I am a full-time Canadian artist on a mission to help you live artfully. I specialize in paper mosaic with a lush glossy surface, and I ship world-wide. In addition to the art here, I love creating special orders/commissions, so get in touch if you have an idea for a piece that you would like. Estimates are always free. Humble gratitude ❤️ for your time and love of art.
Growing Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Over a year ago, I was in a “hard place” in the studio. You’ve heard of writer’s block? Well, artists get it, too. A favourite client of mine had asked me to consider creating a mosaic of delicate wild roses that grow out from underneath a massive granite rock (with quartz seams/ deposits) at the shore of her cottage plot in Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada. It would be the fourth paper-mosaic commission for this client, and since it’s always a pleasure to collaborate with them, I wholeheartedly accepted. The only thing was… I had no idea how to start it.
Here’s something that you probably don’t know… artists ‘fake it ’til they make it’ all the time. If a project seems within our realm, it makes sense to take the commission. Once-in-a-while, we come to realize that there is a part of that project that will require knowledge or skill beyond our current ability. Although it means simply taking time to research, brainstorm, experiment, or learn something new, we start to get nervous. We have to convince ourselves that we can achieve it — it’s a common human behaviour, really. When we are blocked for prolonged periods of time, Imposter Syndrome can creep in, too. Even with all our skills and achievements, we still doubt our abilities. As you can imagine, confidence wanes.
(Too recently) I finally got to the stage in my life where I don’t doubt myself (as much!). I follow this sentiment, as written by one of my favourite TV writers: “it’s not that I don’t know how to do it; it’s just that I haven’t learned it yet.” This quote was spoken by the President (played by Martin Sheen), in the TV series The West Wing, an American political drama created/written by Aaron Sorkin. (It’s worth your time, if you like that sort of thing.)
I interpret the quote to mean that at every moment of anyone’s life, there is something (many things) that they don’t know yet. We are constantly learning. We shouldn’t deprecate ourselves simply because we haven’t learned it yet. We learn it, and then move on to being a more knowledgeable/experienced person. We all admire people who grow; so, why don’t “imposters” allow themselves that same admiration and expectation? It’s time that I did!

Having contemplated the stone’s surface or “skin” –pock marks, quartz lines, erosion gouges from ages of elemental exposure– for such an extended period, I now consider this a loving “portrait” of it.
But, a year ago, I wasn’t there yet. Sketches for this piece got me nowhere. Taking a break to work on other orders got me nowhere. Several rounds of rinse-repeat got me nowhere. It wasn’t until December, when I was riffling through my special leaf paper, that I finally got to know-where. I finally knew where to start. (Happy accidents abound when you ‘leaf’ yourself open to them.) You see, a huge part of my struggle was how to visually represent the rough texture of the rock. Seeing leaf paper sprouted an idea. I photographed leaves, and tested to see if overlapped leaf textures could look enough like seams/lines/textures of a rock. They did.
With that break-through, the piece took only a few weeks to complete. I also gave my client the option to have beads as stamens in the flower (there was no way that I could cut pieces of paper that tiny). She liked the idea, so I borrowed from my jewelry-making days, and found very suitable yellows beads in my collection. And, with the client’s kind permission, what started out as a special order, resulted in 6 variants! Each has been turned into a signed and numbered edition of no more than 25. They will all be framed and have my lush, glossy finish.
Just as wild roses determinedly grew out from under this boulder, my art practice also grew, and I became bolder. If I had turned down this project, I wouldn’t have blossomed from it, and my repertoire of art wouldn’t be 6 pieces taller. Every growth opportunity better prepares you for future projects, builds perseverance and confidence, and provides memorable milestones in life and career. Grab those opportunities as often as you can. Reach out to your artist community, if you need support or encouragement to do so. And, most importantly, don’t take this advice for granite.
In short, turn artist block into artists rock!
And, to the patrons, art-lovers and clients of artists… keep challenging us with exciting ideas and projects. You drive us. You inspire us. You help us bloom!
And… now my first Quadriptych in Paper Mosaic!
In January, I posted my very first triptych mosaic. I enjoyed the process and the resulting piece so much that now I’m trying a four-panel artwork. These are known as quadriptychs.
Here is my first quadriptych. It is titled “Seas the Day,” and is a total width of 56″ by 25″ tall; it contains 1029 pieces (tesserae) of paper.
The cool thing about making a ‘single image’ using multiple panels is that I can make very large artworks that break down into manageable components. This makes so many things easier for both you and me.
- It’s easier/lighter to move a fourth of the weight at a time;
- The vehicle to transport them doesn’t have to be large;
- The shipping box is significantly easier to make;
- The smaller size means that your shipping cost is much less;
- The shipping insurance is much more likely to cover the whole value since I can package them individually (many couriers cap insurance at $1000 per package);
- The hooks on the wall only have to support a quarter of the weight;
- If a panel is damaged, there is much less work to do to repair it;
- It doesn’t need a huge wall — it can hang around a corner!
Here is a detail shot to show the lush, glossy surface of my Paper Mosaics.
Get in touch, if you have a vision for a multi-panel piece for yourself! Commissions are always welcome, and estimates are free.
Sockrificed to the tide gods — I’ve always loved a good pun
I recently made a blueberry-themed artwork with a treeline and meandering tidal river in the background. The treeline reminded me so much of my time living in New Brunswick, Canada that I decide to make another piece with it as the focus. Here it is, #1 of 12. “Sockrificed to the tide gods” is a Paper Mosaic with one sock on the laundry line and one sock floating in the tidal water. A sock always goes missing in the laundry, right? (The sock in the water is much easier to see in person.) This is even more amusing, if you use Tide detergent. 😉 The artwork will have my usual glossy surface, and will be framed in black. 9”x23”. There are 46 tesserae in this piece. It’s perfect for any room in the house; but ideal for a laundry room or bathroom! It’s now off to get framed. If interested in one of this edition, I hope that you will get in touch! It’s currently $254, tax-free. World-wide shipping happily arranged.
My first Triptych in Paper Mosaic!
Friday, January 5 from 1-7pm…
Here are the special Holiday Hours for the Carleton Place Collective Art Gallery. Stop by and check out the work of six local artists (including mine!). While there, check out all the classes, events, and workshops coming up in the New Year!
- Friday, January 5, 1-7pm
- 155 Industrial Ave, Carleton Place, Ontario
Lake Louise mosaic on its way to framing!

Special Holiday Hours at Carleton Place Collective Art Gallery
Here are the special Holiday Hours for the Carleton Place Collective Art Gallery. Stop by and check out the work of six local artists (including me!). While there, check out all the classes, events, and workshops coming up in the New Year!
- Friday, December 22, 1-7pm
- Friday, December 29, 10am-2pm
- Friday, January 5, 1-7pm
155 Industrial Ave, Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada.
Birthday Cards for near-Christmas Birthdays
I just finished this special-order birthday card for a December-baby recipient who loves cats. What a fun idea! Bonus, it supports Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue. Let me know if you need a card of your own with your own kitty!
New Art in Carleton Place!
Here are my three new pieces in the Art Gallery at Carleton Place Collective!
Open Hours for the Gallery:
- Every Friday from 1pm-7pm.
- Or, make an appointment for a private viewing!
Location:
- 155 Industrial Ave, Carleton Place, Ontario K7C 3V7