Favourite word #8: Perspicacious

Perspicacious:  intuitive, perceptive, clear-thinking, forward-thinking, as in "It would have been perspicacious of me to realize I would become weary of the favourite word thing sooner than later.  It ends now.

I decided it's probably safe now to post the piece I did for Pentimento Gallery's Homegirls exhibit that they held in August.  The idea was to illustrate your favourite Canadian heroine.  I chose Emily Carr, not only because she should have made the Group of Seven the Group of Eight, but also because she was also an accomplished, award-winning author.  Think Lucy Maud Montgomery with a serious attitude. I used hand-drawn typography to work all of her book titles into the skirt of young Emily.  I layered a totem face watercolour into older Emily's smock, and Lodgepole Pine needles (used to make totem poles) into the monkey's fur.  Emily Carr had a menagerie of animals, which usually included a monkey: the monkeys were all named Woo.  Haven't you always wanted a monkey?

Hitoko Okada (Hitokoo) is a Hamilton fabric artist whose 'seashore' collars have stolen my fancy.  They're whimsical, costumey, and romantic.  I covet them all.

http://www.hitokoo.com/portfolio-shoreline.html#

She also bakes a mean vol-au-vent and gluten-free baked yummies at Picone Fine Foods and Grocer in Dundas, Ontario.

Favourite Word #7: Projectile

Projectile: such a vivid, violent and visceral word with so many uses; incoming projectile, projectile vomiting, projectile diarrhea.

Free up next Wednesday to attend this gallery show in Toronto.  I have a piece in
the competition, and you get to vote for the one you like best!  The theme is Homegirls and each artist submitting has done a piece featuring their choice of one of Canada's heroines.

They are taking votes for most of the month of August, but it would be great to see everyone at the opening reception on Wednesday, August 10th in Toronto.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be interested! 

Pentimento Gallery: Homegirls

Favourite Word #6: Caravaggio

Caravaggio.  That's all there is to say. 

I've just completed and submitted a piece to Pentimento Fine Art Gallery on Queen East in Toronto.  They're an eclectic gallery with an eye to promoting new talent.  Pentimento Gallery  They've just closed their call for submissions for their upcoming 'Homegirls' show; a request was put out for artists to portray Canadian heroines of their choice.  Emily Carr was mine...she was just so kooky.  And brilliant.  They'll choose thirty pieces from the submissions for their exhibit.  Wish me luck!  To make it even more fun, the winning work from those thirty will adorn the exterior wall of the gallery for one year.  Akimbo, an art and film promotions company, is managing the competition.  Akimbo  

Jay Perry is a young photographer who excels at capturing the human element.  He recently traveled to Haiti and took a series of stunning photographs that remind us that there is still joy in Haiti.  Have a look.  Jay Perry Photography

Yippee-ki-yay!  For all you lovers of that hard-rockin', short-livin' master painter Caravaggio, he's here straight from Italy playing for a limited time only at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.  Chiaroscuro road trip anyone?  Caravaggio

Another avid promoter of new talent is Annie Koyama at Koyama Press.  With a keen eye for emerging writers and artists, Annie has a talent for getting them out there and getting them published!  See how many of her publishees are familiar to you!  Koyama Press  

Next post:  some new work by yours truly...

Favourite Word #5: Pollywog

Pollywog: a way better word than 'tadpole'.  Comes from the Old English words for 'wiggling head'.

James Street North Art Crawl in Hamilton tomorrow!  My first stop will be the Zoo show at Loose Cannon Gallery, showcasing several Sheridan alumni including Dushan Milic, Jacqui Oakley and Jen Hsieh.  Art Crawl July 8

Hamilton Print Studio summer courses and workshops are finally posted...seemed to take SO long!  I have one eye on a basic drypoint workshop, "It's All About the Line" and the other on a week-long introduction to several printmaking techniques.  Which means I'm a little walleyed.

Two artists and classmates at Sheridan whose work I deeply envy are Alex Gorodskoy and Mike Everett.
Alex handles a mean four-colour ballpoint pen, and his work is so colourful and frenetic his webpage should come with a warning for those susceptible to seizures.  Mike Everett goes so far out of the box he's ricocheting around the solar system.  Both of these guys are award-winners and mold-breakers with great websites.
Alex Gorodskoy

Mike Everett

(After #4, cuz I'm a twit) Favourite Word #3: Calliope

Calliope:  A steam-whistle organ AND the Greek muse of eloquence & poetry!  How cool is that?  (Pronounced ka-lie-a-pee).  Next blog I'll introduce made-up words that should become facts of life.

When's the last time you had to watch out for a fast-moving island?

Bermuda-sized Island

I've mentioned this before, but SO excited about July 8 James Street North Art Crawl in Hamilton; ZOO art exhibit is happening, which includes several Sheridan Illustration alumni, including Jacqui Oakley and Dushan Milic...can't stand the wait.

ZOO Exhibit

Another Sheridan alumnist, Marco Cibola, whose work (and mentoring) I deeply appreciate:

Marco Cibola 

German director & actor Werner Herzog reads Where's Waldo?.  Seriously.  Very seriously.

Where's Werner?

On Kayla Cassivi's advice, I picked up Creative Workshop: 80 Challenges to Sharpen Your Design Skills from Chapters.  She and I are going to meet weekly to work through the challenges and absorb caffeine.  I'll let you know how we like it!

Favourite Word #3

Poo, I forgot #3.  Next post, #3 will secretly be #4, so please consider today's #4 to be in reality #3.
Isn't that nonsensical?

Favourite Word #4: Nonsensical

'Nonsensical' slips off of the tongue and has a meaning that I tend to live by most of the time, except for when I'm not, which is on occasion constant.  It's just a pretty word, dammit.

Suren Perera is an expat Australian animator who knows nothing about Canadian beer but a lot about quirky animation.  Check out some of the clips at Renmotion; especially the "Dukes of Broxstonia".  Disgustingly entertaining.  Dukes of Broxstonia

The Print Studio, Hamilton:  Where is your summer workshop info?  It's summer tomorrow.  I'd like to do a printmaking workshop, but I need to plan ahead!  Pretty please put it up?

Finding the need for more structure in my schedule; trying to fit in illustration, running, cycling, swimming, family, dawg, house, catching up with old friends.  No time for navel-gazing.  Two illustration pieces by the end of this week and lots of roughs.   

Favourite Word #2: Shenandoah

A beautiful word for a river and valley in Virginia; from the Oneida (Iroquois) word for 'deer'.  

In between working on illustrations, I run.  In between illustrating and running, I go for coffee with pals.  (I hate coffee, but I love my pals).  I've just signed up for the Niagara Running Series' Run for the Grapes Half Marathon in September, a picturesque, smooth run through wine country.  Dare I sign up for a full marathon?  The Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon in November has my eye; it's scenic and fast, including a run down the Red Hill Expressway on the Niagara Escarpment.  Am I brave enough?

Working on an illustration for 'Cook and Draw' a website where you can submit illustrated recipes; a great visual and culinary resource!  Yum.

Favourite Word #1: Nightingale

There are single words that I like the sound of, the meaning of and the feel of on my lips.  I'm going to throw them out there randomly, no particular hierarchy.  What are your favourites? 

To follow up on my last blog, I received Robin Clugston's book Adventures in Nutrition from Blurb pronto-quick: it's  fun to look at and read, and makes me hungry at the same time.  And thanks for the ideas for flowers to include in my going-to-be-book!  I'm going to use them all!

James Street North Art Crawl is tonight in downtown Hamilton.  Music, galleries, studios, coffee shops; just a few of my favourite things. 

James Street North Art Crawl

The Hamilton Print Studio is holding a lottery to raise money for art programs for high-needs schools in Hamilton; 100 works of art have been donated, and tickets are being sold to win one of these pieces in a lottery.  Great idea, great cause!  Consider donating a piece of art in the future if you can't manage the price of a ticket!

The Print Studio Art Lottery

There isn't enough digital content in my work for me to enter, but for those of you out there with a creative bent and a way with a mouse, the Adobe Design Achievement Awards is accepting submissions: 

Adobe Awards

Alex Holton, a family friend who came close to losing his life when he experienced an aortic dissection five years ago, and his girlfriend Vanessa Parlette are cycling across Canada to raise funds for Cardiac Health.  They're in the Rocky Mountains at the moment, and their blog is a great read.  I'll be following them all the way:

Alex & Vanessa Cross-Canada

Back to work; I have a bottle of Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay Sepia ink and a pen and nib staring balefully at me.

 

Tidbits

Just bought a couple copies of Robin Clugston's illustration and info-filled book, Adventures in Nutrition.
Robin's a little cutie-pie and has a really appealing style.  I'm gathering info and research for a children's beginning garden book with plants that I've always loved both for their appearance and their names: Johnny-Jump-Ups, Lambs' Ears, Bachelor Buttons, Queen Anne's Lace, Forget-Me-Nots, Morning Glory...you get my drift.  Suggestions welcome!            

INCOMING BLOG

A blog about illustration, life, art, growth, horizons, friends, affection, whimsy and learning.  Just graduated from the BAA Illustration program at Sheridan College.  It was an adventure and a privilege to know some of the extraordinary people in that program.  Plus, they made me laugh really hard.  New blog; difficult decision.  Helvetica?  Georgia?  Verdana?  (Notice I left out TImes).