Sue's art is both beautiful and practical
Sue Bonifacio
905 994 3378
Sue also accepts commissions, please feel free to contact and discuss.
Pine Needle Baskets
I am known for my Pine Needle Baskets, one of the oldest crafts. It dates back some 9000 years, even before pottery, first made by Seminole Indians, they were so tightly sewn together they would hold water. During the Civil War women made hats of pine needles. My pine needles come from Florida and are 10 to 14 inches long. I often make the centre of a basket with wire circles, squares and other geometric shapes that are bound with waxed linen that I can coil the needles around. No two baskets are the same because I do not use a pattern. I also use Agate or pyrographed wood for the centres.
Click on image to see Sue's baskets
Gourd art
Years ago while traveling to Florida I saw some gourds, bought a few and started painting them, that lead to cutting, carving, etching and wood burning. Gourds are very useful and practical, and they make great bowls, jugs, pots and bread baskets as well as being very decorative. Gourds have been found in Peruvian archaeological sites dating from 13,000 to 11,000 BC. Cultures from arid regions often associated gourds with water, and they appear in many creation myths. Since the beginning of their history, gourds have had a multitude of uses, including food, kitchen
tools, toys, musical instruments and decoration.
Pyrograpy I Pyrograph (wood burn) on Bass wood panels. The process has been practiced by a number of cultures including the Egyptians and some African tribes since the dawn of recorded history. First I draw the picture and then burn the pattern in. Some wood burnt pieces are then filled with inks or paint for further decoration, and the frames are made from exotic woods. I really enjoy wood burning animals and pay special attention to the eyes which I paint with watercolor and then seal the panel with clear lacquer.
