Goward House

My retirement in 2005, after a career as a Research Officer immersed in statistical analysis and report writing, marked the beginning of an unexpected creative awakening. What began as a simple desire to explore something hands-on quickly evolved into a deep and ongoing artistic practice rooted in curiosity, intuition, and transformation.

I have always been drawn to the stories held within discarded objects. Early explorations in jewelry making, using materials sourced from thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets, revealed both the pleasure of the hunt and the quiet satisfaction of assembling something new from the overlooked. Later experiments with sculptural forms expanded this approach, though it was through painting that my current direction fully emerged.

Today, my work focuses on reimagining second hand and found artwork. I collect abandoned or unfinished canvases—pieces that, for reasons often unknown, were set aside—and respond to what they offer: a color, a texture, a fragment of imagery. These become the starting point for transformation.

Nature is the guiding force in my work. Birds, flowers, and trees recur as central motifs, shaping compositions that are both whimsical and reflective. Through layered collage—incorporating repurposed materials such as fabric, paper, photographs, and fragments of everyday objects—I build surfaces that are textured, vibrant, and alive with contrast.

Sustainability is integral to my process. All materials are second hand or donated, reinforcing my commitment to reuse and renewal. Each piece becomes an act of reclamation—of both object and imagination.

My work invites viewers into a re-envisioned landscape, one that feels familiar yet newly alive. It is meant to spark a sense of joy, curiosity, and quiet recognition—like stepping into the forest and seeing it, for a moment, with fresh eyes.

Everything old is reimagined.

Carol Thibault

carolthibault@shaw.ca

250-896-7873