Delane Cooper

We recently asked County Arts Member Delane Cooper, Dreamatizer and Goldsmith, to answer a few questions about her artistic practice, upcoming projects, creative inspiration and more!

Delane is a storyteller, often writing a story to go with each piece she creates. She is involved in some exciting local events/workshops this month, including Harmony for H*Arts at GRACE Studio, and “Where I’m From,” a collaboration between The Department of Illumination and All Welcome Here.

Delane on her artistic practice:

I tell stories through metal in the form of objects and functional, wearable jewellery. For a story to be realized, my jewellery process involves researching the elements for the story to be told through dissociation, meditation and dreaming. Whether in a dissociative or dream state, I see the design, which can be in fragments or in its totality along with the story. When I am ‘back and present’ or awake, I take notes of what I bore witness to then put all the ingredients together to create a final visual, tangible object or piece of jewellery and story to be read.

Tell us about any artistic projects you have going on this upcoming month that you’d like people to know about:

The two projects I am working on are community focused. The first is through The Lotus Hero Project, which is a not-for-profit I co-founded. On September 9th, Lotus Hero Project is hosting Harmony for H*Arts, a retreat where guests can fill their cup with harmony, connection and belonging while giving the gift of expressive arts therapy to the girls at Reaching for Rainbows, a charity in Picton. As an artist and former board member of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, I seek opportunities to not only use our audible voice but our artistic voice for expression and in this case with Reaching for Rainbows to empower and develop confidence within each of these young girls. I am grateful to be working with fellow County Arts Artists, Heather Kerr and Gwen Shandroski, on this project.

Since I’ve moved here I’ve been asked on numerous occasions, ‘Where are you from?’ and this question became the anchor for the second project. As a board member of All Welcome Here that handles opportunities in the arts, the project is a collaboration between All Welcome Here and The Department of Illumination on a free, creative workshop: “Where I’m From” that takes place on September 17th and 18th. Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore issues around personal identity in a safe and supportive environment using writing and visual arts. To learn more about this or to register via Eventbrite.com – search “Where I’m From.” All are welcome, but ages 12+ only, please.

Where in the County do you find the most creative inspiration? 

The two places in the County that I find are my sources for inspiration are The Prince Edward County Public Library and Books and Company. Both places have books and it’s through the books I read or listen to I am able to travel to places I’ve never been, meet people from the past, present, future or made up, learn about cultures, things, ideas and people and experience the gamut of emotions that humans are capable of feeling. Books are magical and there is a lot of beautiful magic here in the County!

What has been your most challenging work or project since you began your career, and why?

The most challenging work I’ve embarked on has been expressing trauma and addiction through objects all the while staying true to my roots as a goldsmith. What I find fascinating about this process is that I am practicing letting go of my addiction to perfectionism and as a goldsmith it’s an ongoing challenge but what I take solace in is that I am a living, breathing, creative human being and not a 3D printer being told what to do by AI.

Which tools and/or resources have helped you the most in your artistic career? 

As a person who suffers from anxiety and PTSD, my breath is what has helped me in my artistic career. Learning to use my breath to bring me back to the present moment and not be consumed by overwhelm of self-doubt and fear has helped me finish projects. Another is meditation; it is key to my artistic practice and so I meditate 3 to 5 times a day. If I keep my body moving though yoga, working out at the gym or walking, then my creative flow keeps moving within me.