The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Art With Heart: Artist Christine Burgess bonds with one of her creations-- a doll inspired by a friend she made while volunteering with a hospice program.

WG artist dreams of a circle for creative women to bond

Artisans need support and kinship, she says

By Michelle Ku

Willow Glen is known for its small-town feel in the middle of a big city. But even in this close, tight-knit community, area artists can find themselves isolated from or unaware of one another.

Despite the Glen's diversity and abundance of culture, local artists are often alone because they don't have a place to gather, such as an art gallery, studio or artists' group, says artist Christine Burgess.

"In other big cities, they have huge compounds, almost like a mall, where each artist has their own studio and people can stop by," she says. "I don't think we have that here or any place in San Jose."

To help bolster fellowship and interaction among area artists, Burgess, a papier-mâché artist, is taking it upon herself to create a Willow Glen Women Artists' Society open to women who work in any artistic medium. Media can include clay, papier-mâché, stitchery, pen and ink, painting, woodcraft, metal, silk-screen and etching.

Burgess is planning on holding the group's first meeting in mid-March at her home or studio.

Since returning to the Willow Glen area two years ago, after living in Malaysia for six years, Burgess has felt detached from other artists, she says. She wasn't used to the isolation because she was in constant contact with other artists while in Malaysia.

The art club in Malaysia organized art exhibits, but it was more than that: The artists spent time together as friends as well.

"Artists struggle very very much and have a difficult time when there's no one around to give them feedback," Burgess says. "Artists--and I'm talking about someone who's had art training their whole lifetime--are used to having teachers or fellow artists surrounding them," she says.

Burgess says she feels fortunate to have been able to work in her own private studio for the last two years, but says it has its down side. "I have the space, but it keeps me too isolated," she says. "I want to break out of my isolation and meet other artists."

While Burgess is not modeling the Willow Glen society on the group she was involved with in Malaysia, she wants to experience a similar type of kinship with artists here.

In the beginning, the Willow Glen Women Artists' Society will be limited to women only, but it could include men in the future. "Initially I want it to be a women's Willow Glen society, mainly for the friendship," Burgess says

Burgess also wants to limit the group to women at first because she will be holding the meetings in her home. She wants the group to start small and to expand from there.

"I tend to be isolated, and I think I enjoy that isolation," says Carole Westlund, a functional potter who lives on Pine Avenue. "I do enjoy getting together at craft shows with other artists, but for me as an individual, I'm not a joiner."

But even though Westlund primarily works alone, she also enjoys interaction with other artists, she says. Every month, Westlund participates in an informal gathering with other artists who take part in the annual Christmas in the Studio show.

"It started out as a dinner at the end of the Christmas in the Studio show, but we wanted to get together and talk more often," she says. "We just get together and sit and talk, not necessarily about art but about life as well. It's a nice way to share. Being an artist who's working in her own studio or house, I'm very isolated. It's nice being able to get out to talk to other artists."

Burgess is hoping to achieve that community feeling with her Willow Glen Women Artists' Society.

"Certain artists are more introspective and into doing their own things on their own," she says. "Other artists are more worldly and aware. When you have artists sharing their own particular media and styles, it just broadens their artistic outlook."

For information, contact Christine Burgess at 279-0587 or via email at chrisian@juno.com.

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