If this sounds like you, I’m not surprised. There’s a couple of basic things that will help. First of all, WRITE your password down when you set up the account, exactly as you have entered it. While you’re at it, write down the your user name, the account name, the name of the service, maybe a description of what it does, the date, and anything else you might need. Before you even consider trotting out the words “it’s boring” or “I don’t have time” or anything else silly like that, consider how much time and energy you spend dealing with the consequences. Keep going, write down all you passwords in a special place. Don’t share, unless you trust the other person/people, even if they are your life partner of 3o years.

If you move around a lot, write your passwords down in a document and password protect that document. Yes, there are other ways to do this. And if you know a better one, let me know.

If you are having a lot of trouble, prevail on the tech type in your family. Or if you have a friend that offered to help, accept. Together, you’ll work through the issues to hopefully resolve the problem.

Have I said exactly what to do? No, can’t do that. I won’t know writing this what exactly you have to deal with. Once you do get things working, write down your new password and account details, and save yourself a little effort.

The palette for the outfits was black and cream: a cream knee-length skirt, with a black Jacquard blouson jacket, a black sheath dress with discreet herringbone weave, same blouson jacket and cream trench coat, a black skirt, in a glossy fabric shot with closely spaced vertical running stitch of silver, a top with chiffon ruffles and vintage short black satin Kay Silver evening jacket that my Mom used to wear. Shoes were a pair of Michael Kors, round toe, mid heel black patent pumps. Click here for a few candid shots.

Clothing came from Jacqueline Connoir. A shout out to Rozemerie Cuevas and Shannon Belsito for making it so easy to dress beautifully.

You will start this project using a scanned image of a self portrait created in a previous project. The self project was shot in film and printed in the darkroom. You will also have collected 3 images: a shot of a book that means something to you, a photo of your phone/ipod/other personal comm device and a mug. These three images and the portrait will be loaded onto your laptop.

Have a look at the original image and the two drafts. A step by step instruction booklet will be available.

Techniques used:
text on a path
Adjustment layers: curves and black/white
Pattern fill, using more than one pattern, including existing pattern from image
Rasterize pattern fill
Use layers effects
Quick mask
Replace channel
use pen tool to create shapes
Use pen tool to create a shadow under an object
Create reflection
Use transform tools
etc.

The L’Chaim logotype was removed to deal with the meaning of the word: life. It is not suitable for a card sent to acknowledge a death or other sad occasions. It may be used as part of the printed text inside the card.

Tribute card v.3 - Proof of Concept

Tribute card logotype - Proof of Concept

Tribute card v.1 - Proof of Concept

Tribute card v.2 - Proof of Concept

She looks at where emissions are in our food system and how to reduce them. She’d love to encourage people not to choose “low carbon food” (as we don’t really know what that is yet), but to consider what values and ethical principles they find important when making food purchasing decisions.

Since I met her just outside of the Kitsilano Farmers Market, we got to talking about food. More specifically, the hows and whys of the choices we make.  Sometimes people will only eat a certain kind of food, like frozen dinners or fast food. We know there are better options out there. But better for what?  Try getting a healthy, budget friendly meal on the table after a long work day.  Try getting a decent meal on the table when schedules are squeaky tight.

Fresh produce from the farmers’ market is sublime, responsible and begins to address the real cost of food.  The farmers deserve what they get.

What about the household food budget? There’s a dilemma. You might say, cut down your spending in other areas.  What if you are already doing that? What if you can barely afford to feed your family?

Not long after meeting her, I was at the Petley Jones Gallery.  Xanthan Investigation #1 and Xanthan Investigation #2, drawings by Pilar Mehlis, convey an imaginative and unusual perspective on the origins of our food.

So, Tegan’s asking us, think about this before you eat that.

Beautiful Evidence

Being an artist, among other things, I am heavily influenced by a book’s cover. I know that’s not fair or right. As hard as I try to fight it, I have trouble choosing a book with a cover I don’t like. But I do manage to overcome that prejudice, so all you writers out there can sit back down in front of your computer and keep working on your next literary masterpiece.

I became a diehard tufteian from then on. ‘Beautiful Evidence’ has a few chapters on the principles of analytical design, the cognitive style of PowerPoint. His outspoken criticisms of PP can be found here. He advocates for better clarity. I worked through ‘Envisioning Information’. Another book, ‘Visual Explanations’ contains a stunning dissection of the factors that led to the fatal decision to launch the Challenger. I soon began to incorporate the principles he espouses into my work and art.

All because the cover caught my eye.

She is a consummate educator – inspired and committed to seeing her students flourish.  Her subjects of choice are art and digital photography. She seeks out new approaches and ideas with an almost childlike reverence. I wish I could take a course from her. Though in a way I do. Every so often, we carve out the space to spend some time together. This week we are going to enjoy some art. That includes a trip the Vancouver Art Gallery a stroll along Granville Street Gallery ‘row’ that includes, among others, the Winsor Gallery, Bau-xi Gallery, the Diane Farris Gallery, Petley Jones Gallery and Equinox Gallery.

When you need to rediscover the core belief in yourself and your talents, turn to those who know you well enough to tell you the truth and care enough to bolster your spirit.

Better yet, be that person to yourself and others everyday. Life is a lot easier that way.

By looking around you. What makes you happy when you look at it?

I was at the Port Coquitlam farmer’s market last week. I love the romance they offer this city girl. These incredibly hard working farmers distill months of diligent labour into the gems of fresh picked goodness. Imagine baskets of beautiful garlic or non-symmetrical bunches of carrots. Take your pick of Bing or Syliva cherries. Sylvias are rich and over the top sweet, but I prefer the fleshy, full and sweet taste of Bings. They finish with a hint of tartness that is most satisfying. This may be a travesty, but cold from the fridge on a hot summer day, there is nothing better. Look at the enticing display as inspiration for composition. Form and colour are clearly expressed to create the most pleasing arrangement possible.

I didn’t know there were so many varieties of garlic. Thanks to Al Kozak from Duende Farm, now I do. From a culinary and farming perspective, Al is amazingly helpful and knowledgeable.  Artistically, the garlic speaks for itself. The garlic scapes I chose are an understated, clear shade of green with a beautiful arced curve. There is an elegant, natural geometry to it. The range and subtlety of the shades are appealing and present some interesting tonal possibilities.

At this point, you maybe asking yourself another question. “Why is she telling me this?”

Because.

Inspiration helps us get through the sometimes tough slogging of getting a work done, whether you are just starting or an accomplished artist.

So if it is a bad day for painting, try your best, get some work done. Then go out and remind yourself what made you want to do this in the first place.

No, I don’t get ‘satisfaction’ from a clean house. My hands and wrists sometimes hurt after. And it’s not just a matter of age, even though my 50th is only months away. I don’t feel like a better person for having reduced a huge pile of paper to something manageable. I would be happy if I didn’t have to cook again for months (unless I feel like it). I have already told my husband this, so this will come as no surprise to him. To family and friends out there, yes I will bake something, if you ask me, as long as you give me enough time and let me pick what I want.

Here’s a list of excuses. A big shout out to Merlin Mann and Seth Godin.

I don’t have time
I am too tired
I don’t know how
I don’t know who to ask about this
People will laugh
I can’t afford it
I don’t have room
I can’t (I won’t)
I’m stupid

If I missed your excuse, send it to me, so I can add it.

You should go through the list, find your favourite excuses. Let them go. You are ready to start working.