Sarah Burwash

I was introduced to the dainty illustrations of previous Spark Box Studio resident Sarah Burwash. I particularly admire her subject matter and colour palette. Ceramics… you’re next on my list!

 

Pattern Inspiration

Prince Edward County was a great inspiration for my pattern projects. I came across some specimens that I hadn’t before encountered. Others were familiar, though I’d never had the time to study them as closely. I collected seeds and leaves and grasses, and blinked snapshots of the animals to memory for later sketches. These discoveries accumulated in my sketch book and then dispersed into a new series of patterns (still in development).

Spark Box Studio

Spark Box Studio is a project run by Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping in beautiful Prince Edward County, Canada. Chrissy and Kyle open their home to artists of all disciplines and provide a non-toxic print studio for residents and local printmakers to develop their work. The month I spent at Spark Box was a much needed breath of fresh air. With a quaint room of my own, a studio space, a garden to explore and nothing but the voice of nature surrounding us, it was the absolute antidote for a mind polluted by the city. In such a tranquil setting you can get lost in your ideas. For me it was an inspiring and productive time and I was very grateful to be there.

Spark Box Studio

The Garden

Late Afternoons in a Hammock

Wild Flowers

Distant Neighbours

The Farm Stall, Picton

My Studio

Spark Box Print Studio

The view from Spark Box Print Studio

Spark Box Studio

Prince Edward County

Bedroom Window View at Spark Box Studio

The Track

The Track

Sera and the Sumac

DF on the Precipice

Chrissy and the Stones

Sera Senakovicz

I spent an autumn month as a resident of Spark Box Studio in Prince Edward County, Ontario. My comrade at the residency was Halifax based printmaker Sera Senakovicz. She conducted a fascinating investigation into the history and landscape of Picton called the ‘What Was Here Project’. Before arriving, Sera screen printed handsome posters which spruced up every shop window in town, then visited local residents to hear the stories of their homes. We spent time exploring derelict buildings together and taking walks along farm lanes documenting nature’s claim over agricultural machinery.