Sonja Ahlers.

An artist that used to show at the gallery I managed in Vancouver has just crept back into my consciousness. As I was unpacking yet another box of books, I came across a catalogue from a show Sonja Ahlers had in Japan.

Sonja's art is near and dear to my heart. She creates these amazing Fierce Bunnies, one of which (Grandpa) is resting comfortably in Oliver's room. Sonja is one of those artists that you couldn't imagine being anything else. Her studio locations range from the Yukon, to the inside of a mushroom in Toronto. Everything she writes is brilliant and thoughtful, and her photographs are clean and crisp and bright. Oh and did I mention she shares my obsession with Heart?



I highly recommend reading her blog, scoping her art, and adoring her bunnies.




*Nestled inside the belly of each bunny is a lucky penny. About 5 months after I had received my bunny, I found out I was pregnant. I sent her an email and jokingly asked if they had fertility powers. She confirmed my suspicions.*

Fine Art Doll Collection

I am very excited to say that through all my years of education, and my favourite professor constantly encouraging me to look at craft as art...I finally get it. I am not saying that I have completely reconciled how a quilt and a painting can exist in the same category, but then again, how do painting and sculpture?! What does make sense to me now is that categories are unimportant, and that each work should be valued for the imagination and skill used to create them.

I have recently started my art collection, and to my surprise, I am beginning with 2 dolls. My first piece is a Fierce Bunny created by Vancouver artist Sonja Ahlers. His name is Grandpa and he is created from lambswool and then tea-dyed a lovely cream colour. If anyone is interested in these adorable and artistically playful bunnies, visit the James Harris Gallery website at www.jamesharrisgallery.com. To view more of her prints and collages (which are equally as fabulous, visit www.ateliergallery.ca


My second addition to my collection is a ridiculously cool doll created by Winnipeg artist, Suzie Smith. Suzie screenprints images onto fabric and sews them into shape. She created 8 different dolls: Frida Kahlo, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Courtney Love, Guerrilla Girl, Johnny Cash, Yoko Ono, Nina Simone, and oops...I can't remember the last one right now...Anyhow, because of a show I am curating at the Atelier Gallery, Suzie sent me my very own 'Guerrilla Girl'! I remeber now! It is the fabulous Tina Turner