Hi, I’m Sonya, a Canadian textile artist, and I split my time between BC, Ontario and the Cayman Islands.
My journey to becoming a textile artist began in the 1970s, when I was a kid who fell in love with the utilitarian, double-knit polyester, hand-tied quilts I saw at a friend’s house. I took up traditional quilting in my 20s and have now been creating textile art for more than 30 years.
Over time, I began experimenting with colour, texture and new ways of working with fabric and thread. Eventually I discovered improv-style quilting and finally threw out the ruler along with the rules.
That opened the door to the free-spirited, intuitive way I work today, pushing the boundaries of what fabric and thread can do and experimenting with unexpected materials, techniques and ways of displaying textile and mixed-media art. My work now moves between textile art, mixed media, slow handstitching, painting and collage, often incorporating found and reclaimed materials. I keep a zero-waste studio, where scraps, offcuts and found materials are continually transformed into new work.
My work is colourful, cheerful and playful. I make art that brings me immense JOY, and I think that comes through in the finished work. People often tell me my art makes them happy.
I’m an optimist. Life is short, and my art is my reminder to live vibrantly, stay curious and not take life too seriously.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
— Mary Oliver
Thanks for visiting my site!
Sonya