Christine Benson-Woods, Artist

Artist's Statement

And Then It Dawned On Me

I am always looking around me, taking mental snapshots of places, things, landscapes, sentences and experiences. My work is often quite stylized and usually involves a sense of rhythm and repetition. My imagery is almost always inspired by nature- however I am also inspired by many other diverse sources including urban sprawl, the local landscape and my daily life.

Each part of the printmaking process for me is an important step in realizing the final image. Behind each of my prints there has been an exciting transformation from sketch to carved image. Each of my linocuts are hand-printed on a variety of handmade paper which are carefully chosen to compliment the image. The paper often plays an important role in the finished piece. Oftentimes I will combine my images with collaged and hand sewn details to form a sort of paper tapestry.

Bio

Planting Fresh Thoughts

I graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2003 where I received my A.O.C.A.D and completed my B.F.A in 2004.

In 2001, 2002 and 2003 I was awarded several OCAD Awards for my work in the medium of printmaking and since graduation I have been exhibiting my work throughout Ontario. Selected exhibitions include: Virus Arts (Toronto), Transit Space (Toronto), OCAD (Toronto), The Colborne Art Gallery (Colborne), The Art Gallery of Northumberland (Cobourg), The Upstairs Gallery (Port Hope), A.K. Collings Gallery (Port Hope) and The Blue Tomato (Peterborough).

I am also an annual participant in the Northumberland Hills Studio Tour and along with my husband musician Mike Woods, we own and curate The Journey Through the Arts Gallery in Port Hope.

In addition to the art gallery we also run Journey Through The Arts (visual art, music and drama programs for adults, children and throughout local schools). I am also an enthusiastic advocate for the arts in Northumberland through my involvement on the Board of Directors for the Arts Council of Northumberland and the Municipality of Port Hope’s Cultural Advisory Committee.