Ibis Element

#cifcalumni

Our next artist within the Canoe Island French Camp community is Margaret Schafer. She has been a counselor, marketing coordinator, assistant director and is now the administrative director at Canoe Island French Camp.

Q. What are the mediums you work with?
A. I make jewelry as a hobby using the lost wax casting method, also known by its French name, "cire perdue". This method involves carving an object out of wax and then replacing the wax with metal. All my designs are currently cast in yellow bronze.

Q. How would you describe the art you create?
A. Unique handmade jewelry that recalls styles of antiquity but remains modern. I hope to create pieces that can be worn everyday but still feel special.


Q. How can interested buyers get in touch with you?
A. Feel free to have a look at my Etsy shop at ibiselement.com or email me at ibis.element@gmail.com with any questions.

Q. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A. Many of my pieces evoke the form of insects, which have always fascinated me. And I'm constantly inspired by living on Canoe. One of my recent pieces resembles the plate of a chiton, which I sometimes see on the paths when I walk around the island.

Q. What were some of your favorite things to create in the Atelier at Canoe Island French Camp?
A. When the campers are on the island, I love working in clay with them in the Atelier. I really appreciate seeing the inventive, whimsical pieces the campers make and I love the thrill of putting a ceramic creation in the kiln and seeing the transformation.

Q. What advice do you have for young artists?

A. Take pleasure in the process of creation and don't be discouraged if your first try doesn't match the vision in your head. Each day that I spend time on jewelry I can feel myself improving little by little, but I had to make a lot of bad work before I could make pieces that live up to my vision.

Eden Cooke's Whimsy and Magic

#cifcalumni

For those looking into arts and craft festivals for their holiday gifts, look no further! You may find the perfect hand crafted gift made by someone within the Canoe Island French Camp community. Canoe Island French Camp has welcomed many young artists over the years. Some have gone on to continue their artistic practice as careers. Over the next holiday weeks we'd like to introduce you to some of these artists.

Our first artist is Eden Cooke. We asked her to answer a few questions about her connection to CIFC and her art. Eden was a camper for many years and then went on to be a counselor, program coordinator and artist in residence. You can find more of her artwork at edencooke.com

Q. What are the mediums you work with?
A. I'm an illustrator who uses several different media with a focus on Graphite and Photoshop. I also make ceramic brooches with clay.

Q. How would you describe the art you create?
A. Whimsical illustrations that tell stories for a variety of ages. For the most part I create illustrations with some form of whimsy or magic. I like to include a lot of detail which allows the viewer to find something in the image with each viewing. I also love an illustration to give at least part of an interesting story.

Q. How can interested buyers get in contact with you?
A. Interested parties can email me at edencookeart@gmail.com

Q. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A. I am typically inspired by a good folktale, a beautiful and bizarre landscape and little bit of story that's stuck in my head.

Q. What were some of your favorite things to create in the Atelier at Canoe Island French Camp?
A. When I was a camper I loved being in the Atelier because it gave me a lot of new people to draw, and practice drawing different types of faces. As well as allowing me to experiment with new media and methods. As a staff member I really enjoyed inventing and creating illustrated card games with campers.

Q. What advice do you have for young artists?
A. Don't be afraid to make ugly drawings or ugly projects, if you have an idea you should try it.