Category Archives: design

Have you ever thought about who designed this plastic chair?

The ubiquitous garden-variety, plastic chair… …and its variations found throughout the world. I have come across this chair in almost every place I have travelled to. It is inexpensive, light, portable, stackable and weatherproof making it accessible to so many people. It has enabled people around the world to sit in comfort alone and in […]

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New Work – Geography of Memory, Beginnings

This new work began when the Vancouver Island Surface Design Association put out a call for entry. They were looking for an interpretation of ‘Pathways’ in a 60″ x 12″ format. Sarah McLaren and I had been focused on colour for many months and were both inspired by the colour work of Jean-Philippe and Dominique Lenclos. This couple […]

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Art Nouveau and Art Deco – On the Lookout for Art Styles While Travelling

After flying across the Pacific from New Zealand we endured a 10-hour layover in San Francisco. We occupied ourselves with: finding a short term hotel room – no such place; a shower – closed for renovations; a place to sleep – the meditation/prayer room but that didn’t last long because the dark quiet room was intoxicating […]

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Surprise Visual Treat While Out Malling

While rushing through the mall to pick up a few things I was slowed down by a visual treat. Mannequins dressed in blooms. Dressed by ‘Victoria’s best floral designers’ The mannequins were still being dressed so some weren’t complete. But I saw them when the flowers were at their freshest. The event was called ‘Victoria. […]

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Jane Davies’ ‘Big Fat Art’ Workshop

I attended a Jane Davies’ ‘Big Fat Art Workshop, Jane’s Blog. We did many ‘technique’ exercises working quickly on large sheets of inexpensive paper. It was all about layers using many different media and working quickly to stop over thinking it. A sampler recording how to block out large shapes with different edges. An exercise […]

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Studio Design – Pattern Language #159 Light on Two Sides of Every Room

Pattern Language #159 Light on Two Sides of Every Room Problem – ‘ When they have a choice, people will always gravitate to those rooms which have light on two sides, and leave the rooms which are lit from only one side unused and empty’ p. 747. ‘In rooms lit on one side the glare […]

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Studio Design – Pattern Language #200 Open Shelves, #201 Waist-high Shelf

‘A Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander is a collection of patterns found in well-designed living spaces. I applied many of these patterns to my studio design. Pattern #200 Open Shelves The Problem – ‘Cupboards that are too deep waste valuable space, and it always seems that you want what is behind something else’. The Solution […]

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Making Mola Pillows working at the Ironing and Cutting Centres

While making the mola pillows, I worked at 2 more centres in my studio. The Ironing Centre The ironing board has an extension to make it a rectangular shape better suited to ironing lengths of cloth. I have 2 irons a steam iron and a dry iron. The power outlets for the irons and the sewing […]

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