About me
I was born in and raised in Newfoundland, Canada, and live there still. I’m a textile artist, working out of my home studio in Torbay, surrounded by two border collies, a rather odd cat and a daughter, aged eight. My husband John is a lawyer in St. John’s.
I blog here about my personal world and aspects of my art; techniques, materials, inspiration, tribulations and other issues affecting my work.
Other things you might find interesting:
- I graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with both a B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Arts. My area of specialisation was Religious Studies, with particular attention to medieval religiosity, monasticism in Newfoundland and contemporary ritual and spirituality.
- My M.A. Thesis was on religious life and monasticism in French Placentia (Plaisance) up to 1714.
- I lived in Fredericton, NB for two and a half years
- I’m an avid gardener
- I grow orchids
- I knit lots of socks. Too many socks, maybe.
- I love backpacking and the outdoors
- My family comes (in part) from Exploits Islands or Exploits-Burnt Islands in Notre Dame Bay (the Ball, Langdon and Dart families)
- My grandmother was Jean M. Ball, who illustrated these books, happily now visible online (A Gift of Heritage & Ten Historic Towns)
- more stuff will be added as it occurs to me…..
Too cool for words. Definately going to have to give this a try.
BTW, would you join the Surfacing group on Yahoo and the Surface Design web ring?? We would really love to have your contributions. If you are interested, please email me: teri@fiberandthread.com
teri
hi vicky,
i am fimiliar with your work but i don’t think we have ever met, which is funny considering that we are both quilty craft council missuses!
thanks for leaving a comment on my blog spot, to answer your question i will cultivate raspberries and mischief in my secret garden! i will keep my eyes open for your exhibit and yourself.
cara
Hi Vicky,
It’s Jeff here, I set that flickr series of photos about a trip I took to Newfoundland to see the Exploits Islands. The orange house is owned by Derek Muir. I am just an off islander who was lucky enough to be invite. Jeff
Hi Vicky, I stumbled across your blog/site today and I’m so glad I have! I’m a painter/photographer/crafter living in Twillingate which is scattered with artisans and crafters yet to be discovered by the online community. The works produced by these people is breathtaking and covers soapstone sculptures, traditional nets, paintings, photography, music, and of course, knitting. We’ve relied on the scant tourism trade to put a penny or two in our pockets each summer but it just isn’t enough. I recently took the bull by the horns and designed a website that will, eventually, feature many of our local artisans. As with anything in summer things move a bit slower, but I anticipate a great influx of material once the craft shops close for the season. If I do my job right and quickly sell their products I won’t have to worry about competing with summer shops – there’s plenty for all of us – one can only hope.
I would be delighted if you would include my website in your list of artists and artisans in Newfoundland. I also have a blog where my paintings are featured: http://windshook.blogspot.com/ (I’m in the NL Blog Roll too).
Thanks and good luck with your project!
Val
Hi Vicky,
Florence here from Ruff-Spots. I don’t know how I stumbled across your blog, but I am glad I did. I didn’t realize that you were so artistic:)
I have truly enjoyed reading your blog! and you live in Torbay. I am from Flatrock originally.
Well, take care and I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2007.
Florence
Hey Vicky, I really love ur work. I love the way u show ur emotions in ur work.
Anyway, G2G
TO THE EXTREME!!
Like many of the others i too stumbled upon your site! My entire evening has slipped by me as i have been so completely engrossed with your writings and photos. Up until 2 yrs ago i resided in Gibsons, British Columbia. There, i photographed hundreds of old boat houses and cabins along the shore line of the Pacific. I individualy reserched the history of all the buildings. So….. when i started reading your work regarding each photo i was memorised by the passion you disblayed within your words. I thank you for sharing your surroundings and enjoyment of “your world”!!!
p.s.
I added your blog, etc. to my favorites. hee hee! I will definitely be back to look in!
Hi there,
I just stumbled upon your site while searching for a couple of pictures of Exploits. I spent my summers/fall in Exploits as a child and I still spend quite a bit of the summer there now as an adult (my family has a cabin there). After looking at some of your pictures and reading the captions I remembered that I used to buddy with a girl that stayed at the house you indicate as your family’s. I can’t remember her name because it may have been as much as 15 yrs ago (I am 25), and she wasn’t a frequent visitor of the island, I don’t think. I remember we used to go in our rowboats around the harbour, and had a lot of fun!
Love your photos,
Pamela Snow,
Lewisporte,NL
Hi Vicky,
Another Exploits connection … I’m one of the partners in the “yellow house” project (you have several photos of it on your Exploits pages) I am actually on my way to Exploits for 2 weeks – beginning July 5th, so please drop in if you happen to be out there.
I think I have met your mother – Mary Hood? – and have one of her jester bears.
So happy to find your webiste. I am a writer and photographer. Although born in Ontario, my mother is from Notre Dame Bay and her ancestors from Exploits (her last name is Manuel). I’ve written a historical YA fiction book based on Exploits Island in 1800 called A Deadly Distance. I’ve visited there twice and simply find the entire history fascinating. You can read about the book at http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/A-Deadly-Distance-Heather-Down/9781550026375-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527A+deadly+distance%2527
Am going to Cottrell’s Cove and hopefully will visit Exploits this August!
Cheers,
Heather
Hi Vickie,
Found your site while I was checking for photo’s of Exploits Islands. My ancestors were also from this island, Langdon/Manuel.
Loved your pictures and yes it does look like a very magical place.
Just found your review on The Decorated Journal, Gwen Diehn as I was reviewing it for a new site Im creating with a fellow Textile Artist.
Have a look at http://www.aurora-textile-studio.com when you get a chance.
Bren
P.S. Thought your review really good! Add your name to our mailing list and Ill email you my review when it goes up alongside other stuff!
Hi, Vicki. I took your landscape class at Quilt Canada 2008 and really enjoyed it. I’ve just re-connected with your website and blog.
Thanks for all your good advice both in class and on the web.
I’ll be checking your sites regularly for more good advice and inspiration.
I’ve been “making fish” recently (in the quilting, not the Nfld. sense!) and if you’re interested you could see some of them on my blog: http://www.thelight-heartedquilter.blogspot.com
That’s also the title of my regular column in The Canadian Quilter
Hi I live in dryden Ontario which is in teh northern part. BUt I grew up in NL also I have been browsing sites to give me some inspriation. I make hand made paper and have been makeing journals as of rencetly and i am loving it.. The even more intersting part is that my mother lives on bridge road in torbay! I bet she would love to see your work I am noot sure that she has or I think i would have heard about it. I am a self made artist no training such as your self. I have a tiny studio in my basement which was an old room. I have been trying to find a place to sell some of my paper items but it is very hard in this area due to the paper mill closer in our town. any way I am just saying hi I guess i felt happy to see home on the web! perhpas if i visit I can see your work.
Ann Puddicombe
Hi, I was just wondering what kind of camera/ lens you use for your beautiful pictures. Especially the night at squid cove one!
I love your work
Dear Vicki,
I have been asked to do an appraisal of a small drawing by Jean M. Ball, who I gather from your website, is your grandmother. The work is being donated to Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario, where I am situated.
I have information on the many lovely publications containing her work, but I don’t have a biography.
Would you be able to help me in this area or direct me to someone who could? I’m assuming from your use of the past tense that your grandmother has passed on. When and where was she born? Was she a professional artist? What is her background in art? Does her work ever come up for sale?
I’ve left my e-mail, but you can also reach me at 705-476-1534. Any information you can provide about Jean M. Ball would be very helpful and much appreciated.
Joan
HI .. My name is Harvey Lilly and I was born 88 years ago in Exploits Lower Hr,and knew nearly all the Grandparents of most of your corespondants.My Wife Louise nee Budgell was also from Exploits and remembers many of the ancestors of your coresponndants.We both live at
104-767 Parkland Drive Nova Scotia B3S 1T1. Unfortunatally it all seems like a dream now.but I may be able to answer some Questions re long ago. Thanks for the Photos,They bring back many memories. Thanks again Arv
I am enjoying looking around your blog. I am from Ontario and hope to visit Newfoundland this summer.
Hi, I came across your blog as a recommended link on my own (here: http://travellingmole.com/2012/02/26/moleskine-inspirations/). It’s really lovely to read so I have added you to my blogroll, hope it gets you some more followers
Thanks!! When I saw the recommended link thingy come through, I popped on over and was actually reading your blog as you were reading mine. I enjoyed it thoroughly and will be linking to you, as well.
Just discovered your blog.I live in NL,but am visiting my grandchildren in Sudbury,Ontario.I met your grandmother on a few occasions in St.John’s.She gave me a photograph of one of my ancestors;Dart from Exploits Island.The house that is now owned by Frank Howard used to belong to the Darts,so I am told.When your grandmother visited Exploits some years ago to paint,she found this framed photo in the attic of a friend’s house and she offered it to me.I feel very priviledged to have met her.I am also assuming she has passed away.It was my Mom’s mothers family and I took my Mom,Dad and my aunt to visit Expolits a long time ago before my Dad passed in 1997.My Mom has since passed in 2006.When I return to NL ~ late April;I would like to make contact with you,if it would be possible.I have not done much with my family tree for a while now,but when people like you turn up;it itches for me to continue.My grandmother was Annie Dart.
Hi Annie,
We are related to the Darts, too, but then, in Exploits, most everyone is related in some way! Drop me a line when you finalize your travel plans. I’d be happy to meet up with you.
All the best! – Vicky
I am originally from Port Kirwan and loved your piece. Check out “wrigglin fence” on google by the artist Don Wright. It is about making a wrigglin fence in Port Kirwan. Enjoy.
Hi Vicky – really like your photos! I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award here: http://airportsmadesimple.com/2012/04/17/paying-it-foraward – keep up the good work!
How wonderful to find you! I’m a textile junky! I rank knitting, quilting and collecting vintage textiles right up there with camping! I can’t wait to read more of your blog
Hi there – thanks for liking my post. I’ve been prowling round your blog and I LOVE it, can’t wait to read more in the future! Liv.
Cool stuff..stumbled across looking for info on mistaken point and chance cove…take it easy