Week 44: Adobe Illustrator

Shibori Stripes © Karen Thiessen, 2012

Shibori Stripes is a detour. I attempted to replicate the stripe pattern of the Japanese bowl in Adobe Illustrator but it looked stiff and boring. In order to get the correct spacing of the stripes in the boring pattern I needed to create several iterations, so I wasn't about to toss all that work away. The "rough" effect saved the day and now I have a dynamic pattern that reminds me of a gorgeous scarf that I Shibori dyed many moons ago.

Japanese Bowl; Photo credit Karen Thiessen, 2010

Dave Hind Caribou

Dave Hind Caribou Artasia; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2012

Dave Hind's Caribou were installed at Supercrawl 2012. Through Culture for Kids in the Arts (CKA) he collaborated with Hamilton children to create a Charter of Rights for the Parks that became the Caribou Charter.

Dave Hind Caribou Artasia; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2012

Each of the Caribou is constructed of recycled aluminum and engraved with pictures and messages about care and respect for Hamilton parks generated by the children. The message above reads: "Every park has the right to... allow pets." The Caribou stand about 5' high and wide and represent each of the fifteen neighbourhood groups where CKA worked with Artasia students.

Dave Hind Caribou Artasia; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2012

The orange and white Caribou is particularly touching. It reads: "Every park has the right to... be treated like mum with love and respect." I haven't heard if the Caribou will migrate back to the parks where they were conceived. 

Titanica @ Mary Black Gallery

The Iceberg by Wilma Butts & Crying Fish by Laura Kenney; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2012

Titanica at the Mary E. Black Gallery in Halifax is long gone. The show commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland ran from August 3 to September 9, 2012. Susan Charles, the Director of the gallery and the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design, reluctantly gave me permission to only photograph large views of the show. Since I (mostly) complied, the photos aren't great. Three textile pieces stood out: two by Wilma Butts and a hooked rug by Laura Kenney. In the above photo Wilma Butts' The Iceberg hangs to the left and Laura Kenney's Crying Fish hangs to the right. For a better image go to Kenney's blog and Butts' Artwork section of her website. The Iceberg is made with sericin scoured silk and Crying Fish is made with second hand wool clothing and recycled sari ribbon on burlap.

Fractured by Wilma Butts; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2012

The piece that stole the show for me was Wilma Butts' Fractured. All that I know is that it is constructed of shibori-dyed paper, silk fibre, and wire. Normally I photograph the didactic panels so that I can provide you with more information, but I complied with Susan Charles' request of overall shots, *except* for the bottom image, a detail of Fractured. I couldn't resist. Shibori dyers will recognize my pun.

Fractured detail by Wilma Butts; Photo credit: Karen Thiessen, 2012

Swedish Weaving: To-Ni-Lih Navajo pattern

To-Ni-Lih Swedish weaving pattern

My mom finished this afghan early this year. She was working on it during our Arizona visit in February and she made it specifically for herself. To-Ni-Lih is a Navajo style Swedish weaving pattern by Linda Allen.

To-Ni-Lih Swedish weaving pattern detail

It's interesting how our experiences shape us. While I was growing up, my parents' decor was "early Sally Ann" thanks to a combination of tight finances and their quirky creativity. Mom's term "early Sally Ann" was derived from Salvation Army, and stood for second-hand furniture and furnishings. I grew up with cast-off antiques that mom and I would refinish.  We collected vintage furnishings long before they became the hot trend that they are today. 

To-Ni-Lih Swedish weaving pattern detail

In the years since my brother and I moved out to establish our own households, mom and dad's collective decorating style has evolved to be "early Sally Ann meets Native American and Mexican." The evolution reflects their travels and new influences. It's an interesting mix and naturally they make it work with their usual élan. 

Quotes: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs quote illustrated by Karen Thiessen, 2012

Week 43: Adobe Illustrator & 2nd blogiversary!

Two (Wonky Hexagons) © Karen Thiessen, 2012

As of tomorrow, two years will have passed since I started this blog on November 24, 2010. Little did I know that it would introduce me to so many fabulous people. Thank you to all who visit, follow, and comment!

Unlimited wonder

Big dead bug; Photo credit Karen Thiessen, 2012

One of the jobs of an artist is to pay attention. Any mundane activity can be enlivened simply by looking deeply. Have you ever washed dishes and noticed the shapes, sizes and colours of bubbles? Chores take longer when you pay close attention, but they are more fun.

Big dead beetle; Photo credit Karen Thiessen, 2012

This summer I took my camera on a walk around the house and found two large dearly departed insects. Beautiful.

Moth (alive); Photo credit Karen Thiessen, 2012

Notice the velvety texture of the moth and the scalloped edges of the wings. Every day we have an opportunity to look closely, deeply, slowly at the unlimited wonder that surrounds each of us. Go ahead, take a look. What do you see?