[Virtual Exhibition] For the Birds: A Girls’ Eye View
Over the course of a six-month period Gwen Dixon, Carol McCall, and Kate Sharpe shared their thoughts on birds. Using felting, rug hooking, and stitching, they explored ideas of aging and identity, flight and migration, and reflective memories of winged wonders. The result: For the Birds: A Girls’ Eye View.
(Left to Right) Gwen Dixon, Carol McCall, Katherine Sharpe
Gwen Dixon is from Riverview, NB. She has published articles in the Rug Hooking Magazine and was featured, along with Carol McCall, in CreatedHere Magazine, Issue 09: HERS.
Mary’s Point
Mary’s Point is a place near New Horton on the Bay of Fundy. It is a migratory stop for semipalmated sandpipers who arrive in August to feed on mud shrimp on their way to South America. This place, and its annual visitors, hold a fascination for me and my family.
The Travellers
How do birds navigate? How do they know when to leave and where to stop for food and rest? Birds’ brains must be amazing. The term “birdbrain” is really a misnomer. The travellers featured in this piece are the California Gull, the American Robin, the Glossy Ibis, the Palm Warbler, the Roseate Spoonbill, the Wood Thrush, the Purple Gallinule, the Spotted Sandpiper, and the Mountain Bluebird.
Pussy Willows and Bird Nests
This reflects my thoughts on early childhood days, especially days spent searching the woods next to my house, looking for pussy willows and bird nests. Memories of little girl friendships and the finding of nature’s treasures, especially birds’ nests, still make me happy today.
Carol McCall trained in Fibre Arts & Design at the College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s, NFLD, and experiments with felting, rug hooking, and stitching to express her colourful view of life.
Biker Crow
This piece is inspired by memories of feeding crows in the early morning while walking my dog. They began to recognize me and await my return, following me down the street and flying from lamp post to lamp post. My husband called me Bread Lady. The crows, with their black, shiny feathers, looked like they wore leather biker vests. One particular bird who stayed close to our home became my Biker Crow.
Swoop, Soar, and Dive
The image of a pond with swallows swooping, diving, and soaring fills me with awe. These delicate creatures are a wondrous sight and seeing them in their natural habitat gives me great joy and calms my spirit. Because of their acrobatic talents, their colours and their body shape, they are my favourite bird.
Avian Angst
Chickens always seem to be on the run. I suspect that because they are not great birds of flight they become easily distressed when being chased or followed. My rug hooking is of a chicken on the run - a whimsical piece created in bright colours. This fowl feathered friend is making a hasty exit from a not-so-positive interaction with a rooster.
Katherine Sharpe graduated from NSCAD University in 2015. She works in fibre and textile arts daily in her studio in Hubbards, NS, inspired by the nature around her.
Intention to Fly
Creating this piece I was fascinated by the graceful balance of a dancer on point effortlessly gliding, emulating flight. As I shifted in my chair while making this piece I groaned with aching joints and stiff bones, sore hands, and neck. Two things occurred to me: it was clear my graceful time had passed, and there are amazing amounts of effort involved in making something look effortless.
Momma Bird
The inspiration for this piece arrived in two parts. After I created the little one in blue boots it became clear that a momma bird was needed to protect this gentle shy creature. The two became one, joined by environment and the love of polka-dots.
Lady Birds
The buxom beauty has loads of personality, plumage, and sass – a young lady bird ready to take on the world. When I created her older companion, their conversation became obvious; change is inevitable.
