A Tribute to my Academic Achievement
2001
Mixed Media: Two empty Bic pens, velvet, Styrofoam, wood.
In my third year of Undergrad I was struggling with the decision of whether to complete my degree. I made this “Tribute to my Academic Achievement” as a potential substitute for a degree I might not earn. The two Bic pens were the actual pens I emptied in one semester of note-taking. I considered this an accomplishment in itself and found humor in mounting these inexpensive common plastic pens on velvet, in a gold shadow box. They took on an air of prestige and importance. Many people do not notice at first that the pens are void of ink. This element gives the piece a secret to hold: “What is it about these pens that makes them so special?” Only those who really ‘look-to-see’ will discover the clue.
Painted Loon
1995
Size: 14″ x 6″
Acrylic on wood sculpture
Rock Cliff
2001
Size: Top 29″ x 36″ Bottom 60″ x 12″
Acrylic on canvas
Ghostly Birches
2000
Size: 4″ x 3″
Mixed Media
Growth Chart
1997
Size: 18″ x 10″
Mixed Media
Planar Apple
1998
Size: 4″ x 3 1/2″
Mixed media
Different Perspectives
1998
Size: 13″ x 9″
Pen and Ink
Grapes
1999
Size: 13″ x 8″
Gouache
Wedding, Thank you Card
Size: Front of card: 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″
Pen and Ink
Wedding Invitation
2002
Size: 6″ x 5 1/2″
Original work done in Watercolour. These images are printed reproductions.
Photomanipulation, statue holding a carrot
Photomanipulation, statue holding a carrot
Treeplanter
Treeplanter
Self Portrait
2003. Graphite.
This self portrait was a response to being asked to write an autobiography as part of the admission process to the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute. My innate method of communication is through visual arts and only secondarily through the written word, so naturally I started with art first and then wrote.
This self portrait was also part of my recovery process after witnessing a violent traumatic event that resulted in some symptoms associated with Acute Post Traumatic Stress. The dramatic light and shadow used and the startled, wide-opened eyes illustrates the emotional tone of the piece.
The quotation is lyrics from a Chantal Kreviazuk song. Click on the image to read the words, also written below the enlarged image. These words reflected my surety of my life purpose to pursue Art Therapy as a career, especially after the traumatic event.
Hunter of Knowledge
Size: 12″ x 9″
Collage, digital, marker
This collage was originally done as part of an altered book at the University of Nipissing for my senior art qualification. It was in response to the question: What can teachers do to help students who become frustrated with their inability to create realistic art forms? Must the sky always be blue?
Since signing up for a research course at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute I have been trying envision myself as a hunter. The image/metaphor is used in relation to “hunter as researcher”. To answer another question through art I altered the collage yet again and electronically added one piece to the collage. That is the image of the female mountain climber. The question is: How do you envision yourself as a hunter of research?
Deepening the metaphor: I have personally never done any mountain climbing of this type. Hiking up a hill, yes, but strapping on specialized equipment and virtually going straight up – no! I feel this is my preconception of research and thesis writing (which is the goal). It is something I anticipate that I will not find easy. It will be hard work and I will have to pull my own weight, and then some! As I get higher academically, the air gets thinner and it is more difficult to breath. There are obstacles in the way and I feel somewhat alone in my climb. My colleges are spread out and distant. There are vultures waiting for me to fail, to fall, to feast on my remains. There is the uncertainty of the road sign: pointing any where but straight.
However, the ancient knowledge of artists and art therapist before me urge me on. Their findings like archeological records of people gone before me are laid out in front of me wanting to tell me the stories of their lives, and their learning. I am learning to climb. To search for the right footholds, to find good supports. I can see the moment when all the research collates in my head and a new awakening will emerge from the struggle. I can imagine what awaits for me; glorious colours bursting from the mountain top, abstract thoughts, curious critters who peer out and inquisitively ask the new questions. The sky will be blue. The air will be clear. Then a plane will fly over head reminding me of how small I am in scheme of it all. It’s fight path taking my imagination with it to another place, another land, another mountain. I will take a breath of fresh mountain air and lock away the moment in my mind. I have done it!
2001
Mixed Media: Two empty Bic pens, velvet, Styrofoam, wood.
In my third year of Undergrad I was struggling with the decision of whether to complete my degree. I made this “Tribute to my Academic Achievement” as a potential substitute for a degree I might not earn. The two Bic pens were the actual pens I emptied in one semester of note-taking. I considered this an accomplishment in itself and found humor in mounting these inexpensive common plastic pens on velvet, in a gold shadow box. They took on an air of prestige and importance. Many people do not notice at first that the pens are void of ink. This element gives the piece a secret to hold: “What is it about these pens that makes them so special?” Only those who really ‘look-to-see’ will discover the clue.
2003. Graphite.
This self portrait was a response to being asked to write an autobiography as part of the admission process to the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute. My innate method of communication is through visual arts and only secondarily through the written word, so naturally I started with art first and then wrote.
This self portrait was also part of my recovery process after witnessing a violent traumatic event that resulted in some symptoms associated with Acute Post Traumatic Stress. The dramatic light and shadow used and the startled, wide-opened eyes illustrates the emotional tone of the piece.
The quotation is lyrics from a Chantal Kreviazuk song. Click on the image to read the words, also written below the enlarged image. These words reflected my surety of my life purpose to pursue Art Therapy as a career, especially after the traumatic event.
Size: 12″ x 9″
Collage, digital, marker
This collage was originally done as part of an altered book at the University of Nipissing for my senior art qualification. It was in response to the question: What can teachers do to help students who become frustrated with their inability to create realistic art forms? Must the sky always be blue?
Since signing up for a research course at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute I have been trying envision myself as a hunter. The image/metaphor is used in relation to “hunter as researcher”. To answer another question through art I altered the collage yet again and electronically added one piece to the collage. That is the image of the female mountain climber. The question is: How do you envision yourself as a hunter of research?
Deepening the metaphor: I have personally never done any mountain climbing of this type. Hiking up a hill, yes, but strapping on specialized equipment and virtually going straight up – no! I feel this is my preconception of research and thesis writing (which is the goal). It is something I anticipate that I will not find easy. It will be hard work and I will have to pull my own weight, and then some! As I get higher academically, the air gets thinner and it is more difficult to breath. There are obstacles in the way and I feel somewhat alone in my climb. My colleges are spread out and distant. There are vultures waiting for me to fail, to fall, to feast on my remains. There is the uncertainty of the road sign: pointing any where but straight.
However, the ancient knowledge of artists and art therapist before me urge me on. Their findings like archeological records of people gone before me are laid out in front of me wanting to tell me the stories of their lives, and their learning. I am learning to climb. To search for the right footholds, to find good supports. I can see the moment when all the research collates in my head and a new awakening will emerge from the struggle. I can imagine what awaits for me; glorious colours bursting from the mountain top, abstract thoughts, curious critters who peer out and inquisitively ask the new questions. The sky will be blue. The air will be clear. Then a plane will fly over head reminding me of how small I am in scheme of it all. It’s fight path taking my imagination with it to another place, another land, another mountain. I will take a breath of fresh mountain air and lock away the moment in my mind. I have done it!
