tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14721318674347996872024-03-04T20:42:09.767-08:00words and drawingstorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-35322783352848896742013-07-29T20:34:00.001-07:002013-07-29T20:34:06.786-07:00Welcome and Bienvenue <br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Canada is a country built on the hopes and dreams of those born elsewhere. Before it was called “immigration” people came to this vast, unfamiliar territory to start something new for themselves and their families. They wanted to see what this place - even before it was a nation - had to offer. Because of it’s beginnings, Canadian identity is wrapped up in the idea of conquering the unknown. In a contemporary context, this means that every day Canada becomes a new home for people from all over the world. Canada offers them a new start, new opportunities, and new chances to learn and grow. They bring their knowledge and traditions and contribute them to make Canada the incredibly diverse nation it is. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This growth is beneficial to our economy when it translates into more tax-paying Canadians. As Canadians we enjoy universal healthcare, social services that ensure no Canadian has to do without, and education that is brought closer to reach for all Canadians due to subsidization. When Canadians, recent or not, contribute though their taxes to support our economy we are able to grow and improve. <a href="http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/immigration-and-the-canadian-welfare-state-2011.pdf">A study by Fraser Institute</a> shows that immigrant Canadians may not contribute as much, on average, than their native-born compatriots. The unemployment rate for newly-landed Canadians has also increased over time. This indicates that we may still have a way to go when it comes to ensuring that immigrants to Canada are maximizing their skills and opportunities upon arrival. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our current government supports continual immigration and there are certainly benefits to an aggressive immigration policy. Though we are a developed nation, we still have vast untapped natural resources such as lumber, oil, fresh water, and agriculture. Canadian cities, however, are far-between and located close to the U.S. border. The need for labour to access our natural resources is great and the opportunity to find gainful employment is alluring to newcomers to the country. Another reason behind the support for immigration centres around Canada’s low birth rate and aging population. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There seem to be varying points of view on the issue of immigration in Canada. On one hand, it is important to breathe new life into our country. Since we are very sparsely populated, we have an enormous amount of potential. Our urban centres, such as Toronto, are highly diverse. Immigrants can find neighbourhoods where they may be able to speak their native languages and enjoy familiar culture. They may not, however, be contributing as best they can to the Canadian economy. In densely populated cities such as Toronto, jobs and affordable housing can be hard to come by. In places like Alberta and Saskatchewan, on the other hand, space remains vast and the need for labour high. Though I am far from being an expert on immigration, I feel that it is crucial to our development as a nation. We are still very new, relatively speaking. We are still defining what it means to be “Canadian” and I feel that bringing in the best people the world has to offer will help. For me, this means looking for those who are skilled and educated, ready to work, and eager to make Canada their home. It also means a fusion of world cultures with our own Canadian identity so that we remain distinct on the world stage. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Tori</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This post was inspired by the <a href="http://immigrationlawyer.com/">Immigration Lawyer Network</a></span><br />
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-28935423340885962202013-07-29T20:23:00.003-07:002013-07-29T20:28:20.302-07:00Together and Apart<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Divorce is something that is highly personal for me, and something that I have a very candid attitude toward. My parents divorced when I was three, and growing up with parents who had very separate lives was the norm for me. I am lucky to have been young enough that the emotional impact was lessened. I had two parents who were mature enough to respect one another even after they decided to longer live as a partnership. I never felt alone, and I always knew that both my parents had my best interests at heart. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A couple years ago I witnessed as an adult how difficult divorce can be for families when my dad separated a second time, this time from my stepmother. They have two kids together and the emotional toll the separation took on my younger siblings was high. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After my dad and stepmother’s divorce I was proud that my siblings were given a choice of which parent they wanted to spend their time with. I was not given this choice and I wonder how my life would be different if I had grown up spending more than just two weekends per month with my father. My brother and sister chose to stay with my dad, which made me fiercely proud. It got me wondering, however, why this decision should come as a surprise. Why shouldn’t it be more common for kids to be able to live with their fathers? There are many wonderful dads in the world who do not see their children as much as they would like. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I understand that changing divorce law is beyond my scope, however, if there is to be any revision to the way these proceedings happen, it should be - in my opinion - that fathers are given just as much opportunity to provide a home for their children as mothers. The interests of the children in any divorce case should be kept at the forefront and parents should work together to ensure this happens. To ensure a healthy approach to the process of divorce it may be beneficial to recommend counseling to parents and children to aid in the process. This is something never offered to myself or my siblings, but having a safe environment to discuss fears, doubts, and questions may help to bring clarity into what can be a very confusing and painful experience. When ending a marriage and dividing a household, it can be too easy to get caught up in details. Being able to go through the process with a counsellor may help everyone involved to see the bigger picture. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Finally, as someone who spent nearly my entire life as the product of a “broken home” I would like to move toward a society where divorce does not hold the same social stigma it currently does. There still seems to be a taboo around divorce and this makes the prospect even scarier for children. I have seen from my own life, that parents often thrive as individuals where they may have been stifled in their marriage. In fact, often times divorce can greatly benefit the entire family, allowing parents to grow as individuals and provide one-on-one time with their children. That said, I don’t feel that divorce should be taken lightly. I feel that all relationships take work and commitment. On both sides of my family my grandparents were married for over fifty years. My two sets of grandparents showed me that love can endure and that sometimes people find their perfect match. My parents taught me that sometimes the individual is stronger than the pair, and that divorce should not be feared. Separation is simply a part of life and it can make us stronger. It has made me who I am and I know I have become someone both of my parents - individually - are proud of. I don’t consider my home “broken”, I simply have two. </span></div>
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-Tori</div>
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This is a subject dear to me and one that I'm very passionate about. This post was inspired by <a href="http://www.torontodivorcelaw.com/">Fine & Associates Family and Divorce Lawyers. </a></div>
torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-2570658419702686292013-07-29T19:53:00.005-07:002013-07-29T20:24:07.437-07:00What's In Your Front Yard?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Growing up I lived in a home where the most defining feature was the huge maple tree in the front yard. My bedroom window looked out at the front yard and not only did the tree provide our home with shade, it hid my window from the road so that I felt as though I was in my own private garden as I looked out the window. As I fell asleep the sound of the breeze through the leaves helped me nod off and in the summer I would sit below it and read book after book. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">On a world scale trees are crucial for more than just sentimental reasons. The environmental benefits of having trees is immeasurable. They help to clean the air. They help to intercept </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">airborne particles, and can help to reduce heat. Trees can absorb materials that are detrimental to the environment and help to reduce pollution. Trees also help to regulate carbon dioxide. The world is a living organism itself, while supporting the billions of organisms housed within it. In order to support this life the air needs to be healthy. Although emissions get higher and higher, trees help to maintain our life-sustaining home. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In urban and residential contexts, trees serve purposes beyond purely environmental. Everyone knows the appeal of sitting under a tree for shade and this cooling ability can help lessen the impact of heat and sun on homes. A well-shaded home will stay cooler in the summer, lowering the need for air conditioning.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Living in a large city, I personally feel the effects of noise pollution daily. The sounds associated with living in the city seem to fade away when surrounded by trees, and the calmness is not purely imagined. Trees help to lessen noise pollution as well as atmospheric, so they are incredibly beneficial when living in a densely populated neighbourhood. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is a certain nostalgic appeal to a tree-lined street. The colours are dazzling in the fall and in the summer, the trees create a canopy over the road turning an everyday stroll into something magical. As Toronto enters a buyer’s market for homes, and as tall glass condos become more ubiquitous, having a well maintained front yard can be the best way to make your home stand out. There are always opportunities to increase property value both inside and outside the home, but your home’s curb appeal is your home’s first impression. It is how you set the stage for who you are as homeowners and for how others may envision themselves as part of the neighbourhood. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In this urban and residential context, tree services and landscaping are crucial because professionals are often needed to help homeowners get the most benefit from their space. As an important part of the ecosystem, trees need particular attention. Specialized tree services can help to identify any potential problems that may arise, such as the health of the tree or soil, and the structural integrity of the tree itself. Furthermore, they can help to care for and maintain trees that have been alive longer than any of us, or provide advice on planting and growing a young tree so that it will continue to grow for decades. When it's time for trees to go, these services ensure that removal is done safely and with as little impact on the surrounding area as possible. A front or back yard can be a blank canvas, and though tree services and landscaping, this canvas can be filled and perfected. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is crucial for homeowners to understand the potential that trees can bring as part of their homes. With the help and advice of tree service professionals, the health and integrity of trees is ensured.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">Though I personally live in one of those tall glass condos, I look forward to the day I once again have a front yard with a tree in the middle of it. This post was inspired by <a href="http://albertaarborists.com/">Alberta Arborists, Complete Professional Tree Care</a>. </span></div>
torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-22171424387741446652013-07-29T18:57:00.002-07:002013-07-29T20:24:21.962-07:00On Being Canadian<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Canada is a country built on the hopes and dreams of those born elsewhere. Before it was called “immigration” people came to this vast, unfamiliar territory to start something new for themselves and their families. They wanted to see what this place - even before it was a nation - had to offer. Because of it’s beginnings, Canadian identity is wrapped up in the idea of conquering the unknown. In a contemporary context, this means that every day Canada becomes a new home for people from all over the world. Canada offers them a new start, new opportunities, and new chances to learn and grow. They bring their knowledge and traditions and contribute them to make Canada the incredibly diverse nation it is. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This growth is beneficial to our economy when it translates into more tax-paying Canadians. As Canadians we enjoy universal healthcare, social services that ensure no Canadian has to do without, and education that is brought closer to reach for all Canadians due to subsidization. When Canadians, recent or not, contribute though their taxes to support our economy we are able to grow and improve. <a href="http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/immigration-and-the-canadian-welfare-state-2011.pdf">A study by Fraser Institute</a> shows that immigrant Canadians may not contribute as much, on average, than their native-born compatriots. The unemployment rate for newly-landed Canadians has also increased over time. This indicates that we may still have a way to go when it comes to ensuring that immigrants to Canada are maximizing their skills and opportunities upon arrival. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our current government supports continual immigration and there are certainly benefits to an aggressive immigration policy. Though we are a developed nation, we still have vast untapped natural resources such as lumber, oil, fresh water, and agriculture. Canadian cities, however, are far-between and located close to the U.S. border. The need for labour to access our natural resources is great and the opportunity to find gainful employment is alluring to newcomers to the country. Another reason behind the support for immigration centres around Canada’s low birth rate and aging population. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There seem to be varying points of view on the issue of immigration in Canada. On one hand, it is important to breathe new life into our country. Since we are very sparsely populated, we have an enormous amount of potential. Our urban centres, such as Toronto, are highly diverse. Immigrants can find neighbourhoods where they may be able to speak their native languages and enjoy familiar culture. They may not, however, be contributing as best they can to the Canadian economy. In densely populated cities such as Toronto, jobs and affordable housing can be hard to come by. In places like Alberta and Saskatchewan, on the other hand, space remains vast and the need for labour high. Though I am far from being an expert on immigration, I feel that it is crucial to our development as a nation. We are still very new, relatively speaking. We are still defining what it means to be “Canadian” and I feel that bringing in the best people the world has to offer will help. For me, this means looking for those who are skilled and educated, ready to work, and eager to make Canada their home. It also means a fusion of world cultures with our own Canadian identity so that we remain distinct on the world stage. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This post has been inspired by <a href="http://www.visaplace.com/">Niren & Associates Immigration Lawyers</a>. </span></div>
torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-63353738404532705762013-07-29T17:41:00.002-07:002013-07-29T20:24:39.119-07:00No Toronto Visit Would Be Complete...<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">...Without eating some of the best food you've ever tried. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px;">Having lived in Toronto now for seven years, I have come to learn firsthand that it is an incredibly diverse city. There are neighbourhoods where - upon entering - you are transported to a different nation. You hear different languages spoken, and even the street signs and shop windows feature foreign and sometimes exotic words. The most noticeable, however, are the smells emanating from the different food vendors. Food in Toronto runs the gamut from high-end restaurants with award winning chefs at the helm to humble stalls and food trucks. Uniting all are a sense of the diversity that makes Toronto unique.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A visit to Montréal would be incomplete without a visit to Schwartz’s Deli, and anyone hungry for some delicious smoked meat deli here in Toronto should visit Caplansky’s. They’ve got all-day breakfast, sandwiches piled high with smoked meat or corned beef, and knish! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">On the other end of the food spectrum is the recently arrived Momofuku. There’s the noodle bar where you can grab a quick lunch of hot, spicy noodles, or daishō and shōtō for something more upscale. No matter what, don’t forget to go to the tiny glass cube above the Noodle Bar called Milkbar. Unlike the New York locations, you can’t get ice cream at the Toronto Milkbar, but you can get some of the best, chewiest cookies in the city, and a slice of the aptly named Crack Pie. Though Momofuku is a New York instituion, it’s arrival has been very special for Toronto. It’s also nearly hidden right in the downtown core on University Ave. It’s got international appeal, but it feels incredibly local. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For another Asian-inspired meal, try Toronto’s very own Bánh Mì Boys. They’ve taken the already delicious classic Vietnamese subs and made them their own. From crispy pork belly to duck confit, and fries piled high with kim chee, you can enjoy a local and independent spot right on the cusp of Chinatown. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Moving on from Chinatown brings to a little further Northwest to Little Italy and Little Portugal. There’s nothing elegant about eating a huge veal sandwich, cooked spicy, and topped with the works but you’ll be glad you did. The first time I tried California Sandwiches I was hooked. The place is easy to miss but placed by the often long line up going in the door, and hands clutching grease-spotted bags coming out. These sandwiches are big and messy, with thin crispy veal coated in bright red sauce and they are the best in the city. The best thing to do upon completion of one of these sandwiches is to walk a few blocks to College Street to get some ice cream. There are a few go-to spots in the city (roasted marshmallow at Greg’s isn’t to be missed!) but in Little Italy, The Big Chill is the place to go. They have tonnes of options from decadent ice creams to dairy-free fruit ices, and exotic flavours - any one you choose packed into a still-warm, freshly made waffle cone. You can even get your scoop topped with whipped cream and a miniature oreo!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Though Toronto does international foods in both inventive and traditional ways, one of the things that Toronto restaurants do best is burgers. In the city you can get gourmet burgers, gigantic burgers, and some of the best diner-style burgers this side of In’N’Out Burger. There’s nothing better than when humble food is done simply with the best, freshest ingredients possible. In Toronto, that means Burgers Priest. There’s a few locations of Priest now, but the one thing they all have in common is that they serve no-fuss burgers and fries and they do it the best. Beef is ground fresh on-site, grilled to order, and served up with a few simple toppings on a white bun. No bells and whistles here, simply the best humble burger you can find here in the city. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Finally, there are a few hole-in-the-wall places that I’ve come back to year after year. They aren’t fancy and they seem almost to be lost in time. Orders are yelled back to an anonymous cook in the tiny kitchen and part of you wonders about how clean that kitchen may be. Your doubts fall by the wayside, however, because the food is too alluring to ignore. In Kensington Market, there is Jumbo Empanada. The side of the building is adorned with an anthropomorphic empanada, smiling and waving, inviting you into the cramped space beyond the sliding door. You order at the counter and hope to get a seat. Your savoury little pocket of beef, chicken, or cheese will arrive in a little brown paper bag with a side of the best homemade salsa I’ve ever tasted. Though Torontoians seem to love their burritos, I’d take an empanada with extra salsa any day. Better still is that Jumbo Empanada is located in the heart of Kensington Market - a can’t miss spot to visit in the city. To work off your empanada (and maybe a churro for dessert) you can peruse vintage clothing stores, record shops, and paper goods from local designers at Kid Icarus. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Another easy-to-miss spot is found on one of the biggest intersections of the city - Queen St. West and Bathurst. There’s a humble sign hanging in front of the shop that says simply “roti” . That’s all you need to know when you enter the shop called Gandhi. The roti are huge, fresh, and spicy. There’s only about three tables in the restaurant, but if you can get one you won’t want to leave. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my personal favourite. Café La Gaffe is hidden between the Art Gallery of Ontario and Chinatown and serves (in my opinion) the best Eggs Benedict in the city - indeed, the best I’ve ever had. How could your favourite meal not be brunch when you’ve got perfect hollandaise, crispy fried potatoes, and freshly squeezed orange juice on the table?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Finally, when in doubt get street meat. It’s probably the least glamourous option, but there always seems to be a hot dog track around when you need one. The food is hot and much more delicious than one would think. If you’ve had a few to drink, and you’re stumbling out onto the street after last call there’s nothing more alluring than one of those little yellow carts. You can pile your hot dog high with saurkraut or corn relish, fresh onions, or bacon bits. It’s greasy and messy but there’s no more satisfying meal than the one eaten on the sidewalk while mustard drips onto you shoe.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Toronto is a diverse place and that diversity leads to some of the best foods the world has to offer. Within the space of only a few blocks one can travel the world, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of exotic places amidst the honking cars and bell-ringing cyclists. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Tori</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This post was inspired by <a href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.ca/">Vroom Vroom</a> </span></div>
torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-56649445386163598382011-03-24T11:45:00.000-07:002011-03-24T11:55:30.516-07:00From Moulting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table2/web.jpg?ver=13009911020001"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 669px;" src="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table2/web.jpg?ver=13009911020001" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table3/web.jpg?ver=13009911200001"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 671px;" src="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table3/web.jpg?ver=13009911200001" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table4/web.jpg?ver=13009912130005"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 372px;" src="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table4/web.jpg?ver=13009912130005" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table1/web.jpg?ver=13009910820001"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 372px;" src="http://gallery.me.com/maas.t/100004/Table1/web.jpg?ver=13009910820001" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On last Wednesday, York U had their fine arts open house, and this year it was called <span style="font-style: italic;">Moultling</span>. The turnout was great and so was the art - I was impressed by all of the high quality work up - especially in the drawing department. Photo at York has always been strong, but it's nice to see drawing students doing interesting and ambitious work.<br />The photos above are of my stuff.<br /><br />In other news, I also talked to the Scott Library at York U about putting work up on their newly renovated second floor. The space is huge and the art needs to fit - that means in the next few weeks I've got to put together ten new pieces that are each several feet large, and incorporate text and colour. I've got my work cut out, but I know it'll look great when it's all done. The space has great impact.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-72926998948093492102011-01-21T09:16:00.000-08:002011-01-21T09:28:24.723-08:00Sketchbook ProjectImages from my submission to the sketchbook project have been posted as a two part slideshow.<br /><br /><a href="http://artandsoforth.tumblr.com/">click here to take a look</a><br /><br />Here are the cover and a few of my favourite pages:<br />(click on each image to see it bigger)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YDA5LZarTJ0hHobdUiXs_a3n_fcU1dktMkr4k8oXgOJUYB08jruJ93uOZH6VulUxyo30wUkSDuNTO304pA51pu1e9VC7oPi08wclWXEA9H-xIOInrGYpAHcWwuO_mC9VpExqC1RmHw/s1600/sbp01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YDA5LZarTJ0hHobdUiXs_a3n_fcU1dktMkr4k8oXgOJUYB08jruJ93uOZH6VulUxyo30wUkSDuNTO304pA51pu1e9VC7oPi08wclWXEA9H-xIOInrGYpAHcWwuO_mC9VpExqC1RmHw/s400/sbp01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564690864435642242" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP5GqsfcaG-V4kwVDKv9SrmJoXdsyMbYzGUeDWh83wCY2DaRZ0MFNHey1cS5O7bwo4P28_5aho-60wSFaM6YuiU6yV01hCrc1aazQ7nHNndZysYlDu19d9ngoLjLpkBsNmg1tVaEdZQ/s1600/sbp09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP5GqsfcaG-V4kwVDKv9SrmJoXdsyMbYzGUeDWh83wCY2DaRZ0MFNHey1cS5O7bwo4P28_5aho-60wSFaM6YuiU6yV01hCrc1aazQ7nHNndZysYlDu19d9ngoLjLpkBsNmg1tVaEdZQ/s400/sbp09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564690867826411074" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC79-4wMLTpMvsAYNluL8nVEk6jzzoLu5za_f1c958_xxjePvAAEkTVuwCSQcL5s95GJUykrFgvyKzHDAr7bsSOwR8dW0fF6yxlvOvcXir5eIUqy1pj0G9R7XmhFAIczbI4_KUFTX9AA/s1600/sbp12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC79-4wMLTpMvsAYNluL8nVEk6jzzoLu5za_f1c958_xxjePvAAEkTVuwCSQcL5s95GJUykrFgvyKzHDAr7bsSOwR8dW0fF6yxlvOvcXir5eIUqy1pj0G9R7XmhFAIczbI4_KUFTX9AA/s400/sbp12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564691329873072082" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciJSSsGx6_Jc7Xxci084kChRwgKIgjddBMlfSTQfQtV1oc0crNi8XFLpYwdfF5GKnHMuwH7-_TOsL43A55Q2WbF5GH19e1jRyKbJUoXP9WSvVtQmlaI2hmVKJH9wzmPbEq0XEBskOag/s1600/sbp012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciJSSsGx6_Jc7Xxci084kChRwgKIgjddBMlfSTQfQtV1oc0crNi8XFLpYwdfF5GKnHMuwH7-_TOsL43A55Q2WbF5GH19e1jRyKbJUoXP9WSvVtQmlaI2hmVKJH9wzmPbEq0XEBskOag/s400/sbp012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564690876597623714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject">For more information about the sketchbook project</a><br /><a href="http://arthousecoop.com/library">For more information about the Brooklyn Art Library</a>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-58844372395828739632011-01-03T06:40:00.000-08:002011-01-03T07:09:07.521-08:00On My Way<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Last week I found myself with a couple of free hours on Queen West. I was sent home early from my first job, at the café but still had to go in to my second job at the mall. With time to kill, but not enough time to go home I popped into one of my favourite Toronto stores - <a href="http://thepaperplace.ca/">The Paper Place</a> - and picked up a few things. I then camped out at Second Cup and made a few small pieces using the letterpressed recipe cards and paper dots I picked up (beautifully made by <a href="http://www.droparound.com/">Drop Around </a>letterpress). These pieces are going to be a direct inspiration for the larger, two dimensional pieces on paper I plan on starting for the independent study.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EuRHmp90v8fKdeG8VFn5Ri-25ewmnNaBRKE8u-LFnweZOs54vND2-Rz_3HRxTe_gdmyFq96R8-Esspt6RAzs4ZvY6fWt_sDIjTQVjgkTTkepeiYDj0ikA8kwWpM10zL5kiz3RHUJ2w/s1600/new3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EuRHmp90v8fKdeG8VFn5Ri-25ewmnNaBRKE8u-LFnweZOs54vND2-Rz_3HRxTe_gdmyFq96R8-Esspt6RAzs4ZvY6fWt_sDIjTQVjgkTTkepeiYDj0ikA8kwWpM10zL5kiz3RHUJ2w/s400/new3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557973156011915618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6STZacSnSuSVPTl-TFBkHyybMdFFTtgGRjtNGSVUSiYciqHZbnERdhlg5LxHsedebAZkOvJt4pnfVHKVni9NQokPIKCc5elabtWv1TRDruv4hXaEKixW6eDZoB9U-fL8t58yTRFRiEQ/s1600/new2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6STZacSnSuSVPTl-TFBkHyybMdFFTtgGRjtNGSVUSiYciqHZbnERdhlg5LxHsedebAZkOvJt4pnfVHKVni9NQokPIKCc5elabtWv1TRDruv4hXaEKixW6eDZoB9U-fL8t58yTRFRiEQ/s400/new2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557970444298606306" border="0" /></a><br />Two shots of the paper dots and <a href="http://bonbonatelier.blogspot.com/2010/02/washi-tape-in-kc-star.html">washi tape</a> I picked up last week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBh5HgX4eyibVFZCGzkzp0Dc2o5XXvNXSNajDn0qdDwiVZyl5x83ImjLGz5rCH2DGPadbCxgrvMQyNVKQt9XC0V4MaDFAYkUASJ6ZbjIoZKLbvb419_gjAduyMVp3S1k-srotaVcUuw/s1600/new1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBh5HgX4eyibVFZCGzkzp0Dc2o5XXvNXSNajDn0qdDwiVZyl5x83ImjLGz5rCH2DGPadbCxgrvMQyNVKQt9XC0V4MaDFAYkUASJ6ZbjIoZKLbvb419_gjAduyMVp3S1k-srotaVcUuw/s400/new1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557970421122508946" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xTsydLS1fXDOvHCrc66H0pBz5t4gfC-iYAOgXsvchstUkdukpLPHS9Gh6QkLCyqvlnq4z4jijVryEtHyQTOBh_cU_MsBdDIXi1Luy3iYdzHUrkdQpjEeR8REHPMkHCeYc11OV58IUA/s1600/new4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xTsydLS1fXDOvHCrc66H0pBz5t4gfC-iYAOgXsvchstUkdukpLPHS9Gh6QkLCyqvlnq4z4jijVryEtHyQTOBh_cU_MsBdDIXi1Luy3iYdzHUrkdQpjEeR8REHPMkHCeYc11OV58IUA/s400/new4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557973160824884386" border="0" /></a><br />And an idea for my second book project. My first series of books is still in progress, but I'm thinking of ideas for the second one. For Christmas I bought someone a set of 45's that came in this great box. Each record is stacked in its own crisp sleeve and tucked into a neat square box. I've seen artist books presents as loose pages in a box before, and I like the idea. Aesthetic and conceptual planning aside, I have a feeling that this is how I'll be presenting my second book.<br /><br />The next step is, of course, to submit my project to galleries to show all of this work together. The nice thing about graduating art school is that you end up with friends who work at galleries and art magazines. I'll be sending proposals within the next few days.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-29371349109014826512011-01-02T16:25:00.000-08:002011-01-02T17:10:41.860-08:00An Opposing View - some thoughtsOver the last few years, as I have shaped my opinions on art and the forces behind the work I make I have come to the conclusion that for me, art is for art's sake. To expand, I have tried to work against that general understanding that works of art must contain a social or political standpoint, an opinion, or some <span style="font-style: italic;">message. </span>Even the bio and statement on my website mention this opposition of mine. This point of view has never really been challenged by anyone before - but I think people are either just too nice, or that we live in a post-post modern world where no one feels the need to challenge artists' statements.<br />I read an article about a month ago which I am revisiting for this post that challenges my perspective. The article was written by Meredith Tax and is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Culture is not Neutral, Whom Does it Serve? </span>It was originally presented in 1969 and I found it in a book of collected essays called <span style="font-style: italic;">Radical Perspectives in the Arts</span>.<br /><br />Tax begins by presenting her thesis: that culture is not politically neutral and that it is impossible for it to be so. Cultural products, like any other products created by humans, are directly related to their social, political, and economical origins. She continues that in the arts, even omissions of political statements are still political - an argument which I've heard before and that, which I oppose in theory, have never been able to argue successfully.<br />She then goes on to discuss the problem with "art for art's sake" (which is my bread and butter) saying that this philosophy is relatively new, and was invented to satisfy a market. Previous to our time, art was created for a clearly defined reason - the demands of religious conventions or the specific needs of a patron. Only in the capitalist system does the art itself dictate the market rather than the other way around. According to Tax, the recent breakdown of the line between "high" and "low" art is also partly responsible for the acceptance of the "art for art's sake" philosophy.<br /><br />Tax wrote this article in a time that is ideologically different from ours (or at least mine, as a student of post-post modern contemporary art where anything goes and Piss Christ is passé). Simply as an artifact, it was interesting to read an article where rock and roll is discussed as a new artistic form. It was great to read an article that challenged me to think about why I do what I do.<br /><br />Baxandall, Lee, editor. <span style="font-style: italic;">Radical Perspectives in the Arts</span>. Pelican Books, Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England. 1972.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-41581790846384119852010-11-20T08:52:00.000-08:002010-11-20T18:07:47.859-08:00Books in Progress 2Here are some images of my book series so far. The work you see here was done in a pretty short time span, but I hope to take my time on finishing them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs__TLZ2lnXnVkttRmob72u9lItLC5grlWYUI8MgqH1PD6guxKFbBOzSTbSaXsVarqzPHeByZ9QXeV7sV2TS1TI7CjGjuxfYW9qMyUUF5VZkCOS23BkkU7lZap3Co25WafsX6qjNnFw/s1600/w%2526d9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs__TLZ2lnXnVkttRmob72u9lItLC5grlWYUI8MgqH1PD6guxKFbBOzSTbSaXsVarqzPHeByZ9QXeV7sV2TS1TI7CjGjuxfYW9qMyUUF5VZkCOS23BkkU7lZap3Co25WafsX6qjNnFw/s400/w%2526d9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541683900337002450" border="0" /></a><br />From the book on being uninspired - typewriters, coffee cups, and letraset.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhIfyeuUHnVxcN2se6pc3PEFouWEMUWP1wQvnZQMLRJlRucHersgsPl1UVZOCDxcYYV8wngi9bOrmyM4JuJnwe-9XWy57iu-yWzofb44jPntbRW3DmXeCKmTl5Pvycp9CaQ0-BWr9Lw/s1600/w%2526d8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhIfyeuUHnVxcN2se6pc3PEFouWEMUWP1wQvnZQMLRJlRucHersgsPl1UVZOCDxcYYV8wngi9bOrmyM4JuJnwe-9XWy57iu-yWzofb44jPntbRW3DmXeCKmTl5Pvycp9CaQ0-BWr9Lw/s400/w%2526d8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541682936041412322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6S5fsKwE6L3NI2DbfmO2C89FXdjujtLBsP8Tj4x19MViU2_ufYW_iv4iBjV8V1nECCbU46NKjHZ-BX8NYBGjq4jsEIp8sB0qkpwK4Z9kMHCHBIUw45X-zQBiMWEBMOUyP94BqueoJA/s1600/w%2526d7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6S5fsKwE6L3NI2DbfmO2C89FXdjujtLBsP8Tj4x19MViU2_ufYW_iv4iBjV8V1nECCbU46NKjHZ-BX8NYBGjq4jsEIp8sB0qkpwK4Z9kMHCHBIUw45X-zQBiMWEBMOUyP94BqueoJA/s400/w%2526d7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541682924154248850" border="0" /></a><br />From the book on being misanthropic - familiar ground for me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoeWETnL1xxzIkkM7u9H_UFbDJjOLZHu5NxJNgEZqQlBrvJocr2GfdW08JAnkfDQwJr23WJX03KSNz557zgYDqrJfaNkX1KyCRbBs-kUKj-LZz9GWsd-BRDx1E3OmQhJQSRRncZyGBA/s1600/w%2526d6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoeWETnL1xxzIkkM7u9H_UFbDJjOLZHu5NxJNgEZqQlBrvJocr2GfdW08JAnkfDQwJr23WJX03KSNz557zgYDqrJfaNkX1KyCRbBs-kUKj-LZz9GWsd-BRDx1E3OmQhJQSRRncZyGBA/s400/w%2526d6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541682154703434242" border="0" /></a><br />A self portrait - I haven't done one in a long, long time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCD8U7MGqsbU7gibHf75mOayO-WOVum9ylIHKB7R3cZp3hIo34dYvEsShyphenhyphen9bC4vejG3WssV1GqZ9xpJBBDM88mJA3SMLfXv6rZNWN0naFG4k6a5bXfIuGUTeLhlM2zp8vN7A4xNwaZA/s1600/w%2526d5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCD8U7MGqsbU7gibHf75mOayO-WOVum9ylIHKB7R3cZp3hIo34dYvEsShyphenhyphen9bC4vejG3WssV1GqZ9xpJBBDM88mJA3SMLfXv6rZNWN0naFG4k6a5bXfIuGUTeLhlM2zp8vN7A4xNwaZA/s400/w%2526d5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541682148574665906" border="0" /></a><br />Rubber stamps and one of my favourite chiyogami paper patterns.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPZgGO6MTp0ZVBjTCPAsm9JwWE-mQnYFZfK_RG-zlSjk9KdxWUaKVqY0r9USRJiTdVQX1BKkH2PzALoR2kDlOK6xnOiqsKuVuiBUjHjpEOiaUaITpPjLpfaLvGu-Dat8tVY-gbvVIMg/s1600/w%2526d4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPZgGO6MTp0ZVBjTCPAsm9JwWE-mQnYFZfK_RG-zlSjk9KdxWUaKVqY0r9USRJiTdVQX1BKkH2PzALoR2kDlOK6xnOiqsKuVuiBUjHjpEOiaUaITpPjLpfaLvGu-Dat8tVY-gbvVIMg/s400/w%2526d4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541681287119729970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDauCNCXcTWQz9SGGh9I3QWPvxOuyXlZyvvgZ0bHIKJTWE6qY8iXAWoLvLrFZSaBC1YwwLKDsJ1Du_rr_kDnE-jvt1aihkT0dvYH4um8Qit3oaHSGGN-vTx4cyn8PtekeMKbXecpVmw/s1600/w%2526d3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDauCNCXcTWQz9SGGh9I3QWPvxOuyXlZyvvgZ0bHIKJTWE6qY8iXAWoLvLrFZSaBC1YwwLKDsJ1Du_rr_kDnE-jvt1aihkT0dvYH4um8Qit3oaHSGGN-vTx4cyn8PtekeMKbXecpVmw/s400/w%2526d3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541681283638443330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavmiK1TvO-2h6YAU0DHnetoQXd401H5G_Ixy95nJajaolWvr1XGhEw-pw07YcAOq0keO6jQ371fITN7_FsHYqU17SVIDOkqbqx1mLn6zmkd7tye2Tgq-nLIjlUGCCPXmsxulG696Y0A/s1600/w%2526d2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavmiK1TvO-2h6YAU0DHnetoQXd401H5G_Ixy95nJajaolWvr1XGhEw-pw07YcAOq0keO6jQ371fITN7_FsHYqU17SVIDOkqbqx1mLn6zmkd7tye2Tgq-nLIjlUGCCPXmsxulG696Y0A/s400/w%2526d2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541678719397808754" border="0" /></a><br />The first finished book - two more beautiful chiyogami prints and linen<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM9eBleOdwRSjBTsKzjolRAsFxkEtrLLJAAWZxubvlBQ4huPsWPW2EPJ3yVust9wEhr8Hq9m-m1CetwkLU0yH5VyYUtwbkC7xLGZwzrXSCaapvS3rw1ijK8gQnCn74BukbV2hP9qpMA/s1600/w%2526d1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM9eBleOdwRSjBTsKzjolRAsFxkEtrLLJAAWZxubvlBQ4huPsWPW2EPJ3yVust9wEhr8Hq9m-m1CetwkLU0yH5VyYUtwbkC7xLGZwzrXSCaapvS3rw1ijK8gQnCn74BukbV2hP9qpMA/s400/w%2526d1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541678712425554082" border="0" /></a><br />The folded paper folios along with the work that's done so far all packed up in a little paper bag for transport.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMXse1H-zd2xufaGOFRzfQKDk7mk-e6n_EXQCZIO9PXwtTmuCeqZVoidMA4Yqf2x1BHp5V6M83KqHJG0WIYF4WPx6sIChgrvVKWgaGaIQs6fqdut00S48VBDfgrbv-D6dpTREuAcNVw/s1600/w%2526d10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMXse1H-zd2xufaGOFRzfQKDk7mk-e6n_EXQCZIO9PXwtTmuCeqZVoidMA4Yqf2x1BHp5V6M83KqHJG0WIYF4WPx6sIChgrvVKWgaGaIQs6fqdut00S48VBDfgrbv-D6dpTREuAcNVw/s400/w%2526d10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541683916887900130" border="0" /></a>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-69418184616606029482010-11-10T13:02:00.000-08:002010-11-10T13:14:39.410-08:00Books in ProgressI've started work on my book project. I'm getting excited to see the final product (I have a loose idea of how it will turn out, but you never know) And I'm excited to have a one week deadline to get all six books completed by. For some reason I seem to lack initiative until there's a deadline looming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlg6x4KRY7q7D6ApqKkPF98WpTmAo3qSauWzCz0ieIqVjvjtAJEx6YiUEFmqAoK9h2y8yqllTQyOCUSsWakcZME-kXps2RgvCwYtAi8ZGxJM3PmEhvmwO_cLWoifFH5yH_SHqxcm20A/s1600/pages.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlg6x4KRY7q7D6ApqKkPF98WpTmAo3qSauWzCz0ieIqVjvjtAJEx6YiUEFmqAoK9h2y8yqllTQyOCUSsWakcZME-kXps2RgvCwYtAi8ZGxJM3PmEhvmwO_cLWoifFH5yH_SHqxcm20A/s400/pages.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538030576406679730" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the pages for the six small book all folded and ready to be filled, covered, and stitched. I'm currently in the process of "storyboarding" how each will go, but it's a pretty loose process. I tend to believe I'm at my creative best when I fly by the seat of my pants...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NoRCnWHlHMR6mKbv6MBQnA1aGYn0cMviDBvPo0vns7gjB1RihiKYBBcBOONkspQxeYs0_Ngg7-MvCdLAlk36w-r7ijRDrFZrhM3zdP84_z9y-xXH06gkUSb6PTMSnyds-3ceQytOqQ/s1600/portrait.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NoRCnWHlHMR6mKbv6MBQnA1aGYn0cMviDBvPo0vns7gjB1RihiKYBBcBOONkspQxeYs0_Ngg7-MvCdLAlk36w-r7ijRDrFZrhM3zdP84_z9y-xXH06gkUSb6PTMSnyds-3ceQytOqQ/s400/portrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538030581134061778" border="0" /></a><br />I'll get into what the books will actually be in greater detail since I was a little vague in my last post. Each of the six books will be a little snapshot of some aspect of my personality or current circumstances. As I mentioned, the project is autobiographical (which is <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> new ground for me) but as per usual in my work reality will be a little embellished.<br />Each book will begin with "portrait of the artist" on the cover with the first inner page revealing what aspect of my life will be portrayed in the book. I also have a feeling there will be more text than illustration though, of course, there will be images in each book.<br /><br />When I have one or more finished, I'll post. And they'll all be done and ready to go by next Wednesday morning.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-32520592168089855462010-11-03T15:56:00.000-07:002010-11-03T16:09:56.848-07:00Book Ideas!I always come up with ideas at the most inopportune time. Today, I finally got the idea I've been waiting for for my book project while I was on my bike, heading down Bay St. I pulled onto a sidewalk to jot down the idea when I found I didn't have a pen or paper in my knapsack. I am one of those people that needs to write down everything, and I have cursed myself many a time for forgetting to bring a notebook and/or pen with me. And I always seem to get my big ideas when I'm out walking, biking, or at the gym. I think that the raised heart rate or blood flow gets me thinking better, but those are also the times when I usually don't have a pen or paper handy.<br /><br />Anyway, onto my idea.<br /><br />Since it's been a long, long time since I've done anything really autobiographical I've decided to do something about myself. The work I do is often highly personal and intimate, dealing with interpersonal or romantic relationships of between people, or just thoughts of one person - but it's always just made up.<br /><br />I also want it to have something to do with the act of making art, or rather the process including the fictionalization of emotions (in my other work) and lack of inspiration/concept that are usually my downfall.<br /><br />I plan on doing a small series, maybe about six, with each small book acting as a different piece of the "portrait" I'm creating of myself as an artist (and even coming to terms with using the word artist). Now that I've got a concept to match the aesthetics that are always the easiest part for me I'm ready to get started. Progress images and sketches soon to follow.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-73053509489218950132010-10-27T14:34:00.000-07:002010-10-27T15:12:35.046-07:00another essay response: on collaborationVisual Art is the vast, umbrella term that could be used to describe what I and countless others do. It includes the old standbys- painting and sculpture to name a couple, as well as new(er) forms like installation and video. Basically if it's <span style="font-style: italic;">visual</span> and someone thinks to call it <span style="font-style: italic;">art</span>, then it's visual art. The nice thing about it is that there are very few limitations. Artists can choose to approach their projects however they think best. For some that may mean being the conceptual driving force behind a team of craftspeople working together to bring a vision to life. For anti-social misanthropes such as myself, luckily the process need go no further than my "studio" floor and my only collaborator is the barista at starbucks who poured my tall bold.<br /><br />For this essay response (number 33 in Bierut's <span style="font-style: italic;">79 Essays</span>) I chose an essay entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">I Hear You've Got Script Trouble: The Designer as Auteur. </span>Admittedly, I know very little about design and even less about the ways in which people involved in design projects interact. I found this essay interesting because it discusses auteurship in relation to several art forms including film and design.<br /><br />Near the beginning of the essay, Bierut poses the question "It's always easier to evaluate a creation in terms of its relationship to its creator. So what happens when many hands are involved in bringing something to life?" He discusses William Goldman, who wrote the screenplay for <span style="font-style: italic;">All the President's Men</span>. If the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Adaptation</span> has taught me one thing it's that screenwriting seems like a monumental challenge. As mentioned in this essay, when the day is done it's the director who gets all the credit; that the director is the film's "sole author". As someone who has, by association, had a small glimpse into the team of people needed to put a film together I can appreciate Goldman's point of view - apparently on being introduced to auteur theory he asked "What's the punchline?"<br />Bierut's main focus is not film theory and although it fascinates me, nor is mine. In the essay he goes on to discuss anonymity in design. I never thought about it, but how many times have I passed a subway map or street sign an not given a second thought to the designer? And if I had thought to seek him or her out, would I even be able to? He points out that we don't often consider "those gruesome details about who actually did the final digital artwork, who did the illustration, who contributed to the underlying strategy, who influenced whom, who argued with whom, who stole what from whom, not to mention the client..."<br /><br />Thinking about most, if not all other forms of art - theatre, film, and dance for instance - very rarely does one person get to have their unadulterated vision brought to the public. Writers are dependent on performers, directors, set and light designers, and myriad other people to help express an idea. I know that this can easily be the case in Visual Art as well, it may even come down to things like curators and gallery restrictions and a solo show of solo-created work can become a team effort.<br /> I simply wanted to write this because thinking about dependency and anonymity, and indeed, auteur theory as applied to 2-d/print media are things I haven't really considered or even had to consider. Now that I'm embarking on a book project, I'm beginning to realize that my sphere may grow beyond me and my coffee supplier - to printers, fellow artists, and who knows who else? It's exciting to see my world expand a little.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-84450908128024656762010-10-13T14:32:00.000-07:002010-10-13T14:53:15.805-07:00Some Thoughts on Ed Ruscha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTTuP57tbo9QwvlVsSOJczd5LNVC69G3dlOLiv6OXKNjWcCJpc&t=1&usg=__SDrYJ0LBR5XsxPVcsGlM0raciNI="><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 226px;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTTuP57tbo9QwvlVsSOJczd5LNVC69G3dlOLiv6OXKNjWcCJpc&t=1&usg=__SDrYJ0LBR5XsxPVcsGlM0raciNI=" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've come across Ed Ruscha a few times in art school, interestingly enough, in different contexts - as a painter and as a photographer. Number 37 in Michael Bierut's <span style="font-style: italic;">79 Short Essays on Design </span>happens to be titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Ed Ruscha: When Art Rises to the Level of Graphic Design.</span> (I'll let it slide, I suppose, that Bierut seems to assume art is lesser than graphic design?). I was interested to see what Bierut had to say about this relationship. He begins by explaining that artists borrowing from design is not a new or uncommon thing - he mentions Georges Braque, Jasper Johns, and Jenny Holzer among others. The distinction he makes with Ruscha, however, is about his understanding and sympathetic treatment of typography: "perfectly drawn, used with intelligence and passion".<br />He also discusses how Ruscha began publishing, early and often.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.popartbooks.co.uk/images/26gasoline2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 279px;" src="http://www.popartbooks.co.uk/images/26gasoline2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.popartbooks.co.uk/images/26gasoline5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 243px;" src="http://www.popartbooks.co.uk/images/26gasoline5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />When he produced <span style="font-style: italic;">Twenty Six Gasoline Stations</span> Ruscha sold 400 copies - at a loss - for $3 each. Ruscha wanted "to be the Henry Ford of book making" and confessed "it is almost worth the money to have the thrill of seeing four hundred identical books stacked next to you" - a sentiment which I hope soon to be able to experience firsthand.<br /><br />In his essay, Bierut doesn't seem to come to any conclusions about the relationship between art and design, a difficult feat it would have been in only about 500 words, but he does explain his admiration for Ruscha, and has rekindled mine.<br /><br /><i>Seventy-Nine Short Essays on Design</i>, Princeton Architectural Press, (May 31) 2007torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472131867434799687.post-3401810948095579052010-10-08T13:31:00.000-07:002010-10-13T14:57:56.562-07:00Off to a good start - books!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujXsx2SQwQcgGM654AHyvr6eK5AnlWBR4f6xsLqgbqBg3uOgEzICEZjxVS-TnvY8KJZ3m8AT_PTHqP0lkN1GsVIMxzZkVv1bMC0UK6xciqXtIJ1-4RfyO1Rxb99Jhv7qQ_bYkoPrt7g/s1600/books.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujXsx2SQwQcgGM654AHyvr6eK5AnlWBR4f6xsLqgbqBg3uOgEzICEZjxVS-TnvY8KJZ3m8AT_PTHqP0lkN1GsVIMxzZkVv1bMC0UK6xciqXtIJ1-4RfyO1Rxb99Jhv7qQ_bYkoPrt7g/s400/books.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525775840071237202" border="0" /></a><br />In my efforts to learn more about type, text, books, artist's books, and graphic design I've picked up a few books from the library. So far, I've read my way thorough about eight or ten of the seventy nine essays in Michael Bierut's <span style="font-style: italic;">79 Short Essays on Design</span>. <s>They're written by different designers</s> They are all compellingly written by Bierut, and it contains many different insights - everything from dealing with clients to negotiating the worlds of art and design (of particular interest to me). After I've read some more, I'll be sure to post my thoughts on a few of them in a more detailed way.<br />Bringhurst's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Elements of Typographic Style</span> was recommended to me by a designer friend. I've skimmed my way through it, but it seems really, really interesting. It's written to provide a comprehensive manual on typography, but it's written in a way that makes me want to read it cover to cover. I'm looking forward to learning a lot.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Sol Lewitt Artist's Books</span> will, I expect, give me a little more insight into the fine arts side of things. I've looked at Sol Lewitt before, but I don't want to make a misstep before I've read the book. I'll discuss more once I've read it.<br />And finally, to be honest,<span style="font-style: italic;"> A Manual of Style</span> I totally just borrowed from the library because the cover is so cool.<br /><br />So I'm off to a good start as far as far as reading and studying goes, the nest part is to begin making some actual work. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the long weekend for that purpose.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649151299655037818noreply@blogger.com0