Shan is a self taught, multidisciplinary artist whose work stems from an intrigue of handcrafting functional, wearable & decorative objects, while being
mindful of environmental footprint & social sustainability. Her current work focuses predominantly on functional art, wearable art, apothecary & photography.
Through her photography, Shan centres on the resonance of nature, transitioning light, transformation, reclamation & the beauty in the little details found in our surroundings. She revisits the same locations to gather images in varying light & to capture the nuances of our world. Her photographs are impressions of her experiences & remain unaltered from their original format. Her collection of portraits is derived in a candid style, portraying a natural impression of each individual.
Shan's artistic works include wearable or functional pieces such as jewelry & adornments, clothing & accessories, textiles, lanterns, tables & clocks. The changing seasons influence her materials & work. Her intention is to create each individual component of each art piece by transforming natural, reclaimed, vintage, upcycled, found, organic & fair trade materials. Everything has a story & innumerable discarded objects have potential to become something both beautiful & useful. Being fully involved in the process, is a fundamental element in all her work, from individually hand forging components, to salvaging discarded items, to sustainably & ethically hand gathering raw materials, such as stones, shells, seeds, bone, feathers & wood, which are integrated in her projects. If outside resources are needed, she finds sustainable alternatives. The nature of the materials used assures each piece unique. Germinate is reflective of nature, growth, evolution & creating a new existence to quiescent elements.
From seed saving, to planting, to salve making, Germinate is immersed in the process. The Germinate Apothecary line is handcrafted from ethically & sustainably sourced raw, pure ingredients, wild crafted plants & local organically grown herbs, that are mindfully gathered by hand & solar infused, fresh in season, in cold pressed certified organic & fair trade oils. Guided by the wisdom of traditional herbalism & folk medicine, using whole plants & simple hand tools, formulas are visioned & crafted in small batches. Using fresh local herbs from one’s own bio-region, creates a connection to seasonal cycles & flora in our natural surroundings, cultivates sustainability, ensures a higher quality & efficacy of healing properties.
It is believed that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, that energy can only be transferred, or changed from one form to another. From the manner in which things are grown, gathered, harvested & handled, there is embedded energy in what we put in & on our bodies, in that we choose to surround ourselves. Knowing the maker, their philosophies & their practices, cultivates a connection to the elements, the process of creation & an understanding the vibration infused in the wares, which ultimately influences the way one feels.
Transcending gender & generations, the Germinate aesthetic appeals to those focused on eco-conscious natural living, seeking local, ethically & sustainably made wares,
to individuals who surround themselves with functional & wearable art that has meaning & purpose.
Shan has decades of experience working with children, youth, adults, individuals with neurological & behavioural diversities or language barriers, in teaching, coaching,
individual support & care environments. She was a nationally ranked athlete whose undergraduate studies were in Philosophy, French, Psychology & General Arts.
Over the past two decade, Shan has studied Reiki, Tsa Lung, Ayurveda, Herbs, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Brain Gym & Polarity Therapy.
Shan’s personal & vocational focus is the merging of healing, art, environment & community.
Shan’s roots are in Hockley Valley. She has lived & traveled in various continents. She has created & sold her works in Canada & internationally.
Her art is currently displayed in her studio on Georgian Bay & shoppes across the province.
