by Marja-Leena

end of November

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‘Tis the last day of the month of November, and the last day of this month’s challenge to write a blog post daily. I’ve not done this before and must admit It has been a struggle sometimes, especially the last while when I’ve been extra busy in the studio and then very tired in the evenings. I’m not sure I’d do it again, though my friend Jean speaks very well for the daily practice. Thank you all for reading!

Now on to December and preparations for the winter solstice celebrations. I managed to print my cards today so I feel a gratifying sense of accomplishment.

November 30, 2010 in Being an Artist, Blogging 17 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

math in cuneiform

I’m no mathematician but I’d like to point you to a fascinating review in the New York Times: Masters of Math, From Old Babylon. I wish I could see this this exhibition in person, however the online information and photos are very good. These clay tablets used in ancient mathematics predate Pythagoras by more than a thousand years, so they are truly an incredible discovery.

I like the look of cuneiform script as a type of ancient writing on tablets and I particularly love them just as sculptural art forms. I recall last year admiring the (non-math) cuneiform tablets in the British Museum such as the one below which I scanned from a BM postcard I’d picked up. It is very much younger being only from the 7th century BC.

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Related in a fun way is this long ago post on cuneiform writing.

November 29, 2010 in History, Rock Art & Archaeology 4 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

droplets

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Busy days now. After completing the printing of two editions last week, yesterday I did some more work on the third piece which I plan to edition on Monday. Today I put together a stack of prints for the print sale on Wednesday. Then I started to design my Christmas card, a bit late, but hopefully I can get it ready and printed sometime this coming week as well. Somewhere amidst all this I need to start the letters.

I enjoyed a quick break from my work today to step outside into the garden to have a look at the amazing drops of rain and melted snow (from overnight) beading on the leaves and buds. I had trouble getting them in focus with the macro lens, being too busy to get the tripod, but these two worked well.

November 28, 2010 in Being an Artist, Nature, Photoworks 8 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

the art instinct

I heard a fascinating podcast quite some time ago on CBC Radio’s IDEAS Podcasts and had saved the link, meaning to share it on my blog. Forgotten though it was, I found it again today as I was going through some files this afternoon. The Art Instinct was aired last February 8th, 2010 so it’s not currently available online. If you have about an hour to listen to it, I hope the link works for you and you enjoy it as much as I did.

Here’s the introduction:

Human tastes in the arts are evolutionary traits shaped by natural selection. So says Denis Dutton who argues that our love of beauty is inborn and shaped by evolution. Beauty, pleasure and skills are essential human values.

Right click to Download The Art Instinct
 [mp3 file: runs 54:01]
After hearing this excellent interview, of course I want to read the book! I know it’s been out for a couple of years. Have you read it?

November 27, 2010 in Books, Concepts, Rock Art & Archaeology Comments Off on the art instinct

by Marja-Leena

Capilano U print sale

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It’s that time of year again, even at the Studio Art printmaking department at Capilano University’s North Vancouver campus! The ever-popular Annual Print Sale is next Wednesday, featuring intaglio, relief, silk screen and digital prints created by students, Art Institute members and faculty in the Studio Art program. If you live in the Vancouver area, please come and support the students and get some reasonably priced original artworks for some lucky people on your gift list, including yourself!
Here are directions to Capilano University in North Vancouver. Note also the campus and parking maps.

November 26, 2010 in Printmaking 3 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

snow white

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A week of unusually cold weather has ended with warmer temperatures and snow falling last night and most of today. Roads and walks were treacherous with heavy wet snow but it is so beautiful. Sadly the rain is following and it’s already a mess out there. I put in a long and productive day in the studio today but I might work at home tomorrow.

Oh! A belated Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family in the US! I can’t believe that we are only a month away from Christmas.

November 25, 2010 in Nature, Photoworks 7 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

the pencil cup

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Do you keep a cup or mug on your desk to hold your pens and pencils? Next to this computer is a desk lamp with a heavy indented base which holds my ‘stuff’. This evening I had the urge to clean it up a bit, then another urge to scan it all – a virtual ‘show and tell’ if you like. Not that exciting, is it? What do you have in your pencil cup?

November 24, 2010 in Being an Artist, Found Objects, Photoworks 10 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

pattern of leaves

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In spite of an unusual-for-us cold snap and biting winds of early winter, there are still leaves on many trees, such as these Japanese maples.

November 23, 2010 in Canada and BC, Nature 5 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

more Mary Anning

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Ichthyosaur skull, Lyme Regis Museum, UK

Some readers may recall a post I wrote about a book which I enjoyed reading while on vacation last spring at our favourite spot on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Yesterday, in my rounds of blog visits, I was excited to see Kris’s Archaeology Blog featuring a review of that same book: Remarkable Creatures.

She has included some interesting links to explore, of which I particularly enjoyed the BBC Audio slideshow: Jurassic woman.

Mary Anning’s fossil discoveries 200 years ago near Lyme Regis are being celebrated by the Royal Society, The Natural History Museum and the town’s museum. I hope you will enjoy the slides and links as much as I did. This all makes me want to reread the book and the next time we visit England, to visit Lyme Regis, home of this remarkable woman!

November 22, 2010 in Books, History 10 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

in winter sun

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In our neighbourhood near sea level, most of Friday night’s snow has melted. Lots of brilliant white snow lies low down on the mountains. It’s cold and a bit windy, hovering around freezing this afternoon as I go about storing some pots and garden supplies into the shed. I was drawn to the all too few spots touched by the low afternoon sun of winter, on the cotoneaster clinging to the cypress and the faded hydrangea flowers by the back fence. In the lawn now in shade I notice a mushroom. My gloved fingers soon feel frozen and I decide to return indoors to pot up the few cuttings I had nipped in my wanderings.

This evening it’s clear with a brilliant full moon lighting up the sea and snowy mountains. They say tonight will be even colder at -7c (19 F).

November 21, 2010 in Canada and BC, Home, Photography 7 Comments »