Ivy Reflections: September 2022

During September I experienced a natural shift from research to creation with Ivy.

I didn't feel much of a pull to start creating until late August, when I started to get ideas of what to do for my first sculpture. This is different than my original plan of creating a sculpture each season- it seems like I needed more time to research and prepare, and I let myself have all the time I needed.

What I have learned so far from Ivy is some of her vines are long and flexible, and remain this way when pulled from the land, while others- typically the thicker ones- break apart into smaller pieces when pulled.

For my first sculpture I am combining these two types of vines, pulled in late spring in Langley BC.

I'll post photos once the sculpture is completed, along with progress photos. For now, this creation process will remain sacred and offline.

I will, however, share a sneak peak into my process. Langley Environmental Partners Society pulled Ivy recently, and put a pile of the most lovely long and flexible vines for me- perfect for weaving with. I stripped the vines of the leaves and roots, soaked them, and began splitting them.

Since March, I have been sitting with Ivy, and collecting her from ivy pulls. After collecting, I clean off her vines and strip them into thinner cordage.

I have a lots of cordage now.

Kaitlyn Beugh's mission is to assist you in fostering a soulful connection to self and the natural world through creation and intention. She is an interdisciplinary visual artist. Her art practice plays on the ephemeral, and is intuitively channeled and created in a flow state.

She lives, works, and plays on the unceded land of the Coast Salish First Nations. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts with a minor in Social Practice and Community Engagement from Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and has a background in social services.

Kaitlyn is a practicing artist and has some of her artwork for sale in the form of original pieces via her website here. Kaitlyn is currently studying herbalism and connecting deeper with the energies of plants and natures cycles.

Let's stay connected. Sign up for my email list here: https://www.kaitlynbeugh.com/

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.