Blog — Mallory Donen

canadian art

March/April 2020 - Update

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all hanging in there! No matter where you’re stuck in quarantine, we’re all in this together! Needless to say, that with the current situation (covid-19) things have definitely been challenging. I’ve been working my day job remotely for the last few weeks and will continue to do so until further notice. I didn’t post last month due to some computer difficulties, so I’m excited to share photos of finished works, which I hope will help bring some joy to your day!

Side note: back in January/February I read a book called “Just Kids” by Patti Smith, which was a biographical love story between herself and Robert Mapplethorpe. I really enjoyed the poetic nature of her writing and the glimpse into their lives as struggling artists in New York City in the 70-80s. If you’re looking for something to read, I would highly recommend it.

Alright, time to switch gears and update you on my art practice! Over the past couple of months, I finished the last two cross-stitched pieces from the Translation Series, which is a series of 9 in total. The next step will be to “translate” each of these cross-stitched pieces into paintings. You may or may not remember that I completed one of these paintings back in September while I was at the Vermont Studio Center Residency.

Translation #8 Paint By Numbers, 2020, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 4 x 4 inches and Translation #8- Cross-Stitch, 2020, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches

Translation #9- Paint By Numbers, 2020, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 4 x 4 inches and Translation #9- Cross-Stitch, 2020, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches

Translation #1-9- Cross-Stitch, 2019 - 2020, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches each

While my computer was out of commission, I focused on finishing another painting from the Paint by Numbers Series. This was another project I worked on while I was in Vermont, but to be honest I don’t enjoy hand-stitching these painting as much as I do cross-stitching. I think it’s because it takes more concentration to push the threaded needle through canvas with paint, rather than through a gridded canvas with holes (cross-stitching).

Pattern F (front view), 2020, canvas, embroidery floss, graphite, 19.5 x 19.5 inches

Pattern F (back view), 2020, canvas, embroidery floss, graphite, 19.5 x 19.5 inches

Lastly, I’ve finally been spending a more focused effort on a project I started a couple years ago (it’s been a side project). Stitching Loose Ends is a time-based piece that uses up remnants of embroidery thread leftover from old cross-stitch projects. I’m always looking for ways to reduce my waste, whether it’s in my every day life or my art practice. This piece will eventually be shown in a group shown with We Are Pie art collective at the Kariton Gallery in Abbotsford. The show was scheduled to open in July, but I anticipate this will be delayed due to covid-19 closures. As soon as I have an update I’ll let you know when/if the show is re-scheduled.

Until next time, please stay safe and healthy!

Stitching Loose Ends (progress shot), 2018-2020, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 16 inches wide x 1 3/4 inches thick

October 2019 - Update

The month of October was spent adjusting back to real life with a full-time day job. I found I still had lots of motivation left over from the residency and I was able to get a solid amount of work done. I completed another cross-stitch in the Translation Series, a painting from the Paint by Numbers Series, added a couple rows to Stitching Loose Ends and submitted to several galleries for shows in the new year, as well as an artist residency in France.

Pattern D (front view), 2019, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 9.5 x 9.5 inches

Pattern D (front view), 2019, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 9.5 x 9.5 inches

Pattern D (back view), 2019, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 9.5 x 9.5 inches

Pattern D (back view), 2019, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 9.5 x 9.5 inches

Stitching Loose Ends, work in progress (2018-2019), embroidery floss, Aida cloth

Stitching Loose Ends, work in progress (2018-2019), embroidery floss, Aida cloth

I also started to work on an old photography project I started back in 2017 while I was finishing up my MFA in Winnipeg. The idea behind the project was to shoot roll of film with a list of pre-established camera-settings. Therefore, each frame had an assigned f-stop and shutter speed. This further expands my approach to creating art as a machine through a new medium, using analog photography. The photos from the project were all printed in the darkroom at U of M, but now I’m planning to assemble them into a handmade book.

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Lately my weekend routine consists of running errands on Saturdays, doing household chores on Sundays, cross-stitching, Netflixing, and taking in the beautiful sun rays in my apartment.

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Translation #4 - Cross-Stitch (detail), 2019, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches

Translation #4 - Cross-Stitch (detail), 2019, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches

Translation #4- Paint By Numbers, 2019, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 4 x 4 inches and Translation #4 - Cross-Stitch, 2019, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches

Translation #4- Paint By Numbers, 2019, acrylic, canvas, embroidery floss, 4 x 4 inches and Translation #4 - Cross-Stitch, 2019, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, 6 x 6 inches

July 2019 - Update

  • Glitch Series 03

  • Solo Exhibition: I Come From a Long Line of Machines


Glitch Series 03

This past month I’ve been spending approximately 20-24 hours per week cross-stitching whenever possible. Why, you might ask? I was determined to finish Glitch Series 03. I’m happy to say that I did it! This series will be framed in 18x24” frames, each cross-stitch and glitch image is approx. 5.5 inches. I’m so happy to have another series under my belt, but I’m also looking forward to completing Glitch Series 04 which is currently in progress.


Solo Exhibition - I Come From a Long Line of Machines

Only a month away till my solo exhibition: I Come From A Long Line of Machine at the Ranger Station Art Gallery, in Harrison, BC. If you haven’t made any August long weekend plans, why not make a day trip out to Harrison for the opening reception on August 4th, starting at 2pm? The show will include Glitch Series 01, a new series of Instruction Tables, The Machine: Knitting Ouroboros, Think Like a Human Act Like a Machine, When I Cross-Stitch I Feel Like a Machine, and a few other Glitch Series pieces!

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May 2019 - Update

  • Spring 2019 Wine + Art Walk

  • Etsy Shop

  • Solo Exhibition: Ranger Station Art Gallery

  • Artist Residency: Vermont Studio Center


Spring 2019 Wine + Art Walk

On May 30th, We Are Pie Artist Collective will be participating in the Spring 2019 Wine + Art Walk, in Downtown Abbotsford. Tickets have already sold out! The night consists of drinking wine and walking to the nearby stores which are showcasing the work of local artists. We Are Pie will be displaying our art at The Kindred Clothing Co.


Etsy Shop

I’ve recently spent some time updating my Etsy Shop with a range of original art, prints, and pinback buttons. I’m also looking for local artisan shops to sell my work at, so if you know of any shops I should check out, please let me know!

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Solo Exhibition: Ranger Station Art Gallery

This summer I have a solo exhibition, I Come From A Long Line of Machines, at the Kent Harrison Arts Council - Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison, BC. The exhibition will run from August 3-25, with an opening reception taking place on Sunday, August 4th from 2-4pm. The exhibition consists of my MFA thesis work as well as new works I’ve created since graduate school.


Artist Residency: Vermont Studio Center

After my solo exhibition in Harrsion, I’ll be taking off to the Vermont Studio Center for a 4-week residency, from September 1-27th. “The VSC is the largest international residency program in the US, hosting more than 50 visual artists and writers each month from across the country and around the world”. The artist residency will provide the time and opportunity to deepen my practice and network with other artists. Established visiting artists will give public talks and attend open studio sessions. I will also have the chance to give an artist talk and share my practice further through a slide presentation.

October 2018 - Update

I’m finally blogging again! After a much needed break from art and life, I’ve been working on my mental health over the past few months. Being an artist is a gruelling practice, you have to go through constant rejection and heaps of doubt. People are always telling you that you aren’t going to succeed and there are moments when you believe them. It can be difficult to stay motivated, but in the end it’s worth it. I can say with every cell in my body that I am an artist and I will always be passionate about making art and sharing it with others. This passion is what keeps me going and when I listen to my heart I know I’m doing what I should be.

It’s a bit delayed, but please read the rest of my blog for an overview of what I had been working on earlier this summer and what I’m up to right now!

  • Neither Here Nor There

  • Diane Arbus 

  • Paint by Numbers

  • Glitch Series 03

  • Upcoming Art Market: Maker Market, Friday, October 26th, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

  • Upcoming Solo Exhibition: Art on Demand 4.4, The Reach Gallery, Abbotsford, Nov. 15 - Jan. 6


Neither Here Nor There

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Glitch Series 01 was part of a group exhibition, July 7-20, Neither Here Nor There, at South Main Gallery, Vancouver, BC. I'm so happy to have been a part of the exhibition, showing with several other emerging artists in Vancouver. See below for photos from the opening reception and documentation of the whole exhibition. 


Diane Arbus

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I've finally finished my Diane Arbus portrait and I've decided to take a bit of a break on my Women Artist Portraits for the moment. I'm trying to figure out the direction I want to take the series before I continue any further.


Paint By Numbers Series

Still continuing to work on more Paint by Numbers quilted paintings, but I've been starting to think of how I'm going to frame this series. I'm also thinking I might start another set of larger paintings! 


Glitch Series 03 

After showing Glitch Series 01 and getting lots of positive feedback on the work, it's inspired me to keep working on more pieces like this. I finished a mini set of cross-stitched glitch images titled Glitch Series 02 and now I've begun another Glitch Series 03 that will be larger than Series 01 and 02. See photos below for the first complete piece from Glitch Series 03. 


Maker Market

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Some awesome news! I’ll be selling my art at the Maker Market, at the Ellis Building (1024 Main Street, close to Science World), on Friday, October 26, 5-10pm. Now is the time to start thinking ahead of the game and find something unique for your holiday gifts! Also it’s a chance to see me with my art, my true passion.


Art on Demand 4.4

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Even more exciting news! Art Demand 4.4 is an upcoming solo exhibition at The Reach Gallery, in Abbotsford, BC, November 15 - January 6, 2018. I will be showing Glitch Series 01, When I Cross Stitch I Feel Like a Machine, as well The Machine: Knitting Ouroboros, which will include the video and installation. The challenge with the “Ouroboros” installation has been trying to figure out a way to mount the piece onto the gallery wall. Through trial, error, and many discussions with my peers and the curator, I’m still working on a solution. All in all, I know we’ll come up with a way to show the piece even if we have to change the format slightly.