About Monique
I first trained as a registered nurse and eventually discovered a passion for ceramics. I retired from nursing in 2018 and I now dedicate most of my time to pottery.
Being a self-made potter, I acquired my skills through books and the electronic media, and by taking part in workshops here at home and internationally in Australia, the US, Belgium, Holland, Brazil and China.
The summer of 2004 was my first introduction to Western Raku. I had taken part in a workshop at the Sunbury Shores Art and Nature Center with Peter Thomas in Saint Andrew NB. That was it! I was hooked from then on to this type of ceramics. The complex and yet humble wabi-sabi expressive results this kind of pottery offers is the best way I have of conveying my inner soul.
This style calls for endless experimentation and creativity. And it involves playing with open flames! which continually brings me back to my childhood summers where we built beach fires after swimming in the icy Baie des Chaleurs.
My productions start through a variety of inspirations. The ideas can be from simply admiring someone else’s work; however, my best muse is the beauty of my Maritime Provinces. The long drives taken to reach other parts of the Maritimes from my home in northern New Brunswick NEVER cease to replenish my inspiration and ideas. I find the pristine outlines of the magnificent pines and spruce trees the most compelling of all.
Working with clay is imparting the outcome the shape of my soul.
Education
2024 Raku workshop with Giorgio Assaretti, Florenceville, NB
2021 Naked Raku with Scott Stockdale, online course
2020 Raku Workshop with Tim Isaac, Alma, NB (1 day)
2019 Ceramic workshop with lecturer, Lou Smedts, Fujian, China. (2 weeks)
2018 Ceramic workshop with award winner, Maya Padrov, Gagetown, NB
(1 week)
2018 Wood firing workshop with Erli Santini, Brumadinho, Brazil. (3 days)
2015 Chawan Workshop with John Baymore of the New Hampshire Institute of Art (1 week)
2012 Raku workshop with Steven Branfman, Manchester, NH (3 days)
2004 Raku workshop with Peter Thomas, Fredericton, NB (1 week)
1992 Tutering at the Glenden Pottery Club, Glenden, Australia (8 weeks)
Exhibitions and Group Participations
2019“Beneath the Surface 2019” group traveling exhibition, Frederiction, Bouctouche, Saint-John, NB
2018 “Group Salt Glaze firing”, Veghel, Netherlands
2018 “Group Wood Firing”, Brumadinho, Brazil
2017 “Side Show” solo exhibit, Andrew & Laura McCain Art Gallery, Florenceville, NB
2017 “Making Waves”, Minister Island, NB
2017 “Bottle and Boxes Exhibit”, Vichte, Belgium
2015 “Friend 2015”, Centennial Library, Dalhousie, NB
2015 “Pencil, Clay & Lens”, Andrew & Laura McCain Art Gallery, Florenceville, NB
2015 “NB Fine Craft Festival”, Saint John, NB
2015 “The Thing That Happened”, NB Craft Council’s traveling exhibit in St John, Fredericton, Edmonston, NB
2015 “Gallery Act”, Halifax, NS
2014 “Art and Craft Exhibit”, Bon Ami Festival, Dalhousie, NB
2013 « Exposition Autrement /Art Route » Charlo NB
2012 “Spring Art Exhibit”, St Francis Xavier Church, Charlo NB
2008 “Christmas Art and Craft Exhibit and Sale”, Bathurst, NB
2007 “IODE Art and Craft Exhibit and Sale”, Bathurst, NB
2006 “Art and Craft Exhibit and Sale”, Dalhousie, NB
2006 “Village of Charlo 40th Anniversary Art Exhibit”, Charlo, NB
1992 “Craft Exhibit”, Glenden Qld, Australia
Residency
Beneath the Surface 2019, (one week) Fundy National Park
Representation
Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery, Florenceville-Bristol, NB
Handworks Gallery, Saint John, NB
Galerie Restigouche, Campbellton, NB
East Wind Boutique, Dalhousie, NB
Atelier Gourmand, Charlo, NB
Teaching engagements and Artists talks
2025 Hosted workshop on Aluminium Saggar Firing
2014-2015 Instructor, YMCA summer afternoon pottery workshop, Charlo, NB
2014 Artist Talk, Glenburnie Woman Institute, Charlo, NB
2013 Visiting Instructor, Pottery Class, Académie Notre-Dame, Dalhousie, NB
2013 Instructor, Raku Workshop, Charlo, NB
2011 Visiting Instructor, Pottery Class, Académie Notre-Dame, Dalhousie, NB
2011 Instructor, Raku Workshop, Charlo, NB
2010 Instructor, Raku Workshop, Charlo, NB
2008 Visiting Instructor, Pottery Class, Académie Notre-Dame, Dalhousie, NB
2006 Visiting Instructor, Pottery Class, Dalhousie Middle School, Dalhousie, NB
2004 Instructor, Pottery Workshop, Charlo Boy Scouts, Charlo, NB
2003 Visiting Instructor, Pottery Class, Royaume des Jeunes, Charlo NB
Membership
2026 Galerie Restigouche, Campbellton, NB
2026 Executive member Conseil des métiers d'art de Restigouche Art & Craft Council, Dalhousie, NB
2026 New Brunswick Crafts Council - Conseil d'artisanat du Nouveau-Brunswick
2020-2021 New Brunswick Craft Foundation
2012-2021 Member Craft NB-Métier d’art NB
2018 Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Center
2018 Phoenix Cultuur, Veghel, Netherlands
2014 Board member, New Brunswick Craft Council, Fredericton, NB
2009 Adelaide Potter’s Club, Adelaide, SA, Australia
2005 Sunbury Shores Art and Nature Center
1998 Buderim Craft Cottage Association, Buderim, Qld, Australia
1992 Glenden Pottery Club, Glenden, Qld, Australia
Collections
Works held in private collections in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Israel, Denmark, France, Netherlands and the USA