Optical Illusions and Patterns

Lately in the studio I’ve been taking inspiration from a book on Optical Art that I came across at the library. There is a definite element of optical play in the patterns I create organically and I wanted to figure out how to explore this in more in depth, and with intention.

This is the first pattern piece I’ve created referencing optical art, and is based upon one of the designs in the book. I had to figure out how draw it, and translate it into a cut design so that it would hold together. This is hand-cut from black Canson Mi-Teintes paper, and the actual size is 15″ x 20″.

It’s a striking modern pattern, that feels almost too simple compared to some of the complex organic design I tend to create. I’m going to keep exploring this style and influence on art and see where it takes me.

2019 Year End Review In Twelve Photos

I usually put together my year end review in the final days of the year but blogging hasn’t been much of priority over the past few months, and I let it go. Better late than never though.

I’ve continued to struggle with the same issues as the past two years, not feeling like I was doing enough, and that I’d lost momentum with my art career. My part-time job almost completely took over my mental energy, and much of my time in the later part of 2019. I moved my studio outside of my home, and had to learn to find balance in a new way. I feel I am starting this year with a clearer idea of what I want to do.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

That last one isn’t something I made, but is something I was proud to work on in collaboration with my friend Barb.

Art & Craft Social – January 2020

Join us for the latest edition of Art & Craft Social! The event is FREE. All you need to do is bring a small creative project to work on, such as stitching, sketching, crocheting, collage, etc. The Social provides an opportunity to meet new people, get inspired, and learn something new through exposure to the creative work of each person’s project. Please note, this event is at a new location.

Please RSVP through eventbrite to attend as space is limited.

Art & Craft Social
Date: Wednesday January 22nd, 2020
Time: 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Cost: FREE
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201, rear entrance off of Graveley St

Refashioning A One-Of-A-Kind Thrifted Find

I buy second-hand clothes as often as I can find what I need, but I also can’t resist when I find something unique at the thrift store. I picked up this dress from a consignment store on Salt Spring Island over the summer. It’s made from a silky smooth black nylon with a large piece of vintage kimono fabric sewn across the front. I tried it on despite the fact that the size was XL and not my size. I figured I could wear it as-is or figure out how to alter it. That vintage kimono fabric had to come home with me.

Flash forward six months and I’m in need of something to wear to my office Christmas party, and I decide now Is the time to alter that dress! I was fairly confident I could figure out how to do it, but not at all confident about my ability to sew it. Thank goodness my good friend Barb was up for the challenge, and is also a WAY better sewist than I am.

The alteration was pretty simple. First I unstitched the kimono fabric so that it wasn’t overlapping the seam on one side, and pinned it out of the way. Barb took the side seams in 1.25 inches on each side, trimmed the excess fabric after reinforcing the seams, and then I ironed them flat. The finishing touch was re-sewing the side of the kimono fabric back into place.

The dress fit so much better after the alteration, though the bodice is still a bit too large because it needs the darts adjusted. I may try that another time.

I wore the dress to my Christmas party and felt super awesome wearing it. Yay for thrifting and refashioning.

Paper-Cutting & Sculpting Workshops in Early 2020

Registration is now open for two paper cutting and sculpting workshops I’ll be teaching in 2020 at my studio.

No previous experience is necessary and all of the materials are included.

Creative Paper Cutting Techniques
Date: Saturday January 18th, 2020
Time: 11am to 3pm
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201 (rear entrance)
Cost: $90 + eventbrite fee
Visit eventbrite for more details and to register »

Paper Play: Techniques for Sculpting Paper
Date: Saturday February 1st, 2020
Time: 10:30am to 3pm
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201 (rear entrance)
Cost: $90 + eventbrite fee
Visit eventbrite for more details and to register »

I look forward to seeing you in class!

First Saturday Open Studios – Dec 7 2019

If you were unable to make it to my studio for the Eastside Culture Crawl last month, here’s another opportunity to come by. I’ll be participating in First Saturday Open Studios this Saturday December 7th, noon to 5pm. Visit me along with my talented studio mate, Michelle Sirois Silver, at 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201. I have beautiful new large-scale laser cut pieces, alongside fresh new paper cut work.

Circle Triangles series, hand-cut paper, 12” x 12”

Cloud Swirl, laser-cut bamboo & white acrylic, 48″ x 36″

Visit FirstSaturday.ca for the full list of participating artists around Vancouver, North Vancouver, and New Westminster »

First Saturday Open Studios
Dates: Saturday December 7th, 2019
Time: noon to 5pm
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201 (rear entrance)

Advent Calendar in Green

I have a thing for Advent Calendars apparently, as this is the third one I’ve made in the past four years. The first one is here (still in use), the second is here (now retired), and number three is looking gorgeous in green and white.

What’s with all the different Advent Calendars, you may be asking? Well the first one was supposed to be shared between Boris and I, but its drawers were too tiny to hold treats for two people. The second one was something I threw together quickly for Boris and never quite liked. The envelopes were also awkwardly tiny for holding certain treats. (What’s with all the large Christmas chocolates?!?!)

This gorgeous green number started out as an unadorned raw pine drawer unit purchased at Deserres. I lightly sanded it before Boris helped me paint it with Hooker Green. I used a Posca white acrylic pen with a fine nib to draw leafy vines on each drawer, which BTW, are more than large enough to accommodate all sorts of tasty Christmas treats.

I’m happy with how well this turned out. I can’t wait to count down to Christmas with our lovely homemade advent calendars.

23rd Annual Eastside Culture Crawl

After a two year hiatus I’ll once again be participating in the Eastside Culture Crawl. Visit me along with my lovely and talented studio mate, Michelle Sirois Silver, at 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201. If you’re interested in textiles and paper art, our studio is the place to see!

Visit culturecrawl.ca for the full list of participating artists, or download the festival app »

23rd Annual Eastside Culture Crawl
Dates: November 14th to 17th, 2019
Time: Thurs & Fri 5pm – 10pm | Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm
Location: 1610 Clark Drive, Unit 201 (rear entrance)

Making a Wiksten Haori with Blackbird Fabrics

I attended my first all-day sewing class a few weekends ago at Blackbird Fabrics. I was there to construct the Wiksten Haori from scratch, start to finish in one day. This was a feat I’d never previously accomplished (and may never again). I’d bought fabric and the pattern to make the jacket for myself in the spring but had been too intimidated to try and do it on my own.

I was glad to find the class at Blackbird, but it included an unlined version of the pattern and I had to work with fabric chosen by them rather than my own. I was fine with that because I figured I could make another version on my own after the class.

The Haori has an oversized fit with options to make it in three different lengths. The fabric I worked with was a cotton/linen blend with a jacquard texture in black, and I made the small fit Haori in mid-length.

The full day of sewing was epic and exhausting but we were gently and enthusiastically guided step by step through the process by class teacher, Joy Nickerson, with support from Natasha, the workshop co-ordinator at Blackbird. I won’t describe the entire sewing process but we used the serger A LOT, which was my first time doing so, and the whole thing got progressively more challenging the closer we came to finishing. The jacket collar is a whole lot of work to put together and attach.

My version of the Haori has a whole lot of tiny flaws because I am not a great or careful sewer, but it’s all delightfully hidden thanks to the dark fabric. I wore it for five days straight after I made it because I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

Transforming a piece of cloth into a finished garment that you wear home at the end of class made me feel like I had magical powers.