art studio
Only 1 week left to register for my Fall cross-stitch course! All classes are taught out of my studio at City Centre Artist Lodge, which means classes are 6 students maximum. This way everyone gets plenty of one-on-one time. If you’ve been thinking about it, now is the time to sign up before spaces fill up!
Read MoreI’m so excited to be offering a 4 week course this Fall, dedicated to the art and craft of cross-stitch. Lucky for you, you’re getting first access to registration since you’re reading my blog!
Read MoreBelieve it or not, I took time off in June to decompress and relax! I even spent a long weekend with my best friend in Whistler! We visited the Scandinave spa and spent the rest of our time reading, eating, and walking trails. I didn’t even bring art with me to “casually” work on.
Read More“A Closer Look” - Watch Artist Talk on YouTube
Black to Da Roots/Black Music Month Festival - May 31 - June 2
First Saturday Open Studios - June 1
“Eri Explorations” - Show ends June 16th
Westward Music Festival - June 22-23
Watch on YouTube for an engaging conversation with these talented artists as they share insights into their inspirations, creative processes, take a tour of the exhibition & answer questions from viewers like you live!
Exhibition Dates: May 22 - Jun 30
Kay Meek Arts Centre, 1700 Mathers Ave.
Artists Emily Cowan, Mallory Donen & Joanne Frewer present smaller works that invite viewers to get up close & really explore the themes & techniques of each piece. Exploring a variety of media from painting to embroidery to assemblage, these artists investigate themes of home, women's work, traditional craft & change.
The first music festival of 2024 at City Centre starts this weekend, May 31 - June 2nd!
I’ll be opening my studio for limited hours, that are subject to change.
Please check my Instagram stories/broadcast channel for the most up-to-date hours.
Friday, May 31 - 3:30-6:00pm
Saturday, June 1 - 12-5pm
Sunday, June 2 - TBC
As always, find me in Studio 211, Bay 1 upstairs, at City Centre Artist Lodge (2111 Main St).
For more information on this free event, visit the Facebook Event page.
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.
Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.
The following artist studios will be open:
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: June 1, 2024
Time: 12pm-5pm
The group show ”Eri Explorations” is still on view until June 16th, featuring 13 different artists creating an interesting mix of pieces all inspired by the theme of wild “Eri” silk. The exhibit showcases small and large wall hangings, visual art pieces, 3-D work, as well as knitted and woven garments. Come see the diversity that Eri silk has to offer.
Location - Granville Island
The Silk Weaving Studio
1531 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
I’ll also be opening my studio during this ticketed music festival at City Centre Artist Lodge!
Please check my Instagram stories/broadcast channel for the most up-to-date hours.
Saturday, June 22 - 1-9pm
Sunday, June 23 - 1-9pm
Studio 211, Bay 1 upstairs, at City Centre Artist Lodge (2111 Main St).
For more information Visit website for festival day/weekend passes/tickets.
Opening Reception for “Eri Explorations” - May 2
First Saturday Open Studios - May 4th
Eastside Flea Market - May 11-12
“A Closer Look” - May 22 - June 30
West of Main Art Walk - May 25-26
Below is a detail from my project “Eri Simulation - Failure to Compute”, which was made specifically for the group show “Eri Explorations”. The show is opening tomorrow night, May 2 (6-8pm), it’ll be your first opportunity to see this piece before I’ll be sharing finished photos!
Date & Time
Thursday, May 2
6-8pm
Location - Granville Island
The Silk Weaving Studio
1531 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
The group show ”Eri Explorations” with be on view from May 2 - June 16th and will feature 13 different artists creating an interesting mix of pieces all inspired by the theme of wild “Eri” silk. The exhibit will showcase small and large wall hangings, visual art pieces, 3-D work, as well as knitted and woven garments. Come see the diversity that Eri silk has to offer.
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.
Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.
The following artist studios will be open:
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: May 4th, 2024
Time: 12pm-5pm
Find me at Eastside Flea for Mothers’s day weekend, where I’ll be launching the following new products:
1. DIY Glitch X-Stitch Kits.
These kits will include everything you need to make a glitch cross-stitch like the example below!
2. Boho X-Stitch Hangings
Hand-stitched with Eri Silk yarn, small and easy to hang in any space!
3. Glitch X-Stitch Patches
These come with thread, so that you can easily stitch to any item of your choosing!
4. No Smoking Stickers (Green)
This is the third variation of my cross-stitch sticker design of a “no smoking”" symbol.
May 25-26! One weekend only! Catch Vancouver’s longest running art studio tour & sale featuring over 70 participating artists! Visit artists in their studios and at satellite locations across Vancouver’s west side neighbourhoods. Open daily 11-5pm. FREE event / all ages. Both a printed and Google interactive map are available. Download your event map, preview artists and plan your weekend at www.artistsinourmidst.com
What can you expect? From internationally recognized artists to some of the city’s emerging talent, this is a unique opportunity to explore art, engage with artists and learn the stories behind their work. From Point Grey to Main Street, and from Granville Island to 41st Avenue, there's so much to explore!
Opening Reception for “Eri Explorations” - May 2
2024 Books Open for Custom Portraits
First Saturday Open Studios - April 6th
Eastside Flea Spring Market - May 11 & 12
“A Closer Look”, Kay Meek Arts Centre, May 22 - June 30
West of Main Art Walk - May 25-26
Date & Time
Thursday, May 2
Time TBD
Location - Granville Island
The Silk Weaving Studio
1531 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
The group show ”Eri Explorations” with be on view from May 2 - June 16th and will feature 14 different artists creating an interesting mix of pieces all inspired by the theme of wild “Eri” silk. The exhibit will showcase small and large wall hangings, visual art pieces, 3-D work, as well as knitted and woven garments. It promises to be an eclectic show to say the least!
Last month I had the pleasure of sending my latest custom pet portrait of a dog (Willow) and cat (Flirt) home to their owner. I would love to make more memories of your loved ones in cross-stitch! Learn more about commissions through the button below if you want to claim a spot (limited availability).
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.
Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.
The following artist studios will be open:
Five Cat Collective - Studio # 31
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Pressure Point - Studio # 108
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Zandi Dandizette - Studio # 235
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: April 6, 2024
Time: 12pm-5pm
Eastside Flea Spring Market - May 11 & 12
I’ll be back at Eastside Flea for my only market (outside of the studio) this Spring, May 11-12th.
There will be plenty of Summer events happening at City Centre Artist Lodge this year (not just mural fest)! This means there will be lots of opportunities to visit my studio (more details to come).
“A Closer Look”, Kay Meek Arts Centre, May 22 - June 30
I’m happy to share that I’ll also be in a trio exhibition in West Vancouver at the Kay Meek Arts Centre. I was selected alongside artist Emily Cowan & Joanne Frewer, as we all create engaging artwork that invites viewers to take a closer look at art - both physically & thematically. Alongside the artists’ strong sense of composition, colour & space, & references to traditional 'women's work', the show will offer visitors a meaningful & enjoyable experience.
The exhibition will run May 22 - June 30 and will include an opening reception, as well as an Artists Talk Livestream on the YouTube, produced by WVCAC (West Vancouver Community Arts Council). This will give artists the opportunity to share insights into their inspirations, process & practice, & take questions from viewers in a live moderated presentation (details TBD).
West of Main Art Walk - May 25-26
Last but not least! I’ll be participating in the West of Main Art Walk presented by Artists in Our Midst, May 25-26, 11am-5pm. There will be at least three other artists (Elana Sigal, Devorah Peterson, Denise Coles) from City Centre Artist Lodge open, as per usual other studios will likely be open throughout the weekend, so be sure to stop by and explore!
“From Point Grey to Main Street and from Granville Island to 41st Avenue in Vancouver - explore and engage with artists in their individual studios over one weekend in spring. Be sure to visit our satellite studios - Kits Neighborhood House, St Philips Church, the City Centre Motel, and St Helens Church where you’ll find multiple artists showing and demonstrating in a group setting.”
COLLECTIVE CHAOS - MARCH MINI Show at Slice of Life
First Saturday - March 2
Slice Mini Mart - March 9
Date & Time
Saturday, March 2
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. PST
Location
SLICE OF LIFE
1636 Venables Street
Vancouver BC V5L 2H2
COLLECTIVE CHAOS features 20 different artists with a new theme every month!
exhibiting artists who live and work in vancouver, this is a radically inclusive gallery project to support all those who apply to the slice program.
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.
Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.
The following artist studios will be open:
Five Cat Collective - Studio # 31
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Pressure Point - Studio # 108
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Paulo OConnor - Studio # 225
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Zandi Dandizette - Studio # 235
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: March 2, 2024
Time: 12pm-5pm
Featuring local vendors. arts, crafts, thrift and PINBALL!!
Pets and family friendly
Entry by donation, pay what you can.
Back to the Future: Digital Art Through Embroidery, 2022, Sunshine Coast Arts Council, Sechelt, BC
Back to the Future: Digital Art Through Embroidery
Sunshine Coast Art Crawl
Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)
First Saturday at City Centre (Nov. 5, 12-5pm)
Two weeks ago I travelled to Sechelt to install my solo exhibition at the Sunshine Coast Arts Council and I’m very pleased with how the show came together. It’s my largest showing of cross-stitch work to date! Embroidery is a slow process which means it takes a long time to produce enough work to warrant an entire show all to myself. I’m so proud of this accomplishment and it has definitely inspired and motivated me to continue down this path for my practice.
System Failure Series 01-03, 2020
Here’s an excerpt from the exhibition wall text for further insight:
October 14 – November 12, 2022
Back to the Future: Digital Art Through Embroidery
The work included in this exhibition has inspired a shift in Mallory Donen’s practice, towards processes rooted in traditional craft passed down from generation of women in her family. Her art explores the intersection of digital art and embroidery. By using the distinct grid format of cross-stitching she creates connections between threads and pixels.
Donen embraces an approach to making art this is purposefully slow, emphasizing the value of time and dedication to her craft, in contrast to the fast-paced nature of digital technology. Her intention is to think purposefully about each handmade object she brings into the physical world and its potential impact.
System Failure 03, 2020, embroidery, Aida cloth, 8 x 10 inches
I’m happy to share that two pieces from my System Failure series (01 & 03) have sold! But if you’re interested in starting your own art collection, there are plenty of works still available for purchase. Or browse through the installation photos below to see what tickles your fancy!
Click through to view all available works from the exhibition.
The week after installing my show I went back to Sechelt for three full days for the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl 2022. I set up a table and sold small artworks, cards, prints, and pins! I also had a table displaying my cross-stitch portrait commissions (which I’m still booking for 2023).
The most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of the entire experience was interacting with the other artists and the people that walked through the gallery during the crawl! I love talking to people about cross-stitch, it holds a special place in mine and many people’s hearts. It always seems to bring up all sorts of nostalgia and conversations about fibre arts.
On the Saturday, I gave my artist talk for the exhibition and as I was giving the talk I was reminded of my passion and love for art. All in all, the weekend was exactly what I needed to keep me inspired and driven to keep on making more! I can’t thank the Sunshine Coast Art Council enough for their support and for allowing me to participate in the crawl.
I was also featured in a newspaper article for the Coast Reporter, see below for photo and link.
(WIP) Vancouver Cityscape, 2022, mixed textiles
During my fragmented spare time in between preparing for the show in Sechelt, I’ve still been working on my Vancouver Cityscape project, believe it or not! I finished adding the embroidery details around the yellow and green fabric squares. Then I trimmed the edges and created a border with some linen fabric. The border was done with a combination of machine and hand sewing. I also added a long colourful crochet chain inner border, which was machine sewed onto the piece.
I was a set back a few hours of labour when I tried adding some smaller crochet chains of yarn to the building sections. I had sewed about half of them on when I decided that it wasn’t working and used a seam ripper to remove them before it was too late. Considering this project is such a new process for me I’m surprised and happy that this is the only time this sort of set back has happened so far.
I had some raw edges poking through after I added the border so I added some embroidery details on the side to help cover those areas up and make it look intentional.
More photos below and more to come as I continue to working to complete this project by the end of the year!
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.
Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.
The following artist studios will be open:
Maxine Woogman - Studio # 32
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
LeLe Chan - Studio # 231
Glitch Streak
Becoming a Pixel
Books Open for 2023 Cross-Stitch Portrait Commissions
First Saturday - Open Studio: Saturday, Sept. 3, 12-5pm
I spent most of the summer working on this project, which is my largest cross-stitch piece to date. In total it took about 3.5 months and 182 hours of labour to complete! Soon I'll be taking this in to a shop to get stretched and custom framed. This piece will be on display at my solo exhibition at Sunshine Coast Arts Council from Oct. 14 - Nov. 13.
I'd love to continue to work on larger scale cross-stitch pieces, but it requires a lot of planning and prioritizing. I usually have so many ideas on the go or in my sketchbook that go unfinished or untouched just because I simply don't have enough time in the day.
I'll be working on smaller cross-stitch projects for the rest of the year, while my main focus will be working on my large mixed textile piece. You may have seen me low key working on this during the summer, it's another work I'm making for a solo exhibition in Michigan in February 2023.
That’s a wrap on the Becoming a Pixel series! A huge shout out to Canada Council for the Arts I can’t thank them enough for their support with this project. I’m hoping to have the series framed soon and have plans to propose these for future exhibitions.
Over the past couple months many people have expressed interest in customized cross-stitch portraits and I’m happy to share that I’m opening my books for 2023. I know that may seem far away, but the reality is I need to start planning that far ahead so that I can schedule around my other projects, deadlines and exhibitions for next year. Spots will be limited, so book now!
Standard Size - 7”x7”
Small Size - 3.5”x3.5”
These are the two Portrait options I’m offering:
Standard Size - $1200 ($500 deposit required to confirm booking)
7”x7” cross-stitch
16"x16” framed
Fill out Google form/contract below to book commissions from May-December 2023 https://forms.gle/qMWm2NoGqaX8ggu56
*Standard Size portraits are the same size the Becoming a Pixel series and provide the most detail/likeness to the individual*
Small Size - $350 ($200 deposit required to confirm booking)
3.5”x3.5” cross-stitch
12”x12” framed
Fill out Google form/contract below to book commissions from January-December 2023
https://forms.gle/dEWSa1B2UmkLE2137
*Small Size portraits have less detail/likeness to the individual and have a more pixelated aesthetic*
City Centre Artist Lodge is participating in its first open studio weekend for First Saturday, September 3, 12-5pm.
First Saturday is an ongoing public monthly artist-run open studio event.
Visit firstsaturday.ca for full list of participating Vancouver/North Vancouver artist studios.
City Centre map of studios open for First Saturday, September 3, 2023.
VMF - Open Studios @ City Centre Motel
Grant Project Update - Becoming Pixel (Portrait 4/5)
Glitch Streak (Work in Progress)
Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)
VMF - Open Studios @ City Centre Motel
Come visit me at my studio (Room #211) this Saturday, August 6 & 13th during VMF at City Centre Motel (2111 Main Street)! I’ll have works in progress and finished works for sale (I’m now equipped to take “tap” payments). Stay tuned later this week for an exclusive offer!
VANCOUVER MURAL FESTIVAL
Vancouver Mural Festival returns August 4-14 with a spectacular 11-day celebration featuring daily block parties, 30+ new murals in 8 neighbourhoods, mural tours, talks and much more!
vanmuralfest.ca / @vanmuralfest
Grant Project Update - Becoming Pixel (Portrait 4/5)
I’m happy to share that I finished Portrait #4 from the Becoming a Pixel series last month! This is the least detailed portrait of the series so far and only uses two colours of thread. The portrait has become very minimal, without any clear indicators of my self-image, it's as if I'm being consumed by digital technology...
Becoming a Pixel - Portrait 4/5, 2022, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 7 x 7 inches, 31 hours of labour
(Detail) Becoming a Pixel - Portrait 4/5, 2022, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 7 x 7 inches, 31 hours of labour
(Detail) Becoming a Pixel - Portrait 4/5, 2022, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 7 x 7 inches, 31 hours of labour
Glitch Streak (Work in Progress)
Glitch Streak (WIP detail) , 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth
I hit a bit of a road block with this project last month when I started to run out of embroidery thread. I’ve been trying to find specific colours locally for months and finally had to bite the bullet and order the thread online. This meant over the past couple weeks I had been skipping rows where I didn’t have the colour I needed, which left lots of gaps in my WIP.
Glitch Streak (WIP detail), 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth
Good news is that my order finally arrived and I started working back to fill in the gaps where I was missing thread. I’m making very good progress overall and hope to finish this project in just a couple of more weeks. That means if you plan to stop by for a visit during VMF, you’re very likely going to see the work in its final stages. Trust me you want to see this work in person, the photos just don’t do it justice!
Glitch Streak (WIP), 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth
Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)
My focus for August will be wrapping up the Becoming a Pixel series and the Glitch Streak project. But once those two projects are finished, I’ll be focusing most of my efforts on this one for this remainder of the year. With that said, I did make some slow progress on this work in the past couple weeks. Using my sewing machine, I sewed the finished cross-stitched "building strips" onto the main piece of fabric. I still have lots to do on this project, but I’m excited to see where the process is going to take me next!
