'That happened. What's next?' Why this artist doesn't give up on any of her paintings
After taking care of herself growing up and raising her child alone, she's learned to make the best of things
"I'm very good at making the best of things. You know, if something goes wrong, it's always, 'OK, that happened. What's next?'"
Vancouver-based, Holland-born painter Carla Tak makes the most of the resources she has and doesn't give up in her life and in her work. "I looked after myself from such a young age, and raised a kid on my own," she says. "I have to be very budget-conscious, so I don't waste anything. Everything gets used."
"I've never lost a painting either. I just keep working it. Work, work, work. If the painting's not working, I'll cut it up and put into another painting. Even if I don't feel like it, I show up. I do the work."
After moving to Vancouver, Tak quit high school at age 14 to attend art school, subsequently moving into a Gastown loft at age 15. After time spent living in California, New York and Florida and the arrival of her child, Tak returned to painting at age 50 and her passion for creativity has persisted. "I'm always feeling creative. I think it's just a mindset. I'm a little bit of a workaholic though."
Art Minute is a new CBC Arts series taking you inside the minds of Canadian artists to hear what makes them tick and the ideas behind their work.