As a young child I was inspired by my Hungarian, aristocratic grandmother. She lived on her own, and was very deliberate about everything that she did, and everything that she believed to be proper. She made all her own clothes on a tiny black portable Singer machine (which I still have). This machine could go forwards and backwards with one straight stitch. She created the most elegant outfits with this tiny workhorse. She helped me appreciate the hand of the cloth. She made hamburgers for us, but only by buying the best cut of steak and grinding it herself. She never had a hair out of place as her hair was permanently upswept in an up-do. She was so elegant, the personification of the European Aristocracy, but also knew how to have fun. She taught me how to blow into the paper of a straw when we ordered our coke so that the paper could go flying across the restaurant.
As most creative people, I have been making things ever since I can remember. I loved arts and crafts and would see the potential in the detritus bits and pieces. I see that my son has inherited this love. As you enter his room, you are convinced that it is a hoarder’s space. As a young girl, my mother encouraged my ‘arty’ ways, and so I was enrolled in many after school courses, ceramics, jewellery making, etc. But when it came time to choose a career, I chose a safer pathway, and became a social worker. With an MSW I had a rich career helping children and families find their way. Still while I worked, and raised my family, I took courses part time at art schools in and around my city since this pleasure remained. More recently, I have been fortunate to be able to stop working for a paycheck and began taking my art studies to a more serious level. I have just recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art and Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design University.