“Art is the best thing about humans.”
For some, art is not something that simply exists or is something easy to pass by. This belief is shared by the next subject of Art Journeys: Miranda Britton, an all-around creative from Bracebridge and Windermere.
From a young age, art has always played a huge role in her life. From her parents instilling a passion by taking Britton and her siblings to art galleries, museums and live shows, to her now - continuing to partake in these activities and more.
“I have a lot of art at home.
I love art of all kinds. Not just visual art. I really love music.
We listen to a lot of music, go to a lot of live shows. I think if I lived in the city, I would also see more live theatre and more dance, but I see those kinds when I'm able. Not that there isn't good theatre and dance here, but it's just not as available.
We always went to the studio tour, my parents took us to museums and galleries anywhere we travelled, and we always had tons of art in our house, and my own home is no different. There's art everywhere.”
But Britton was never a fan of the classic “Muskoka Style” and now creates jewelry that fits into what can only be described as a connection between two worlds, the human world and the earth we walk on.
“Growing up, I wasn’t a fan of landscapes, paintings of loons and all the tree pictures. But I live out in a field beside the woods, so I spend a lot of time in nature, and I really gravitate towards how humans interact with the natural world and how we see ourselves mirrored in its life cycles. So the Muskoka landscape definitely plays a role for me now, but it's more about reminding us that we're part of the natural world. I love all of the examples of humans trying to tame the natural world, and then the natural world kind of fighting back. Like, you know, you see abandoned barns or buildings that have collapsed or old fence posts where, you know, an attempt was made to corral this and make it something, and then eventually humans got tired or moved on from that area, and then the natural world just... absorbed it back up.
Like we were never there. I love that interplay between humans and the natural world.” Britton stated.
I find that outlook on life so interesting. I love the way that Britton pushed the fact that we humans will do what we can to build skyscrapers or even bury a body. But the earth, no matter what, will consume us once the world forgets about it.
When Britton is not creating, she works for Muskoka Arts & Crafts as the Programming and Membership Director, creating opportunities for artists and the general public to deepen their relationship with art. Britton feels it's a full-circle moment, after being connected to the organization for almost 40 years.
“I've been involved with the organization for 40 years. Since taking classes as a little kid, and then eventually running their life drawing program in my 20s, becoming a board member and sitting on the board for over 12 years, as well as being a summer show exhibitor for almost 20 years. I feel like I've been involved in all aspects. This is the first time I've actually been an employee. Which is great because I have a good understanding of how everything works. MA&C has a lot of moving pieces, and it's a growing organization full of possibilities, but it takes an awful lot of work to bring all these ideas to fruition.”
As we neared the end of the interview, I asked Britton the question: Why does art matter? Her response was one only someone who has made their life a work of art would give.
“Art is the best thing about humans, simply put. You read the news sometimes, and you're like, oh, humans are the worst. But when I see art that a human has made, those are the times when I'm just like, oh, humans are the best. In all forms too, whether it's music, dance, visual arts, as long as it's a human being vulnerable and asking questions, and then trying to express something about their humanness to others. I think it just does so much to build relationships and community.”
After speaking with Britton, I understood the philosophy behind her idea of art. Art isn’t something that happens only after a thought. But slowly, roots grow from a single idea into something entirely its own, as the impacts of nature take hold.