WhereArt meets Wool – one Artist’s lifelong journey

In The Studio

With Taren White

In the charming town of Paris, Ontario, where artistry thrives and creativity blossoms, I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the talented local artist, Jennifer Budd. In her sun-drenched sunroom, over a steaming cup of tea, Jennifer shared with me the enchanting story of her lifelong artistic journey and her deep-rooted love for creating art with wool

Jennifer's artistic adventure began in a quaint Scottish village school when she was just four years old. The memory that ignited her passion for art was the sight of vibrant balls of yarn peeking out from a craft cupboard. The task at hand: choosing the perfect hue for her very first knitting project. She settled on a green-blue twist, reminiscent of the sea and the forest, setting her on a lifelong path of crafting with wool It was difficult for her little hands and she didn’t realize that her mother, a skilled knitter, was secretly adding rows to her scarf as she slept, creating the illusion of a "knitting fairy" and sparking her imagination

Paris resident Jennifer Budd’s lifelong artistic journey and deeprooted love for creating art with wool is an artistic adventure that began in a quaint Scottish village when she was very young.

Her earliest artistic influences were not limited to her mother's knitting, though Jennifer fondly recalls her grandmother, Agnes Smith, as an instrumental figure in her artistic development.

Agnes, an accomplished artist, imparted the gift of seeing the world through the lens of an artist.

Their moments together, spent painting and savouring each other's company, laid the foundation for Jennifer's creative journey.

“Inspiration for my work comes from a deep love for Scotland, the ever-changing light, movement and natural beauty of its landscape.”

Jennifer's artistry has since evolved to embrace the Canadian landscapes of Ontario, where she has made her home for nearly four decades. The ever-changing light, movement, and natural beauty of Scotland and Ontario serve as her primary sources of inspiration. She paints with wool, using the ancient craft of felting to create compositions made of fibre. The felt she creates is further adorned with needle-felted wool, silk, and hand embroidery. These "woolscapes" are textured, soft, and richly colourful, sharing the stories of her adventures and the places she has explored.

Jennifer's art has taken her to fascinating destinations and presented her with the opportunity to share her craft with others. Notable among these experiences was her time spent on the Isle of Fetlar, in the Shetland Islands, working with local women who were sheep farmers. Her artistic journey has taken her to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides as well, where she led a workshop for local seniors and two solo exhibitions. Reflecting on her current hometown of Paris, Jennifer radiates gratitude for the support and encouragement she has received from fellow artists and artisans. Paris has been her home since 1988, and she describes it as a place filled with skilled, talented, and passionate individuals dedicated to their crafts. She believes Paris has a magnetic allure for an exceptional community of artists and artisans.

Jennifer's hope for the future of Paris's thriving arts scene is the establishment of anArts Council.

Such an organization would nurture and coordinate the growing community of artists and artisans and provide support for the aspiring talents of tomorrow

To get a closer look at Jennifer Budd's beautiful "woolscapes," you can follow her on Instagram at @woolscapes If you find yourself in Paris, Ontario, her artwork is on display at The Taren White Gallery, where you can experience the tactile and visual wonder of her creations in person. In a world where the thread of creativity connects the past, present, and future, Jennifer Budd's artistic journey reminds us of the beauty in weaving our experiences, influences, and passions into a canvas that reflects the colours of our hearts.

If you know a local artist who wants to be featured, please reach out to Taren: Taren White Gallery, 13 Grand River St. N., Paris, ON www.tarenwhitegallery.com https://www.instagram.com/tarenwhitegallery

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