Blog Archives

the wild rose: an online exhibition

8/1/2019

In early June 2019 I came across the most beautiful wild rose bud, highlighted by the late day sun. The plentiful rose bushes take their turn in the summer spotlight, lining the trails with pink petals of every hue.

That year, in particular, I found myself noticing them with a particular fondness - they seemed more brilliant and fragrant than I could ever recall and my muse they became. Acrylic paint on canvas, weavings, photography, mixed media on watercolour on panel - I wanted to see where the multi-faceted wild rose would take me.

Each piece in this mini series takes a look into one characteristic of the wild rose, throughout its summer life cycle.

Wild Rose: Rosebud

Digital Photography on Layered Wood

5" x 7" (x 0.75")
edge is natural wood colour with exposed layers
matte, lightly textured lamination
keyhole back for hanging

This Wild Rose bud, highlighted in the late day sunshine, was a key part of how and why the mini series unfolded. Although Wild Roses are a plentiful and familiar sight, scenes like this beckoned me to take a closer look - perhaps a reminder to truly stop and smell the roses!

sold

Wild Rose 2: Bounty

Watercolour & Ink on Wood

3" x 4" x 1.5"

Order and chaos collide in the wildness of the rose bushes. This small watercolour & ink block was my playful interpretation of the Wild Rose in full bloom - the trails bursting at the seams, dotted with plentiful pink petals.

sold

Wild Rose 3: Texture

Mixed Fibres Weaving

16" x 3"

This mini weaving is an abstract depiction of a variety of textures within the Wild Rose bush integrating both natural and synthetic materials. Did you know that much of this plant has traditionally been used for food and medicinal purposes?

sold

Wild Rose 4: Palette

Mixed Fibres Weaving

12" x 3"

The second mini weaving is a play on the colour palette of the Wild Rose, experienced in different lighting conditions throughout the early part of the blooming life cycle.

sold

Wild Rose 5: Fragrance

Acrylic & Ink on Canvas
6" x 12" (x 0.75")
untreated wood, exposed layers float frame, hanging wire

What colours would represent the sweet fragrance of the Wild Rose? How could I transfer my experience in the trails to a two dimensional form? This piece is my answer to these questions, painting layer upon layer until only the colours and shapes deemed most necessary remained.

$180
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Wild Rose 6: Petals

Mixed Media on Wood Block

1.5" x 3" x 1"
rose petals, ink, pencil, watercolour, paper
hole in back for hanging by nail

The next pieces incorporate matter harvested from wild rose shrubs. This artwork utilizes petals which become a silky, delicate, paper-like material once pressed and dried. Inspired by the subtlety of texture within the five main petals, various techniques and materials were layered on a miniature wood block.

sold

Wild Rose 7: Rose Hips

Mixed Media Sculpture

2" x 4" x 3.25" (jar height: 6.5")
clay, dried wild rose stamen, acrylic, wool roving

Blending whimsy with realism, this mixed media sculpture features the fruit of the rose. At the end of the blooming cycle, and before the fruit is formed, I harvested the stamen and used it in the sculpture once dried. Incorporating natural elements speaks to the idea that we may overlook the value of the life around us - something I find myself returning to, time and again.

not for sale

Wild Rose 8: Thorns

Mixed Media on Paper

4.5" x 3" (framed: 5" x 7")
watercolour, ink, acrylic, Wild Rose thorns
desk or wall display capabilities

The final piece in the series explored the role of the thorn - the defence mechanism of the Wild Rose. A stark contrast to the fragility of the petals, the thorns served to me a metaphor for our own desire to protect ourselves. The thorns were carefully removed and painted gold before finding their place within this small abstract piece.

$60
Purchase Contact Form

cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-wild-rose-art-exhibit-1.5282804