5X5 Small Works Exhibition

So some time ago, in 2012, I submitted a piece for my friend Seth Apter's 5X5 project, which followed the publication of his first book, The Pulse of Mixed Media. 75 artists contributed work to the project in a variety of mediums.

All of the art for Seth's 5x5 project is currently on exhibit in Putnam, Connecticut at The Empty Spaces Project. Seth has posted about it in more detail here. The Empty Space Project has a blurb about the exhibit on their website, which is here. I also wanted to share that all of the art is available for purchase. To view the pieces and to purchase, click here.

In the late fall of 2012, Seth's 5x5 project was featured in the November/December issue of Somerset Studios.

My piece was part of that feature. 

Here's a closer look at the 5x5 zine I made:

This piece is also available for purchase. If you're looking for it on Seth's post, it's about 3/4 of the way down.

Congratulations Seth on this wonderful exhibit! 

Here's a peek:

(Photo Credit: Seth Apter)

Pretty darn cool!

Sketchbook Project 2012 Tour: Vancouver

Tuesday afternoon, I headed downtown to the W2 Media Cafe to meet up with friends Penelope and Carol at the Sketchbook Project's Vancouver debut. Being the keeners that Penn and I are, we arrived just before the library opened at 3 pm. Carol manage to squeak in under the wire at the end of her work day.

They had a really efficient set up, as you can see in the first 4 images above with great signage to explain what to do. You begin by using the DIY kiosk to issue yourself a library card and then move to the check out station where you can search for the books you'd like to view. You can generate a search based on name, location, title, medium, materials, theme and about 50 more criteria or you can simply request the computer randomly choose for you. If you do a search, you get the book you requested, plus another which is randomly chosen-two for the price of one! This is the project's way of giving everyone equal shelf time, which is great.

When a book is viewed, the author is immediately sent an email saying "Your book was viewed by (name) in (city)." I've had emails like this from the tour stop in Chicago. When I got home from Tuesday's event, I had emails from the project saying who had viewed my book in Vancouver. It's so fast that I viewed a beautiful book about the ocean, done in watercolours by Kimi Kobashi , 10 minutes later, she was following me on my page on the Sketchbook Project site! Amazing!

I knew several friends had signed up for the 2012 Sketchbook Project, so I began my time there, searching for their books. I was able to find Angela Cartwright's sketchbook and in looking for another O'Brien, came across Karen O'Brien's instead. (I've met her through Artfest.) I also check out Mat Roff's contribution. Mat was the first person on the Sketchbook Project site to "friend" me when I joined. His work is so cool!

Another great thing is that it was a great place to meet other creatives. I met some new people and had lovely chats with them and ran into old friends as well. I was surprised to see a friend from the Bellingham ATC group, Cheryl, whom I haven't seen for years, as well as another friend I met through the Al Fresco dinners, Colleen (of the famed bacon tarts!) and Mary whom I recently met through my work with Papergirl. It was THE place to be on Tuesday!

The folks from the Arthouse Co-op were super nice and friendly. That's Chris in the photo in the second row on the far left. I kept him busy running back and forth to the shelves getting me books. In all, they brought a library of 7000 books on tour. I believe I managed to look at about 50 in 4 hours. Over the two day show, they issued 265 library cards and 2588 books were viewed!

While we were there, Penn and I also took the opportunity to sign up for the 2013 Sketchbook Project. If you sign up at the tour, then you save $5 on shipping and get your blank sketchbook right there and then. Seemed like an excellent idea! Now I just have to get busy working on it-I have 7 1/2 months to get it done!

If you want to know if the tour is coming to your neck of the woods, here's the place to find out! Anyone living in Toronto will have a chance to visit the tour when it's in town July 18th-22nd. GO! You won't be sorry!

Save The Dates!

Happy May! I can't believe were already into the 5th month of the year already! I've dubbed May the month o'many things. My calendar is chock full of amazing events. Here's what's happening:

May 3rd, (two days from now!) Seth Apter is here from NYC for his book launch party. I've posted about it here.

May 15th & 16th, The Sketchbook Project is coming to Vancouver. Details are here. (Scroll down to find the info for Vancouver.) I posted a sneak peek at my Sketchbook here, if you're curious.

May 17th is the opening reception for the Challenging the Myths: Disability & Art exhibit at Leigh Square. Info for that is here.

May 18th is my turn in the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay! I'm a Difference Maker! I posted a bit about it here, though I am still waiting for a specific time and location. Update to follow soon!

Consider this my personal invitation to YOU to come join the fun!

 If you plan to attend any or all of these events, shoot me a note in the comments or by email, so I will know to look for you!

The Art of Colour

Self-portrait

It's been a busy last few days. Swan Dive is humming along nicely. I worked on this self-portrait the other day and I think it's my new favourite. Vivienne taught us how to use a new tool that can erase any parts of a layer that you don't want covering up the original image. I used it on this image to take the layers off my eye, so the colour would be true. (Yes, my eyes really are that green.) I really think that one pop of colour makes the entire image.  

Here are some others I've done this way:

This is one of my favourite shots from Light Hunters: Getting through the Grey. It was the first time I took my camera out in the rain (I was super careful.) for a shoot. It was a horrible day weather-wise, but the first day of 2012 and I wanted to document it. I'm so glad I did.

I may go back and take another shot at this one because Dex's eyes are golden and I think it would be cool to also have them appear as they really are. The beauty of digital photography is that as you learn new post processing skills, you can go back and rework things. Maybe I'll do that today...

Speaking of photography classes, Vivienne is having a sale on the Light Hunter's e-book. If you purchase it today, it's 50% off-only $15! The sale price changes tomorrow and Friday, so if you want the best deal, snap it up today! All the details are on her blog.  

Light Hunters was a great course-I learned so much about finding and using the natural light as a focal point in my photos. I can't say enough good things about her classes-they have completely changed my life! (So much so that I just took a giant step outside my comfort zone and submitted 4 of my images to be considered for a special gallery show next month! EEK! Now I just have to wait to see if I'm accepted.)

Papergirls Know How To Party!

Last night was the Papergirls party and exhibit at the Roundhouse. I met up with Penn, (my art partner in crime) and we viewed the 500+ pieces of art that will be handed out for FREE at a secret location on Saturday.

 The Roundhouse is a gorgeous community building in the heart of Yaletown. I'd walked by it daily during the 2010 Olympics, on my way to the stadium. I was always in a rush during the Games, so last night was the first time I really got a chance to see inside it. It's beautiful facility, full of large spaces with huge windows that allow for lots of natural light. The architecture is wonderful.

In the gallery space last night, there was masking tape art and words on the floor. Such a cleaver idea!

The art was displayed clothes line style throughout the space.

 It was a good sized crowd and I liked that we had plenty of space to spread out in so that we could really see the art.

Organizers welcomed everyone and I'd been asked to say a few words. I made a short speech about how I'd come to be involved in the project and what I thought about it. I'd given some thought about what I wanted to say, but hadn't written anything down, so it was mainly off the top of my head. That was something new for me. I usually write everything down, but I wanted to try something new. Penn said it sounded good to her, so I'm chalking that up as a win.

There were so many cool and interesting piece of art. Here's a sampling of some of my personal favourites:

Here's Penn with the piece she created.

We had a really good time and met some fun and creative people. It always feels good to make new connections in the artistic community. It always makes me think of this piece of poetry by Rumi:

"There is a community of the spirit. Join it, and feel the delight of walking in the noisy street and being the noise."

Based on the success rate of the first ever Papergirls event, I think it's safe to say it will happen again. Penn and I are already thinking about what we'll do next year!

Thank you to the Papergirls organizers for bringing this event to Vancouver and to Roundhouse volunteers for helping to host it. I am feeling pretty chuffed that I can officially say I've had my art exhibited at the Roundhouse! (Which didn't really occur to me until someone pointed it out-I was more focused on the giving part and being excited to see what other artist had done. The exhibiting part was a bonus!)

If you're local and would like to see the exhibit, I believe it's open to the public until Friday and then Saturday, keep your eyes out-Papergirls will be delivering FREE art at a secret location in the city! Watch for girls on bikes handing out art! I'm hoping our paths cross while I am out doing City Chase!

News from the North

Hello everyone! I have lots to report. First and foremost, the exhibit is up at Poirier Library. It will be on display from now, till the end of of February. I just wanted to quickly remind all you locals that my two FREE workshops are coming up soon so if you would like to attend, you will need to call and register ASAP. Here's the info:

Exploring the World of Mixed Media & Altered Books
*FREE!*
Date: January 31, 2008
Location: Poirier Library, Coquitlam
*Seating is limited for these programs, please call 604-937-4155 to register.

An Artful Life:Mixed Media Journalling On the Go!
*FREE!*Date: February 7, 2008
Location: Poirier Library, Coquitlam
*Seating is limited for these programs, please call 604-937-4155 to register.

I will also be teaching my jam-packed day-long Altered Books Workshop at Place des Arts in February. If you've always wanted to try altering a book, but didn't know where to start, this workshop will teach you everything you need to know to get started.

I began teaching this class about 4 years ago and I can tell you it has been my most popular. I have even had the pleasure of teaching entire classes of teachers so they could take these new skills back into the classroom! Come see what fun this is!

Altered Books, Condensed
Date: February 23, 2008
Location: Place des Arts, Coquitlam

If you are looking to book private workshop or would like me to come teach at your event, please email me!

Okay on to other things. Yesterday, I went to pick up my mail and there was a small, padded envelope in my mailbox. When I looked at the return address, it was from an Etsy shop. I thought it was rather odd because I couldn't remember ordering anything that I hadn't already received. Curious, I opened it and found this beautiful folk tree pendant inside, a gift from my pal Deb. It was one of the things I had put on my "whist" on the sidebar here and she surprised me by sending it to me. THANK YOU Deb. I will cherish it and wear it often. *sniff*

After that lovely bit of mail, I headed into Vancouver for the day. Things have been so hectic with the holidays and all the moving, etc. that I decided I just really needed to take a day for me. I went down to Banyen Books, which is the spiritual bookstore in these parts. It's a large building with hardwood floors and floor to ceiling built in bookshelves. If it's even slightly spiritual, you will find it there. I like that they have a whole section for creative books-The Artist's Way, books by Sark, books about soul collage, etc. They have journals-beautiful hand tooled leather ones that just beg to be filled.

They also have a whole setion that is gift type items-incense, prayer beads, stones, angels, buddhas, meditation cds, etc. I love the section that has prayer flags, singing bowls, prayer wheels, fountains and buddha statues. I bought this etched "OM" stone to add to my studio, along with the Buddha CD sleeve pictured above. (Which I may just frame.)

Out front they have this cool carved bench. I snapped this quick shot of the lotus on it with my camera phone. I must have been in there for over an hour. I could have stayed longer-there are comfy chairs all over the store to sit and read in and no one bothers you. The atmosphere really is quite relaxing.

Afterwards, I grabbed a bite to eat before dropping by a friend's house for a quick visit and then over to Loomis, a local art store to buy a Moleskine. I got a red one this time. While I was there, I found heat guns were on sale for $19.99, so I finally bit the bullet and bought one. Now I just need to learn to use it without burning my fingers. I always forget they are wickedly hot-I keep thinking it's like using a hair dryer, which I do all the time. It's NOT!! You can actually do some serious damage if you're not careful! I need to figure out where to get a stand for it. I have seen them from time to time and I think I should probably have one. Safety first!

Anyway, it was really a good day and so nice to have some time to myself, to just do whatever I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. It was a good way for me to transition back into my busy schedule now that the holidays are over.

I have some exciting pending news, but I can't share it just yet. As soon as it's a fait accompli I will spill the beans. I am very pleased about it.

Okay, that's my report from my little world. Hope all is well in yours!

A Day in the Life

Copyright Tattered Edge 2007

So the exhibit of my artwork has been installed at Poirier Library and will be on display now from June 2nd-30th. If you are local, I would like to invite you to come by and have a look. I managed to set it all up in 45 minutes, which was record time. Being an experienced window dresser for a quilt store paid off! What was really encouraging was that while I was busy working on it, several people stopped to look, give positive feedback and ask questions about whether I offered classes. They happily walked away with my flyer, which was great. It's good to know that the art its self is attention getting, even before I have fussed over displaying it.

It's funny to think that something I have been doing for 6 years is still pretty new here in Canada. It's starting to catch on in Vancouver, which is pretty artsy anyway, but out here in the 'burbs, it's like a whole new world. I will just be happy if by sharing my art in this way I can open people's minds up to new possibilities.

After installing the exhibit, I went with friends to Hats Off on the Heights, which is big annual street fair in Burnaby. They close down a large section of one of the main roads (about 10 blocks) and fill it with a parade, show & shine, vendor's booths, food booths, music, firemen dunk tanks and tons of other stuff. It was smokin' hot, but we had a good time just being a part of the sea of humanity. I have to share this with you:

Isn't this wild?!? It's an art car and it was pretty cool. I can only imagine how much fun it was to gather all the different bits and bobs to create it.

This is the hood section and see that white thing in the middle? That is a working water fountain! Amazing! My hat's off to whomever created this and has the moxie to drive it around town. That's taking altering to a whole new level!

Speaking of cars, through a series of {insert whatever adjective here} events, my husband and I managed to find ourselves stranded on the side of a major highway, in the dark, with nary a drop of gas in our tank. I won't go into whose fault that was (*surreptitiously points at the guy who insisted we had enough to make it to the gas station he wanted to go to and since we were in an area I was not familiar with, I listened to him!*) but let's just say it was very scary barely making it off onto the shoulder and having huge semis roar by at 110 km or more with just a whisper between my vehicle and theirs. The car would rock each time and I was so worried we were going to get creamed. Finally there was a break in traffic and my husband was able to push while I steered it farther over to the right. Thankfully, after a quick call for help, our friends whom we had driven out to have dinner with showed up with a jerry can and 1/2 tank of gas and we were on our way again. Surprisingly, I didn't kill my husband. I didn't even raise my voice. I just said that from this point forward, when I want to buy gas, I am buying gas. I don't care if it's cheaper somewhere else. The "E" on the gas gauge is not merely a threat-it's a promise! We finally arrived home at 11 p.m. and I fell into bed, utterly exhausted.

All in all, Saturday was a good day, up until the point of our little misadventure. Never a dull moment, I tell ya! In any case, I was utterly exhausted today so I didn't managed to finish the other banners for my Etsy shop. They will keep till tomorrow. Uh oh! I hear thunder in the distance-I'd better quit while I am ahead!

The Dust of Everyday Life

Warning: Banner triangles multiply when you're not looking!

Just kidding! Actually I just made these ones this evening, in an effort to unwind a bit. This week has been just awful and so I am doing what I do best when my soul feels bruised and battered-retreat into art. There's something meditative about creating something and it's soothing. So this triangle making will result in some banners in the Tattered Edge Mercantile by the end of the weekend. They would be done sooner, but tomorrow I have to finish gathering up and packing my art to go on display on Saturday at the Poirier Library. I am pretty excited about that. I ran into the lady who oversees that today and she seemed pretty excited about it too. (She keeps saying she can't wait to see what my kind of art looks like. It's fun to introduce someone something they haven't seen or experienced before.)

EDIT: My first banner is now available in the Tattered Edge Mercantile. More to follow!

On a positive note, I spent today with my hands covered in plaster. This was week 4 of my Mini Picasso class. The kids couldn't believe how quickly plaster sets and were madly trying to create their art in it before it hardened. I think seeing something go from a liquid to a solid like that was a first for all of them. One of the best parts of teaching is allowing kids to use materials that are completely new to them and if it's messy and fun, all the better! I have to tell you though. lugging a large carry-on bag with wheels that weighs about 40lbs. filled with supplies up three flights of stairs in 27C heat is not for the faint of heart! Art is not for wimps!

In an effort to cheer myself, did a bit of online shopping. I ordered more MOO cards. I ordered some of the cards made from the same art as last order and also added a few new designs. I love having those for my business cards. If you haven't ordered any for yourself, I highly recommend them. I can't say enough good things about the company, the quality, the prompt delivery and value for the money. Moo ROCKS!!

I also bought and downloaded India.Arie's new song, "Beautiful Flower" from itunes. If you haven't heard it, she wrote it for girls in Africa and it's a lovely song. Here are the lyrics:

Beautiful Flower

by India.Arie

This is a song for every girl

who's ever been through something

she thought she couldn't make it through,

yeah I sing these words

because I was that that girl too

Wanting something better than this

but who do I turn to?

Now we're moving

from the darkness into the light

This is the defining moment of our lives,

Cause you're beautiful like a flower

More valuable than a diamond

You are powerful like a fire

You can heal the world with your mind

And there is nothing in the world that you cannot do

When you believe in you

Who are beautiful

Yeah you, who are brilliant

Yeah you, who are powerful

Yeah you, who are resilient

This is a song for every girl

who feels that she is not special

Cause she don't look like a supermodel,

Coke bottle

The next time the radio tells you

to shake your money maker

Shake your head and tell them,

tell 'em you're a leader

Now we're moving from

the darkness into the light

This is the defining moment of our lives,

Yeah Cause you're beautiful like a flower

More valuable than a diamond

You are powerful like a fire

You can heal the world with your mind

And there is nothing in the world

that you cannot do

When you believe in you

Who are beautiful

Yeah you, who are brilliant

Yeah you, who are powerful

Yeah you, who are resilient

Yeah you, who are beautiful

Yeah you, this song is for you

Yeah you, you are brilliant

100% of the proceeds from the song (available ONLY as a download) will go to support The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation.

Music and art, balm for the soul. Have a good weekend everyone.