Mapping the Imaginary

I recently took on a graphic design project for Ragged Wing Ensemble a theater company based in the East Bay. This fall they are putting on a series of free performances at a local park. The Play is called Innana's Decent and it follows various mythological characters as they explore the underworld. Different scenes take place throughout the park. I really enjoy the concept because it combines my interest in expression, story telling, and spacial relationships.  Plus, I had the opportunity to draw a map that charts out the activities.  Below you'll see the front and back of the program for the play.

PARK(ing) Day - Making Parking Spaces into Vibrant Places

On September 16, I organized PARK(ing) Day in Santa Rosa. Greenbelt Alliance teamed up with the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition and the Share Exchange to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for people. The Press Democrat wrote a great article summarizing the event.  The San Francisco based artist group Rebar started PARK(ing) Day in 2005 as a way to bring attention to our car-centered culture and the alternative ways we could choose to use space. Check out this video my colleagues made to celebrate grassroots placemaking.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Nothing says fall like pumpkin! Add chocolate chips and cookie dough, and you have one great seasonal treat. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin (cooked or canned)
1 teasp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teasp baking powder
1 teasp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teasp nutmeg1 teasp cinnamon
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg, pumpkin and vanilla
Mix and sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon,
Add to creamed mixture
Mix well.
Add chocolate chips and mix thoroughly.

Drop by teaspoons onto well greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.
Remove from sheets while still warm.

Eat Real

Last night I attended Eat Real Oakland, in Jack London Square. This three day festival celebrates all things tasty, fresh, and handmade with a focus on street food, local wines, handcrafted beers, and traditional food craft – all featuring sustainable, local ingredients. And no dish or drink costs more than $5.  I do love food, so you know I was sampling a variety of plates from sliders at Brass and Knuckle, to pickled vegetables from Forage SF, (both pictured below) to home made popsicles from Cranky Boots. This is pop up community at its best. If you go to one of the Eat Real events near you, be ready to deal with long lines and a crowd. I'm glad local street food is getting support!

Coasting

For my final ceramics project I made a set of four coasters.  Though, I must admit, I expected the glaze to come out brighter. There is always an element of surprise and mystery when it comes to firing a piece; sometimes the end product comes out differently than one expects.  I also tried wax resist for the first time. You dip the fired clay into hot wax (or alternately you can paint it on). It then burns off when the piece goes back into the kiln. The glaze doesn't stick to the wax, thus the wax can be used as another method to create texture, straight lines, specific designs and negative space.

So Magnetic

Continuing with my theme of gift giving and craft making, I created a series of ceramic magnets. I made a pair of bicycle magnets, a series of different colored flowers, and you may recognize the panda logo from this site!  Magnetic tape, which you can get at almost any art store, including Michaels (a store I love and hate), is inexpensive, easy to use, and can make magnets out of almost anything.

Salad Days Continued...

Today I learned how to make mayonnaise from scratch. It is a surprisingly simple recipe consisting of olive oil, one whisked egg, and a small amount of mustard. I made my special tuna salad and deviled eggs to celebrate.

Deviled Eggs
hard-boiled eggs
mayonnaise
mustard
horseraddish or wasabi
salt, pepper, and paprika

Curry Tuna Salad
Tuna
Mayonnaise mixed with garlic, curry powder, and mustard
Chopped apples (or grapes work too)
Chopped kale (cooked in coconut oil)
Cilantro
Mayonnaise mixed with garlic, curry powder, and mustard
Chopped apples (or grapes work too)
Chopped kale (cooked in coconut oil)
Cilantro