Curl Up Inside

Under side of paper wasp nest

Cells paper wasps nest

Turtle shell

Shell



Tiny Pyrography picture Patricia Chauncey 2011

Inspiration globes and rattle

Hive layers

Favourite plate from Fangfoss, U.K.

Encaustic painting detail in process - Patricia Chauncey 2011

Encaustic painting detail - in process Patricia Chauncey 2011

Lantern Patricia Chauncey 2011

Volcanic Rock from Oregon Coast

Saltspring Barnacles

Bark with Woodpecker holes

Sample felt work - Patricia Chauncey 2011

Sections of felt work - Patricia Chauncey 2011

Kathryn came for supper last night and gifted me parts of two paper wasp nests.
There is a little of the hive covering left and four layers of cells. She found them when out for an urban hike.

I am awed. I get gifts of unusual natural objects from friends and customers. Obscure bits of nature that never fail to inspire. Cocoons, insect nests, bones, skins and beautiful stones. Each crawls into the work and come out somewhere unexpected to me.

Mark gave me a collection of thirty peacock feathers from the Wells Hotel. Gleaming with fifty colours and reflective surface. Variable depending on the light. Soft and sensual to touch. Reacting to movement of air and temperature. The remnant of a beautiful calling bird.

They exist in jars, bowls and baskets all over my house and throughout the studio. Collections. Visual and physical reminders of this complex and layered world. Studies on surface, light reflection, form, colour and texture. Absorbed through nostril, skin, ears and eyes. Completely important to my process.

Hunter and gatherer. Collector. Visual explorer. Closet Darwinian.

Cherished Remnants

Chinese doll costume with bird embroidery approx. 100 years old


Tapestry remnant from the flea market in Paris- ancient


Russian shawl - a gift from Maryanne McAllister, Fort Nelson from her life in Russia.

Chinese doll costume-back view. Gold embroidery.


Worn boudoir doll from Montreal- approx 1920's resting on a felted shawl I made and dyed.

Focus!

Wells house in the cold!

My focus is now on getting the gallery up and running for the May long weekend.

The house is mostly set up but is not decorated yet. I could live there immediately if I spent a lot of time with my eyes closed. It has everything I need for a little comfort. That is the important part after all! But I want it a little yummy. I will be in there 6 months a year from now on. And I want the house to be an inspiring place and haven for my family and friends.

Truth is I am just thrilled about having running water, a toilet, a dry roof and good neighbours.
The rest is icing. I feel very fortunate.

So...I am digging through images of studios and shops I like and rethinking ideas for my own use. Now designing the gallery and looking for ways to make it appealing and comfortable.
Have been looking for showcases and shelves that would be nice to look at and live with.
Taking pictures and scouring antique shops, industrial storage places, and re-use stores.
Having everything custom built is an option. I have Kevin, my carpenter, who has time right now. Even some hacked Ikea pieces might work. In the meantime I found some great overhead light fixtures. Old ones that came from a factory. They might be out of scale with the ceiling height in the gallery area. But now I have some idea of what might work.

The building itself is painted tangerine and cobalt blue with touches of purple. It scares me to death but it can be seen for miles. It is also on a number of posters that already exist as advertisement for the area. And lots of people seem to like it. The whole town is painted bright colours! I will have to change it eventually to something slightly more subtle.

In the meantime I am working on my art, card designs, signage, advertisements and invitations.
Insurance problems might finally be solved. I am also interviewing B.C. artists and have three or four lined up for the summer. First little show is now being pulled together.

Today Wells is 34 0 below. Windchill makes it 50 o below. Colder than cold!

There is so much work and just enough time. 4 months and counting down!

Good Dog

My cousin Cassandra's dog letting us all know how he feels about Christmas! And he is twelve years old which is kinda my age in dog years...

New Year's Resolution.

Charlotte influencing me. 2011.

I resolve to become a bad influence on others.

Happy New Year!

Running With Scissors.

I got to spend most of the day with my wonderful niece Michelle. She is one of those accomplished young women who has figured out her priorities quite young.

She is a very accomplished horse woman who is now a champion side saddle rider. She is winning prizes everywhere. Her love of historic costume is definitely a result of my influence. So is her love of vintage and antique cloth and clothing. Junking is our shared passion with her cousin Brie. The two of them have nearly absconded all of my antique clothing and some of my jewellery.

Her sensitivity is defined by such clear borders it astounds me. I now ask her for advice about things. Our relationship is so easy and fun.

I have been very blessed in the niece department. Thank goodness because I only had sons and brothers. All of them are amazing to me and I am close to the bunch. Each one is strong, smart and compassionate for the most part. Two are now Mommies and have given me wonderful great nieces.

How nice is it to spend time sitting with a little girl and showing them to thread a needle and sew. I remember learning that from my Grandfather. Just the thrill of seeing two pieces of cloth joined together to become something else. To make a little doll or a little pocket. Thrilled to death to get to make the sewing machine run. And to receive scraps from leftovers for quilts and embellishment or pony blankets.

I also showed all the boys to sew. Dane and Bren could operate a needle by three. Chris made a complete doll at seven. Stephen helped repair his teddy. Each one of them would cuddle and watch me sew. Contrary to popular belief boys also love to sew. Former generations of men in our family have been involved in cloth production or sheep ranching.

Michelle is interested in historic riding costumes and consults with a costumer named LaFlamme. She went to museums in England and Scotland to look at textiles and designs.
She is now an instructor at a college and focuses on a scientific profession. But she loves cloth.

Merry Mukluks

My new moccassins made by the Mukluk Mama Adeline Dickie

Detail Moccassin Beading



Last Minute Christmas Beret

Tim gave me the most beautiful moccassins for Christmas made by the Mukluk Mama herself!
Hand beaded and smoke tanned moose hide with a moose fur cuff. They were made by Adeline Dickie (White Medicine Bear Woman) from the Fort Nelson Reserve. Her beading is so tight and beautifully done and the moccassins fit like they were made for my feet alone. They are made in the Slavey - Northern Cree tradition.

I am not taking off my new red Christmas pajamas or my mocs all day. I plan on being very comfortable warm and a little light headed if I have to cook dinner for today. All will be consumed in short order or made into New Year's Pies.

Everyone decided that the P.J thing was a good idea and half the guests arrived in suitable nightwear. Tim and I wore our new P.J.'s. Somehow it took the edge off any family strife.

Have the most lovely day. At least once a year.