Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil Having lived in Toronto since I was 16 years of age, I consider myself to be a Torontonian. My life began in the Northern Ontario town of Kirkland Lake, June 27th, 1938. I've also lived in Kitchener and London, Ontario. By the age of six I was learning to knit, embroider and create my own fashions for my cut-out dolls. I was influenced in needlepoint and knitting by my mother and both grandmothers who were talented creators. My love of knitting led me into the fashion design field. During the 1970's I designed hand-loomed ladies' high fashion knitted clothing under the label of Marnie Knits. I didn't have formal training for my design, my "schools" were the fashion runways of London, Paris, Milan, Florence, Dusseldorf, New York, Montreal and Toronto. I was priviledged to view the work of top designers as we bought fashions for our family business, Alan Cherry Fashions. My knits, inspired by the colours and textures of the world, sold very successfully in major retail stores in Canada and the U.S. Next, I began designing and merchanising Bridal and Evening wear for The Bridal Loft in my family business. The Bridal Loft became one of the leading, trend setting Bridal Salons during the 1980's. In 1992 I retired from the fashion world to paint, collage, and to put my own needlepoint designs onto canvas. My work is very spontaneous and tactile. I begin with a brief concept and develop the design, textures, contrasts and surprises as I proceed. I often say that I thread the needle and the work takes on a life of its own. The materials I use consist of needlepoint canvas (usually 18 count) which I embelish with silk, wool, cotton, metallic, phototransfer, fabric, beads, velour, ultrasuede, and whatever is currently available. Up to this point I have been gathering 'my collection' around me . . . much of which is of a very personal autobiographical nature. I just continue to fill my walls (99% of my pieces are framed pictures). I like to work on very large pieces and very fine canvas, so my work moves at a very slow pace - I may cover one or one and a half inches during an hour of work. About my Canvas Collage: This technique I have evolved is about using a combination of stitchery, needlepoint, collage and quilting techniques, all worked into the same piece. My interest in quilting and needlepoint led me to beginner quilting courses, courses on inspiration for quilting and courses in applique. That lead to my addiction to quilt stores and an ever growing stash of fabrics, books, magazines, introduction to styles of quilting, and my fascination with art quilts and crazy quilts. My taste is very eclectic. Not wanting to choose between quilting and needlepoint, I can visually combine both. Thus evolved Canvas-Collage. The technique I use attaches all fabric pieces to the needlepoint canvas with hand stitchery using a sharp needle and a huge variety of threads and some beads. I love to use photo transfer because I feel that it adds depth to the piece. The inspiration comes from the photo transfer when used, and the colors and textures of the threads and fabrics. I cut the quilting fabrics to enhance the feeling and composition that I want to convey. As I stitch, the piece then tells me what to say and do . . . Art and Craft Education: 2008 Callaway Gardens® School of Needlearts, class with Joyce Lukomski 2008 Callaway Gardens® School of Needlearts, class with Lynn Payette 2006 Japanese Bead Embroidery, taught by Mary Alice Sinton 2006 ANG Sunstitcher, Sarasota, 'Fan-C-Ful', taught by Judy Souliots 2004 ANG Seminar, Reno, Nevada, course taught by Kay Stanis 2003 ANG Seminar, Lexington, Kentucky, course taught by Judy Souliotis 2001 Collage Making, University of Toronto, Continuing Studies 2001 Dye Painting on Silk with Susan Louise Moyer 2001 Workshop on Doll Making with Surfacing TADA, Toronto 2000 Workshops with York Heritage Quilters Guild, Toronto 1999 Embroidery Canada Seminar, Vancouver 1999 Classes in quilting applique (to be used in needlepoint) 1995 - 1996 Quilting Classes 1993 - 1995 Classes in drawing with Harriette Brav-Baum Classes in watercolour and acrylic painting 1993 - 1998 Advanced needlepoint classes and workshops 1990 - 1991 Classes in watercolour painting, Koffler Gallery Solo Exhibitions: 2008 November, TBA. Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto 2006 "Painting with Thread". November 16 - 30. Contemporary Art Gallery, Yonge St., Toronto, Canada.   Awards: 2008 January, Callaway Gardens® School of Needlearts: Exhibit: 2nd prize ribbons for "Moonshine" and "Flight of Fancy", and 3rd prize ribbon for "Rhapsody". 2006 ANG Seminar, Tucson, Arizona: 1st Place, “Flight of Fancy”, Painted Design without Stitch Guide, Professional 2nd Place, “Sunrise/Sunset, Original Needle Art, Professional 2005 ANG Seminar, Nashville - BEST OF SHOW - "Babes in the Woods" Original Needle Art, Professional Category - 1st Prize, plus Judges Choice "Reflecting" - Honorable Mention "Serendipity" - Third Prize, Professional, Painted Canvas without Stitchguide 2004 ANG Seminar, Reno Nevada. 2004, First prize for "Moonshine", third prize for "In My Elements" 2003 Toronto Seeker Web Award, for web site excellence 2002 Viewers' Choice: Mini Quilt, York Heritage Quilters' Guild - A Celebration of Quilts V11 1998 Best of Show, Common Thread, Oakville Arts Council 1997 Three awards from Toronto Guild of Stitchery Presentations: 2006 ANG Sunstitchers Chapter, Sarasota Florida, presentation of 'My Canvas Collage® Works in Progress'. 2004 Presentation of my work at the ANG Seminar "Compelling Creativity" evening. 2003 Presentation of my work at the ANG Seminar "Get Inspired" evening. Group Exhibits: 2008 Callaway Gardens® School of Needlearts, USA: Exhibit 2008 February 2nd - 3rd. "Art At The Castle", Casa Loma, Toronto, Canada 2006 ANG Seminar, Tucson, Arizona 2005 All Done By Hand, Montgomery's Inn 2005 ANG Seminar, Nashville, Tennessee 2004 ANG Seminar. Reno, Nevada 2002 and 2004 York Heritage Quilters 2000 Toronto Guild of Stitchery 1999 Neilson Park Creative Centre 1997, 1999, 2002 All Done By Hand, Montgomery's Inn Juried Exhibitions: 2000 Neilson Park Creative Centre 1998 Common Thread, Oakville Arts Council 1998 Juried Craft Exhibition, Visual Arts Mississauga 1994 Patrons of Wisdom, North York, Ontario Published: 2006 Needle Pointers Magazine - Cover and article about the ANG Awards 2005 ANG Website - 'What is Needlepoint' - "In My Elements" 2005 ANG National Seminar, Nashville Needlenotes, "Moonshine" and "In My Elements" 2001 Cover and feature article - Embroidery Canada Magazine 2000 Weaving New Rhythms 2000 Teaching: 2008 - Commencing April 1st - Cyber class for "Flight of Fancy" 2007 Cyber class for "Flight of Fancy" 2006 ANG Sunstitchers Chapter, Sarasota Florida, teaching Canvas Collage® 2005 ANG Sun Stitchers Chapter, Sarasota Florida 2005 EGA Chapter, Sarasota, Florida 2004 2005, Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Longboat Key, Florida 2004 Canvas Collage® Memberships: Embroidery Canada Toronto Guild of Stitchery Visual Arts, Toronto Oakville Arts Council Embroidery Guild of America American Needlepoint Guild Neilson Park Creative Centre Needlework Designers of Canada President's Circle, Rare Books Library, University of Toronto York Heritage Quilt Guild Sun Stitchers, ANG Sarasota Florida Textile Museum of Canada Art Gallery of Ontario Press release from Canada NewsWire, Date: Thursday, December 08, 2005: Canadian wins Top Honours in U.S.				"My work is very spontaneous and tactile... I begin with a brief concept and develop the design, textures, contrasts and surprises as I proceed. I often say that I thread the needle and the work takes on a life of its own!" "Needlepoint, being a flat medium, governed by a fixed grid or canvas, limits the possibilities of threads that can be used and realism that can be created. I create my pieces around these restrictions, creating flow of movement, textural up and down surfaces, and I take the shape and threads where I want them to be placed".
			© Copyright 2003 - 2008.      Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil.   www.stitchamaze.com Privacy Policy			website design site hosted by jpwebworks