I was born in St. John's in 1950, a third generation Newfoundlander. I grew up on Elizabeth Ave. when it was a gravel road in the country. My father (Don Clouston) brought the first cars for sale in Nfld. He often traveled the island checking on his dealerships and would take Mommy and me with him. So it was at a young age than I had the opportunity to see and get a feel for the Newfoundland landscape.
Mommy taught me to embroider and Daddy taught me woodworking, one of my best memories of him is the day he bought me my first chisel. Not the usual father daughter activity, but both my parents realized I had creative interests and helped in ways they could. When I was 15, I went to live with my sister Sally and her children in Oklahoma. Sally more than anyone encouraged my creative talents. She tolerated my various projects, usually in the middle of the kitchen floor!
I went on to more formal art education at the University of Oklahoma and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. My primary interest was goldsmithing. However, it wasn't until I returned home to Newfoundland. that I realized how much I had missed the Newfoundland landscape. I worked as a goldsmith for awhile, but it was lacking something I needed. I saw lots of changes in the landscape from the time when I traveled with my parents.
Things did not come together for me creatively, until I was asked to work on some banners for a traveling theater show. Suddenly I was working with colour and had the chance to portray the unique landscape of our province. I worked in batik for four years and during this time I had lots of opportunity to work with large pieces of silk and images from around the island.
In 1981 I had come to a turning point in my work. I wanted more detail in my work, than batik could offer. I investigated silkscreen printing, using dyes on the silk. I developed my own technique and refined my images using many colours and lots of detail. I continued using this method until 1994, when I realized I wanted more control over the printing process. I am now working on museum board using water base inks. I find this combination of materials and technique to be a wonderful way to express my self.
I still travel the island looking for subject matter. On one of these trips I was chatting with a young gentleman explaining what I was doing, he put it rather well. "You're looking for what's gone;" The old ways, a relaxed time in the traditional outport Newfoundland. I hope my prints bring to you the qualities of that time and place.
Personal note,
I live in my house/studio in the woods outside St. John's. I share my life with my dog Holly, a Newf. / Lab. cross. We have a wonderful support team of friends and relatives who help me to print and offer creative guidance. I like to garden and make my own furniture. Life is good for this printer on the Rock.
My claims to fame:
The one of my pieces was chosen by the province, as the wedding gift for Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
I have done many architectural installations. The two that mean the most to me are:
"Junipers Visit", the large quilt (9' X 12') in the Arts and Culture Center, in St. John's. This work was constructed by my cousin Shelley Clouston, with my assistance and guidance. It includes two of my large silk prints.
I also made numerous batiks for the Murray Premises, now a harbour front shopping mall These depict scenes from the 1800's, the area when the fishing premises was being used for the buying and selling of cod fish. These are on silk and hang through out the building.
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