Moku Hanga Class with Mary Brodbeck

I started trying to make arrangements to take a moku hanga class with Mary Brodbeck in Kalamazoo, Michigan, over a year ago. For those that don't know, moku hanga is the Japanese term for woodblock print (moku means wood and hanga means print). This technique involves the use of water based ink (or paint) rice past (known as Nori). You mix the pigment directly on your wood block with a little rice paste. Then. you use special brushes to spread it across the block, and final you print on damp paper. If you are familiar with the Western style of printing wood block prints, you know that this is a very different technique.

Finally, in late January, Cynthia Blasingham and I headed to Kalamazoo for a weekend class with Mary. Here is Mary showing us one of her latest prints.

And below you see Cynthia at work on her moku hanga print.

I am really excited about all of things that we learned and hope to start trying some of these techniques in own studio soon. But, unfortunately, I am battling tendonitis in my wrist and currently need to wear brace on my wrist when I am active. But, hopefully that will clear up soon and I will be able to make my own moku hanga prints.

The Money Flows at Bead & Button

It was off to the Bead & Button Show this month. It is held every year in Milwaukee. It is 7 days (June 12 - 18) of classes and a marketplace of wares that appeals to everyone involved in jewelry making - beaders, lampworkers, glass fusers, silver clay artists, metal artists, etc. For those that go it is like a small child in a candy store. Everywhere you turn there is something to attract your attention and make you say "I want that."

I did take classes and I did spend money on tools and books, and findings, and ..... And it was a great conference.

And, in addition to the conference itself, there is wonderful shopping and great restaurants within easy walking distance of the convention center. I highly recommend this conference.

Mannheim, Germany - All Work, Little Play

And once more my company sent me to Europe. This time to Mannheim. I left on Saturday, May 27, and arrived on Sunday, May 28. Again, I wasted no time sleeping, but instead took the train to Heidelberg and felt like I had been transported back in time.

The rest of the week was mostly work, but I did get a chance to walk the streets of Mannheim of an evening. A lovely city. And very, very clean. And then, it was back to Indy on Saturday, June 3.

Although I speak no German, I was always able to communicate easily in shops and restaurants because most of the Germans speak at least a little English. And, of course, that is just one of the languages they speak besided German. Very few of us in America speak multiple languages or even one second language.

Also, it is too bad that our public transportation doesn't match what they have in Europe. Whether it is a tram, a bus, or a train--they are clean, run on time, and seem to get you to almost every place. If we matched their system, we might be able to garage our autos more and take public transportation.

Travel Plans for 2007

So, where am I off to this year? In May I will be heading to New Orleans for this year's Harry Potte conference - Phoenix Rising. Then in June, I will be going back to Milwaukee for the Bead & Button Show. Then in August, a trek to Vegas is scheduled for the metal clay conference sponsored by Art Clay World.Not quite as busy as last year, but I am looking forward to each trip.

All Work in Basel

Almost all business on this trip to Basel. Only one afternoon free to see any of the sites. Left on January 28 and arrived on January 29. Instead of sleeping, I spent the afternoon seeing the sights. Then the rest of the week was business meetings and dinners with our German colleagues.

They picked some very interesting places for dinner that served great food. I learned that in Germany and Switzerland dinner is an event. Our American fast food mentality frequently carries over to most dining, while in Germany they still enjoy leisurely dining with good conversation. We can learn from that, although I am afraid that they are learning from us and are adopting some of our fast food ways.

Lumos in Vegas

I was in Vegas from July 27 to July 30 attending the Lumos (Harry Potter) conference. It was fun, entertaining, and even educational. Imagine 1200 adults letting their imaginations run wild about all things Harry Potter. There were many people wearing witch and wizard robes and hats. Some attendees dressed in costumes of specific characters (such as Snape, Draco, and Harry) and some wore costumes representing specific Houses or sports (Quidditch) from the novels. There was even one attendee dressed as Fawkes, the Phoenix. Needless to say, there was much wand waving and even some Butterbeer.

In addition to being an avid Harry Potter fan. I also an herb gardener. I love to grow, study and use herbs. So, I did a presentation at the conference on the The Herbs of Harry Potter. (Link to a copy of my presentation in PDF format.) And, if you would like to see some pictures from the conference click here.

I also participated in the Poster Sessions with a poster entitled: Nicholas Flamel: Is He Still Alive? I conducted a poll to see if people thought the real Nicholas Flamel had created the Elixir of Life and was still alive. The vote was close, but by a slight majority the voters though Nicholas was RIP (resting in peace).

Montreal is Charming

This time the destination was Montreal. I flew in on Monday, April 10, and out on Friday, April 14. Again, this was a business trip, but I still got to see a little bit of Montreal. A charming old city with wonderful restaurants and shops.

I also stumbled on to the gallery in Old Montreal that carries the work of Charlotte Nicolin and feel in love the dramatic colors she employs in her paintings of nature and marine life. You just feel happy looking at her work. I didn't buy an original work, but I did buy a print of one of her frog pieces.

New Years Eve in Paris

Tina, my daughter, and I left for Paris on December 27, 2005. We had a wonderful time. It was a bit chilly, but we seldom had to stand in line at museum or other venues in line because this is not the heavy tourist season. It was a truly memorable vacation and my first trip to Europe. I loved the food, the museums, the people, and the sights. We returned to Indy on January 3. I definitely want to go again.