Studio TK

For some time now, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to artist books and have now begun Unbound with Toni Hartill through Take Two Art Courses.

As I explore where my new series ‘What Is Given’ might lead, I’m beginning to see artist books part of the series and also a natural progression of my basketry practice

Baskets hold things.

So do books.

Both can hold treasures, stories, memories, meaning—and perhaps even things we are not quite ready to let go of.

This is my first little book ever. A meandering book showcasing old photos of my grandma’s mountain top garden and holding memories.

I am looking forward to seeing where this course takes me and sharing the experience with you. I know it’s going to be wonderful!

In my last post, I shared that I was beginning to feel the pull back into the studio, without quite knowing what might emerge.

I think I’m beginning to see it now.

I’m planning to start a new series called What Is Given, rooted in my long relationship with pine needles and contemporary basketry.

I have somewhat of an idea of where it’s headed, but I certainly don’t have it all figured out. I’m interested in listening to the material, pushing my creativity and discovering what the pine tree and its needles have to teach me along the way.

I’m excited to begin… one stitch at a time.

Oh, the ending of a beautiful day…what more can be said , except THANK YOU…
Exactly what I needed. What about you?

I’ve been a little quiet lately.

Outside of teaching a few workshops this summer, I haven’t been making. Well, okay that’s not entirely true, I’ve been experimenting, playing around but mostly I’ve been allowing myself the space to pause—to observe, to gather ideas and to simply be in the Beaver Hills Biosphere that I call home and that continues to ground and inspire my work.

I’ve come to realize that creativity has seasons. Some are filled with making, while others are quieter, asking us to slow down, reflect and listen. I’m learning to trust that these quieter moments are just as important as the busy ones.

I’m beginning to feel the pull back to the studio and while I don’t quite exactly know what will emerge, I do feel something gently taking shape.

Thank you for staying with me through this quiet season. I’m looking forward to continuing our journey together in the near future.

For now, I’m simply paying attention and trusting that the next basket will reveal itself when it’s ready.

I had another wonderful day spent creating within community yesterday. How lucky am I?!

We coiled up little pine needle baskets, using semiprecious stone cabochon centres. I love how everyone’s basket is a reflection upon themselves. From the colour choices to the shape of their baskets. Absolutely beautiful!

Thank you Michelle for hosting our day and bringing us all together in such a magical place. Thank you as well to all you lovely ladies for joining me and learning a bit of pine needle basketry. I hope you continue to make plenty more. May your gauges always be full and your stitches snug! 💕

What a glorious day spent with these three beautiful souls! Skills learnt, stories shared, tons of laughs and a few tears… is there anything better? I can’t say so. I do ever so love creating within community.

Thank you Jenn, Steph and Margaret for joining me today. Exactly what I needed. Your looped rocks are all so lovely and I hope you make many more. May you always go through the petal and not pretzel… 😉💗

They say be careful of what you wish for and oh my whoever ‘they’ are couldn’t be further from the truth!

We have been begging for rain for years. Not that we were in a total state of drought, but waterways and our natural landscape has been suffering for quite sometime. Not to forget our agricultural community hasn’t been as bountiful as it has in the past with the lack of rain.

Well the heavens opened up last Friday and gave us a good 8 inches of rain! We now have water in the creek again and the slough behind the house. It’s good to see, but it also has caused excessive overland flooding and damage to local businesses and homes. We had a bit of flooding in our basement due to the pumps not being able to keep up. Fingers crossed we have that fixed now. To make it even better it’s raining again—2 1/2 more inches this morning and no end in sight until Monday. Definitely be careful what you wish for or at least, be very descriptive in your wish making!

So what does one do sitting in the rain? Start a basket in the same colours as the sky…

I am so excited and deeply honoured to be participating in Common Ground Gallery@501 Members’ Exhibition in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

It’s always meaningful to share work alongside such a talented and diverse group of artists. Opportunities like this remind me why I love being part of the arts community — the connections, conversations and the shared passion for creating.

If you’re in the area, I hope you stop by and experience the exhibition. For more information please visit https://www.strathcona.ca/recreation-events/arts-and-culture/art-gallery-501/

Another beautiful day spent at , teaching the ancient technique of looping. Thank you to everyone that joined me Saturday. I enjoyed meeting you all and I hope you continue to explore looping. Loop more rocks, try a stick or even your to go mug. Remember your tension and have fun! A huge thank you to Fern as well for giving me the opportunity to share a bit of my knowledge. It is always a pleasure to be in your studio and part of your creative community. Thank you Everyone! 💕