Animals and Nature
Take A Look
I’m a Canadian artist who lives in a rural area outside Ottawa. My work reflects a deep respect for animals and nature. As an artist, I prefer to learn by experimenting, setting new challenges for myself and continually evolving. My portfolio includes drawings, paintings, sculptures and wall-hangings.
Whether I use pencil, paint, or fiber, I strive to create work that is authentic, dynamic and honest.
In 2005, I took an acrylic painting class at the Visual Arts Centre Orleans (now Ottawa School of Art). The speed and forgiving nature of acrylics appealed to me. I connected with a group of outdoor painters, joined local art associations, and participated in group shows.
By 2010, I returned to drawing and began experimenting on my own with water soluble pencils, crayons, ink and watercolour on paper.
In 2002 I took a workshop on needle punch hooked rugs. I enjoyed the contemplative process, but not the primitive style.
In 2010, I returned to rug hooking on my own, this time using a variety of yarns. I always preferred the back of the rugs to the regular loops and sought a freer approach.
This inspired me to combine needle felting and hand stitching on cloth in 2017
I feel a strong connection to animals and nature. I’m primarily self-taught and prefer to learn by experimenting. I also attend technical workshops and critique sessions with respected mentors.
For over 25 years, I worked in pastel, coloured pencil, and ink. My first solo exhibit in 1994 featured portraits of legendary rock stars such as Jagger, Richards, Bowie and Iggy Pop.
In 2005, I took an acrylic painting class at the Visual Arts Centre Orleans (VACO). I also joined a group of landscape painters, travelling to Quebec for spring and fall paint-outs. The challenge of capturing scenes outdoors and the companionship of experienced painters improved my technical skills dramatically. In 2006, I held a solo exhibit of my acrylic paintings.
In 2010, seeking a return to drawing, I began working in mixed media on paper. I also began using a punch needle and yarn to hook rugs in my own designs.
In 2013, I joined Out of the Box fibre artists, which opened my eyes to felting, embroidery and textile media. I began creating needle felted animal sculptures in wool and alpaca. More recently, I’ve begun felting and hand-stitching on cloth to “paint” wall hangings, while continuing my studio practice.
Exhibits and Solo shows
I feel a connection to animals and believe they are always communicating with us. My favourite subjects are pigs and dogs, I guess because they are so expressive. I visit small farms to spend time with the animals and study their behaviour. I work from my own reference photos, adding my own interpretation to express their unique character.
-by-rebecca-dufton-800by611-33a3f7.jpg)
While animals have always been my favourite subject, I completed a series of rock star portraits for my first solo show in 1994. My medium at the time was colour pencil and oil pastel, which was perfect for capturing the animal magnetism of legends like Jagger, Bowie and Richards. I enjoy doing portraits of animals who I know and I sometimes take commissions.
I enjoy exploring the rural countryside, whether on walks with dogs or with my art supplies. In 2005, I joined a group of plein air painters who travelled to Quebec each spring and fall. I continue to sketch the forests, fields and streams around me. While in my studio, I strive to recapture the excitement of being in nature.
I enjoy the slow, contemplative nature of hand stitching on cloth. I began creating my own hooked rugs in 2010 with a punch needle and a variety of yarns. The colours, textures and patterns excited me. I completed a dozen rugs of various sizes. Seeking a freer and faster way to work, I began needle felting and hand stitching on linen in 2017.
Working in three dimensions is an exciting way to capture an animal’s form. I’ve been making needle felt animal sculptures using my own designs since 2016. Each one is unique. I start with a wire armature then wrap it with raw carded wool to build up the shape. I use alpaca, wool roving and silk fibres to complete the sculpture. Commissions are welcome.
-1 minutes read - 181 words - by Rebecca Duftom
Serendipity has played a big role in my development as a fiber artist. In 2002, I took an introductory rug hooking workshop with a friend. Although I don’t sew or knit, I was surprised to discover how much I enjoyed the slow, meditative process of making punch needle rugs. I created a primitive style rug of my dog, Toby, which graces my studio floor.
-1 minutes read - 221 words - by Rebecca Duftom
This website covers my evolution as an artist over the last 30 years. I included some of my earlier works in colour pencil and pastel from the 1990s. Since then, I’ve since explored acrylics and watercolour, but I always come back to drawing.
-by-rebecca-dufton-800by572-139bbc.jpg)
-2 minutes read - 385 words - by Rebecca Duftom
Portraits may be done as drawings, paintings and three-dimensional felt sculptures. When I do a pet portrait, I look for a characteristic pose that expresses their unique personality. Ideally, I prefer to meet the animal, observe their behaviour and take my own photos. When this isn’t possible, I find out how the client sees their pet and obtain a variety of photos from them. For a portrait to be truly timeless, I think it’s best to depict the animal in its prime, when its character is well established but before the signs of age creep in.
