Body Image Barbie

That would be a most appropriate name for a new breed of Barbie wouldn't it? Here's my most recent installation, which was completed without ever attending my class. I love how once I got permission to be in the class, I was so kindly informed that I had a sculpture due for my first class. This is what came out. Done with mostly found objects, following the criteria that I would use repetitions of something found at a second hand store. Barbie was my willing participant and of course is something that many people can relate to either through commercials, as a pop culture icon or having played with one as a child. I also made the swing that the dolls are glued onto. While at first, many may dismiss this as "junk art", take a moment to consider the unique effect and socioemotional significance of this piece. I wish I had photographed it in class, where it was properly installed away from the wall, giving more of the impression that it is a swing. I also want the rope to be hanging from two different hooks if in a gallery setting. I won't say any more, so please post any comments...I'd love some feedback. Click on image for more detail.

Beauty is the Beast: dolls, pine, rope and glue

up close and personal with the coiffed hair

Doggie style

these are my beloved dog friends in vancouver. princess the german shepherd and chinook the sensitive husky. princess is savage. chinook is soulful and sometimes aloof. what a combo. i feel sorry for chinook sometimes because princess doesn't know her own strength. but look how cute they are!

east to west

i already miss deans even though he's only been away for 9 hours. but this is super productive time for me. i need to get myself together. this school year started off with a lot of frustration. so preoccupied with commissions, the stresses and ultimate black hole of creativity on demand and just the constant monkey on my back called my play. now that i've finally gotten into the proper class i signed up for, i have an installation due even though i've never even been to class. great. but sculpture and installation are back in my life and i'm so liberated by it! after so much technical focus, i'm finally being encouraged again to be as crazy and out there as i want. my last few days have been spent staring at the collection of barbies i've acquired from value village for my next piece.

anyway, i've strayed from my initial point which was to marvel at dean's ability to fly from toronto to vancouver in just his swimming trunks!

Commission me!

From the Earth Come the Flowers, acrylic and water soluble crayon on canvas

Here's my first commissioned painting...how exciting. I have another commission in the works as well!!!! Feels good. I feel something is evolving...I'm trying to identify my style and while for the longest time I didn't think I had one, I think it's coming out slowly. This piece is called "From the Earth Come the Flowers" done in acrylic and water-soluble crayons on canvas.

Hello 2007!

I love new beginnings. My birthday just happens to take place just before the holidays, so it kinda all culminates with the coming of the new year. It didn't occur to me this year to look back and reflect. It also didn't occur to me to make any resolutions. Maybe I should have. There obviously has been this indecisive theme leading up to this point. Having thought about it a bit more, yes 2006 was an eventful year that has come with it's share of tremendous joy, great pain and yet wonderful growth. stakes are high. I guess that's just more reason for us all to not take things too seriously. I mean if I did, then I'd never take risks, never challenge myself with something I might fail at, never really live...just maintain some status quo. I walk into 2007 with open arms, more maturity and more humility than before. I hope to do a million things that I'm afraid of and be all the richer for it. It's gonna be a good year!