Wendy grew up on a mixed farm 10 miles away from the bustling metropolis of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, Canada — more widely known by the towns marketing pitch as (drum roll) “A touch of Europe on the Prairies” Gravelbourg’s current population is about 1,100. From her calculations her sister, a grade school teacher and brother in law, Lyle are doing their best to maintain the current population. As a matter of fact if you add up all her first relations, the family accounts for 1.4% of the entire population. But wait…when her husband Eric, along with her aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews visit it shoots to 1.9%. Though she readily admits, she suspects she may raise the town fun level much past that 1.9% all by herself.
At the oh so tender tender age of 18, she wrote her final high school exam and hopped on a train for downtown Toronto, bringing with her all her worldly possessions and a large garbage bag filled with popcorn for the 3 day trip.
Being wanderstruck as Wendy was, after a year of work at an elite dining room at the International airport Wendy decided to travel, visiting Israel, Egypt, Mexico, Central America, and most of Canada and the United States. Wendy then became lucky enough to participate on an international exchange with Canada World Youth, where half her time was spent in Northern Ontario and half her time in Utter Pradesh, India. The following year she went back to university in her home province of Saskatchewan.
Wendy, being an ambitious young soul then signed up for every university club and first year class offered, for many many years. Forced to finally choose a path and already working as an assistant in the Art Education department and a tour guide at both the University and City galleries Wendy decided Fine Arts may be the path. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture and photography, true to form (see a trend here?) the day of her final exam, Wendy hopped on a plane for the big city of Montreal. Her extended family was kind enough to take down her exhibition show as her French classes started the following day.
In Montreal Wendy learned French and to pay the bills, while also taking an extensive 2 year program in Computer Animation at LaSalle College and completing an Art History degree at Concordia University. After several incredibly joyful and exciting years, Wendy decided to head back to her home province once again, but this time, only for a short work contract for the Canadian youth program Katimavik. Working for Katimavik, Wendy worked across Canada for 5 years. It was while on Vancouver Island that Wendy met her spectacular, suave, handsome, smart and particularly articulate husband Eric and 2 years later the happy (and sexy) couple moved to their new home on Guemes Island, Washington, USA where they now reside with their two well behaved dogs Atlas and Taupin (both dropouts from a local assistance dog program).
It was on Guemes Island that Wendy discovered Sue Roberts, both an exceptional ceramic artist and teacher, who worked with Wendy as best anyone can work with Wendy. It was under Sue’s tutelage that Wendy began her art practice. Thus Gingell Ceramics was born. So far, Wendy still carves all ceramics personally by hand.
