AI generated images

 Watched a youtube video on how to use Photoshop to generate AI images. Fun. The "puppet theatre" interpretation was to put a large puppet outside the building. 

Quiet paint session

Yesterday's painting class was small. My sister couldn't come. No coffee break. 
 

SNOW!

Snowed again today. Not just a few flakes, but it just continued all day and sat on the ground. Weather says it will not melt for 2 days. 

 

Parade plans

 Talked to Erik Hood at the Last Mountain Lake cultural center  and art gallery at Regina Beach, and we discussed some interesting ideas about the Canada Day parade. 

AGR member sale

 I didn't buy anything at the AGR member's sale this year, but needed to stop and look at this item. There were a few of these. The glasses arms are ceramic as are the bell shaped objects (but not bells). Wire threads between them but does not actually hold them together. Quite mysterious. 

Calmer day

While there was work to do, the day felt much easier now that the big opening for William yesterday is over. I raked the moldy leaves off the lawn. Spent some time at the university but had forgotten my keys, so didn't do any actual work (went to a reception). Couldn't get a covid booster because they changed the rules about reasons for needing one.

William's BFA exhibition

 Huge day for William. His exhibition of bird people, made up of enlarged comics, 35mm photographs, and an installation of characters drawn onto foam core posed with "cartoonified" furniture, wall paper, playing cards, and a tv with animation playing on it, opened at the Fifth Parallel Gallery on the UofR campus. The crowd was big with about 100 people there during the artist talk (which William was impressively funny and personal and meaningful) and many other people seeing the show either before or after that. Great success. 

William and Emma

Allen Dotson

Neil Adams and Kevin Foote

With Marla and daughter

William with Geremy and Rory Lague

William with uncle George

George Bessai and Joanne MacDonald

Sandee, Sean, and others

Philippe Mather and Dianne Ouellette

William with Omi Gertrud Bessai

William with grandma Nettie Saul

William with UofR president Jeff Keshen

William with Ms Moser and Ms Counios

William with Kaeli and others

MAP Dean David Dick

William with Opopa Fred Bessai

Jon, Dana, and Victor

Painting class

After a term away, I was able to sign up for painting at the Balkwill again. Nice to be in that space and talk to the regulars. 
 

Gallery show open to public

 Lighting was arranged at the gallery last night and I was able to see it open today. People were coming in and reacting well. 

Birthday cakes

 

If Your Birthday Is Today

Singer Janis Ian (1951) shares your birthday today. You are bold, intense and passionate. You will fiercely defend your beliefs. You're filled with vibrant, positive energy when you love what you're doing. This is the first year of a nine-year cycle for you. Stay light on your feet. Be flexible and ready to open any door!  -- Georgia Nicols

Still some snow

 Relaxing a bit today. William started trying to catch up on his academic work. I did a walk around the yard and found a couple square feet of snow. Temperatures at double digits so this will be gone soon. 

Installing BFA plus lecture with Philippe

I helped William with some of his install in the Fifth Parallel gallery. He hired Emma to work with him all day, which was great as that allowed me to attend the last university research lecture from Philippe Mather who is retiring this summer. 

 

Second Carillon cover

The day before installing his BFA exhibition, his second Carillon cover hit the stands. This one connects with the show well. 
 

Long service awards

 Attended long service awards today. It was long and may of the people I went to talk to actually left before the end. Sheila marked 35 years. Margaret brought Samantha around, touring her William's studio before she heads to Ottawa with George. 

William's preparation continues

 

Final push for art exhibition begins

 

Easter

Lori had us over for brunch today. Mom and Al's mom were there. I ate too much (as if it were a huge feast) and had only a bit of supper later. We stayed only until mid-afternoon as William has taken on an extra deadline - to create another cover for the student newspaper. This should be on stands during his opening next week, so it serves the greater end. 

 

Dying eggs

William took a work break to play on line for a while this evening. Margaret dyed eggs and William eventually finished his game and created a couple eggs too. He had shown egg dying to a daycare a couple days ago as part of one of his classes, so his excitement about the art was enhanced. 

Good Pie Friday

 Margaret made a couple of pies, one for us and one for her parents. It snowed like mad last night and Steve went and blew off all the sidewalks on the block, so we brought them the other pie this evening after a nice supper (we stayed for pie wish Steve and Gerri Ann). Nice evening and lovely to be hosted and be able to have a couple glasses of wine and not worry about driving. 

Cards dealt

 William created all his numerical cards this evening. The face cards will come later. Seven more days after today until installation. 

Co-shooting Super-8

 William and I shot co-operative super-8 films this evening. I knew it would take a long time, but we were slowed down even further by some unnecessary clay creation. Shot until midnight and realized we were only half way done, so needed to change directions to get finished by 1:30 am. Films are both called "POV". 

Sean's super 8

 

Helped Sean and Sandee shoot their super-8 film for the One Take this evening. I am pictured above. 

So busy?

Feeling overwhelmed these days. No time for anything. Then how do I find time to play a stupid game on my computer? 
 

William's wallpaper

 

William and I spent most of the day at the university (following a rather distressful Filmpool AGM). He started with an interview with Jon Tewksbury for the Sunday Funnies show while I conversed with a group of my students shooting in the hallways. Afterwards William printed the remaining strips of wallpaper for his exhibition (needs to install it on April 5, so the clock is ticking). It is a job that needs a minimum of two people. I would hold the paper straight has he rolled images onto it. The two of us would then move the 10-12 foot strip of paper to a spot on a wall to dry. The lack of smooth handle on his printing roller has nearly disabled his hand, which will be trouble for him to finish all the other tasks. "Fortunately" the next three days will be filled with essay writing instead of art creating. 

Carfac meeting

Mid-term review of the Carfac mentorships today in Regina. They booked this open office space at the Regina Inn complex. It was pretty cool. More darkness would have improved the projections, but overall it led to a relaxed and engaging afternoon. 
 

The Chips are Down

 William has started stamping his playing cards and his poker chips. Not as clean as he'd like them to be, but I suggested that he write about the bad minting process in his bird people comics to make the lack of quality control canon for the story. Comic yet to come.