The doors were always open but most wouldn't choose to leave until they had a few days of pampering. I love creatures, great and small.

5. I'm a very energetic person. I love to swim, cycle, jump, clamber and flip. Keep me moving and I'm happy.

6. I am a certified SCUBA Divemaster, though I haven't had the opportunity to work in the industry. I had the excellent timing of getting certified in March 2020, right before the world wouldn't dream of travelling or potentially using shared breathing apparatus.

7. I love facilitation and teaching, and I've worked pretty much my entire adult life in this context. Making knowledge and skills more accessible is one aspect I am passionate about, but ultimately seeing people believe in themselves and feel more comfortable being creative is just about the best thing ever.

8. Although I am a bundle of energy (thank you neurodivergence) I also have a dynamic disability which affects my joints and connective tissue. I'm prone to injury and chronic pain, so I have to keep myself as fit as possible and be very thoughtful about my movements to be able to continue doing the things I love. Periodically I need to take a big step back to recover; this has caused an interesting and sometimes complicated relationship with glass, being such a physically demanding medium.

9. I love to cook and try to make all sorts of types of food. Feeding my friends is one of my love languages!

10. I've gone through several stages of actively practicing and performing musically, right now I'm in an off period. My favourite instruments to play are bass and synth, and I do really enjoy singing even though I'm not good at it. I really like the camaraderie of playing with a band, and spent most of my 20's goofing off with some of my best friends on stage.

Thanks so much for reading!

xo COLEY