everything's tentacles these days: unfurling fiddleheads

unfurling fiddleheads, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Today's trail walk with the guys.

fibre friday: finished the moebius wrap!

fibre friday: finished the moebius wrap!, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Yes - it's finished (at last). I need to weave in the ends then block the whole darn thing.

Somehow, I've managed to create stocking stitch for a band. I think I might have reversed the knitting direction???

How?

studio portrait 16may13: what is one hundred?

what is one hundred?, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

This excited and colourful jumble is a WIP for an exhibition.

Yes - I'm making stuff again. Slow start. Experimenting. Feeling my way.

But it's a start.

A colourful start.

wordless wednesday: (could be) inspiration

late afternoon inlet walk, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

new toys mean late night play

...  and no, it's not an adult - themed post so quit smirking.
Yesterday the  Wee Guy and I paid a visit to our fave local arts supply store  Colours (on  Lougheed just before  Metro Ford going east ). He was after more cartooning supplies; I was on a mission for more oil bars.

If you've never used oil bars before you are missing a treat. They are expensive but once you dig into their buttery goodness you will be hooked.

They work like a crayon and like paint. You can draw with them. You can scoop them with a trowel. You can thin them with linseed and use a brush. They mix. They smear. They are full contact art. And they are dry within 3-4 days.

Check out the Winsor and Newton product page for more info.

The sketch shown above was created using cadmium yellow light,  cadmium red dark,  ultramarine and soft mixing white, with synthetic linseed as a diluent.

stop what you're doing and pay attention to me

stop what you're doing and pay attention to me, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

at my feet this evening

fibre friday: save Capilano Studio Arts and textile Program!

Facing over $1 million in provincial funding cuts, Capilano University has made the sudden and shocking decision to cut its Studio Arts and Textile Arts programs almost immediately. Teachers and students were warned this week that their classes would not continue, although those already enrolled in two-year courses should be able to complete.

Arts and creativity is an easy thing to cut. It doesn't make anything productive; it's not associated with great wealth generation; apparently anyone can do it, and how exactly does it benefit society? If you're the average person on the street, then this probably mirrors your opinion of funding arts and artists with public funds. However, if you stop and think, then take a look around you, you'll see just how much art impacts your daily life.

Those little icons on the elevator panel, the visual instructions on a wrapper, the font and layout of the timetable you're reading - all created initially by an artistic human being.

The cute designs on clothing you pick out for your kid, or even the packaging it comes home in ...

The upholstery for your tush on transit ...

Amazing infograms, explanatory visuals, display signage at the museum, emergency exits, stores ...

This jar of strawberry jam or another one?

Where do I put my ticket?

Which way do I run to get out quickly?

Art is everywhere, and by cutting down on exposure to learning and development in the subject, we're cutting down on the usability of our world and stunting our human experience.

Remember that amazing Winter Olympics Opening spectacle? when we welcomed the world to our city, showing what we were capable of?
Now try re-imagining it without the art -would it inspire you to visit Vancouver?

Please sign the petition and add your creative voice to the debate.