A New Passion: Pastels

It’s always exciting to discover something you’ve never done before and to find out that you love it. Five months ago I took a weekend workshop with master pastel artist, David Shklolny, one of the presenters for the ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists) conference for which I volunteered as a committee member. I can’t say what I came up with was any good but … Continue reading A New Passion: Pastels

The Prairies UnLike You’ve Ever Seen

Every once in a while I’m asked to do something special. In this case I’m talking about a student of mine, Judy Weiss, who chose me as her mentor for her graduating show for her Fine Arts Certificate at the University of Alberta. My major at the Alberta College of Art and Design was textiles, and, given that this was the medium that Judy works … Continue reading The Prairies UnLike You’ve Ever Seen

Cindy's skill as a graphic designer is obvious in this book plate.

Double Talents: Cindy McLaren

There’s no shortage of talented interior-decorators-to-be in the Residential Interiors Certificate Program I teach for the University of Alberta in Edmonton but occasionally I come across a student that is not only talented in that field but also in another. I’ve written blogs on other students before but this time I’m talking about Cindy (Cynthia) McLaren, interior decorator and artist. Cindy was born in Prince Edward County, … Continue reading Double Talents: Cindy McLaren

Art Nouveau Furniture & Antonio Gaudi

You cannot travel to Barcelona without encountering the name Gaudi. He created unusual architectural environments such as Park Guell and of course is best known for his magnum opus, the cathedral of Sagrada Familia. Gaudi was one of the proponents of Art Nouveau design or Modernismo as it was known in Spain. Apart from his  architectural feats in his cherished home town of Barcelona, he … Continue reading Art Nouveau Furniture & Antonio Gaudi