Stitches n' Stains

Sharon Collins, Artist

Mixed media, watercolour, fibre,quilt art, acrylics, stained glass

Artist’s Statement

I love to make things. I am inspired primarily by nature. The colour of a flower, the reflection on water, the flow of a line excites me. How to capture a sensation, a concept, or a state of mind intrigues me. My artistic expression is an essential part of my life. It is a wonderful foil for the intensity of my medical practice and the joys of my family life.

Biography

Sharon’s interest in sewing began as a young girl when her mother taught her how to sew; primarily to make her own clothes. After entering university, necessity turned into passion when she took an interest in designing and creating wall hangings and garments, using the skills her mother taught her as a young girl.

After graduating in medicine, Sharon moved to northern Ontario to start a practice. It was here that her love of art began to grow. After taking classes at the local college with Stephen Braithwaite, renowned stain glass artist, Sharon was hooked on stained glass, designing and creating windows of her own. Her installations include a church, a restaurant, a funeral home and many residences. She continues to design stained glass windows today.

Stained glass led to water colour painting and quilting – a medium that brought her back to her mothers sewing lessons. She attended her first traditional quilt class in Kirkland lake in 1994 with Terry Whyte and began making quilts for family and friends. Since 2002, her quilting has expanded to art quilts and mixed media fibre arts. She continues to take classes from local and international instructors including Catherine Biddyk-Law, Ruth McDowell, Barbara Olsen, Vicky Pignatelli, Karen Eckmeier, Robbi Joy Eklow, Pamela Allen and Gunnel Hagg. She has exhibited stained glass art, water colours, traditional quilts, artwear and fibre art locally and internationally.