Marie-Renée Otis: le lancement du livre/book launch
fourni par/submitted by Les Éditions Charlevoix C’est avec plaisir que nous annonçons le lancement du livre Abondance et Gratitude broderie d’art Marie-Renée Otis, édité par Les Éditions Charlevoix. Divisé en six chapitres, le livre se présente sous la forme d’une monographie, permettant de suivre le cheminement professionnel de l’artiste. Dans ses broderies faites à la main, Marie-Renée Otis renouvelle la technique de la tapisserie à l’aiguille en intégrant divers matériaux : des plumes, des perles, des bijoux, des fils métalliques et des éléments divers provenant de plusieurs pays. L’abondance des matériaux rares, des tissus somptueux, des fils d’or magnifiques, des perles nacrées sont au service d’un imaginaire bien personnel où les paysages de Charlevoix, au Québec, y jouent un rôle essentiel. Dans Abondance et Gratitude broderie d’art Marie-Renée Otis on peut lire « Les paysages de Charlevoix, montagne et fleuve Saint-Laurent, je les aime, je les marche, je m’en imprègne, je les dessine et je les brode. Assurément, ils influencent mon imaginaire : je brode des femmes-montagnes, des femmes-papillons, des femmes-marées. » Le livre de 200 pages, largement illustré, est écrit dans un style simple et accessible à tous. Il est offert dans la version anglaise ainsi que dans la version française. Au coût de 40. $ vous pouvez vous le procurer auprès de l’artiste marene2@hotmail.com We are delighted to announce the launch of the book Abundance and Gratitude: Art embroidery by Marie-Renée Otis, published by Les Éditions Charlevoix. Divided into six chapters, the book takes the form of a monograph, allowing readers to follow the artist’s professional path. In her hand-stitched embroideries, Marie-Renée Otis renews the technique of needlepoint tapestry by integrating various materials: feathers, pearls, jewels, metallic threads and miscellaneous elements from several countries. The abundance of rare materials, sumptuous fabrics, magnificent gold threads and pearly pearls serve a very personal imagination in which the landscapes of Charlevoix, Quebec, play an essential role in her embroideries. In Marie-Renée Otis’s “Abundance and Gratitude: Art embroidery”, we read: “I love the Charlevoix landscapes, the mountains and the St. Lawrence River; I walk them, I immerse myself in them, I draw them and I embroider them. They certainly influence my imagination: I embroider mountain-women, butterfly-women, tide-women.” The lavishly illustrated 200-page book is written in a simple, accessible style. It is available in both English and French. At a cost of $40, it is available from the artist marene2@hotmail.com
Instagram Identifier Inspiration
We all need them, we all make them! Let’s see yours! Share your name tag on Instagram. St. John’s Guild of Embroiderers is running an EAC/ACB members’ only contest on Instagram. No worries if you don’t have Instagram — you can just send images in an email to Susan Furneaux at susanfurneaux(insert the @ symbol in place of this statement)gmail.com. At the end of September, a small prize will be awarded to one entry drawn from all submissions received. Good luck! Susan is looking forward to hearing from you. If You Have an Instagram Account If you have Instagram, the Insta is @embroiderystjohns. You can load pictures on and tag @embroiderystjohns to enter. The hashtags for the nametags are #embroiderednametag and #handembroiderednametag. If You Don’t Have an Instagram Account Send an image of your nametag with your pins, bits, and bobs attached. Include who designed it, its technique and how old it is. You can also add any anecdotes you like! Have more than one nametag? Enter twice or three times if you are that organized. Other than your first name and the info above, you will only be mentioned if you want to be tagged. If so, send along your Instagram account.
A Tribute: Jo Hewitt-Nickel (1927-2022)
This lovely tribute to Jo Hewitt-Nickel was written by Patty Hawkins, a member of the Winnipeg Embroiderers’ Guild. I am very sad to share the news with Winnipeg Embroiderers’ Guild members that Jo Hewitt-Nickel passed away on Thursday, December 8, at 95. Others in the guild knew Jo better than me, but no one could have been fonder of her. For our newer members who did not have the privilege of being acquainted with Jo, let me tell you a little bit about her. Jo was a founding member of both WEG and the Embroiderers’ Association of Canada/Association canadienne de broderie. That means she has been involved with our organizations since 1973 and was the last surviving founding member. She was active in our guild and always interested in all things “needlework.” She was a retired art teacher (Balmoral Hall) and created beautiful artwork of all kinds, including embroidery. I met Jo when I joined WEG in 2004. In her mid-seventies at the time, she attended WEG meetings regularly. She was a true “presence” – beautifully turned out, surrounded by members wanting to visit with her, and always happy to catch up with your news. She was especially generous with needlework advice and mentored many of us in our embroidery journeys. Jo also taught workshops for WEG. I was delighted to create two of her beautiful “angels.” The first, a larger angel that could be used as a Christmas tree topper or ornament I named, of course, “Jo.” This was my introduction to stitching on trigger cloth. The technique we used can loosely be called crewel work, but Jo gave us no specific directions. Instead, she encouraged us to “run with it” and try new things. I am no designer, but I am delighted with the freedom she inspired in me, and I love how my “Jo” turned out. I appropriately named the second smaller angel, also stitched on trigger cloth, “Margaret” (Jo’s official given name). This was my first foray into actual crewel work. Jo consulted with each of her students, demonstrated a variety of stitches, and taught us about colour and stitch execution. Once I finished both of my angels on my own, Jo painted beautiful faces on them. Even as I type this, “Jo” and “Margaret” grace my living room – beautiful Christmas decorations with such poignant meaning for me – especially now. I visited Jo at her apartment at the Canoe Club on a couple of occasions. When she moved over to the assisted living side, she treated Don and me to lunch, and I visited her a number of times in her lovely unit. We talked for hours about everything: her family, beloved grandchildren, movies, needlework, her life, my life – you get the idea. She even hosted my in-laws when they were contemplating a move to the Canoe Club; she showed them around her place and the space in general. Don and I were delighted to host Jo at our house for brunch on one unforgettable occasion. Jo was recognized as a Founding Member of EAC/ACB at the 40th-Anniversary Seminar in Winnipeg in 2013 and again at the Founders’ Tea held by WEG on October 13, 2019. At that event, many of us were thrilled to honour Jo and another surviving founding member Shirley Tyderkie, delighted to meet their families, and take in a display of their beautiful needlework. A few years ago, Jo moved from independent living to the home of her son Gary and his wife Helga, where she could be better cared for. I only spoke to her briefly once though I often thought of her and reminded myself, “I should call her.” I regret now that I didn’t. But what a privilege it was to have known this special lady. She spoke with a lilting Irish accent, was always interesting and curious, and literally twinkled with joy and good humour. I hope all of you who knew her will keep her in your hearts, and for those who are meeting her for the first time through these words, may you always know that there are extraordinary people in this world. Jo was one of those rare few.