Elise Muller

Upcoming and Recent Events...

2012-01-31T16:52:00.000-08:00

GROUP OF ART SEVENTH EXHIBITION

CULTURE SHOCK

Opening Friday, February 3rd 7-9 pm at the Bohemian Cafe and Gallery, Bracebridge.

I chose to sculpt a shockingly pregnant torso carved in Indiana Limestone for this challenge. I am always in awe of a pregnant belly. They definitely stand out and are memorable. I remember when I was pregnant that complete strangers would touch my belly like it was common property LOL! I think as nudes, the pregnant bellies are really shocking - what alien(s) resides inside - especially when you can see hands or feet pushing or kicking. I know it is a beautiful miracle despite the shock.

CELEBRITY PORTRAIT event at the Bohemian opened January 20th, 2012.

I was one of five artists who did a portrait of "Peaches" aka actress Robin Clipsham. I called my Chinese Soapstone sculpture "The High-Flying Peaches" because her sunglasses looked like flying goggles. The money from a silent auction of the portraits goes to the Children's Foundation of Muskoka. All the portraits were amazing and although Peaches picked another one to take home, she did say at the opening that my sculpture made her feel like a beautiful flower. As always, Peaches was very entertaining at both the opening and at the sitting where I sculpted a clay model of her to work from later in stone.

Papier Mache Minotaur Pinata

2011-11-19T19:03:00.000-08:00

In January I posted about making a Medusa Pinata for my daughter's birthday party. This week I made a Minotaur Pinata for my other daughter's party (both wanted Greek Mythology themed parties). This time I papier mached a punching baloon twice (let dry in between layers) using paste made from cooking 2 cups flour and 1 cup water. Now is the time to secure jute wrapped around the pinata & taped down, tied at the top with enough jute to hang the pinata. Then I built up features using a paper towel roll, bunched up newspaper and lots of masking tape. I papier mached another layer. Once dry I made a small slit to stuff the goodies in, taped it up well and proceeded to paint it. I painted little Chakra Vyuha Labyrinths in his eyes for fun and a gold bull ring. It took many hits before it opened up!

Celtic Cross Commission finished & installed

2011-11-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

Monday November 7th was an amazing sunny day. It was perfect for installing the Celtic Cross I carved from Indiana Limestone. It went on top of a rocky ridge overlooking Lake of Bays. Four of us pushed and pulled the heavy cross on a dolly up the ridge. I had dug a hole for the quick set concrete around the bottom of the cross which had holes and anchor bolts to secure it once the concrete set. After it had set a water based colour enhancing sealer was applied to the stone to make it look ancient as per my clients wish. The tiny fossils in the stone actually pop out more now because they remain light grey in contrast to the darker grey. Everything went so smoothly with the installation and my clients were so delighted with the cross, they even gave me a bonus!

Group of Art Challenge #5 at the Bohemian... Natural Instincts opens Friday

2011-11-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had fun carving local rocks for the 5th challenge at the Bohemian Cafe and Gallery in Bracebridge. The theme was to be inspired by nature and I was not only by fallen leaves in particular Beech leaves, but also by the beauty in surrounding boulders on my property. These two carvings go together, one a leaf shaped rainwater vessel, the other simply a leaf shaped stone which I carved the veins in to. The opening of the show is on Friday November 4th at 7pm. There will be 11 challenges in all and the artist with the most points wins a solo show at the Bohemian for 3 weeks!

New Commission!

2011-09-23T05:44:00.001-07:00

I have an exciting job to do - turn the Indiana Limestone slab above into a 3 foot tall Celtic Cross! It is to be simple and ancient looking and will be installed on top of a rocky ridge. We had to make my work stand bigger to accommodate the large stone and needed our neighbour to help us get it out of the truck and on to the work stand! The stone weighs about the same as my parent's piano which got delivered here on Monday (around 600-700 pounds). Speaking of which, I was so happy to have the piano (even though it's waiting for the piano tuner) that I made a video of a song I created called "Boomerang Soul".

Shows in Bracebridge & Huntsville

2011-08-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

"Book Ends for Edith" (salvaged Indiana Limestone)
"Warrior Goddess" (Maltese Limestone) above

"Full Moon Goddess" (Quebec Soapstone) below
Opening September 2nd, 2011 and running for 1 week is the Group of Art Challenge #3 =The 4 Rs at the Bohemian Cafe and Gallery in Bracebridge. For the challenge I carved salvaged Indiana Limestone that was going to be buried on a job site (they are cut offs from the stone mason). I carved one as a turtle and one as a fish and the book was an art book that belonged to my grandma Edith who was also a stone sculptor and has been a great inspiration.

Also opening September 2nd and running for 1 month is the Huntsville Art Society's Members show "Continuous Present" at the Art Space in Huntsville. My pieces are "Aglow" (not pictured here), "Warrior Goddess" and "Full Moon Goddess". These sculptures are very spiritual and ancient to me and I felt they fit the theme of the show. Hopefully you can check out both these shows if you are in the area!

Mask Making at Girlz Unplugged Summer Day Camp

2011-07-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

Last week in Bracebridge and this week in Huntsville, I brought mask making supplies to Girlz Unplugged and encouraged the girls to also do a performance in groups wearing the masks they made. I am always so inspired by the creativity of others. Last week I forgot my camera but I made sure I brought it today to capture some of the magic.

Group of Art Challenge at the Bohemian... Self Portrait

2011-06-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

Stylized Me.... "My Rough Side" carved in orange Alabaster stone...
profile showing my bump in the middle of my nose & my bad habit of slouching...
back view...
my rough patch!

Here's some info about the challenge show at the Bohemian in Bracebridge as taken from their website:

GROUP OF ART CHALLENGE - ART EXHIBITION

Challenge #1 - Self Reflective
Canada Day
Friday July 1st, 7 - 9 pm

In this challenge each of the 25 artists have been asked to create a self portrait which displays their personality and are challenged to share/expose characteristics of themselves in their artwork.
Guest Judge: Pat Whittle
Featuring live music by Van Newell and the Bodenville Flyers.

Monthly guest judges will judge each artwork and give points which are based on a point system. The points will be calculated and a monthly winner announced. The points will also be collected for all 11 month challenges to conclude with the overall winner receiveing a 3 week solo show at the Bohemian Cafe & Gallery in July 2012!

Full Moon Goddess

2011-06-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Pictured above is the wet sanding process, followed by the oiled finished reclining sculpture I started last week on the full moon. How appropriate that she would be finished today on the summer solstice. She is just shy of 8 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. The groove of her back makes a lovely touchstone! She is inspired by ancient goddess sculptures and is carved in Quebec soapstone. Please get in touch if you would like to make her your own as she is available for purchase.

Reversible Sun Hat!

2011-06-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

Pictured here is my up-cycled reversible sun hat made of reused black denim and houndstooth. I had lots of fun making it so I will share how I did it in case you want to try one. The sizing will differ according to head size. I cut one out from each fabric: 8inch wide circle, rectangular band around 6inch x 26inch, and fat crescent moon for the bill/beak (which was cut from a round plastic ice cream container lid) around 6inch x 3inch, try to scribe the crescent to fit the shape of your forehead. First I sewed each band around matching circle to make 2 caps. Then I sewed them together along the bottom but left the opening for the beak/bill. Then I sewed a little pocket for the plastic bill to go in, using houndstooth on one side & denim on the other. Finally I sewed the bill in to the opening actually sewing through the plastic underneath the fabric (I used a large needle and black embroidery thread the whole time). The hat was long enough that I could fold up the bottom inch or so to reveal the reverse pattern. Alternatively you could wear it down and have only the denim bill with denim cap and when you reverse it it could be all houndstooth. If you make one, please leave me a comment, I would love to hear about it!

Expressive Arts course this week...

2011-05-26T13:57:00.001-07:00

My tree - the sacred oaks and a quote from my writing written on bark "I once knew if they were black oak, red oak, white oak...maybe one of each...they merged together as though they were one being." Taken from a longer story I wrote.
"Silly Goat" my finger-pointing, sharp-tongued Inner Critic who I also wrote about.
Pastel drawing after a guided visualization which was also explored in writing afterwards.
This drawing was my Inner Landscape on the last day of class which also had a story I wrote about staying balanced by walking on the beach, not high up in the sky on the mountaintops or in the watery depths down low.

I really enjoyed being a student again this week at Fleming College HSTA taking the course "Wording Liminal Space" taught by Gili Haimovich. It really was an amazing week long expressive arts creative writing course. Writing exercises intertwined with visual art, sculpture and movement! I am really looking forward to using what I've experienced and learned to enrich workshops I teach and when working with clients. Here are some photos of some of the visual work I did.

Amulet & Earring Sets

2011-05-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is an example of the stone amulet and earring sets I've been working on. Shown here are white alabaster doves. I have also made phoenix, fish and chrysalis ones that I'm about to put the sterling silver earring attachments on. They will be available soon at Stone Tree Studio near Dorset and the Bohemian Cafe & Gallery in Bracebridge. Happy Mothers Day Weekend!

Branching Out!

2011-04-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the urge to paint large! I had some old stretchers and an old canvas curtain and some Gesso, so I prepared a 2 x 4 foot canvas and got out my old acrylic paints. I had a wonderful time working on this painting I call "Branching Out". Tree people have always been a theme of mine but this is the first time smaller tree people have emerged from a mother tree person. I would like to continue painting in the evenings but have to wait until I can afford more paint - I ran out of quite a few tubes of colour in the process of painting this piece! Funny thing - my cat ran across the painting when I left it to dry on the kitchen table... I left one of her paw prints on the tree person on the far left's chest.

Fabric Fun!

2011-04-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

I found this great reprinted vintage material on sale at my local fabric shop with little boy and girl faces with fancy hats and red umbrellas... I knew I must have it and make a funky little shirt. At 3$ for the metre marked down from 15$ who could say no? I made up my own pattern and incorporated some of my grandmother's buttons down the side. In the summer I plan to wear it with a little red tank top underneath, but for now a long sleeve works great.

EXA Girls' Night the Second Saturday of every month...

2011-04-09T20:01:00.000-07:00

Pictured above are just some of the amazing pieces of art that were made tonight. We had an adventure exploring the Expressive Arts in Bracebridge at the Bohemian. To warm up we did pastel drawings to music. After, everyone wrote a word or short sentence beside each others artwork... from that they wrote a poem or Haiku using some or all of the words inspired by their piece. Then I guided them through a visualization Tree Meditation and they imagined what tree they would be. From that they painted what they had imagined. Afterwards they made a sculpture out of clay and treasures from the woods based on some creature that visits them as a tree or what ever they were inspired to make. The Expressive Arts can be slightly surprising but really can open you up to possibilities creatively! I will be doing different activities each month at the Bohemian Cafe and Gallery the Second Saturday of each month. If you are interested you should call ahead to reserve a space as 12 is the maximum.

March Hare for the Mad Hatters Tea Party Show

2011-03-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

I've been having so much fun making this March Hare for the Mad Hatters Tea Party Art Show at the Bohemian Cafe and Gallery April 1st, 2011. The only thing left to do is get him a chain for his pocket watch! The buttons belonged to my grandmother and the fabrics are all from second hand stores. The watch was a gift from my grandparents and I wore it lots when I was younger until the straps busted. It is the perfect size for this funny rabbit! This rabbit would not be suitable for children under 3 years old as the buttons would be a choking hazard.

Kids' Creative Express this Summer at HSTA!

2011-03-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

This summer I'll be teaching a course at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville, Ontario... that is actually run through the Haliburton School of the Arts.

Come aboard The Creative Express and explore a variety of exciting art projects! Try your hand at stone carving, make your own papier mache piñata, create a puppet, masks and a cape, invent musical instruments, learn printmaking, work with clay, and more. Dress for mess and get ready to have fun!

It runs July 18th - July 22nd. Pre-register early to book your seat!

For children ages 6-10! Runs 9am - 4:30pm

Looking forward to it!

Elise

Bohemian Workshops I'm Teaching!

2011-03-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Check out the Bohemian website www.bohemiancafeandgallery.comand see the workshops offered. I will be teaching Stone Carve Necklaces (10am-noon) and Stone Carve Small Sculptures (1-4pm) on April 30th, and an Expressive Arts Girls Night on April 9th. The Girls Night is a chance to get together and be creative not worrying about the end result but enjoying the process which might help you connect with your inner voice that wants to be expressed. This is great for all of us - from the person who says she can't draw a straight line to the artist with creative block or just needing some inspiration to kick start a new project. I have my Post-Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts from Fleming College and would love to take you on a creative journey April 9th or call me for an individual session at Stone Tree Studio 705-766-1382.

Expressive Arts for Women In Business, Gravenhurst

2011-03-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

This little guy is called "Seatoo" and was created by one of the Women In Business students in Gravenhurst. I gave a little talk about what Expressive Arts is and led the women in a few expressive arts exercises. We started off with a group art piece where we listened to music and started a drawing with pastels and pencil crayons, every couple of minutes we passed it to the next person and they carried on the drawing and so on until it was back to the original artist. Then they had a couple of minutes for last touches and then they were to write a poem or Haiku inspired by the art. I really enjoyed hearing their poetry. After that I gave them clay and they could either make themselves as a mythical creature (like Seatoo who is a wise hedgehog), or build a bridge and what they are leaving behind on one side and what they want in the future on the other. One woman said she should do this kind of thing rather than watch TV in the evenings. I agree with her! Imagine how creative the world would be if every evening we were creating instead of watching television!

Bohemian Cafe and Gallery opening today!

2011-03-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to announce that the opening celebrations are from 6-9pm tonight at The Bohemian Cafe and Gallery. Local artists, musicians, workshops, fair trade coffee and yummy food...

When you first walk in to the space (which is at 75 Manitoba St. Bracebridge) look to the right to see a selection of my stone sculptures, Cirvan's furniture and mirrors, as well as a Tree Triptych (3 lino prints of tree people that I did framed in a walnut frame of Cirvan's).

Valentines Amulets Workshop at The Rosseau

2011-02-12T12:07:00.001-08:00

Just got back from a fun stone carving workshop in Minett at The Rosseau. I demonstrated how to carve hearts like the one in the photo above, but I encouraged alternative shapes if they desired. One woman carved a wonderful "C" as she is expecting a baby and the potential name starts with "C". Her husband carved a lovely heart touch stone with a special engraving for their child as well. Another couple made a lovely tear drop and also a heart necklace with an "O" engraved in because of her daughter's name. All the care and love that went into these pieces means they are very special Valentines amulets indeed.

Expressive Paintings

2011-02-01T12:52:00.001-08:00

"The Call of the Dream" (above)
"Idolizing Love, Angel Meets Dove, Peace is the Dragon" (above)

"Tree Spirits" (Below)
As an Expressive Arts Facilitator I encourage you to take the time to do some art, music, movement, writing, sculpture and any creative outlet you might have. For fun I decided to post these expressive paintings of mine that I have displayed in my house. Although my main passion is for stone sculpture I really do enjoying expressing myself in many different ways. If you are interested in coming out for an Expressive Arts Session, please get in touch. We will explore intertwining different modalities together on a creative adventure. Enjoying the process of creating is what's important not the end result.

The Challenge Process:

2011-01-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

"The Ice Cave"

Every year Muskoka Arts & Crafts challenges it's members with an exciting theme for a show in February. This year the challenge was to make a piece in the style of an artist who inspires you. I chose stone sculptress Camille Claudel who was also Rodin's assistant, lover and muse. Her own sculptures were stunning, unfortunately she destroyed much of her work in her tragic rage against Rodin who never left his wife Rose - in fact the last 30 years of Camille's life were spent in a mental institution and she never sculpted again. I was inspired by her style of smaller pieces "Sketches after life" (1895-1905) in particular "The Wave" and "The Chatterers".

My piece is called "The Ice Cave" and let me tell you about the process: First I cut out the cave using a hacksaw and chisels and mallet. I used the rifflers to shape the sculpture (Quebec Soapstone) and make the small person (Brazilian Soapstone). Once I had the desired shapes I wet sanded with a series of different grits of wet sandpaper from rough to polished. I mounted the pieces on a slate base with pins drilled in to attach the people and the cave. After that I oiled it and etched in any last details. The show "Reflecting the Surface" opens at the Chapel Gallery in Bracebridge on February 5th and till the 19th. I feel the people represent different facets of Camille Claudel - the stone carving goddess, being Rodin's lover and the tragic muse praying for relief from her madness while institutionalized. Of course "The Ice Cave" can be interpreted in many different ways depending on who is contemplating it. I was inspired to write a song called "The Ice Cave - A Song for Camille Claudel" on YouTube if you would like to listen to it.

Papier Mache Medusa Pinata

2011-01-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

The evolution of a pinata for my daughter's birthday party. First step papier mache a punching baloon a couple of times (dry well in between). Make a small cut to fill the pinata from and tape up well with masking tape. Next build it up with newspaper coils and masking tape to make the snakes and lips & nose. I painted the whole thing green with some leftover house paint. Once that was dry I painted on eyes and lips and used darker green paint to define the snakes with a sort of dry brush technique. I used that technique to add a shimmer of gold paint to her face. Cirvan and I had fun posing with Medusa's head as our own. My daughter came home from school and was unhappy with the green skin so I painted over with flesh coloured paint and made the lips red to make her happy. Medusa is filled with fake snakes, silly bands, hair elastics, and candy.... she will be smashed to bits on Saturday ;-D

Inspiring Trip

2011-01-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

We filled up the creative well, by taking a mini vacation. First stop Wolfe Island to visit my grandfather. Great to see him and his wife Claire! Scenic drive to and on the island and through Perth to get to Lanark County where our friends live on Maple Lane Farm. En route we stopped in to see the new location of Rosewood Studio in Perth (formerly in Almonte when Cirvan studied the Craftsman program). It was great to see the owner Ron and Mary Ann. The photos are from our visit to Nick and Hilary's farm which is Teamwork CSA organic farm with a sugar shack, horses, chickens and beehives too. Fun for our daughters and our dogs (and us!).

New Years Amulets and Valentines Amulets Stone Carving Workshops at The Rosseau

2010-12-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

Today I was at The Rosseau resort in Minett, conducting a stone carving New Years Amulets workshop from 1:30pm-3:30pm. I ended up staying till 4pm because a few girls joined us late and I wanted to make sure their amulets were drilled and cording tied with adjustable knots. Beautiful necklaces were made all around which included abstracts, a dancer, a guitar and hearts. Unfortunately I did not bring my camera to document the afternoon! The idea for the workshop is that while carving you think of your New Years Intentions or Resolutions and the energy is contained in your finished necklace. It is the third year I have offered this workshop at The Rosseau. Last year I offered Valentines Amulets workshops as well and will do so again this year. The date this year for the Valentines Amulets workshop is on February 12th from 10-noon. For the Valentines workshop you can think of your loved one(s) as you carve, it's very meditative and your love will energize the stone. I will try to remember my camera!

HAPPY NEW YEARS AND WITH 2011 MAY THERE BE PEACE AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL!

Bird's Eye Maple Teething Necklaces

2010-12-27T19:14:00.001-08:00

Cirvan made teething necklaces out of bird's eye maple so they are hard enough to be gnawed on by our baby nieces. They look beautiful and are functional and soothing. Finished with hemp seed oil, they are safe to chew on.

Shields

2010-12-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

Cirvan and I had a blast designing, making & painting these Shields for some of our nephews. Each one has a symbol of a Greek God as the kids have been reading the Percy Jackson and the New Olympians series. Our daughter helped out by finding the symbols for Apollo, Artemis, Hades, Poseidon, Ares, and Zeus on the internet and sketching them out for us first! We hope the boys will enjoy their gift! Happy Holidays everyone!

Holiday Gift Making

2010-12-21T13:18:00.001-08:00

I have 14 nieces and nephews I want to make gifts for. I have completed 8 gifts now 6 more to go! I love giving a handmade gift because I think it will be cherished. I had fun making this stuffed turtle and this purse made with vintage floral fabric from Miss Nelles Antiques in Baysville.

Year of the Bunnies!

2010-12-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

My daughter calls this purple one "Splitzen" because he does the splits.

Getting a head start on the upcoming Year of the Rabbit by making a couple stuffed bunnies as Christmas gifts for 2 of my nieces. They sort of look like Alien Bunnies!

Successful Show this weekend

2010-11-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my new pieces that I brought to the SIRCH show - "Love" sculpture and "Stringed" amulet. I talked with some great people, did some trades, had some sales and made good contacts. I would say it was worth the scary snowy drive to and from Minden.

In SIRCH of the Perfect Christmas Show in Minden

2010-11-21T16:55:00.001-08:00

This week I'll be getting ready for this show! Looking forward to checking out the Minden crowd this weekend.

Thank You Letter from Grades 3/4 for Workshop!

2010-11-15T18:05:00.000-08:00

I received this lovely thank you letter from my daughter's french immersion class at Riverside P.S. A couple of weeks ago I went in for a few hours with a box of Brazilian Soapstone pieces and my tools for them to carve small sculptures. I should have brought my camera to capture their creations. There was a turtle, a cat, a peace sign and so on... some sculptures turned into heavy necklaces LOL! - I hadn't brought my drill for making holes because we were making sculptures and some of these kids "drilled" by hand spinning my tools to make their own necklace holes, great determination. This letter was so sweet and they all signed their names on the back with additional comments such as this one which is my favourite:

"the tools were extrodenarily magnifisent"

Riverside Arts and Crafts Show

2010-11-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

The Riverside Arts and Crafts Show this weekend was great. Nice to talk to people walking by and I had some sales too (plus a great trade with another vendor which is always fun!)

Holiday Shows

2010-11-10T17:03:00.001-08:00

Stone Tree Studio is coming to Huntsville at the Riverside Arts & Crafts Show 9-4pm this Saturday and 10-3pm Sunday. Due to the large numbers of exhibitors this year, we will be displaying our work in one of the hallways with other hallway exhibitors (don't miss us!). Also coming up is the In SIRCH of the Perfect Christmas Show on November 26th from 4-8pm and the 27th from 10-4pm at the Minden Community Centre. I will be bringing stone ornaments and necklaces, small sculptures and larger sculptures as well as some of Cirvan's beautiful mirrors (above photo) and fine furniture. Come check these shows out, both being important fundraisers for Riverside Public School and for SIRCH Community Services. Hope to see you there!

Limestone Carvings Finished!

2010-10-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to have completed the 7 feet of Indiana Limestone relief carvings. Looking forward to seeing it installed by a stone mason over a hearth in a cottage down the road. I enjoyed carving the 5000 year old Irish symbols and 3000 year old Peterborough Petroglyphs also known as The Teaching Rocks carved by the Algonkian people long ago. The Irish symbols have to do with the solstice, equinox sun, and such while the Algonkian symbols were birds, a shaman, snake, turtle and spirit boat (which I changed a little so it was a family canoe representing the family I carved this for).

Ancient Inspirations!

2010-10-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

I'm about to embark on an exciting project for above a fireplace. The 7 foot long Indiana Limestone piece will be carved with ancient Irish and Peterborough Petroglyphs for a cottage down the road. I have completed the sketch for it and taken some photos of the sketch and limestone before I get busy transferring the sketches and carving away! It's hard to capture the whole 7 feet in one photo. I am approaching this project with the utmost respect for the original stone carvers and their spirituality. I have paid my respects at the rock carvings at both Newgrange, Ireland, and the Peterborough Petroglyphs in Canada and used my photographs as inspiration for the combined sketch for the Irish family who have commissioned me. I'll keep you posted with photos of the process and the finished project!

Art sale today...

2010-10-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today was a fun day having a table with my daughters in Dwight for a fundraiser for highschool students raising money to go to Kenya to help build a school. My daughters had made some beaded necklaces and bracelets to sell and I had some sculpture, amulets and ornaments. I think we spent as much as we made but there was lots of good stuff there and it was for a good cause. I didn't have my camera to take pictures, but some of my recently made necklaces that I brought are pictured above.

Rock Rain-Water Vessels

2010-09-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

I carved two rain-water rock vessels today in preparation for a client who requested a private lesson to make such. I combined the use of my angle grinder with diamond blade and carbide hand chisels and mallets to carve the local boulders I found on my property. I look forward to teaching this technique which results in lovely stones for the garden. The two I carved today will sit next to the timber-frame sign posts that arch over our path to the studio. I think I'll carve one for my labyrinth next.

Stone Cut Prints

2010-09-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

My stone carved printing blocks of the Chinese Zodiac signs. 5 more to go!

Today I carved two new stone printing blocks - Year of the Dog and Year of the Monkey - and printed them on black paper. Previously I had carved and printed Dragon, Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, and Rat. The Dog and Monkey prints will be put in one of Cirvan's wooden frames for a customer. Special orders like that motivate me to get the rest of the Zodiac finished!

Sadie's handmade backpack

2010-09-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Sadie wanted to turn some old dresses into a backpack for school!
Upcycled, junk 2 funk, Sadie even used the sewing machine to help sew it!

The bejewelled butterfly patch used to be on one of Kaslo's shirts.
We reused some ribbons we had lying around for a handle to hook the pack at school and for the straps around her arms. We just need to sew on a Mollie Dog label and we'll be all ready for school!

New Show - "Celebrate" at the Art Space in Huntsville

2010-09-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to have been selected by the jury to have one of my sculptures "Dancing Tree" in this new exhibition "Celebrate" at the Art Space. The show runs September 3rd till October 31st. Hope you can come to the reception 5pm-7pm on Friday September 3rd. For more info got to www.huntsvilleartsociety.ca

Workshops Lately

2010-08-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

This beautiful amulet was hand carved and sanded by this 7 year old at one of my workshops.
I have many stamps for printmaking on fabric to make beautiful prayer flags.
During my Expressive Arts sessions multi-media are used including clay.
I have been doing many workshops this month. I have made prayer flags with Girlz Unplugged summer day camps, Minden Peace Camp, and at home (photo above). I have held stone carving necklace workshops here at my studio and also Expressive Arts. Please contact me if you are interested in a workshop 766-1382.

"Moonfaced" song on YouTube / sculpture at "Art & Lyrics"

2010-08-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

"Moonfaced" my song is now on YouTube. "Moonfaced" my sculpture will be displayed at the "Art & Lyrics" show this weekend.

New Sculpture & Song "Moonfaced"

2010-08-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

"Moonfaced" carved in pink alabaster stone. I finished the wet sanding process today, waxed her and am waiting for her to dry so I can buff her. As I worked on this sculpture, a song also called "Moonfaced" was created simultaneously in my mind. I will enter the sculpture in the "Art & Lyrics " Show organized by the Huntsville Art Society on August 20 & 21st. I would like to get together with some musical friends and record my new song "Moonfaced" as well!

Baby Blankets for my 2 new nieces!

2010-07-23T11:47:00.001-07:00

I made these blankets for my sister's new baby Frankie and for my sister-in-law's baby Gwenivieve. They were born 3 days apart! The backs of the blankets are the solid green polka dot fleece. I have lots of fun making baby blankets! Gwen's blankie has "Give Peas a Chance" which was a quote on a pottery bowl that had been given to my daughter 10 years ago. I thought it was a great saying so time to reuse! Frankie's blankie has a turtle, snail and bluebirds on it because the background flannel has those little animals on it with sayings like Sweet Snail, Tiny Turtle, Time to Fly and Outdoor Friends. It has one of our last Mollie Dog labels on it that we used a decade ago on homemade fleece hats , mittens, scarfs and some clothing. Mollie, our dog is 13 now!

Arts Walk on Sunday July 18th, 12-3pm!

2010-07-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

I will be demonstrating stone carving tomorrow (and selling some of my work) as part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Festival Fringe events "Arts Walk" which will include live demonstrations of a variety of art forms in River Mill Park in Downtown Huntsville. Nearby at the Town Dock there will be "Art Splash" with interactive arts and crafts for kids. Come check out both fun events that run simultaneously from noon till 3pm!

Stick Puppet Workshops for YWCA Girlz Unplugged Camp

2010-07-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Just back from a great 2 hour Expressive Arts workshop I conducted at Bracebridge Public School for the YWCA Girlz Unplugged Summer Day Camp! The girls were instructed to pick a stick and examine it for awhile to figure out what it wants to be. Using Model Magic, paint, markers, fabric etc. they created the most amazing stick puppets! Some of the puppets interviewed each other to find out who these new characters and creatures were and a farm yard performance (a farmer stick puppet & animals were made) was being practiced for tomorrow's talent show. It was a great morning helping these creative girls with the tricky stuff (like using the hot glue gun - I thought I better be in charge of that!). A very inspiring workshop and will be repeated next week in Huntsville and the week after in Gravenhurst.

Try Stone Carving!

2010-07-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Saturday July 10th is Dorset Heritage Day from 10am - 3pm. I will be there with stones and tools for anyone who would like to carve a little something! If you can't make it or would like to try making necklaces, small sculptures or larger sculptures with chisels and mallets you can do so at my studio, just give me a call to arrange a time!

New Amulets with Clasps

2010-07-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some new hand carved stone amulets I made this week (from left to right) - "Blue Fish" (Alabaster), "Black Dove" (Chlorite), "Transparent Heart" (Alabaster) and "Fish Bones" (Pyrophyllite). Normally my necklaces are made with adjustable slip knots so they can be worn at any length. These ones I made with clasps for something different. School is out for summer now and it is easier for me to work on small stone carvings and still be present for my children. When I work on larger sculptures with chisels and mallets I get very absorbed in my work and don't like to be interrupted so much.

Stone Tree Studio Open for the Season Now!

2010-06-21T12:49:00.000-07:00

Stone Tree Studio with new pond and bridge!

After living here for a decade, we decided to do some major landscaping in front of the Studio. The bridge will be painted perhaps turquoise like Monet's bridge! We are getting some Koi fish for the pond this week and hopefully our ducks will let them be. Our ducks are loving swimming and diving in the new pond. They are 2 years old now and had been puddle ducks up till now! We opened up Stone Tree Studio on Saturday and will continue to be open now when we are here throughout the summer and fall. Please come by for a visit if you are near Dorset or Baysville. We are at 4547 Muskoka Rd. 117.

2010-06-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

GIRL 8 FESTIVAL, THURSDAY JUNE 24,7:30PM - 9:30PM, RIVER MILL PARK, HUNTSVILLE

Don't miss your chance to hear female musicians like Ruth Cassie perform while raising money for Waterkeeper Alliance to purchase masks for the oil spill clean-up crews in the Gulf of Mexico. Donations also for Me to We - Huntsville High School students raising money for this program born out of Free the Children.

Stone Tree Studio is one of the event sponsors, so I will be there displaying and selling my work and enjoying the performances! Hope to see you there!

Pics from the Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour

2010-06-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

"Grounded" (Italian Alabaster)

Amulets, small sculptures, earrings etc. were displayed on table above to the right.
Art patron, Mike Napolitano sits in front of 3 new pedestals with "Lovers, Mother, Wise One" (Italian Alabaster), "Tree Spirits" (Marble) and "Hands Holding Water Lilies" (Carrara Marble). Mike commissioned me to carve the Portrait Bust of Sheila Snow below.
"Sheila Snow" (Haliburton Dolomite) was the beloved wife of Mike Napolitano (above) and authour of The Essence of Essiac. She grew up near Gail Wilson's and is peacefully displayed there in her memory.

It was a great weekend full of positive comments and great energy. Hopefully some of the crowd who came through will make it out to Dorset to visit me at Stone Tree Studio!

NEW ETSY SHOP to buy my stone necklaces, check out www.stonetreestudio.etsy.com I will be adding a necklace a day!

Getting Ready for the Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour

2010-05-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

"Tree Spirits" finished

Photos below of "Green Goddess and Green Man Emerging" (later to be called "Tree Spirits"

I'm working on a new green marble sculpture of a Green Man on one side and a Green Goddess on the other. Hopefully it will be finished by June 12 & 13, 2010 so I can display it at the Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour. I will be a guest artist at Gail Wilson's Stained Glass Studio at the Roundhouse. The tour runs 10am -5pm and you can pick up a brochure and follow the yellow signs around Bracebridge, Port Carling, Glen Orchard, Bala and Walkers Point. I will be showcasing sculptures in a variety of stone and stone amulets and earrings as well. Hope to see you there! (Finished photos above were added later - I did get the sculpture done!)