About my journey...

I have lake water in my veins!

...and it flows out from my brush onto canvas and paper to create images of my lakeside surroundings. My days are spent splashing, squishing and splattering away at Studio 410 in Winnipeg Beach. 

My lake-loving life started with annual family vacations at a cottage on Lake Winnipeg. After experiencing this vast prairie ocean from a boat, I was hooked! We have been summer live-abord boaters for more than four decades, and have enjoyed a lakefront home for more than 30 years. Naturally, these deep experiences influence my watercolours, acrylics and works in clay. 

In 2006 I pivoted from my working career to filling my days reading about visual art, soaking up workshops and lessons, and building my own arts practice.

Studio 410 opened in 2010, a space dedicated to my visual arts work, events, and just plain fun. It was a labour of love turning a neglected site into a year-round creative venue--but it was worth that 10 months' of toil! We repaired, salvaged, scrounged, and scoured used stores. I love being there now that the work I do is all creative and not so much Mr. Fixit.

In 2011, I was joined the The WAVE Artists' Studio Tour. This Cooperative of artists open their east Interlake studios twice each year to get up close and personal with the public. On the second weekend in June and the September long, Saturday & Sunday of each, from 10 am to 6 pm you can visit dozens of studios to get a behind-the-scenes look at creativity. It's worth the trip!

First Fridays at the Beach, a successful once-a-month evening in the arts, had to be suspended during the worst of the pandemic. I had 3 fun years hosting book launches, workshops, and shows with guest artists, groups and colleagues on the first Friday of each month. I plan to re-open First Fridays beginning with August 4, 2023 Eco Dyeing Workshop, so check out my newsletter for updates.

Along the way, I have been in several group and duo shows at The WAG, cre8ery, New Iceland Heritage Museum, and the Gas Station Theatre. The WAG, three years running, hosted a show by WAVE artists and in one I was so honoured to have my piece chosen by The WAG for the show poster promo. My first solo show was held at Gwen Fox Gallery, an opportunity that challenged me even more and produced tremendous growth in my skills and knowledge.

I continue in self-directed learning about the world and business of art, and take workshops to fill in gaps--technology is a challenge! During the winter of 2022, WAVE artists participated in more than 40 hours of online workshops to enhance individual skills in our digital world. Quite the trip; ask me about it sometime!

Recently, I expanded from giving half- and full-day workshops to teaching weekly lessons. I plan to share more of these with people through in-person, small group, and online sessions. Check out my events for July 2023 Watercolour Basics!

And writing...I have been writing poetry to explore my art, called ekphasis. Artist Rosemary Miguez and I recently shared how to do this in a workshop at Gwen Fox Gallery.  Music has become a passion that seems to complement my visual arts, too. I find that playing musical instruments inspires my paintings. I am still near the bottom of the learning curve when it comes to playing music so am working to improve. Whew, lots of challenge coming my way!

I am a member of The Interlake WAVE Artists of Manitoba, cre8ery Gallery, Gwen Fox Gallery, Gimli Art Club, and Creative Manitoba. My works are in several collections across Canada and the United States.

You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram; my works are in my studio, as well as online and in-person at Gimli Art Club gimliartclub.com and Gwen Fox Gallery gwenfoxgallery.com, and on The WAVE website watchwatchthewave.cathewave.ca.