Updated: April 2024
REGINA COUPAR STUDIO
mosaics
About me...
I am a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University (1998) in Halifax, NS, beginning my study there after turning forty. My experience as a ‘mature student’ was somewhat of an anomaly at that time. This initial degree whetted my appetite for more, and about ten years later I continued my study, pursuing a Master’s degree at the Atlantic School of Theology (2009), also in Halifax. My master’s thesis explored the idea that some art and artists have historically ‘done’ theology; they did’t always merely illustrate the theological ideas others.
My experience at AST led me to Italy where I learned the techniques of fourth century Byzantine mosaic-making. When I returned from Italy I entered a doctoral degree program at the University of Toronto (2014), for which I adapted these ancient mosaic techniques to create an eight panel mosaic as the centrepiece of my thesis. Using an arts-based research approach I focused the on relationship between aesthetic and spiritual experience. More on this project can be viewed at:
http://www.reginacoupar.ca/grace-chapel-mosaic.html
The entire doctoral thesis can be viewed on the U of T website:
https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/67420
About the mosaic process...
My recent work employs the mosaic techniques used in Ravenna, Italy, during the early centuries of the Common Era. Most mosaics that remain in this UNESCO site can be viewed in their original form in churches and public buildings throughout this small Italian city. Mosaics were created on ceilings and often below narrow window openings as a means of catching and reflecting light inside the dim buildings. To this end, tesserae (small pieces) are cut by hand from larger materials (mostly stone and glass paste called smalti) into tiny shapes, using a small anvil and hardie (small sharpened hammer), which I also use for my work. Tesserae were placed directly into wet limestone, then manipulated with small tools so that the uneven surface could maximize the effects of light. No grout is used in this process. This image shows freshwater pearls and shells being used as tesserae.
RECENT MOSAICS
Update: September 2019
Therapy Art
Moving along in my Therapy ART for generalized anxiety and clinical depression, I have decided to return (at least for awhile) to making art in a tactile fashion. While I love to work directly on a screen I found myself wanting to create tangible work. This, of course, is in tension with my reluctance to 'make stuff,' given the overabundance of things in the world today. As an artist, I don't really know how to resolve that.problem. Maybe, like Scarlett O'Hara, I'll "think about that tomorrow..."
For now, I interested in the mundane - everyday shapes, sometimes coupled with previously painted works. At this stage of life, appreciating the repetition of routine activities, while challenging, has become an important step in my journey towards wellness.
For now, I interested in the mundane - everyday shapes, sometimes coupled with previously painted works. At this stage of life, appreciating the repetition of routine activities, while challenging, has become an important step in my journey towards wellness.
HIDDEN FORCES
ink and acrylic on board
SOLD
UNTITLED
ink and acrylic on canvas
10x8"
SOLD
UNTITLED
ink and acrylic on canvas
125. CAD
FROST
ink and acrylic on board
16X12"
300.00
NETWORK/ PATCHWORK
ink on board
10x8
SOLD
EDEN
ink, acrylic, resin on board
10x8"
SOLD
SCATTERED
ink on canvas
20x16
500. CAD
SOLD
KEEPING TRACK
ink on canvas
12x6"
150.CAD
SOLD
ALTERNATE REALITIES
acrylic/ ink on canvas
20x24"
SOLD
ALTERNATE REALITIES
II
acrylic/ ink on canvas
20x24"
SOLD
Springtime in Tuscany
acrylic on canvas, 2015
30"hx 40"w
1800.00 CAD (taxes inc)
Vineyards
acrylic on canvas, 2015
48"hx30"w
SOLD