Juried Artist Member (JAM) - Laurie Swim, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

In Anne Rayner-Gould’s recent article on the SAQA blog, she discusses the JAM designation and how collectors can benefit from including these artists work in their collections. Included is SAQA Atlantic’s Laurie Swim.

http://www.saqa.com/weblog/?p=637

What’s My View - Lois Bowden, Port Williams, Nova Scotia

These photos give us a glimpse of the incredible views Lois Bowden enjoys in Port Williams located in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.

Apple bins at Noggins Corner Farm

A SAQA sighting in Fredericton, New Brunswick

SAQA member Hilary Rice is in Fredericton, New Brunswick this week conducting workshops. Last evening she gave a Trunk Show and Presentation and several area SAQA Atlantic members attended.

Here we have Hilary, LaVerne McCallum Deakin, Barb Perry and Kathy Tidswell sitting in the front.

Thanks to LaVerne for sending in this photo!

What’s My View? - Heather Loney, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

After viewing the latest "What's My View" by Laurie Swim, Heather thought it would be of interest to share her view, in reference to Laurie’s project, Hope and Survival.

At the beginning of Laurie Swim's video is a view of the damaged area near the Narrows of Halifax Harbour.  The area has obviously been rebuilt, and it is now "my view". I watch the container ships pass by, at a much slower speed courtesy of by-law changes after the Halifax Explosion. I watch commuter traffic scurry across the MacKay Bridge, and I am eye-level to the multitude of birds that frequent the harbour (yes, even the occasional eagle and osprey). The green spaces around me even allow the occasional deer, fox and pheasant to frequent the area in spite of living in the city. I have created two pieces of work based on "View from my Deck".

What’s My View? - Penny Berens, Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia

What inspires me? Oh so much. Basically the world around me. But there is one thing that surprises me. When I first arrived to live in the woods of Nova Scotia, I had never seen woods as tangled and messy as the ones outside my back door.  They are not easy to walk in nor do they give up their secrets to just anyone!  I thought I would never get used to them. But living amidst the trees watching their response to the seasons, the ebb and flow of life in the woods has of course changed all that.  They are vibrant and primal.....and oh so messy! I find myself trying to make my work look less tame and orderly but it is not as easy as it sounds!

Here is a quote that applies to the woods behind me being my inspiration.

In my book collection is "Drawing Closer To Nature" by Peter London.  I have learnt so much from Mr. London's approach to working in nature not least of all these words.  "Find a portion of the world that is close at hand and adopt it.  Become acquainted with it.  Draw closer to it by staying with it over a long course of time.  In all seasons, all times of day, all weathers, all circumstances of your own life.  The more often you return to this chosen portion of Nature, the more finely you will be able to perceive it's more delicate features, as well the slow-to-emerge pattern and rhythms."

Member Profile - Nancy Elaschuk, Moncton, New Brunswick

How often do we all stare at the paper when we are asked to create an artist statement or personal profile of ourselves?  Why is it so hard for many of us to stand up and say, I am an Art Quilter?  I often wonder if artists who work in oils, acrylics, or watercolour have a hard time making such a confession.  I love fabric, beads, and embellishments and how they play together.  It is impossible to walk through a fabric store without touching (thank goodness there are no signs prohibiting our fondling of textures). Museums drive me crazy as I hyperventilate looking at textiles through a glass box. 

Doodle Bird #1 adapted from my original zen sketch

With these confessions in tow, perhaps I should tell you a bit about my journey into textiles.  I was born into a family of quilters, both sides, several generations.  I was doomed to follow.  By the time I was 9 my paternal grannie had taught me to piece crazy quilts using Eaton catalogue pages as a foundation.  She then taught me to embroider and tat lace to apply onto the blocks.  See, there it was, embellishment 101!  I have been privileged to take classes with many wonderful quilting instructors, as well as being self taught from books and experiments.

St Marcos Square

My work is rooted within a natural framework.  I am drawn to the designs of ancient cultural artefacts and artwork (remnants of an archaeology background).  I love using machine embroidery, paint and quilting to enhance my work and often work from sketches.  I currently work with heat guns to distress fabrics in my artwork.  Teaching is my second love, but comes with the double edge sword of time away from my own design work.  My favourite piece is always the next one.  I begin to research and sketch before the floor has been swept.

Anything Can Happen in a Pumpkin Patch 

What’s My View? - Regina Marzlin, Antigonish, Nova Scotia

I took the photo of the birds on the wire from our upstairs office window some years ago and played around with my photo software a bit.

Since then this has been used in a couple of small fabric collages, postcards etc, see attached pictures. I just love the way the wires cross through the image and the birds' shilouettes against the cloudy sky.

What’s My View? - Linda Strowbridge, Baltimore, Maryland

I have been incredibly lucky to live in places that provided wonderfully inspiring visuals, from fishing outports in Newfoundland to big city architecture in Chicago. These days, however, I live and work in a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. While I love Baltimore, my suburban corner of it is not the world’s richest source of visual inspiration. So, I recently started a quest to find inspiring, abstract imagery during my walks around deepest, darkest suburbia. Slowly, I am finding them in unusual places, like (shown) the sides of dented and rusted construction equipment. 

What’s My View? - Kathy Tidswell, Burtts Corner, New Brunswick

This is a photo from the NB Trail just up from my home.  I walk by it most days. It is one of my favourite scenes and it has inspired several thread paintings. Trees are often found in my work and I am presently working on a forest scene for a wearable art piece.