Art Island S1E8: Elaine Savoie - Painter, Market Gardener

In Episode 8 of Art Island, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy meets painter Elaine Savoie on her Hornby Island homestead and Studio. An unapologetic iconoclast, Elaine uses her painting practice to question the norms of her Catholic upbringing and human-centred society. The conversation follows Elaine's life of making, raised by the community of island artists and shaped by her process, connection to the land she stewards, and using art as a tool to play and explore oneself. In addition to her creative practice in painting and drawing, Elaine also uses writing and poetry to humorously and fearlessly delve into the intricacies of island life and reflect on her Metis heritage, interweaving themes of personal identity and the complexities of intergenerational processing.
[About Elaine Savoie]
An artist and farmer born on Hornby Island, Elaine Savoie's upbringing within the early farming settlements of the Savoie family, the Catholic church, and the island's unique natural landscape laid the foundation for her creative journey from a young age. In her nationally recognized Icon series, she seamlessly merges canonical and imagined saints, creatively embodied as roosters, seabirds, and other local creatures.
[Art Island: Perspectives from a Creative Community]
Who are the individuals that comprise the vibrant artistic community of Hornby Island? This 10-episode docu-series looks into the personal lives and artistic perspectives of local artists - our community members. Expanding on how they became artists, what inspires their art, challenges they've encountered, and how they persevered, Art Island is a deep dive into why artists feel art is important and how it has the power to affect us all.
[Credits]
A Film By - Zsofin Sheehy
Associate Producer - Emma Walter
Location Sound - Andrew Mark, Liam Wheatley
Sound Mix & Design - Matt Copeland
Title Animation - Grigorii Kniagnitskii
Colour - Bogdan Mykytenko
[Music]
The Kids
Galapaghost
Big Trees
As Tall As Pine
Buzz Gravelle
[Photos courtesy of]
Elaine Savoie
Bob Cain
Debi Lorenc
Angela McIntyre
Emma Walter
Faron Crowe
For more episodes follow the links below:
E1: Alina Milek • Art Island S1E1: Alina...
E2: Tom Burrows • Art Island S1E2: Tom B...
E3: Moragh Eilish • Art Island S1E3: Morag...
E4: Michelle Nyberg • Art Island S1E4: Miche...
E5: Tony Wilson • Art Island S1E5: Tony ...
E6: Alpen Kelley • Art Island S1E6: Alpen...
E7: Gordon Payne • Art Island S1E7: Gordo...
E8: Elaine Savoie • Art Island S1E8: Elain...
E9: Tom Knott • Art Island S1E9: Tom K...
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ART ISLAND was created on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
Funding for this episode of ART ISLAND is provided by the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, and the Province of British Columbia.

[@jenniecallomon164]

Great work, person & video ….thank you !

[@sailorgirl2017]

Fabulous interview - so free-spirited. I'm very sorry to hear about Remi. I had the chance to spend time with him in the early 90s. A good soul.

[@karenkazjefreys2913]

thanks to zsofin and elaine,I just love her..

[@lindismith3206]

I adore her art! As avid chicken fans we have three of her works, and would love more ❤️

[@sunshinemachine6572]

Elaine, you are fabulous in every way . Keep going. -Wendy

[@LowLightMike]

Bravo to Zsofin for this wonderful film. And big thanks to Elaine for being the subject, and such an interesting one. I really enjoyed watching this, for the dual purposes of learning about Elaine's work and also to observe Zsofin's filmmaking. I was intrigued by a collage of photos posted recently showing Zsofin's multi-camera setup in Elaine's studio, and so I enjoyed watching the result of that, and the wonderful crafting of the final product. Thanks everyone.

[@HornbyArts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brettlebanettleful]

Thank you Zsofin, what a delight it was to see Elaine's mischevious smille and hear her wise words, absolutely beautiful!

[@HornbyArts]

Our pleasure!

[@christinalaffin881]

What a lovely slice of the creative (and wonderfully sweary 😉) energy Elaine brings. And a generous tribute to other island artists and Elaine's family, including Paul and Remi.

[@HornbyArts]

Glad you enjoyed it! It wouldn't be Elaine without a little colourful language in there ;)

[@biggestkurtfan]

These videos are just utterly magical

[@HornbyArts]

Thank you, we're so glad you're enjoying them.

[@louisegolder3276]

very relatable x

[@firesignart]

Great video! Yes I totally agree with so much you say, Elaine, especially about finding your creativity and how easy it is to be discouraged. But you gotta do it! You are living the Hornby life perfectly. :)

[@HornbyArts]

Absolutely! We're glad you enjoyed the profile :)

[@Joyabulthuis]

I LOVE this woman! So inspiring. And beautiful filmmaking! Can I ask who are Paul and Remi? Brothers? Husband?

[@marianneszalaga2021]

❤❤liefde voile iedereen

[@user-jq6ty3yb7x]

Wonderful 👏🙏👍 💙

[@HornbyArts]

Many thanks :)

[@marthagerow]

Brilliant.

[@HornbyArts]

We're so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Happy-tc2jt]

If you like gardening and art,you could explore growing natural watercolor pigment,(like tinctorial plants)ust an idea😂❤🎉

[@rosemarymccarron3887]

This artist has lost it when it comes to faith. As an artist myself my catholic faith has become soooo strong and deep. Thank God ...

[@stevesundstrom7867]

Can you not see god is the problem? Imagine.

[@Rochestergrad.74]

No thanks.