Maker Monday: Gillian Schultze

We say this a lot, but Sudbury is so full of talented people and we love to highlight them so today we’re introducing a new series: Maker Monday! Each Monday we will share an interview with a local maker and give you some insight into their design process and tips for any makers out there looking to start selling their own artwork.

For the first Maker Monday, we spoke with textile artist Gillian Schultze. Gillian creates pieces that look like acrylic paintings but are created using fabrics, threads as well as paints and dyes. This past weekend her first solo exhibition opened at Artists on Elgin and from now until May 31st she wants to encourage you to “Get Off Your Chair” and explore the wonders of nature around us.

Tell us a bit about your textile art. 

My art is the culmination of many years of creativity and lots of hiking, paddling, sking, and cycling in our stunning Northern Ontario.  I am inspired and in awe of Mother Nature and my work is a feable attempt to recreate the beauty of the natural world.  My pieces are created using fabric and thread (threadpainting) but I throw in paint, dyes and other techniques as needed.  I have been told my canvaces look like acrylic paintings.

Photo: Gerry Kingsley.

What is your creative process like?

I spend hours in the woods and on the water looking at the trees and landscapes wondering how I could create them in fabric. In my studio, I simply “go for it”.  I do not have a vision for the end result as each piece of material adds layers and direction to the piece. I do admit I generally dislike most of my pieces as I am creating and bore my family with “I hate it” often. Some pieces I put to the side and come back with a fresh perspective. However, I have also cut up finished pieces and recreated them into something entirely new.

You have a show opening at Artists on Elgin this month – what kinds of pieces can we expect to see at this show?

This show is an invitation to the viewers to “Get Off Your Chair” (Exhibition title) and explore the natural wonders of “our crater”.  All of the pieces are representative of areas we can experience in a day (Killarney, French River, Manitoulin Island) as well as on the trails in our own community. (See rainbowroutes.com). The cheeky title of my exhibition also morphed into the creating of a few feature chairs that will be for sale.  I have used my textile pieces as upholstery.

Photo: Gerry Kingsley.

What inspired you to get started with textile art?

I have been fascinated and obsessed with textiles for much of my life. My mom is a seamstress and created beautiful clothing for us as kids (until we got too “cool” a.k.a “teenagers) to wear home-made clothes. I also used to own a vintage clothing store when I was much younger. To this day I keep natural linens, silks and cottons and incorportae them into my art.

Do you have a favourite piece of art that you have created?

I am emotionally connected to one of the first pieces of textile art I created entitled “Mother Earth”. It is a peice that represents my three boys standing tall as trees and connected to the small earth below. I am above all a mother to three young men who have each contributed to my artistic jouney in one way or another.

Photo: Gerry Kingsley.

Do you do any commissioned work?

I am honoured people like my work and can say I have a list of commission pieces I have to work on. I think people are drawn to scenes that remind them of their home and as such I have been asked to reproduce many Northern Ontario vistas for clients.

Do you have any tips for other makers who may be looking to start selling their own pieces of art? 

As I said, I feel very fortunate I have been able to sell my work.  But the fun is in creating – not in selling (that is just the bonus). I hope other makers find inspiration in what they are doing and that their passion is translated to their canvas or creation. There are a host of art supporters in our community that I would recommend makers check out: One Sky, Makers North, Sudbury Art Club, Artists on Elgin, etc..

Find out more about Gillian and her artwork at her website gillianschultze.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Emily Franceschini

Emily Franceschini is former full-timer and lover of all things purple. In a past life, Emily worked as a marketing manager and spent her free time searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Now all of her time is free time and she's spending it exploring the world.

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