Writer, Mixed Media Artist, Contemplative Musician
I'm embarking one a new one-a-day year-long challenge, this time with a good friend. And this 365 day project doesn't have to be done outside. (In 2016 I did an daily ephemeral artwork project outside, everyday!) Each of us are fibre artists but we rarely work solely in embroidery. It's the type of challenge which... Continue Reading →
One of the most powerful moments of my mother's committal serviceΒ was seeing my brotherΒ and sister-in-lawΒ placing her ashes into the ground. They knelt down on the grass beside the small hole. Gently herΒ arm went all the way to the bottom of the soil floor, over a metre down, like a final caress. Families who are not... Continue Reading →
Born to Percy and Winifred Carter (nee Harris) in Feb 6, 1927, Maxine grew up in the north end of Winnipeg with her sister, Sylva. The family regularly attended Tabernacle Baptist Church, all of them singing in the choir. Maxine had a beautiful soprano voice and did vocal and piano duets with her sister, performed... Continue Reading →
"Say 'goodbye' to Patriarchy," said my husband as he passed me the captain's chair. 1977, a very special wedding gift from my parents. A suitably expensive Roxton maple dining room set; 4 chairs and a table. We have gathered around that table for the last 39 years. Β We still love the table. Β Whoever designed the... Continue Reading →
I recently got the opportunity to teach coiled basketry at The Craft Bee, a monthly maker's night in London, ON. Β I really love teaching. The Craft Bee is held at the homeyΒ Soulshine StudioΒ in Wortley Village. So much can be accomplished with just three colours. Rachel McGarry, of Urban Farm Girl Interior Decorating, even posted it... Continue Reading →
I'm challenging myself in 2016 to produce an ephemeral art piece each day. So what is ephemeral art? It's a piece of art made on a walk with no tools and only what I find and then leave behind for others to find (or not). This came as a result of gazing around Instagram and... Continue Reading →
βStand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16
I've been weaving a series of coiled basket creations mounted on driftwood, which I call "Bird Nests". Recently someone purchased this one and sent me this beautiful story. Nests evoke all kinds of emotions and bring forth thoughts of birthing, creating, preparing, anticipating and incubating. This Christmas I am gifting one of your nests to... Continue Reading →
It all started with this. A huge grapevine choking a large tree on my property. I dragged it all down and this huge pile became art material! Find two trees far enough apart, but not too far. The weft comes first. Up to ladder height. Warp and weft. Yes, that is an old wooden chair... Continue Reading →
Dusk. The perfect time of day to see into the trees. Nest of the Cinnamon-throated Tit Nest of the Velvet-tongue Floup Nest of the Superfluous Singing Sugarbird Nest of the Elusive Chirping Honeyeater
A very enthusiastic group gathered on August 29th at Runs With Scissors Studio in Winnipeg Beach to learn how to make rag rope baskets. The first project is to learn the method by sewingΒ a coaster. Then comes the basket and learning how to 'throw a pot' on your sewing machine. With lots of hard work... Continue Reading →
A wonderful way to wake up is to hum to yourself before even getting out of bed. Humming is a simple vibrational pattern with profound effects. "Sound vibrations move and alter matter. The purpose of sound has primarily been known as a mode of communication, forewarning, or entertainment, but the true benefits of sound are... Continue Reading →
"As artists it takes courage to create when the world around us keeps saying that there are better things we could be doing with our time. There is often little recognition or money in being an artist, and yet I invite you to consider art-making and creativity an exuberant act of self-love. To say, βI... Continue Reading →
Cultural walkabout. Dip in for some healing sounds.
What fun today teaching machine-stitched rag basketry. Held at the new quilt shop in Wyoming, ON, Stitchaire. Starting off with learning the technique makingΒ a small coaster. Then learning how to turn the bowl, or throw a pot on a sewing machine. Sewn pottery. Thank you Laurie Johnson, owner of Stitcharie, for stepping in to... Continue Reading →
Discovering a new path is always exciting if not a little scary. I pulled into the parking lot at Lorne Henderson Conservation Area (#SCRCA) at the same time the park ranger was finishing her rounds. I started out on my normal walking route and then noticed fresh footsteps in the snow so I thought I'd... Continue Reading →
Over 30 years ago, when my husband served as an ordained clergyman and we were poor as church mice he came home bearing this boxed set of 5 vinyl albums. Christmas Through The Years was the quintessential Reader's Digest compendium of seasonal music. One of his parishioners gifted it to us. I guess they were... Continue Reading →
Christmas greetings from the church belfry. http://youtu.be/vJX7U1ngFjI
Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year. Winter Solstice. Peter Togni is a musician and composer and contributor to the CBC. He shares his musical playlist for the Winter Solstice. His picks are: - Symphony N5, 2nd movement by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius- Rainbow Voice by musical pioneer David Hykes- Magnificat by the Estonian composer Arvo PΓ€rt
I needed a long walk this afternoon. My feetΒ took me to a large treed park. It happens to be a cemetery. The grounds are sprinkled with a few stone buildings, most about one hundred years old. One of these larger mausoleums is ornamented with a wee stained glass window.Β You can't see the coloured glass from... Continue Reading →
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