Year Two Day One Hundred and Eighteen - BMFA Juried Arts Show

Dear all, 

Today is the BMFA Juried Art Show reception and I have a painting in the show *Yippee*. I raced back from school, jumped in the shower, put on my posh-togs and belted it downtown in Collingwood to the show. 

I actually arrived just as the award ceremony was starting: there was tons of people crammed into the gallery and I was pretty excited. I could see my painting but also that I hadn't won a prize, but actually just being selected to be part of the show was cause for celebration in itself! 

After the ceremony, I managed to wheedle my way throughout the expansive gallery. The quality of the work was very high - there was also a section for High School Students and the lovely Mackensie won 2nd Prize in her category!!! ( She is amazing and also in my Tuesday night class at The Bay School Of Art http://goughdesign.ca/thebayschoolofart/ )

 There was music and snacks - it was a lovely evening!

My work was on the main wall of gallery as you come in - I was pretty excited to see it. Next year I will most definitely aim for an 'honourable mention'! 

Year Two Day One Hundred and Seventeen - Lemon TimBits

Dear all, 

I was so hungry driving home this evening, I decided to pop into Tim Hortons and pick up a mind-boosting tea and possibly a snack. http://www.timhortons.com/

Tim Bits are AWESOME; small, round fluffy balls of donut goodness, always fresh * in theory*, always tasty and always bad for you. The 'filled' Timbits are becoming the stuff of legend and I was yet to even try a 'Lemon Filled' having found a raspberry filled a couple of years ago when we were travelling back from the cottage one evening. 

I was delighted to find that the Tim Hortons on Hume Street in Collingwood, had Lemon TimBits on the menu today! I ordered a box of 10 immediately ( also including chocolate and 'Duchie' for D) and continued on home with my tea, feeling much more content. 

And the lemon filled didn't disappoint! I know my sister will like this post.. and now want me to send her some TimBits ( although not sure how they would survive 3 days on a flight deck). 

And in other news:

1. My screen print is coming along... 2nd and 3rd colour now on!

Year Two Day One Hundred and Sixteen - Jessie Junior

Dear all, 

This is a VERY EXCITING DAY! Karla and Jay have a new family member... Jessie has arrived!

And she is quite simply the most beautiful pup in Collingwood!

When I arrived, she was curled up on Jay's lap, fast asleep, while he played xbox. She was so floppy, even when I squished her little face, she fell asleep, resting her head in my hand. We decided to try and take her for a little walk so after a quick scrummage *see below. This toy won't last long*, we set out into the wilds of Collingwood. 

As you can see, she is keen to explore and has a very smart new lead an collar.

It took a while to get moving but we managed a few steps ( so many new and fascinating things to sniff, lick and chew as well as people to win the heart of [of course])

And as soon as we got home ( 10 minutes), she collapsed on her bed and fell asleep (again). She is quite simply the most adorable pup in the land! J'adore Jessie Jnr!

And for all you dog fans out there - Below a recent picture of the awesome Jessie (Senior).

Year Two Day One Hundred and Fifteen - Serigraphy

Dear all, 

Today, I am attempting the noble art of Serigraphy (otherwise known as Screen Printing). I start out by washing my screen in the rather menacing looking shower stall situated at the back of the [vast] print room. It is important to ware full body protection (including ear-muffs) whilst using the high powered jet - it seems so innocent yet water-hitting-screen can be excruciatingly high pitched!

I allowed my screen to dry and started to draw on it directly using a specific, washable, green screen ink. I am currently working on a collaborative Printing-Drawing project *eowww* and have decided to screen print a forest of cherry blossom trees *sigh*. Here you see the first colour of my screen pring [The branches]. Ignore the flower in the bottom right... I erased it eventually on further consideration. 

I then prepared my paper in the meantime: The paper is very posh and needs to be torn to the correct size and registered in order to print in a consistent manner **note to all: printing is VERY time consuming*

After the green screen ink had dried, I covered the screen in 'red block out' acrylic paint and left to dry. 

In the meantime, I mixed my ink ( also acrylic)... a lovely brown to be exact. 

I then washed off the green-screen ink from my screen which left a nifty stencil from which I could print through. I attached the screen to the press and was ready to print!

Here you can see the ink on the screen - I have masterly placed the posh paper underneath the screen on the press, which being sucked down simultaneously by a vacuum. 

I then used a squeedgy (real word) and pushed down *very* hard on the screen, pulling the ink across and allowing the ink to seep through. I then repeated to ensure the ink has passed through. 

Et Voila! My favourite printing technique ( no chemicals and quickest form of printing so far on the course *no kidding*). I left the prints to dry on the rack and am ready for to print the next of the 4 colours * phew*. 

Hurray!

And in other news:

1. I got selected to be in the BMFA Juried Art Show 2012 HURRAY!!!!!! http://www.bmfa.on.ca/

Year Two Day One Hundred and Thirteen - Karen's Lemon Squares

Dear all, 


Today I wanted to try a scrumptious recipe given to me by the lovely Karen - Her delectable Lemon Squares! I started with the base:

I cup Graham Cracker Crumbs ( crumbled biscuits for all the Brits reading)
1/2 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Marg ( I used Butter and it seemed to work okay)

I mixed together the crumbs, flour and sugar and then dropped in slices of butter and mixed it loosely around.

Once the consistency was a little more robust I began to press the mixture into a square dish.

I had already lined the dish with parchment paper ( and and pre-heated the oven to 350F * very important*


I then baked the crust for about 7 minutes - you can bake anywhere between 5 - 15 depending on how crunchy you would like the crust

For the filling
1 package light cream cheese (250g)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons lemon zest 
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 tsp. baking powder


I beat the cream cheese and sugar together and then added the eggs and flour and mixed well.

I then added the lemon zest, lemon Juice and Baking powder.

I mixed all the ingredients together well and then poured on the crust that was now out of the oven!

I then popped it in the oven and baked for around 25 - 28 minutes. The smell was phenomenal!


After it was done, I pulled it out of the oven and left to cool on a rack. Once cooled, I cut into squares and then left in the fridge for double-freshness. The taste is amazing!!! So fresh and sharp from the lemons. And such an easy recipe! Darren loved them too. Hurray!

Year Two Day One Hundred and Twelve - Michael's

Dear all, 

Today, in search of some advanced arts materials for D's Sculpture, I headed to the south end of Barrie and the infamous, 'Michael's'. I had never yet crossed the threshold of Michael's preferring the wonderful Curry's https://www.currys.com/ or the amazing Alexander Art Supplies in Collingwood http://www.paintsjasonalexander.com/. I was looking for a fauz copper patina spray (very specific) so had to make the leap and brave Michael's. 

It is situated next to Wall Mart in the south end of Barrie and is always extremely busy. My first impression of Michaels was it's sheer size. The store spans as far as the eye can see and is almost impossible to orient oneself around without acquiring a neck injury trying to strain above the packed aisles. http://www.michaels.com/

I set out towards the 'plastic flower section' ( I am drawn inexplicable to flowers, real or fake) but then realised that I needed to get pro-active if I was going to get out of this place in one piece. I couldn't find a member of staff so decided to head deep into the store. I stumbled across a vast stand of oil paints and then knew, I was getting warmer. 

I ended up finding something promising (this range but a 'copper' antiquing set). I was going to stay and peruse other items but instead, I paid the cashier and made a beeline for the exit - it was SO packed... not the joyous shopping experience most art stores can be. Apart from the numerous discount coupons that seem to appear as if by magic, [even from the cashier during the final transaction]. Very generous... I guess???

My recommendation for Michaels is go mid-week or bring protective clothing and a map...