Owen Sound artist Sandra of the Gardens-Martin will exhibit at the Collingwood Public Library this summer. Gardens-Martin specializes in basket weaving, oil and watercolour paintings, and drawings. Her artwork explores the intricacies of nature, spirituality and self expression.
“My journey into the expressive arts began when I was five in my backyard sandbox. Expression has been my lifeline and my spiritual path. I consider my spiritual path to be the healing of mind, body and spirit. I am Cree, Ojibway, French decent (Métis), and I consider myself a rainbow child of the earth. The images that manifest on the canvas are expression of this truth,” says Gardens-Martin.
The exhibit, titled Woodpecker Womin’s Dreams, runs from Wednesday, July 4 to Thursday, August 30, 2012. The public is invited to an opening reception on Friday, July 6, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Library.
Gardens-Martin was born into this garden called earth in April of 1954, earning her art degree in 1979. Her grandmother was an Algonquin basket weaver by trade. It is Gardens-Martin’s ancestral roots and her six children that move her heart and make her create.
“I am a mother of seven children, six of which still share my life. We are each other’s teachers and often the learning occurs in the context of creative sharing. Sharing is an honour, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Gardens-Martin has previously exhibited in Toronto (’78, ’90-’92), Thunder Bay (’83), Haliburton (’92), Cape Croker (’94), Timmins (‘96), Owen Sound (’95, ’97, ’00, ’07-09), Stratford (’02) and Lake Placid (’05).
