Susan Alton
Susan Alton, a textile creator and artisan of ever-evolving wellness products, has called the Similkameen Valley home for over 30 years.
Most of this time Susan has been a maker and husband Harry a great supporter and promoter; they are well known in the valley for their shops and community participation.
About 5 years ago, Susan was making a line of natural soaps and salves. She started experimenting with 100% wool for artfully felting her soaps which led to various aspects of felting such as needle, dry and wet works. Today she exhibits her handmade “wet” felted bags,vessels and wearable art creations at the Sunflower Art Gallery. Inspiration for her designs comes from the natural beauty of our valley with its rich colours and flora. Susan admits that it’s a rare day when she isn’t creating something in her studio.
Susan Alton, a textile creator and artisan of ever-evolving wellness products, has called the Similkameen Valley home for over 30 years.
Most of this time Susan has been a maker and husband Harry a great supporter and promoter; they are well known in the valley for their shops and community participation.
About 5 years ago, Susan was making a line of natural soaps and salves. She started experimenting with 100% wool for artfully felting her soaps which led to various aspects of felting such as needle, dry and wet works. Today she exhibits her handmade “wet” felted bags,vessels and wearable art creations at the Sunflower Art Gallery. Inspiration for her designs comes from the natural beauty of our valley with its rich colours and flora. Susan admits that it’s a rare day when she isn’t creating something in her studio.
Casey Butts
Outlook Laser
Live and grew up in Princeton.
Fairly new to artistry and work with pretty much anything I can use on my diode or galvo lasers.
Watching YouTube during Covid showed me others doing some very unique things with their lasers. So on a whim I bought one and started experimenting with what I could do.
So far my work can be found at Sunflower Art Gallery, The Winking Peddler, and my online store at Outwestlaser.ca. I’m also hoping to be in a few other places in the Okanogan/Similkameen later this year.
Outlook Laser
Live and grew up in Princeton.
Fairly new to artistry and work with pretty much anything I can use on my diode or galvo lasers.
Watching YouTube during Covid showed me others doing some very unique things with their lasers. So on a whim I bought one and started experimenting with what I could do.
So far my work can be found at Sunflower Art Gallery, The Winking Peddler, and my online store at Outwestlaser.ca. I’m also hoping to be in a few other places in the Okanogan/Similkameen later this year.
Rhonda Viau-Caron
Rhonda Viau-Caron was born in Ontario Canada but spent the majority of her life in western Canada. After retirement she relaxed during her winters in Mexico where she commenced her art journey. During the encaustic process, she discovered an art medium that defined no boundaries. A clearer understanding of her future formed.
Encaustic art is a very flexible multimedia art form, it is also very historic and practiced since early Egyptian times. Rhonda typically creates encaustic art in which she incorporates a variety of materials. During the recent pandemic Rhonda has begun incorporating mixed media materials into her encaustic pieces such as; napkins, rust, watercolour and collage. Through encaustic wax, Rhonda can tell a story through her art.
Rhonda travels to many countries to experience art through the wisdom of other accomplished artists, this is an exploration of her art journey. During her travels and workshops, she has learned how to diversify her art and have the confidence to express herself.
During the isolation period of 2020 she found an equally exciting medium of mixed media to enhance her artist journey. Although most of these workshops were online (a sign of the times) a variety of mixed media artists availed themselves to teach and share their love of the craft. Mixed media implies the use and incorporation of many mediums to create in depth art pieces. Some of Rhonda’s mixed media has been referred to as punk art, other pieces have been used as a tool to open conversations at group therapy sessions.
This experimentation of encaustic and mixed media has created a collision of two mediums. This amalgamation demonstrates what is possible, how one can stretch and challenge the imagination and medium. With such tactile mediums it encourages others to touch, smell and sense the depth of this art.
Encaustic art is a very flexible multimedia art form, it is also very historic and practiced since early Egyptian times. Rhonda typically creates encaustic art in which she incorporates a variety of materials. During the recent pandemic Rhonda has begun incorporating mixed media materials into her encaustic pieces such as; napkins, rust, watercolour and collage. Through encaustic wax, Rhonda can tell a story through her art.
Rhonda travels to many countries to experience art through the wisdom of other accomplished artists, this is an exploration of her art journey. During her travels and workshops, she has learned how to diversify her art and have the confidence to express herself.
During the isolation period of 2020 she found an equally exciting medium of mixed media to enhance her artist journey. Although most of these workshops were online (a sign of the times) a variety of mixed media artists availed themselves to teach and share their love of the craft. Mixed media implies the use and incorporation of many mediums to create in depth art pieces. Some of Rhonda’s mixed media has been referred to as punk art, other pieces have been used as a tool to open conversations at group therapy sessions.
This experimentation of encaustic and mixed media has created a collision of two mediums. This amalgamation demonstrates what is possible, how one can stretch and challenge the imagination and medium. With such tactile mediums it encourages others to touch, smell and sense the depth of this art.
Shauna Van De Keere
My name is Shauna Van De Keere and I live in Kamloops, B.C. I grew up in Burnaby B.C., moved a few times to Coquitlam, then Chilliwack and settled in Kamloops. When I was pregnant with my first child in 1999 my sister in law brought me to my very first scrapbooking all day crop and taught me how to make cards. I then started attending card clubs and scrapbooking crop retreats which I found to be my heart, my soul and my pure joy hobby.
When I gave birth to my 3rd son we found out he was Autistic and I could no longer work. I needed to find a way to raise money for all of his Autistic programs that were not funded by the government, so that my son could grow to be the best that he could be. So my mom Bonnie Webber who lives in Princeton started selling my cards and crafts to fund schooling projects, supplies, and things he needed. If it wasn't for her amazing talent to sell, her time going to every craft fair available, asking everywhere she went like the Senior Center, The Legion, The Bingo Nights if she could sell my cards, if anyone would like to buy cards to support her grandson who is Autistic, I don't know how I would have survived and paid for everything he needs. I could not thank her enough. I could not thank the town of Princeton and the community for helping us out. over the years.
I use card stock, designer series paper, ink pads, embellishments, ephemera, ribbon, die cuts, embossing folders, scissors, every type of glue out there and my signature "Everything must have glitter" on it. I love to try every fancy fold technique I can find and I love venturing out to try 3D paper projects, like treat boxes, 3D advent calendars and pretty much anything I can think of that uses paper.
My favorite supplies come from a company called Stampin Up. But I have been venturing into many different paper kits from all sorts of companies now. I would have to say Doodlebug Designs is my favorite adorable cute design pattern to work with and Carta Bella from Echo Park for the beautiful colours and elegance pattern to work with.
To find my work you can contact Bonnie Webber @ 1-604-603-7363 this is her cell, she can be found at every craft fair in town. I also have cards @ The Winking Peddler in Princeton contact Joyce Edwards. Then of course the wonderful Art Gallery in Princeton contact Andrea. I have lots of samples of completed projects on https://www.facebook.com/glitzsparkle23/ or https://www.instagram.com/glitzsparkle23/
My name is Shauna Van De Keere and I live in Kamloops, B.C. I grew up in Burnaby B.C., moved a few times to Coquitlam, then Chilliwack and settled in Kamloops. When I was pregnant with my first child in 1999 my sister in law brought me to my very first scrapbooking all day crop and taught me how to make cards. I then started attending card clubs and scrapbooking crop retreats which I found to be my heart, my soul and my pure joy hobby.
When I gave birth to my 3rd son we found out he was Autistic and I could no longer work. I needed to find a way to raise money for all of his Autistic programs that were not funded by the government, so that my son could grow to be the best that he could be. So my mom Bonnie Webber who lives in Princeton started selling my cards and crafts to fund schooling projects, supplies, and things he needed. If it wasn't for her amazing talent to sell, her time going to every craft fair available, asking everywhere she went like the Senior Center, The Legion, The Bingo Nights if she could sell my cards, if anyone would like to buy cards to support her grandson who is Autistic, I don't know how I would have survived and paid for everything he needs. I could not thank her enough. I could not thank the town of Princeton and the community for helping us out. over the years.
I use card stock, designer series paper, ink pads, embellishments, ephemera, ribbon, die cuts, embossing folders, scissors, every type of glue out there and my signature "Everything must have glitter" on it. I love to try every fancy fold technique I can find and I love venturing out to try 3D paper projects, like treat boxes, 3D advent calendars and pretty much anything I can think of that uses paper.
My favorite supplies come from a company called Stampin Up. But I have been venturing into many different paper kits from all sorts of companies now. I would have to say Doodlebug Designs is my favorite adorable cute design pattern to work with and Carta Bella from Echo Park for the beautiful colours and elegance pattern to work with.
To find my work you can contact Bonnie Webber @ 1-604-603-7363 this is her cell, she can be found at every craft fair in town. I also have cards @ The Winking Peddler in Princeton contact Joyce Edwards. Then of course the wonderful Art Gallery in Princeton contact Andrea. I have lots of samples of completed projects on https://www.facebook.com/glitzsparkle23/ or https://www.instagram.com/glitzsparkle23/
Juhli Caldwell
Juhli is a creative soul who has had many opportunities to learn a wide range of techniques for creating art, some self-taught, some through workshops and some through attending Emily Carr and some through being tutored.
She has won awards of excellence for her paintings which now can be found in Canada, the US and the UK.
Since moving to the beautiful and scenic town of Princeton BC, Juhli has found special inspiration in nature. Juhli is working with pine needles to make baskets and has switched from making large colourful abstract acrylics to small watercolours of local scenery. Juhli also has found a creative outlet using digital art to make note cards.
Juhli is a creative soul who has had many opportunities to learn a wide range of techniques for creating art, some self-taught, some through workshops and some through attending Emily Carr and some through being tutored.
She has won awards of excellence for her paintings which now can be found in Canada, the US and the UK.
Since moving to the beautiful and scenic town of Princeton BC, Juhli has found special inspiration in nature. Juhli is working with pine needles to make baskets and has switched from making large colourful abstract acrylics to small watercolours of local scenery. Juhli also has found a creative outlet using digital art to make note cards.
Justine Lustig
Justine Lustig is a self-taught ceramic artist originally from Outlook, Saskatchewan. She decorates her pottery with exquisite designs, each drawn individually with intricate detail. Her intention is for the items to elevate your daily activities into luxurious rituals. She makes each piece from a slab of clay (no pottery wheel is used) and draws the designs with liquid clay, and glazes with all food-safe materials she mixes herself.
Her design inspiration comes from her experience as a professional henna artist, and she loves drawing ideas from patterns in textiles, nature, and her Prairie roots.
Justine Lustig is a self-taught ceramic artist originally from Outlook, Saskatchewan. She decorates her pottery with exquisite designs, each drawn individually with intricate detail. Her intention is for the items to elevate your daily activities into luxurious rituals. She makes each piece from a slab of clay (no pottery wheel is used) and draws the designs with liquid clay, and glazes with all food-safe materials she mixes herself.
Her design inspiration comes from her experience as a professional henna artist, and she loves drawing ideas from patterns in textiles, nature, and her Prairie roots.
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Mark Redsky
Mark Redsky (Red Sky) is an Ojibway artist raised in B.C. He blends the Spirit of the stone with the Spirit of nature's creations. Each piece is unique as he handcrafts one utilizing only hand-tools in a time honoured tradition.
Mark buys his stone from suppliers who import Alabaster from Italy (White) and the USA (Translucent Orange & Pink) African Wonderstone (Blackish or Purple) as well as Soapstone from B.C.
Mark discovered his artistic talents in high school, and fell in love with stone in the early 1990's.
Originally from Kenora Ontario, Mark draws from his heritage and his love of nature for inspiration in his creations. His carvings have been widely welcomed by galleries and collectors of stone art.
Mark Redsky (Red Sky) is an Ojibway artist raised in B.C. He blends the Spirit of the stone with the Spirit of nature's creations. Each piece is unique as he handcrafts one utilizing only hand-tools in a time honoured tradition.
Mark buys his stone from suppliers who import Alabaster from Italy (White) and the USA (Translucent Orange & Pink) African Wonderstone (Blackish or Purple) as well as Soapstone from B.C.
Mark discovered his artistic talents in high school, and fell in love with stone in the early 1990's.
Originally from Kenora Ontario, Mark draws from his heritage and his love of nature for inspiration in his creations. His carvings have been widely welcomed by galleries and collectors of stone art.
Sandy Spring
Sandy grew up in the Okanagan and spent many years taking art classes and self study. She has painted off and on for most of her life as well as doing other forms of creative endeavors. After living in several places throughout Canada she has lived in Princeton for, with her husband Bill, for the past 20 years.
She prefers to work with watercolours focusing on people and animals. Much of her work is a result of commissions, which she accepts without any obligation to purchase.
Her paintings are found in many homes throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Arizona.
Sandy grew up in the Okanagan and spent many years taking art classes and self study. She has painted off and on for most of her life as well as doing other forms of creative endeavors. After living in several places throughout Canada she has lived in Princeton for, with her husband Bill, for the past 20 years.
She prefers to work with watercolours focusing on people and animals. Much of her work is a result of commissions, which she accepts without any obligation to purchase.
Her paintings are found in many homes throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Arizona.
Paula Pateman
I have been a professional artist, living in Princeton since 1976. The beauty that surrounds me in this gorgeous Okanagan town is an inspiration in all of my chosen arts. I am primarily a potter but divide my time between oil painting, watercolour and charcoal drawing.
I am also very deeply involved in fiber arts such as spinning, kitting, weaving, particularly in the blending of unique fibers such as Samoyed, Lama, Alpaca and Qiviut.
Stained glass and stained glass painting has a prominent position in my studio as well.
I love most arts and the vastly varied styles of such arts, and well continue searching out new and exciting things the art would holds for all of us.
I have been a professional artist, living in Princeton since 1976. The beauty that surrounds me in this gorgeous Okanagan town is an inspiration in all of my chosen arts. I am primarily a potter but divide my time between oil painting, watercolour and charcoal drawing.
I am also very deeply involved in fiber arts such as spinning, kitting, weaving, particularly in the blending of unique fibers such as Samoyed, Lama, Alpaca and Qiviut.
Stained glass and stained glass painting has a prominent position in my studio as well.
I love most arts and the vastly varied styles of such arts, and well continue searching out new and exciting things the art would holds for all of us.
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Alicia Hargrave
I have been in Princeton almost 20 years and have been beading the majority of that time. I enjoy working with a variety of mediums like hemp, leather, wire and glass beads or crystals. I have taught numerous kids and adult classes and look forward to more in the future. I find myself self in a meditative state when really working on a project that I enjoy.
I have been in Princeton almost 20 years and have been beading the majority of that time. I enjoy working with a variety of mediums like hemp, leather, wire and glass beads or crystals. I have taught numerous kids and adult classes and look forward to more in the future. I find myself self in a meditative state when really working on a project that I enjoy.
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Karen Cummings
I would describe my work as abstract collage for which I use fabric and fiber as my medium. Drawing on colour, shape and texture - my messy collages reveal a hint of something familiar. Using the classical form of machine and hand stitching while arranging and rearranging cloth creates diverse surfaces, an invitation to up close and explore, engaging the viewer. Most of my fabric & paper are artist printed , adding a unique element to each piece.
I would describe my work as abstract collage for which I use fabric and fiber as my medium. Drawing on colour, shape and texture - my messy collages reveal a hint of something familiar. Using the classical form of machine and hand stitching while arranging and rearranging cloth creates diverse surfaces, an invitation to up close and explore, engaging the viewer. Most of my fabric & paper are artist printed , adding a unique element to each piece.
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Joann Esselink
Joann Esselink loves to experiment with her art by incorporating organic matter in her canvases or finding some new medium to portray her vision. In the last few years she has been working on copper with the most beautiful effects of verdi gris, highlighting the natural range of colours with acrylic paint and manipulating the ”canvas”. Joann recently came second in the Silver Lining contest portraying the positive effects of living through a pandemic. She believes she may not have created this piece if she hadn’t been stuck at home for months as it took at least a month to clean and prep the copper for her artistic treatments
Joann Esselink loves to experiment with her art by incorporating organic matter in her canvases or finding some new medium to portray her vision. In the last few years she has been working on copper with the most beautiful effects of verdi gris, highlighting the natural range of colours with acrylic paint and manipulating the ”canvas”. Joann recently came second in the Silver Lining contest portraying the positive effects of living through a pandemic. She believes she may not have created this piece if she hadn’t been stuck at home for months as it took at least a month to clean and prep the copper for her artistic treatments
Barb Chapman
Barb has been creating in different forms all her life. Starting with drawing and sketching horses as a horse crazy kid. Later sewing, pottery painting, knitting, crochet, and quilting were explored while gardening has always kept her busy.
Originally from Creston, Barb retired and moved to Princeton in 2017. In retirement Barb has found more time to learn and explore some different styles and methods of creating. Self-taught, she is continually learning and trying new things.
Currently she is working in acrylics and watercolour.
Barb has been creating in different forms all her life. Starting with drawing and sketching horses as a horse crazy kid. Later sewing, pottery painting, knitting, crochet, and quilting were explored while gardening has always kept her busy.
Originally from Creston, Barb retired and moved to Princeton in 2017. In retirement Barb has found more time to learn and explore some different styles and methods of creating. Self-taught, she is continually learning and trying new things.
Currently she is working in acrylics and watercolour.
Alexandra Lalande
Alexandra Lalande grew up in Wahnapitae, Ontario. This beautiful and rural area greatly influenced her curiosity and respect for nature and wildlife. Upon pursuing a career in Toronto, she found a huge absence of the scenery she was so familiar with and became very aware of the effects of consumerism and waste. She had always enjoyed art class in high school, and so began painting on leaves in November of 2015 in hopes of raising awareness for waste reduction, species at risk, and nature impacted by human activities.
Her interests in nature flourished so much that she decided to pursue a second career. She continued to paint throughout her studies in forestry and obtained an HBSc in Forestry at Lakehead University. She came to British Columbia to gain work experience and became a Registered Professional Forester with Forest Professionals British Columbia in 2024. She is now able to combine her scientific background with her artistry and passion for nature and wildlife. Most importantly, she hopes this art may inspire curiosity, waste reduction, as well as nature and wildlife conservation for others.
Alexandra Lalande grew up in Wahnapitae, Ontario. This beautiful and rural area greatly influenced her curiosity and respect for nature and wildlife. Upon pursuing a career in Toronto, she found a huge absence of the scenery she was so familiar with and became very aware of the effects of consumerism and waste. She had always enjoyed art class in high school, and so began painting on leaves in November of 2015 in hopes of raising awareness for waste reduction, species at risk, and nature impacted by human activities.
Her interests in nature flourished so much that she decided to pursue a second career. She continued to paint throughout her studies in forestry and obtained an HBSc in Forestry at Lakehead University. She came to British Columbia to gain work experience and became a Registered Professional Forester with Forest Professionals British Columbia in 2024. She is now able to combine her scientific background with her artistry and passion for nature and wildlife. Most importantly, she hopes this art may inspire curiosity, waste reduction, as well as nature and wildlife conservation for others.