Lynn Gratz

ARTIST STATEMENT

A farm on the Canadian prairie, surrounded by livestock and beloved pets, is where I spent my childhood. This undoubtedly led to veterinary school and a very fulfilling and satisfying career.

A health crisis forced me to take stock of my life and look at other aspects of my personal growth. I needed to explore my creativity, nurture my soul and regain control of my time.

As a child I had been fascinated by my grandfather's anvil standing in his old smithy shed. A weekend class in blacksmithing led to numerous courses and seminars and eventually to the Artist Blacksmithing Program at Fleming College in Haliburton, Ontario.

Taking a seemingly unyielding material, applying intense heat and adding texture and form has been an undercurrent in my work.

My home in Strathmore, Alberta overlooks Marshland Basin, a bird sanctuary, where the rolling prairies meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The wind, the wetland and the wildlife are my endless inspiration.

Lynn's work is represented by Rowles & Company Ltd., Alberta's Corporate Gift & Art Gallery, in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, Canada.