Multimedia artist Amber Butler has her fingers in lots of pies but she is anything but ordinary, creating volatile gunpowder paintings, wispy feather jewelry, statement art assemblages along with vivacious costumes and culinary delights.
But, like many artists, she celebrates life with passion and has been doing art for as long as she can remember. Butler instinctively looks at everything from a creative perspective. She is predominantly inspired by the colour combinations, textures, patterns and organic composition of nature, as well as other artists.
Butler admits her approach to art is a relentless evolution. She says, "Change is the only constant thing in life. Every time I create something, it turns out a bit different and I learn something, especially with the gunpowder paintings. I'm uncomfortable making something in a way I've done before. It doesn't feel creative."
The irony is that Butler is frequently creating something from a material normally used for destruction - gunpowder!
Butler's art is powerful and thought provoking; it challenges preconceived ideas.
Her mixed-media series of embellished water bottles makes statements that bring attention to real-life issues that are important to her. They are filled with humour, sarcasm, beauty and mischief.
Butler also delves into an exploration of depth in layers of resin. Challenged to develop complexity with multiple stratums, she says, "I wanted to let the medium create its own mini-universe remember when you were a kid staring into a marble, how it seems to keep going?!"
Butler's creative process goes like this: concept and immerse, then take the journey until you either get bored or have a deadline or feel finished! Butler teaches, collaborates, performs live demonstrations and relishes sharing space in the local artist co-op at the base of Second Avenue.
For more information contact Amber Butler via email, Facebook, Twitter and through her website: www.amberbutler.ca
Stan Matwychuk, graphic illustrator, street artist and mentor to youth, displays his enlightened pieces of brush, ink and spray-painted art, all motivated by illustration and progressive design. Matwychuk's spirited intentions, during his 15 years of nonconforming creative art experiences, are to spread ideas and creativity. He uses organic forms and tones to establish a feeling that is approachable to the outside viewer, with a frequent substrate of reclaimed materials, not just because of the "green" environmental choice but because he enjoys working on these storied surfaces.
Matwychuk links the use of elements and a typical monogram in his works using a soft palette of colours, textures and na茂ve caricature outlines that play off each other in a simple, lively way.
With serendipitous beginnings, Matwychk says, "I use 'Sisu' the character in the illustrations as an icon or signature so that I may progress through bodies of work always having a grounding point in the aesthetic."
The symbol has Scandinavian roots and the word "sisu" translates into an idea: Deciding on a course of action and then sticking to that decision against repeated failures.
Matwychuk uses this character to progress through his work and for him it represents inherent meaning, a metaphor of perseverance over adversity and a simple, approachable awareness.
Matwychuk isn't sure where he's headed as far as growth within this medium, but he says, "I try to see every day as a new day and to see every day through the eyes of a child." He admits that his work evolves on a project-by-project basis and is inspired by collaborative projects and growth through those experiences.
Matwychuk keeps active, making significant volunteer contributions such as organizing youth art projects. He says, "I value my time to share ideas and inspire young people. I enjoy how kids are naturally out-of-the-box thinkers and I strive to inspire them to creatively approach their outlook on life through large-scale projects and classroom talks."
Visit Stan Matwychuk at Homebase Studios, No. 203, 37760 Second Ave., or Homebasestudios.ca
Matwychuk's and Butler's work is on display at the Library Foyer Gallery through June 4.
Toby Jaxon is curator of the Squamish Public Library Foyer Gallery. She can be reached by email at [email protected]
