43

A while back I found an unusual 'call to artists' via Instant Coffee's email list...the Dawson City Arts Society was seeking volunteers to help them with their 'big picture' fundraising initiative. Interested artists who provided their address would be mailed a single plywood puzzle piece to decorate (according to the instructions provided) and return. Once all 400 pieces are completed, they'll form a big, fat surprise to grace the walls of the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture. I figured this may be the closest I ever get to the Yukon, so I signed myself up.

My piece arrived in the mail today, revealing the colour palette and design. I was sent piece 43, which turns out to be a fairly interesting number:Travels on the 43 Bus, Interstate 43, and of course 43 Things, 43 People and 43 Places. Can't be sure if any of that kooky business will affect my design, but time will tell. I've got one month to finish and return.

Wreck this journal...

...by Keri Smith. It's not very often that you get the go-ahead to make 'mistakes', but this gal is encouraging us to catalogue the whole process. Willy nilly. (Check out all these wacky people on Flickr, being reckless with their journals! I like this one, and this one, and this one, too.) Looks like far too much fun...I just may have to take her up on it.

June

June is the month that my garden explodes. Peonies, phlox, iris, allium, chives...the pinks, purples and whites look incredible against a leafy green backdrop. I only wish I could gather the best parts and put them on hold...they're already starting to fade.

It's also the time of year for mosquitos and bees, who find me to be well beyond delicious. If their love bites didn't make me puff up so much, I suppose I'd be able to find a way to appreciate them. A few weekends ago, I met an artist at the Riverdale Art Walk who creates incredible drawings based on the movement within the hive itself. Adrianne Rubenstein's 'beescapes' are fascinating and beautiful, and her large scale pieces made me feel just a bit guilty about my hardcore bee hate-on.