Culture Tour in the Kootenays brings visitors to my new art studio

‘Old Age Security Blanket’ project in process

On the 13th and 14th of August I participated in the Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Though this is the 8th year that this tour has occurred it was the first year for me. Having a new studio separate from my home made it possible for me to welcome the public into my space for this event. I had a steady stream of visitors come by on both days and I was amazed at how long they spent engaging in some really thoughtful conversations around ideas in my work – especially the Old Age Security Blanket project. After the two days I was exhausted but also really really inspired and grateful for having made such meaningful connections with some amazing people.

I am an artist who likes to explore a diverse range of media. My new studio is quite a large space for me and I was able to show a range of what I do, including some long term works in progress (like my Old Security Blanket) as well as drawings and small wearable art pieces. Before taking it down I tried to capture in photographs how my studio looked for those of you who could not make it for the tour.

I had several new large ecoprint silk scarves on the walls, draped on models and in other little spaces. On the left is my sewing machine and wearable art worktable and in the background a door going into a small storage room and library. In the foreground is an installation I have been playing with – see the image below for detail.

Pennies stitched in cloth with plant dyed thread and wooden knitting needles, needle and thread – playing with the idea of pennies being the smallest unit of exchange and ideas of slow work, traditional woman’s work and the value of small simple daily contributions to our lives.

Yes, I have a rocking chair in my studio! Though I seldom get to sit in it – maybe this winter.  The piece hanging on the wall is a work in progress and the piece below it is the first completed piece in my ‘Love Letter’ series ( slow slow work) – see detail shown later.

Detail of “Embrace me my Obstacle” (Unfinished)

“Love Letter to Slocan Lake” – a poem in silk, stitches, pebbles and beads

An ongoing project for me is my “Old Age Security Blanket” – a major work in progress which is close to halfway now – you can read the story about it here: OAS Blanket  It has finally reached a size that I can show it on a bed and I have a dedicated space just for this project (which also serves as a small gallery). When this installation is completed it will be much longer than the bed, reaching several feet along the floor –  an exaggerated security blanket. This work in progress is about my personal journey of inquiry into ideas of security, economics and growth. This project began in 2013 at the time that Canadian pennies were phased out of circulation and so it also explores ideas of  loss and extinction. I am making this ‘blanket’ using found natural dye colour, pennies collected and saved in cloth and contemplation through stitching, words and drawings. An accounting ledger accompanies this piece to preserve a written record of money saved and organic thoughts collected along the way.

Following are a few more images of little sections and views of my studio. There are many threads of ideas and themes that move through the different projects I do – for example  being able to place life drawings next to draped silk brings attention to these links and little water colours and drawings of seeds show up again in my textile soft jewelry necklaces. Simple shapes and patterns like circles, the almond shape (vesica piscis) and meandering undulating lines appear in most of my work.