Rockin' Out!

Bahaha!

The top story of the witch's castle which is roughly 28 square feet and since I painted it from black to that in about 7 hours...means I painted 4 square feet an hour.  Colour me happy!!
I'll have to line up the blocks once they're in place but that shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Close up of the rocks and blocks o' stone.  I found a couple photos of old British castles that were this random and ramshackle which is nice because it means I don't have to paint well crafted, precisely laid brick or stone.  Cause this is waaaay more fun.

What We Don't Know...

Pen and Ink/coloured pencil illustration by TwinB

TwinB left a comment on a blog we both read; it explained the cause of death of one of her friends in the fall of '09 that I had not been aware of to that point.  What a waste...what a waste...

the stars have always been there for me in moments where the cold indifference of nihilism was a frigging relief. you go for years clinging to a life you just want to end, you come to some sacred, inexpressable conclusion about its inate value, and then your friend from back in the day chokes on her own vomit and dies on a camping trip because the guys who got her drunk couldn’t just turn her onto her side. abra-cadaver, two little boys don’t have a mom, the stellar atoms of amanda go into the ground, and you’re still here with your precious life.
the night sky smirks and whispers “life is fucked. you’re welcome.”

Wizard of Oz Updatie Thing

Cornfield set piece for the scarecrow; it consists of a flat with a 'truck' and fence posts which I just faux wood grained today ...in less than an hour. (sorry...I have been taking great pride in my speed)

Detail from the hay wagon; it's on the reverse side of the gypsy caravan.  Been trying to compose the large backdrop of the Yellow Brick Road leading to the Emerald City today and got good input from my one and only helper Gail...pretty sure we got it figured out so that was a gigantic plus.  Next time might be the finisher!
*woot*woot*
Also got a fairly good jump on a very challenging commission so that's good ...but...don't know if I can actually pull it off and TwinB had a most depressing comment on someone else's blog regarding one of the deaths of last year.
This shit is so up and down.

Chunking

When we get a type of snow that I've termed 'chunking', large clumps of snow fall from the sky to form a bumpy surface.  No deep and crisp and even for us, no sir!
We had 40 cm of snow yesterday which fortunately wasn't followed by too much rain.  Some Kitimites told me they saw clumps of snow the size of their palm falling yesterday which is actually a minor form of this type of snow fall.
Put your thumbs and forefingers together: now pull them apart by 2 or 3 centimeters; this is the size of 'flakes' that I've seen falling from the sky during some weather events.  You should see the speeds these ...well...I guess snow bombs wouldn't be too strong a term...can reach and yes they really do appear to explode on impact.
By the end of such winters I dream of entire clouds falling in quick succession from the sky.

Burying Aladdin

I don't know why I'm actually smiling. 
Spent the afternoon obliterating the market scene from last year's production on Aladdin beneath the next layer of paint, blocking in the yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City.  I was about halfway through when the musical theatre class traipsed in and gradually lined up side by side to mourn the passing of the previous scene; their reaction and empathy for my having to kill previous work was very gratifying.

Oldie But a Goodie

The Alcan Christmas sets have been installed at Mount Elizabeth Theatre.  I took a couple of photos of my areas which is Santa's toy shop.  This was my very first paid Large Painting. from about 15 years ago and I'm still rather pleased with the results.  (The chair, tree and toys on floor are set in place: the rest is painted which I fervently hope look like part of the scene)

Off To See the Wizard...very, very slowly...

I'm back in the old theatre/set painting harness.  On Cue community theatre has been recruited to assist with every aspect of the high school's musical theatre production of The Wizard of Oz.  There are at least 9 of us on board - that's how many people it takes to replace former theatre technician John and his lovely and talented (slave) wife Heather.  It feels so much nicer knowing how many other people are lending their abilities to the production since I normally am the only one to get snagged.

That's my partially completed corn field.  Actually don't have that much time invested so far.  Maybe...3 hours??  Kind of shocking how unfamiliar I am regarding what corn looks like...probably one of the most alien and exotic plants I've ever depicted!  I even have way more experience with tropical foliage.

Coming in at a much heftier investment of time at 20 hours is the gypsy caravan.  I have a commitment from the Drama teacher that this will live on, so the helper and I took a bit more time on it.  She had studied tole painting and her skills really brought the perfect feel to this.  Incorporating authentic wagon wheels shipped all the way from Winipeg (which is where a former techie happens to live.)  

Beginner's Success

I guided a student through figures and faces, ending with this face and exploring general proportions and shadows.  I asked her if she has ever drawn a face before and she replied that she hadn't. 

Took me by surprise! As first attempts go, this is probably the best I've ever seen.

New Horizons

The assisted living facillity tried out a painting workshop for the first time; I had 7 participants and one observer which was a very good turn-out - better than expected.  All really enjoyed the process (despite misgivings from time to time, naturally) and are looking forward to next week's adventure.

Would you have guessed that these were done by people with little or no experience?  I was very excited with the results and hope it goes as well when we 'do' mushrooms.  ; )

Craft Fair 2010

The Art Club Team - cramming as many paintings on and around the table as we possibly could.  Penny is posing with the bear paw mittens she purchased from a craft table.  I had my best Fair ever, selling all four of my recently completed paintings and we sold 3 more by a couple of the ladies there.
I dropped a bundle of cash on various items, which was no doubt fueled by the regular sale of paintings.
Time to produce something for the Craft fair in the mall in 3 weeks time!

Martha Stewart Living...Dead

Got an invite to a costume/birthday party - which is very exciting since I'm rarely invited to such events.  Couldn't figure out how or what to transform myself into until TwinB suggested the Martha Stewart Living Dead angle. 
So, I came; I costumed; I had a crazy good time!

Fresh From the Kitchen Table!

Four Kitimat scenes ready to go just in time for Christmas.  Don't know if the bus stop will sell...just might give it to My Boy since he has none of my paintings and nothing says 'Kitimat' like the vignette above!
Shouldn't have too much trouble unloading the Mount Elizabeths or the Channel view. 
I really surprised myself when these 4 suddenly finished themselves!

(((Bonk)))) ((((Thunk))) (((Bonk)))

  We installed brand new, energy efficient and very reflective windows last Fall and as a result, that's the sound of little bird bodies hitting the livingroom window approximately every 5 minutes.
We'd gotten used to the ocassional collision during the last 2 weeks of every October as flocks of robins and varied thrushes swarm the mountain ash tree and devour every last fermenting berry till all that remained were hundreds of empty stems.  With the old windows, impacts were far less frequent but usually serious or fatal; the unlucky bird often transformed into a mess of puke, crap and feathers then sliding with the whole mess down the glass to land in the garden.  (to the delight of neighborhood cats)
     I had a private lesson yesterday afternoon and it was getting pretty embarrassing as I and my student involuntarily flinched each time a bird hit the window.  "Is there going to be a pile of little bodies when I leave here?"
We go look at - and out - the window.  There are a few splats and feathers but no corpses.  A robin flies straight towards our faces then bounces off and frantically flies in a different direction.  It seems these windows are far more forgiving.
     Later, I head to the Dollar Store to pick up some blue place mats and masking tape.  When I return home I tape a series of place mats over the window. 
It isn't pretty but at least it's reduced the carnage to about 3 hits per hour.

A Mighty Wind

This was the storm of 10/10/10.  Wasn't too bad in Kitimat where the wind sustained 70 kmh with gusts up to 100 kmh, though the power was out for several hours.  Prince Rupert saw gusts between 140 and 167 kmh, so they ended up with considerable damage.  Trees, trucks, trailors and sundry were blown over or tossed around. The rain has eased off a bit now but over the previous 3 or 4 days we've had over 150 mm of rain.  (also known as 6")
I think we've made up for the dry summer.

That?...

...is some grizzly shit

I'm basing this on: 

A. the size, seeing as it's as large as a horse crap

B.  the form - carnivorous

C.  we have 2 families of grizzlies wandering the town

I took advantage of the perfect light this morning to take about 50 photos around Kildala neighborhood.  I did have a bit of concern about these beasts in the back of the mind until I came upon two mounds of these sitting in the middle of the sidewalk.  (Do bears shit in the woods?? Oh, don't even get me started!! NO!)

The concern was suddenly nudged to an area more in the front of my brain, so I was a bit more aware of my surroundings for the rest of the walk.

A good buddy phoned me this afternoon to tell me about her close encounter with FOUR grizzlies.  Yesterday evening, her yard was visited by the Mama Bear and 3 second year cubs.  This is one successful mama because not only did the three survive, she's got them to the size of an average adult black bear.  

And they were silent.  BuddyGal said that they carefully picked their way over pots and planters never making a sound.  Compare this to black bears who have a tendency to walk through anything and often make quite a racket.  I mentioned all this to TwinB who commented "sounds like they might have been hunting"   : 0

Mama bear makes her way to the deck and then pressed her face against the sliding glass doors which, thankfully don't give way.  A few minutes later she rises up on her hind legs and makes eye contact with BuddyGal's husband watching from a bedroom window.   Kind of gave him some willies.

Of course they didn't get photos what with frantically worrying about whether or not the bear would break in.  Today, though they're getting more used to the idea and he was planning on sitting on the roof to take a photo if they visit again.

Sure wouldn't catch me doing that...okay...maybe from a 2 storey roof.

So Long, Joe

Joe - a long time member of our Art Club died at the age of 72 last May which is the end of our yearly season so even though we visited the family, attended the funeral...it didn't hit as hard as the first meeting of the year.  Hard to process that empty spot across the classroom from me and I know the Craft Fair won't feel right without him standing by a table of his paintings at the end of the Activity Room in his 'Bavarian Suit' (it's like an business suit but with subtle embellishments that are definitely Alpen)  He painted one size and one size only!  Had to fit a 16" X 20" frame from Opus.  We would tease him about his frugality but we knew we could always count on his direct and honest approach to life along with his quiet humour.
He didn't take up painting till he retired but became one of the most active members of our group. 
This Kitimite got his 3 score and 10 - but he still leaves a significant hole.

Spoken word evening in Km@

Two months ago I finally attended my first evar! Spoken Word/Slam event in Calgary.  I'd only experienced Spoken Word/Slam poetry on cbc radio so  it was an inspiration to witness the process in person.  Sherri D Wilson was a wonderful host and I (and TwinB) enjoyed the performers and whole environment.  (But - My goodness...from the amount of smokes we bummed out could we ever tell we were in the presence of young, starving artists!)  I couldn't help but notice that I have heard comparable material and presenters in our lil' old  corner of the world so resolved to put together a similar event at the earliest and most opportune time here, so, seeing that 'Culture Days' were upon us this weekend - Sept. 24 to 26 - I  arranged to hold an Open Mic/Spoken Word evening.
Here's what we got:...old fellas Storytelling, and young gals angsting - in very subtle and subversive ways - and older broads reading a variety of poignant material.  We also were treated to a work in progress for young readers and a synopsis of a story I'd heard a couple of years back by a younger male writer.  The crowd loved his punch line/spoiler and I hope that this composition will eventually see it's full development into a completed story.
The fella featured in this photo-  (A well known local thespian - the reader should be wary of these creatures) was asked by my co-conspirator to read something - anything but Robert Service -  and even though he had to help his son retrieve a boat from the bottom of Minette Bay, arrived to sing his own little dittty based on 'If I Were A Rich Man' describing what he'd do 'If He Won The Lotto'.  It was very humourously delivered.
It was a great evening and everyone is looking forward to another.

Good Afternoon Mrs. Hutson...

telemarketer: "How are you today, Mrs. Hutson?"
Me:  "People keep pestering me with phone calls"
telemarketer:  "Well then...fuck off"

I do a half laugh and hang up. 
Wow.  I've just been totally burned by a telemarketer.  And I wasn't even crude, rude or offensive.  To my mind anyway.  The only reason I'd answered is because I'd been getting non-stop calls from them ALL DAY.
The entire conversation consisted of those very three sentences.
Apparently I'm The Straw.
Is this my hidden secret power - to push people over the edge with seemingly innocuous conversation?
It's happened before:  I occasionally toss off a comment or sentence that elicits a reaction so far beyond what one would expect that I'm beginning to finally understand (at my late stage in life) there is something innately provacative in how I communicate sometimes.* 
I really work towords that in visual art.  It's a challenge, really.  Not easy either since I like to convey my ideas in visually appealling ways.  I think there's a subversive and compelling strength in that.
Getting countless calls, then that response initially made me feel just a little bit violated - but now...now?!...I'm feeling empowered!!

Oh yeah, Baby - You talkin' to............The Straw!!

*The Husband would attest to that!

Rio Tinto Proudly Supports The Arts

The monthly issue of The Ingot - Rio Tinto/Alcan's company propaganda magazine arrived yesterday and what jumps off the front cover at me??  Supporting The Arts in BC page 9

So immediately I flip to page 9,quickly read through the article and subsequently had a rather undignified reaction because I was a tad pissed off...nay...outraged!  However I did realize that any response to this would have to be measured and reasoned if and when I or any other Children's Arts Supporter in Kitimat decides to make a peep about all this.

So what's my major malfunction??

The article gushed on about Rio Tinto's major contributions to the Olympics (GVRD) and Arts Umbrella* (GVRD).  A sub heading  reads Arts are essential to the social fabric of a sustainable community and it is this recognition that guides Rio Tinto Alcan's support for a variety of cultural projects.

Another part of the article quotes Richard Prokopanko, RTA exec and vice-chair of Arts Umbrella as saying "Arts Umbrella builds the confidence, self esteem and cultural skills of over 17,000 children per

year"

Well it's really too bad that none of those kids are in Kitimat, home to a good 900 of approximately 1200 RioTintoAlcan employees.  Another 200 - 300 live in Terrace.

I guess we don't qualify as a 'sustainable community.' 

Maybe our own shoe-string budget, home grown, Arts Umbrella type program Museum In The Classroom isn't...what?....big enough?...sexy enough?  Alcan did used to contribute 8 to 12% of our yearly budget (and yes, they always wanted 100% of the credit) though they haven't donated anything since being bought out by Rio Tinto.  Kitimat Arts For Youth did benefit from several thousand dollars for 2 or 3 years but then suddenly disappeared from the RTA radar. 

I know that RioTintoAlcan can give their money to any group they choose - I just don't want everybody thinking that here in Kitimat we're just wallowing in their largesse. 

I also can't help but feel just a little bit slapped in the face by this whole business.

*I don't have the best history with Arts Umbrella either

http://eileenhutson.blogspot.com/2007/05/little-helper-monkey.html

Hangin' @ the SK8 Park

Assorted images from our ongoing Nechako mural.  The first is by a grade 11 girl and very confident artiste.  The sugar skull was painted by featured art grad Jordan and the frog in-progress is my contribution to make the bubbles make sense.  The mural will probably continue next year and depending on how many people want to add their work, just might have to wraparound to the north side of the building.  Every little bit is an improvement.

Sea: Sick

Detail of Sea: Sick

20 years from concept to completion.  Took so long pondering this that I missed out on the original issue that launched this fella.  The original issue was clear cut logging...though given how many truckloads of absolutely raw logs are flying down the highway and off to China it may be re-ignited

It turns out we never had to spill a single drop of oil to spoil the oceans.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution they have quietly been absorbing carbon from the atmosphere as we burn coal and oil.  When you change chemistry, you change biology.  Of course this isn't the only assault on the ocean:
run-off from fertilizers create dead zones thousands of kilometres in area, lost nets - the infamous Ghost Nets indescriminately trap and kill every species they encounter, bottom trawling destroys habitat while discarded plastic collects where currents gather them into giant floating islands; one is reported to be larger than Texas.
No one can project what the outcome might be but already we've seen troubling effects such as the proliferation of jellyfish and the bleaching of coral reefs due to climate change
...right...climate change, let's add that to our litany of carnage.
Who could have imagined that a land mammal would have such far reaching effects on this massive aquatic environment?

Time Flies

...when Rio Tinto/Alcan cranks the juice.  Came home from a 3 week trip to find that all the clocks powered by electricity had gained about 22 minutes.  It's an odd local phenomenon that is usually discovered following a rash of unexplained punctuality throughout town.  The smelter sometimes pushes out more power than appliances are designed for and before we know it, the days go by just a little faster.

'Sunny' Calgary

This apparently was a storm of note.  Not that we realized it at the time - no tv or radio on to give us pertinent info - so we simply watched as Mother Nature entertained us with her capricious fury.
Next day we drove to Home Depot and noticed branches and piles of leaves crisping in the hot afternoon sun.  We discussed the storm with a cashier who told us that they and all the customers had been huddled at the centre of the store because of tornado warnings.  Tornado....whaaa??!
Okay.  Radios or tv on next time.

Sunshine,lollipops...and chalkboards

At long last my chalk pastels get to see the light of day again.  I think I'll try to do more of this.  Of course I managed to turn it into minimum wage - perhaps that's my hidden super power...no matter what the job pays I can somehow reduce it to $8 to $10 an hour when all my time is factored in.  Oh well.  I have had a few situations where that wasn't the case and I didn't go below $20 an hour. 

The next step is to compose my own sign for Hutson Artworks in chalk and start getting my work out there.

Alrightie world...here I come.  And this time I mean it.

Splitting

I went to see TwinB's former doctor here and I learned a new term: splitting.
Update 07/17: when I looked up 'splitting' in regards to BPD it refers to the black and white thinking typical of the disorder...and I already knowed that so I don't know what the doctor was talkin 'bout.  Must be something but I suspect it goes by a different term.
I was in there to find out how to access files that could be sent to Alberta so's the kind folks who work with Persons Of Challenge could get her on the AISH.  (assistance for the severely handicapped)  She doesn't need them for any income supplement at present but it would be nifty if they could cover her $200 a month meds and to step in if she relapses at some point.  The doctor agreed that she really should have some ongoing mental health care and that he would find notes and assessments that would prove her eligible.
Her one stipulation was that it not include borderline personality disorder and after a lengthly debate he was able to assure me that he could swing it in the bipolar direction...which he considers a more stigmatizing label, oddly.
As he glanced over her history he noted that borderline PD had been suggested as far back as 2000 which would have been her first hospitalization.  He listed 4 features they'd identified to support this, though it wasn't applied to her since she was only 14 and no firm diagnosis is normally made till age 18.
One of the terms he mentioned was this 'splitting' thing which is where the professionals don't all agree on the diagnosis - splitting the team - so they view the patient as being disruptive even though they're not present. 
How convenient.
If someone decides you have BPD and someone else thinks they're on the wrong track well that's just more proof that you have it.
*smacks forehead*

Oh Canada!

Here's the Luso Canadian float rocking out to some Portuguese tunes.  Despite the forcast for showers we received absolutely perfect weather!  July 1st is our 'big day' here in Kitimat and it's a great place in which to spend it.  Could barely move when I got to the later festivities at Riverlodge.

One of the Spirit of the Kitlope dancers sporting a blending of cultures look.

There's our 'Duaniki' in blue!  'Ours' as in Mount Elizabeth Theatre where he volunteered as a tech through his entire high school years and then this past year while he was waiting to arrange entry to BCIT. 

The final number of the performance was The Friendship Dance - one of the dancers graciously granted the little girl at her side the opportunity to particpate and to truly celebrate the genuine spirit of the dance.  Got me a little choked up!

Dance Impressions

We put on a show today!  Reception for the Dance Impressions exhibit at the Mall...complete with Madame Mayor, cake, coffee...mmmm!...big honkin' piece o' cake.  (been a while)
Leah came in from Smithers in May for Dance Month to give 7 different elementary school classes a 45 minute workshop in hip-hop and stomp.  I then presented these classes with an oil pastel workshop where we first looked at rhythm in nature, the various styles that artists have used to depict dance and dancing throughout history and had a discussion on how we might present our own versions of what dance feels like for each individual.  Was a pretty cool concept to spring on students from grade 1 to grade 5 or 6 - they all caught on and sometimes were even able to invent an interesting title for their piece.  I encouraged them to think up descriptive and provocative words or phrases rather than use the first and most literal thing that came to mind.

Graffiti Group

    There she is...Tanya...community activist and outta control volunteer. 

She's the one who dreamed up this little scheme and dragged me onboard as artistic advisor. 

Of course I end up painting.

She organized priming of the wall yesterday, allowing students to wade in to slap up some primer.  I ran from child to child, frantically giving brief tutorials on the best way to use a tray and roller.
You wouldn't believe all the pointers one has to ...well, point out until the task is analysed and tecnique assessed.  I appreciate the value of having the kids invested in the mural and am thrilled that Tanya was in charge of that stage.
(no one ever wants to see the inside of my brain when confronted with the inefficient and sloppy application of paint.)
     When Tanya and I returned the next day to paint we noticed that Grad 2010 had found the freshly blank wall to be irresistable and I took great satisfaction in obscuring their work, a mere 12 hours after its application.  This took me around the corner with some impromptu spheres/bubbles while Tanya went to work on the background colours of the main wall.  It's about 100 feet long.
     I must get busy on a sign thanking sponsors and listing the artists who will be featured (i.e. welcome) on the mural, especially our star, Jordan who'll be doing authentic graffiti style work and who shouldn't be confused with the riff-raff.
     Then I'll go see if we had any more visiters last night.
   

Load O' Bullarama

The inukshuks down in Strawberry Meadows are currently sporting cowboy attire.  And that's about all that's sporting about it in my humble opinion.  I would really love to enthusiastically endorse anything by the fine Oviatt family who really are a wonderful asset to our town but...but...Bull-arama involves bull riding/harrassment of the genital binding variety and Ah jes' don't take kindly to that sort of thing.
Hey - I LOVE a good steak now and then but I'm happier knowing that the creature who supplied it lived a contented life and died a good, quick death.  People have argued that this is no different than what goes on at farms and ranches all the time.  Granted, but a few select steers aren't singled out for continual abuse day after day for the frivolous amusement of a predator species.

This is all in aid of the Snow Valley Riding club (horsies) and will include a fundraising pancake breakfast for the SPCA (kitties & doggies).  So....why are we tormenting these social mammals to raise money to better care for those social mammals??
The faux steer skull on the hat is ironically fitting for this situation.
Do unto cow as you would have done unto doggie/horsie/kitty.

New Mural

Couldn't get in close because it was a small room. Completed this in 1/3 less hours than I had originally quoted so...a not too, too small mural for $210 for 7 hours. I surprised myself at how few hours it took me. Which is a nice surprise. Should be some spin off bidness from this project which would be what I was hoping for. Clients 100% happy.