A Growing Vocabulary

Sewing it up.

2012-01-17T20:34:00.000-08:00

Having fun with fabric these days. Doing some quilting and collecting of neat vintage and nostalgic fabrics. It started when I was pregnant as I needed something to do to pass the time and since making jewelery involves metals and chemicals I did not think that was wise to work with. I started by making a blankie for my baby bump and fell in love with the idea of providing warmth and memories for a young child. Essentially making a warm cozy hug to wrap them in with fabrics that I am drawn to as there are so many amazing ones! My mother also let me grab a handful of flannels and prints to work with that she has had since I was little, which makes me understand where I am getting this interest. Here are a few snapshots of my favorite children prints and panels that I have acquired:

I ordered this flannel from the USA along with some of the dolly fabric that I made in previous blogs. This is so warm and soft and it will also be neat cut up and made into little dollies for young ones.

I found some panels of little golden books and the little engine that could. I am really excited about these prints and amazed at how detailed fabrics have become. I made our little friend Xavier a chocolate train blanket with sock monkey flannel backing and it turned out so cute. I enjoy this rich colour palette.

Designer is Suzy Ultman - Critter Owl fabric

This vintage fabric is a Grandmother Flower Garden Cheater quilt and I think it dates back to the 1950s. I found some at a thrift store and became obsessed with finding more - which I was able to on ebay amazingly in 4 yard increments!

Another ebay score - this flannel elephant print is from the 70s I was told, hard to say but this sort of print is hard to find.

Designer Heather Ross- I have seen this fabric for about 20.00 a yard so it is not cheap. It is out of print and highly sought after as the collection of Far Far Away I. II and III. Lovely quality fabric in a cotton linen canvas sort of weight.

This is some wacky animals from the 60s or 70s found second hand. I just love the colour palette and drawings.

Another Heather Ross design - Princess and the Pea. I just love this palette and illustration. It is very hard to get now since it is out of print but I was able to score a fat quarter that will surely become something special. Also love the Rapunzel rendition in green. I must say I was not sure what all the hype was about but in person these fabrics are soft and high quality.

The Lido on Broadway - Craft Fair Dec 18th 2011

2011-12-14T01:35:00.000-08:00

This is a great location in East Vancouver between Main and Fraser that my friends Kim and Matt have, The Lido, soon to be a pub and local hang out as they are in the works of permits etc. I am lucky to be asked to be a part of the festivities this coming Sunday where I will be selling some vintage lockets, hand sewn cloth dolls and cloth ornaments, magnets and baby quilts. There is sure to be an excellent vibe and the best part is it is free!! Come on down to see Edgar and the gang and all the lovely wares!


magnets I made with fabric and plexiglass, good way to use up small bits that are too cute to throw away!	small ones $1 and large $2

The Lido - the pool table couch was a hit and the yummy vegan cupcakes, thanks Michele Wishart!

edgar and I at the craft fair - my horseshoes were the wrong way, but I fixed them now to catch all the Good Luck!

bunting flags and small cloth dolls

Poem for Neil

2011-12-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

For something different I entered a poetry contest online with an ode to Neil Young. Was feeling a bit poetic today. Posting it here so I can find it again. A bit rusty and shy about it but I guess it is on the internet. More Canadians should enter and maybe even win money.

http://www.worldpoetrymovement.com/

http://poets.com/amanda-lye/forever-young

forever Young

By: Amanda Lye

blues baby sweet melody
a blanket of words light up the room
the radio stays on
everyone sings along

sweet cinnamon man
with your radiant charm
the wind blows much warmer
when we hear your song

from the prairie winds of Manitoba
down by the river or building castles in the sand
he speaks of a land and a people we love
a heart of gold

resonating through wisdom and life
the affect is boundless
he cannot be contained
he can only be named
Neil

decades have passed but he still remains
passionate and strong
when we hear your song
we feel forever
Young

"Memory Lane" - designs by Amanda Jayne Lye

2011-11-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have been busy at the sewing machine the past few months and I have made 10 assorted, one of a kind blankets/quilts for babies and small children. As well I have made an assortment of sizes of cloth Dolls and an assortment of vintage lockets for that special someone!

I called myself "MEMORY LANE" and I will be table #5 at the Urban Artisan Craft Fair at The Roundhouse Community Centre this weekend - **November 26th and 27th from 10:00am- 5:00 pm both days... here is a link to their website if you need to find out more. http://www.roundhouse.ca/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=93

Window display at The Roundhouse Community Centre - Red Doll is in the raffle

p.s. CANADA LINE SKYTRAIN stops there at the Yaletown/Roundhouse station at the end of Davie on Pacific Blvd. Underground parking is available off of Drake Street and I think it is $3.00 an hour. Most vendors only accept cash, myself included. $1 entry and raffle entry included.

Here are photos of the quilt blankets and dimensions, you can click on them to make them larger. I use vintage and designer fabrics and most of them are backed with cotton flannel. Hope to see you there this weekend! Edgar and Tyler will be with me some of the time too. If you can't make it and are interested in any of them, or would like me to make you a custom blanket email me at amandajlye@gmail.com

Kitties - 31" x 47" for a larger child gender friendly - backed with cotton - SOLD

western theme - 38" x 56" - larger in size than the rest - backed with cotton flannel - $75.00

Baby Blue Sea - 19" x 42" - long and skinny for a bassinet - backed with corduroy and cotton flannel - $39.00

Owls - 30" x 34" almost square - backed with cotton flannel "woolies" - $49.00

fishing/sea - 30" x 34" - designer fabrics "birch organics" and "heather ross" and "cloud 9"- backed with cotton flannel "woolies" - $49.00

baby girl pink - 33"x 40" - mostly vintage fabrics - backed with cotton flannel - $59.00

Parade - 32" x 41" - designer fabrics- backed with cotton flannel - $49.00

small baby girl/ alphabet letters - good for a bassinet - tapers at the top- 26" x 38" - $39.00

Rockets into Space - 32"x 43" - designer fabrics - for a larger child - backed with cotton flannel - $69.00

colourful veggies and owls stripe - 24" x 39" - smaller size - vintage and designer fabrics - backed with cotton flannel "woolies" - $49.00

Large cloth dolls and cloth animals - from the fabric "Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls" I fell in love with it. Edgar loves them, great for babies to play with, chew on - stuffed with soft poly hypoallergenic - $15.00 for large, $ 6.00 for small animal or set for $20.00

tea cups and paper dolls - 37" x 48" - larger size with flannel backing - $75

Bunting flags - decorate a child room or nursery - currently making these and hoping to have 6 sets at $39 each

vintage flower fabric - blue seam binding - 33" x 41" - backed with a heavier cotton - $59


Medium and small soft dolls and animals. Also some Christmas ornaments. $10 for medium, $6 for bunny/ duck and $2.50 for the small dolls and magnet dolls

Intro to Jewellery with Greg Sims NSCAD January-April 2009

2011-07-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Some of the first jewelery pieces that I made included a bird out of copper, hammered for texture with a chain that I hand made riveted to the back to make a brooch.

Also the little nest brooch made from silver with patina and then wrapped with red copper wire strands. It measures approx 1.5" in circumference.

This ring is based on a film reel and wraps around the fingers. It is made out of silver and has liver of sulfur patina. I hand sawed out all the little holes, that took some patience and practice!

The final project I made a mini camera locket. It was very challenging but it turned out pretty good for a beginner. I had to solder a box, make a door with a hinge and lock, form some plexiglass and fit it into the front lense part and add a ribbon to hang. The little knob at the top is riveted so it spins. It is all made out of silver.

Dance Residency With Julie Lebel

2011-06-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

From November to March I was documenting the project at Creekside Community Centre with the lovely Julie Lebel. More about the project can be found at the Vancouver Park Board Art and Culture website http://vancouver.ca/parks/arts/2010dance_creekside.htm

Julie is an artist of contemporary dance and has done various interesting projects that involve groups of people in theater and dance. She recently had twins and wanted to incorporate them into her dancing. The stroller dance flash mob was born and I was lucky to watch the evolution as more mothers and babies joined the group and began to choreograph their moves.

They performed on March 19th in the Olympic Village. More about this performance and other photos can be found at Julie's blog http://creeksidedance.wordpress.com/

a son!

2011-06-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

I spent the last year with child and on April 08th 2011 Tyler and I met Edgar! He is a pretty cool little guy. This experience is a whole new batch of vocabulary! In particular I enjoy napping, playing, sewing and baking. Of course taking photos is another past time and with Edgar as a muse it is quite enjoyable!

road trips on the motorbike

2011-06-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

Another accomplishment that I am proud of is getting my motorbike license! Super fun times.

Last July I went on a sweet motorbike camp trip with my main squeeze Tyler. We left from Vancouver and stayed in Manning Park, Kelowna, Blanket Creek near Revelstoke and Golden for my cousin Angela's wedding. Then we went through the Shuswap, the Duffy Lake road through Pemberton to the Sea to Sky and then to Gabriola Island for Riley and Meghan's wedding. Ending it off with a ride from Naniamo to Seaschelt for Disater Days on the Sunshine Coast...

Summer at The Roundhouse Community Centre

2010-10-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

This summer I helped the Art programmers and planning Special Events at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Some Art related events I have helped with are "Drawdown" - a drawing weekend where we did chalk murals, riding bikes through tempera paint onto paper to make marks, comic drawing with local artists and life drawing of dancers. It was great to be involved with!

Being involved with the community and the Art programmers, Marie and Shana, and to see dancers and artists and people in the public stopping to take part was something different than sitting in a studio and creating art, and I really enjoyed this aspect of performance art.

I was also able to help the Western Front at the Roundhouse location during the Jazz Festival weekend with their amazing collection of sound installation artists in the kids zone "Sonic Playground". http://front.bc.ca/newmusic/events/3346 . This was an experience to remember, and the adults had just as much fun as the kids. Plus they had a killer lemonade recipe!

I also planned the Picnic in the Park event in David Lam Park where we did mask making, face painting, yoga, bbq, hiphop demos, a band played and a baby change station...unfortunately it was rained out and then postponed to the hottest day of the summer, but it was still fun and a huge learning curve for planning events.

Amanda Lye - Minatures: Systems, Structures and the Inane

2010-10-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

This show was at Lucky's Gallery at 3972 Main Street from June 24th to July 8th, 2010
Curated by Jenn Jackson

Written by Jenn Jackson:
A study of order, Lye presents a collection of acquired objects representing an affinity for the miniature. An ongoing project, her ever-shifting installation offers an engaging conversation with the contemporary condition of escalating pluralism. The collection's orientation to multiple aspects or parts disturbs symbolic representation, underscoring the oblique nature of an archive composed of recalcitrant material. The placement of each inventory within appropriate box (along walls and upon shelves and tables) proposes value distinctions and provides structuralized containment for a frenetic assemblage. Although precarious, the varied objects are arranged in a carefully maintained order of idiosyncrasy. With a utopian spirit, Lye’s anomic structures recoup failed visions, vital knowledges, and familiar narratives of what has been or what could be.

Here are a few detail shots from the show:

Internship with Dustin Koch of Duko Designs

2010-06-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

The past 4 months I have spent some time with an amazing jeweller in his studio located on Main and 5th in Vancouver. Duko designs can be found at www.duko.ca It has proven to be a challenging and growing experience for me in the jewellery world. I have been able to practice mold making, wax work, soldering, fabrication/design and finishing new silver pieces. I have also had the pleasure to watch closely as Dustin creates beautiful wedding sets and engagement rings with gold and diamonds and other gemstones. The new line of jewellery that I have helped to create with him involves organic materials and branches and here are a few photos of the process...soon ready for sale! This includes the jewellers bronze belt buckle, branch earrings and pendants.

Secret Spot - Brooch in Silver with Carved Acetate

2010-02-16T20:05:00.000-08:00


This brooch has to also do with memory. The window into my thoughts and the nice feelings I have when I think about spending time at the lake with Tyler my boyfriend. When I was in Halifax it was difficult to be apart and so thinking about the summer and the boat on the water always made me feel more grounded and happy.

There are a few methods used here. The box was made with a sheet of silver that I scored and then sawed out the window squares. It was then soldered on the sides to create a box. The branch and the boat were created with a method of casting called cuttle fish bone. This method uses cuttle fish as a negative when you carve out a shape and then you pour molten silver into the shape to create a positive. I then soldered them onto the inside of the window.

I then also handmade the latch and the pin for the brooch and soldered them into place. The plastic acetate I then carved into waves and mounted behind the boat with jewelers glue. It measures approx 3" x 2" x 1" and was a major project in Jewellery II with Kye Son at NSCAD University.

A Momento of Nature Lost - pendants

2010-02-16T20:02:00.000-08:00

I etched lines of a tree onto a sheet of silver. I then measured the silver and sawed it out into smaller pieces that I hammered and bent around an acrylic rod that I shaped into a crystal form. The silver is then soldered and the top ring I made separately and then soldered to the stem. Lastly I soldered the hanging bits on either side.

I made a dozen of these tubes that are meant to represent tree trunks but ended up looking more like a bullet. I made silver in two different finishes and copper. It was for a final Jewellery II project that had to do with multiple production.

A close up of the etching and detail.

Coalescent Moment - Mixed Media Large Piece

2010-02-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

Add caption

This is a piece that transformed from many different types of media. I started with heavy pastel work on pastel paper but I did not like the heaviness of it. I then discovered frosted mylar and pencil crayon/ink to have a nice light and airy feel, which is more what I was going for. I worked on this piece for a few months editing and changing the flow of it until I came to a pleasant finish.
These are pieces of memories that I have from my mother and her sewing room. As a child growing up my mother was always doing something whether it be a Christmas craft fair, a wedding arrangement or barbie clothes it seemed that anything was possible in this room with all the notions and fabric. I am very grateful for her creative mind and inspiring me to be imaginative.

This was for a 4th year drawing studio at NSCAD called "Drawing the Imagined Real" with Steve Higgins. It was a great experience. This was also the piece I chose for the 2010 Graduation book and the NSCAD school magazine "Free Coffee".


These are some of the starting points with pastel. I was drawing literal things that I was trying to combine together.

Starting to edit and add more. Getting a better feel of the space and the movement of the flow of the drawing.

This is the studio space where I worked for 3+ months with Heather, Beckie, Margarita and Ben.

Many ideas later were eliminated as the materials and mediums changed.


I introduced thread as way to combine the smaller components and then later took some of it out again.

The final peice - A Coalescent Moment from all those memories.

Jewellery II- Methods with Kye-Yeon Son NSCAD September-December 2009

2009-10-06T19:33:00.001-07:00

cuttle fish bone casting- bird skull and bird claws pendant

Jewellery II with Kye-Yeon Son September-December 2009

2009-10-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Narrative Brooch-

first sample of design

mixed media drawing with Chris Woods NSCAD January-April 2009

2009-10-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

Lithography with Bob Rogers NSCAD January-April 2009

2009-10-06T18:17:00.001-07:00

Intaglio printmaking with Mark Bovey NSCAD January to April 2009

2009-10-06T17:28:00.001-07:00

small prints, multi-plate self portrait

thought collector...intaglio print

chin colle

multiple prints

1/1

intaglio print- multi plate, mezzontint, chin colle, spit bite, hard ground and engraving

window into another culture

2009-01-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

collections of past history, canadian culture is a meshing of many different events, stories, customs, religions, experiences and memories. it is our connection to nature and trying to find our place for family and friends that make us who we are.

gun antlers-wax

2009-01-15T11:18:00.001-08:00

a rubber mold was made of 2 toy guns from the 1950s, (see previous blog)

one of which belonged to my father.

i then cast them out of wax, cut them up and reassembled them to create these antlers.

it became somewhat disturbing and comments on the use of guns as toys, the actual use of pistols and their intent, hunting and sport with guns, violence and trophy culture.

i placed them on plaques and hung them into this large window box i made from an old window i found in an alley here in halifax NS.

rubber board

2009-01-15T10:33:00.001-08:00

Cast in rubber...attached wheels and trucks to bring it to life. It can do the worm!

skateboard project

2009-01-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

I saved all the drilled hole shavings from the first project, and all of the broken drill bits (approx. 20) and cast them into a cast of the first board with a clear resin.

kind of looks like a big fruit roll up since the core of the board was red.

time spent with tea- ephemeral project (they ate them!)

2008-12-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

finished bronze cast- first one

2008-12-16T21:00:00.001-08:00

WINTER...some photos of Halifax

2008-11-24T23:20:00.001-08:00

finished flies- nasty little guys

2008-11-24T23:16:00.001-08:00

lightning dust - drawing

2008-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

fly wings

2008-11-16T12:52:00.001-08:00

the flies

2008-11-16T12:43:00.001-08:00

out at the cottage - ink drawing

2008-11-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

drawing narrative with Dan O'Neill- model sessions x2 and emotion drawing

2008-11-04T21:08:00.001-08:00

drawing narrative with Dan O'Neill- a day in Halifax

2008-11-04T21:04:00.001-08:00

drawing narrative with Dan O'Neill- Metamorphosis

2008-11-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

beginnings of my first bronze cast. a dead raven found on Gabriola Island was great inspiration. Third year sculpture with Steve Higgins

2008-11-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

20,675 1/16" holes and 22 drill bits

2008-11-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

casting some precious items into wax and re-forming them- Third year sculpture with Steve Higgins

2008-11-04T19:41:00.001-08:00

mini drawings 3 part- self directed

2008-07-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

watercolour with Scott Plear and dark one is an acrylic from second year painting with Catherine Broderick

2008-07-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

a few self portraits

2008-07-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

watercolour, pastel, india ink
fall 2007

Second year sculpture with Jim Corte- Symbiosis of ascocarp fungus with organic dead plant material such as fallen leaves, twigs or logs.

2008-07-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is representative of the process in which pods are formed from the dead biomass. The found object stainless steel from a industrial kitchen were sandblasted for a dull look. The roots are bent round rod that are welded together. The pods were all casted from the original mold with layers of latex, handmade papers, moss, sand, and piping for plumbling used to connect it to the steel logs. Lights lit by batteries were then placed in the hollow steel structure and then fed through to the pods. When the lights are out the pods glow and pulsate to bring them to life and symbolize the reproduction of the asocarp fungus. Advanced Sculpture 2007 fall- spring 2008.

making the mold for the Pod Scuplture

2008-07-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Form exploration, plaster casting, clay sculpting, latex and sawdust layers to create hollow mold.

fall 2007

cultural motif-watercolour and black ink pen- design with Daryl Plater

2008-07-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

design 2d-fall 2007

styrofoam camera with film spilling out- first year design

2008-07-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

spring 2007

3d design project
mass and space

Final Serigraphy project 2007 spring with Tim Nash

2008-07-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

layers and layers of silkscreen photos of train tracks taken by my mother on her drive from Vancouver to Kelowna last fall. printed on thin strips of veneer and mylar. approx 2.5 meters long. about 60 pulls in total

carving a large peice of soap stone- Sculpture with Jim Corte

2008-07-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

final project for 1st year sculpture.
it kind of looks like an abstract owl...it was not intentional.

small etching "reflections of a quiet place"- first copper plate

2008-06-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

black paper cut stencil silkscreen- 1st print assignment for Gordon Trick

2008-06-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

self portrait- first year painting with Lesley Finlayson

2008-06-04T18:58:00.001-07:00

which one is me?

still life model- first year painting with Lesley Finlayson

2008-06-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

painted in spring 2007

yellow and purple pallette

she left an impression

2008-06-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

quiet set of cells

2008-06-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

self directed drawings

2008-06-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

influenced by accessories, textiles and surroundings

mixed media includes charcoal, india ink, watch parts, spray paint, hard ground, watercolours, ribbon, silkscreen ink, cheese cloth

approx 25 x 30''

3 part serigraphy prints with Tim Nash

2008-06-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

'industry' print part 1

'nature' print part 2

'co-existence' print part 3

used a mixture of photographs, photocopies of actual objects and drawing to create layers on a silkscreen

homelessness starts in the heart- 2nd year painting with Catherine Broderick

2008-06-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

mixed media, acrylic paint

advanced sculpture with Luke Blackstone

2008-06-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

we were not really sure what we were doing.
sculpture geeks doing what we love to do.

sound sculpture

2008-06-04T15:46:00.001-07:00

we casted our mouths in a dentist like mold and then mounted them in a wooden box. then we re-soldered a recording device to record a sound and have a switch that could be controlled from the centre of the table.

so it is kind of like a musical instrument.

i will try to post a video of this.
it was installed for a week for people to try out at Langara college.

Attachment- second year painting with Catherine Broderick

2008-06-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

affection, fondness or sympathy for someone or something.

acrylic and mixed media

intaglio with Gordon Trick

2008-06-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

my 1971 yamaha 100 motorcycle

zinc etching edition

second year design with Daryl Plater

2008-06-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

a design project- final project for design second year with Tim Nash

2008-06-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

made from recycled wood scraps from the woodwork shop at The Roundhouse Community Centre. Functional art from dysfunctional pieces and mistakes. It was fun and could go on forever!

clay/casting- first year Sculpture with Jim Corte

2008-06-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

still life painting of a mandolin- first year painting with Lesley Finlayson

2008-06-03T19:42:00.001-07:00

Serigraphy prints- playing with photo transfers, an x-ray and a leaf skeleton- 1st term serigraphy with Gordon Trick

2008-06-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

some first year drawings with Scott Plear

2008-06-01T22:52:00.000-07:00

Lilypads- Intaglio and Collograph with Gordon Trick

2008-05-28T23:43:00.001-07:00

collograph print

Tea Time- Intaglio and Collograph with Gordon Trick

2008-05-28T23:37:00.001-07:00

collograph/ intaglio print

Camera series and Organs fall 2007

2008-05-28T23:07:00.001-07:00

people drawings from the last two years- mostly self directed

2008-05-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

Advanced Drawing with Lesley Finlayson

2008-05-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

2008-05-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

This is what we did today!

Painting Series: Sea to Sky corridor- second year painting with Catherine Broderick

2008-05-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

The excavators doing the man's work to destroy the natural habitat...I am just a little bitter. This was homage to Harriet Nahanee, other elders, concerned BC citizens and protection of eagle ridge bluffs. Unfortunately the government won and the bluff is now a blasted piece of garbage and Harriet passed on shortly after being jailed for protesting. With the Olympics fast approaching there are some corrupt things happening with the tax payers money. VANOC has invaded and I am getting out!! It is sad driving the sea to sky corridor knowing what it once looked like.

http://harrietspirit.blogspot.com/

2008-05-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

This is it at the grad show from April 23- May 2 on the east side of the library at Langara College in Vancouver British Columbia.

Glass block sculpture- final term 2nd year with Luke Blackstone

2008-05-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Process:

These blocks were once a wall. I took it apart, cleaned it, taped them up, sandblasted a quote on them,

untaped them and cleaned them again, built an aluminum structure with pop-rivets and a drill and a metal cutting drill and a lot of patience and trial and error with aluminum welding, then strategically placed the blocks so they would fit in the aluminum structure and silicone glued them together so that the structure would be sturdy and long lasting. So what may seem like a few glass blocks stacked in a reflecting pool was actually a few months of preparing and planning, and a lot of trips back and forth from the sandblaster.

Why:

The finished result I called "cultural theory" because of the quote I chose by Louis Althusser in which he contemplates Ideology and the human consciousness of trapping ourselves within it. The quote is: "Ideology represents the imaginary relationship of individuals to their real conditions of existence." I chose it because the sculpture was to be site specific in the reflecting pool by the Langara College library. I learned about Althusser in my Contemporary Cultural Theory and the Arts course and how we succumb to imaginary relationships such as language, religion, politics, structures, money etc. without a question. Knowledge is an important tool and the glass-blocks I chose to resemble books I wanted to convey a message. Since they are transparent it also represents the transparencies with our society's structure and how we need to recognize how we live and question why we do things or act a certain way. Thank you to my professor Dr. Lynn Ruscheinsky for all her wisdom throughout the past two years and opening my eyes to reality. I recommend the course to anyone who likes philosophy!

2008-05-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

There they are all framed up for the grad show in April 2008.

Two intaglio prints.

The one on the left is an aquatint of an uprooted tree on Gabriola island sugarlifted onto a zinc plate and acid etched, and then aquatinted. I call it "uprooted".

The one on the right is a collograph plate mixed with a zinc plate etching of a drawing I did of my favorite swing set in Vancouver located at Ontario and 8th I believe. I learned so much from doing these two and also framed them myself!

second year design with Tim Nash

2008-05-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is a design piece...I found an old wooden toy train and dismantled it and then put it back together. It turned out pretty neat. Approx. 10'' wide and 8" high. Stained in a shellac for the orange tinge.

2008-05-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

I drew on this everyday for a week. It is a wall piece approx 48 x 48''. I did it when I took a course at Emily Carr in 2004. It is an older piece but I really enjoyed the process.

First year Painting with Lesley Finlayson

2008-05-26T20:41:00.000-07:00

This is an acrylic painting done with inspiration from a dream and the mexican desert. It is approx 23 x 29''. Completed in spring 2007. This is still my favorite painting I have done.

serigraphy with Tim Nash- a series of prints that everyone in the class received one of.

2008-05-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

This is a layered serigraphy print from a trip I took with some great friends to Baja Mexico in 2003. It is a mixture of photography and drawing. Done in spring 2007 size approx 5 x 7 ''

2008-05-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Here is the final result...

2008-05-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

this video was shot and edited by Tyler in the spring of 2007. It is one of the first abstract paintings that I did, and it was not planned so it is spontaneous and experimental. I may have pushed it a bit, but it was a great learning experience and really neat to see it once Ty was finished editing it.

serigraphy with Gordon Trick- 1st emulsion screen print

2008-05-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

this is a tonal silkscreen...self portrait. edition of 16. fall 2006

First year sculpture with Jim Corte

2008-05-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

This tree was an installation piece made from wood and paper products that are thrown away. In the centre was 2 wooden frames that made a hollow opening where a paper heart hung. It was a commentary on how wasteful we are at the expense of our forests. It was installed at Langara for one day and then disassembled. Spring 2007.

2008-05-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken by Tyler. He actually filmed me painting this triptych to a modest mouse song "gravity rides everything"...I will try to post the video clip

serigraphy with Gordon Trick

2008-05-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

this is a 3 part colour silkscreen print of my front entrance

2008-05-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

this the drying rack in the printmaking studio...hot off the press...

2008-05-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

this is a painting of Tyler done in summer 2007 with acrylic paint. It is approx 12 x 24''.

may is a month of reflection

2008-05-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

I am going to go through and find some pictures of art work I have done in the past two years and post them for you to see what I have been up to. Right now is a transitional phase from college to University, from Vancouver to Nova Scotia and all the little things in between. Right now I am enjoying time with friends, doing more art, getting more ideas and figuring out the path I am meant to go...which usually leads to the forest or some sort of mountain or lake.