Colette Beardall – Clay Sculptor
“As a clay artist it is my habit to spend many hours alone in my studio but always with my 5 various animal companions to keep me company. Often in the warmer months I bring my wheel up to the back deck to engage my senses with the natural surroundings I am lucky to live in. I have a small property in Metcalfe which is full of flora and fauna and home to my two horses, two cats and Russian rescue dog. Animals are the primary subject of my sculpture work and through sales of my pieces I am able to send a portion to an animal rescue which is represented in the piece I’ve made. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to use my meager ability in this manner.
A few months ago, my emotions were totally engaged with the devastation of the wildfires in Australia and the mass of destruction of habitat and the death of so many animals. I had to find a way to keep myself busy and stop my anxiety from getting the best of me. Planning and executing a fundraiser that would provide relief for both WIRES an animal relief organization and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of NSW was the tonic I needed. Being a potter as well, I made and sold one hundred wheel thrown bowls for a minimum donation of $25 but so many dug deep and sent more. I was so happy to raise a total of $4500 for the charities.
Of course, now we find ourselves here. A global pandemic. I am to have a solo exhibition in 2021 at the Shenkman Arts Centre. My main subject before this pandemic struck was to highlight animal abuses and trafficking in places around the world. A highlight would be the pangolin who has been implicated in being a source for the virus. Am I clairvoyant? No. Just a concerned and devasted global citizen that watched as shipment after shipment of this animal’s body parts brought it from a healthy population to endangered status within a couple of years. Part of our jobs as artists is to engage with people but also to inform. I hope I can continue doing that in the depths of my basement with a sense of hope for a better world in the future. And leave the depths of despair behind us.”
You can find Colette’s work on her website at http://www.colettebeardall.com or in our ONLINE Gallery at https://sculptureottawa.ca/online-gallery-2/
As the self-isolation started, I undertook carving a piece of hard stone (8” x 8” x 14”, 91 lbs Brazilian Dura soapstone). I started cutting the stone with a hand saw then took to using my rotary shaft tool (Foredom) until I burned it out. I used hammer and chisel and rasps and files to shape the stone. Dura soapstone is a mix of hard and soft stone, so fine sanding results in a bumpy surface so I stopped sanding at wet 220. I finished with tung oil to highlight the bear.
Although I miss being outside for walks, bike rides, doing errands, etc., it hasn’t been all bad. The isolation has given me lots of time to clean out the accumulated junk from my studio and the basement storage. This was something we had been meaning to do for years. It is so satisfying to actually get it done! And lots of time to prepare for my next sculpture projects and to finish ones in progress. This covid-19 thing will eventually be over, spring is on its way with warmer, sunny weather and my strict quarantine is almost finished! Makes me want to sing and dance. 
Lots of time on my hands at the moment. Early March I started some new projects in the studio. The main idea was to use the glass cutting I have to create new works. I was making some progress but nothing conclusive yet when I sliced my finger… not with a piece of glass but with a vegetable mandoline. Well sculpture is off for a moment. The finger is healing nicely.
“As expected this pandemic is leaving a mark on all of us. It really has been a time to reflect about all our brothers and sisters throughout the world that are suffering and those closer to home. When I feel my sadness overwhelming me I escape into my studio and lose myself in sculpting. It is there or in nature that I feel a calm connectedness and can quiet my mind to create.
miss most because that’s how I connect with people. As artists we are normally very insecure and that contact with our audience helps validate what we do.
Thankfully my studio is home based and with all this social distancing I have had more time to explore my next direction of abstract action all over sculpture. I was able to winterize my studio in December. This allowed me to be active early in the year. I have also started exploration of ink and paint drawings on paper. So far the test pieces are really promising. I have almost completed 4 pieces and have another 12 on the way. Working towards a busy October 2020 with a solo show and of course Sculpture Expo 2020. I have included pictures of these early unfinished explorations. 
National Capital Network of Sculptors 