We call ourselves Mars and Pony

In addition to our solo careers as artists, 2010 was the year we began collaborating privately on works on paper.  These were passed between us every few months.  Just like, when at the age of 7 we had pen pals across the country, we were able to speak to each other using imagery and marks.  In this time we’ve created our own language, learning how the other reacts to what challenge has been presented.  Our language continues to develop as we work together on this common exploration.

We call ourselves Mars and Pony.

Mars and Pony take us out of every comfort of our own studio hermitude, our sometimes dark and stressed brains and definitely our ego.  With two minds we form one that is fuelled by the other’s choices and energy, forcing us to meet in the middle.  We let go of the vision we often have for our own work, knowing that the outcome depends on us both.  It is a little like stepping through the looking glass: oddly familiar, completely intoxicating and utterly unpredictable. We write all the rules; then we break them together.

Upon completion, the secret intimacy of shared logged hours is an accomplishment the two of us are solely privy to. This is a detail that distinguishes the experience of collaborative work from the solo. It is a privilege and an honor to earn the trust of a fellow artist by placing our craft and vision in each other’s hands as we pass the work between us.

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