Christine Paige is often defined as a ceramics artist but finds that definition of herself too narrow. She loves ceramics but ceramics do not define her. She might better
be described as a 3-dimensional artist. She likes to combine ceramics with other objects; leather, wire, wood.

For example, there is a donkey head on her dining room wall with a mop for a mane, and eye lashes made out of broom bristles from a broom that Paige admits is getting bare. If she needs bones for a fish sculpture, Paige uses turkey neck bones which she labouriously cleans first.

One of Paige’s happiest thoughts is that she sees things differently. “I’m really connected to guides in the universe, so when I’m making something I feel that it is flowing through me, it isn’t necessarily me that’s doing it. I’m the tool that is making it happen - I really enjoy that. That’s what keeps me connected.”

Paige says of her characters, “I hear them in my head talking.” So she brings them to life.

Paige gets her inspiration from nature and her love of animals; the real animal in front of her, a picture of one in National Geographic, or from other sources. She is not after an exact replica but wishes to explore the avenue to a piece of work. When observing an animal, whether it is
an elephant or a beetle, she asks herself, what kind of personality would this have? There has to be some accuracy in the anatomy, however, or the animal wouldn’t be recognizable. For example, Paige’s creation of Twyla, the wart-hog exhibits Paige’s creative influence but fundamentally is true to the creature itself. Giant
butterflies attached to driftwood have the right number of joints in the legs. “It is important.” says Paige. She studies details carefully in order to create a creature with enough accuracy to make it believable. Even though her butterflies are many times bigger than real butterflies and are decorated with beads, they are credible.

Paige’s sculptures are humourous, colourful and full of character. They are usually named by Paige, (for example,
“Perry Comb-Over”, the buzzard), and she humanizes her creatures; they “live” here or perhaps Florida.

Another whimsical piece is “We’ll leave the porch light on”, a screen door complete with a light that turns on and oversized bugs attached to the screen. The insects are made of metal, peacock feathers, beads, jewellery, and cutlery.

Literature is another inspiration for Paige, who is an avid reader, particularly of science fiction. “Barney”, a cigar-toting rooster, was inspired by famous Canadian author Mordecai Richler's 1997 novel “Barney’s Version”.

In contrast to her light-hearted creatures are the heads of an elephant and walrus created with clay; they are melancholy and made in realistic muted tones. Paige
wants the outcome of her work to be the feeling she gets when she looks at an animal. She often does sketches in preparation of the work. The elephant and walrus are full of character and emotion, but it is of a much more introverted variety than Paige’s other work.

Paige graduated from the Ontario College of Art (OCA, now OCAD) where she specialized in hot glass blowing. She then went on to Sheridan College which has a
“wonderful glass-blowing facility”. It is expensive to outfit a studio, so continuing with school was a good way for her to keep up with her art and continue to learn with expert teachers.

Paige got away from glass blowing while raising three small children and moving frequently. There were no longer glass blowing facilities available to her so she turned to different creative outlets, sculpture and ceramics among them.

Currently, Paige teaches in her home studio in Laskay, King Township, which is equipped with kilns and potters wheels.
Two of Paige’s students are blind and they have been an inspiration to Paige. She has had to employ a different way of teaching since they are not able to use tools. They must use their hands so they can feel their work directly. Bev Berger of Nobleton is an especially talented artist. Her work is the envy of the other artists Paige teaches. Paige assists Bev with the glazing of her work. Since Bev lost her sight later in life she remembers the colours of food. This allows them to communicate colour with food references - the pink of a honeydew melon as opposed to a peach, the green of an olive as opposed to spinach.

Paige is a member of Arts Society King (ASK) which she praises profusely. It provides many opportunities for artists; exposure, volunteer work, studio tours, an annual festival, and the uniting of artists where they can show and sell their work.

During the ASK King studio tour Paige often shares a venue with photographer, Garry Conway at Laskay Hall.

It is well worth a visit to Christine Paige’s website: picasaweb.google.com/cpaige8. A live visit with her fun, friendly sculpture family would be even better. Each piece is a surprise and delight and shines with uniqueness.