The desire to create things with my hands has always been a core part of me. I pursued a Minor in Fine Arts while completing a BSc at UBC, and then changed gears to become a log home builder, and later trained as a carpenter. Since becoming a mum I have discovered the artistic side of woodworking, and have also returned to painting. In both I love the requirement to combine creativity with technical skill, and the satisfaction that comes when the job is done and you can stand back and admire it.
Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with many different types of timber, but nowhere have I found such diverse and beautifully intriguing hardwoods as we have here in the Southwest. I began making earrings and necklace pendants as a way to highlight the natural beauty of pieces of timber I found, and as I have built up the repertoire of tools in my workshop I have been able to play with larger pieces of timber, creating bowls, salt and pepper grinders, and cheese boards. My desire is to release the shapes that are already present in the timber, highlighting the beauty that nature has created, and providing a balance of form and function. My works are tactile, inviting you to hold them and appreciate the natural curves and the texture of the timber. All of my timber is sourced in a sustainable way, much of it rescued from my firewood pile or gifted to me by fellow woodworkers. I personally love knowing that there is a story behind items that I use on an every day basis in my home, and I hope that my creations bring joy to the lives that they become a part of.
My paintings are often inspired by trees, and I love capturing their many different forms. On the other hand, I also love painting abstracts that leave standard form behind, and become a study in colour and movement. With both my desire is to create a work that draws the eye into the piece, and helps us to pause and exist only in the present moment.
I am very excited to return to Open Studios in 2023, especially because this year I will be in my new studio location in Karridale. I hope that if you have visited me in previous years you will take the time to come and check out my new location, and for those that have not seen my works before, I look forward to sharing my passion with you.