Photographic Journey of Joan's artwork over the decades... "A free spirit with an artistic soul..."
Created by the McGrath family 11 years ago With the afternoon sun streaming through the windows a few days ago, I was suddenly hit by the need to go on a mission around the house...a mission to capture, through photography, all the artwork that my mother had ever done! As I swept through the house, room after room, capturing these, it confirmed the amazing artistry of this magnificent lady and the absolutely massive depth and breadth of mediums in which she worked. Everywhere she looked, she saw Beauty and Inspiration for art...
As I took individual photos of each art piece, singled out and removed from the wall for the photograph, I also realized that I would need to go on another mission around the house. Everyone who has ever visited our house on Strathcona Cres. knows that every inch seems to be covered with little scenes... vignettes.... set up with loving care by my mother from the treasures collected throughout the years of travel with my father and family. Nothing is random, no placement was by accident... everything had a purpose and a story! Heaven forbid the hapless soul who called these objects mere "trinkets"!!!! They would be told off in no uncertain terms that these were all TREASURES!!! These vignettes need to be captured in their entirety before they are dismantled, gone forever, the Joanie Touch (to rival any Midas Touch!!).
However, for now, I have catalogued all the artwork found in our home, all lovingly created by my magical, whimsical, inspirational, creative and talented mum, Joan M. McGrath..." a free spirit with an artistic soul" (thanks to J.A. for this touching tribute quotation).
Oh, I have set up a mini Treasure Hunt by inserting 4 art pieces that are NOT done by Joan, rather, done by family members influenced by Mummy/Nyonya... see if you can find them within this slideshow!!
Pictures
Beaten copper sculpted box down in South Africa
whimsical creations made in Switzerland whilst visiting her dear friend Ursula
copper enamelling
Pottery royalty
handwroughtsculpured pewter jewellery, which was so iconic of Joan for so many years...
pewter on barnwood
pewter jewellery
pewter jewellery necklace incorporated into weaving done by a member of Joan's MultiMedia Artists
her award winning "Three Kings"... chosen by Unicef to be on Christmas cards sold across Canada...
# 1
# 2
# 3
# 4
# 5
# 6
# 7
# 8
# 9
# 10 felt
# 11 batik
# 12 silkscreen
# 13 batik
# 14 mixed media
# 15
# 16
# 17 mixed media collage
# 18 (Alexander, Andrew and Ian at the piano!!)
# 19 silkscreen
# 20
# 21 silkscreen
# 22
# 23 Rupert the Bear... for the grandchildren!
# 24
# 25
# 26
# 27
# 28
# 29
# 30
# 31
# 32
# 33
# 34 batik
TREASURE HUNT find # 1... artwork done by Kyla, burlap hanging...
# 35
# 36
# 37 mixed media
# 38 mixed media collage
# 39 mixed media collage
# 40 batik
# 41
# 42
# 43 present to baby Alastair... Can you Find the Hidden Objects?
# 44
# 45
# 46
# 47
# 48
# 49
# 50
# 51 batik
TREASURE HUNT find # 2... Alexander's mixed media, inspired by his Nyonya's artwork all around.
# 52 batik
# 53 batik
# 54 batik
# 55
# 56
# 57
# 58
# 59
TREASURE HUNT find # 3 ... Ian's mixed media collage, inspired by Nyonya...
# 60
# 61
# 62
# 63 batik
# 64
# 65
# 66 beloved Loch an Eilean Castle in the Highlands of Scotland
# 67 beloved Ruthven Castle in Kingsussie, Scotland
# 68
# 69
# 70
# 71
# 72
TREASURE HUNT find # four... Andrew's mixed media collage, inspired by Nyonya's magic...
# 72
# 73
# 74
# 75 for Ian...
# 76
# 77
# 78
# 79
# 80
# 81
# 82
# 83
# 84
# 85
# 86 batik
broken glass mosaic made from collected glass along the waterfront by Queens University
glass mosaic... the Better Half ?!
# 87 silkscreen
# 88
# 89
# 90
# 91
# 92
# 93
# 94
# 95
# 96
# 97
# 98
# 99
# 100
# 101
# 102
# 103
# 104
# 105
# 106
# 107
# 108 mixed media
# 109
# 110
# 111
# 112 mixed media
# 113
# 114
# 115
# 116 The Unfinished Symphony... how the magic evolves!
# 117
# 118
# 119
# 120
# 121
# 122
# 123
# 124 batik
# 125
# 126
# 127 mixed media collage
# 128
# 129
# 130
# 131
# 132
# 133
# 134 Sri Lankan fisherman painted from a photo taken on holiday just days before the huge tsunami
# 135 silkscreen
# 136
# 137 The Hat Series #1
# 138 The Hat Series #2
# 139 The Hat Series #3
# 140 The Hat Series #4
# 141 The Hat Series #5
# 142 The Hat Series #6
# 143 The Hat Series #7
# 144 wee Alastair enjoying a popsicle!
# 145
# 146
# 147
# 148 mixed media
# 149 mixed media collage
# 150
# 151
# 152
# 153
# 154 a Highland Cow
# 155
# 156
# 157 batik
recognition from the government of Canada, recognising Joan's contributions to the arts
Creativity... Fanfayr... iconic reminders of Joan M. McGrath's contributions to the community