I live on a bit of acreage on Vancouver Island's temperate east side, with my husband, dog, 3 cats and a handful of goats. My studio - Goatwillow - is open occasionally throughout the year, and always as part of the annual Country Christmas Tour near the end of November. Year round, my work is at Imagine That! Artisans' Designs (www.imaginethatartisans.com) in downtown Duncan, which also carries the work of over 80 other local artists and artisans
Papier Maché
My first experience with papier maché was when I was entombed in a Minnie Mouse head made by my mother for Halloween. I moved on - unscathed, and with no obvious signs of claustrophobia - to my own "hands-on" adventure. Thrilled by the knowledge that I could make as much mess as possible with flour, warm water and newspaper, I created many a masterpiece - soggy, bulbous masses that would be left to dry on a sunny windowsill or heat register.
My love of paper and glue - and the messiness of it all - endured. Flour and water has been replaced with commercial adhesives and hardeners, although I still use newspaper in the preliminary stages. Armatures are made from "just about anything" to create the necessary forms, and outer coatings are applied and manipulated to achieve the desired texture and detail. My work has ranged from 2" high snowmen to a life-size sea captain, who welcomes guests to an oceanfront cottage on Vancouver Island's west coast.
Inspiration comes from anything and everything, and my interests are broad.
Using glass paints in a vibrant array of colour, my hand painted glassware and whiteware is both functional and decorative. There are wine glasses, vases and plates for your home, and pet dishes for your four legged friends.
Early sketches for "A Bit of Cheek" art cards were conceived on the sunny deck of a BC Ferry while on a summer trip to Bella Coola. These cards have also evolved into cheeky welcome signs and plates for the fronts of journals and diaries.
