BealArt Show 2012

Last weekend was the annual showcase of the work of the students in the BealArt program at H.B. Beal Secondary School.  BealArt provides an excellent foundation of training for students, with the opportunity to learn from talented and well-respected artists - many of Canada's renowned artists have graduated from the program.  Each year, students exhibit their creations in the mediums of sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, textiles and pottery.  There are always a few students whose work displays a talent and maturity beyond their years, and I like to walk around the exhibit making mental notes of my favourites. 

As I was taking a photo of the beautiful blue, beige and white stoneware in the background, a young man asked if I would like a photo with the artist (I love coincidences like that).  It was even cooler that Beal student Devin Geroux was dressed to match the colours of his work.

"Morphing Bench" constructed of copper wire by Manar Shams.  I loved this piece, which was approximately a foot high, and priced at only $40, but it had already sold.

Manar Shams also created this piece in the show, titled "The Dragon Warrior" from paper, cardboard and fabric.

Painting by Carson Teal

 

Another piece in the show by Carson Teal, "Reokkur", done in pencil crayon and ink

This stylish young woman had some of her drawings in the show. 

She was wearing the most awesome ring, which she said was from Budapest

I had more photos from the show than I originally thought, so I will post a "Part Two" this weekend!

Floral Inspiration

There is a house a block away from me that has the most beautiful garden in front, and the owner spends hours each spring and summer planting, pruning and weeding.  There are lovely rose bushes, and I was admiring them the other day when the owner came out with some snips and cut me some to take home.  I put them in my favourite vase and although they only lasted a couple of days, I stopped to smell them every time I walked by - the orange ones had the most delicious "rose" scent, unlike the ones you get from the florist.  I was loving the combination of the orange and purple-red, and lo and behold....inspiration struck!

I had purchased the orange linen shirt at Winners because I fell in love with the colour but then I got home and realized that other than navy, I really didn't have much to wear it with as my closet is overrun with primarily black pants and skirts.  Then I remembered these purple/pink skinny pants I'd had for several years

I even managed to work some green in there with my favourite (and very comfortable) ankle strap heels.  The striped socks didn't really go with the rest of the outfit, but stripes make me happy.

To push the colour-meter over the edge, I added a brooch that my friend refers to as a "Yarn Barf".

I don't have a photo of the whole outfit because of my pathetic inability to take an in-focus full length shot with my camera on a tripod, so I had to make do with bits and pieces.  You get the idea.

Man Eaters, Beads, & Johnny Cash - Mallory Knox Loves' Em All

I know it's been ages (in blogosphere time) since I posted, and all I have to say for myself is that a) I am coping with Carpel Tunnel that has forced me to spend less time on my computer and wear ugly things on my arm and wrists while at work and b) my outfits (and it seems, everyone else's) have been less than inspiring this week.  However, I discovered THE MOST FREAKTASTIC jewellery last week and have to tell you about it and the awesome dame that makes it:

Behold, dear reader, the "Maneater" necklace, created by Tammy Brown (aka Mallory Knox in her jewellery making life).  Lovesick is carrying her jewellery, and when I saw this - beads, a skeleton, and a raven-haired dame with an animal claw dripping blood - I nearly swooned over the sheer crazy-coolness of it all (and took it home, of course).  Her jewellery combines pop culture references, rockabilly themes, and aboriginal beadwork techniques.  Other necklaces have featured Cyndi Lauper, Danny and Sandy from Grease, Johnny Cash (my personal fave), Lily Munster, Dolly Parton, and Marilyn Monroe.  Lovesick is also carrying some of Knox's adorable heart and flower earrings, and an ultra-fab owl pin that she transformed with some gorgeous beadwork.  I emailed Knox to find out more about her, and her jewellery and as we couldn't get together she sent me a photo of herself:

If her jewellery wasn't enough to inspire a girl crush, her "I Love Lucy"- inspired look just sealed it.

Knox started making jewellery about 8 years ago, using wire and beads, and after a few years, her mother-in-law suggested she try her hand at aboriginal style beadwork.  Knox is non-aboriginal, but her youngest daughter, and extended family, are Ojibwe, and their positive support helped her overcome her initial hesitation at trying the art form.  In the last few years she has developed her own style and mixes traditional beadwork with pop culture, all with a vintage flair.   

Knox loves old jewellery, especially the colours from the 40's & 50's like mint green, pinks, buttery yellows and teal.  The glamour of dressing up in the 1940's, even just to go to the grocery store, and the rebelliousness of the 50's, with the bad boys and fast cars, are inspirations for her creations, which are not for the faint of heart.  Wear a necklace featuring bold beadwork and Johnny Cash flipping the bird, and you're going to get noticed.   

Prices for necklaces start around $30 and up for more elaborate pieces.  You can see more of her jewellery on her facebook page here, and on her website createbeautifulbeads.com which she shares with another crafty dame, Mrs. P, who works in fabric and fibre under the moniker of Sew Phat, and also has some of her work for sale at Lovesick.