Faux spirograph etchings – Dec 09

It’s become completely evident to me that posting a project a week isn’t a perfect method for me. I always have tons of projects on the go, so it seemed like a no-brainer. But what I realize now is that some of them are projects that will take many weeks, if not months to finish. So, scrap the once-a-week-pressure-posting. Hello, posting-projects-as-I-go. I have enough deadlines at work anyways, right?

I finally finished this piece for the Spirit & Ritual exhibition. I was in such a rush to get it to the curator's studio that I totally forgot to take a picture of it finished. Mounting such a large print (20" X 24") on wood it at home was a bit nerve wracking. After tat, I've become an un-official cheerleader for Letratac – it's way cleaner than traditional adhesive spray … but I'm crossing my fingers the photo won't pop off the board!

I still need to work on my artist statement which is well over due. What can I say, I've been super busy this week setting up an Etsy store, working on some new projects, trying to get my design portfolio in order, working, blah blah blah. Next week, I'll be in Toronto, but I'm going to try to post via my new iPhone. Ok, yes, playing with my new phone is also keeping me busy. Let's call it research.

Speaking of which … check out this amazing Chicago-based photographer, Jeremy Edwards, that only shoots using his iPhone.

Ink and letraset on vellum.

Two exhibition announcements!

I have a piece up at the Comox Valley Art Gallery in the Mail Art Olympix. The piece will also be shown at the Penticton Art Gallery in January and Havana Gallery in February. Find out more here

I also have a piece (in production now!) showing in the Spirit & Ritual exhibition at Britannia Centre. The Avenue for the Arts exhibition opens on December 2nd and runs until January 2nd.

 A graphic doodle that I created based on the delicate art of rock balancing.

My blog just celebrated its one year anniversary. There weren’t any balloons, flowers or cupcakes to announce its birthday. It just sort passed by … unnoticed. In the past few months, my posts have become more random and sporadic. I’ve just been coasting along in no particular direction.

Maybe I’m having some sort an existential crisis (or epiphany), because I’ve been feeling lately that if don’t pick up my boots, my life is just going to aimlessly pass me by. Sometimes I feel like there I have so many different options and interests, that I don’t choose anything or get totally flummoxed when I try tackle it all at the same time.

I’ve decided that it’s time to change direction. Well, maybe not so much change direction as – pick a direction and stick to it. Create a trajectory. Set a game plan. You get the point. No more random fancy.

For the next year, I’ll be posting one creative endeavor a week. One project, one photo, one design … etc.  Basically, I’m going to make stuff and share it. Sounds simple enough, right?

Ready, set … here goes!

Through October and November, many cultures around the world honour their ancestors through ceremony, celebration and the practical maintenance of grave sites. For the past five years, artists, neighbours and members of the public have been invited to Mountain View cemetery to create a sanctuary of remembrance. The Night of All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery has become one of my favorite annual events.

Created by Paula Jardine, the cemetery's artist-in-residence, All Souls is designed to provide opportunities for
the public to commemorate their dead. It is intimate, engaging, inclusive and thoughtful. From October 30 to November 3, the cemetery will be filled with light and life. There will be artist and community created sculptures, installations and shrines. There will be music and poetry and song. There will even be workshops and a tea party! Check out the schedule of events here.

The Night of ALL Souls is not to be mistaken with the Parade of Lost Souls, which will not take place this year. I know that a lot of people in my neighbourhood are sad to hear that the Parade has been cancelled. In my opinion, the parade simply became too popular for its own good – complete with a mini-donut stand. Sometimes events just get too cumbersome
to be self-sustaining and they loose the character of their original
intent.

I finished this self-portrait just in time for the submission deadline for the Mail Art Olympix. I heard through the grapevine (ok, my dad's the curator) that over 300 artists have submitted work which will be exhibited at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, Pentiticon Art Gallery and Havana's in Vancouver. With over 300 artists participating, it is going to be the one of the biggest exhibitions in BC since the days of Artropolis.

Help fill the Food Bank shelves! Bring your appetite and non-parishables to Main Library tomorrow morning from 9-noon. All financial donations will be matched by Nature's Path and VanCity.

A local family of four has embarked on an adventure in philanthropy one gift at a time. They have committed to giving away 10% of their annual gross income in daily increments to mostly random recipients. Sometimes the family leaves gifts in random places throughout the city, sometimes they target their acts of generosity the most undervalued and under appreciated in our society. Either way, Gorilla Giving is overflowing with so much thoughtfulness and generosity that I had to share it.

Follow them on Twitter, visit their blog, try it yourself.

Guerilla Giving in their own words:

"Guerrilla Giving is (r)evolutionary–at least it feels that way for us.

Revolutionary because in today’s world, freely
giving of our own resources on a mostly daily basis subverts many
of our silent agreements (e.g. capital equals security, give as a
tax write off, save for a rainy day, etc.).  It calls into question our
ego’s insatiable appetite for self-gratification.  It lifts our sights
to a higher vision. 

Evolutionary, because Guerrilla Giving emboldens us to
step into a current of grace that draws us forward as a global
community.  It opens our hearts and hands to each other, especially to
the stranger.  It employs a model of trust in the benevolent spirit
of life." 

If you like this idea, you might also enjoy my post on Guerilla Yarn Bombing.

Last week, I flew in & out of YVR. The unfortunate thing about air travel (besides carbon emissions and airplane food, of course) is having to get to and from the airport. I generally beg bribe ask a friend to drive me, but this time I had the opportunity to ride the new Canada Line both ways.

I know that have been somewhat cranky about having to constantly navigate the city's myriad of construction delays. I also haven't been shy with my criticism of Translink nor am I alone in my concern about big budget spending … but alas … all was forgotten when I boarded the train bound straight to Richmond. It was smooth, fast, spacious and quiet (I live right across the street from the Expo line, so I can truly appreciate quiet). And it gets better. The trains even have designated bike storage hooks and there are pre-flight check-in machines in most Skytrain stations. I know my generous friends-with-cars will be almost as pleased as I am. Woot. Woot.

Photos: I took these photo at the Abbotsford Airshow a few weeks ago. Go Maverick.