FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE WEAVING
PROCESS?
"It all begins with the woven threads of Life...
thread by thread, connection grows".
-Karen Bagayawa-
"Imagine that the canvas I paint on is fabric I weave by hand. Obviously, canvas is woven in a very tight weave, where I weave my fabric in a very loose weave. I use natural, unbleached linen which is prepared on a special 36 inch jack loom that was gifted to me by an artist named Lynne Green. My first loom, a 36 inch counter balance loom was also very special - although old it was found at a Senior Citizens' Home in their Arts and Crafts Room. I currently have three looms, two jack looms and a table loom for samples. Linen threads are first threaded through the loom. This lengthy process of preparing the loom is called warping up. When I am finished weaving, the base piece or should I say, my woven canvas is ready for the process of cracking."
Yarns and Leclerc Looms Dealer:
Brassard Maurice and Fils Inc.
1573 Rue Savoie
Plessisville, QC G6L 1K2
Tel: (819) 362 - 2408
Image: Woven linen
Image: My Special Loom
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE CRACKING
PROCESS?
"The cracking process evolved from years of experimenting between the ratio of water and tile grout layered on commercial fabric. If the ratio is measured incorrectly, the cracked surface can either be difficult to crack or simply fall apart. Choosing the right kind of fabric is also important. If the tile grout does not adhere properly to the fabric it simply has no stability. Also, after experiencing the humid weather in Japan, I learned that climate is extremely important to the drying process and that tile grout (the same tile grout we use in our bathrooms) is stronger in comparison to plaster. Linen is also a stable fabric as the hairy fibers allow the tile grout to adhere properly. In experimenting with linen, I eventually decided to weave my own cloth for more control instead of purchasing or depending on commercially made fabric."
Image: Cracked surface before staining
Image: The sealing process
Image: Working on the composition
of the piece
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR YOU TO COMPLETE A PIECE?
"This all depends on the size of the piece and the weather as the drying process is a factor. I can work on many pieces at the same time all in different stages of production. (weave while pieces are drying) During the winter season in Vancouver it rains and rains and rains.The moisture causes the pieces to dry for quite sometime. During the summer however, as my studio is located on the top floor, the temperature can sometimes reach close to 30 degrees. The grout dries too quickly, crumbles and lacks strength. Spring and the Fall seasons are the best times to grout. Also, as washes of colour and sealant are done in layers on the tile grout, each layer needs its own drying time."
Image: The first washes of acrylic paint
HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE YOUR
VIBRANT COLOURS?
"In University, I was married to oil paint. I loved the consistency, the smell, the wonderful vibrant colour oil paint achieved and the fact that oil took some time to dry. Due to the strong fumes, I switched to acrylics when I learned I was pregnant with my first child and have not turned back since. I use acrylic washes as the tile grout slowly absorbs the acrylic paint before I seal the piece. I feel that this layering of colour allows other colours to filter through the finished piece. For example, a red piece may appear red but when looked at for a long period of time, perhaps some cadmium orange, yellow ochre or even dioxadine violet may also appear. The thin washes appear as stains as the tile grout is so porous. I paint only with Kroma Artists Acrylics as they are a local business and make their amazing paint right inside their small, quaint shop. They are located on Granville Island in Vancouver and their artist's acrylics use light-fast pigments in 100% acrylic resin. They contain no fillers and are formulated with the maximum pigment loading possible for each colour."
The Kroma Shop
1649 Duranleau Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3
Tel: (604 669 - 4030
Contact: Kevin and Jessica
Image: A Vibrant Pink: A Commission for a Vancouver Home - this utilized over 50 washes of acrylic paint
WHERE AND HOW DO YOU
FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?
"I gain my inspiration from surface patterns found in nature. I love to collect small and large shells, cracking driftwood, striped and spotted rocks, pinecones, coloured leaves, lichen and mossy infested twigs - anything that I find fascinating. Playing with these natural, collected items have always given me inspiration. I think that it is vital for everyone(regardless if you are an artist) to have an inspiration board - a board where you collect photographs, swatches of fabric, magazine articles or objects that you find fascinating. It can be changing constantly - new pieces can be added on a regular basis and old pieces tucked away. Not only does this inspire creativity but this act of displaying allows one to look continuously at something in a totally different way. I am also drawn to colour and the movement of light and shadow within colour, especially during the autumn season as leaves are changing colour on a daily basis. I enjoy 'snail-pace' hikes and absolutely love kayaking and camping. These activities have always given me ideas for new work."
Image: My Nature Collection
WHEN YOU BEGIN WORKING ON A PIECE, DO YOU ENVISION A FINISHED PRODUCT OR IS YOUR WORK PROCESS - ORIENTED?
"My work is process-oriented. I begin with a set of ideas either from a photograph I have taken outdoors, an image from my sketchbook or just by looking at my collected items. I then begin the process of weaving, cracking, painting and sealing. Sometimes I envision a final piece in the beginning stages but the final piece seldom resembles my initial image of the final piece. I think it is important to take risks during the process of art making and stay open to changes. During the process the piece will eventually guide you."
Image: The surface extends beyond: edgework
I HAVE AN IDEA FOR A COMMISSIONED PIECE BUT I DO NOT SEE THE COLOURS I WOULD LIKE IN YOUR GALLERY SECTION, CAN I GIVE YOU PAINT SAMPLES AS A REFERENCE?
"Yes, you can give me your own paint samples and ideas and I will work with these paint colours to produce the initial samples. You can then live with your samples on the wall to visualize the piece in different lighting. One client gave me an idea of colours inspired by the West Coast. It consisted of a gradation of saturated blue to green that represented the sky and the lush, green cedar forests. The bottom of the piece represented the shimmer of water."
Image: Inspiration from the sky, the trees and the water: A Commission for a Coquitlam Home
I AM CONCERNED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE PIECE - HOW ARE THEY HUNG ON THE WALL?
"The pieces are hung using Aluminum French Cleat Hangers. One cleat is securely attached to the back of the piece and one to the wall. The cleats are measured to the entire width of the piece minus two/three inches. This ensures the cleats distribute the weight across the entire piece and allow the piece to slide for centering. In the past I have used these aluminum french cleats on pieces weighing over 150lbs."
Aluminum French Cleats and other services:
Fine Art Framing and Services Ltd.
1000 Parker Street, Suite #100
Vancouver, BC V6A 2H2
Tel: (604) 251- 6101
Contact: Mike Batty
Delivery and Hanging services:
Harrison Art Services
#140 - 1000 Parker Street
Vancouver
Tel: (604) 224 - 5736
Contact: David and Katherine
Image: Aluminum French Cleat
Image: View of Back
HOW ARE THE PIECES SHIPPED INTERNATIONALLY?
"A wooden crate is specifically made for the piece through a local company called Can Crate Industries. The pieces “float” securely within this crate to ensure surfaces and edges are protected. Shipping, crating and insurance costs are determined before the piece is shipped through various shipping companies. I have shipped large pieces as far as Australia, Shanghai, Paris, Luxembourg, Milan and the United States using this method and they have all arrived safely."
Crating Company:
Can Crate Industries
7590 Lowland Drive, Burnaby BC
V5J 5A4
Tel: (604) 294-1238
Contact: Les Puskas
Image: A Commission for a Bermuda Home
WHAT IF THE PIECE ARRIVES AND
PART OF THE EDGE OR THE SURFACE
OF THE PIECE IS SLIGHTLY CHIPPED OR DAMAGED?
"If there is slight damage to a piece and it is located internationally I send paint samples and instructions on touching up a chipped piece. Sometimes clients have chosen to repair the pieces themselves and some have hired restoration companies to repair. If the piece is local I am more then welcome to do a house visit and repair a damaged piece."
Painting repair kit
Image: Repair Kit
WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICITY?
"A Certificate of Authenticity is an official document that ensures the artwork’s provenance, quality and proves that the work was created solely by an artist. This document eases the transaction process for the collector as it is assurance that the work is authentic. The Certificate of Authenticity is also a sales receipt that tracks the market value of the piece."
Image: "Weaving the Chronicles of my Past in a Dewdrop World". Mixed media. 42" x 48". 2023