Montreal is over 375 years old and the original city was build with hand hewn stones often quarried near the waterfront. These building stones can still be found in the foundations of the oldest buildings. These look and feel of these stones is so indicative of the architectural history here that you can also see … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
Montreal Walls Project – Two – Wabi-Sabi Reds
To the naked eye, the bricks will appear dulled by pollution and grime, but visit them right after a refreshing rainfall; just before the sun is starting to dry them and you will find the perfect reds: warm, velvety, delicious reds! You will just have to touch them... (Circa October 2019) - Back in the … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Two – Wabi-Sabi Reds
Montreal Walls Project – One (Introduction and the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic)
(Circa October 2019) - Back in the fall of 2019, when I was still attending classes in person and working in an office, as opposed to my Covid-free basement office, I started walking around the downtown core and noticing the subtle and beautiful effects of age on the walls of my city, Montreal. This coincided … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – One (Introduction and the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic)
My Autobiographical Pattern – Surprisingly, the least Wabi-Sabi component…
I wanted to put a Wabi-Sabi component into the pattern. Wabi-Sabi only exists predicated on beautiful mistakes, unplanned outcomes, imperfections, and organic chaos. The only part (as I currently understand Wabi-Sabi) I got right was associating bamboo as a symbol for the organic aspect of this aesthetic concept. Bamboo grows into plants as diverse each … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – Surprisingly, the least Wabi-Sabi component…
My Autobiographical Pattern – A Little Side Exploration… Into A Vulnerable Truth
... To distract me from answering the real question: "What will this piece say about me?" Before I dive into how this question makes me feel, I need to let off a little steam... "🤨😖😩🤬🤬🤯🥶😱" (Mini-Rant: The emojis are lame and just don't release the feeling the expletives I want to scream out! Since I've … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – A Little Side Exploration… Into A Vulnerable Truth
Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
I didn't intentionally start with this pallet, but the first colour down was black, then a rich raw-sienna. It felt like the rest should stay in the earthy tones. Everything from that point forward was umber-like. I added a little teal to one cheek to give a little tension and it ended up all over … Continue reading Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Pushing Boundaries of Differentiation
Yes, I know...yet another photo of my beloved Japanese maple! What can I say? I really love it and get so much joy from the inspiration it delivers. This shot is all about textures for me. I zoomed in as close as I cool and then played with resolutions to get the distortions from the … Continue reading Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Pushing Boundaries of Differentiation
The Essense of Wabi-Sabi
My dwarf Japanese Maple never fails to inspire me. It could be that this tiny tree always looks ancient. Maybe it's just that it is packed with texture and character. I just love it. All the reds I get in the leaves blow my mind. They change day to day, from bright to dark reds, … Continue reading The Essense of Wabi-Sabi
Sake Sippers & The Three Wisdoms of Tao
Start with the Wikipedia page and then dig as deep as you want into the significance of the The Pure Ones of Taoism. I know I'm mixing cultural references by calling these Sake cups, but they just didn't feel like they fit into my tea bowl work. There is something far purer about these. It … Continue reading Sake Sippers & The Three Wisdoms of Tao
The New Renaissance Mindset 