Block Printing

This afternoon I was fortunate enough to attend a Block Printing workshop hosted by a local northwestern artist. I had never tried my hand at this craft and I really enjoyed it. Spatially I struggle with material that involves mirrored images and positive versus negative, but it was a really fun challenge. And, I'm very pleased with how my prints turned out!


A finished product! This print involved carving two different blocks and then using two different colors to achieve the desired effect.

 
First, I used a block that would print the blue sky.

 
Once I had my blue sky, I applied my "key block" which contained the finer details and really the structure for the whole print.

I learned a lot and would love to try my hand and imagination again soon!

Riley

Japanese Food Art

At IslandWood this week we've been fortunate enough to host Michiko Olson, one of our Artists In Residence. Her craft involves creating edible artwork, while giving a history of Japan and the influences that shaped the country.

A couple of nights ago a colleague and myself teamed up to created a few avian creatures.


Bird is the word.

I spent a couple of hours with my students and Michiko yesterday and we had an absolute blast.

Here's to the unique experiences!

Riley

Roll Bounce

I just got back from an absolutely wonderful time at Bremerton Skateland in nearby Bremerton, Washington. In total, over fifteen of us made the trip to roll, roll, roll.


I, of course, would never set wheel on the floor without adequate attire.

 
 Skateland's scene.

How the roller rink ever faded into the background of modern society I will never understand.

Riley

Dare I Say... Spring?

It rains here, a lot. Yet, lately we've had a few days of magnificent sunshine. It appears that spring is finally here. Yesterday I spent the day with a handful of my colleagues enjoying some much needed Vitamin D.


We walked along the water below Pegasus Coffee House and came across these wonderful creations.

 
 The flowers are starting to bloom! Bleeding Hearts.

 
A highlight of the day was touring our local distillery, Bainbridge Island Distillery. The distillery creates vodka, whiskey, and Douglas Fir flavored gin. I'd never toured a distillery before and it was really, really interesting. The head distiller graciously gave five of us the full tour, explaining everything you ever wanted to know about the process. The chemistry behind it all is honestly mystifying.

Bring on the sunshine!

Riley

Waiting...

Hello!

I just wanted to post a medical school admissions process update for everyone who has been so kind and supportive over the last ten months as I have been trying to gain acceptance into medical school.

I am currently on the wait list for the University of Vermont College of Medicine and for The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. I will most likely not hear anything back from these schools until late May as that is when candidates who have been accepted to various medical schools will have to decide at which school they will enroll, therefore opening up spots (hopefully) for the rest of us! So for now...more waiting.

In the meantime...I have been accepted to the Doctor of Naturopathy Program at Bastyr University in Seattle; another great option should I chose to pursue that path first.

Thanks for all the support!

Cait