Snowed In

In the Greater Toronto Area we had an unseasonably dry November. Today, it is finally snowing. Unfortunately, it is very heavy, wet, slushy snow. Hard to shovel. Wet on the clothes.

We knew the "storm" was coming and I planned for it. Yesterday, I was out running errands and doing Christmas shopping knowing I wouldn't want to be in traffic today if I didn't have to.

So, I am in all day and quite enjoying it. We are lucky to have a wood-burning fireplace. I don't usually light a fire during the day but it seems to add to the festive projects I need to get done. Our tree needs lights before we decorate it tonight. The hidden gifts I have bought so far are in various places around the house. I need to organize them before I forget what I put where. And, I finished making our Christmas cards last night. It would be great if I could get them all signed and ready for the mail tomorrow.

Many blogs are focusing on traditions these days. Making my own Christmas cards is a tradition I have had for 15+ years. Here is a peek at our card this year. I cut the ornament from lino and used a basic black stamp pad for the ink. Then I painted it with watercolours. Time to go sign them.

Illustration Friday - Unbalanced

Christmas editions

Today was splurge-at-the-magazine-stand day. It happens every mid-November when the juicy Christmas editions of some of my favourite magazines hit the stands.

From top to bottom, I bought, Canadian Living, Style-At-Home, Canadian House & Home, Oprah, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple and Country Living. Three Canadian, three American and one British.

The British one I bought, Country Living, is actually the edition before the holiday. I guess the magazines from the UK are shipped by boat, thus the delay. Country Living is a magazine I buy more than any other throughout the year. I am not a "country" girl per se. This magazine seems to highlight artisans which is the attraction for me.

Anyone who knows me can tell you I keep my magazines, especially Christmas ones, for a long time. Years. And, when I am finally ready to part with an edition, I look through it one more time and tear out any pages I want to save... gorgeous photos, lovely wrap/gift ideas, even beautiful typography. I am sure you know what I mean... like the beautiful inspiration I see daily on the fabulous blogs I peruse. It sounds as if I am talking myself out of a tradition... maybe next year I will be more engaged in this creative blogging realm and not find the desire to splurge at the newsstand. I doubt it...

Illustration Friday - Skinny

My contribution to this week's Illustration Friday is a drawing of seven, from dozens of existing, skinny houses from around the world. They are located in (left to right): Canada, United States, United States, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Portugal, United States.

Inspire Me Thursday --- Mademoiselle Caroline Rivière

Here is my work for this week’s contribution at Inspire Me Thursday.

My first banner

Belise on Paper has been in the blogisphere for almost two months now and I think it is time to create a banner.

What to do... what to do... ?

It was probably procrastination that told me I should "print" my own paper for my banner. So, out come the printing ink, a roller, a sheet of Plexiglas and some paper (mostly Japanese Unryu tissue). For some pages my rough technique was to roll printing ink on the Plexiglas and scrape off the negative areas. For other pages I painted on the ink in a random way. I also used watercolours which bead on the Plexiglas but soak and bleed beautifully into the tissue.

Here are some examples of what I created:

This kind of project is good for me. I tried really hard to just let go and not think about what to do. My background in graphic design, where every element of design has a purpose, is still strongly part of my creative being.

I now have many new ideas for printmaking the next time.

Illustration Friday - Pattern

Molecular Autumn

Here is my first contribution to Illustration Friday.

It's that time of year again...

Yes, here in North America, it is back to school time. My two grade-school children started yesterday. But, it is also when I create my annual Christmas List book.

Inside at the top of each page is a name of someone I will buy (or make) a Christmas gift for. The very first page I title My Wishes. That way if someone accidentally opens up the book they won't spoil any surprises. I make it at this time of year not because I am super-keen to get started with Christmas preparations, but so I can write down any gift ideas I get and have it all in one place.

Every year I make a new cover design and print it on card stock. Six plain sheets of copy paper are used for the text pages. Two staples at the spine hold it all together. The result: a 3.5" x 7" practical booklet with 24 pages for notes.

This is my 18th consecutive Christmas List booklet.

Earth Art Exhibit

Next weekend I will be visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. From July 3 to October 12 at the RBG one can view the amazing Earth Art Exhibit. Many artists from around the world have created one-of-a-kind installations of art using natural materials and plants.

More information can be found here.

One of my favourite pieces from last year is called

V = B0 + B1 *D^ B2 + B3 *D^ B4 *H^ B5 by Neville Gabie.

From the program: The title of the work is the mathematical equation used by foresters to calculate the total cubic volume of wood in a tree by measuring its girth and height while it is still standing. Using this formula, science and conservation staff of the Royal Botanical Gardens calculated the total volume of this red oak (killed by gypsy moths) before it was cut down. The resulting work is the entire tree, from the largest sections of the trunk to the smallest branches, cut into cubes and packed as a solid block in its original location.

Teeny tiny doodles

I really like my 4" x 6" black, hard-cover sketchbook. It fits well in my purse or bag.

In it you would find notes on current art projects, house decorating ideas, lists, sketches, etc. The above doodles I started when I wasn't thrilled with what I saw in front of me. I drew out the frames first which measure appoximately 1.5" by 1.75". Then I filled them one by one. You don't have to commit a lot of time and, if you have to stop, you can easily restart again.