Belly Casting with Tonya Doucette
Meeting Tonya Fawn Doucette: Hatchling Belly Casting Company Owner and Artist
Vital Stats:
Where were you born? Lachute, Quebec
How old are you? 29 years of age.
Where do you currently reside?Hamilton, ON
Occupation?Artist, owner of Hatchling Belly Casting Company and stay-at-home mom.
Brief Bio of what you've done: I have been interested in art all of my life. From music to sculpture, to food photography- you name it I am a jack of all trades and a master of none when it comes to art.
I became more in tuned with my interests when I moved to the Northwest Territories. I carefully observed the aboriginal culture there. Their way of living and art brought me to new heights. I became fascinated with glass beads that shimmer with worlds of color. The elderly women would combine the colors of beads and come up with incredible masterpieces sewn on moose hide which gave me new understanding. They say, "When you combine small pieces of passion you create one glorious piece of art." As I grew from this, I began to realize I was a jack of all trades and a master of none for a very good reason. My interests and different passions are now being sewn together to create the masterpiece of life! A canvas doesn't have to be flat and to me paint is just a term for color. Crystals, East Indian beads, velvet the list goes on. If I see it I can use it.
Questions:
How did you get into belly casting expectant mums and what do you get out of the creative process?
Along with the arts I have a passion for food and its link to optimum health. I am forever researching the connection between body, mind and spirit. I enjoy counselling people with regards to this connection as a whole.
After I had both of my children I was very disappointed I never gave myself the chance to do a belly cast. I needed to play with this new kind of canvas, and the ideas began pouring out of me. I was starving for a belly. I wanted to help women connect with themselves through pregnancy and birthing- so I approached moms-to-be on the street in hopes they would agree to volunteer their bellies. The idea worked and a year later I had a collection of casts for my portfolio. And hence my business Hatchling was born.
What do mums think of your unique service?
I feel the moms enjoy the fact that I come to their home to do the cast. It takes about an hour and during that time they enjoy a foot soak if they choose. It can be a great time doing a cast with loads of laughs. The moms also enjoy working with me in the outcome of the cast. I look at things like perhaps their culture, their home décor- anything that will give me a tip on how it should look in the end. I don't want the cast to stick out when it is on display. I want it to blend in with the home, so it can become a part of them for years to come.
Where can they reach you if they want a belly casting done? hatchling@canada.com or 905-383-6953 in the Greater Toronto/Hamilton area.
Does the creative process spill over into the kitchen? If so, what do you like to make and why?
I pay careful attention to natural health and natural foods. We are, as humans, a beautiful natural process and we should expect nothing less than natural, healthy foods for ourselves. I strive to treat my body as a wonderful temple and nourish myself and family through living positively and eating glorious food!
When I became a mom, I found less time for art work and started to see that I was focusing more of my energy into cooking , and hey why not! I gotta do it anyways. I like to make things that would normally be found in a store package, for instance granola bars or crackers.
You used to live in Toronto and now live an hour west in the city of Hamilton. Compare the two cities food scenes.
Hamilton has a cozy little health food beat, there are great health food choices here. But I really miss High Park's Roncesvalles area for its amazing fruit markets and really, really cheap health food store.
Do you take advantage of the lovely farmer's market out in Hamilton?
I have been to the farmers market and am grateful for all the work the local farmers put into getting veggies and fruit to our city!!
What, in your estimation, makes a great meal?
Color and spice!! And please hold the micro waving!!!
What's your favourite cuisine style? I would have to say anything that has culture attached to it. I adore meals made buy people, from other countries, that are so happy to share what they are about!
What's your most irritating food peeve? Wet toast!!! Yuck!!! Oh and I am not a fan of microwaves at all.
When you dine out in the city- where do you go and why? (top 3 picks).
When I lived in TO, I loved "Juice for life" on Queen Street West. Every single item on their menu has a wondrous twist to it. And therefore I am a creature of habit, I will always go to the same place over and over again.
Any tips on getting non-artists to pick up a brush, pen or pencil?
We all are artist of some form. If we tell ourselves that we can't be apart of art, remind yourself that art is as simple as how we sow our lives together.
What do I LOVE? This is the most important question one can ask. If you love to cook, that is your art. If you love to read, choosing what you love in a story is your art. Explore the possibility that you might have been blocking your self from worlds of exploration.
If you had to describe yourself as a dish, which one would it be and why? I can't choose, so that must mean I am a fridge because a fridge is a great big meal waiting to happen.
Interested in more healthy food/living topics? Check out my Sweetpea Organic Baby Food Co. founder interview and get inspired!
