Glass Story

Biography:

Michelle Wilman is a full-time artist with certification in Fibre Arts, City & Guilds of London, England, and Tailoring, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She has consistently pursued studies in Washington, California, B.C. and Alberta.

Her work encompasses a multitude of art media including flame-worked glass, bead embroidery, fabric painting and dyeing, machine embroidery, quilting and felting. Exhibition locations of her work have included England, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, British Columbia and Alberta.

Artist Statement:

Complete happiness is the definition of bliss according to Webster’s Dictionary and mania is described as a special kind of madness. Blissmania would be the definition of me in my studio. The ability to take a material and move it from being two dimensional to three dimensional, from hard to soft and back to hard again gives me extreme joy. Process and product are of equal value. Research into different cultures and traditions plus the concept of collaboration are the fuel for my creative fire. Living in two beautiful provinces provides me with so much visual stimulation that it would be impossible not to express my joy and thanksgiving.

Education and Training:

Glass – Leah Fairbanks, Will Stokes, Julie Clinton, James Smirsich, Stephanie Sersich Metalsmithing – Tim McCreight Fibre – Eleanor Peace Bailey, Judith Montano, Robin Atkins, Margi Hennen, Wendy Ellsworth, Nancy Eha City & Guild’s of London – Embroidery and Design City and Guild’s of London -7702- Patchwork and Quilting N.A.I.T. – Tailoring Technician

Publications/Media Presentations:

Television & Radio

Home & Garden Network – USA – That’s Clever CBC-TV -On The Road Again/Rough Cuts/MidDay/The Morning Show CBC-Radio –Morningside with Peter Gzowski SewWhat – The MacPhee Workshop – Access/Home & Garden Network Canada Global TV – Live demo of flame working techniques

Books:

1000 Glass Beads – Lark Books Simply Sensational Bags – Linda McGehee

Magazines & Newspapers:

Fall 2006 – Contemporary Canadian Glass Spring 2006- The Flow – Vol #, Issue # June 2005 – The Calgary Herald/The Ottawa Citizen/Times Columnist Calgary Herald Ottawa Citizen Avenue

Wood Story

Biography:

RJ (Rob) Wilman works as a safety professional in the Canadian upstream petroleum industry. The colors and effects of light on stained glass caught his eye while attending university and provided a reprieve from his engineering studies. Later on he moved into exploring hot glass, metal, and wood.

Artist Statement:

As a maker Rob is drawn to combinations of form, colour, and texture most recently concentrating on exploring woodturning and furniture. It is fascinating to retrieve a piece of wood from the firewood pile and uncover the natural beauty that lies within, including splits, cracks, and bark.

Art Education:

Series – Red Deer College – glassblowing Alberta College of Art & Design – extension American Association of Wood turners Annual Conferences Turning & woodworking workshops

Education & Training:

Canadian Registered Safety Professional Diplomas in Electronics & Computers – Red River Community College Diploma Adult Education – St Francis Xavier Extension Various Safety & Management courses & Seminars

Associations:

American Association of Wood turners

Upcoming Events:

Art Jewelry Showcase:

Arts on Atlantic Gallery-1331-9th Ave S.E. Calgary, Alberta May 26th - June 17th, 2007 Opening May 26th 1-5 p.m.

June 23 - Michelle will have her jewelry at Suzie Q Beads during the Sun Festival in Inglewood

ConneXtions:

A Collaboration Between Glass and Wood June 26-December 15, 2007 St. Paul, MN

Calyx Distinctive Arts Show & Sale:

Calgary, Alberta October 20 or 21st. *check back for date

Waldorf Faire-A Festival of Joy:

November 24th 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Catalogue

Each item is created by hand one at a time. If you desire something and I don't have it readily available I will get to work on it a.s.a.p. Dye lots change and availability of some findings can disappear over night! I will do my best to keep your piece as true to the photographs as possible though there is sure to be some differences due to human intervention!

Glass is my passion and my joy. It is both a pleasure and honour to create something special for you. I will gladly discuss variations in design and color. You may spark a whole new direction for me!

Studios

September - June Calgary, Alberta 403-284-3339

July-August 9907 Jennens Road S. Pender, B.C. 250-629-6856 Open studio hours most days from 11-4. Saturdays I will be at the farmer's market and the studio will be closed. Looking forward to seeing you!

Links

www.artcentral.ca/galleries/Collage www.jmitchellgallery.com www.westendgalleryltd.com www.bloodstargallery.com www.www.artsonatlantic.com www.woodturner.org www.furnituresociety.org www.glassartcanada.ca www.gobc.ca http://www.caylyxart.com www.penderislands.org www.pendercreatives.com www.kayakpenderisland.com http://home.btconnect.com/tipiglen/gallery.html#glassblowing www.jdphoto.net www.blackforestwood.com www.lowdenpidgeon.com www.conniegeerts.com www.pyfo.ca

Contact

September-June 403-284-3339

July-August 9907 Jennens Road S. Pender, B.C. 250-629-6856