One of my favourite people in Vancouver also happens to be one of my favourite artists. Rachael Ashe is an amazing, talented artist who gets inspired by the natural world and the materials she works with. She's a long time photographer, who has experimented with many different types of camera and film combinations to capture scenes and details in a way that makes you feel like you're seeing them for the first time. Her series of metal photo prints, are currently on display at the Waterfront Theater on Granville Island (details at end of post).

Rachael did a fabulous series of self portraits, 52 Weeks, last year, which she published on Flickr and then also as a book. Currently she's shooting a new series of portraits of many of the women in her life, Living in an Imaginary World, which I was lucky enough to take part in.

She has also done a lot of work in collages, often extremely engaging colourful surreal worlds or peaceful nature inspired scenes materialize from the bits and pieces she puts together so beautifully. Some of the collages, and also sets of postcards with the collages printed on them are available in her Etsy shop.

Her most recent project has been a series of altered books, which have provided a great outlet for working with found objects and experimenting with a more 3 dimensional medium. Rachael also has a show of her altered books opening tonight (March 3rd, 2010, details below).

Lots more about Rachael's art can be found on her blog, Canvas to the Imagination.

Metal Prints Show

Trees I Have Dreamed
Waterfront Theater, 1412 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
Opening Reception: March 28, 2-5pm
Show: On currently until April 11th, 2010

Altered Books Show

Little Stories: Transforming the Book
Bootup Labs, Suite 200 - 163 West Hastings St. (at Cambie in the Flack Block), Vancouver
Opening Reception: TODAY - Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010, 6:30pm to 9pm
Show: On currently until TBA