 Regina Coupar is a Nova Scotia artisan. Her art spans painting,
lithography and clay sculpture; her writing spans theology, non-fiction, fiction
and poetry. Her work is unified by a single theme: the spiritual connection
available through art.
Early History: I've written poetry since my teenage years. I
find it helps me keep in touch with my inner self. At first I found it hard to
share publicly such personal thoughts, but discovered that by doing so I was
able to help others find courage to share their personal work. That means as
much to me as what people actually think of my work.
Age You Began Writing: I have been writing for as long as I can
remember. The idea of writing stories and expressing my ideas in book form has
always appealed to me. When I was about 8 or 9, I wrote a little book, Joe
and the Dog, on toilet paper from the bathroom in my school (it came in
individually folded sheets). I folded the pages into signatures, wrote the text
and illustrated it.
I'm attracted by the tactile and visual qualities of books as much as by
their written components and have tried to make my books as appealing as
possible on these levels. Layout and design are important to me, as is the feel
of the paper and cover of a book.
What You Wrote: I have written a wide assortment of things, from
books and poetry to newspaper and magazine articles. While I am uncomfortable
with the violence and exclusivity of the Bible, I have always found it a source
of inspiration. I especially enjoy writing that permits me to
express my theological views, such as the reinterpreting and/or expanding of
stories of women in the Bible.
Publications: The Art of Soul,
Novalis, 2002; Light Among the Shadows, releasing feminine spirit,
Gamaliel Publications, 1995; Echoes of the Remnant, Gamaliel
Publications, 1993, and The Spirit Sings,
reflections from an artist's journal, Gamaliel Publications, 1992.
Anthologies: 2004 Sacred Path, Editor: Caryl Green, Novalis; 2001 The Art of Worship; Editor: Kate Langlan; Nimbus;
1999 Words out there: Women Poets in Atlantic Canada, Editor: Jeanette
Lynes, Roseway Publishing; 1998 Spirit Mourn, Spirit Dance; Editor:
Rebekah Chevalier; United Church Publishing House; 1997 "Was Thomas Merton a
Free Man?" (with Jacques Goulet and Clare Goulet), Grail: an Ecumenical
Journal, Saint Paul University Press. Selected Articles/Other: 2004
"From Left to Right Brain", Exchange Magazine, United Church Publishing House,
Toronto, ON; 2003 "One Artist's Suggestions", Visual Arts News, (Fall)
Visual Arts Nova Scotia; 2003 "The Prophecy of Gomer", Making Waves,
Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada; 2003 "The Daughters of Lot's Wife",
Making Waves, Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada; x 1996-1998 "Echoes",
The Chronicle Herald, (regular monthly column on religion and culture
featured on the Religion page of the newspaper); 1994 Review of 'Personal
Stories', exhibition by Julie McIntyre, Visual Arts News (March),
Visual Arts Nova Scotia.
Career Highlights: 2002 Raku with Peter Thomas, Sunbury Arts
Centre, St. Andrews by the Sea, NB; 1998 BA; Mount Saint Vincent University,
Religious Studies/Fine Art; 1997 French Immersion; Université Laval, Quebec;
1995 Diploma; Theology and Ministry, Atlantic School of Theology (3 years); 1993
Bookbinding; Nova Scotia College of Art and Design; 1992 Spiritual Direction;
Tatamagouche Centre, NS; 1990 Lithography, Nova Scotia College of Art and
Design; 1989 Lithography, Woodstock School of Art and Design, New York;
1973-1975 Fashion Design; Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Toronto.
Awards and Recognitions: 2003, The Art of Soul nominated for the
Evelyn Richardson Award; 1995, Light Among the Shadows on the Nova Scotia
Bestseller List; 2002 Remick Trust Fund Grant, Canadian Geological Foundation
(for "Written in Stone" series of acrylic paintings); 1998 President's Prize,
Mount Saint Vincent University; 1998 Roman Catholic Women's League Book Award,
Mount Saint Vincent University; 1998 Nancy Logan Scholarship, Mount Saint
Vincent University; 1997 Mount Saint Vincent Merit Scholarship; 1997 Canadian
Federation of University Women Scholarship; 1997 Undergraduate competition,
University of Prince Edward Island (Paper Title: "Hildegard of Bingen, One
Woman's Work").
Future Plans: I am working on a series of stories that
reconstruct the lives of women from the Hebrew and Christian biblical texts. I
also hope to do another book that integrates my current visual art (clay
sculpture of female forms called 'Woman as Vessel') with poetry related to the
same themes.
Blue Grama Publications Corp. Book/CD Title:
Blue Grama Publications Corp. Websites:
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Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
