Michelle Ibaraki, Shima Itabashi, and Joan Marr: Wild Things

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Michelle Ibaraki, Shima Itabashi, and Joan Marr, "Wild Things," 2021

Michelle Ibaraki, Shima Itabashi, and Joan Marr: Wild Things

Michelle Ibaraki

medium: Coloured pencil illustration

"Doing artwork has been so rewarding to me... and has been a great coping strategy... as I have mental health and addiction issues it allows me to get lost and focus on a positive activity. Then throughout 2020 to deal with the extreme changes in society and as I live alone loneliness has been a huge factor I branched my artwork to other mediums such graphite and charcoal pencils.... another love is soft pastels. Being able to "zone out" and focus on such a healthy activity to deal with the stress of the challenges going on in society and to use as a coping strategy to help with my mental health in general is so rewarding."

Shima Itabashi

medium: Felting / wool

Born and raised in Japan, Shima moved to Canada 2003.

"I have always enjoyed creating things with my hands using my imaginations. Living in Canada gave me more opportunity to explore my creativities. I started making creatures with clay in 2004 and I really enjoyed seeing peoples happy face when they saw my work. I taught myself how to felt in 2007 and then shifted more and more to using wool rather than clay. I love the result of softness and warmth with wool. Once felted, the piece speaks to me. It’s a great feeling to give life to fluffy wool."

Joan Marr

medium: Ceramics / clay

"I want people to know that I am a blind artist, I only have the full use of one hand, I like to laugh, and I have a great sense of humour.

I grew up in Prince George and I lost my sight when I was in my early twenties. My mother really encouraged me to keep busy and to work with my hands. I knit and crochet and I learned basket weaving and Braille Through the CNIB. I began working with clay when a friend suggested I try it. Working with clay makes me feel wonderful! I work very carefully by touch and I like how the clay is very soft and delicate. I recently started sculpting animals out of clay. I started creating pigs because it was Chinese New Year."

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