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Maggie Robinson . . . Artist . . .
including oil/watercolor painting, fibre arts which
includes art dolls, miniature quilts, fabric collage, beading and whimsical bags.
...Creating is a wonderful, fulfilling, inspirational, never ending process
which I highly recommend. I look forward to each day with enthusiasm and the love of what I do.
I have quite an extensive collection of fabric and other
"stuff" which I work with. My inspiration comes from
something as simple as a special button, or a piece of
fabric, or even just a particular color. I began with doll making in the late 70's.
I progressed into painting in the 80's while living in Regina Saskatchewan.
I took instruction and workshops from David Johnston, a well known artist,
who specialized in the human form and portraits. We studied and drew using live models.
I then went into watercolor painting with landscape and seascape as my subjects.
This led to having my own shows where I sold my art for a few years.
My husband retired and we moved to London, Ontario where I started my own business
called Magpie's Collectables. I started selling my doll creations through craft shows
as well as through a shop in the Covent Garden Market in London, Ontario. .
I also sell my things through a gift shop in the
Creative Art Centre in Ingersoll, Ontario. My work is currently sold at these locations.
Through the years
I expanded my interests, joining the London
Embroidery Guild where I learned needlework techniques
along with miniature bookmaking, smocking and stumpwork
which is a three dimensional embroidery. As time
went by my thirst for more knowledge working with fabric led me
to join several quilt guilds. All these things
I learned to do were applied to my art doll making.
My love of miniatures has taken me down another path . . .
I learned the art of quiltmaking. I started out making bed sized
quilts and took many workshops in this area.
I learned a great deal in these workshops
which were given by many well known people in the quilt world.
I am always up for a challenge so I decided I would
learn to reduce the large quilts down to miniature scale.
This soon became one of my favorites and this is where I find myself now
with the quiltmaking.
My love of miniatures has taken me down another path which is Artist's
Trading Cardswhich are small pieces of fibre art
the size of a playing card{ 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" ) . . .
These along with Fibre Post Cards ( 4"x6")
have led me to some
online computer clubs where we exchange these small pieces of work.
The postcards are actually mailed as they are applying the postage
and having them hand cancelled which becomes part of the artwork.
I trade these with people all over the world.
One of these bags went to an actress called Meagan Follows,
she was in "Anne of Green Gables" along with other films),
so I was excited to learn that!
The whimsical bags are another avenue of expression.
I do many kinds from tote bags using fun fabrics, to small
fancy bags with beading and tassels which I call theatre bags.
One thing leads to another and
using beads on both the dolls and the miniature fibre pieces
led to beading workshops. I took a great interest in this craft
which has led me into making bracelets and amulet bags. I do these
in adult sized pieces as well as miniatures to be used on my dolls.
Actually my dolls have taken me by the hand . . .
and led me down many paths, all very enjoyable experiences.
I learned to make coiled baskets using different fibres,
from a well known fibre artist named Nancy Latchford. This was
applied to my african wrap dolls when a basket was needed to
finish off the "look". There is a legend that says many
years ago the slaves would take pieces of wood or wire
and wrap these with bits of fabric or wool for the children
to play with .... hence the name"African Wrap Dolls". These
dolls are really fun to make
and bring out the creativity
using bright fabrics and old jewellery.
. . .
My work has gone to many corners of the globe including the
British Isles, Sweden, Saudia Arabia, United States, and all throughout Canada.
The future for me is to continue to fulfill my need to create and to pass on
these creations for others to enjoy.
"A day without creating is like a day without sunshine." Hope you enjoy visiting my website.
Please sign my guestbook.
Thank you for stopping by to have a look.
Maggie
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bravenet.com