Melody Armstrong
www.emmacollaboration.com/artists/melody-armstrong

In one sentence describe the piece you are submitting to Emma Bound.
My piece STEEL AURORA BRACELET  was inspired by a collaboration I was working on with Glen Grismer who contributed the aurora steel pieces at Emma 2014.

Tell us about your creative process – in general and/or specifically for your Emma Bound piece.
My creative process involves varied interplay of colours and textures to create distinctive contrasts.  I like to play with structural form, created to deliberately play with negative and positive space.  My jewellery designs testify to the textural dynamic and technical approach within my practice, seeming to have evolved organically, taking on an industrial influence.

What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?
I am inspired by so many things, images, elements, patterns, structures, architecture, nature.
I admire Todd Reed, I love his raw aesthetic.  I admire Sydney Lynch for her combination of oxidized, gold and lots of gems.  I admire Pawel Kaczynski for his fabric like metal treatments.
I admire Luisa Satori and Rex Ray for their use of geometric shapes and pattern.

Where are you from and what do you love and/or hate about that place?
I am from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  I love the sunshine but hate winter.

Tell us if this is your first time or 10th time attending Emma International Collaboration. What are you looking forward to?
This will be my third time at Emma, I am looking forward to sharing this great experience with my boyfriend Terry Johnston!  It will be so much fun!  I am looking forward to creating outside for a week, meeting new people and re acquainting with old friends.

What does “making collaborative art work” mean to you? Is it a struggle to “let go” at times?
It is freeing and liberating and the best environment, being outdoors creating art in nature with so many like minded artist in one place.

BONUS – Give us a quote or sentiment to live by.
Follow your passion, don’t let fear hold you back, step out of the comfort zone and dream big!

https://www.saskcraftcouncil.org/emma-bound-artist-interviews-bettina-matzkuhn-bill-dorman-melody-armstrong/www.saskcraftcouncil.org/emma-bound-artist-interviews-bettina-matzkuhn-bill-dorman-melody-armstrong/

Every two years, one hundred artists from across the globe come together in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan to share in an experience of raw creation and open possibility. Affectionately known as 'Emma', this biennial weeklong event takes place at the Ness Creek Site in the heart of the Boreal Forest in Northern Saskatchewan, a place where form and function collide. Artists at various stages of their careers are challenged to step outside their usual art practice, to explore medium, technique and subject matter through hands on collaboration and exciting creative exchange.

Some pieces I collaborated on:

The 2016 Emma International Collaboration is a weeklong invitational event for professional and
emerging artists which encourages a sharing of knowledge and skills through unrestrained art-
making in a variety of media. There are no ‘rules’ per se, except to work and to experience the
creative energy that has been assembled at this time, and in this one location. The primary
focus while at Emma is to work collaboratively on a variety of projects that can, and often, do
involve any number of artists. The Collaborative approach to art-making, found at Emma, has
given rise to a new way of learning and teaching. Every artist at Emma becomes a teacher, a
student and a mentor; artists are there to give, to accept and to inspire.
The location is also a catalyst for learning, teaching and inspiring. The Ness Creek Site is
nestled in the boreal forest and art making is done outside surrounded by nature.
Accommodations vary from rustic cabins, tenting or trailers. Meals are provided by a wonderful
local caterer and a mixture of BYOB and Cantina operating hours makes for a very social
environment.

Photography by Terry Johnston.

#EMMACOLLAB2016

Photography by Melody Armstrong.