Be Brave Studio
Art, Culture, Adventure
The Runaway Widow, saving myself with exploration and creativity
I have discovered that curiosity and a common yearning for all things creative move us to our most inspired lives. Being an Artist creates a meaningful pathway into self-discovery and belonging. Having the opportunity to travel through Mexico, Thailand, Europe, United States and Canada, I have learned that women across these cultures share common experiences which are expressed through symbolism in traditions, art, textiles, food and storytelling. I want the viewer to feel a sense of intimacy with the subject by raising awareness of the feminine and female condition across cultures.
This Collection from my Body of Work, Art, Culture, Adventure, is a representation of time I spent in Mexico, greatly influenced by Mexican painters, folk artists and traditional craft. My work is an exploration and celebration of the common thread of womanhood, friendships and community. Through the use of vivid color, texture and embellishments, it is my hope to raise awareness to the beauty of the everyday lives and the environment of women regardless of their socio-economic circumstances.
I am a Canadian Contemporary Artist, my practice includes sculpture, collage, painting and textile. My artwork reflects my desire to share a rich, lively and immersive visual experience. It is through this self-expression with various materials that I hope to offer an intimacy and connectedness with the subject and the viewer.
Finding Miracles
Connections and belonging through Art, Culture, Adventure
This collection emerged from a fear of solitude and heartbreak. In 2018, I felt a strong urge to travel and to give life to characters that were stirring within me. As I wandered the bustling streets of Oaxaca City, Mexico tracing the weathered walls with my fingertips, navigating the uneven cobblestones to avoid stumbling, I found exhilaration in the vibrant tapestry of life unfolding around me. In those moments loneliness felt distant.
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The archetype of the clown often evokes fear, much like Mexico can provoke a myriad of emotions. Yet, the clowns of Mexico embody an intriguing blend of edge and playfulness, more mysterious than frightening. They mirror the very essence of their surroundings - the concealed mysteries behind closed doors, the transformative power of clown makeup inviting our minds to weave tales and conjure characters.
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Through my utilization of vivid colors and intricate textures, my aim is to transport the viewer to the heart of a Mexican landscape, where music harmonizes with laughter, and where the rawness of life intertwines with its inherent beauty. Spending time in Mexico inevitably acquaints one with its richness of traditional imagery and symbols, juxtaposed with the stark realities of hardships. In this collection, I deliberately in corporate many of these elements - as expressions of devotion, adversity, and the inevitable embrace of mortality.
Series 1
Heartbreak
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The love story of Frida and Diego unfolds like a vivid mural, painted with strokes of loyalty, betrayal, heartbreak, and pain. Portraying them as clowns adds depth to their narrative; their connection to Mexico, their art, and each other is rich in layers, contrasts, and textures. Picture them as clowns, performing in the zocalo, the town square, where colorful papel picado flutter in the breeze, their performances create laughter and melancholy, captivating both tourists and locals alike. Amidst the whimsy, hand-embellished sacred hearts adorn their chests, serving as poignant symbols of the profound bond shared within the bold canvas of their relationship.
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Frida Payasa
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage & Hand
Stitched Embellishment
10" x 24"
Diego Payaso
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage & Hand
Stitched Embellishment
10" x 24"
San Pablo Villa de Mitla
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage & Hand
Stitched Embellishment
17" x 24"
Series 2
Red Nose
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Leaving behind her Mountain Village birthplace, Kitten went in search of a more enhancing existence. Seduced by Coyote's allure and golden promises, she embarked on a journey of both hope and apprehension. I see them navigating their days with a delicate dance of survival, their emotions masked behind the red nose. As twilight descends, they seek solace on the weathered steps of the Church, their sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world. The canvas of their story is painted in rich, evocative hues, strokes of gold and floral motifs intertwine with the rugged texture of the Church's foundation, each brushstroke a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.
Coyote Payaso
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage & Hand
Stitched Embellishment
10" x 24"
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Kitten Payasa
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastels
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage & Hand
Stitched Embellishment
10"x 24"
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Santo Domingo de Guzman
Church
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage & Hand
Stitched Embellishment
17" x 24"
Series 3
Freedom
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Painted in the warmth of laughter and joy, an insatiable craving knows no bounds, embracing souls regardless of their socio-economic circumstance. The richness of love, tenderly shared between family and friends, flourishes in every corner of existence. In the humble neighborhood of squatters, the whimsical antics of clowns breathe life into a canvas adorned with vibrant hues and delicate textures, illuminated by the gentle glow of the moon, weaving a tapestry of camaraderie and delight.
Happy Dance
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage
17" x 24"
Take Flight
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastels
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage
17" x 24"
Squatters Village
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Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastels
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On Watercolor Paper
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with Collage & Hand Stitched Embellishment
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17" x 24"
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Series 4
​​Every Corner
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The texture of the buildings is a mosaic of time, blending vivid and muted colors into a painting of stories. Each step around every corner unveils a new chapter, where something old and worn meets timelessness. Upon closer inspection, secret entrances reveal themselves, ghost-like figures linger in the shadows, and strange and wonderful dream spaces emerge from the cracks. Within this urban labyrinth lies a hidden gem; a clown school, nestled among the eclectic architecture, its presence both unexpected and intriguing.
Convento de Santa Catalina
Acrylic Painting & Oil Pastel
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on Watercolor Paper
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With Collage
17" x 24"
Cathedral of Our Lady
of Assumption
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage
17" x 24"
Clown School OAX
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Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
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On Watercolor Paper
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With Collage
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17" x 24"
Series 5
Crossing
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The canvas captures the imperfections of this landscape, mirroring its raw beauty. As the sun descends, casting elongated shadows across the desert expanse, a transformation unfolds. Colors intensity, saturating the landscape with bold hues, while the glittering facets catch the last rays of sunlight, sparkling like scattered diamonds. Yet, this magnificence is fleeting, disappearing in the blink of an eye, only to reappear with the dawn.
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In this vast expanse, they ponder the journey ahead. Would dolls traverse this desert on foot, seeking transformation amidst its timeless dunes? Could their bright red shoes carry them to new horizons, guiding their path with each vibrant step? Perhaps their red nose, a whimsical beacon against the desert's vast canvas, will lead the way. Clad in a tutu, a symbol of whimsy amidst the harshness of the desert, they find solace and protection, a reminder that beauty can flourish even in the harshest of landscapes.
Rose-Ann
Assemblage of Styrofoam
Paper Clay
Embellishments & Fabric
14" height
Anna-Rosa
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Assemblage of Styrofoam
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Paper Clay
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Embellishment & Fabric
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14" height
Sonoran Desert
Acrylic Paint & Oil Pastel
On Watercolor Paper
With Collage
17" x 24"
View this Body of Work online
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