Why isn't a glorious sunny day? All I see is slush and freezing drizzle in the forcast... Well atleast the -40 windchill is unlikely to return. We just need to celebrate the small things: days above freezing, melting snow, puddles, and maybe, just maybe, there will be warmth in the air soon. We will start to wear the thin gloves, go without long johns, change to the short coat. The change is gradual, almost imperceptable, but it will happen...
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!
I am going to take this gorgeous mirror with me when I head down to the Toronto Alternative Fashion Show in April. I'm schedualed to exhibit some Organs and Organism sculptures (and do some public interventions, hehehe). I think this mirror is going to fit in nicely. I made it back in January and I've been enjoying it at the end of the long hallway in my flat. But it will also be quite stunning at a fashion show...and all those fashionistas will be able to gaze at themselves. I guess I'll just have to make myself another one :) !!!
Since there are piles and piles of snow all around, and the first day of Spring only one week away (yes, ONE WEEK!), I thought it was important to pick up a pair of cute wellies in anticipation of The Great Thaw that will happen shortly. There are already many slush puddles that are hard to navigate in not-so-waterproof-winter boots. These boots are practicle AND cute, my favorite combination. Happy puddle jumping !
Ottawa got 50 cm of snow on the weekend...I don't know if I've ever seen so much snow in one big snowfall. J took this little video of me jumping into the snow. I like the super 8 quality of the video. It also a bit hard to see, but I am actually about 6 feet off the ground on top of a snow pile in our parking lot/backyard. I made a photo album of some of the crazy snow fall starting from my walk on Saturday afternoon, out at night and then another walk/shovelling event on Sunday.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-VjSAX6BVA]
I thought it was a good day on Sunday to made banana bread. Yum!
To appease myself for indoor acitivites, I splurged on a British Vogue. The image on the left sold me on the mag. Its not too apparent in the photo, but its just a riot of colour: a photo shoot in Peru. When can I go? And those boots on the right! wow!
Ottawa got 30 cm of snow yesterday...I love winter, but its always at this time of year that it seems to going on a bit long...and we're forcast for another snow dump on the weekend. To cheer myself up, I've made a Spring Countdown calender. Infact, I'm wondering why there are no Spring Advent Calenders. It would be nice to have a piece of chocolate to eat everyday.
I skiied to the studio yesterday. It seemed to be the most sensible way to get there.
skis at the studio
I have been working on this amazing floor painting commission this month. This is a kitchen, an eat-in area and den, about 300 sq/ft. The original floor was white linolieum, and my client was looking for something exciting and inspiring. The pattern was taken from a couch textile design, lots of colours and patterns. I have put together a little photo album here (or click on the icon in the left colomn) of before and after images, and textile example. Instructions for linoleum paiting came from here. The process is: clean, sand, prime a few coats, then paint the pattern (I used good quality house paints) and the about 6 coats of varathane. It has been a super challenge to do this work, and the results are pretty incredible.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF0R7W0jh_4]
For all of you outside the CTV Ottawa viewing area, thank goodness for the internet :) My Regional Contact episode has been posted on the CTV site. The link is here.
They did such a good job putting everything together! I love it! Enjoy the show!
At the end of January, I made a video tour of my studio and Exhibit #2 of Gallery 155b, which has since come down. My studio is looking pretty tidy and organized. Good timing too, as last week a camera operator from Regional Contact came to shoot my work and I was interviewed by Kathie Donovan. The episode is scheduled to air on February 23 at 6:30pm on CTV/CJOH (Ottawa). I can't wait to see how they edited all the shots and voice-over and interview together. I have a feeling that their professional cameras and lights are going to make my work and studio look fab :) Pretty exciting!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpe7kmU1ORQ]
Randy, the CTV camera operator in my studio:
I got some new shelves in the studio and it has made such a huge difference in my organization! What a way to start the year off right (although we are well into the new year by a month). I love looking at my fabric all neatly folded and organized. Hope it stays that way!!
I have posted 2 new albums of Mexico pictures and of WARM pillows. Enjoy!
Happy New Year!!! 2008!
What a way to start a new year with some travel and time to observe, absorb and enjoy. Travels took me to LA and then south to Mexico, San Migelle de Allende. What a beautiful city! I have a ton of photos to sort through and make sense of. Everywhere I looked is a new lovely tidbit...Here is a sampling of Colours in Mexico. Soon...a photo album coming.
I took these photos of my new WARM pillows on the crazy blizzard day on the weekend. It seems so appropriate, as it was not at all warm that day. Also, I have been pondering WARM in the winter, as I am going off to a warm place for the next few weeks. A trip to visit my brother in California and then down to Mexico to join my friend Tiffany at her photography workshop. I think the WARM pillows will come with me to enjoy some warmth in these various places. I'm not sure I remember how to dress that doesn't involved 4 layers of clothing. Happy holidays to all!!!
STAY WARM!!!
YES!!!!
I have a few pieces in the Ottawa Art Gallery Sales and Rental exhibition Winter Delights. It opens today from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Should be a nice event with quite a few local and regional artists. I am pleased with the pieces I submitted, a few more flowery bits and fuzzy things.
I got this super cute new hat at the ladyfest craft show. I wasn't planning on buying anything, but this hat just jumped out at me and onto my head. And I really did need a new hat: my old one from the last few years kind of fell apart, and I was trying to mend it, but it had just lots its entire hat-entegrity. I like how I've been getting bemused smiles from people as I wander the winter streets. The craft crochet queen who made this doesn't have a web site, but if anyone wants her email, I'll send it along. She had a whole table full of these lovely creations!
If I was looking to see some interesting art on Friday night, I'd head over to Gallery 155b. I saw Margie putting up her installation of the group exhibition and it was pretty disconcerting/intriguing. I really wanted to take a photo of it to post, but like I said, my camera is giving me some troubles, so just go and take my word for it. I am off to visit some old haunts in TO this weekend, like sushi, dim sum, and other fav eating.
If you missed the COZY show, here it is on YouTube!
Its about 10 minutes long, so make a cup of tea and settle in to see warm fuzzy things, sweet trees and funky wall pieces. Many thanks to my techie Mr. Jason for documenting and editing! oxoxoox! The show was such a great experience: from making the work, installing the show, hosting the art bus day, documenting the work. I've got some amazing comments in the signing book that I'll post soon too. Its always kind of sad when a show comes down, but it will live on thanks to YouTube! Enjoy the show!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PkJKWAMoYc&rel=1]
oh dear, I've neglected the blog for the past few weeks. I've even had a nudge (thanks T !) as to what I've been up to...well, it seems that I've gotten myself into lots of activities, and with a camera being fritzy, I just haven't been motivated to take pictures, thus no nice images to post about. My welding class is sadly coming to a close, but I'm super excited about steel these days: a feild trip to a steel shop is in the near future. It'll be like Fabricland, but metal. oh boy. I've still been sweeping at the tile warehouse, which, to my surprise, continues to amuse. When I'm in my studio, I've been making some new fun outfits to keep me warm in the winter. Here is one of them. I am particularly pleased with the cheerful brightness of this skirt and hoodie ensemble, but espcially the fuzzy gaiters. If I was really organized, this would all be available in the on-line shop, but, alas, its not going to happen right now. If you're interested, drop me a line.
I finally got to take a picture in my welding class. This is a guy cutting steele with some on-lookers. It is very sparky and immpressive. I am still stuck on lap joints because I missed a class, but there are still 4 classes left so I think I'll catch up. Tania sent me the link to Cal Lane, a woman wedling dollies. Cool. There are many possibilities to explore with this new skill.
