A breif stop in the comical blog to send love to Goderich

Unfortunately, last Sunday My fiance's Home town of Goderich, ON. was ravaged by an F3 Tornado. Environment Canada says the initial rating of the tornado indicates that it was “...a high end Fujita scale 2 - (winds up to 240 km/h) - or low end Fujita scale three" (winds near 250 km/h). 

I am sorry to report one causualty of the storm. My heart goes out to Normand Laberge, his wife and Family. Laberge was 61 years of age and working in the Sifto Salt mine shipping boom when the tornado struck. The Salt mine was crippled in the destructive path of the tornado.

37 minor injuries have been reported. I hope the figure remains this way , The tornado Tore into town heading towards the Courthouse Square [downtown Goderich] Ripping roofs off of homes and destroying many entirely in its path. The Courthouse park ( I refer to as "the circle" ) has been utterly devestated to say the least ... Some buisnesses are gone and quite a few apartments in the upper floors of the square and surrounding streets.

I heard about the forming tornado just moments before it was to touch down. Frankly I've never felt a fear like I had during that 2 hour wait. Downed power and obstructed communication to family and friends leaving many residents and family from out of town in panic. The first call i received was from Kimberly owner of Monster Kookies. I featured her as a local artist on this blog not too long ago. I was relieved to hear that her entire family and fiancé are safe! The next call was of concern as people where missing ... Third, My fiancés mother called to say she was safe, but could not find his brother, who was found half a hour [that felt like an eternity] later.

Huron County quickly sprang into action receiving staggering amounts of help from construction workers to people opening their homes, offering beds, showers and food.  donations have been given (and continue to mound) from clothes to food to cash. The provincial government has pledged $5 million to help clean the home that was dubbed "the prettiest town in Canada".

I've donated jewellery to a recenty organized benefit auction. These pieces are made from stones and fossils gathered in the Goderich's St. Christopher's beach or assenbled using pieces from Goderich thrift stores. 100% of the revenue areto help raise funds for the families left with nothing after this horrible storm. I can not even begin to thank the stars that no one else was hurt. If you would like to help out this small town you can do so in a number of ways but please remember NO ONE CAN ENTER TOWN there are numerous gas leaks and it is under a state of emergency.

United Way is running a cash donation link. There is also the benefit auction, bids are being placed as we speak. These items are donated, the proceeds go directly to the community, so pick up a nice gift for someone and help tornado victims in the process!

Below are links to the auction and a very touching video made showcasing the damage 

Auction - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=238862876157805

Information on people and where you can leave donations
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Goderich-Ontario-Tornado-victims-and-support/166677496742218

Entry Five

They never told me I would meet so many talented artists! That being said, I have decided that once a month  I will showcase a talented local artist to encourage fair trade ethics and support local talent. This is a call to arms for all local artsists no MATTER THE MEDIUM let me see your art and you may be featured!

I have the absolute privelage of knowing our first featured artist. She is Kimberly Hart Of...

                     Kim continues to astound fans alike with her insanely accurate attention to detail.
You can see examples of this below

 This cake is no bigger than the first digit of my thumb. At first glance I thought it was much larger. Kimberly is mainly known for her industrial heart collection, ( featured in1000 Steampunk Creations by Dr. Grymm, Pages 38, 39 & 40. ) but continues to create, never finding her self lost for an idea. Whether it be pill (or tentacle) coated cup cakes, sugar skulls, tiny little treats, or replicas of sea monsters and toys of yesteryear, there is a fresh take on sculpture, culture and art.
She has mastered-and in fact exceeded-standard talents, taking polymyer clay and making it her eternal bitch. She creates pieces that could only come of her own twisted mind and methods. To say she is just a clay artist would be such a gross understatement as comparing Van Gogh works to scribbles.

 

 

 Kim never over charges. I'm sure I'm not the only one that can admire that. I have a personal collection of a few items from her , Brain hair clips for the girl and this ring that I ADORE and almost always wear, based off Alice in wonderland "Painting the roses red" 

 She has also collaborated with other artists, creating some of the most phenomenal pieces of I've ever seen.  "I've been working with a very talented woodcarving artist named T.J. McDermott of Freeport, Maine making a few jellyfish for him to use in his amazing wood carvings. He created this fish, and I am just blown away by it!" Check out his work, here: http://tjmcdermott.com/"    
The Octopus is by her.

 With that being said I have the privelage of sharing with you a interview I fired her way
Followed by some photos of her amazing art and links to her site!


T.D.T.Y.E:
"What made you start working with clay?"

Hart:
"I was looking for a new medium to work with- Something interesting and new. When I found polymer clay many many years ago, I didn't like it. I stashed it away in a drawer, But then I returned to it years later and had a whole new appreciation for it."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"Do you do other types of art?"

Hart:
"Yes, I like to draw and cartoon... and paint and play with pastels, mostly. I also like to paint with coffee - it's fun!"

T.D.T.Y.E:
Do you sell them?

Hart:
"Nope - all of them are fairly personal to me. So I either keep them or just give them away to folks that I like. I don't sell them, though."

T.D.T.Y.E:
What is your favourite piece you have made?

Hart:
"I don't really have one. I like everything that I have made, honestly. If I absolutely had to choose, though, it would probably be my Mechanical Birdie, Bulova... or Nutmeg."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"Who is your favourite artist local/underground/famous, and why?"

Hart:
"As much as I create a lot of artwork, I don't get a lot of time to appreciate other peoples art. But I really wish I did! Because I love looking at artwork. I can just stand there and stare at it for hours - especially painters and mixed medium artists."


T.D.T.Y.E:
"Do you belive in fair trade? Why?"

Hart:
"I don't know much about fair trade, but from what I actually know about it seems like it is good, however there is a bit of criticism about it on the opposing side that I haven't looked into so far. So until I do my research in the matter, I can't say whether I support it or not. Based on what I know so far, though, I do support it."

T.D.T.Y.E:
What aspiring things do you do when you aren't creating?

Hart:
"Oh goodness. I practically have no life outside of my artwork, to be honest. I make gelato and chocolate to get away from my clayspace once in awhile and to be in the outside world. I really enjoy drinking tea and making all sorts of tasty food, though. It's nice to get away from the clay and think about something else once in awhile."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"Pick a colour"

Hart:
Purple. :)

T.D.T.Y.E:
"The dreaded question everyone asks... What tips or advice would you give to beginners for poly clay ?"


Hart:
"I would say to go out and grab a sample pack or grab a colour from each of the polymer clay brands to really get a feel for it. It's good to know which brand works best with you. As soon as you find your brand, go ahead and get a few more colours. Read some books or go online. Educate yourself on new techniques. Experiment. Play around. If it doesn't work, roll the clay up and try again. :) Practice makes perfect!"

T.D.T.Y.E:
"If you had to recreate one piece you made every day for the rest of your l ife what one would you recreate and why ?"

Hart:
"If I had to recreate one piece for the rest of my life, I would surely go crazy. Hahah! I do something called scrap metal pendants, and they are all different but slightly similar - I could do those all day and never get sick of them."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"Who inspires you in the clay community?"

Hart:
"Mandarin Moon (Chris Kapono) (http://mandarinmoon.deviantart.com/) I love her use of textures! And I also love Clay Lindo (Tamra Kohl) - http://claylindo.com/ I LOVE her Day of the Dead scenes - they are so intricate and full of funny details."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"What do you love creating the most?"

Hart:
"My Industrial themed stuff, mostly. Like my mechanical birdies, especially. I want to make them more intricate and detailed over time..."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"What inspires you in general?"

Hart:
"Everything. Inspiration comes from the strangest places, sometimes. I get caught off guard, actually... because it can be very spontaneous."

T.D.T.Y.E:
"Favorite qoute?"

Hart:
"I don't think I have one, but as of recently I heard  Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. - Albert Einstein." and it made me smile. I really like that one."

If you can not purchase online but MUST get your own Monster creation go to the international FAN EXPO  and see Kim her self  In Artist Alley. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Aug 25-28

Happy Creating
Love

The Mom 

You can find this artist at any of the links below
DeviantArt: http://www.monsterkookies.deviantart.com/
Etsy: http://www.monsterkookies.etsy.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/monsterkookies/
Website: http://www.monsterkookies.com/
Blog: http://www.monsterkookies.blogspot.com/

Entry Four PHOTO DAY

Saturday is photo day. I hope you have enjoyed this collection all shot in Georgian bay Ontario. The fireworks where done with long exposure each shot was taken in front of black sky The bright hues are caused by Long exposure