gardenfairies's Profile

Bio

I model each tiny face after the likeness of a real child. I collect vintage material and clothing, even hats, and use the fabric to create each unique fairy outfit. Vintage buttons become the seats for fairy chairs. It’s all in the details: hand-dyed silks, delicate wings, pouty little faces, and mischievous attitudes!
My fascination with fairies started with a firsthand encounter. I was 5 years old and playing in my mother’s garden, when I was startled by a fairy with a broken wing standing silently at my feet.
Although that was my only personal encounter with a fairy, it stayed in my heart and inspired me in many ways throughout my life. But I certainly did not imagine that I would end up making fairies one day.
I used my college education and experience at the Art Center College of Design to create a career in mixed media nature drawings. I've exhibited my work in solo shows, zoos and galleries around the world. Returning to the Pacific NW, I took a job painting original art on clay. Playing with the clay one day, the face of my fairy just came out of the clay and sent chills through me. Within six months I was making fairies full time. My journey took its own course.
My drive to create comes from the joy in the discovery, the process, the expression of myself.
Once I have finished a fairy, it’s the fairy’s job to bring joy and happiness to those who see her, and maybe even make them laugh. I love to watch people get “caught by surprise” when they look at these whimsical creations.
My work can be found at the Verksted Gallery (in Poulsbo, Washington), Crackerjacks Gallery (Wallingford-Seattle, Washington), Rosalie Whyel Art Doll Museum (Bellevue, Washington), and in art shows around the country. Aside from precious fairies, expect to find fairy beds, Fairy Catchers, fairy chairs, garden bells, Baby Buds, fairy pins, Garden Flurries, Puddlemaids (mermaids that play in the garden puddles) and other playful things.
The journey (life) is a crooked path, and the doorway to my imagination is a great big door.

2009 Show Schedule

Northwest Art Alliance
formerly Best of the Northwest)

Spring Show
April 3, 4, 5, 2009
Seattle Center

Summer Show
June 27 & 28, 2009
Magnuson Park

Fall Show
November 13, 14, 15, 2009
Seattle Center

http://www.nwartalliance.com/

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Lavender Fest

July 17, 18, 19, 2009
Sequim, Washington

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Anacortes Arts Festival

August 7, 8, 9, 2009
Anacortes, Washington

www.anacortesartsfestival.com

Female

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