Velveteen

Inspiration: Darwin

2012-02-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

Darwinian Scholar, polyvore set by me.
There's something about this dress that makes me think of grand  libraries, dark mansions, evergreen velvet chairs, stuffed pheasants,  leather suitcases, gold lettering on old books, and deep mahogany  furniture. When I imagine this setting I picture Charles Darwin, hunched  over his desk, surrounded by specimens and drawings, working about at  his book The Origin of Species.

In 1837 Darwin drew his first evolutionary tree, and above it wrote the words "I think."

A taxidermy pheasant.

Annie Darwin, polyvore set by me.
Anne Elizabeth "Annie" Darwin was the second child of Charles and Emma  Darwin. She was noted to be his favourite and was devastated when she  passed away prematurely.

Paul Bettany as Charles Darwin, and Martha West as Annie Darwin in the film Creation (2009). The film is based on Annie's Box, a biography written by Charles Darwin's   great-great-grandson after he discovered a keepsake box about Anne   collected by her parents.

Varsity Girls

2012-01-31T10:14:00.001-08:00

Two of my favourite sets I've made on polyvore.
I wish I had a varsity jacket.

1. 2.

Fall/Winter 2011 polyvore sets

2012-01-31T09:48:00.002-08:00

Caribou.

Earl Grey.

Dear Deer.

something I made for school

2012-01-30T19:36:00.000-08:00

The assignment was to photograph three items that are personal and evoke a certain feeling. This is what I wrote:

1. My glasses.

Glasses in general are part of an aesthetic I'm most attracted to visually. I believe mine, while being practical, are also an extension of my personality and have become a trademark in my style which I classify as “scholarly”. This includes items such as Oxford shirts, pleated skirts, knee high socks, argyle sweaters, tweed jackets with elbow patches, etc. It evokes this feeling of comfort that I associate with libraries and book stores – places of knowledge. Also, the fact that glasses enable you to see is something that is extremely important as I consider myself to be first and foremost a visual artist. One of the worst things that could happen to me is loose my eyesight completely; to never observe a work of art again. This is not just exclusive to paintings however. Landscapes, architecture, and people are included; everything in the world is a visual feast, which I can never satisfy my hunger for.

2. Moleskine Notebook.

This notebook is part of a colour scheme I often associate with menswear which typically has darker colours (browns, blues, and blacks). It gives me a cozy feeling as I imagine it sitting on a wooden desk along with a typewriter, pencils, a vinyl record, etc. This same brand and make of notebook was used by many great minds such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemmingway. Another great mind is Mary Shelley. This brings me to a film experience I witnessed a couple months ago when I saw a screening of Danny Boyle's stage production of Frankenstein. Before it started there was a brief documentary about how the play came to be. During their discussion of the author they showed the notebook where she scribbled the first draft of a now famous story. I loved the roughness of it; it has this sense of creation that I see in the notes of other artists which I find that to be a work of art in itself. Being one as well, I keep my Moleskine notebook with me everywhere I go so I too can write or draw anything that sparks an idea.

3. Blue Goldstone.

I associate this particular item with my childhood since I used to collect precious stones when I was younger. I'm still working on this collection, though not as diligently. I have yet to find a cabinet of curiosities to show them off properly. It's linked to my love of museums and putting things on display. Not just to look at them, but to learn from them. Though in the case of blue goldstone, its function in my room is purely aesthetic. It is a specimen that appears as though a miniature universe is captured inside it. When I look at the glittering stone, it reminds me of a sky drenched with stars, and that feeling of awe and wonder I felt the first time saw it. It was like magic. To this day I still feel a sense of yearning when I see a night sky; of there being so much out there and wanting to explore it all.

Constant Inspiration

2012-01-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

I adore this aesthetic & I can't get enough of it! I would buy these things for my man [if I had one]. Heck, I'd buy most of these things for myself! If I had the money I'd only shop at Scotch & Soda which looks like all of this.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

A new year, a new blog. Let's hope this one doesn't turn out to be complete rubbish.

BONJOUR

I have had a wonderful 2011! Here are some highlights:

Of all pictures to accidentally close your eyes, it just had to be the one with Sam Rockwell.

I went on a 3 day trip to New York with my mum where I saw Alexander McQueen's exhibit Savage Beauty at the Met, explored the NY Museum of Natural History for free. I also met Sam Rockwell and Amir Blumenfeld, completely by chance! [video footage here]

Top: The winning photo posted on the side of the TIFF BellLightbox.

Bottom: The original photo taken at the TIFF Volunteer & StaffParty 2010.

My friend & I at the Gala After Party!

I volunteered at the Toronto International Film Festival [my second year], and won the TIFF Photo Contest in which the grand prize was 2 tickets to see From The Sky Down premiere on the first night of the festival, and 2 tickets to the Gala After Party!

And I attended FanExpo [first year] where I dressed as The Doctor! More photos can be found on my Flickr.

As part of a New Years Resolution to be more creative, I'm doing this project called Fun-A-Day where you pick something creative to do, and do it everyday for the entirety of this month. For more info if you want to participate, click here. As you can see from the above photo I'm doing a drawing a day [it's the delicious food I ate on New Years at Rawlicious].