Friday, May 9, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted the note below last night, I'm going to try and update more I promise. All the stresses of getting into school have been overwhelming me but the Morrisburg trip (with no studying!!) has refreshed me and the creative juices are flowing. I have a good stock so I'm tossing those bloody canes aside for awhile and going to play with textures and images. So there!!
Hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll have some pieces done and photographed (and video!) to show you all!
-------------------------------------------------
home alive and stuff.
*thud*
worst drive ever. many appy-polly-logies to mel who had to put up with my 90 minute panic attack on the highway.
Xipe did a ton while I was gone, I love him muchly but right now I'm gonna die so i'll update later.
Hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll have some pieces done and photographed (and video!) to show you all!
-------------------------------------------------
home alive and stuff.
*thud*
worst drive ever. many appy-polly-logies to mel who had to put up with my 90 minute panic attack on the highway.
Xipe did a ton while I was gone, I love him muchly but right now I'm gonna die so i'll update later.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Morrisburg or bust!
It's that time of year again! The MPCG notices start coming out :)
What is MPCG? The Morrisburg Polymer Clay Gathering. It's a Thursday-Sunday Polymer clay retreat held every year towards the end of April in charming Morrisburg Ontario. The days are filled with brilliant classes and demos, laughter, shopping trips and the occasional (or not so occasional) bottle of wine shared with a couple bags of chips, a bunch of artists sitting around casually giggling about nonsense. I look forward to these few days every year. Being able to work side by side with these incredible artists. Margi who is really the reason I got into polymer clay, after seeing her work on the internet. Violette's words echo in my ears everytime I start feeling sorry for myself about aging "they're not wrinkles, they're details"...Barbara making me laugh "give it some British!" And all the other incredible women I spend 4 days with every year. It's something not to be missed!
So now, I am terribly proud to say I'll be teaching again at this year's MPCG. Over the past couple of years I've been doing more masks. Not really to sell, although I have sold a few, but more to decorate my own home, my studio and to just express myself creatively without the stresses of making a 'for sale' product. The research I put into each piece has taught me so much! I'm pretty much an expert on Slavic mythology now *grin* I'm learning about the carnival masks of the Dominican Republic, one of my favorite places on earth and at the moment, spending lots of hours researching African art! So what's my class? "Inspired Masks" I'm going to ask people to choose a culture or country and collect little bits of things that remind them of it. So let's say I choose China. The class will NOT be about reproducing a Chinese opera mask or any such thing, instead we'll use the mask shape as a canvas. Imagine, if you will, a bright red mask, antiqued and impressed to look like cinnabar. The face shape is vaguely Chinese mask but the details are what make it. Black laquered chopsticks across the top of the mask suggest spiky hair. A large faux jade ring in the nose, chinese coins dangle from the ears. Do you see it yet? Nothing traditional here.
This is my African Zen Warrior mask, he was built over a buddha shaped face and ended up looking pretty chill, I think I'll call him Bobert.
What is MPCG? The Morrisburg Polymer Clay Gathering. It's a Thursday-Sunday Polymer clay retreat held every year towards the end of April in charming Morrisburg Ontario. The days are filled with brilliant classes and demos, laughter, shopping trips and the occasional (or not so occasional) bottle of wine shared with a couple bags of chips, a bunch of artists sitting around casually giggling about nonsense. I look forward to these few days every year. Being able to work side by side with these incredible artists. Margi who is really the reason I got into polymer clay, after seeing her work on the internet. Violette's words echo in my ears everytime I start feeling sorry for myself about aging "they're not wrinkles, they're details"...Barbara making me laugh "give it some British!" And all the other incredible women I spend 4 days with every year. It's something not to be missed!
So now, I am terribly proud to say I'll be teaching again at this year's MPCG. Over the past couple of years I've been doing more masks. Not really to sell, although I have sold a few, but more to decorate my own home, my studio and to just express myself creatively without the stresses of making a 'for sale' product. The research I put into each piece has taught me so much! I'm pretty much an expert on Slavic mythology now *grin* I'm learning about the carnival masks of the Dominican Republic, one of my favorite places on earth and at the moment, spending lots of hours researching African art! So what's my class? "Inspired Masks" I'm going to ask people to choose a culture or country and collect little bits of things that remind them of it. So let's say I choose China. The class will NOT be about reproducing a Chinese opera mask or any such thing, instead we'll use the mask shape as a canvas. Imagine, if you will, a bright red mask, antiqued and impressed to look like cinnabar. The face shape is vaguely Chinese mask but the details are what make it. Black laquered chopsticks across the top of the mask suggest spiky hair. A large faux jade ring in the nose, chinese coins dangle from the ears. Do you see it yet? Nothing traditional here.
This is my African Zen Warrior mask, he was built over a buddha shaped face and ended up looking pretty chill, I think I'll call him Bobert.
Friday, February 1, 2008
this is how it has been...
I've been sick. Seriously. A two week flu that knocked me on my behind. Was feeling delicious for about a week (note: I love the word delicious...it's just...delicious) and then it hit my sinuses.
And stubborn like I am, upon hearing the clinic wait was 6 hours I decided to fix it myself. Anything to avoid two trips to a doctor in a month. It started with the purchase of a Neti Pot and it's brilliant. The only thing other than ridiculous amounts of painkillers that would take away the pain in my face. Three days later (along with my other witchy cure of peroxide in the ears) I'm cured. Yay.
Then there was the last minute rush to finish a piece for the V-day auctions. I decided to do one piece instead of a bunch of smaller ones, one I put more effort and thought into. I hate the photo, still trying to figure out this camera! but the piece itself is nice. Very delicate, not much of a "HEY LOOK VULVA" which was kinda my intent. Surprisingly difficult piece to figure out. I realize again, I go with the flow, I don't manage the custom work well. Still, I tried, and I'm pretty pleased with it.
And stubborn like I am, upon hearing the clinic wait was 6 hours I decided to fix it myself. Anything to avoid two trips to a doctor in a month. It started with the purchase of a Neti Pot and it's brilliant. The only thing other than ridiculous amounts of painkillers that would take away the pain in my face. Three days later (along with my other witchy cure of peroxide in the ears) I'm cured. Yay.
Then there was the last minute rush to finish a piece for the V-day auctions. I decided to do one piece instead of a bunch of smaller ones, one I put more effort and thought into. I hate the photo, still trying to figure out this camera! but the piece itself is nice. Very delicate, not much of a "HEY LOOK VULVA" which was kinda my intent. Surprisingly difficult piece to figure out. I realize again, I go with the flow, I don't manage the custom work well. Still, I tried, and I'm pretty pleased with it.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Is there anybody out there?
I have to ask, is anyone reading this?
It's hard, you know, I have three separate blogs for different reasons. This is supposed to be a creativity blog and you know? I haven't been feeling all that creative lately.
The holidays have come and gone, I was spoiled and yet very little related to clay. I've been feeling off lately, like I can't keep up. I placed a large order of bleached trans to get working on some new canes and the whole order is garbage, it's too dark, too dry, I think it's partially cured. I can still use it to blend with other colours but it's not cane worthy, what's a girl to do? I still haven't received a refund and I've started using it out of desperation. Very disappointing.
/end rant
in good news, I'm going to work on some pieces for v-day and try and get myself healthy, it's been an icky, sickly few days.
It's hard, you know, I have three separate blogs for different reasons. This is supposed to be a creativity blog and you know? I haven't been feeling all that creative lately.
The holidays have come and gone, I was spoiled and yet very little related to clay. I've been feeling off lately, like I can't keep up. I placed a large order of bleached trans to get working on some new canes and the whole order is garbage, it's too dark, too dry, I think it's partially cured. I can still use it to blend with other colours but it's not cane worthy, what's a girl to do? I still haven't received a refund and I've started using it out of desperation. Very disappointing.
/end rant
in good news, I'm going to work on some pieces for v-day and try and get myself healthy, it's been an icky, sickly few days.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
I'm SO bad at this.
Christmas was fantastic.
New Years was goodtimes.
I'll be updating more I promise, there's a new camera, new inspiration and new goals. Lots of new.
wish me luck :)
New Years was goodtimes.
I'll be updating more I promise, there's a new camera, new inspiration and new goals. Lots of new.
wish me luck :)
Monday, December 3, 2007
Call to Artists - Appel aux artistes
(copied from elsewhere)
We are currently looking for artists to submit works that deal with vaginas (and/or women) to be auctioned at a benefit art show. If you are interested in donating a piece of art, please contact us at vdaymontreal@gmail.com!
Nous sommes recherche présentement des artistes qui aimerait nous donner des oeuvres autour de l'image du vagin (et/ou les femmes) pour vendre aux enchères à un vernissage-bénéfice. Si vous êtes intéressé à faire un don, veuillez nous contacter à vdaymontreal@gmail.com!
What is V-Day?
V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community
V-Day Montreal is currently looking for artists to submit works that deal with vaginas (and/or women) to be auctioned at a benefit art show for V-Day Montreal. If you are interested in donating a piece of art, please contact us at vdaymontreal@gmail.com!
Vist our website at: http://vdaymontreal.blogspot.com/
We are currently looking for artists to submit works that deal with vaginas (and/or women) to be auctioned at a benefit art show. If you are interested in donating a piece of art, please contact us at vdaymontreal@gmail.com!
Nous sommes recherche présentement des artistes qui aimerait nous donner des oeuvres autour de l'image du vagin (et/ou les femmes) pour vendre aux enchères à un vernissage-bénéfice. Si vous êtes intéressé à faire un don, veuillez nous contacter à vdaymontreal@gmail.com!
What is V-Day?
V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community
V-Day Montreal is currently looking for artists to submit works that deal with vaginas (and/or women) to be auctioned at a benefit art show for V-Day Montreal. If you are interested in donating a piece of art, please contact us at vdaymontreal@gmail.com!
Vist our website at: http://vdaymontreal.blogspot.com/


