MAKING STUFF
and writing about it
A record of the making and the learning along the way: process, material, and the social side of hand-making.
Jul 28, 2024
Fun fodder for politically engaged hand-makers
I am beyond excited at the prospect of a former prosecutor debating a current felon on Sept. 10, if Trump doesn’t wuss out . Kamala Harris has said she thinks “the voters deserve to see the split...
Jul 19, 2024
Cyber snafu? There’s an art for that
Utopic dream work is now an unwieldy mass As soon as my coffee arrived in bed early Friday morning (don’t hate me) I jumped on Reddit to try to find news of the latest cyber snafu, because...
Jul 14, 2024
Awkward family moment informs art-making aesthetic
When I first started out as a suburban-newspaper reporter I had a single original artwork tacked to the wall in my basement suite. It was a life-sized acrylic-on-paper, a nude holding her...
Jul 7, 2024
Needling at patriotism and protest
We all sort of forgot about celebrating Canada Day last weekend, up north, on a farm. No fireworks, no flags, no impressive array of themed party foods in the American way. That doesn't make...
Jun 26, 2024
Drawing on our true colours, for social change
Two years ago to the day of this writing, my sweetie and I arrived in downtown San Francisco the day before the Pride parade and the day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. By...
Jun 20, 2024
Just a reflection, of a reflection, of a reflection, of a reflection
I have my share of obtrusive thoughts but this week it’s an ear-worm: Arcade Fire’s "Reflektor." It jumped into my head while on a brilliant morning bike ride this week, after passing someone...
Jun 16, 2024
Stitching a story of a final send-off
This one’s for my brother, on his second memorial Father’s Day. I started the artwork just after returning from his ashes-scattering ceremony on one of the Gulf Islands, as he requested in...
Jun 7, 2024
Faith is key when you’re cutting up family heirlooms
Is it easy to cut up hand-embroidered linen tablecloths, runners, pillowcases? It is not. As an adequate hand-stitcher I understand the skill, labour, time and patience that goes into each linen. I...
Jun 2, 2024
Circular thinking can be a flow state too
I opened up my studio yesterday to the public to get some general feedback on a new series of paintings. Because even though I’m compelled to keep working on it and even though I’m enjoying a...
Oct 22, 2022
Halloween a reminder of fiery end to a neighbourhood hub
Just a week before Halloween — prime creative costume time — we in these parts are again reminded of the tragic, toxic end to our local Value Village. The general love-hate relationship came to a...
