Beth Rowlandson
Artist Story
I learned to make earrings in a fun, contemporary style mainly from people in Yellowknife. Everyone is so creative here – I love it. I grew up in British Columbia and then moved to the NWT, so this influences my style of work. I grew up around Aboriginal life and try to bring that culture and aspect into my art from a different perspective. It tells the story of me and it speaks to the people and landscapes I am drawn towards.
I start by looking at the materials that I have and what could fit together. There is a lot of trial and error and lots of tweaking. Making earrings is inspiring because in the end it is nothing like any other and usually something better than I imagined. It is an outlet for something creative that corresponds to my mood. I love that it is mine and represents me in how I have grown in many ways, and aspects of the North and my life here.
Beth moved to Yellowknife in the spring of 2013 from Vancouver Island. While pursuing her Pre-Social Work degree at Camosun College she was able to take some aboriginal courses and her affinity for the aboriginal culture began. She was honoured to meet and learn from some elders and other great teachers. She has always had an artistic side – enjoying scrapbooking, knitting and crocheting. Moving North has enabled her to expand on that ability – allowing her to learn new skills as she began making earrings. She currently works with porcupine quills, feathers and beads of all types. She is always on the look-out for new materials to try so you never know what she will come up with next.
Artist Gallery
