Amy Dugas

Amy is a Vancouver Island artist of contemporary basketry and beautiful, one of a kind furniture art. She joined us in the fall of 2018 to share her basket weaving skills and techniques through Lupine Art Studio. We are excited to have her continue instructing workshops into 2019!

So please be sure to visit and follow her Facebook and Instagram.

Furthermore, if there’s anything else you’d like to know about Amy or her work, please don’t be shy – contact us or her directly!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/heathenwood
Instagram: www.instagram.com/heathenwood
Email: mimidugas@rocketmail.com
Website: www.heathenwood.com

Art related questions:

At what age did you know you were going to become an artist?
I don’t see myself as an artist as my formal training was in the sciences. I actually feel like a fraud and think someday I’ll get found out. Because to me, artists are wise and mysterious folk who live in a parallel universe I’ll never quite get to. But I’ll keep trying.
How long have you been selling your art?
I sold my first basket in 2015. Because of that, I took the leap to try and make creating my full time work in 2017.
What is your favourite medium or technique?
I’m always exploring new techniques and materials. Currently, I’m really enjoying combining wood with leather or painted acrylic finishes. Also, I’m experimenting with metal weaving techniques.
How would you describe your studio/workspace?
My woodshop is small and cold! Actually, it’s my garage. I have no heating. And I work with door open to use as much natural light as possible. So in the winter I put on several thermal layers. And, I can only work for a short time before my fingers go numb. So I end up weaving more in winter, which I do in my warm kitchen with a cup of tea.
Where can people purchase your art?
My woven art and lamps are for sale through my Etsy store, www.etsy.com/shop/heathenwooddesign or my website www.heathenwood.com. My tables are generally custom made to order. But I try to have some samples which are for sale too. I’ve had work for sale in various art shows on the island. So I am planning on doing more shows next year, and being in the North Island studio tour.

Fun questions:

What was your favourite place to travel to?
To date, my best trip has been a canoeing adventure to the Yukon. Amazing scenery, good friends and excellent paddling. But I’d love to explore more of the North one day. Also, I’m desperate to get to Japan for the craftsmanship and culture.
What was the best and worst purchases you’ve ever made?
My best purchase is a pair of second hand roller blades. I’m still learning. But I like to skate at least twice a week. So it’s been $18 very well spent. And my worst purchase was a new car. It didn’t get me through traffic any faster than my trusty old ride. Furthermore, it needed to be cleaned more often. I prefer spending my time on more fun activities than car cleaning.
What’s the dumbest way you’ve been injured?
Touch wood, I’ve only had one injury when the horse I was riding slipped and fell over, breaking my foot a little bit. Luckily the horse fell into the side of the hill, and not the other way down the slope. But it did hurt a lot taking my cowboy boot off that foot.
Do you listen to podcasts? And if so, what is your favourite?
I love Desert Island Discs from BBC radio 4. The BBC reminds me of growing up in England and I really enjoy listening to the life stories, particularly of creative women. It’s refreshing to hear their backgrounds, and how they got to their levels of accomplishment. It gives me hope.

Even more fun questions:

What’s one of your nicknames?
I’ve never really had nicknames. However, my old roommate called me ‘aimless’ sometimes. It probably referred to my restlessness and inability to stick with my office jobs!
What’s your favorite cookie?
Tough call. But I think I’d have to choose oatmeal raisin cookies. Because they rock.
If someone asked to be your apprentice and learn all that you know, what would you teach them first?
My first lessons in the woodshop would be how not to cut any body parts off. After that, it would really focus on what my apprentice wanted to create. The life I’ve had and what I want in the future completely shaped my work. I think anybody can learn the mechanics of woodworking or basket weaving. However, being an artist has to come from a unique, personal perspective.

More about Amy…

We encourage you to visit Amy’s website to learn more about her and see her portfolio of beautiful work. Also, if you are interested in taking a class with Amy, have a look at our upcoming classes.