Pattern Mixing in a Medium Size

This red triangle is yet another scaled down pattern mixing composition I created for The Art Shop pop-up last November. The curator really liked this large piece but it didn’t fit the price point she was looking for. (I’m also holding onto it for another upcoming show).

The original triangle was composed of nine sections with unique patterns and this medium version has six sections. I think I used completely different patterns in each one because it’s one of the most enjoyable challenges when creating each piece – exploring new designs.

 

 

 

 

The finished version is framed as a 16 inch by 20 inch piece, and is available for purchase in my online shop.

Working Small in Pattern Mixing

I have so much work I haven’t yet shared on my blog, so I thought it was time to catch up a bit. I made A LOT of work last year, because what else was there to do but be heads down in the studio?! 

I needed to quickly produce a few small pieces for The Art Shop pop-up in the fall, and these three lovely pattern mixing pieces are some of what I made. I wasn’t sure pattern mixing would work well at a smaller scale, but it does. All of the pieces are small enough to fit into an 8 inch by 10 inch frame. All but one of them has sold.

My approach to making the work, other than scaling down the patterns, was to create less sections (usually there are seven to nine in a larger piece). I thought this might make them less dynamic but it works well at a smaller scale. 

I wanted to get away from making smaller work but then these went and sold well. I’m trying to decide whether or not to include them in ongoing available sizes.

The turquoise half-circle is still available in my online shop.

 

2020 Year End Review In Twelve Photos

I looked back at my year end review for 2019 as I began writing this post and it was interesting to reflect that I felt I started 2020 with a clearer idea of what I wanted to do. I think that actually carried through after an initial stumble through March to May, as we all struggled with the new normal.

It was a really good year creatively for me. I used a long unfinished installation (started in 2015!) as the project to get me back into the studio in May and working away again after feeling both stuck and blocked. It led me to a new body of work, and to creating some amazing pattern mixing pieces I love very much. I also finally (!) made myself a beautiful new portfolio website, which was YEARS overdue.

 

January

 

February

 

March

 

April

May

 

June

 

July

August

September

October

November

December

2020 was a year of pattern and colour in the studio.

Folded Paper Stars

In an unexpected turn of events, I decided to make more Christmas crafts yesterday. Normally I steer clear of seasonal making but this year I have lots of spare time because of covid isolation, and I want our home to be more festive than usual. 

I came across a tutorial on IG for making these folded paper stars, and decided I had to make some myself. I see these everywhere as a decoration you can purchase, but they’re actually very simple to make. I used wrapping paper for mine, which is a tiny bit on the light side but it works.

I had a bit of paper on hand to use but decided to pick up a few rolls of wrapping paper at the local “stuff store” (one of those dollar stores that’s not a dollar store). I found the bright pink floral paper and a striped metallic that works well. 

 

I cut the paper into a few different sizes to make a mix of large and small paper stars. I really enjoyed making these, and kind of want to keep making more to give away to people.

 

 

If you’re interested in making these yourself, you can find the tutorial by Linda Lomelino over on her Instagram account .

 

A Christmas Wreath Made From Paper

For this strange isolated Christmas season I decided to make new decorations for our home to ensure it feels cheery and cozy, and above all, Christmasy. We’re usually on Bowen Island staying with Boris’ family, so we don’t bother decorating at all (other than advent calendars). It’s been years since I last decorated for the season, so we don’t actually have anything Christmasy to put up. 

I decided to make a wreath from many many pieces of paper. Don’t worry, I did not hand cut these. I used my Silhouette Cameo digital cutter, which is something I don’t often do, but hand-cutting all of those branches was not an option. The boxwood wreath design file is by Amanda McGee Designs, and it required nine pieces of card stock to cut all of the elements. It was a good challenge to put it all together, and it looks beautiful. 

 

 

I took plenty of process photos along the way. Prepping the digital file and then the many pages of cutting took about three hours, and then assembling the layers and layers of branches took a few more hours. I made this over three consecutive evenings, not all in one sitting. The piece also comes with branches and berries but I decided to skip that part because it felt too fussy. It looks lush and wonderful as it is. (I was also tired of working on it)

 

 

Layer one with the lightest green

 

Layer two with the medium green

 

Layer three with the darkest green, and done!

 

Holiday Open Studio

Crowds aren’t cool this holiday season so wrap up your shopping early with unique art pieces for your special people (including yourself), snapped up at this open studio event!

Crissy Arseneau and I are teaming up once more on Sunday December 6th for our second open studio event. We’ll have all sorts of stunning original one-of-a-kind pieces of art made from paper available for your shopping and viewing pleasure.

Masks are mandatory to enter the studio, and we’ll have hand sanitizer available once you’re inside. The studio is quite spacious so maintaining physical distancing is a breeze, and we will be limiting the number of people browsing to no more than 3 at a time. You can book in advance for a specific timeslot to secure your spot. We’re looking forward to hosting you happily and safely!

Thank you for supporting local artists and small businesses this holiday season (and always)!

Holiday Open Studio: Rachael Ashe & Crissy Arseneau
Date: Sunday, December 6
Time: 11am-4pm
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201 (rear entrance)

First Saturday Open Studios – Nov 7th, 2020

I’ll be participating in First Saturday Open Studios this Saturday November 7th, noon to 5pm. Visit me along with special guest star, talented fellow paper artist Crissy Arseneau, at 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201. It’s a lovely opportunity to share in an afternoon of art while getting a start on your holiday shopping or picking up a little something to brighten your own space!

Cloud City group by Crissy Arseneau

Pattern Mixing series, Rachael Ashe

To facilitate a safe and comfortable environment for all visitors, we ask that everyone wear a mask and sanitize their hands prior to entering the building. The studio is quite spacious and, as First Saturday is a fairly relaxed event, we don’t anticipate large numbers of visitors at once so maintaining physical distancing should be a breeze! However, if you’d like to schedule an appointment with either of us, please contact Crissy or myself and we’ll do our best to accommodate. We’re looking forward to hosting you!

Visit FirstSaturday.ca for the full list of participating artists around Vancouver, North Vancouver, and New Westminster »

First Saturday Open Studios
Dates: Saturday November 7th, 2020
Time: noon to 5pm
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201 (rear entrance)

Wood Paper Scissors: Raw Materials in Art

I’m thrilled to be working with The Art Shop and participating in their second pop-up group exhibition of the year. Wood Paper Scissors: Raw Materials in Art, will feature a brand new series of pattern mixing paper-cuts I’ve been working on over the summer and fall. My work can also be purchased through their online shop.



Participating artists: Rachael Ashe, Lydia Cecilia, Ben Evely, Susan Jessop, Aaron Moran, David Ullock, and Kalvin Valko.

The Art Shop (TAS) presents its second Pop Up exhibition of local emerging artists in Vancouver. Wood, Paper, Scissors: Raw Materials in Art, aims to demonstrate and facilitate an approach to viewing and understanding contemporary art starting from its materiality. Exhibiting artists whose artistic process includes the use of what could be perceived as uncommon materials, the exhibition illustrates the immense possible definitions of what constitutes a work of art.
The participating artists work with materials of strong and natural qualities; from repurposed wood, to hand dyed fabrics, to paper cutting and collage. Transforming what was once its own raw entity into a work of art – the artists reconsider, repurpose, and redefine how art can differ from the traditional paint on canvas. The physical and technical aspects become the focus, allowing an access point for the viewer to recognize and relate to the artworks.

Wood Paper Scissors: Raw Materials in Art
Dates: October 23rd to November 3rd
Time: 11am to 7pm every day
Location: 879 East Hastings Street
Website: theartshop.ca

Artist Interview Series with Tristesse Seeliger

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My friend and fellow artist, Tristesse Seeliger, has been creating a series of artist interviews over the past several months. I’ve been enjoying watching them, especially this one with Megan Majewski, and this one with Sara Khan, as they give an excellent peek into their thought process and the inspiration behind their work. I was thrilled to join the ranks of interviewees, and you can watch the results below.

A HUGE thank you to Tristesse for including me in the series. She’s put an incredible amount of work into creating these videos. Visit her website or follow her on Instagram.

Pattern Mixing in Red

Every time I compose and cut a new pattern mixing piece I learn something new about composition flow and the structure of a pattern interpreted in cut paper. This piece is the most densely packed with lines and complex designs of all the ones created so far. It felt like it took a long time to draw, and then an even longer amount of time to cut.

The hexagon pattern broken into lined squares is based upon a photo of a tiled floor my friend Barb shared with me through Instagram. I had to simplify the lines to make it work at the scale I was cutting.

The pattern featured in the half-circle section below is based upon a Japanese textile pattern from a book on the subject. It was very challenging to draw because there are so many elements to it, and then even moreso to cut, for the same reason. I left that section until last because I knew it would take me the longest to get through. Sometimes this work is an endurance test.

The finished piece is hand-cut from Canson Mi-Teintes Bordeaux paper, and the actual size is 24 x 20.5 inches.