Words Jo Barnes
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
It’s that time of year when Christmas trees are decorated with twinkling lights, shimmering tinsel and an assortment of West Coast sea life … Wait a minute, sea life on Christmas trees?
North Saanich artist, Monique Froehler, enjoys painting in various formats which include, at this festive time of year, wooden tree ornaments that feature well-known West Coast wildlife including a starfish or octopus. “We live on the West Coast and my studio backs onto Dean Park. I have an affinity for nature,” she shares. “I enjoy painting animals and birds and working with wood slices appeals to me.”
The four-inch tree ornaments, made from local reclaimed wood, begin as an image in Monique’s sketchbook which she then transfers to wood. Using acrylic paint, she embellishes and delineates the image, then finishes off everything with a shiny resin. Ornaments can be hung on the tree or displayed on a shelf. “I use an acrylic resin which is very glossy. This way, the wood doesn’t crack,” says Monique. “They are like little miniature paintings. I provide a tiny easel for each one so you can place it on the shelf. Or you can hang them on the tree. There is a little hook that can be unscrewed.”
Monique sells these ornaments, as well as holiday gift cards and her collection of larger paintings, on her website. She also markets items at the Brentwood Bay Village Empourium, The Roost, and local craft fairs.
Monique’s love of art goes back to her childhood. “Art has always been a part of my life,” she shares. “From a young age, I would draw and paint. My mom is a teacher and painter.”
Early encouragement from family members helped Monique’s artistic development. “We spent summers in the Okanagan as we have a summer cabin there. One summer there was a big storm, and I thought it was fun coming across the lake in a small boat. I remember my mom and grandma pulling the boat up onto the beach. My mom told me to paint the experience. So, from memory, I did an oil pastel of it,” she relates, adding with a laugh: “I discovered I was not so good at drawing boat engines!”
While Monique grew up in a home where there was an appreciation of art and opportunities for creativity, her choice to focus on painting was not immediate. “My mom is a teacher and artist, but I think I was going through teenage rebellion and didn’t want to pursue art,” she says. “I had a terrible art teacher in high school and that really turned me off.”
Though Monique took a variety of classes including drama and creative writing, it was drawing that brought her the most enjoyment and consistently strongest marks. She realized that art was calling. Monique completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Emily Carr Institute and worked for several years in graphic design and illustration. She later completed an Education degree at UBC and currently teaches art full time at Stelly’s Secondary School.
Monique has shared her art at numerous juried exhibitions locally and provincially. She finds inspiration in nature, particularly, our feathered friends. “I really like birds; they are quirky and have personalities. When I was a child, there was an injured robin in our yard. I remember it sitting on my shoulder, and I fed it bits of worms,” she relates. “Years ago, a hummingbird flew in one day and rested in the crook of my arm. It was at a time in my life when we were hoping to start a family. I didn’t know if I was pregnant or not and wondered if this was a sign.”
In recent years, Monique’s theme of animal images has expanded to include family pets. “Someone provided me with a photograph of their cat and asked me to create an ornament depicting it. I painted the cat with a Santa hat on it,” she says. “I want to get the animal right. I really try to make it recognizable as their pet.”
For Monique, creating art is not only personally satisfying but brings positive responses and personal connections. “Art is my meditation, it is like exercise and helps me breathe easier in my day,” she comments. “Customers often post pictures of ornaments and their pets on Instagram and say ‘I’m so happy with this!’” When I meet people at craft fairs or art settings, I really like the exchange of ideas. I like to talk to people about art and how or why they connect to my work.”
Whether it’s a repeated positive experience in a course, a nudge from someone or maybe just random luck, sometimes you get a glimpse of where you should be in life. For Monique, that place includes a paintbrush in hand and maybe a spot on your Christmas tree.
www.moniquefroehler.ca
