Textiles
Harriet Spot“My creative motivation and inspiration comes from my imagination, but is often linked to water and landscapes. The imagery is derived from the lighter side of life. I see humour in most things, and am fascinated with ideas, innovations and inventions. Creativity is a key component in most of my paintings. Once I start working on a piece it takes on a narrative life of its own, with many surprises along the way. “Lory has always had a passion for textiles, sewing and hoarding fabric. Combining these interests with her paintings and illustrations has led to a new product line of purses and other useful accessories. Currently, Make is the only place you will see her textile creations. Lory MacDonald grew up on Toronto Island, and now lives in the village of Nottawa, Ontario. Her art career has been diverse: creating paintings in watercolour and acrylic; teaching art classes; designing handcrafted illustrated glassware, which has sold in galleries and gift stores across North America under Harriet Spot Designs; printing her artwork on textiles, and making them into accessories
She has recently started a new project called Artventure Open Studio, teaching mixed media creative arts to women.
Lory has been involved in many Community Art projects and groups over the years, and has volunteered for the BMFA, GBACA, Collingwood Library Arts Advisory, and founded the Magic of Children in the Arts, and the Mona Lisa’s.
Kipping DogKaz graduated from university with a Fine Arts degree specializing in printmaking and art history. With an additional degree from Queen’s in education, she took her interests on the road and into classrooms.
Teaching took Kaz to such far slung destinations as Bucaramanga, Colombia where she lived and worked and to Europe where she taught in London and frequented European Galleries.
Her interest in Aboriginal art and culture and in pristine wilderness, took her to the remote community of Bella Bella on British Columbia’s rugged central coast where she lived and taught for five years.
Following fifteen years on Quadra Island in B.C. she returned to Ontario two years ago. Kaz’s extreme travels and life experiences add vitality and interest to her bold, jewel-toned creations. She currently pursues a full time career painting, knitting, creating, and volunteering in the arts.Kaz’s work can be found at The Upstairs Gallery and Studio, at Ransom and at Make, all in downtown Collingwood. Kaz lives on the beach in Wasaga.
Karen LediardKaren Lediard is a Metis artist with an innate connection to Penetanguishene and the surrounding Georgian Bay area. Her passion for art was encouraged by her Grandfather as a child as he cut the paper gracery bags for her to draw on. Her Grandmother's chores of knitting , sewing , quiting and embroidery were labors of love derived from necessity that launched Karen on a journey of discovery. Karen designs and creates traditional hooked rugs, wool coats and accessories,hand painted folk art pieces and floor cloths and knitted pieces are mostly made from recycled materials. Her creative vision captures the spirit and heritage of her family and the local area. Karen owns and operates a popular business named, "Studio by the Bay" in Penetanguishene, Ontario. This business carries supplies and offers classes.
Chari Lyn Reithmeier
Michelle Matthews Remnant RevivalMichelle Matthews, Fine Arts painter, is now exploring the Gentle Arts in her pursuit of "using up stuff.""I want to reclaim, restore, revive and repurpose some of 'that stuff' so it is both more beautiful and more useful in this world. I'm painting only
on reclaimed surfaces now and I'm recycling discarded clothing and fabric for one-of-a-kind creations to be worn and enjoyed." Michelle's passion for sewing has been passed down from her grandmother, a hat and costume maker in England, and her mother who spent hours creating
outfits at the sewing machine when Michelle was young. Now Michelle isdelving into sewing with a Fine Artist's eye and is excited about"painting" with fabric. As a landscape painter and muralist (her works are in private and public collections in Vancouver and
throughout Ontario), she is curious about incorporating her remnant
collection with acrylic brush work. She also enjoys the sculptural quality of fabric, particularly in hat making. "I'm constantly learning from master and pioneering quilting artists. I'm trying to keep my focus on reclycing and practicality as well as beauty and fun!"
Michelle studied Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo and Computer Graphics at Sheridan College, Oakville. Currently her sewing and painting studio is in Owen Sound where she and her husband are close to Georgian Bay and the many rivers they love to explore.For upcoming art shows and retail locations for her ReMNaNT ReViVaL! fabric creations, visit her website http://www.mmmatthews.com
Sarah SmileSarah Smile is an artisan that is new to the Georgian Bay area.Originally from Toronto, she recently gave up her interior decorating career to move north and pursue her dream of becoming an artist. She now spends her time creating things that make her smile. Sarah designs eco friendly cushions made from felt and filling made from 100% post consumer waste water bottles. Her designs have been featured in Canadian Living and Home and Decor magazines and on sweetspot.ca and Toronto Life. com. Sarah also enjoys photography and creates photo blocks on walnut stained knotty pine with her prints applied to them using a special technique.
