As an Architecture graduate, I started working for the firm Senior Rae Architecture + Art in Phoenix and it was here that I began to explore not only the more artistic side of architecture but how it could be expressed through many different mediums, including metal works, painting, monoprints, etchings and pottery. There were many different influences down here that I drew upon: Native American,
Mexican and western. My experience in architecture had always been a little unconventional (including furniture design and extensive custom housing design in Loreto Bay, Mexico) until I moved back to Canada in 2010 and started working for my father’s architecture firm, W. Here, I took responsibility for industrial and commercial work—a huge learning curve in technology and application. While it was great for business development and professional growth, I longed to get back to raw expressive output with my hands. I’ve always harboured a side-passion for jewelry design beginning with my first silver-smithing course when I was 23 (gifts for friends and family!) so this past fall, with the economy in Alberta in a tailspin, suddenly I had time in spades to create and curate these long-awaited collections. A friend was willing to host an intimate evening where I could showcase my debut work to a small group—it was a collection of 25 pieces, which centres around sterling silver, quartz crystals and an intentional meaning and message for each piece. In these uncertain times, intentionality is important: we need to take the time to reflect about life and what’s truly important despite the unknown—focussing on the downturn of the economy can consume you so I found that by unleashing positivity and unbridled passion, my creative side was rebooted. I couldn’t stop making, creating and designing!
