René Trim's Arts & Crafts: Introducing Dragonfly Studio

A graphic designer by trade, Jacquelyn Trowell has had a lifelong passion for fine art. From a young age on, drawing has been her escape when she felt depressed, troubled or sad. She learned that by visually representing the emotion with which she was overcome, she was able to release it. As she puts is: “…it was the only time I drew and I found that expressing my feelings with art was a form of self-therapy. Some people kept a journal, I drew…”

When her mother, Barbara Bird, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2010, Trowell turned to her art for comfort, mainly drawing for her mother as it distracted them both,  even if just briefly. During her fight with cancer, Barbara started the Yellowknife chapter of Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Walk of Hope, which honours women living with ovarian cancer and celebrates the hope of thousands overcoming the disease.  After Barbara passed away in 2013, Jacquelyn decided to do something to keep her mom’s fight alive and started Dragonfly Studio. The underlying thought was to have a small business “on the side” to reveal her art and sell what she could, donating part of the proceeds of each sale (20%) to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

It wasn’t until 2014, when Jacquelyn decided to volunteer at the Ottawa chapter of the Walk of Hope - as well as donate one of her paintings to the top fundraiser for the event, that she got the final push she needed. Soon thereafter she started applying to local craft shows – which is how she and I crossed paths – where her oil paints on dictionary pages soon became a hot ticket item. As a result, she has raised just shy of $2,000 in proceeds and Walk of Hope donations. According to Trowell, she is not trying to become famous or save the world but “if I can help save one life with proceeds from a piece of art, then I am accomplished in every sense of the word”.

Realism is Trowell’s niche and - as a self-proclaimed “A.D.D. artist” - she constantly switches up styles and mediums, which not only allows her to continuously challenging herself but also gives her the ability to take on any client request for a custom piece.

Apart from participating in various craft shows and other events later this year, Trowell is super excited about her very first solo show which is scheduled at the Oz Kafe on Elgin Street from August 9 to September 13.

In between events, Jacquelyn keeps up her support for Ovarian Cancer Canada by means of an auction page on her website. You can also support “Team Jacquie” by sponsoring her for the 2015 National Capital Region Walk of Hope which will take place on September 13. ** Oops… ** Regrettably, there’s an event scheduled for this weekend that slipped under the radar of last week’s look ahead at July events: the Rideau Lake Artists are having their 5th annual show and sale, entitled “Art in the Barn” from Friday 10 July until Sunday 12 July at Lombardy Fairgrounds, Hwy #15 (5 km south of Smiths Falls). Over 50 local artists will be showcasing some 500 original works - definitely worth a visit! More information can be found on the Rideau Lake Artists' website. That’s all for now, folks, have a creative week and don’t forget to support local!