Rollie an Artist Biography

BACKGROUND

I was born September 14,1942 in Edmundston New Brunswick Canada. I was Schooled in New Brunswick convents and started University at Collège Notre Dame D'Acadie in Moncton N.B. then I transferred to finish my Masters in Business Administration in Montréal, Québec. After finishing University I stayed to work in Montréal for a large International Pulp and Paper Company as Chief Accountant.

While in Montréal, on October 21st 1964, through a childhood friend who worked on ships, I met a wonderful aqua-blue eyed Norwegian Marine Engineer by the name of Terje (Terry) Strand. He was at the time Chief Engineer on a Norwegian Deep Sea Cargo Ship called (of all names) Sunprincess. As the saying goes, sparks, fireworks, starry eyed, love at first sight. We became engaged October 24th, 1965 and were married August 5th, 1966. Little did I know the wonderful adventure my life with Terry would turn out to be for the next 33 years.

HISTORY

When I think about influences in my life that ushered me along the way to what I do now, I think of many things; my own curiosity, the influence of a grandfather, who was very artistic, he taught me to look at the world in a creative and often humorous way. Having spent my formative years in Convents, I am thankful to the many nuns who taught me how to appreciate the Arts and it's many facets, they taught me many different crafts, skills I would need later in life to fill my free time while my husband Terry , who was Chief Engineer, on deep sea ships, was away for months at a time. I have a degree in Business Administration. I retired at 38 from the Business World, I often sailed with him and I was never at a loss for something to do to occupy my time at sea as long I had some handwork with me. At home I painted with acrylics, I worked with ceramics, toll painted, etc. I became a doll collector. I reproduced porcelain dolls. I learned how to repair Composition and Porcelain Dolls and I sewed reproduction clothes for friends and other collectors. But something was missing.

BEGINNING

I always had in mind that I would like to sculpt, but never tried. In 1991 my husband Terry had to leave for a six months sea voyage, I sailed with him to Spain then flew back home. Before I left, he convinced me to take a course in sculpting given at the Halifax Art College continuing education program. Imagine my surprise when the very first baby doll's head I sculpted turned out to look a little like baby Elvis ( not on purpose). But this little doll's head had a nice nose, eyes, and forehead. Perfectly proportioned features despite the Elvis like slightly curled lips. I could not believe my eyes. I had my very first creation. With a very active imagination and a wonderful teacher who guided and encouraged me to find my own individual way of sculpting, I was on my way to becoming a sculptress, After I finished the course, I bought videos, books etc. and went on to learn more and more. Now ready to try my newly learned skills and having discovered Synthetic clays as well as Papier Mâché I was ready for my first sculpture done all by myself, a 40" tall synthetic clay Victorian Father Christmas that turned out super. Eureka I had found my niche!!! From then on little Elves, Fairies, Angels, Santa Clauses, Mermaids, flew from my fingers, each and everyone is an original different from the others. Terry helped with the larger armatures for the torsos as well as hands and feet. He found easier ways for me to make those and he would build them for me during his free time when away at sea. He would come back from long voyages with quite a few ready-made hand armatures etc. When I sailed with Terry I sculpted small things from Polymer clay and with the blessing of the Chief Stewart, I would bake my creations in one of the galley ovens. What fun!!!

September 3rd, 1998, my wonderful husband Terry passed away unexpectedly, my life changed Forever. Six months went by, I tried my hand at sculpting again, but the joy and happiness that used to light up the faces of my creations eluded me. I persisted and over time, little faces again lit up for me. My little Elves, Fairies, Mermaids and Santas were again happy little creations waiting to brighten someone else's life. This was six years ago. I am still discovering and being challenged as I watch adult and children's faces and those faces still provide me with expressions and unending inspiration. The bonus of my sculpting career lies in the people I have met along the way. What a delightful mixture God has made.

THE HOW OF IT

Each figurine and doll type creation is a one of a kind original hand sculpted creation, and No molds are used. I sculpt with polymer clays (Cernit, Premo, Fimo etc) Papier Mâché, and other air drying clays. My larger creations have cloth bodies with an inner armature; the life size Father Christmas has a copper and wire armature inside a chambered stuffed cloth body, (see Santa gallery for picture of the body); they can sit, stand and kneel. I design and create the costumes myself. Every outfit either is French seamed or lined. My smaller doll type creations have their clothes sewed onto the body. The figurines are entirely hand sculpted from different kinds of clays. I use antique, vintage fabrics such as antique pieces of fine embroidered cotton net, voile, fancy jacquard, silk velvet, satin and some new fabrics; light cotton, crushed velvet, embroidered satin and velvet, voile, lamés and much more. The choice of material depends on the size, look and feel of the piece and of course the availability of materials. I use mohair, raw silk, Tibetan lamb that I buy white and die, for hair, eyebrows and beards. I am always picking up old jewellery, buttons etc. at flea markets and auctions. I gather interesting stones, driftwood, sea shells, from the beaches, as well as mosses, sticks and burls from the forest. All the furs I use are recycled from old fur coats. Sometimes, I use articles purchased from other artist (these are identified in the individual listing), but most of the toys in my shadow boxes, scenes etc. I sculpt myself or make from paper, wood, etc.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

In 1990-91 I completed and passed with Excellence, a course in Sculpting figurines and dolls at Nova Scotia Art College, Continuing Education Program.

In 1991 - My work was juried by the Nova Scotia Art Guild Council, and its acceptance earned me a place on their list of Nova Scotia Craftsmen, and allowed me to sell at their twice yearly shows.

In 1992 - I was juried by the Dalhousie University Arts and Craft show Council, and its acceptance, allowed me to sell at their yearly Christmas at Dalplex show.

In 1993 - besides the same two shows I attended, I was hired by the Nova Scotia Provincial Continuing Education Program to give night courses in doll making. I instructed that 10-week course for three years.

In 1994 - I was juried by the Lunenburg, Nova Scotia . Arts and Craft Summer Festival Council, its acceptance earned me the right to sell at their yearly July Summer Festival. I also attended the Christmas at Dalpex show.

In 1995 - I was commissioned by the Digby Historical Society to sculpt three dolls representing the main characters in a book they were selling about their Area. After reading the book I used the descriptions of the characters their clothing etc and researched the styles pertaining to that era and designed the clothing. The Society was very pleased with the results.

1995 to 1997 I attended Dalplex Lunenburg, and Summer Festival shows.

In 2000 - I was juried by the Dartmouth Nova Scotia Hand Crafters Guild, and its acceptance earned me the right to sell at their Annual Christmas Arts and Craft Show.

Since travelling and setting up a booth for a show is quite a lot of work, I now must limit my attendance to two shows a year. In 2002 I attended the Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Summer Festival of Arts and Craft Show in July and in November I attended the Dartmouth Hand Crafters Guild Christmas at the Sportsplex show, in 2003, 2004 I attended the Dalhousie University Christmas at Dalplex show and again the Lunenburg summer show. I continue to vary my venues each year.

HOBBIES AND PASS TIME

Amateur Astronomer. I belong to the Royal Astronomy Society of Canada- Halifax Chapter. I spend a lot of time watching the skies with my Schmidt-Cassagrin 6" telescope while listening to Holst The Planets or Brian Eno's Astro Music. Lost in the stars I am happy.
Travel, oh do I love to travel, always did always will.
I am an avid reader and when too busy to read, I listen to books on CDs
I love the movies when not travelling I go to the cinema at least once a week with my friends. Comedies -Sci-fi (but of course), good documentaries.
Live Theatre. I belong to the Neptune Theatre Society

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I must say that I was blessed with a husband, who believed in me. He encouraged me and did not hesitate to put his hand to anything that he was able to help me with. My Grand Father, who influenced my early years by passing on to me his love of the Arts. My special friend Christine, who could not wait to see what I would come up with next and with her artistic eye would, gently critiqued my work with sensitivity and honesty. The many friends who helped me in more ways than I can count Thanks to them I have finally found my place in the Art World.

THANKS. I appreciate your visiting my site. I hope you enjoy viewing my artwork.

Rollie