E.V. Hutcheon Interviews Jacqueline Milner – Artist & Photographer in Cornwall Ontario

emily jmCFN – Jacqueline Milner is a well-known artist photographer. She has studied art all through out school and she has been selling and exhibiting her work since 2002. In 2003, Jacqueline began expanding her artistic talents from just photography, to painting professionally as well. She explains her painting grew out of her photography. When asked where her inspiration came from she responded,

Inspiration can hit me anytime. Subject matter that is often reflected in my artwork: Trees, family, our living planet, trees, concern for our planet, trees, music……… did I mention trees?”

It is obvious she has a great love for nature, especially different species of trees. Having a creative mind can be challenging but for many it is a great attribute to have. For many artists it takes more than just talent to survive primarily off your work. You must have courage to get up and get yourself, as well as your art noticed.

I’ve always wanted the means and courage to express myself …Artistic channels provide an interesting road to do exactly that.”

Earlier this month, Jacqueline’s work was featured in a showcase that honoured the wild species, coyotes. Her artwork was displayed through out a local café called the Grind on Pit Street. To this artist, coyotes are more than just scavengers and for that they should be recognized not as pests but as equal members providing for the environment. When asked, what it was about coyotes that inspired her enough to put them in her artwork she explained,

Coyotes are an intricate part of the circle of life. All life forms hold a special place in the circle. Coyotes recently came under scrutiny in the City of Cornwall because of sightings and an alleged interaction between someone’s pet dog and a coyote. Unfortunately fear of the unknown sometimes leads people to consider incorporating methods to deter or eliminate a species that one is fearful of. Fortunately in this case, The City consulted with Coyote Watch Canada to share their experience and compassionate, coexistence community model in working to co-flourish with this species in our urban and rural landscapes.”

One of her pieces called Coyote Connections, which is a small acrylic on canvas- this painting depicts a person’s hand holding a growing tree. On one of the braches is a large crow and coming out of the tree is a howling coyote. On the thumb of the hand a black butterfly. This specific piece of art is very interesting because with one look you still don’t take the whole thing in. It in its entirety is a very moving piece, when asked what gave her the inspiration for the creation of the piece she said,

Coyote Watch Canada invited Artists to participate in an Art Show last summer with the theme of “Celebrating Coyote”. This piece was created for that Exhibit in the Niagra Region. I wanted to stress that Coyote and each and every living thing has an important and needed place in the Circle of Life. We are all intricately connected in ways that we have yet to understand. In my opinion, the health and welfare of each individual species, flora or fauna is connected to, and necessary for our very own health and welfare.”

Jacqueline is a freelance photographer with her own studio called Image-ine Photography, which she has been running since 2002. She also dabbles in mixed media, which does not only include photography, but paper, paints, pastels, charcoal, beads, feather, plastic, and bone. It tends to depend mainly on what she feels inclined to use at that moment in time. Jacqueline can be hit with a burst of inspiration at anytime.

Whenever the moods strikes me. I often have a few different pieces on the go at one time.”

Jacqueline was asked when she next planned to have a showcase of her latest work or if she as going to be featured in any upcoming shows.

I have two new Acrylic pieces in The Art Gallery of Cornwall Juried Show which opens tomorrow, Saturday, February 1st. 2 – 4 p.m.”

This should be an exciting weekend for our local artist. Hopefully her confidence doesn’t waver as she continues to exhibit her talents no matter what kind of medium she uses. Art fans are sure to be out this weekend showing their support, not only to Jacqueline but also to all the other artists that will be showing their work through out this weekend.  E.V. Hutcheon is a 2nd year St. Lawrence College Journalism Student.  She has professionally edited a Polish history book and is hoping to see her dream and passion of writing into a career. Previously living Toronto, E.V. is now a proud Cornwall citizen. On her off time you can usually find her at home writing her latest book, or walking along the St Lawrence River. 

 River Kings

 

2 Comments

  1. Thank you for your kind words Ms. Hutcheon. I must admit, this is the first time I am seeing the piece. Perhaps because the publish date was input as January 1st, 2014 and we didn’t even talk with each other until February. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours. Jacquie

  2. This is a nice painting and I don’t paint but do quilting and embroidery and I do say that we are all connected to nature and one cannot survive without the other. The circle of life indeed.

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