Originality

What makes us original? A commonly asked question but not so easily answered when you direct it at yourself. I’ve been mulling this question over this morning with tea in hand, then another cup and yet another.

Then it came to me, I think what makes me original is my lack of direction (or the attention span of a turnip) as some say. While it may not make me unique I feel it makes me and my work original.

I get bored easily so I find myself looking for new ideas and techniques often. Which means my work is often changing and evolving.

This spring I learnt piercing and that’s been my current “new technique”. I find the most exciting part of it is looking for images I can pierce in one complete piece, so I can save the relief image for use on another piece.

The only limits are, as always those of vision.

Jump

“Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along.”

Hugh Allen

Sooke Fine Arts and Stinking Fish Tour

The Sooke Fine Arts Show and the Stinking Fish Studio tour are on!

I am really thrilled to be a part of both. Last night we went to the Artist Celebration at Sooke Fine Arts and what a show it is! Well displayed and a lot of different mediums. I highly recommend it!

Stinking Fish Studio Tour runs through until August 1st and I am at the School House Studio from 10-5 all days!

MISSA

I was at MISSA all week taking a couple classes. I started last weekend with a metal etching class with Crys Harse. What a exciting class it was! We etched copper and brass, she brought a endless supply of different resist mediums so it was really fun to try them all out. I see some larger pieces in my future as a result of this class!

While I was there I really enjoyed the fact that there was NO cell phone reception anywhere, so from 9-5 every day I had time to learn, think and grow. I am going to try and implement this into my studio routine as a monday to friday work plan, no phones or internet from 10-4. Think I can do it?

I also enjoyed meeting other artists in the many many other mediums running classes. So much so that I decided I wanted to see if there was a class during the week I could take. As it turned out there was room in Julia Lowthers shoe box studio class. So I figured why not?

Class was in the boat house, a wonderful setting. We saw otters, a heron and loads of starfish on our walks in and out of the workshop. The class was a lot of fun. Julia works very differently from me and I had several ah haaaaa moments. I highly recommend her, the best class notes and kit provided ever!

My favorite technique was learning how to make these twisted brass pieces. Most people made theirs into bangles but I saw tools! I see many more of these in my future if I can find the square rod stock for it.

One last photo of Pedder Bay, it was such a joy to spend time is such a serene setting.

Explore

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain [Samuel Clemens]

Lofty Goals Take Two

After snowmobiling to a cabin this winter I'd met a lofty goal of mine, spending some time in a remote cabin in the snow. Granted it was a short stay, just lunch but it was a life moment for me. So it's time to add a new goal. This one is a little more daunting for me.

It involves, running and groups EEKKK!!

I'd like to try and run a 10K, yikes! Did I type that for real? My running program is coming along pretty well and I'm thinking running a 10K is something I could potentially do, right?

I am not a fan of sweating in public, nor am I a fan of public embarrassment (ie; failure) so I'll need to make sure I am more than ready when/if I do actually run one.

SO! My new lofty goal = run a 10K

July 4th!!!

Happy July 4th!!!!

It's summer

It's summer, at least it better finally be! Spring has felt so long and dreary. I'm dying to be picking veggies from the garden. But alas mine is slow and there isn't much to pick yet. I had visions of it looking like the picture above by now, but things are slow to grow.

The flower beds are much more prolific, I've had poppies blooming, a few lilies some peonies and even a water lily. I'd like to add another water feature but I don't think that's in the works this year. Maybe next. I envision a small planter with a miniature lily floating in it and a trickle of water flowing into it. Beside my hammock, with a good book........maybe the cat taking a nap. I think you see where I am going with this?