Gogovivi

Bear with me...

...while I brag a little. If you remember my last post, I was pretty proud (though trying to be subtle about it) of Vivian's painting of a dog with its little front paw stuck out in what can only be a 1st grade mastery of perspective. She completed that project in her Chinese art class (which she attends weekly after her hour of language lessons). In China, and in this class, art is taught by the time-honored method of copying. Emulating? No, its straight-up copying, where the more your version mirrors the original, the more highly regarded it is.

I confess, the dog painting was a copy. An interpretation of a photograph, but a copy nonetheless.

This week's painting has blown the lid off that poor dog. Today Vivian painted a magnificent Christmas tree. The tree sprouted in her brain and grew out of her paintbrush into a full-fledged original work of art. Its beautiful, expressive, and original, and I think its brilliant.

I couldn't be more proud.

A Map for Living

Starting now, I am going to blog more about my creative projects. I can't promise its going to happen very often in the near future, because we are...

moving back to Portland next month!!!

and it may take me a while to get settled back into projects and blogging. But I am so very excited to be moving into my dream cottage and finally getting the chance to make it my own.

In the meantime, I have just finished what may be the best project I have ever done. I made a floor map.

I have long dreamed of having an entire wall of my house taken up by an enormous world map. But my dream cottage doesn't have a wall big enough for this project, because all the walls are punctuated with windows. But when I saw this map for sale on Taobao (the same as this map) I knew I had found the perfect map project: a map floor cloth.

The version of the map I bought is printed on canvas and is roughly 7.5x5 feet, a map big enough to sit on, to study on, to reminisce on, and to dream on. The finished floor cloth is 9x6 feet.

So here's how I did it:

I bought a 2x3 meter sheet of heavy artist's canvas from the art supply shop. One side of the canvas is natural fiber, and the other side is prepped with white primer. With the primed side up, I roughly centered the map on the canvas.

I used acrylic painting medium as an adhesive, a rubber printer's brayer (I could have also used a rolling pin), and a rubber spatula to affix the map to the canvas. I very generously applied the painting medium to the artists canvas, then used a lot of pressure on the brayer to bond the two sheets of canvas together and to eliminate air bubbles. I started from the center of the map and worked my way out to each end.

I used such a heavy coat of acrylic medium that lots of medium was pushed out under the edges of the map. I used the rubber spatula to scrape up the excess. I am not sure if acrylic medius is the best adhesive for this project, but I my access to supplies is quite limited in China. I thought it would work and it is easy for me to get, so I went with it.

After applying the adhesive, I let the map dry for a few days. In the meantime, I decided what colors I wanted for the border and mixed the acrylic paints. I think acrylic was the right choice, but again, I went with what was most readily available. After the map was dry, in what was definitely the most difficult step of the project, I stitched the entire edge of the map to the canvas with my industrial long-arm sewing machine, but I don't think this was really needed and am not sure I would do it again.

I painted the edge of the map itself with a medium green tone, covering the stitching, then finished the surrounding artist canvas with a mustard tone that compliments the tones of the map.

After the paint was dry, I marked out a 9" border on all sides of the map with a pencil and ruler. I trimmed all edges to about 2" beyond the border, to give room for a hem, and folded the canvas under along the hem line. As I folded, I rolled the edge with the brayer to form a crease (I could also have used a bone folder but didn't have one), and secured the fold with tiny binder clips.

When all edges were folded and clipped, working section by section I removed the clips and applied a heavy coat of acrylic medium, rolled again with the brayer, and replaced the clips to dry.

I let the hem dry for two days, then applied three thin coats of clear polyurethane finish to the entire cloth and let it dry for three days. Polyurethane is very expensive here, so I only used one quart. I think when I return to the U.S. I will apply another quart to make sure the map is safely sealed from damage.

This was not an inexpensive project, but since it turned out, I think it was totally worth it (but I was concerned that I might be making a very expensive mistake). The map itself cost about $110 US dollars, the artist canvas another $57, the polyurethane varnish $25, and the acrylic medium, paints, and brush were another $15 = $207 total.

Finally, the finished floor cloth. I am absolutely delighted with how it turned out. When we get back to Portland I plan to put it in the kitchen, close to, but not under, the table, so that we can remember where we have been, where our friends are, and where our friends are from.

 

 

Spring Break, Day 2

Today: Secret Clubhouse

Thank heavens that Nature decided to go easy on us. Just last week we were freezing and still wearing winter coats, but the sun has come and out Qingdao is getting warmer and green. It's the wind that keeps things frigid around here, but for some unknown reason our back garden is in a place where the wind rarely blows.

A perfect spot for a secret clubhouse.

With a elbow greast from me, and a lot of creative input on her part, Vivian directed the construction of her backyard clubhouse. The neighborhood kids soon descended, the play became all-consuming, and I have not seen her since.

 

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party; brought to you by Pinterest

I don't know what came over me this year, but for the two weeks leading up to Vivian's birthday party, I was in a frenzy of creative productivity, thanks, in part, to my favorite new web tool, Pinterest*, and the world of inspiration I find there. It all started with this pin showing off the simple, fun brilliance of party invitations delivered inside of helium-filled balloons. The "pop me" directive was a launching point for a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, and I planned much of the party around the ideas at  B.Nute's Mad Hatter party page. I ordered printable party invitations from B.Nute, and Vivian delivered them to her friends inside of colorful balloons, tied up with a Alice in Wonderland playing card tag I downloaded for free.

I thought the tea-party theme would be simpler to manage than a broader "Alice in Wonderland" theme, so I focused primarily on a tea party with fun and games thrown in. And seriously, almost every idea I came up with was inspired by Pinterest. First, I removed our dining table and replaced it with two outdoor picnic tables placed end to end. I covered the table with colorful cloth that was already in my stash, and instead of using paper, I picked up cheap and charming, mismatched kid-sized teacups and saucers for pennies at a neighborhood market stall, and then I tossed playing cards all over the table. After reading a cookie-decorating tutorial, I baked and decorated simple heart-shaped sugar cookies for the tea party and larger ones marked "Eat Me" for the take-home goody bag.

I used B.Nute's free Eat Me and Drink Me labels throughout the party, to adorn tiny bottles of juice, cookies, and treasure hunt clues. I also bought inexpensive artificial flowers and pasted each one with "googly eyes" to make them come to life.

For the kids, the highlight of the party was the treasure hunt, for which I hid Alice-themed clues around the yard to lead to the treasure box of goody bags, which was hidden on the center of the table, underneath the cake, in plain sight. Isn't my "Drink Me" bottle cute? I used free apothecary graphics for the label. I made the Mad Hatter's hat using a perfectly brilliant little tutorial and thick wool left over from a coat I made for Vivian.

By now you must have noticed the cake. Oh, that cake. It was truly a shame to destroy it (though it tasted as good as it looked!). The cake was made by my very talented and creative friend and neighbor Lawanda,** in a trade for my photography services at her daughter's recent birthday party (I think I got the better end of the deal!). The cake was inspired by this one, among others, and I gave Lawanda full artistic license to come up with a cake that fit the theme.

Needless to say, Vivian was dressed as Alice for the party, in a sweet blue dress with white pinafore that I had made for her at the tailor. She's a natural Alice: a little bit bossy, a lot clever, with an added dose of cheeky. She really looked the part, too, with her peaches-and-cream complexion and her long golden hair (which we curled in ringlets for the occasion). The photo of Alice reading the book was inspired by this Alice in Wonderland photo shoot.

I made dozens of huge tissue paper flowers, using these instructions, and hung them from the ceiling along with organza ribbon and vintage-style glass Christmas tree ornaments.

The party activities were pretty simple: a coloring activity using a pocket watch graphic, a game of Pin the Smile on the Cheshire Cat, and White Rabbit Hop races using sacks I made from leftover fabrics.

The Happy Birthday banner was downloaded here, I made vintage playing card banners using free downloads, and I made a "Vivian" banner using this free downloadable alphabet banner.

Oh my goodness, even though I had a great time and it was a delight to see Vivian so blissed out as Alice, I realize now why I was so tired. I think I deserve a nap.

*Almost all links via Pinterest.

**Lawanda's husband Jerry blogs about life in China and the mysteries of cultures at The Culture Blend. Read it; its a brilliant blog.

Looking at Myself: Twinkle

Meet Twinkle. Twinkle is a guinea pig. She is a girl who busy eating and getting fat in her new home. Or possibly her cagemate, Pebbles, is actually a boy instead of a girl.

We are hoping for the former.

Looking at Myself: Self-portraiture

I've been suffering from photographer's malaise. It started at the end of June when I ended my portrait work for the summer. I was feeling tired, uninspired, and I couldn't even be bothered to carry my camera with me when visiting such photogenic places as, say, Prague. One of the most photographically inspiring cities in the world, and all I carried was my iPhone. I feel like I am up against a creative wall. Its a feeling I know well, because I have here before. In the past, similar situations have led me to dramatic measures like a complete change of creative direction. The last time I was up against a creative wall was when I closed my Etsy shop (I used to design and handmake leather handbags). That's when this current photography bug hatched.

I am feeling frightened and anxious about this malaise. I don't want to burn out with photography, I want to get over this hump, not quit. I want to feel high on creative energy, full of ideas, and excited to press the shutter. I want to continue to grow my skills and my creativity, to build a portfolio of images of which I am supremely proud, and to build confidence.

Self-portrait #1

Confidence is the kicker. I know my way around a camera. I have a good eye for composition. I can take a good picture. But when it comes to working with other people, to being "on" and needing to produce a pleasing, technically correct, and creative product, I sorta lose my confidence. And that, the losing it, I attribute to lack of experience. Some moments, when I am in a creative groove, and feeling it flow with the person I am photographing (a recent session in a swimming pool comes to mind, more later) I forget about myself and forget about the photographer-subject dynamic, and just flow. And the shots I love, the creative, well-composed, and well exposed shots, follow. In those moments, I am a photographer.

How do I get from malaise to flow? I need practice. I need hours behind the camera, experimenting with lighting, exposure, setting. I need a subject who never complains and never questions my creative vision. I need me.

Welcome to my self-portraiture project. I will be showing up here, weekly or semi-weekly, perhaps even twice a week, offering my creative vision of myself. For a photographer, being in front of the camera is to be in a vulnerable position. Please be gentle.

Linking up with Tuesdays around the World at Communal Global and Sweet Shot Tuesday at My 3 Boybarians.

 

Rites of Spring

Coloring Easter Eggs

Striped egg inspiration from Martha Stewart via Indie Fixx

 

Hot Cross Buns

Recipe from The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion, or online here

 

Egg Hunt

Easter Basket complete with Easter Chicken and felt chicks handmade by moi

Chicken and felt chicks pattern from Myrtle & Eunice

Linking up with the Simple Things this week. Click over to check out other Easters in other places!

In a Community of Artists

Last night I attended a gallery opening like no other I have ever been to. I am in Busan, Korea right now, visiting friends for a week. You might recall that I used to live in Busan; I spent three years here beginning in January 2005.

When I moved to Busan, I heard my neighborhood called "The Montmartre" of Korea many times, and I always sniffed and laughed derisively. But now, more than two years since we left this part of the world, I can finally begin to see it and apprediate Dajmaji Hill for what it is: a vibrant residential comunity liberally sprinkled with galleries.

Before the opening

I didn't much appreciate the galleries when I lived here, and I suppose that's because I took for granted the availability of art, the presence of artists, and places to view art. I have always lived in places where art in galleries, museums, and public art were a given. But now that I live in Qingdao, a place that is largely (to my knowledge) devoid of visual art and places to view it, I see this community in Korea in a different light, and I have so much appreciation for what has been built here.

My dear friend Sarah Hannevik

But back to last night. This gallery show was a group show of professional and amateur artists affiliated with the Busan International Women's Association, a philanthropic charity organization made up of a dynamic blend of expats and locals. It was an inspiring night for me. Having become a visual artist of sorts, and feeling the lack of an artist community where I live, I longed to be part of the show: to experience the success of a group show, to exhibit my own work, and to know that I live in a place where the community values this kind of event.

But the thing that strikes me is that I never knew that among people I knew in Busan, in a relatively small expat community, were counted so many artists. Sure, I knew of one or two, but eighteen artists participated in the event, and there were others whose work could have been there but weren't. Eighteen artists that I didn't know about.

A few of the artists and friends

A seed of inspiration has been planted in my little head. Qingdao has a vibrant music scene, an annual expat theater production, and a new performing arts center. Why not seek out the artists among us, find a venue, and arrange a community art show? I am volunteering to help out with a project like this in a big way. Anyone else out there interested?

Anyone? Anyone?

Wednesdays with Vivian: Constructing creativity

Vivian has been going through this amazing creative phase lately. And I.LOVE.IT!

It started when her preschool eliminated the quiet/naptime for the 5-year old children (in preparation for 1st year school next year). What used to be naptime/quiet time/reading time is now arts and crafts time, and she is exploding with ideas. Typically, she uses recycled boxes and cartons for her construction projects, but she is inspired by legos and more traditional building materials, as well.

This one is a boat made from empty water bottles, food boxes, paper towel tubes, and feathers, of course. She stores her jewelry inside.

Today, on her day off, she spent the first hour, before breakfast, building lego houses and boats for her toy owl. Then she moved on to construction in the "arts and crafts" room, when she built a laptop computer from an empty beer box.

The only downside to this burst of creativity is that our house is quickly filling up with these construction projects. And they're not small, no indeed not.

 

Its all about the process

I had a revelation recently, while I was sewing a cute little sweatshirt for Vivian. I haven’t sewn anything in months, and I had been recognizing how badly I wanted my creative process to get out from behind the computer and start doing something more tactile than pushing buttons.

Because it seems like pushing buttons is all I do these days. Whether its the shutter button, the keys on my keyboard, or the touch screen on my phone, even the button on my food processor, and now, most recently, on my Kindle, my life is button-centric.

Buttons don’t feel very good. They lack the texture of cloth or leather. They lack the cool smoothness of a steel hammer. They’re not tacky like glue or paint, they are not colorful, they lack sheen: they are just not interesting. But the other materials I used to work with, now those feel good to the hands and to the eyes. They satisfy the senses, and my senses need satisfying.

Toward the middle of the sweatshirt project, I noticed that the sleeves seemed a little skinny, a little narrow even for my waif’s slender little limbs. As I held it up for further inspection, I thought that the shirt probably wouldn’t even fit Vivian.

>And then the revelation arrived. I knew that the sweatshirt would not fit, but I wasn’t too concerned. I wasn’t making it because Vivian needs a clothing, exactly. I was making it because I had the materials on hand, because it was cute, and because I simply wanted to make something. I just wanted to make, to be immersed in process, and I wasn’t at all fussed about the outcome.

Process and outcome have been on my mind constantly in recent weeks, because I have started on a big project that really going to challenge me, and to keep the outcome hounds at bay, I focus on the process. I have certain hopes and expectations about the outcome, but I am trying to keep it secondary. But then it creeps back: what if I spent a year, two, three, working on this thing and nobody likes it? What if someone tells me its worthless and a waste of time? That could definitely happen, but it doesn’t really matter, because my primary goals aren’t connected to the outcome. They are connected more to the process, to the doing of the thing. Of course, when I am finished I would like the world to erupt in a heavenly chorus in my honor, but in all likelihood, they won’t, and I am ok with that. I am not trying to change the world. I am just trying to do what I think I need to do. I need the process.

But this is not the revelation. The revelation was about my Etsy shop, and why one day I was loving it and, it seems, just a few minutes later, all the joy was gone and the handmade bag business had become a soul-crushing burden. I loved designing and building bags for the process, not for the outcome. When I opened my Etsy shop, I was new to designing and making handbags and the process was fun and exciting. But when I got more serious about bags, I lost the process part and focused only on the outcome. Outcome = flawless bags, perfect leather, happy customers, profit. For a while focusing on the outcome was satisfying, but ultimately I lost the pleasure of the process, and that was the beginning of the end.

It was incredibly satisfying and soothing to finally understand why I lost interest in my bag business. It's not that I'm just flaky, or I can't focus, or even that I have no head for business (because considering that I never lost money, I don't think that's true). What true is that I create for the joy of creating, not the joy of accumulating wealth. Simple and true.