Just completed my installation wall piece ‘wriggle’. This will be mounted on the front wall of Mahon Hall, Salt Spring Island, for the duration of Artcraft, June 8-Sept. 16. Artcraft is celebrating 50 years this summer, the longest running craft/art exhibit in the province.
wriggle, wall installation
http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/north-by-northwest/episode/15537806 Sheryl McKay of the CBC weekend morning show, North by Northwest, met me at the Port Moody Art Gallery to interview me about the exhibit, Mrs. Williams. She was great to talk to, have a listen, just press play.
I now post new work, new shows, and news on instagram, find me at
Melanie Thompson lives and works on Salt Spring Island and in a very small cottage at the Finn Slough on the Fraser River. She has practised basketry for many years using traditional and non traditional materials. Melanie recently completed the Diploma in Fine Arts at ECUAD. This course work informed her design sensibilities and led to her mixed media work.
Melanie has exhibited and sold her work widely. Her work can be found at Crafthouse, Granville Island, BC, South Shore Gallery, Sooke, BC, and Artcraft, Salt Spring Island, BC. It can also be viewed at http://www.saltspringartistdirectory.com, www.craftcouncilbc.ca and on her blog https://craftymelanie.wordpress.com
It has been awhile and I have been working on a variety of different projects lately. Some are stitched pieces, some are sculptural pieces and some are painting/collage pieces. I do a daily sketch and a daily collage and then work on what I currently need to finish. Here is a sampling-
bone and bead mobile
stitched leaves, plant bits, series of boxes
copper wire looped fish trap
copper wire looped with sequins fish trap
pine needles twined with waxed linen and wool
collage using paint and print papers
collage using paint and print papers
daily sketch book drawing
new acrylic and watercolour painting, spring
new acrylic and water colour painting,summer
I also have been frequently posting on instagram https://www.instagram.com/melaniethompson1/?hl=en
geology transformed
willow bark nesting basket
These pieces plus others will be at KiZmit galeria and cafe on Salt Spring for the month of October. I am showing with a photographer.
There is also the 20th anniversary show of the basketry guild in October.
basketry show 20 years in the making
My piece is in the middle of the top row.
totems, bark, net floats, and driftwood
As well I am working on these totems, for a land art proposal for Mahon Hall next summer. The floats will be painted in stripes. One of my previous land art pieces is on the back wall. It will also be in the KiZmit show.
spontaneous stitch
hand stitching with leaf stems from mountain ash and tea stained cloth
I went to two wonderful classes at Maiwa, spontaneous stitch with Christine Mauersberger and I am still working on these pieces. I also took, skins and skeletons with Mo Kelman, for 5 days, and that will inspire much more work.
chaotic weaving with deconstructed bamboo blinds
I have also started an instagram account @melaniethompson1.
stones wrapped with cane
The wrapped rocks are with cane not bark. I am still working with my bark supply. Having finished with the cherry and birch bark I have been using my supply of willow bark. It is such a lovely material, smells nice, and is pliable and easy to form. Here are some photos
various willow bark vessels with birch and some kind of other bark
of bark revelations.
totems and talismen in birch and cherry
birch explorations
willow talismen
birch bark vase with curly willow
birch circles
Janine Vangool who is the editor, publisher, and chief cook and bottlewasher of this fabulous magazine, uppercase, posted this in her blog-thank you Janine.
Just came out, excited to see all the work installed.
poster for upcoming installation
These are some weavings I made for an upcoming basketry guild show. Also hanging is kelp, sweet grass, cordage, and raffia plus some lovely seed pods.
weaving with naturals, pine needles, cattails, prunings
While I have been working on the bark residency I have also finished some other works. The earth circles have proven to be popular and as usual I did not photograph the ones already sold, I never remember to do this before they are gone. One of seal bones and kelp was especially lovely but alas no picture of it.
small earth circle, fir bark, net floats, driftwood
maple, willow earth circle
Crafty Melanie 