Collection: Jacquie Sullivan

Since childhood, Jacquie Sullivan has always been an observer, quietly watching, listening, reading, and noticing things that others tend to miss.  Studying and making art has taught Jacquie how to look at the way her surroundings are constructed – to see the lines, shapes, colours, and textures found in both natural and urban environments – Jacquie also spends a lot of time reflecting on her feelings and experience of what it is to be alive in this world.

At Jacquie’s foundation she is a Introvert, a Highly Sensitive Person, a Gold/Type A personality – Jacquie used to think of these labels as weaknesses.  But as an artist she is now uncovering the strength in these traits and have found healing in creating mementos of feelings, moments and words that have touched her.  Through her art Jacquie savours and shares with others the experiences that fill her with awe and gratitude, and reasons to feel hopeful.  Creating her work fills a need in herself, and what a wonderful by-product that it can also give others reason to pause, allowing them to more fully appreciate the world within and around them too.

Jacquie says she is drawn to printmaking as a medium for her creative expression because:

“I love the physicality of the process – it requires all of my attention and forces me to stay present, challenging and stimulating me with constant problem-solving and learning.”

Jacquie is primarily focused on relief printmaking, for which she carves away what she doesn’t  want to be printed or purposefully set by hand only the text she chooses to appear.  The careful, handmade process of composing, carving, and printing multiples from a raised surface requires a strong attention to detail for which Jacquie is naturally adept.  

“I have a deep appreciation for what my hands can accomplish, and when they get inky I feel productive and that I have found my purpose.” - Jacquie Sullivan