Toys Take Over The Museum

This was the second installment of our two part Toys Saturday workshop at the museum. We were getting pretty good at the organized chaos and it looks like we've produced enough art for our own exhibit without even factoring in Mike's collectables.
The One Footed Wonder is my favorite because it was created by an 81 year old widow who hasn't even tackled painting. I was so darn proud of her when the lightbulb went on last week during the introduction and she went from being literal with her materials to using them as a medium or to morph them into something completely different.

One of my other faves crafted by a most pleasant and helpful young fellow:

(who - like TwinB - was awarded the Art Club scholarship and flunked outta The Art Institute of Vancouver. he's currently occupied as a Sandwich Artist)

He's titled this one 'Catching the Galactic Cod'... so we discussed how far one has to go to nab a decent cod since the collapse of the Canadian Fishery.

Got to know some great people - but now it's time to tackle the rest of my exhibit!

Another Farewell

...this time to Miss Cheryl Ann D, age 57. It feels odd that you won't be haunting the streets of Kitimat anymore with all your bags, matching outfits and occasional props.
She was discovered in her home by the RCMP after someone was concerned that they hadn't seen her around in quite some time. The coroner figured she may have been there for 8 days or so but she was in her chair so we hope she went peacefully. A friend and I busted in to her place a couple times previously but since it always resulted in another stay on the psych ward for Cheryl she made it quite clear that our concern in that matter was definitely unwanted.
I looked after her cats last April/May and took her shopping following a final stint on the psych ward in Terrace. She had many health issues as well as the raging, lifelong, textbook case of bi-polar that tore a hole in her psyche that nothing could fill. Dozens if not hundreds of people tried to help over the years but nothing was ever right...the illness turned her into the most contrary person I've ever met - but during those rare times in between cycles we'd get a glimpse of the caring, fiercely intelligent person wrapped inside of all that psychosis.
There was most likely a dollop of autism in there as well - she often wouldn't greet people and if she did talk to you, her eyes would focus on a corner of the ceiling, unless you pissed her off and then holy crap could she ever pin you to the wall with a laser focussed glare!
As she made her rounds around town, I'm sure her presence prevented much mischief; she would refer to some of the young down and outs as 'her boys'. I know she lent an ear to some who had no one else to confide in.
I feel like a turd because I have photos of the squalor inside her home but not one of her.
Sorry Cheryl - I can't remedy that but I'll make sure you're remembered with the beautiful fabric pieces you so skillfully created.

Peacefull Stroll In the Woods

I had planned on set painting today but discovered there was a performance underway when I arrived. The sky was clearing resulting in brilliant patches of mist and light so I headed off to Hirsch Creek park for some mist'n'moss photos. These are the signs that greet visiters just before entering the picnic area.
I just recalled today that while on a walk with kids and friends 15 years ago we heard a massive tree fall somewhere nearby. Didn't see it but the ground shook like crazy. That particular walk never was the kids' favorite due to the abundance of devil's club and moose crap.

Happy Birthday TwinA & TwinB!

Twenty-four years ago I relaxed in my hospital bed in Vancouver and gazed at a perfect crescent moon in the evening sky - euphoric that my work was done for the day and I'd successfully delivered my two gals. The husband and I always expected to stop at two so one of these is a bonus child...or an accident.
(we're always looking for happy accidents in painting and this topped them all!)
Oddly, it triggered within me an intense craving for babies and I kept hoping for another happy accident till they were well into their teens.
The teen years have a way of making that go away... ; )

Toys Take Over My Kitchen

I've been pondering two buckets full of toys and toy parts over the past few days in order to present a few workshops on how to create something completely different from the pieces' original design. The museum curator's husband is having an exhibit of his collectables so she's hoping that participants can do that trendy, funky thing where we make new art from old - kind of like what Smithers artists did with war toys a while back -
or like other centres have been working on for the past few years.
And my favorite? - Toddlerpede!

http://beinart.org/artists/jon-beinart/

My Ee-vil Pony. Pretty crudely done, I know but I'm just looking to give people some examples of sculpture. If people can't think up a sculpture I'll suggest gluing bits to a flat, painted surface to produce either a 'portait' or flower/garden scene such as the one above.

*Update Sept. 14 - I transferred all the stuff to the museum today and while showing this to the currator, accidently pressed a small boulder on the base and was surprised by "My Precious...my precious" hissing from Evil Pony! BONUS!!!

Taking a Run at the New Season

Blocking in and obliterating the previous scene so I can slowly grope my way through a new composition. That's me waaay at the end of the backdrop - and do you know what that means? It means there's someone on the other end of the camera - a helper person!! I had 2 helpers!!

...I'm not alone anymore...*trembly sigh*

Poster Boy/Policy Analyst for BC Liberals

The Campbell government of British Columbia have outdone themselves!

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/cancels+awards+students/1880692/story.html

(golly, I really must learn how to embed)

They actually selected 16 students back in June to receive the Premier's Excellence Scholarship - with all the fanfare that entails - and then well into August abruptly cancelled the program and won't be parting with a cent.

Minister of Advanced Education Moira Stillwell very kindly assured everyone that there were plenty of other monies available if they really needed it.

Grants promised to arts groups suddenly evaporated this past Friday - even to those who may have been in the midst of an event. This funding comes from gaming and is now going...going?...oh probably down that gaping maw that we call The Olympics.

I'm practically breathless with perverse anticipation to see what they'll think of next!*

*WOW...what a stupid thing to say - they really outdid this already. As of Aug.31 they retroactively yanked Gaming Grants that had been pledged for the year.