Multimedia Artist - denise swift
Unique Art for Everyone
This website includes one of a kind multi-media art and functional ware produced in studio at Canim Lake in British Columbia, Canada
• Raku Fired Art
• Conventional Pottery pieces
• Spirit Carvings in Cottonwood Bark
• Paintings (Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil)
• Beaded Leather Work – Medicine Bags
This site is updated every time new products are finished, photographed and catalogued, so visit often!
Raku Art
With items formed from Raku Clay and once fired to cone 06 (1800 degrees F) , the process for Raku firing is at hand. Some glazes are purchased ready made and some are made using tried and true recipes
Conventional Pottery
As well as Raku Fired Art Pieces, I also make conventional pottery items that are fired in the oxidation atmosphere of an electric kiln
Bowls, plates, trinket boxes and serving dishes are handbuilt or wheel thrown and fired to
Cone 6
(about 2140 degrees Fahrenheit)
Multiple glazes are purchased or made up from raw materials, used to vary the look of my product or to “paint on clay”
Carvings
Tree Spirits live in the wood and their physical expressions unfold throughout the carving process. Figures are carved into cottonwood bark found in the wilds of British Columbia
Spirit Energies emitted from the wood during the carving process manifest their essence. I feel like they carve themselves if I “let go” and give in to their direction.
No Trees were injured in the making of the spirit carvings. The tree must be dead and rotten enough that the bark will peel off. If it is too fresh there is no way that the bark can be removed with simple tools
Paintings
New to painting, I am searching for my style and learning technique on my journey. My first painting was a watercolour Christmas card in 2009.
I was hooked and moved to include acrylic paints an tried painting scenery and faces
My drawing mates helped me learn to improve my skills through life drawing sessions. Who knew that learning to draw the human form helps to put things in perspective to aid with drawing skills
I continue to experiment with a variety of mediums and techniques to help determine my path
Medicine Bags
Since childhood I have always loved to have and carry treasures. Anyone who knows me will agree that I always like to have things hanging off me, whether it be useful or decorative. I often needed a bag, so what better than a nice leather pouch.
Over the years I have made bags from anything at hand. The most successful have beaded patterns sewn onto leather
Those Metis roots just continue to show up in any artwork. I have no control