Learning Deeper, Expressing Canada

I'm self taught at pretty-much everything.  That is my lifelong goal.  I've never gone to art school... or sewing school for that matter.  But I'm always learning.  And I am always looking.  Yesterday, we were at the library.  Here are some books I picked up instead of quilting books.  There's some great creativity boosters in that pile!

A quilter's trip to the library.

One thing that strikes me is the style of art & quilts & art quilts from around the world.  Australians have a definite style all to their own.  They stand out.  And the works of Norwegian and Welsch artists and sewists really catch my eye.  Some day I need to go there and see if I can feel it in the air.

incidentally, my first fibre art set was purchased by a stained glass artist.
 

 

I was asked the other day, "what is Canadian Style?" in a rather pessimistic tone... like we have none.  I stopped to think.  I'm not sure.  I think you see Canada when you see bold colors, definite lines, rugged nature, red & white, humanness, and humor.

from : The Art of Tile

Our land is so diverse - glaciers, igloos, lighthouses, grainfields, rivers, mountain ranges, giant ancient forests, cottage country, three distinctly differing coastlines, tundra, sand dunes, hoodoos, vineyards, rocky cliffs, and the Okanagan.  

Then there's the skies - sun up, sun down, the moon, and the astronomical  

Aurora Borealis or The Northern Lights.  

(CLICK - these are REAL).  

Our place on the earth gives us four distinct seasons as well.  Those I cannot live without.  Add to that the fact that any Canadian child's classroom will be filled with faces and freckles of every color imaginable... Not many people in Canada are from Canada.

from the book: The McMichael Canadian Art Collection

So, what is our style?  We are like a loaded pizza.  Actually, we are more like the entire smorgasbord!  As for me - who knows.  There are several people down my family line who were adopted, so the bloodlines are unknown.  All I know is that I was born here and my heart is tied to the land.

My goal with my fibre art is to express what I love about the land and sky here.  I love Canada.  I have this gorgeous image brewing in my head of how I feel about the 'true north', and the depths of life force if you look deep into life here.  First, I'm enjoying these books.  I love the inspiration they offer.  Then I will start expressing that piece in my head/heart with my fabric & fibres and glass beads.

THAT is my favorite tip.

Here's to a creative weekend!  

~Monika K.