I was born in Uganda, East Africa and first came to Canada in 1967. I studied at the University of Guelph, Ontario and graduated with a B.A. in Fine Art in 1970. I attended the Ontario College of Art in 1971. I also graduated with a Master of Fine Art degree from Wayne State University, in Detroit, [Press Refresh if image doesn't appear] Michigan in 1976. I have been honoured with numerous scholarships and awards. I exhibit widely throughout Canada and The United States. I am humbled to say that my work adorns many private homes and public collections around the world. I now reside and work in London, Ontario with my wife and the youngest of my three children.

I CREATE UNIQUE DESIGNS USING
PRECIOUS METALS AND GEMSTONES.
HAND MADE WITH SAWS HAMMERS
PLIERS A TORCH AND MY IMAGINATION.

The jewelry designed by Samantha freeman is a synthesis of nature and high tech.  She is inspired by the world beneath the waves on frequent scuba diving trips, and the exotic cultures of any far away country.  In her studio she creates jewelry that is timeless.  Materials used range from anodized aluminum, to sterling silver and 18k gold, and natural elements including various gem stones, coral and shells.  All pieces are made entirely by hand using a wide variety of jewelry skills.

The paintings are always rooted in something specific. They often start with my fascination of a certain image from the natural world: the crooked line of a particular branch, the strong contrast of lights as a storm approaches from across the sea, the deepening color in the alley outside my studio window during evening in the winter.

I create still life in the studio and landscapes ‘en plein air’ in oil (I enlarge some landscapes later in the studio). The paintings are inspired by nature, but they also develop into explorations of the formal qualities of painting: of shapes, value, colors, lines, edges, and textures.

I am inspired by the profound and infinite beauty in the natural world. I am inspired by the concrete experiences of what materials are and can do. In my work, I am interested in the convergence of the profound and the concrete.

Clay holds the opportunity to create but imagination provides the color. I am grateful to make a living at something I enjoy so much. When asked what I would like to do when I retire, I said I am already doing it. I have been working with clay for over 30 years. Over time my color and technique have progressed into my current work. I love the vitality of the colors and they array of textures. To obtain these various textures I use discarded objects from everyday life such as rubber bike tires and old Tupperware. My most valuable clay experience was as an apprentice to Master Potter, Frank A. Colson and workshop with Steve Howell. Under their encouragement, exploration of new directions was opened to me

I work with natural woods, roots and burls, using as many exotic species as possible.  No finish is applied, so the character and beauty of each species stands out.  By interpreting the natural characteristics and flaws of unusual woods and combining them imaginatively, they become unique free-flowing three-dimensional artistic pieces.

Over the past few years the artist has been painting exclusively in encaustics. He specializes in wildlife and landscapes using his traditional drawing and painting skills in an impressionistic style.

Encaustic is a 100% natural product that consists of beeswax, damar resin (natural tree sap) and pigments.

Using a heated palette to keep the wax molten; an industrial heat gun in one hand and a brush in the other, he is constantly heating the board, his brush and the beeswax to create his paintings.

Being inspired by nature, his paintings represent personal experiences that he hopes brings a feeling of serenity and awareness of the animals and fragile environment that surrounds all of us.

The soft breeze, a magnificent sky, the cool water…..All elements that drive my creativity along with a light touch of the paintbrush, feeling of peace and sense of place.  As a child of the Great Lakes I grew up with a landscape of water, woods, rocks, expansive horizon  and a sense that everything around us is so much larger and more mysterious then we will ever comprehend.  I strive to re-create the peaceful, contemporary landscape in my art.  To expand upon the beautiful palette that nature provides us.

I refer to my jewelry as comfortably contemporary with a retro feel.  I want the woman who wears my jewelry to get noticed when she walks into a room: bold yet feminine.  My techniques are not limited to one discipline of metalsmithing. Rather than design based on techniques, my designs utilize the technique that will fully enhance the design aspects of the piece. My favorite metals technique is forging.  Often it is incorporated in the fabrication of my designs.   Inspired by nature, I try and capture the fun and whimsy found in nature while bringing an underlying sophistication.  My goal as a designer is to create forms that produce an energy and excitement for the wearer.

Deborah Marie lives and works in the small town of Saint Johns, MI.  As well as an award winning artist and author, she teaches locally in her community.  Her love of teaching matches her love of jewelry designing and fabricating.  Each piece is hand fabricated in her Michigan studio from silver and gold with touches of gems, pearls, and organic materials.   The results are innovative styles, cuts, and color capturing the energy of the design.