Year Two Day One Hundred and Eleven - Bloom Art Show

Dear all, 

Well, the weather at the moment is CRAZY. 

I had a blistering run this morning [although the temperature gauge would say otherwise], there wasn't a cloud in the sky. However, our poor magnolia tree is coughing and spluttering through these cold nights: I sadly don't think it's going to make it... the flowers are flaking away and brown before they have barely made it out of their buds *boo hoo* I love the majestic Magnolia but I fear we will have to wait another year to gaze at her beauty once more. 

So, onto today's adventure and onto a mission to 'Utopia'.

Literally, 'Utopia', on Highway 90 just outside Angus. Karen was in a show called 'Bloom' so I was excited to head over there and support her. 

I managed to find the spot after following numerous signs to the venue and arrived to find many many cars spilling out of the driveway and onto the road. 

The house was incredible! Possibly in my top 10 dream houses! The main entrance was welcoming with hoards of people coming in and out. I saw Karen's booth as soon as I got in - it looked amazing! She had already sold one of her massive paintings and some prints - it was so exciting! The quality of the work in the show was very high; they had art work, jewelry, clothing. It was exceptional! It was lovely to meet Karen's family and to see the show. I am so inspired! 

And in other news:

1. The best curry in miles is closing down *sob* - our favourite spot.... it's a sad day in CWood. 

High rent and a poor winter season has meant the lovely restaurateur and master behind Collingwood Tandoori House is moving up to Owen Sound... Still good for us as we visit often... but still not the same *sob sob*. We went this evening for a final farewell and Chicken curry ' hot' and Lamb Vindaloo...'extra hot' *YUM*

Year Two Day One Hundred and Ten - Pink Dry Wall Compound

Dear all, 

Today provided me with great amusement: I am currently in the midst of making a 'site specific sculpture for D's company' and have arrived at the 'fine tuning stage' of the main pieces. 

After a quick jaunt to Home Depot, http://www.homedepot.ca, I managed to find a lovely fresh pot of dry wall compound that I would now use on top of my plaster base. Dry wall compound can apparently be placed on a 'dry' surface, so I would allow me to keep on applying the mix without dunking my sculpture in water for hours on end. 

The nice man in Home Depot sold me his 'premium' compound and I was excited to get going thinking I was all clear and ready for action until... I opened the tub. The dry wall compound was fluorescent PINK. 

I immediately realised it was an Emergency Code Red and ran to find Niall. He chucked (he is very patient) and reassured me that the 'premium' dry wall compound contained ground breaking 'colour changing technology' and that after the pink paste has dried, it should turn white *wowsah*.

So, I started to apply the compound ( much to the amusement of my peers who are now even MORE confused as to what I am making... e.g: *is it a pink banana??*)

However, after 10 minutes or so, the pink started to fade... it was working! 

Here are all the pieces and lovely Karen having a look. It looks like I have gotten away with it for another day! I love sculpture!

And in other news:

1. Another great movie for all you film buffs out there - watch it purely to gaze at at the A M A Z I N G animation. Oh and Snowy * so cute*. Spielburg doe sit again! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983193/

2. I got into the scholarship show!!! HURRAY! Sorry about the dodgy picture * gaaaa blackberry*. More news to follow.....

3. And here are a couple of my latest paintings... I am going crazy for Calla Lilies! 

Still lots of work to do on this one... 

Year Two Day One Hundred and Eleven - Hunger Games

Dear all,

I just couldn't resist - I am on am unadulterated movie-high after an evening at the Galaxy Cinema in Collingwood. After one failed attempt last Friday (opening night - what were we thinking), we decided to wing it on the Wednesday night 7pm viewing ( one of 6 evening screenings) and we got in-popcorn et al!

I am part-way through reading the modern day classic by Suzanne Collins. I realise that my appreciation of the movie would have been enhanced having finished the book.. but my art homework and general life tasks ( laundry, washing up, boring things like that) always seem to get in the way of solid leisure-reading time. 

Always attempting to stay engaged with the latest hot stuff buzzing around film industry, I was eager to see the film after a long wait and huge anticipation from virtually all social demographics. This film, unlike it's counterpart 'Twilight' seems to appeal to a somewhat wider audience... how can i put it more simply: Darren was excited to see The Hunger games. He will never watch Edward and Bella marry. 

Can I just say, from the start, that I L O V E D IT!  love love love love loved it! Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) was serene, gracious and h-core, Haymitch ( Woody Harrelson ) gave ( as always) a strong and engaging performance, Cinna ( Lenny Kravitz!?!?!?!) was touching as Katniss' stylist and Gale (Liam Hemsworth).. well... Thor's [very dashing] younger brother looks like he is going to have a very long and industrious career ahead of him. The effects were awesome, the set design and costume was flamboyant and fabulous. The story, as many of you know, is pretty universal with its core themes. It is kind of a cross between, The Running Man, Battle Royale, Lord of the Flies and (dare I say it) Twilight ( but only in the teenage-connection). 

I love love loved it. I wept, I laughed, I sat bolt upright while grabbing D's hand very tightly. I almost couldn't bare to blink for missing a minute. Apart from the fact that it's about 2 1/2 hours long and D had to dash out to the WC mid way through. I was suitably dehydrated from all the popcorn so managed to avoid a brief sojourn into reality. 

Go see, go read, go ride The Hunger Games wave! The queues are less intimidating after the opening weekend ($155 million opening weekend. woooooot wooot!) so there is no excuse... Long live Katniss! And bring on the next film ( I started reading the next book within 5 minutes of getting home..)

Year Two Day One Hundred and Nine - Drawing Fabric

Dear all, 

The Fine Arts course is made up of 5 core disciplines, Drawing, Painting, Print Making, Sculpture and Art History. Our first lesson of the week is drawing, possibly the most intense and demanding class led by the mighty Aaron ( he gets results but boy does he put us through our paces). 

Today, we were greeted with an in-class assessment, the subject matter: Fabric. In three hours we were to produce a full sized, coloured work taking reference from the mountain of fabric in the centre of the drawing studio. This was going to be a two-coffee morning. 

It was particularly challenging: I don't know if anyone out there has tried their hand at sketching fabric but reigns supreme in the difficulty stakes ( along with water and snow) and is rather very hard to make look exciting. 

Here are mine and Karen's offerings at the half-way mark. We decided caffeine was imperative at this juncture ( well, I did and Karen was keen to get some air). Everyone else was battling on.. here is Katie having a breather taking in her wonderfully colourful piece. 

And the rest of the class.. with Aaron in the background documenting everything *terrifying*. 

And here is my finished picture! Pastels every where (mutti will be happy to hear this news), I even had to get the mop out during clean up.

Karen managed to sneak her's out using the 'fold and hide' method ( Aaron suggested we should keep the pastel drawings.. for use 'in works in the future'. I tend to shy away from pastel-storage (it's a nightmare) but I managed to siphon it away in my painting slot.. *for a rainy day???*. 

So, we survived an another sculpture class... onto the next!


And in other news:
1. Here is my newest offering to the World of sculpture ( with the kind help of Karen holding up the head)!

Year Two Day One Hundred and Eight - Volley Ball Knee Pads

Dear all, 

No one thought it would happen.. but I am actually getting better at Volley Ball!!

We are in my second season and I am now managing to hit the ball, slam the ball, serve the ball and not  make fellow team mates shudder when they realise I am on their side. 

We still play every Monday; most of the V-Ball gang are quite good with years of experience gained through High School and Uni. Two years ago,  I had no experience at Volley Ball in any form and combined with my vertical physical limitation,  I didn't have a clue! This is despite being a valiant sports women and at the height of my physical fitness. It was awful. But I fought on. And now I can give them all a run for their money ( relatively speaking...). 

So this warrants a new purchase a new status. D had some coupons for SportCheck http://www.sportchek.ca/home/index.jsp and we invested in some knee pads... I am now officially a Volley Ball player!

And here I am in action. Check our those knee pads! http://www.mizunousa.com/volleyball/catalog/accessories

And in other news:

1. Here are the latest pictures of D's Sculpture:

I covered a polystyrene ball with plaster for the head... 

... and here are all the pieces put together!

2. Quote of the day:

From Vince: 'Of course I took our [very large] coffee maker to Florida'. It's all about Princess Jura http://www.jura.com/

Year Two Day One Hundred and Seven - Butterflied Pork

Dear all, 

Today, despite the cooler temperatures, we decided to fire up the BBQ and try out a fabulous and new way of cooking Pork Tenderloin. 

Darren is extremely skilled in the kitchen and explained the art of cutting meat in the style of a 'Butterfly'. With Pork tenderloin, it allows to the meat to cooked very quickly and therefore retains its 'tender' qualities without getting tough. The tenderloin also tends to have a 'narrow point' at its end which is therefore made an equal thickness to the rest of the meat. Genius! 

As you can see here, the Meat is splayed out receiving maximum heat. D added a good dose of BBQ sauce ( Ted Reader's World Famous BBQ sauce to be exact) http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST%2Fbrowse%2F2%2FOutdoorLiving%2FBBQsAccessories%2FBBQSpicesMarinades%2FPRD~0851880P%2FSauce%252BTed%252BReader%252527s%252BWorld%252BFamous%25252C%252BSticky%252BChicken%252Band%252BRib.jsp

In the few minutes it took to cook, I took a quick stroll around the garden, our newly planted Daffodils are on fire as is the magnolia tree. Here's hoping the frost doesn't bite them all in the bottom. 

And here it is! We decided on making up Pork Tenderloin sandwiches with the meat. It was juicy, tender and delicious!

 And here is my monumental sandwich. Magnifique!

Darren rules the day!