Encaustic Sample

This is my encaustic sample. I was playing around with colour and decided to etch in the saying "like a cheap hotel with no ballroom" in the wax. This was a saying that seemed to come up in conversation a couple of times during the weekend (all in reference to tight pants). Gotta love the juxtaposition of a cheesy saying combined with an old worn look of an outside building. Hmmm. This sample is definitely open to interpretation but also very much influenced by the weird, funky and bizarre combinations of new and old collage/graffitti that I admired in Kennsington Market.

Anyway, I would highly recommend experimenting with this technique if you have ever been intrigued by the meer thoughts of the encaustic process.

Kensington Market Graffitti

While I was hanging out in Kensington Market in Toronto last week....I came across this collaged graffitti'd wall. I love the texture of old posters with stencilled bits on top.

The following day, I signed up for a crash course workshop with Gleen (my partenaire extaordinaire) and my very creative and multi-talented friend Janesse. We spent the afternoon learning all about the encaustic process which included elements of collage, painting, creating moulds, and layering wax to achieve a more 3D surface. Very fun indeed. We took the course at C1 artspace with Sandra Tarantino (artist/teacher). She's fabulous and very knowledgeable......and I highly recommend taking a class from her. You can check out the class schedule at: www.c1artspace.com

Remembering Helen Hill

Today I was told the news of artist Helen Hill. It's a sad story. I'm not quite sure what to say except that I have only fond memories of her and Paul in Halifax. I never really knew them well, they just lived on the same block in the North End where I lived. Every morning we would greet each other as either Helen or Paul would walk their pot belly pig. Helen was most definitely a very caring, warm and kind character. I was happy to live in such a great neighbourhood with such creative and inspiring people!

I also had the pleasure of being in Halifax at the time the band Piggy was creating a buzz in the Halifax music scene. They would often be playing at the annual Earth Day Festival or other such venues as a donation to the cause and to spread the word on how we all as individuals in this society could work together to make the world a better place - environmentally, socially and politically. "My Pink Bike" remained a true musical favourite of mine for many years...and kept me thinking of home when I lived elsewhere.

Halifax greatly missed the inspiring couple and their little pig when they decided to venture elsewhere and to inspire others with such kindness, creativity and sheer passion for life!

Halifax will be remembering Helen Hill through a memorial gathering in the North End on January 13th. For further information, please check the link below.

http://helenhill.ckdu.ca/index.html

Craftzine

I just received my premiere issue of this delightful little zine which is chaulk full of very fun, colourful and inspiring projects!! If you haven't seen or picked up a copy yet......run to the newstands or purchase online. You can find it at www.craftzine.com.

Perfect little zine for the quiet winter eves or when you want to adorn yourself or your abode with one.of.a.kind handmade wares/wears.