“Spinach is susceptible of receiving all imprints: It is the virgin wax of the kitchen.” – Grimod de la Reyniere (1758-1838)

When the Craig Gallery  celebraed its 10th anniversary, this piece was displayed as part of the “Small Works” exhibit, December, 2009. Sales from this show supported the operation and maintenance of the Craig Gallery. The Craig may be the only public Gallery in Dartmouth; it is certainly the only one to have had a spinach tin on display.

What’s a day without a sardine? These angels represent a great hygienic blessing from the sea.

The next day our hostess, Bev Smith, led us to the Health Centre where we met with a great group of kids and remarkable staff. The children had been carefully chosen for this experience. Each has a personal health and/or developmental challenge and I can speak for both Brenna and myself when I say that we were humbled and moved to watch them persevere through the unfamiliar processes as they constructed and gave personalities to their foam puppets through the two days of work. We hoped never to forget the feeling in that last circle when the group reflected on the process and held their puppets. We shared relief, love, self-expression, and satisfaction with these 9 to 12 year old participants.

One moment near the end of our time in Elsipogtog stands out. It was in our last circle, within the beautiful circle marked on the floor, when the participants were taking turns telling what they liked about the workshop. One lad followed the example of the others who had said that they liked the puppet he or she had made. Then he turned and looked his fish puppet in the face, and said, “And Mr. Fish likes me!” We nearly wept to see the source of pleasure and affection this youngster had created for himself. That moment was worth every effort we put into the workshop. What an experience!

^ Above Dolls by the Oiseaux Sisters ^

Four of us fibre artists, Margi Hennen (website available Jan. 1/09), Sondra McLeod, Jamie Pratt, and I went to Moravia, New York, to explore sets and series in the Oiseaux Studios North.

We selected subject matter, chose formats and sampled techniques in the many and well-stocked studios set up for working with wood, paint, metal and papier maché. Painting, drawing, surface design, altered books, boxes, cards, and flags were all possibilities. In each studio, we had presentations by one or both of The Oiseaux Sisters. We were offered technique demos and individual problem solving. They emphasized thrifty and ecologically thoughtful use of materials and respect for our own and each other’s work. I felt so happy to be there with the values they imposed and shared.

We were welcome to focus intently or browse. I found myself taking quite an unexpected fancy to the metal shop where noisy and messy things can happen to a person. Margi could be found at the band saw cutting old books into wonderful shapes. Jamie and Sondra were already adept at handling paper and paint, but found themselves doing new things in new ways, too.

At the circles in Carolyn and Susan’s living room we discussed strategies for continuity, mechanisms for change, and the contribution of observation, appropriation and invention in the evolution of a body of work. Another time we explored issues of scale, installation and presentation. Together we explored where ideas come from, and how artists’ personal visual vocabulary evolves into a body of work across time and space.

We all stayed in a delightful farmhouse with generous hosts. And our experience included shopping for new used clothing at the Dinosaur Drygoods.

This was such a delight and inspiring week and the trip with the other three put the experience among the best ever. Have a peek at the site and delight yourself while at home, then you might start thinking about making the trip; I did!