Let me
introduce myself. I am Joan Ouchida, a multimedia artist.
I was born in Alaska and grew up in the Pacific
Northwest. As a child I was very interested in art and was always
creating.
After a long
career as a graphic designer, I have devoted more time in recent years to the
arts and crafts I have always enjoyed. I find great pleasure in artistic
pursuits as a custom seamstress, photographer, craftsperson, and artistic
consultant. I now spend more time creating art in various media including
photography, textiles, beadwork, acrylic painting, computer rendering, 3-D and
mixed media.
My early study
of geology has translated into a fascination with beads of natural materials. I
design bracelets, earrings and necklaces using these small wonders of nature.
Some pieces include glass, metal or other materials. Each creation is designed
to be an adornment celebrating nature.
My interest in
environmental issues, including recycling and reuse, has led me to another of
my current works. I reclaim, recycle and reuse old sports equipment to design
and build useful art pieces. Each piece is unique. Each is sturdy, stable and
suitable for use in a variety of locations. My most popular designs use
discarded skis or snowboards mixed with other sports equipment such as bicycle
parts, bowling balls and the like. I
have made over 100 useful pieces, including benches, tables, coat racks, bird
houses, planters, wildlife feeders and birdbaths. The pieces and their core
philosophy have been enthusiastically received by the public, fellow artists
and art show juries.
Another group
of work that reuses and repurposes otherwise discarded items are my line of
hand-crafted pin cushions. Each piece joins fabric remnants from sewing
projects and ceramic vessels found in charity thrift stores with ribbons, bows
and buttons. Others enjoy using these unique pin cushions in their quilting
studios, craft rooms and sewing ateliers.
Also, I have
picked up my camera again and am enjoying art photography. Most of my
photographic pieces explore the wonders of nature, from the minuscule patterns
found in small rocks, plants and insects, to the textures and colors in flowers
and leaves, and the immense Central Oregon skies filled with patterns of clouds
and brilliant colors of sunrises. Besides framed photographic prints, I have
used some of these photographic images on handmade wallets and credit card
holders.
I enjoy the
creation of these projects greatly and also look forward to new artistic pursuits.
I hope you
enjoy the pieces I have created.
Joan
