craft
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 MoreThe past month has been another busy one, so here’s a quick recap:
I vended at Car Free Day for the first time and had such an amazing time!
I made a new cross-stitched QR code sign (photos below).
I spent lots of time focusing on holiday production (stay tuned for Xmas cards and ornaments).
My new monochrome series is currently being shown at First Saturday Group Exhibition.
I finished writing a collaborative project proposal to the Canada Council for the Arts for a grant in 2024.
Last Friday was the opening reception for the Monochrome group show at 1000 Parker St studios in East Vancouver, the first member’s exhibition curated by First Saturday. It was a very busy opening with lots of support for the exhibiting artists! Of course, my friend Hayley and I dressed monochromatically accordingly.
The show will run until Thanksgiving, so this weekend is your last chance to see all the works in person. Unsold works will return to my studio and be available for sale shortly there after.
Please email me directly if you’re interested in any of the works from my cross-stitch Monochrome Series.
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
Pressure Point - Studio # 108
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Paulo OConnor - Studio # 225
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Zandi Dandizette - Studio # 235
Five Cat Collective - Studio # 31
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: October 7, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm
If you're feeling crafty this fall and want to learn new skills (or shake the dust off of some old ones), then these fiber workshops are for you!
Oct 7 - First Saturdays, Studio 211, City Centre Artist Lodge
Nov 4 - First Saturdays, Studio 211, City Centre Artist Lodge
Nov 5 - STA Christmas Craft Fair, 541 W Keith Rd, North Vancouver
Nov 16-19 - Studio Hours TBD
Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, Yaletown
Dec 2-3 -City Centre Holiday Market, City Centre Artist Lodge
Dec 7-10 - MAKIE at Make it Holiday Market, PNE Forum
Dec 16-17 - Vendor at Eastside Flea Holiday Market, 1101 Union
It’s been so nice getting back into my studio rhythm this past month, I’m back in the thick of it taking on multiple projects at once, I just can’t help myself! I work better when I’m busy, it helps me stay focused and committed to larger cross-stitch works. That way I can balance my time by taking “breaks” from my big projects by stitching smaller things here and there. I’m also happy to say that because of this I have more freedom to exercise my creative muscles and experiment with other techniques/approaches I’ve been itching to try. One of the new approaches I’ve been wanting to explore is cross-stitching with bigger stitches. This means instead of one stitch per square on Aida cloth, I’m actually stitching across two squares.
My newest project Glitch Streak 04 (an addition to my Glitch Streak collection, inspired by a scan glitch) uses this new technique and will be part of an exhibition for a Pride celebration during Vancouver Mural Fest. I’m not ready to share the completed piece yet, I’m still getting it framed! But I’ll share this detail photo instead so you can see the technique that I’m talking about.
Glitch Streak 04, detail, embroidery thread, Aida cloth, 2023
I had a schedule conflict with my workshop, but thankfully THIS___ gallery was so accommodating! We’ve adjusted the time to 9am-1pm. Hoping that works better and that more of you decide to sign up. This is my first in person workshop and I can’t wait to teach you how to cross-stitch. Spots are limited, so register now using the button below!
In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.
You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.
By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!
Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.
Stop by my studio this weekend for First Saturday (12-5pm, Studio #211) and visit several other artists at the City Centre Artist Lodge (list of open studios below).
I’ve been re-organizing my studio display and have even better ways to show you all what I have to offer! You can always visit me during other studio hours (listed below) or other events in Vancouver. Or contact me directly (reply to this email) to schedule a private studio visit.
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 Collection - Studio # 31
Maxine Woogman - Studio # 32
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: July 1, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm
That’s right, you heard me! The most exciting, popular event of the summer is returning and there will be so much to check out this year! The festival takes place August 4-13, with mural tours, live music, food trucks, and of course open studios at City Centre Artist Lodge!
The main time to check out the studios at the Artist Lodge (City Centre Motor Hotel) will be during the Mt. Pleasant Street Party (Aug 10-13). But I’m also planning to have studio hours on the first weekend (Aug 4-5) of mural fest.
So if you want to take your time and have more room to explore my studio, I suggest stopping by on the first weekend! That will be the best time to get close and personal with my work! I hope you all can make it, please check out the mural fest website for more details/information.
Summer Schedule:
July 22 - Vancouver Farmer’s Market,
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 12-5pm
Aug 4 - Studio Hours
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 3-5pm
Aug 5 - First Saturday
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 12-5pm
Aug 6 - Studio Hours
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 12-5pm
Aug 10-11 - Vancouver Mural Fest/Mt. Pleasant Street Party
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 5-10pm
Aug 12-13 - Vancouver Mural Fest/Mt. Pleasant Street Party
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 2-10pm
Last month I took some time away from the studio to recover from the tiring burnout of three solo exhibitions back-to-back since Fall 2022. A couple weeks ago I met with a client for a portrait photoshoot and I’m currently working on their cross-stitch portrait commission. I have a couple commissions being framed now, I can’t wait for my collectors pick them up so that I can share photos with you! My books are still open for commissions, so please visit the commission section of my website to learn more and reserve your spot before my spots fill up for the year!
It’s the final week of my solo exhibition, The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft, so if you haven’t been following along on social media I’m sharing photos of the installation! I’m so thankful for all the support that everyone at Artlink Contemporary Gallery provided for the installation and documentation of my second solo exhibition in the US.
This solo show challenges notions of labour, productivity, and the value of art in relation to craft and women’s work. Throughout her practice, Donen has explored the connection between the repetitive nature of women’s work and machines. Advances in technology continue to make physical human labor obsolete. In opposition to mass production Donen embraces slow repetitive processes, such as hand-stitching and knitting to bring awareness to undervalued women’s labor and traditional craft.
This weekend you can find me vending at the Dragon Boat BC - Vessi 500M Championship in partnership with Got Craft. My booth will be set up along the sea wall, I’ll be sharing a booth with fellow City Centre Artist Lodge tenant, Happy Nomad Candles. It’s supposed to be another beautiful weekend, so stop by for a free market featuring 20+ local artisans/businesses between 9am-5pm and watch the live Dragon Boat racing!
June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, 9-5pm, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street
2023 Schedule:
June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), 11-6pm, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver
Aug 10 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 5-10pm
Aug 11 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 5-10pm
Aug 12 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 2-10pm
Aug 13 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 2-10pm
Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)
In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.
You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.
By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!
Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.
Last week I travelled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to install my next solo exhibition opening this week. This is my second solo show in the USA and the first time I’ve travelled outside of Canada to install my work. Overall, it was a great experience working with the gallery and I’m very happy with how the exhibition came together. I’ll be sharing more installation photos/videos on my social media in the coming weeks so be sure to follow me on Instagram (I post the most there)/Facebook.
The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft, May 4 - June 4, 2023, Artlink Contemporary Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN
This solo show challenges notions of labour, productivity, and the value of art in relation to craft and women’s work. Throughout her practice, Donen has explored the connection between the repetitive nature of women’s work and machines. Advances in technology continue to make physical human labor obsolete. In opposition to mass production Donen embraces slow repetitive processes, such as hand-stitching and knitting to bring awareness to undervalued women’s labor and traditional craft.
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
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: May 6, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm
June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, 9-5pm, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street
2023 Schedule:
June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), 11-6pm, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver
Aug 3 - 13 - TBD Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211
Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)
In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.
You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.
By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!
Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.
Proofs of Labour, 2023, embroidery, Aida cloth, 24 inch hoop, 74 hours of stitching, 48 hours of unstitching
I finished the final stages of unstitching all the threads from my Proofs of Labour conceptual cross-stitch project. Here’s what the Aida cloth looks like after 48 hour of unstitching. Remnants of fibres remain on the cloth and the holes are wider/stretched out from being punctured by needle and thread and finally unstitched. The labour logs and jars containing the unstitched threads will be part of the installation for an upcoming solo show in Indiana, May 4 - June 4, 2023.
Proofs of Labour, 2023
Proofs of Labour, 2023
My latest No Smoking cross-stitch series was inspired by actual signs from my studio located at the City Centre Motor Hotel and are a continuation of my Motel Collection.
In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.
You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.
By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!
Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.
$10 Entry for your chance to
win a cross-stitched portrait valued at $350!
How it works:
- Send $10 entry fee via etransfer (email: mmdonen@gmail.com)
- On April 10th, I will be drawing a lucky winner
- the winner will be asked to provide a photograph of a person/pet/item of their choosing
- I will create a custom small cross-stitch portrait (artwork approx. 3.5 x 3.5 inches)
- the winner will receive their original commission matted & framed (framed 12 x 12 inches) by May 31st
April 22-23 - Portobello West Spring Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)
June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street
June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), TBD, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver
Aug 3 - 13 - TBD Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211
Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)
I’m excited to be sharing some installation photos of my exhibition Womanmade: Crafting Architecture and the Mundane, in Michigan! This was my first time being completely hands off for the installation process and I’m very happy with how it all came together. The show will be up for another couple weeks before the work returns home at the end of March.
WIP - Proofs of Labour, 2023, embroidery, Aida cloth, 24 inch hoop, 74 hours of stitching
The update on my current work in progress is that I completed all 74 hours of stitching on the 24 inch embroidery hoop and I’ve moved onto the unstitching stage. While I’m unstitching all of these threads, I’m documenting all the labour and logging my hours. Then I will use the jars and labour logs for the installation of the project for a show in Indiana, starting in May. I’ve started to collect my unstitched threads into jars and I’ve been labelling them with the hours spent unstitching.
This coming Saturday, stop by to see my latest cross-stitch project of the City Centre Motor Hotel sign, which is now available as a print & a greeting card. I also have a new selection of buttons I’m excited to share. So if you want to add to your button collection you’ll need to come check them out in person!
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
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Happy Nomad Candles (Hayley) - Studio # 203
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Paulo OConnor - Studio # 225
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: February 4, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm
Mar 11 + 12 - Eastside Flea Market, 11-5pm, 550 Malkin, Vancouver
April 22-23 - Portobello West Spring Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)
June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street
June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), TBD, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver
Aug 3 - 13 - TBD Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211
Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)
My project Glitch Streak will be part of the Women in Art 2023 group exhibition at the Kariton Art Gallery, celebrating International Women’s Month March 2023.
Glitch Streak, 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth, 21 x 35.5 inches, 182 hours of labour
Solo Show - Womanmade: Crafting Architecture & the Mundane, February 14 - March 18, 2023, Mount Pleasant, MI
January was a very busy month focused on wrapping up works in progress, framing and shipping artwork across the border to Michigan for my first international solo show!
My exhibition Womanmade: Crafting Architecture and the Mundane, uses feminine craft processes such as cross-stitching and crochet, as well as photography, & digital collage to represent the masculine and manmade. Photographs of architecture and other mundane industrial imagery are translated into handmade representations. The exhibition includes framed cross-stitch works, photographs, digital art prints, and a hanging textile quilt.
Gender bias within fine art diminishes the value of women’s labour. Feminine craft practices such as knitting, crochet, embroidery and other needlework are disregarded for their artistic value. And although I self-identify as a textile or fibre artist, others often label me as a craft artist. It can be difficult to be taken seriously in the field of fine art when there is an association with craft that has a lesser value than other traditionally masculine art mediums, such as painting and sculpture. I challenge expectations of traditional craft by experimenting with new media. I combine cross-stitching, knitting, and digital art/photography to push the boundaries and expectations of craft as a fine art medium.
Vancouver Cityscape, 2023, 35 x 58.5 inches, mixed textiles, yarn, embroidery thread, 315 hours of labour
I’m so happy to share photos of my completed mixed textile project! I started this back in April 2022, but at the time it was a lower priority amongst my many other projects. 315 hours of labour later and it's finally done!
The project was a big learning experience, as I've never made a textile piece combining so many different fibre processes. It's a quilt with appliquéd fabric, crochet, cross-stitch, and free-hand embroidery. This work shipped a couple weeks to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for my solo exhibition!
For this new conceptual project, I will be logging hours of labour spent cross-stitching white thread on Aida cloth, using a 24-inch embroidery hoop. The threads used in the beginning section are the same threads that were used to cross-stitch handkerchiefs from my 2021 book project, Invisible Labour: Cross-Stitching, Feminism, & the Collective Strength of Women.
After the cross-stitching is completed, I will proceed to unravel all of the stitching and log these hours as well. The threads, labour logs, embroidery hoop and Aida cloth used during the process will all be part of the final presentation.
This process-based project will be a representation of how women often work tirelessly, only to have their labour undervalued. Overall, the exhibition will invite viewers to question the value of women’s labour, productivity, and craft.
The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labor & Craft May 4 - June 4, 2023
Artlink Contemporary Gallery Fort Wayne, IN
Proofs of Labour, 2023, embroidery, Aida cloth, 24 inch hoop
This coming Saturday, stop by to see my latest cross-stitch project of the City Centre Motor Hotel sign (see below) and a bunch of old paintings from my archives that my parents recently dropped off at the studio!
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
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Happy Nomad Candles (Hayley) - Studio # 203
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Paulo OConnor - Studio # 225
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: February 4, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm
The above photos was taken as inspiration for my latest cross-stitch project of the City Centre Motor Hotel sign. The motel has been temporarily converted into artist studios until the building is demolished by developers. It's been home to my art studio and where I've been spending the majority of my time for the past year. I can't wait to build more memories and projects in this wonderful space and growing artist community!
City Centre Motor Hotel Sign, 2023, 7.5 x 5 inches, embroidery, Aida cloth, 28 hours of labour
Last but not least, the Eastside Flea Spring Market is back every weekend in March and I’ll be a first time vendor on the second weekend! Come see visit my booth on March 11 or 12 between 11-5pm. I’ll be selling prints, stickers, pins, and small cross-stitch works, something for every budget!
The Eastside Flea is a seasonal community event taking place at Eastside Studios, 550 Malkin Ave. Each market hosts over 50 local vendors selling a diverse selection of goods from independently handmade pieces to vintage clothing, collectibles, plants, artisan eats & more!
You’ll also find 2-3 rotating food trucks parked outside, an amazing playlist, lots of seating and yummy beverages to enjoy!.
We hope to see you at the Flea soon!
Back to the Future: Digital Art Through Embroidery & Sunshine Coast Art Crawl
Glitch Streak (Framed)
First Saturday at City Centre (ART SALE)
Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)
The Artist Motel: Inside a Vancouver Experiment | The Tyee
LIMITED space still available for 2023 Cross-Stitch Portrait Commissions
Only two more weeks till my solo show in Sechelt! I’ve been getting all my works framed and exhibition ready in time for installation. I’ll be in Sechelt for the opening on Oct 14, details to come for the reception! The following weekend is the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl where you’ll find me at Doris Crowston Gallery (Oct 21-23) from 10am-5pm. On the Saturday, I’ll be giving an artist talk/walk through of the exhibition at 12pm. I’ll also be bringing some smaller works with me to sell while I’m there, including cross-stitch, prints, pins and cross-stitched cards. Can’t wait to share my work with a new audience!
Speaking of framing works for my solo show in Sechelt…I recently picked up my custom frame for Glitch Streak last weekend and I’m in love with it. You just have to see the colour of the frame in person, it has a beautiful pink undertone that pairs perfectly with the pastel embroidery threads! I’ll take more photos once the work is installed for the show.
Glitch Streak, 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth, 21 x 35.5 inches, 182 hours of labour
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event. Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.
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:
*Jennifer Chernecki - Studio # 30
*Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
*Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
*Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
LeLe Chan - Studio # 231
*Artist with an "*" next to their name are participating in the First Saturday October 1 ART SALE!
Experimental works, storage issues, end of series, older pieces of quality...need a home too!
Join us from noon-5pm Saturday Oct.1st
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street @ 6th
(WIP) Vancouver Cityscape, 2022, mixed textiles
This past month I’ve been putting lots of time and focus into my mixed textile Vancouver Cityscape project. I’ve hand-stitched embroidery thread around the buildings strips and machine sewed squares to represent the sunset sky and mountains. I also crocheted a few more building strips and sewed those onto the piece. I’ve also been adding hand-stitched embroidery details around each of the squares on the upper half.
I’m still figuring out this piece as I go, overall it’s been a very experimental intuitive process. I’m having lots of fun and decided to buy some more yarn which I might use to help fill in some more gaps. I have the rest of the year to finish this project and plan to add as much detail as I can! Once finished, this work will be heading to Mt. Pleasant Michigan for a solo show in February 2023.
Check out this wonderful short documentary video on the City Centre Artist Motel that Sonal Gupta from The Tyee put together.
I'm one of the featured artists in the video, but more importantly the video sheds light on the value of artist spaces and how they are hard to come by in the City of Vancouver.
I'm so grateful for my art studio and to the Narrow Group for taking action on changing the "use" case of a building planned for demolition in about 2.5 years.
We need more permanent arts & culture spaces like this in Vancouver!
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to book a commission spot for next year.
Once spaces are full I’ll be closing my books, so be sure to sign up before it’s too late!
Head over to the commission section of my website (here) to learn more about how to claim your spot.
