In the beginning...
As a child and a teen I wanted to become an artist, but that dream was something I gave up on in my early twenties. I threw out my art materials, and did what everyone around me was doing; I got married and had a family.
It was during this time that I discovered quilting. My mother had quilted, but it was not something I was ever taught. My younger sister (who didn't sew at all) bought a quilting magazine and announced she was going to make a quilt. I fell in love with the pictures in that magazine, and began making necessary items for around our home: cushions, quilts, drapes, and I also made the quilt my sister had wanted to make.
I was twenty-eight years old; I had three children under the age of four when the longing to create my own images was something I could no longer deny.
I found myself in a dilemma: I had no art supplies and I couldn't afford to buy them.
My mother had given me an antique frame which she had bought at a yard sale. For months it hung empty on my wall while I searched for something special to fill it.
Then one day, it all came together -- I would create my drawings in fabric instead of paint. I would use the materials I had available.
In 1987, I created my first piece "Faces".
My work began as hand-stitched appliquéd fabric.
I stretched it over masonite and framed it behind glass. From there my work has evolved into various forms of mixed media.
I communicate my thoughts and feelings through my art, it is my visual diary.
My interest is in the human figure and expressing psychological states.
For me art is about sharing experiences, offering hope and empowerment.
My interest is in understanding human relationships and the healing of the human spirit.
For me to spend my time making pictures to hang on our walls seemed like such a frivolous thing to be doing. There were so many practical things I could be making.
That was my mind-set at the time.
The insight into the real value of my artwork would come later.
At first, my main concern was to sell my art. To have others appreciate it enough to be willing to pay for it.
This was the validation I needed to make me feel my art had value.
I would come to recognize my art as having much more to offer than just monetary value.
It would be my guide on a journey of self-discovery.
ARTIST RESUME:
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2007 - "Journey of an Artist - Trusting Your Inner Voice" - DesBrisay Museum - Bridgewater, Nova
Scotia
1996 - "Healing Stories" - Learning Resource Centre - Nova Scotia Teachers College - Truro, Nova
Scotia
1995 - "Puzzles" - Edgemere Gallery - Kentville, Nova Scotia
1993 - "Choices" - Edgemere Gallery - Kentville, Nova Scotia
1993 - "Second Story Women's Centre -10th. Anniversary Celebration and Reunion"- Fairview Inn -
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
1991 - "Images In Fabric" - The "A" Gallery - Truro, Nova Scotia
1991 - "Images In Fabric" - Fraser Cultural Centre - Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
1989 - "Desire" - Black Duck Gallery - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
1988 - "Visions" - Black Duck Gallery - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009 - "Breaking With Tradition" - Ross Creek Centre for the Arts - Ross Creek, Nova Scotia
2008 - "Vinylview" - Argyle Fine Art - Halifax, Nova Scotia
1997 - "Scarlet Threads" - Holly Carr; Barbara Carter; Janet Pope - Edgemere Gallery - Kentville,
Nova Scotia
1993 - "Under The Tree - A Canadian Crafts Christmas" - Alberta Craft Council - Edmonton, Alberta
1993 - "A Gathering Of Nine: Elements In Fibre" - The Moorings Gallery - Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
1991 - "Recent Acquisitions" - Acadia University Art Gallery - Wolfville, Nova Scotia
1991 - "Provincial Visual Arts Nova Scotia Exhibition" - Anna Leonowens Gallery - Halifax, Nova
Scotia
1990 - "Art Against Violence Against Women" - Eye Level Gallery - Halifax, Nova Scotia
1990 - "Together And Apart" - Barbara Carter; Carole Langille - Black Duck Gallery - Lunenburg,
Nova Scotia
1990 - "Some Women Artists in Nova Scotia Now" - Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery - Halifax,
Nova Scotia
1989 - "PATTERNS" - (National Traveling Exhibition) - Art Gallery Of Nova Scotia - Halifax, Nova
Scotia
1989 - "Nova Scotia At The Great American Quilt Festival" - Mary E. Black Gallery - Department Of
Tourism and Culture - Halifax, Nova Scotia
1989 - "The Great American Quilt Festival" - New York, New York
ART INSTRUCTION
2007 - 2009: "Sacred Heart School Art Day" - Halifax, Nova Scotia
2003 - 2005: "Fall River Recreation Center" (HRM) - Fall River, Nova Scotia
2002: Mahone Bay Centre - (The "Old" School) (Saturday morning art classes for children.)
1997 - 2002: "Bridgewater Parks & Recreation" - Bridgewater, Nova Scotia (Adult classes also)
1994 - 2002: "ART AFTER SCHOOL" - Coordinating and Instructing Art Programs for Children
(Mahone Bay , Centre, Chester, Lunenburg Academy, Blockhouse, Hebbville,
and Newcombville schools)
- Pencil Drawing, Painting On Fabric, Creating Fabric Wall-hangings, Acrylic Painting
On Rock and Wood, Oil Pastels, Chalk Pastels, Coloured Pencils, Paper Batik,
Papier-mâché, Markers, and mixed media.
1990 - 1992: "ARTS AFTER SCHOOL" - Pilot program- Lunenburg County Arts Council
(Mahone Bay, Chester, Centre, and New Germany schools)
Note: Lunenburg County Art Council folds.
Fall 2001: Pentz Elementary Home & School hired 30 hr instruction Grades P-6
1996 - 2000: PROFESSIONAL ARTIST IN THE SCHOOLS - (The "PAINTS" Program)
Bridgewater High School, Pentz, Blockhouse, & Petite Elementary schools
GUEST SPEAKER
1995 - Christian Women's Club - Kentville, Nova Scotia
1991 - Christian Women's Club - Truro, Nova Scotia
CREATING A FABRIC FAMILY PORTRAIT - Adult Workshop
1995 - "Quilter's Picnic" - Ovens Park, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia
1994 - "Paradise District Quilter's" - Middleton, Nova Scotia
1992 - "Mahone Bay Quilter's" - Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
TALK AND SLIDE PRESENTATIONS
2000 - "Dalhousie School of Nursing" (Workshop Included) - Halifax, Nova Scotia
1996 - "Palliative Care, Hants Community Hospital" (Workshop Included) - Windsor, Nova Scotia
1995 - "Edgemere Gallery" - Kentville, Nova Scotia
1993 - "Edgemere Gallery" - Kentville, Nova Scotia
1992 - "The Gallery Shop" - (Volunteers) - Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - Halifax, Nova Scotia
1991 - "Marigold Guild of Needle Arts" - Truro, Nova Scotia
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1999 - 2003: "Dundas Valley School of Art" - Dundas, Ontario
(Selling and donating work to annual auctions.)
1992 - 1994: "Studio Rally" - Open studio, Oakland, Nova Scotia
1993 - "Atlantis" - Women's studies journal - Mount Saint Vincent University. (Artwork featured on
cover & throughout, plus an interview.) (Volume 18 Numbers 1&2 Fall-Summer 1992-1993)
1994 - "Oberon Press" - Ottawa, Ontario
- Published Artwork on book covers "Between the Lines" by Hilda Kirkwood &
"Best Canadian Stories 94" edited by David Helwig and Maggie Helwig
2002 - "Room Of One's Own" - Vancouver, B.C. (Published Artwork in literary journal) (Volume 24:4
2002)
2003 - "Oberon Press" - Ottawa, Canada
- Published artwork on book cover "Cuckoo" by Avner Mandelman
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
1991 - "Acadia University Art Gallery"- Wolfville, Nova Scotia - "Shrouded"
1991 - "Nova Scotia Art Bank" - Halifax, Nova Scotia - "The Students"
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
1991 - "Summit Park Development Ltd." - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia - "The Family"
COMMISSIONS
1992 - "Grace Maternity Hospital" - Halifax, Nova Scotia - "Waiting Mothers" (Wall hanging next to
cafeteria in the hospital.)
Welcomes You