White Elephant bench; Photo credit © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Friday, 30 August 2013
Summer's over
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Studio Series: Adaptability
Adaptability © Karen Thiessen, 2009 |
Adaptability © Karen Thiessen, 2009 |
Monday, 26 August 2013
Quotes: Mavis Gallant
"There is no such a thing as a writer who has escaped being influenced. I have never heard a professional writer of any quality or standing talk about 'pure' style, or say he would not read this or that for fear of corrupting or affecting his own; but I have heard it from would-be writers and amateurs. Corruption–if that is the word–sets in from the moment a child learns to speak and to hear language used and misused. A young person who does not read, and read widely, will never write anything-at least, nothing of interest. [...] The beginning writer has to choose, tear to pieces, spit out, chew up and assimilate as naturally as a young animal–as naturally and as ruthlessly. Style cannot be copied, except by the untalented. It is, finally, the distillation of a lifetime of reading and listening, of selection and rejection. But if it is not a true voice, it is nothing." – Mavis Gallant, from "What Is Style?"
Friday, 23 August 2013
Summer highlights 2
Tall Ships going through Welland Canal; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Tall Ships going through Welland Canal; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Tall Ships going through Welland Canal; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
and lots of chrome.
Fans Court sign, NOTL; Photo Credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Chortitza descendent oak, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Chortitza descendent oak, NOTL; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
I'm currently smitten with Chortitza descendent oaks and have an unwritten goal to visit as many as possible. So far, I've hung out with two: one in Niagara-on-the-Lake and another in Leamington. Through the grapevine I've heard of others, planted here and there. So far, I've visited this oak twice and gathered a few leaves for rubbings and to press. It's a friendly tree and I enjoy its company. It's a link to my Mennonite ancestors who gathered under the parent tree in South Russia (current day Ukraine).
Chortitza oak plaque, NOTL; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Chortitza descendent oak, NOTL; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Chortitza descendent oak, NOTL; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Monday, 19 August 2013
Quotes: Renzetti & Thurston
"Above all, the indolent realize that when the brain is resting it's actually at its most receptive. If it's quiet, wild and wonderful things nest within it. Recently, Baratunde Thurston, author of How to Be Black and the self-described "most connected man on earth," decided to unplug for a 25-day vacation, and wrote about the experience in Fast Company magazine. The unplugging itself was a huge enterprise, and left him briefly shaken, like a high-and-dry drunk. He was trapped, and suddenly he was free. "The greatest gift I gave myself was a renewed appreciation for disengagement, emptiness and silence," he wrote. "Unoccupied moments are beautiful." (Elizabeth Renzetti, "In praise of indolence: The work-weary should take 'unplugged' vacations" Globe & Mail, Sat. July 6, 2013, p. A2) Link to Baratunde Thurston's Fast Company article.
Friday, 16 August 2013
Summer highlights 1
Mulberry stained fingers; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Dried mud puddle; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Variegated Canna Lily leaf; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Adolescent robin; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Red & White twist tie on hexagons paper; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Copenhagen & Amsterdam Souvenirs
Copenhagen & Amsterdam souvenirs; Photo credit © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Amsterdam souvenirs; Photo credit © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Copenhagen & Amsterdam souvenirs; Photo credit © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Copenhagen & Amsterdam souvenirs; Photo credit © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Copenhagen oilcloth; Photo credit © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Monday, 12 August 2013
Studio Series: Indigo dyeing
Indigo dyed fabric © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Indigo dyed fabric © Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Maiwa synthetic indigo kit; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
Friday, 9 August 2013
Acts of Kindness
Small acts of kindness rank big in my books. Our 12 year old friend made this card for my husband's birthday and hand-delivered it to our mailbox. Although it was for my hubby, it made my week.
Years ago, I had a subscription to Uppercase but I found that the inks made me sick, so I put them on a shelf and didn't renew. I dug out my stack in May and found that they had off-gassed, so in my quest for a complete set, I bought a pile of back issues from Mixed Media. The only one that I couldn't find anywhere (not even in Europe) was issue #12 and the Uppercase website indicated that it was sold out. My husband travels to Calgary occasionally and his office is close to Uppercase. He popped in one day and lo and behold they had one on the shelf. It's a great issue, but the inks still need to off-gas a bit before I spend a lot of time with it. They must have switched inks because the newer issues smell fine, so I renewed my subscription.
While at Uppercase, my hubby also picked this up for me. I know, I know, he is amazing!
Finally, while we were in Copenhagen I was on the look out for envelopes with unfamiliar security patterns. I found a bundle of 50 in Stelling in the Strøget area. The bundle was too large for my suitcase, so I asked if I could buy just one. The manager said that it would be too much work to figure out the cost, so he gave me an envelope and refused payment of any kind. I did not expect such kindness and generosity, especially since my husband and I had been warned numerous times not to expect courtesy in Copenhagen. The best acts of kindness are the ones that you don't expect.
One Sunday in church, my six year old friend and her four year old sister sat next to me. I drew in my sketchbook and they drew on church bulletins. When they started to get a little restless, I traced their hands in my sketchbook. After church, the six year old raced off to a craft room and later presented me with this tracing of her hand. I love the op effect. When I got home, I imitated her technique in my "home" sketchbook. Influence is a circle.
My uncle has a Chortitza oak planted on his property. When he learned that I am looking for Chortitza oak leaves for a project, he mailed me this cluster in a large envelope. No note. My uncle is a kind and considerate man of few words. This thoughtful act made my week.Years ago, I had a subscription to Uppercase but I found that the inks made me sick, so I put them on a shelf and didn't renew. I dug out my stack in May and found that they had off-gassed, so in my quest for a complete set, I bought a pile of back issues from Mixed Media. The only one that I couldn't find anywhere (not even in Europe) was issue #12 and the Uppercase website indicated that it was sold out. My husband travels to Calgary occasionally and his office is close to Uppercase. He popped in one day and lo and behold they had one on the shelf. It's a great issue, but the inks still need to off-gas a bit before I spend a lot of time with it. They must have switched inks because the newer issues smell fine, so I renewed my subscription.
While at Uppercase, my hubby also picked this up for me. I know, I know, he is amazing!
Finally, while we were in Copenhagen I was on the look out for envelopes with unfamiliar security patterns. I found a bundle of 50 in Stelling in the Strøget area. The bundle was too large for my suitcase, so I asked if I could buy just one. The manager said that it would be too much work to figure out the cost, so he gave me an envelope and refused payment of any kind. I did not expect such kindness and generosity, especially since my husband and I had been warned numerous times not to expect courtesy in Copenhagen. The best acts of kindness are the ones that you don't expect.
Labels:
books,
collage,
collections,
life,
Mennonites,
patterns,
travel
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Copenhagen: Random goodness
I love the font and the food at 42º Raw. We ate lunch here almost every day and then had supper at Simple Raw every other day.
The trains have a quiet area. How civilized.
Monday, 5 August 2013
Copenhagen: Colour
Nihola bike & planter; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Shop door dots; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Matryoshka doll skirt; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Posters; Photo credit: © Karen Thiessen 2013 |
Friday, 2 August 2013
Copenhagen: Harbourside area
We stayed at the Adina Apartment Hotel Copenhagen, a new building in a harbourside area of old warehouses converted into condos. I love the mix of restored, repurposed buildings and well-designed new architecture.
The Adina is a short walk from Østerport Station. The staff were friendly and helpful and the room was perfect for an eight day stay (we stayed there before and after Amsterdam, ten days in total). It's in a quiet neighbourhood close to the ferry terminal, and a 20 to 30 minute walk to central Copenhagen. We could see docked cruise ships from our window. If we visit Copenhagen again, we'd return to the Adina.
The Little Mermaid statue; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2013 |
We saw this Winged Victory statue on our walk to The Little Mermaid. Sorry, no details as to its name or sculptor. This gal was more to my liking than the mermaid.
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