I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands. As a child I had a small workspace tucked away in the basement where I did crafts and dreamed up projects. There’s something about handmade objects and crafts that heightens their appeal. Multi-talented artist Alisha Marie Boyd is well versed in many artistic mediums and someone you should know about.
ARTIST: Alisha Marie BoydUsing enamel, precious metals, stones and pearls, artist Alisha Marie Boyd’s jewellery and vessels were standouts this year at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. The sculptural quality of her shapes draw you in. She approaches metal from a background in painting and a solid understanding of how to use colour. Alisha’s work is contemporary — drawing on historical references for inspiration. Take a closer look at the details of each piece and you’ll see her skill and versatility as an artist. It’s easy to imagine one of these vessels as the finishing touch in a room.
Alisha is currently a resident in the Craft Studios at Harbourfront Centre, a non-profit organization located on Toronto’s downtown waterfront dedicated to world-class programming in arts, culture and education. She graduated just over two years ago from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) with a BFA in jewellery and metalsmithing. Her training also includes a MFA in Studio Arts from Concordia University in Montreal and a BFA in painting from the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Alberta.
Alisha is contemplating a line of pendant lighting. Flip this vessel upside down and you can imagine the beautiful shapes and shadows it would cast.
For Alisha, it all begins with colour. She says it’s the starting point and inspiration for her work — motivating her choice of materials and techniques. Her jewellery remains a key part of her business, but it’s the enamelled vessels that I couldn’t take my eyes off. To find out more about Alisha’s art, check out her website here.