12.21.2011

DOOM GENERATION

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Most of my friends and peers are self-employed individuals working within the creative realm, hence infinite discussions regarding the future of our work (it's basically our main topic of conversation.) A couple weeks ago my husband, the illustrator Raymond Biesinger, addressed this very subject at a talk he gave at the University of Alberta. Joyfully titled "Doom: the Future of Commercial Art", it addressed a lot of the problems we creative contributors face as valid creative work becomes hobbyized, homogenized, over-saturated and as individuals are consistently willing to accept less for their work than its true worth. I'm not sure these problems have a happy ending, but I think a good beginning is talking amongst ourselves, standing up for our work and getting to know the 'business' side of our business - something about which I still have lots to learn.

Raymond just turned his entire 6000 word talk into a paper pamphlet which is now available on Etsy for $2. It addresses a lot of issues, a few solutions, and (personally) I think it's a pretty good read. Here's the introduction in it's entirety:

"The title of this talk is 'Doom.' Its goal is to start off with my very pessimistic assessment of where the commercial arts are heading (basically, towards the hobby-ization of design, illustration, art, music, theatre, photography, fashion, film, etc.). From there, we'll pull out of that depressing death spiral until we're talking about how to maybe commercially thrive in such a difficult atmosphere. In that part I'll talk about what we, as creative types, can do to help prevent this pessimistic scenario from developing further. My fear is that I'll lose track of time on the 'doom' portion of the night, talk about only doom for 59 minutes, and then be left with a few seconds to say, 'Things can be OK. Honest. Trust me.' So, if I'm still spreading grey clouds at 30 minutes, maybe give me a little elbow to the ribs and I'll cheer things up. Otherwise, you instructors in the room might have a group of sad students to deal with tomorrow morning.

So, 'doom.'

I've been a full-time illustrator for eight years now, but I've been playing music in a few different bands since the mid-1990s, and I've also done an extensive study of Edmonton's music scene going back to the 1940s. And music, well, it is one of the commercial arts. Music can indeed be a 'fine art,' yes, but the moment a musician takes to the stage and accepts money from an audience, a musician has entered the world of commerce. In that way, they're like illustrators, designers, photographers, industrial designers, clothing designers, or journalists, in that they might make beautiful, engaging, or informative things that appeal to the senses and mind, but they adjust their creative output into a certain form in the expectation of financial payment.

If we look at Edmonton's music scene in the 1960s and early 1970s, we can see a very different set of labour conditions than we see now. Back then, a dozen or so Edmonton bands could actually make a living touring around and in the city, hitting venues in Pigeon Lake, Sylvain Lake, Alberta Beach, Whyte Ave., Jasper Ave., Camrose, and elsewhere, collecting enough money in performance fees to earn a living wage, put out records, and otherwise refine their craft. Bands like the King Beez pretended to be from London, England, and somehow kept the successful ruse up for years. There were advantages, in those days, to having a band member with a Scottish accent. A band named Troyka played and toured with enormous American bands like Canned Heat, the Byrds, and Blue Cheer. Another, called the A&W Lords, was taken very seriously regionally and played weekly on the roof of the A&W on Whyte Avenue. And yes, they were named after the restaurant - corporate sponsorship isn't a new thing.

At the time, qualified local rock musicians were a scarce thing and a large audience sought what they could deliver. That scarcity meant that they were paid. It was a simple equation.

Forty five years later, a tremendous shift has happened. Everyone is a musician now, making wonderful music thanks to accessible technology. Gas prices are ridiculously high (as they should be). And thanks to the internet, very few people buy records any more. Demand for live music on the regional and local scale has declined, and despite everyone saying 'the money's in live performance,' audiences certainly aren't showing up in droves for many regional or local acts. The internet's great at letting people know about what Aerosmith or Rihanna is up to, or what Led Zeppelin did, but very few people use the thing to see what's going on in the here and now.

This scenario is excellent for music-lovers. But for musicians? Every single musician I personally know (myself included) has spent more money on gear, gas, vans, and jam space rent than they'll ever earn from performing or selling records. They have ceased being producers, and have become consumers. Hobbyists.

And this, I fear, could be the fate of all of the commercial arts. Music was the first to run through this gauntlet. Everything else, I think, is heading straight for it, though there are some variations.

Think about how much you've spent on tuition, computers, art supplies, etc. Don't forget studio rent, too, or the income you're missing out on by being here or instead of in Fort MacMurray. Obviously, none of us want to be hobbyists. We need to be producers of commercial art, rather than consumers. The more money we have, the more time we can spend experimenting, honing our abilities and making amazing things that beautify the world, endorse good ideas, and maybe even change minds. But before we find out how to fight this 'hobbyization,' we need to take it seriously and understand what it is, exactly."

If you're interested in more, drop him a line, or head over to his shop and pick up a copy for yourself.

12.16.2011

PLUSH NYMPHS

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The giant fun fur mural from our room at the Gladstone Hotel last weekend. Plush lesbian satyrs abound.

12.08.2011

WHOLESOME THURSDAY POST

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This was Tuesday night. We listened to Bing and ate chocolates, lit candles and gave treats to the cat. You can see her curled up on the radiator there behind the couch - that's one content cat. Now to take her lead, relax and enjoy it.

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12.07.2011

PLANT LIFE

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So this is still happening. I am used to nothing but doom, gloom, dark, cold and snow at this time of year. Adjusting to a (relatively) non-polar winter is bizarre.

12.06.2011

FROM THE WEEKEND

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I kept forgetting I had my camera with me, else I would've taken more photos. Above are images from the Smart Design Mart booths of Steel Magnolias, Marianne Chenard, Ovate, Hazel and Hunter and Genevieve Savard.

And below is my baby, who made a new friend this weekend.

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12.01.2011

IN THE THICK OF IT

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I'm thinking the time has come for me to start uploading S/S 2012 photos online. My goal is to have them up next week, before things get really, truly, hectically busy around here. I'm excited to be selling in a few new stores next season too - details to come. Here's a preview image from the catalogue, shot by my friend (and super talented photographer) Francesca Tallone.

This weekend I'll be hanging out at (but not participating in) Smart Design Mart with Raymond, Genevieve, Audrey and all the other awesome dudes. It's my birthday on Saturday so I'll likely be drunk on champagne at 2:30 pm. I'll make sure I take some good photos (of the event, not of me drunk) and share them with you here next week.

If you're in Montreal this weekend you really should stop by Smart Mart where many talented individuals will be selling many fabulous things you want to buy. Details.

Also, make sure to check back here next week. At the very least I'll have some event photos to show and, if all goes according to plan, I'll unveil Spring.

11.16.2011

PARTY TIME, EXCELLENT

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OK, this actually happened last Thursday but I am bad at keeping on top of blogging. Anyway, went to a girls-only party Thursday night at the lovely Audrey Cantwell's amazing three-story loft. Her space is so great, awesome high ceilings and decor that completely reflects her personality - witchy mystic metal sweetie pie.

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Goddamn owls - I'm totally terrified of them so of course Audrey has this huge one perched over her couch.

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When I arrived there was a home-tattoo thing going on - sewing needle/india ink style. You know, Thursday stuff.

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Ouch dudes, that looks painful.

Afterwards we headed down to April Lea's place + met her kitten.

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And then this happened:

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11.14.2011

FALSE FRONTS AND PAPER FOLIAGE

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Just a few images from my walks around the city this weekend. The strange, lonely beauty of both these subjects really struck me.

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11.04.2011

LAZY FRIDAY POST

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I've finally uploaded a new scarf to the shop - one which I made a couple weeks ago and have been keeping all to myself. I'm not usually a hoarder of my own pieces, but after visiting my leather guy and finding this perfect green/gold suede I had-ta-have it. There are certain colours I just adore and this musty-golden-olive is one of my top colours, second only to my number one favourite which I've affectionately dubbed "baby poop". I know, I know, I'm doing a really good job of selling it, right? No kidding though, find me the perfect faded green/brown and I'm in heaven.

I have a complicated relationship with colour.

And I'm rambling.

Anyway, here are a couple more pics of this favourite scarf, and a *link* too if you want to check it out further. Happy weekend!

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10.31.2011

WHAT IS SHE BUILDING IN THERE?

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Hiya all. Thanks so much to everyone who took advantage of my little birthday sale, the response was overwhelming and I'm going to be sewing all week long + longer. I love love love and appreciate your support, thank you again.

I've been intensely busy these past three weeks - filling orders, drafting and grading patterns and thinking about Fall 2013 (omg, this industry is time-retarded). I foresee things not letting up till the new year and, of course, it's always my blogging that falls by the wayside. I also just got back from a teensy whirlwind of a trip to NY, questing for fabrics and finding nothing. At least I had delightful visits with some of my favourite people in the city and ate a ton of good food, go me.

From now till forever though it's back to work, head down, hands dirty style. So what am I working on? Well, I'm madly filling your orders from my sale which, *fingers crossed*, should all be shipped out by the end of this week. I'm also sending a new shipment of dresses to Victoire in anticipation of party season (the one that falls between Halloween and 'why isn't winter over yet').

Here are some (not very good) pictures of the 'Saturn' dress:

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It even has a little secret party happening in the peplum, good for spinning on the dance floor.

And here's the 'Neptune' dress, so named because one feels like a slippery little iridescent fish while wearing it.

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Sorry again about the bad photos, bad blogging, bad time-management etc. Oh, and can someone please tell me how to photograph a black dress against a white wall without losing all the details? I'm useless.

10.17.2011

TREAT YOURSELF

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Hey, guess what? This week marks the birthday of my Etsy shop; I turn one-year-old on October 20th!

To celebrate, I'm offering a discount of 25% off everything in my shop starting today, Monday October 17th, through Sunday October 23rd. Use the code: birthdayparty at checkout and enjoy 25% off purchases all week long. Birthday treats for everybody!

10.13.2011

I WANT THESE

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Rosa Mosa 'Tunga' boot.

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They're slick enough to wear everyday but wacky enough to stand out in a sea of black wedges. And they're on sale! (though still about $400 too dear for me at present). Is it just me or does October feel like (internet) window shopping month? My want-list grows ever longer....

9.30.2011

JUST FOUND A DATE FOR FRIDAY NIGHT

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Guess what came in the mail today? I'm not even going to crack it till this evening when I can savour it while tucked under a blanket with a glass of white wine. Serendipitous indeed, what a pleasant surprise on a Friday afternoon.

Does anyone know where I can buy back issues of nos. 2 & 3 of The Gentlewoman?