Dori Mion | Bird House Fine Arts Studio
Artist Bio
When she was five when a tiny, black, kitty marionette teetered into her life. This little animated creature became a source of adventure and support for her. In time, a full puppet troop of characters entered her life creating a world of enchantment. She did grow up, however, and the battered and broken parts of puppets were retired to a box, yet still cherished and loved, carried from place to place waiting for the time they would be brought back to life.
At the age of 63, she built a studio to pursue the many forms of art that emerged in her journey through life. One of the first projects in this new space was to visit the box of bedraggled puppets. With delight, the puppets smiled gratefully at her, as she reconstructed their little bodies and they became mobile again. Her passion for these entities never left her and the same joy as a child entertained her once again. Now displayed in her studio the puppets watch and support her while creating new works of art.
Having studied at Moore College of Art and Design, with a focus on sculpture and illustration, she molded these skills and created many puppet theaters and workshops that entertained children in schools, libraries, and festivals. A labor or of love this phase of life has passed and the original puppets are back, staring encouragingly as she explores another old revived passion for batik.
Batik is a process of dying and waxing material. This medium is wonderfully unpredictable and full of surprises. The colors blend harmoniously. When ironed out it reveals an energetic and magical composition. These pieces are hung in my new studio, The Birdhouse Folk Arts Studio. Hope to meet you there someday.
Artist Statement
I often feel that the art medium I choose is out of my control. Phases of artistic exploration appear and I follow. Currently, the focus is on batik. A colorful process of dying and waxing material. This art process has many progressive steps that reveal an energetic display of color from the brightest white to the darkest dark. I love this process, as it has unexpected results, which encourages experimentation.