Shawni Tolman, also known as Muddy by Natur, is a local Calgary-based mud artist who discovered her passion during the COVID-19 shutdown. Her art is deeply inspired by the natural elements of the region. Growing up in Southern Alberta with an archaeologist father, Shawni spent much of her childhood with her hands in the dirt, feeling its textures and nurturing a curiosity about the world around her. This connection fostered a deep appreciation and fascination for the earth’s natural history, as well as the stories etched into its formations. The scars left by rivers, the majestic mountains shaped over millennia, the unpredictable cracks in the mud, and the intricate textures of fossils all tell tales of resilience and transformation, stories that Shawni now explores through her art.
My art method was developed through ADHD-induced innovation and experimentation. With a background in working as a professional Drywaller/Taper, using mud from the construction just made sense to me. My medium has evolved through countless trials into my ‘secret lightweight mortar/cement recipe,’ which allows me to sculpt my visions into life while retaining that rugged, imperfect texture that reminds me of aged stone. All while being lightweight, flexible, yet virtually indestructible. From perfecting my medium to inventing a solid/lightweight backboard solution, to building custom frames that will work with my backboards… every element of my process had to be engineered to bring my muddy visions to life.This is a piece from my Kota Collection, and it’s inspired by Mt. Wintour in Kananaskis. Pictured is the final step: shading the mud-sculpted mountain peaks. By using watercolours and diluted earthy stains, I let gravity take my pigments where they naturally need to go, enhancing the shadows, and emphasizing the organic imperfections.A closeup of a Cascade Mountain-inspired Kota piece.The Terra Collection draws inspiration from the profound pathways etched into the landscape by local rivers. The Bow River is my favourite to translate into art. Growing up in Southern Alberta, exploring rivers was a large part of my upbringing. Since making Calgary my home, I’ve come to view rivers as the lifeblood of Urban landscapes. A thread of untamed nature, permanently carved into the city, breathing life and solace.A closeup of a Terra piece, showing the carved river’s edge, and the rugged earthy texture my mud medium allows.My double garage has been converted into my full-time art workshop. It’s filled to the brim with power tools, walnut lumber for building frames, and thousands of *ingredients* -random tools/materials I collect ‘in case I need them one day.’ *Ingredients* range from a custom dremel bit I made for a specific groove, to hundreds of little bowls/trays I make with leftover mud… maybe they’ll turn into an art piece one day! On busy days, my workshop can look like a tornado went through Home Depot! Not the average artist’s studio, but it’s home to me.I work in batches of 10-12 pieces at a time. Because each piece has so many mud layers, each one needing to cure for 12 hours in between, this system allows me to keep my flow state at work. It’s especially helpful on frame day when my mud studio is transformed into carpenter’s shop.Over the past year, I have prioritized creating art inspired by local natural elements. After four years of primarily shipping out of province, I felt a profound need to reconnect with the community in Calgary and to create art that I can relate to most. Being selected as the 2024 Calgary Stampede Dream Home Artist was a pivotal moment for this local shift, with the opportunity to display 50 Muddy pieces in the Home for the Stampede viewers. This incredible opportunity allowed me to connect with those who share my admiration for the breathtaking natural elements that surround us.
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Which ’hood are you in?
Walden, Calgary, Alberta
What do you do?
Create sculptural artwork aesthetically inspired by local natural elements, methodically inspired by innovation.
What are you currently working on?
Mostly commissions, including an 11-foot Terra piece (my river-inspired style), for a hotel in Banff. 10 new works are now available to the public at the Winter Gardens Artist Feature Exhibit.
Where can we find your work?
Instagram is a great place to browse, and my website is where I sell all of my work, and take commission orders.
Cyra Darya Khan is based in Hamilton, Ontario with an educational background in Urban Planning and Policy Analysis. When she is not busy with work, she enjoys writing, organizing art events including musical events, and curating art works.
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