Basket Weave
By Emilie Kvist
Since I am trying to push my skills as an artist this semester, I decided to take a drawing class. Usually, I dislike working in two dimensions. However, I feel quite satisfied with the outcome of this drawing. The original basket which I based this drawing on could have been accepted as sculpture with its patterned weave. I find it interesting to view the art as if the drawing is an interpretation of another artist’s work. Charcoal is unlike any other type of drawing mediums I have tried in the past, and it has its own strengths and weaknesses. The fact that the drawing is such a close-up view of the woven basket adds to the often abstract interpretation of the piece.
Bio:
As an artist I’m always exploring different types of mediums for expression. Usually I would consider myself to be a sculptor since I often work with clay or plaster. However, even sculptors need to sketch out designs for three-dimensional work, and therefore this semester I have decided to expand my skills in drawing and video editing.
Psycho Betty
By Susan Thompson
The title of my artwork is “Psycho Betty.” It’s an aquatint done in 2016. I was inspired by Betty Cooper of the Archie comic series. I grew up reading Archies, and Betty was always my favourite character. However, it was pointed out to me that her behaviour was psychotic in nature. The Walrus did an amusing tongue-in-cheek article that proclaimed her to be a psychopath because she would stalk and obsess over Archie and resort to slapstick violence when thwarted by her rival, Veronica.
Also featured in my artwork is another icon from my childhood, Jem. It was done as a blind contour drawing and accompanied by a picture my daughter did when she was four years old. Together, these three images speak to the generational impact of childhood cartoons and the strangeness of some of the characters we idolize.
Bio:
My name is Sue and I’m a third year student in the BFA program. I’m a mother and an artist, and I’ve really been enjoying my studies at UFV! Printmaking is one of my favourite classes.
A Beautiful Annoyance
Rebekah Brackett
In January 2016, I had a solo exhibit titled “The Blue Blanket Period,” which comes from both Picasso’s Blue Period and Charles Schulz’s character Linus’ beloved blue blanket. After the death of Picasso’s friend, Picasso fell into a state of depression and anxiety. During this period, he turned to art. Some people find security in many things; some a blue blanket, others, art.
“Picasso believed Art to the son of Sadness and Suffering … that sadness lent itself to meditation and that suffering was fundamental to life … If we demand sincerity of an artist, we must remember that sincerity is not to be found outside the realm of grief.” — Jamie Sebartés, Picassos’ friend.
The notion that an artist — to be sincere to themselves and to the viewer while reaching into various emotional places, such as grief — has fueled all my creative endeavors since 2014. Through this process, I have been able to find joy, and hopefully have brought joy to my viewers.
Bio:
Rebekah was born in Calgary, Alberta and belongs to the Piikani Nation. Rebekah works mainly in paint, pen, and ink. Her inspirations are drawn from pop culture and music (Radiohead, Morrissey, and The Cure) and also from the Great Outdoors. Rebekah has lived in Nova Scotia and currently continues her art practice in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
