MOOSE MOUNTAIN PROVINCIAL PARK - During the days of Aug. 15-21, Rita St. Amant will be at the Artists’ Colony at Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
When staying at the colony, she plans to enjoy some camping.
St. Amant was born and raised a country girl near Glentworth.
Married to Andy St. Amant, they have a blended family of five adult children and two grandchildren.
While they were farmers, they also owned the Dollar Store and More in Estevan, but sold the business when they were looking after her elderly parents.
Throughout her childhood days, she would love to draw and paint.
Being retired and living in Wilkie, she is focused on her art.
St. Amant has been an artist for 40 years, working with many mediums, but over the past 20 years, she began textile dying.
She dyes her own material and from there, she might make a quilt, or it may turn into a hanging for the wall.
Another form of her art is silk painting. This might be made into a wall hanging as well or a detailed silk scarf with flowers or design.
Each piece has extensive detail, and it all begins with a drawing on the fabric.
The material requires a special resistant so the paint does not run. It also needs steaming, but this too is a tedious task by wrapping the fabric and holding it six inches above steam.
There are many steps involved to create the perfect piece which is different from the next one.
St. Amant has another form of art called needle felting. This method is done by poking wool with a special needle to make a dense fabric mass.
She completed a week at a retreat recently and enjoyed being around other artists who create unique pieces of their own.
Being inspired by her grassroots, she loves landscapes and nature, which influences her work.
She looks forward to her week at the colony and will attend the Cabin Art Festival, to be held on Aug. 12 at Kenosee Lake.
