animation in progress

Above is the unedited animation completed during the st[art] residency. This project has been on hiatus for the last few months while working on a different project (Bridge Banner series 2010 for the City of Calgary) with collaborator Marci Simkulet.

...to be continued...hopefully in January 2010.

all said and done...

Today, I handed over the keys to the st[art] studio space, said good bye to yet another amazing two months of hard work and am ready to set foot onto new territory, adventure and creativity...

Thank you for everyone's support at last Thursday' s closing reception - when you're working intensely, and for the most part alone on a long term project it is always reassuring to see the crowd engaged and enthused by the work...that is truly what makes it worth while, so thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Since I don't have the answer to the much asked question "Where can I see the final animation?" I will keep you posted with progress and such.

the end of st[art] - Thursday, June 4 from 5-9 PM

As most of you know, I've been working at Art Central for the past two months as part of the st[art] Residency funded by the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation. My time in the space is coming to a close and it would be so great to share with you what I've accomplished on Thursday, June 4 between 5-9 as part of First Thursday Celebrations (Artist Loop in Art Central, Corner of 7th Ave SW & Centre St 100 – 7th Ave SW, Calgary, AB)

To recap, the first month in the space was dedicated to constructing and installing a set for a stop motion puppet animation. As some of you saw at last months reception, the set was near complete and since then I've been working away at the animation component of the project. I will have approximately one minute of animation to share with you, along with some new additions to the set...oh, and lots of pop corn to eat! Come join in on the fun!

I should also mention that a few branches from the set have been shedding small, stuffed hearts which I've collected to give away at the closing...apparently they feel the need to spread happy feelings, so come down early to ensure you receive a nice little prize (safety pins will also be available if one wishes to pin it on to something!)

I hope to see you there! I'll keep you posted on the progress of the animation from time to time and let you know where the final piece can be viewed when it's all said and done!

:) stef

trees that shed hearts....

...share those happy feelings!

set near complete

After working extremely long hours in the studio this past week, the set for my stop motion animation is near complete! A few finishing touches and I will be ready to animate...hopefully starting next week. Last night's reception was a great success where I found myself in some very interesting conversations with new and familiar faces - a BIG thanks for everyone's support!

hair spirits

From prehistoric times, when hair covered the majority of the human body it was viewed as predominantly utilitarian as protection against harsh weather conditions, injuries as well as provided camouflage. As humans evolved, sweat glands slowly replaced hair to control body temperatures and some scientists believe that increased sexual attraction between females and males resulted to maintain relationships or 'pair-bonds' to rear and raise children in more protected environments.
As lifestyles change, so does the social and cultural identity of hair - this is seen in various forms from hairstyles, folklore, art, mythology and spiritual and cultural customs. Hair is also a marker of renewal and regeneration as it is constantly growing throughout a persons life. So, what happens to the spirit of hair when it is not longer attached to a body? Does hair become a lifeless material of the one it came from or are the hair spirits still alive?

reference from “The Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History by Victoria Sherrow, Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut, London; 2006

Mr. Wind Up Bird..?

soon to be made into wigs...inspired by Murakami's character May Kashara from "The Wind Up Bird Chronicle".

A companion...

Working independently in the studio sometimes leaves me feeling unable to converse on any intellectual level with another human being - the shift from within my own head space into a public one leaves me feeling stunned at the best of times. Perhaps the daily interactions I have with my one wee companion do not aid in my abilities to feel 'grounded'. When a visitor comes to the studio, their presence shocks me back into the physical space my body is occupying, much like when I screw down my puppets foot to animate her every articulated movement...

no wonder she is looking a little stunned and apprehensive...

the beginnings at st[art]

An empty space needs some lovin' so that's exactly what I'm giving this one. The way I love many spaces I hold dear to me is to embrace the material explosions which occur in them by leaving things to pile upon things until it is no longer bearable. After a few weeks into the st[art] residency, the empty space I was handed is fully loved and now occupied by 'stuff'. 'Stuff', as in materials of plenty from wood, paint, paper clay, thread, and screws (just to name a few)...are being transformed from something into something else. This is an experiment to create a site specific set for a stop motion animation that will unfold frame by frame next month in the space.

This is what it's all about - finding ways to bring new life into old materials, new dimensions into abandoned spaces, fresh smiles onto tired faces...

a thought on empty space

Experiencing an empty space can be a little intimidating. You encounter details you may have otherwise overlooked had the paint on the floor been covered with carpet and the holes in the walls been hiding under picture frames. Perhaps standing alone in an empty room allows one to identify with these small imperfections that lay naked before us. Similar to an emotionally intense conversation in a familiar room, you find yourself scrutinizing the door hinges and the wood grain of the bed frame in hope that focusing on something tangible will anchor you to the world.