Letter from Colleen Wilson – Jan/Feb 2009

If you don’t know Colleen Wilson, we, at Sculpture Northwest, would like to change that. When we asked Colleen if we could publish a photograph taken at Brotherhood of her carving a griffon, and to tell us a little about herself, she replied in an email. We’d like to share it with you.

I am very pleased to hear that my picture was selected for publication. I hope it’s my good side (not backside).

I am a full time stone carver and banker mason for an architectural masonry company in BC. I do have a BFA majoring in drawing and sculpture with several successful years as a represented artist and a full 5 yr European carving apprenticeship in this trade. (Still learning much.) The head of our company here is a Cathedral Carver/ Master Mason from England and Wales and an extremely accomplished and meticulous craftsman. I recently was brought out to BC from Ottawa, Ontario for this position so am very new to your exceptional association of NorthWest Sculptors and Carvers. And I very much look forward to becoming an active member and supporter. Camp Brotherhood was an entirely outstanding experience that far surpassed all anticipation I had attending as a novice.  I am already eagerly planning and looking forward to being there with dust on this coming year.

The majority of what I currently carve is designed and developed by myself or in collaboration with clients and fellow co-workers. I have not for the past 2 years had much time for my own artistic pursuits due to the fact I seem to be carving for at least 8-10 hours a day as is.

We recently lost 3 highly talented masons (on to schooling, own companies, etc) at our company so it has been a season of challenging work loads and overtime. We are looking forward to a satisfying and relaxing Christmas break well deserved. We are very fortunate to have several large and demanding jobs in progress during these economically stressed times.

In the coming months I have a project with a Washington based architect for restorative works as well as new works for the old Canadian Consulary Building in Seattle and will be spending some time in the neighborhood. I do hope to be able to make some social calls while I am there. I am attaching a couple of photos of a few public works that I have worked on in recent months so you may get an idea of the carving I do.

Wishing you all the best for a happy and thoughtful year.

Sincerely yours,

Colleen Wilson