Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Mission:

I want to create and exhibit needlepoint that is outstanding and innovative for its own creativity, technique and emotion. I want the viewer to experience my excitement and wonder as I create pieces. My “mission” is to create Art in needlepoint. Needlepoint, being a flat medium, governed by a fixed grid or canvas, limits the possibilities of threads that can be used and realism that can be created. I create my pieces around these restrictions, creating flow of movement, textural up and down surfaces, and I take the shape and threads where I want them to be placed.

I often hear, "I’ve never seen anything like this! How do you do it?"

History:

Having lived in Toronto since I was 16 years of age, I consider myself to be a Torontonian. My life began in the Northern Ontario town of Kirkland Lake, June 27th, 1938. I’ve also lived in Kitchener and London, Ontario.

By the age of six I was learning to knit, embroider and create my own fashions for my cut-out dolls. I was influenced in needlepoint and knitting by my mother and both grandmothers who were talented creators.

My love of knitting led me into the fashion design field. During the 1970’s I designed hand-loomed ladies’ high fashion knitted clothing under the label of Marnie Knits. I didn’t have formal training for my design, my “schools” were the fashion runways of London, Paris, Milan, Florence, Dusseldorf, New York, Montreal and Toronto. I was privileged to view the work of top designers as we bought fashions for our family business, Alan Cherry Fashions. My knits, inspired by the colours and textures of the world, sold very successfully in major retail stores in Canada and the U.S.

Next, I began designing and merchandising Bridal and Evening wear for The Bridal Loft in my family business. The Bridal Loft became one of the leading, trend setting Bridal Salons during the 1980’s.

In 1992 I retired from the fashion world to paint, collage, and to put my own needlepoint designs onto canvas. My work is very spontaneous and tactile. I begin with a brief concept and develop the design, textures, contrasts and surprises as I proceed. I often say that I thread the needle and the work takes on a life of its own.

The materials I use consist of needlepoint canvas (usually 18 count) which I embellish with silk, wool, cotton, metallic, phototransfer, fabric, beads, velour, ultrasuede, and whatever is currently available.

I’m often asked if I sell my work…. Well I haven’t considered selling my pieces yet. I just continue to fill my walls (all of my pieces are framed pictures). Considering that I like to work on very large pieces and very fine canvas, my work moves at a very slow pace. I may cover one or one and a half inches during an hour of work. That makes for a very costly piece of art. Another factor in keeping my work is that much of it is of a very personal autobiographical nature.

About Canvas Collage®:

This group of my work is part of my evolving development of a combination of stitchery, needlepoint, collage and quilting techniques, all worked into the same piece.

My interest in quilting and needlepoint led me to beginner quilting courses, courses on inspiration for quilting and courses in applique. That lead to my addiction to quilt stores and an ever growing stash of fabrics, books, magazines, introduction to styles of quilting, and my fascination with art quilts and crazy quilts. As you can see my taste is very eclectic.

Not wanting to choose between quilting and needlepoint, I combine both. Thus evolved Canvas-Collage®.

The technique I use attaches all fabric pieces to the needlepoint canvas with hand stitchery using a sharp needle and a variety of threads. I love to use photo transfer because I feel that it adds depth to the piece. The inspiration comes from the photo transfer, when used, and the fabrics. I cut the quilting fabrics to enhance the feeling and composition that I want to convey. As I begin to stitch, the piece then takes on a life of its own and truly tells me what to say.

Virtual Gallery website: http://www.stitchamaze.com

Email: cherrysoleil@rogers.com

2009 ANG Seminar Milwaukee, Wisconsin, class with Dorthy lescher
2009 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts, class with Jan Beany
2009 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts, class with Jean Littejohn
2008 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts, class with Joyce Lukomski
2008 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts, class with Lynn Payette
2006 Japanese Bead Embroidery, taught by Mary Alice Sinton
2006 ANG Sunstitcher, Sarasota, 'Fan-C-Ful', taught by Judy Souliots
2004 ANG Seminar, Reno, Nevada, course taught by Kay Stanis
2003 ANG Seminar, Lexington, Kentucky, course taught by Judy Souliotis
2001 Collage Making, University of Toronto, Continuing Studies
2001 Dye Painting on Silk with Susan Louise Moyer
2001 Workshop on Doll Making with Surfacing TADA, Toronto
2000 Workshops with York Heritage Quilters Guild, Toronto
1999 Embroidery Canada Seminar, Vancouver
1999 Classes in quilting appliqué (to be used in needlepoint)
1995 - 1996 Quilting Classes
1993 - 1995 Classes in drawing with Harriette Brav-Baum

2008 November “The Art of Needlepoint” Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto
2006 November "Painting with Thread" Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto

2009 ANG Seminar Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2009 Best of Show "Chinese Drama Mask"
1st Place Painted Design without Stitch Guide Professional.
Judges Choice, Delegates Choice

2009 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts: Exhibit:
1st prize ribbon for “Thanks for the Memories” and 2nd prize ribbon for “Great Castings”

2008 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts: Exhibit:
2nd prize ribbons for "Moonshine" and "Flight of Fancy", and 3rd prize ribbon for "Rhapsody".

2006 ANG Seminar, Tucson, Arizona:
1st Place, “Flight of Fancy”, Painted Design without Stitch Guide, Professional
2nd Place, “Sunrise/Sunset, Original Needle Art, Professional

2005 ANG Seminar, Nashville - BEST OF SHOW - "Babes in the Woods"
Original Needle Art, Professional Category - 1st Prize, plus Judges Choice
"Reflecting" - Honorable Mention
"Serendipity" - Third Prize, Professional, Painted Canvas without Stitchguide

2004 ANG Seminar, Reno Nevada. 2004, First prize for "Moonshine", third prize for "In My Elements"

2003 Toronto Seeker Web Award, for web site excellence

2002 Viewers' Choice: Mini Quilt, York Heritage Quilters' Guild - A Celebration of Quilts
"In My Elements"

1998 Best of Show, Common Thread, Oakville Arts Council. "Trois Oiseaux"

1997 Three awards from Toronto Guild of Stitchery

2006 ANG Sunstitchers Chapter, Sarasota Florida, presentation of 'My Canvas Collage® Works in Progress'.
2004 Presentation of my work at the ANG Seminar "Compelling Creativity" evening.
2003 Presentation of my work at the ANG Seminar "Get Inspired" evening.

2008 Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts, Callaway, Georgia
2008 February 2nd - 3rd. "Art At The Castle", Casa Loma, Toronto, Canada
2006 ANG Seminar, Tucson, Arizona
2005 All Done By Hand, Montgomery's Inn
2005 ANG Seminar, Nashville, Tennessee
2004 ANG Seminar. Reno, Nevada
2002 and 2004 York Heritage Quilters
2000 Toronto Guild of Stitchery
1999 Neilson Park Creative Centre
1997, 1999, 2002 All Done By Hand, Montgomery's Inn

2000 Neilson Park Creative Centre
1998 Common Thread, Oakville Arts Council
1998 Juried Craft Exhibition, Visual Arts Mississauga
1994 Patrons of Wisdom, North York, Ontario

2010 Regular Contributor to Needlepoint Now Magazine
2009 Regular Contributor to Needlepoint Now Magazine
2008 Regular Contributor to Needlepoint Now Magazine – Articles titled “Joy of the Painted Canvas”
2006 Needle Pointers Magazine - Cover and article about the ANG Awards
2005 ANG Website - 'What is Needlepoint' - "In My Elements"
2005 ANG National Seminar, Nashville Needlenotes, "Moonshine" and "In My Elements"
2001 Cover and feature article - Embroidery Canada Magazine
2000 Weaving New Rhythms 2000

2008 Commencing April 1st - Cyber class for "Flight of Fancy"
2007 Cyber class for "Flight of Fancy"
2006 ANG Sunstitchers Chapter, Sarasota Florida, teaching Canvas Collage®
2005 ANG Sun Stitchers Chapter, Sarasota Florida
2005 EGA Chapter, Sarasota, Florida
2004, 2005 Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Longboat Key, Florida
2004 Canvas Collage®