profile I b y S o n n e t Force Tidelines. "I have an affinity for natural materials. Combining what I've found with what I've made is satisfying and fun for me. I am always looking for 'building material'. W h e n I'm on the beach, I am in constant search of driftwood 'handles', shells and seaweed. Walking along seashores is a favourite pastime of mine." Nancy grew up in an artistic family; her father and sister are both professional artists, and her mother was a painter. As a child Nancy spent endless hours creating projects." gifts After and "making art graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Nancy spent a year backpacking around Europe learning as much about herself as she did about the world around her. Upon her return to Canada, she headed west and worked at the Emily Carr College of Art until she started a family. A few years later, her passion for tactile arts led her to the Clay and Textile program at Capilano College where she studied weaving, clay, and textile surface design; she enjoyed and excelled in both weaving and clay hand-building. Tidelines is a Nancy Cramer's Tidelines -- Quintessential West Coast Pottery " S t a y c l o s e t o n a t u r e . It w i l l n e v e r f a i l y o u . " -- Frank Lloyd Wright combination and reflection of her passion for weaving, clay and nature. I love combining weaving and pottery. Twelve years ago on Vancouver Island, I saw a kelp woven basket and was inspired to use kelp as weaving material. At first I created kelp baskets decorated with objects I found on the beach...and then I decided to weave kelp into clay pieces. Tidelines was born. I am drawn to texture, rustic design and natural materials. I can create stories with imprints and texture. I make impressions in the clay and incorporate a variety of animal imprints to give texture. I like primitive, natural, rugged and West Coast. Of all the imprints I use, the bear captures these elements the most. I use oxides or raku firing to create rustic finishes and decorate the pieces with natural objects. The results are an expression of who I am. Nancy is humble about her clay I see myself as the "primitive potter." My soul is constantly drawn to organic, unique and natural substances. Over the years, I have experimented with wheel-thrown and refined clay pieces, only to be uninspired with the results. I gravitate back to what speaks to me -- hand-built rugged pieces, decorated with oxides or by raku firing, and finished with kelp-woven edges and beach-combed treasures. Each piece is a unique celebration of the natural world around us. Every day Nancy Cramer goes for a walk in the forest or along the beach. Nature brings her a sense of tranquility. And it is through her appreciation for natural beauty, that Nancy is able to feel more connected with her inner self, her creative self. The Tidelines pottery pieces that Nancy creates are genuine extensions of her love for the natural world. It was while walking on the beach in the tidal zone and looking at the treasures along the high tide line that November I December Nancy first decided to create creations; she was "flabbergasted and delighted" when I asked if I could interview her for an Arts Alive profile.