Eleanor Partridge

Eleanor (Ellie) Partridge is a multidisciplinary artist who grew up in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, QC, and currently lives in eastern Ontario. Her practice includes jewelry-making with polymer clay and beads, as well as embroidery and graphic art. “I definitely like to do a lot, different mediums or work with a lot of different art styles,”[1] she says. She creates and sells her work under her brand, Aupaluk Designs. 

Many of the skills Partridge acquired for her current artistic practice were learned throughout her high school years. Her favourite medium to work in is jewellery-making. She began making beaded earrings in 2019 after receiving a beading kit from her sister, and extended her practice to include polymer clay in 2022. Her earrings tend to feature clay centrepieces with beaded borders or encapsulated in resin. In a pair of round magenta earrings, you can see a little scene of a polar bear in a field of fireweed flowers, all crafted out of polymer clay. The scene is surrounded by magenta and white beads. Graphic design is one of Partridge’s more recent endeavours. She creates digital illustrations with her iPad, turning them into prints, stickers and cards. Continually interested in learning new skills and practices, she hopes to try her hand at linocut printmaking in the future. 

Partridge draws inspiration for all her work from her time growing up in the North, particularly in the wildlife and colours. Artists like her sister, Taqralik Partridge, and Germaine Arnaktauyok are also inspiring to Partridge, as well as more contemporary Inuit artists. She has participated in several tradeshows and marketplaces, such as the Aqsarniit Tradeshow and Conference in Ottawa, ON. “I really love doing markets, especially Indigenous or Inuit markets, because it feels like my people. It’s really good to see other artists and what they’re doing and connect with them.” 

Currently balancing a full-time job and her business, Partridge is focused on expanding her business and focusing on the graphic design aspects. “I want to hopefully just be an artist in the future,” she says.