Betty Nelson-Daniel

Mocking Bird Original Creations is the brainchild of acclaimed artist Betty Nelson-Daniel.
Mocking Birds originated from a conglomeration of fanciful trimmings collected over a span of ten years.
Each figure is designed from a variety of coloured and textured materials spontaneously placed, creating a completely unique piece each time.
To those who view them, they possess dramatic qualities, mimicking vestiges of human attitudes.

• First ten years in a rural lifestyle north of Toronto.
• High school in London, Ontario - began formal art training.
• 1969 - moved to Toronto - worked in film and animation studio
• 1973 - created store display samples for Lewiscraft, with 13 store locations. Learned many new techniques using craft materials.
• 1976 - painted water colour 4'x 8' panels used in fashion retail stores. Later hand painted silk banners for department stores across North America
• 1983 - began Mocking-Birds, showed them to advertising agencies, selected well-respected galleries and high-density tourist areas.
• 1985 - first art show in June and another a year later
Fall 1986 - participated, by request, in the National Ballet Art Show; created figures to compliment the premier performance of "La Belle Epoque"
• 1988 - designed figures for the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Established a mail order business in selected U.S. and Bermuda galleries.
• 1988 - published in Canadian Interiors in Fabric layout.
Produced sculptures for National Ballet Fall Art Show
• 1989 - created Oreo Baker for president of Nabisco Company, New Jersey. Ordered Bakers Dozen as corporate Christmas gifts. He and his wife are now collectors.
Wheelchair athlete created as part of figurative art collection at the O'Keefe Art Show.
• 1989 Spring - Volunteer committee Pittsburgh Opera, who asked permission to use birds as theme for their charity ball; also created 40 birds for use as promotion for the ball
• 1991 - front and back cover of Air Brush in Japan #4.
Designed character of John Candy, wearing costume from Trains, Planes and Automobiles, as a birthday gift from his limo driver in Toronto
• 1993 - Contemporary Doll Magazine did a four-page spread about "birds", uplifting their status to Contemporary Doll Collectable.
• 1994 - Boston Ballet, Nut Cracker Art & Craft Show; Boston Tiffany's window display
Designed figure for collector's guide, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• 1995 - New York Publishers "The Doll" by Contemporary Doll Artists. Created figure for book in section entitled "Beyond Dolls". After viewing my work, the Museum of Folk Art in New York City asked for a figure donation.
• 1996 - created Mocking-Bird in Egyptian theme.
On request, submitted two designs for the Collectors Resource International book
Attended 10 juried craft shows from Huntsville to Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario. Won booth award at the Shaw Show of Arts & Crafts.
Participated in Uniquely Ontario at Toronto Gift Show in September. Received orders for 76 sculptures and won award for Innovative Gallery Product. A Mocking-Bird design was selected as promotion for Spring Uniquely Ontario show February 16-19.
• 1997 - established full-time gallery space in home.
Took part in the Scarborough Arts Council studio tour.
• 1998 - Mocking-Bird image used as theme to celebrate the first Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball for Sarnia Lambton Arts Council.
Moved to Midland, Ontario
• 1999 - Appeared in Fall American Style Magazine, Colourful characters. Participated in the Thanksgiving Art & Craft Show, St.Marie Amount the Hurons. In May experienced my first Vision Quest, Thunder Mountain.
• 2000 - May, Sue Warner Craftscapes interviewed me in my home and filmed birds for LIFE Network. July/August issue of collectables Canada, front cover with a thousand word story and pictures. November, created Firebird sculpture for silent auction, Firebird Ballet Ball, National Ballet.
• 2001 - 2004 - Attended local art shows & kept up supply to established galleries.
• 2005 - Created one-of-a-kind William Shakespeare & Napoleon figures for private collectors.
• 2007 created stylized figures for the Kooza Performance of Cirque de Soleil Premier in Toronto

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