Category Archives: ottawa

Special Assignments

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a polymer clay artist’s studio? As someone deeply passionate about the art of polymer clay, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to dive into the world of experimentation, testing, and design with … Continue reading

Posted in Art, art classes, Art Dolls, art exhibits, art instructors, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Figurative Art, Maria Saracino, ottawa, ottawa art scene, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Heirloom Santa Art Retreat

Organizing a 4 day vacation art retreat took a lot of planning, especially trying to anticipated everything we would need, not only to work together, but to live together while creating. Other than forgetting blue paint for Santa’s eyes, I … Continue reading

Posted in Art, art classes, art conference, Art Connection Summit, art convention, Art Dolls, art exhibits, art instructors, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Christmas, Figurative Art, NAK Gallery, ottawa, ottawa art scene, polyform products, polymer clay, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, Studio 87, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mood Swings

It’s always fascinated me how the chain of information spreads from person to person. The interpretation and the range of human emotions and reactions are so different. One of Norman Rockwell’s illustrations sticks out in my mind. It’s called “Gossip”. … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, art classes, Art Connection Summit, Art Dolls, art exhibits, art instructors, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Figurative Art, Maria Saracino, NAK Gallery, ottawa, Ottawa 150, ottawa art scene, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, Studio 87, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Special Gift

I usually write about gifts people commission me to make for them, but today I want to share a gift I received. It’s been more than 4 years since “The Thunderbird” installation was completed and hung on the wall at … Continue reading

Posted in Affordable Designs, Art, Art Awards, art classes, art conference, Art Dolls, art exhibits, art instructors, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Figurative Art, Marguerite D'Youville, Maria Saracino, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, Ottawa 150, ottawa art scene, Perth, ON, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, Studio 87, Uncategorized, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Workshops, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meet Julenisse, The Norwegian Santa

Typically, people believe that Santa lives in one of the Northern Scandinavian countries, as a matter of fact, you’ve probably heard he lives in Lapland. But despite his home being so close, Santa Claus is not a common Christmas icon … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, art classes, art conference, Art Connection Summit, art convention, Art Dolls, art exhibits, art instructors, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Christmas, Christmas Elf, Elf, Elves, Figurative Art, Maria Saracino, Mother Christmas, Mother's Day Gifts, Mrs. Claus, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, ottawa art scene, Perth, ON, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, Santa's Elf, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, Studio 87, Vingettes, Workshops, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Art Connection Summit

Under normal circumstances, September would be the start of a new series of workshops offered in my studio. However, Covid19 has disrupted everything. But from hardship comes innovative new ideas and a different way to gather and learn from each … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, art classes, art conference, Art Connection Summit, art convention, Art Dolls, art exhibits, art instructors, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Christmas, Christmas Elf, Elf, Elves, Figurative Art, Halloween, Maria Saracino, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, Ottawa 150, ottawa art scene, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, Santa's Elf, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, Vingettes, Workshops, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Toller Cranston Commission

Pat Gorgas came to visit early in the Covid days. We sat on my porch, social distancing as she described the project she wanted me to do.  A commission of the late Toller Cranston – Canadian national figure skating champion … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, Art Dolls, art exhibits, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Christmas Elf, Elf, Elves, Figurative Art, Maria Saracino, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, ottawa art scene, Perth, ON, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, Uncategorized, Vingettes, Workshops, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Studio Space Downsize

This quote by Leonard Da Vinci is going to be put to the test as I settle into my new studio space – a compact 8′ x 6.5′ room. This is the space where I sculpt and create my figurative … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, Art Dolls, art exhibits, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Christmas, Christmas Elf, Elf, Elves, Figurative Art, Halloween, Justin Trudeau, Liberal Party, Marguerite D'Youville, Maria Saracino, Mother Christmas, Mother's Day Gifts, Mrs. Claus, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, Ottawa 150, ottawa art scene, Perth, ON, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, Santa's Elf, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, solar system, space, Studio 87, Uncategorized, Vingettes, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Witches, Workshops, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I’m Still Here!

I haven’t posted much over the last few months with good reason. My husband and I made the decision of downsizing and moving closer to the city core last summer. This involved selling our home, purging, finding temporary accommodations all … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, Art Dolls, art exhibits, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Figurative Art, Maria Saracino, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, Ottawa 150, ottawa art scene, polyform products, polymer clay, portrait commissions, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, Studio 87, Uncategorized, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Story About the “Mémère” Elf

Last November I posted photos of some Christmas elves I made. Not long afterwards I received a message from someone who was in a frenzy to get her hands on one particular elf I had shown that looked just like … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Art Awards, Art Dolls, art exhibits, Art shows, art shows in ottawa, Artists, Christmas, Christmas Elf, Elf, Elves, Figurative Art, Halloween, Justin Trudeau, Liberal Party, Marguerite D'Youville, Maria Saracino, Mother Christmas, Mother's Day Gifts, Mrs. Claus, Orange Art Gallery, ottawa, Ottawa 150, ottawa art scene, Perth, ON, polymer clay, portrait commissions, Santa's Elf, sculpey, Sculpting Workshops, sculpture, solar system, Studio 87, Uncategorized, Vingettes, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Witches, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments