Christina Neigel (hear it), Ed.D., MLIS  (she/her)

I have always loved art - of all forms. This often took a back seat to my career, my family, and my scholarship as an associate professor at a small university in British Columbia. As I prioritize art in my life, I have arrived at linocut printmaking - an art that requires a lot of forethought and steps to create. I enjoy the challenge of it!

I am inspired by nature and its intersection with the human-built world. I love all things birds but I am also up for a bit of pop culture fan-art, too! I have studied the role of popular culture and its educational reach, so I understand the influence it exerts in our everyday.

When I spend time in nature (which is a gift living in beautiful British Columbia), I am also thinking about my role in a colonial world and my responsibilities to truth and reconciliation and anti-colonialism. I am contemplating how the way I look and portray the world can contribute to these efforts.

As it is still early in my journey, I am experimenting with a number of approaches including tools, colours, and styles. With support of my family, I am putting my creations out in the world. There are lots of mishaps but I see this as part of the learning journey! Too often, we see perfectly curated works on the Internet and in social media that make imperfection invisible.

For all of those who say they can’t draw, do art, or “be” creative, you can. Just do it! The imperfections are part of the journey. Please join me on mine and let me know if there is something that sings to you.