My First Screen Printing Class

Back in March a couple of friends and I took an 8 week water-based screen printing class at Open Studio in Toronto. My intention in taking the class was to give all of the illustrations and doodles I have been doing some context through printing them on different things (Tshirts, totes etc). This was a beginner/intro class, so we were able to learn about different screen printing techniques (my fave is photo emulsion). This class was so much fun! I have no idea why it took me so long to try screen printing, but man have I been missing out! I have definitely developed a taste for it (borderline addiction) and I know I will need to incorporate screen printing into my life as another creative outlet. I had a pretty kick-ass experience overall, so much so that we have decided to take another four week class :D Here are some prints that I didn't screw up, lol. More to come, stay tuned! 

For the CULTURE! Cricket Team doesn't deserve this...yet, haha

Monster

Yall know it's true

For the Tweeters

If your Mom makes roti, chances are you like hers the best :)

What do Canadians do best?

A Heart Healthy Mother's Day

While most families were out wining and dining their Mama's on Sunday, our family spent a quiet afternoon at home for Mother's Day. Our mom is very health conscious, not to the point where is is depriving herself and cutting calories left right and centre- but she actually enjoys healthy eating (weirdo, I know). In turn the theme for our Mother's Day meal was Heart Healthy. Plenty of raw veggies, salads, whole grains, lean proteins and heavy on flavour of course. In all fairness I didn't miss the 'something junky' portion of the meal and was actually quite satisfied (say whaaat!?). Mom thoroughly enjoyed, which was most important :) 

Pecans candied meringue style (egg white & brown sugar), not traditional (white sugar & butter). 

Sketchbook Project Limited Edition

At this point I think it's safe to say that myself and Art House Co-op are lifers :) This time I participated in Sketchbook Project Limited Edition. This project had a reduce number of spots (5000) and will be the first in a series of collaborative art books where each participant gets a small feature in a printed book! I thought this would be a great opportunity to potentially get something published, however the process of simply letting my mind go and have fun with the theme/sketches was what was important. Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour has begun, and should your city be one of the tour stops, DO check it out! Until then, here's my stuff from Limited Edition and look out for the book in the fall :)

Theme: The Last Word Ever Spoken

Insanity

Ecojot

Through the brilliance that is Twitter, I stumbled upon a great company here in Toronto called Ecojot. I was immediately drawn to the energetic hand-lettering (duh) which prompted me to find out more. Ecojot is a stationary company run by Mark and Carolyn Gavin and they offer a variety of journals, note books, calendars, note cards and what caught my eye- sketchbooks. As you may have guessed from the name, Ecojot has quite the environmental conscience- all of their stationary is made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper, and everything is designed and printed in Canada (holla!). In addition they have also created the "GIVE" program: when a jumbo journal is purchased, a workbook is donated to a child in need- totally gives you the warm and fuzzies inside huh? I am in love with Carolyn Gavin's illustrations, her pattern work is so colourful and full of life, I can't help but drool (and feel extremely inspired!). Please check out Ecojot and pick up a piece of stationary or two!