Meet Canada's Crafters: Carol Knowlton-Dority
Hi friends,
As you know, every once in a while I like to post a profile of someone I've had the chance to meet through my work with developing craft stories for Canadian Living.
I had the chance to meet one such inspiring person a few months ago. Carol Knowlton-Dority is the creative mind behind the fun and fancy-free plastic flowers that you'll find featured in our April issue. These flowers are a harbinger of spring in my Toronto neighbourhood; when they pop up all around Christ Church Deer Park, I know that the good weather (and chocolate bunny) isn't far off!
Back in October, I sat down with Carol, the church's rector, Canon Dr. Judy Rois, and the director of children's education, Samantha Caravan, to chat about those flowers (and so many other things). Since then, and had the pleasure of corresponding with Carol over the following months. Now, as the time for those flowers draws close, I'm happy to bring you this profile.
Hi Carol. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have enjoyed a variety of opportunities to bring children and visual arts together; as a classroom teacher in both public and private school settings, and as an art educator. I created and implemented in two Ontario District School Boards, Journey Into Peace: A Bullying Prevention Program Through Visual Arts.
Part of my practice as a Visual Artist includes opportunity to be involved in educational and community experiences. As President of Mural Routes, I am part of a great team whose purpose is to engage and enhance communities through the creation of mural and public art.
Making art is a transforming experience in every way. It makes me happy and connects me to others. I aspire to be open to new and sometimes surprising thoughts which develop as I consider my part in the human experience. Creating visual art is a way of reviewing and reflecting upon these ideas.
How did the plastic-dishware flowers idea get started?
The plastic flower “dura” garden evolved from a request to “decorate” the outdoor gardens of the church that I attend, Christ Church Deer Park, at Easter. It was quite a surprise the first Easter Sunday. Everyone has found some humour in it and we’ve been building it up year after year. Some of the original flowers are 15 years old.
You can see them here.
What is your prime focus right now?
I really find that my experience of painting is tremendously important to me. Although at times, it can be difficult and frustrating, it’s immensely exhilarating, freeing and peaceful. I’m thankful for a wonderfully supportive family.
(See my paintings online.)
One of Carol's paintings, "Swimming Girl."
How is it that “reflective, thoughtful” paintings and kooky plastic flowers come from same artist?
What do we want in life? Joseph Campbell, author of The Power Of Myth and many more wonderful books, assures us that we want “the experience of being alive”!
Plastic dishware masquerading as an abundance of kooky flowers-why not?
Paintings that challenge my thinking, my ideas and world view—I hope so!
Many artists and creative thinkers urge us to be open and discover. My friend Brian Dench says, "the genius of the kooky plastic art is this – people who want to foster artistic desire but feel they can't or don't have the talent or know-how, are empowered to take early steps with simple materials quickly achieving do-able results. They can begin the quest to satisfy their inner creator (or their inner Creator) even if they felt they might be not so talented (yet) with the oils and the brushes. It is an inviting, easy way to launch and come up with something joyous and fun ... Dishware R Us!"
Where do you find your inspiration?
Straight on till dawn….Peter Pan
I’m having a sensational experience:
Painting,
Playing with ideas, reflecting,
Being in a space where ideas may pop up
Cultivating elusive stillness
Loosing myself in play
Finding that things move and create themselves
Coping with trying to “sharpen my tools”
Stretching myself toward what is outside my reach
Straight on till dawn….
Thanks so much, Carol!
March 7th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Wonderful flowers!
March 10th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
This is a GREAT idea! These are fabulous! what other Easter ideas do you have? I would love to see more from you!
March 11th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I love Carol's work!
March 11th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
so pretty!!!
March 15th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Your creativity is unprecedented!
March 19th, 2010 at 8:29 am
This is a very creative idea - something we can all try at home with our kids. It would really make our gardens look a little more alive, until real flowers can be planted. It was also great to read about Carol's inspiration - "straight on till dawn". We all need to think about the power of positive thinking, perhaps it will make us all a little more creative!
March 19th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Carol - These flowers are so much fun! Thanks from the staff at the North York Central Library children's Department, who have had a very busy March Break, and are now smiling at your creativity! Kathleen
March 19th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Those of us fortunate enough to be Carol's neighbours, have long admired the same cheerful blooms she "plants" in her home garden too, among other delightful creative works. These include her many beautiful and evocative paintings and, my personal favourite, her contribution to Toronto's "City Moose" project several years ago - he was awesome! Love you Carol!
March 19th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Wacky and fun as usual, Carol! Brings back fond memories of the kids at Easter when they were little. I am the proud owner of, in my opinion, the finest of Carol's whimsical paintings of my late Great Uncle's farm.
Cheers, mh
March 19th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Carol's art is inspiring - and she is always full of fun,colourful ideas, much like she is as a person!
March 19th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Carol, your work is always inspiring! Well done!
March 19th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Beautiful! Such splashes of colour. They give me hope to think I could surely find a way to be artistic.
March 19th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
This is great work, its creative and fun! Hope to see more!
March 19th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
What a talented lady! Carol's work is both interesting and inspiring!
March 19th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I've always been a big fan of Carol's work and particularly love Swimming Girl. Thanks Canadian Living for featuring great home grown talent.
March 19th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Carol's flowers are fun and creative. I love the bright colours.... the flowers make you feel happy. Great idea for Easter!
March 19th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Every time I pass the church and the plastic folwers are blooming, I know it's Spring. And that is wonderful.
March 19th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Well, ok, they are "flowers".
March 19th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Dear Carol: I am so pleased with your entry, and agree with this: "Making art is a transforming experience in every way. It makes me happy and connects me to others. I aspire to be open to new and sometimes surprising thoughts which develop as I consider my part in the human experience. Creating visual art is a way of reviewing and reflecting upon these ideas."
As you know I am interested in Sacred Arts, and I am sure that the plastic flowers around Christ Church are sacred in the best sense: also show that a sense of humour is a divine gift.
I am also very pleased to hear you mention Brian Dench: I have lost touch with him and hope I can address him through you. GC
March 19th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Such cheerful flowers as harbingers of summer.
Glad Canadian Living shared it! Keep it up Carol.
March 20th, 2010 at 12:47 am
An artist for ALL seasons! Carol's work is so fresh and captivating...full of imagination & daring. Keep it up!
March 20th, 2010 at 4:12 am
When I read this article (from my home in London, U.K.), it brought back some very happy memories of the 3 Easters my family spent at Christ Church Deer Park. The landscape of colourful flowers is spectacular!
March 20th, 2010 at 10:38 am
How great is this? We smile, laugh, and feel happy at this unexpected early spring flourishing. And at the same time, we are gently encouraged to think about what is real, what is imagined, what is natural, what is artificial, what is our human space in the world of nature. Thanks Carol!
March 21st, 2010 at 11:17 am
Love the gotta-feel-happy feeling these flowers inspire!
March 21st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
What a wonderful idea - a true harbinger of spring. You must delight the whole neighbourhood when these flowers appear. Have a wonderful spring (it always seems so short in Toronto).
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
How inspiring to see such creativity and depth of passion for igniting both fun and thought in herself and others. The Visual Arts community and the world of education are very lucky to have your involvement and commitment, Carol!
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 am
Knowing Carol for a life time - I am always in awe of her amazing talent, her eye of colour and her continued zest for life.
Her creativity and sense of bringing calm to the world around her through her artistic endeavours are inspiring and clearly her passion.
I LOVE these flowers and the beauty they bring to her Church community after the dull of winter.
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I love the connection between play and art. It's so important for children and for adults who need to re-learn how to play. Carol captures that connection beautifully and models it in her life and in her work.
March 29th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I love the flowers and the inspired words of the interview! It's great to be reminded of the power of the creative in all of us and demonstrated so joyously by Carol.
April 3rd, 2010 at 8:33 am
It just shows you how creativity manifests itself in so many different ways -- even from the same person. Love the flowers and the painting.
April 5th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Carol:
I am so glad that your talent and your sense of fun are being publicly celebrated. You happy-thoughts are always an inspiration.
Karin
April 9th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Carol,
it is a gift to see beauty, whimsy and potential all around us and in unexpected things...certainly youu have that gift.
July 12th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Carol,
I loved the flowers and your inspirational interview. It reminded me to slow down, listen to those moments of creativity when they surface and take the time to play with colour and not worry about making "perfect art" but rather just enjoying the experience of art making. I'm always so pleased to read about teachers celebrating the arts with children in classrooms. Please continue to share your gifts with your students and your world. Thank you!
Surekha Sharma