Love this Look

I am very much into casual, unstructured and neutral colored clothing. This outfit defines it for me although I couldn't wear this successfully myself...

Subtle shades of whites and grays are quite beautiful. As I get older I don't like feeling overpowered by too much detail & color. This seems to be my aesthetic in home decor as well... interesting how they go hand in hand...

Clothing by Morrison.

New Purchase/Textile Graphic

On the weekend I was on a walk and happened to pass by a favorite vintage decor shop, eclectisaurus, on Gerrard St. in Toronto. They were closed but as I peered in the window I spotted this textile on the wall.

That was it. I knew pretty well, as long as it was in my price range, I would purchase it. I knew exactly where it would hang. At approximately 4 ft. x 2.5 ft. it was the perfect scale to hang over the bed. In our newly painted and re-configured bedroom.

About one month ago I let go of my procrastination and picked a Farrow & Ball white and got painting over some hideous minty green that I had on the walls for far too long. With 2 children in the house a serene bedroom was never a priority. Life was too hectic and messes were too constant to even think about the aesthetic side of things.

Kids are launched. I am seeing rooms again as blank slates, ready to reflect my current take on style.

Bedroom walls... now a linen shade of white. Bedroom floor... dark wood. Bedding... white. Walls... bare except for this one glorious piece hanging over the bed. I love it.

Susan Fothergill/Artist Profile

...each piece of art, a fragment of a never ending poem,
an heirloom of love.
-susan fothergill

This is the work of Canadian artist, Susan Fothergill.

From the first time I saw one of her silkscreens, several years ago, I knew this was someone whose language I understood. I sensed a tension between joy and sorrow, love held and love lost... ideas and imagery that can be felt on a level that needs no words.

The image above is a triptych called 'Dreamers'; life size self portraits of the artist dreaming awake and dreaming asleep. I find this an incredibly compelling series. The symbolism is powerful; the flaming lotus flower, roots, serpent and crown all in reference to an unending source of creative energy and imagination...

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The first boot print is called, "Baby's Boot II". The following two are from the "Baby's Boot I" series. These are hand colored silkscreen prints. On a purely visual level, I adore the joyful exuberance of these images. The colors pop on the pure white ground and the graphic crispness of the designs are very appealing to me. (In fact I purchased one of these a few years ago and I just love it).

Susan uses the boot silhouette as an icon; a form onto which femininity's power & softness can be voiced. There is an undeniable energy that radiates from these pieces...



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These last works are a small sampling of her work that uses dresses as imagery. In her different streams she uses both children's and women's garments as subjects. Susan has a love of textiles with a history; lace, veiling, stockings... diaphanous materials that suggest fragments, memories...

This ghostly quality allows for the subtle layering that Susan's work embodies. Old snippets of ribbon & other adornments add a three dimensional element to much of her work. Text is also included on fragments of paper as thoughts are expressed...

There is a haunting aspect to her work but never in a disturbing way. Tragedy, romance, ritual & exploration, strength & vulnerability... all are expressed so beautifully and poetically through Susan's art.




If you are interested in seeing more of or purchasing Susan's work you can email her at:
susanfothergill@sympatico.ca