Cara Kansala and Pam Dorey founded Cara's Joy in St. John's in 2003, and relocated to Upper Island Cove, Conception Bay, in 2005. The pair work full time from their home studio/workshop, where they fashion their colourful, humorous pictures/collages from a variety of materials including wood, wire, and twine, hand-painted fabric, and crocheted clothing.

Kansala and Dorey work together on most of the pieces they produce, and their love of the province is reflected in their work, which focuses primarily on themes of rural and outport Newfoundland and its people. Kansala says she is inspired by “the vibrant colours of old fishing stages, rickety dories, and proud saltbox houses that refuse to cave in.” She also counts the ever-present laundry lines, “which snake across the Island—showing off the underpants of each and every soul—and the seagulls that seem to be always laughing” as favourite sights. Both artists are moved by the strength and spirit of the people they meet here.

Kansala, originally from Northern Ontario, and Dorey, from Lewisporte, Newfoundland, have lived and worked in a variety of places across Canada. Before settling down in this province, they spent three years teaching English as a Second Language in the Czech Republic, and travelling throughout Europe. Both are self-taught woodworkers and carvers, and each piece Cara's Joy produces is original and unique.

“I describe the work as whimsical,” Kansala says. “I want it to be vibrant—to be funny and cheerful. It makes me happy when people look at something of ours and laugh.” The pair is planning to get into larger constructions, and is starting to produce furniture—tables, bookshelves, cupboards—each item functional, hand-carved, hand-painted, and one-of-a-kind.

The inspiration for all of the work Kansala and Dorey do is “definitely Newfoundland,” according to Kansala. “It responds to the quality of the people—friendly, humorous, quirky. And then, of course, there's the landscape and the environment.”

Cara's Joy presented their first solo exhibition at the Craft Council Gallery in April/May, 2006.

Image shown: "Just Ask Edna" 60 x 57 x 10 cm (24" x 22.5" x 4")