lorraine roy

LORRAINE ROY ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS:

what medium(s) do you work in?
I am a Textile Artist. I work strictly in textiles, in a technique of my own that is much like painting with fabric.

what question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
I'll answer this the wrong way and tell you what I DON'T wish to be asked: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
There seems to be a false perception that working time is a factor in the value of artwork. My answer is that the TIME spent physically creating an art piece is only the tip of the iceberg. Sure, my pieces take a lot of time to make, but if I hadn't been making art for 23 years, my work would have none of the artistic and monetary value it has now. My years in artmaking, my life experiences, and my expertise in technique are all equally if not more important for success. Plus, I have been collecting fabrics for at least 40 years. If anyone else were to try and make one of my pieces without this solid foundation, the end result would take a great deal of time indeed - one might even consider eternity. I understand that people are curious about the time factor but this is a question that I find completely irrelevant. I should get a T-shirt that says: Don't ask that question !! :)

why art?
My art harnesses and encompasses all my passions: nature, science, spirituality, textiles, and love of beauty and design. I don't really need any other excuse.
Why art in Hamilton? It's important for an artist to make herself known in her own community, and that's my main reason for exhibiting here. Hamilton is a great place to show art but steps need to be taken to make sure the community supports the artists, so they can make a living. If I didn't show in many other places, I wouldn't be able to support myself here on art alone.

who or what inspires you?
I have a BSc in Horticulture. Much of my inspiration comes from plant life and nature. Since graduating, I have continued to research plant and tree symbolism, mythology, literature, native and medicinal uses, cultural and historic uses, and anything else I can get my hands on. The more I learn, the more fascinating and inspiring it becomes. On the visual side, I am strongly influenced by abstract painters from all time periods - I am always looking at art of all kinds.

any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
'Living as an artist' is easy, but 'making a living as an artist' is another story. There is plenty of stuff I just don't like to do, but I do it because it's the only way to get my work in the hands of the right clients. I spend nearly half of my art time on business, which includes plenty of networking. A successful artist must keep an ear to the ground for good opportunities, and be open to trying new things. Having a broad base of income helps to smooth out the ups and downs - like creating prints or notecards, freelance teaching, public speaking, direct sales and/or gallery representation - the right mix is different for each artist. This means being alert, pro-active and professional at all times, while trying not to waste a minute. Working hard is worthless unless you are also working smart.

Is there anything in your art that you are afraid people might discover?
People 'see' things in my work all the time - boats, cats, fruits, angels, faces, the list goes on. I make each piece to the best of my ability. Once a piece is finished, what people see is no longer my responsibility, but I'll admit some remarks do give me pause. ;)

For just over 20 years, I have worked with textiles in a non-traditional way. Using a unique mixture of techniques like sewing, collage, embroidery and quilting, I integrate thousands of bits of fabric and threads with fine transparent tulle and machine stitching. The results combine my passion for science and spirituality with the surprising versatility of fabrics and threads.
Born and raised in rural Southwestern Ontario, I developed an early appreciation for the land and its natural beauty. My formal education in Horticulture and subsequent research are ongoing inspirations. From the start I enjoyed combining high representation mixed with symbols from dreams, memories, and mythology. Lately I have been incorporating abstraction, in a style that I am finding more and more fascinating.
I now live and work in the beautiful Niagara Escarpment area near Dundas, Ontario. I enjoy commissions, and studio appointments are welcome!

lorraine roy
published with permission from artist.