‘Space is more abstract than place. What begins as undifferentiated space becomes place as we get to know it better and endow it with value.’

Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience by Yi-Fu Tuan

These past few days teaching has really made me rethink the concept of ‘space’ and ‘place’ and how we define and use these concepts. The space  shown above  this week became a place, by the events  held there The Art Class.

By demarcating a room in our home we either designating a purpose to a room,  or we name the room and the function then commences to happen in that room.

This room ( by design ) really has no purpose. At Christmas last year it was the site for The Holiday Sale for Hughes &  Co and this week it was put to great use as a studio space for an Art Class. For both these events it was a  space, but this is not to take from the fact that it is a  place because it is my home.

It’s been a busy, but really exciting start  to my teaching week. My students are amazing and in between some brilliant art making has been  a lot of laughter and fun.

The silkscreen printing workshop at I did last week was a huge success! I loved every minute of  it and went back to Blim on Sunday for more supplies (so I can continue at home ) and advice. The workshop was amazing with lots of easy straightforward instruction from Yuriko.

I printed on felt, muslin, leather, canvas and even wood.

The small drawstring muslin bags are for the Imp hats I’m knitting and I’m really pleased with how they turned out, but the grey felt cushion with the white dove wreath  printed on it had me exclaiming  with excitement when I saw the results. All these items will be for sale at Hughes & Co.

Finally, for anyone wanting to learn silkscreen printing check out Blim at www.blim.ca

Is it just me, or is there something more poignant and yet beautiful about natures passing? Why, when the first image of this clematis flower is so stunning, am I drawn more to its demise? For me, the first image is so dazzling and overblown that it confuses me. Its intricacy and subtlety is missing because its perfection demands so much attention. The second image interests me. It draws me in to look at its complexity; the fur on the leaves, the way its folded in on itself, its color washed out, but so rich in shape and texture.

Once you isolate and frame something you give it reverence. The item inside the frame takes on special meaning, it infers ‘ look at me’ it assumes a position of importance. This frame spans eighteen years. The first image was taken today, the second eighteen years ago.

In these photographs the frame is also interesting as it its not really a frame, but a recess in an outside wall of a house that opens inwards  into a  small store cupboard which years ago was used by tradesmen who delivered provisions.