Me Made May So Far

Above are the outfits I wore on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday. For some reason I can't find the original images of Wednesday & Thursdays outfits. Anyway, I'm finding that I am putting things together that may not have been matched before. For example, the top left image features the Trapezoid Tee that I knit a few years ago with an old Dries Van Noten skirt (sans outer layer). The image on the bottom left features my recently finished dress shirt paired with a dress I made while we were in Berlin in 2013. I love the act of discovering new ways to wear things you already own.

The ladyfriend and I caught the Mitchell/Riopelle show at the AGO just before it closed. I've been a Joan Mitchell fan since I saw a show of hers at the Whitney in New York City in 2002. It was great to see her work in person again.

Included a close-up of this one as the layering of the paint was quite compelling.

Sure, there was a counterpart - Jean Paul Riopelle - but frankly, his work didn't speak to either of us except for one piece.

Avalanche by Jean Paul Riopelle

The way we saw it, Mitchell danced with the canvas while Riopelle boxed, or to put it another way, Mitchell collaborated with the canvas while Riopelle seemed to want to conquer it.

It's been great seeing art lately. The Kusama show in April was pretty cool although the whole ticket thing was out of control. We lucked out and got tickets in advance. If I remember to, I'll post some images from that as well. If you're in the area, the ladyfriend is on a panel at the AGH on Thursday and has an opening at b. contemporary on Friday.

I start the Lander pant class tonight. I'm pretty excited to make these!

A Word About Challenges (or Be Careful What You Wish For)

Believe it or not, this blog post has been rolling around in my head since, oh, say May because that's when it started to become apparent that participating in challenges, as I'm wont to do, can become overwhelming when combined with "success."

The quilt top for our Hand of Craft show in progress

Okay, let me back up and give a quick overview of how this past year has gone for me. This comes without a dissertation on politics and the state of affairs in the world and predominantly focuses on me and what I learned.

Our billboard, Domestic Brew: Craft Beer Garden, on the cover of the Hamilton Spectator

First off, I knew that Shake-n-Make had two major shows in 2017, both of which were labour-intensive (our favourite kind of work). One opened at the end of August and the other at the beginning of November. These shows were not originally scheduled for the same year, but some things you can't control (like the finishing of a courtyard, for example). On top of that, the ladyfriend had a major show that opened in May.

Domestic Brew: 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall at The Hamilton Artists Inc.

So that's three shows in one year. More than once over the course of the past 12 months have I used the expression "victim of our own success."

Managed to ride my bike on a beer run in April

Despite all this (or because I'm a procrastinator), I thought I could participate in a few challenges like the #30daysofbiking in April, #MeMadeMay, and a 30-day yoga challenge at De La Sol (April/May). A lot of this comes from the end of the semester; when the term ends in early April, I suddenly feel like I have loads of time. But this is a micro-view; the macro is often where I get tripped up.

A #MeMadeMay post featuring an Alabama Chanin top I made

Think of it like those transparencies that you find in medical books - you lay one down, and then another on top of it, and then another and another until there's a whole lot going on (not a medical term). So you have our shows, the challenges, and then things like another roof to be done and travel plans made.

Despite all this, I also wanted to participate in Fringe Association's #summerofbasics. I mean, c'mon, couldn't I make three wardrobe staples over the course of three months? I'm sure you can already see where this is headed.

Suffice to say that of the challenges, I was only able to really participate in #MeMadeMay. My biggest challenge for the year was not falling apart constantly.

After all that, all our shows went well (even if I thought they'd kill me), and we're happy with the work. I'm trying to incorporate what I've learned about my ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously (less is more). There was a frenetic quality to last year that I'm hoping to eliminate from this year.

Nonetheless, I've set up a few goals/guidelines for the coming year:

1. The ladyfriend and I are not undertaking any new art projects this year (we'll see how that goes). Instead, this year is labeled "Project Life," and we're trying to take care of things in our life that got shunted to the wayside last year. We'll also be working on getting the work we've made shown elsewhere.
2. Each month will have three goals. Firstly there will be a project to finish (all those WIPs!), something to make or do (e.g. start pickles), and something to fix/remake/let go (e.g. a vintage dress that's not fitting properly). This should help me clear the deck of lingering projects as well as moments of panic about not being prepared/ready (where's the fruitcake?!).
3. I can only start a new project (knitting or sewing) if I've completed one that was already in progress (see point 2). 

I have some writing projects/goals set as well (one of which is to blog regularly again - just figuring out my schedule now), but integration is what I'm aiming for this year - my interests/inclinations/etc. integrated and peacefully co-existing.

I'll let you know how that goes.

It's Not Just Pictures

I know it appears that way recently, and it actually illustrates a point I've been wanting to make and which has come up again recently.  It seems that people who have what we might consider "traditional" lives (aka working a five-day-a-week job) don't understand that we who have "nontraditional" lives (aka schedule of our own making/non-standard hours) are often just as busy as they are.

There's an assumption that because you can make your own schedule that you have a lot of free time or can really easily reschedule things. The truth is that frequently, because we make our own schedules, we've done a little Tetris to ensure we get the work done so all the hours fit together in a nice neat package.  The fact that I'm writing this post right now means that I'm pushing off another task, which will need to be attended to and which may mean that I'm working late.

Let me just outline what's been going on in my life since the beginning of the year.  I've taken multiple trips - one family-related, one activism-related, one writing-related, and one hockey-related.  While they're definitely not all "work," there's something to be valued in each of them.

I've had three pieces of writing published; my most recent one went live yesterday and was an opportunity netted from an announcement about the other two. (I failed to mention the short story publication here - but you can still check it out).  I've also written two new short stories and submitted my short story collection to a number of publishers.

There's also the fact that the art collective of which I'm a part, Shake-n-Make, has two major shows this year; one opening in late August and the other opening in November.  Both are labour-intensive, and we've been working on finessing the details of installation as well as material considerations. This requires not only physical labour but meetings and various email communications. All of this takes time.

This is in addition to my teaching, which is considered a full-time load for tenured faculty but not necessarily for sessional/adjuncts, and my volunteer work (delivering library books to those who can't get to the library once a month), which actually requires that I schedule at least an hour with one of my clients.

I know this sounds a tad defensive, and it is.  Why lie?  But I also think it's important for all of our friends and family to understand that while I may be sitting in my pajamas as I type this (which I am, and it's almost 11am), I've been working for a few hours already, and I've scheduled the work of my day (this blog post, as noted, excluded).  Don't let the wardrobe or nontraditional schedule fool you.  There's a schedule; there is work.

Okay, I got that off my chest.  I feel better now.  Back to work.

Squam Art Workshop - Spring 2016

As mentioned, I went to Squam at the beginning of the month.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Squam Art Workshops, I invite you to think of a summer camp for crafty adults.  You're in an idyllic setting in the middle of New Hamphsire, you share a cabin with fellow campers, you're fed three meals a day in a dining hall (they ring a bell at mealtimes), you make all kinds of great stuff, and you do a regular tick check.  Clearly I loved it.

Exterior of dining hall

Mealtime

Dreamcatcher

The cabins were rustic but comfy.  I only had four other roommates and had opted for a single room for my first time (the cabin had three double-occupancy rooms and one single) .  Each cabin that was on the lake had its own dock, and each had fireplaces whose wood boxes were refilled each day.  We also had an actual ice box, which was also checked each day and refilled as necessary.  They harvest the ice from the lake in the winter and keep it in, yes, ice houses all summer.

This was how they delivered the ice.

And here's our iceman, standing in front of the ice box.

What if Joy is Unfashionable?

(Note:  there are no classes today so there's no What I'm Wearing to Teach Today post.)

"What if joy is unfashionable?" is what I blurted to the ladyfriend as we were walking the other night.  We were discussing our upcoming (Saturday!) clothing purge a la the KonMari method (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up).  Here's what we're supposed to do - take all of our clothing and pile it up (the ladyfriend doesn't want to take some of her shirts off the hangers so I might let this step slide for her), and then "take each item in one's hand and ask:  "Does this spark joy?"  If it does, keep it.  If not, dispose of it" (p.41).

I've been both excited and a little nervous about this.  As you probably know, I have a lot of clothes (no snickering or commentary, please) so on the excitement side, I'm looking forward to figuring out what I really want to have and what I've simply hung onto for far too long.  I'm thinking of my style coming forward like one of those magic eye pictures - you know, the ones where everything looks the same until your eyes relax enough to let the lion doing a cartwheel or whatever image it is be seen.  So that's kind of cool.

I'm also excited about getting rid of some of the visual clutter that comes along with a lot of clothing.  Gearing up for this has also opened some kind of secret creative portal where I'm suddenly finding new ways to combine things (this could also be a result of my nervousness).  Additionally, I'm glad to be continuing to refine my life and make it align more fully with my values.

And while I'm not really worried about being unfashionable, there's a part of me that worries I'll try to justify or feel sad/guilty about not wearing or liking or utilizing something.  It's reminds me of the feeling one might have when you don't like someone you probably should.  There's also a small fear that Joy (yes, personified) isn't always practical.   Thankfully I already know that some of my more practical items like the Alabama Chanin skirts and t-shirt I've made spark great joy in me.

Marie Kondo says that "when you touch a piece of clothing, your body reacts" (p.41).  How much Joy can I handle?  I guess we'll find out on Saturday.  (By the way, the ladyfriend is going to set up a camera to record the entire day; there's always room for Art (Joy's brother - hah!)).

Shake-n-Make at The Artists Newstand

The Shake-n-Make Collective is happy to announce its show What's Cookin'? at the Artists Newstand (Chester TTC stop for those in the T.O.).  The show opens on Tuesday, October 6 (opening is from 5-7pm) and will feature some of the crazy, crafty, cool things we make like reverse applique aprons, an epic macaroni portrait, and more.  The show is up until October 16th.  Stop by if you can!  More details as well as info on the Artists Newstand can be found here.

Feel Me, Read Me, Watch Me, Eat Me

Oh, I know I've been MIA and only part of it was vacation.  However, even though I'm headed to Ottawa this weekend (if you're in the area, come see the ladyfriend perform), I'm back - at least figuratively.

Many of us are overeducated and underemployed; this is especially true of adjuncts/sessionals.  The discussion on wages and stability for us continues.

Talk about bike culture - this would be a dream problem for so many of us!

Shout out to my father who sent me this link on nerdy knits.  He's a fan of the Yoda hat.  Babies are great because you can just dress them up as you want, and they can't say anything about it.

Finally, here's a video from a friend.  Catchy song and I love that parts of it were shot in my old subway station in Brooklyn.  Yay!

On My Mind Mondays: Giving Birth

Yeah, thought that might get your attention; however, it's not what you think.

On Friday I realized it was exactly nine months until my 50th birthday (step one:  put it in print) and knew that I couldn't let the opportunity pass to work on a project in honour of that.  So I'm saying I got pregnant with an idea on Friday, but like any fledgling idea or cluster of cells, it's not always immediately clear what that might turn out to be.

I knew that I wanted it to be a durational project, something that I would work on throughout the next nine months, and I knew it had to have significance for the occasion.  After talking with the ladyfriend, I realized that making the Turkish Coat from Folkwear Patterns would actually fit the bill.  I could engage in a textile-based project that would ultimately be both an artwork and wearable.  (Please note - I'm not talking about what some call "wearable art" or "art to wear." We can talk about my (probably misguided) distinctions later.)

The Turkish coat can be worked in sections, has options for hand (or machine - not my thing) quilting or trapunto, and can utilize various materials, which lends itself to all kinds of possibilities.  I haven't decided on fabrics yet except that I want to line the coat in silk and embroider words and phrases that are meaningful to me on it.

I'm thinking of the coat as something that will bring me to my birthday, something that I can use to meditate on the significance and perhaps the, uh, let's say insecurities I may be experiencing.  I'm also looking at it as something that will protect and comfort me, guiding me through the next 50 years (yeah, that's right - at least 50 years!).

Stay tuned for progress reports.

Feel Me, Read Me. Watch Me, Eat Me

Elizabethan Collar, two by Jesse Mathes

I love this piece about a portrait artist that travels from sitting to sitting by bike.  But it's not just his transportation mode that appeals to me, it's also what he's doing and how that connects to modern life that inspires me.

Also in the love category is this artist's series based on personal space.  I can think of more than one occasion for many of the items she's created.  They're both beautiful and intimidating (see image above).

My father directed me to Gladys Bikes, a woman-focused bike shop in Portland, Oregon (I know - of course).  One of the things I really appreciate is that they are "committed to carrying as many products as they can from business and makers that are local, women-owned and USA made."  I'm sure that if they were in Canada, they'd be looking for Canadian made.

While I might often be late to the party, I really try to have a good time (and contribute to such) once I get there.   So I'm excited to listen to a new-to-me (since they've just surpassed their 100K download) podcast, Woolful.  It's not just a knitting podcast but one that deals with all kinds of fiber subjects as well as sustainability and environmental issues.

And finally, if you're cold and need a little warmth from within, try making your own hooch.  Crafty and tasty?  Let's see.

Feel Me, Eat Me, Read Me, See Me - Weekend (aka late) Edition

It's been a busy week, so perhaps the offerings today are a bit meager.  But nonetheless, I persist and have a few things to share.

Starting with food, I think that peppermint pretzel marshmallow fudge from Joy the Baker has a rather festive ring to it.

Lovely Bicycle had an interesting post on how people often assume things about the character of a cyclist based on the type of bike they ride.  If you're feeling creative, you might want to try your hand at a poem to win an owl on a bicycle print.

Clearly the Two Wheel Gear's Bike Suit bag is making the rounds; Momentum Mag posted a profile of it here.

Enjoy the weekend!

On My Mind Mondays: Toward a Common Goal

Mulberry is fascinated by the pressure canner

• Independent bookstores:  I listened to a Fresh Air interview with Ann Patchett who was compelling in her argument for buying books at actual bookstores and not online.  More often than not, I buy online because it's often less expensive and conducive to off-hour (aka impulse) purchasing; however, I do value bookstores, and frankly, I can afford to pay full price to support local economies so that's what I'm planning on doing whenever possible from here on out.

• Wabi Sabi (continued):  I'm reading Simply Imperfect:  Revisiting the Wabi-Sabi House by Robyn Griggs Lawrence, and her explanation of the concepts and how to make them part of one's life resonates with me.  I cannot claim to be a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination, but my life seems to be a constant work-in-progress where I continue to try to whittle things down and get everything closer to what I value.  I'll be working on slowly decluttering spaces around me.

• Eggplant with Anchovies:  This is what I'm making for dinner tonight.

• My upcoming trip to Oakland:  I'm off for a visit with the boy and will have a lot of time on my own (the boy's got to work).  I've signed up for a sashiko workshop already, and a friend has recommended I check out the Ai Weiwei installation on Alcatraz.  While I'll be seeing the boy daily, part of this trip feels as though I'm on my own, which is quite interesting.  What will I do with my time?

• Fashion Blows:  My friend, Abi Slone, curated this exhibit showcasing some of the late, great Isabella Blow's clothing.  It's got a short run, and I'm going to Toronto to see it tomorrow. 

• Interrogation of the Closet:  I've been trying to "curate" my closet/wardrobe for the last couple of years, slowly.  I'm working with the theme "Making my closet work better, not bigger."  Now it's time for the inquisition, as it were.  I'm going to take each rail of clothing (yes, there are more than one), divide it based on how often or the last time I wore an item, and then figure out what stays and what goes.  In conjunction with that, I've conceived of a creative nonfiction piece that deals with the process.

• Apples:  Today I've got to utilize the last of our apples.  Applesauce & hard cider are on the schedule.

I've never seen Gwendolyn so fully sacked out on the DVR before.

Mixing In a Little Art

Please take a moment to check out the online art show, Enact.  The ladyfriend created a piece for it, featuring yours truly.  Scroll over the images to find her name - Liss Platt - to see it.  It involves currywurst.  Really.

Things You Learn

This soap pretty much encapsulates what the Tavistock Hotel is all about - function.  What I've learned?  I'm over super budget accommodations with springy twin beds and a continental breakfast that consists of cold toast, doughy buns, stewed fruit, and weak coffee. 

Breakfast supplements

That's right, my standards have risen.  The fact that the wireless (available only in the lounge) is so slow that it takes over twenty minutes to watch a 10-minute recap of a hockey game just seals the deal.  Next time, despite the ladyfriend's family affection for the place, an upgrade.

Excellent Chinese food at Ba Shan.  My lesson comes from Chairman Mao, "You can't be a revolutionary if you don't eat chilies."  Note, quote is actually on the menu.

The Jurgen Teller show at the ICA?  I learned that he's more than a bad boy fashion photographer.  Great show; glad we went.  Made me rethink some of my conceptions of him as a photographer, what fashion is or isn't, and appropriate/interesting subject matter.  I also gained a new appreciation for how how amazing Charlotte Rampling is.  Seeing art really helps get the creative process going.

And I learned that there's always room for a walk in the park with the ladyfriend.  I'm looking forward to getting some of the shots she took with the fancy-schmancy DSLR she was using, including my "fashion" shots!

Kult-cha! Art and Craft

On Saturday we stopped by Mauerpark, where a section of the Berlin Wall, known as the Death Strip, remains.  The old graffiti has been replaced by what seems to be a constant updating of tags and images.  In some ways, it makes the Wall feel like just a wall.  The artwork and tags felt like they had little to do with the history, and I'm not saying one needs to stay in the past, but if you've kept a section of the Berlin Wall, I think it would be safe to assume you did it to remember its signficance.  What was also amusing is that there was really no indication that this was, indeed, a remnant of the Berlin Wall.  Good thing I was paying attention.

One of our main destinations for the day was 25Books, an amazingly well-curated shop that features only photography books.  The name refers to the books that Hannes Wanderer, the owner as well as a book publisher himself, highlights each month - both on his website and on a long table in the centre of the store.  It also has a small exhibition space in the front, where our new friend Silke Helmerdig had work up.  We'd originally thought we'd go see the show, browse some books, and then head back home.

However, it became so much more than that.  Hannes spent over two hours showing us his favourite books and talking about art.  It was great.  The bookstore carries a range of books, many of them limited editions, and Hannes introduced us to a number of European photographers with whom we were unfamiliar but whose work deserves our attention.  One of the books we picked up was Taiyo Onorato & Nico Krebs's The Great Unreal.  We bought a couple of other books, including the one associated with Silke's show, but we could've easily bought more.  Nevertheless we're not worried; not only does he do mail order, we plan to make 25Books one of our frequently visited spaces.

Art And Schnitzel

(sounds like what I should name two dogs, doesn't it?)

Last night the ladyfriend and I went out to Kreuzberg to finally have some schnitzel and to check out the Künstlerhaus Bethanien opening.  The Künstlerhaus Bethanien is an international artist-in-residence program (and is where the Canada Council houses their Berlin residency), so we were looking forward to checking out the scene.  I mean, we are here to do some work as well, and art is part of that.

But first, schnitzel.  We had yet to go out for "German" food (unless you counted the Currywurst we had on our first day) and decided it was time.  After a little bit of research we settled on Jolesch, a restaurant conveniently located in Kreuzberg.  We both ordered our schnitzel "Wiener Art," which means in the style of traditional schnitzel but using pork rather than veal.  I'm not so into veal (I try to limit the amounts of "cruel food" I eat, and I currently reserve that for foie gras - don't judge!).

The restaurant was cozy and charming, and the waitstaff was attentive.  The schnitzel was quite yummy; the pork was even "apfelschwein," which means it was humanely raised on ecologically managed lands  (can you get that in veal?).  But get this, the ladyfriend said the schnitzel I make in Hamilton (also using organic, locally-raised pork) was even better.  Oh yeah, she's a keeper!

The opening was well-attended, and while I didn't set out to write a review, here is what I'll say.  The work in general did not particularly move me - intellectually, emotionally, or psychologically - although there were two small fur sculptures by Jasper Sebastian Stürup that were nicely unsettling.  We also spoke with Michael Lee whose video "Gone Solo" piqued our interest because it reminded us of work we'd recently seen at MKG127, our gallery in Toronto.  It just happens that I am a bit fussy about concept, execution, and aesthetics.  You shouldn't be surprised.

Progress, Projects, & Promises

I managed to use at least 3/4 of the bushel of cucumbers I bought.  Some of them are fermenting away in our front room, giving the house a nice pickle smell upon entrance.  (Unfortunately one of the crocks is leaking, and I'm going to have to transfer them.)  They could be ready as early as this Saturday or as late as next Saturday. 

In addition to the long-fermenting koshers, I made a couple of batches of "Quicker Koshers," some bread and butter pickles, and some cucumber relish.  I never knew that cucumber relish could be so yummy.  All the recipes have come from Canning for a New Generation by Lianna Krissoff, a book I think is pretty great (except it doesn't mention pressure canners once, as far as I can tell - is there discrimination in the canning world?).

Tonight! Shake-n-Make at TH&B2

Shake-n-Make has a piece in the TH&B2 show, which opens tonight.  Come by the opening if you're around! 270 Sherman Street N.

(from the curators/organizers)

Tramps, Hobos & Bums // Tired, Hungry & Broke // To Hell & Back
TH&B appropriates the moniker of the defunct railway that once connected Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo, and uses it as an emblem of cultural production in this decentralized region. TH&B2 follows in the footsteps of an earlier project in 2008, in which 18 artists were invited to respond to the post-industrial context of the unoccupied third floor of 270 Sherman, a historic textile mill that has been transformed into a creative industries complex deep in the north end of Hamilton.
Focusing on site-responsive installation, sculpture, video and performance, TH&B2 sets out to connect new and established interdisciplinary artists operating in the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo corridor.

Something to Crow About

Photo by Liss Platt

There's almost nothing better than when someone you love gets credit for their work, and when the credit is glowing, it's nothing short of transcendent (at least for me). Please join me in congratulating my ladyfriend, Liss Platt, whose current show at MKG127 in Toronto received an amazing review from RM Vaughan in today's Globe and Mail. 

The Drama of It All

Our trip to Newfoundland was great.  Oh, sure, there was the near-death experience of driving in the potentially moose-laden fog, but we met lots of cool people, got to see a new (to us) province, and generally engaged in rather social behavior.

Our friends (and hosts) took us to Fogo Island.  Thankfully we had beautiful weather, which serves as a great background for these photos (taken by the ladyfriend - I'm so lazy with the photography when there's a professional around...).  The buildings (artists' studios) are for an artists' residency there.  There will be six of them in total scattered about the island.  Of the four that have been completed, we visited two and saw a third from the road.  Very cool.  Very dramatic.

Not to complain, but the weather in Nova Scotia hasn't been all that we've advertised it to be.  It's been unseasonably cold, which has prevented us from lazing about in the sun or swimming (yes, you can swim here).  I've also found that I haven't been as productive, craft-wise, as I often am although I did finish a sock today.  Nevertheless, I have to be careful not to compare each trip to the last (or to the "best of" film that plays in my mind).  I'm currently reading The Girl Who Played with Fire and that's going a long way to making it feel like a summer vacation.  The fact that we're not being boiled alive in southwestern Ontario is also a consolation.

Orb Action Available to All!

As you know, we're in Newfoundland, and one of the main reasons we're here is because the ladyfriend is doing a performance/science experiment as part of the ArtEx festival.  Tomorrow, around 10am (Newfoundland time, which is 1.5 hours ahead of New York/Toronto time), she'll be launching an orb outfitted with a digital camera and a GPS down the Exploits River.  The camera will be snapping photos every two seconds, which she'll turn into an animation once the orb's trip down the river is complete.  But you can follow the orb online in real-time because the GPS will be sending position information every 10 minutes.  Here's the link to be in on the action:  http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0qHJWFR5PVa1DYdnFPqOVMXdZ8S1RrYs3.  I'll be acting as the "lab assistant" back at the gallery, mapping out the progress of Orbie, as we call it now.  While I don't get to follow Orbie down the river,  at least I get to wear a lab coat.  I guess that, and the trip to Newfoundland, is fine recompense.

On an entirely different, but related note - does anyone know if there's a metal scene in Newfoundland?  The landscape, as we saw it before we got covered in fog yesterday, is quite conducive to thoughts of trolls, death, and the meaninglessness of life.  Right now, the only "Newfie" music I know of involves fiddles and accordians, which are nice, but not very metal.