Tutti frutti, misc, etc.

Two new rings...

2012-02-03T17:06:00.007-05:00

Sterling silver ring with shimmering aquamarine cabochon

Oxydized sterling floral ring with pink tourmaline cabochon

2012-01-27T07:39:00.002-05:00

John (Fire) Lame Deer “Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, we didn’t have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents. Without a prison, there can be no delinquents. We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves. When someone was so poor that he couldn’t afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift. We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property. We didn’t know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth. We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians, therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another. We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don’t know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society.” — John (Fire) Lame Deer

Source: tumblr.com via Luc on Pinterest

A custom order.

2012-01-25T15:50:00.004-05:00

Sterling silver ring with large turquoise cabochon

In Our Hands - Conserving Canada's Natural Treasures

2011-01-12T06:35:00.003-05:00

And here is the original illustration and the actual dollar :

I love this guy!

2010-12-06T19:11:00.002-05:00

My necklace onstage!

2010-06-22T10:17:00.005-04:00

Photo: Jacob J Goldberg

Photo: Jacob J Goldberg

My friend Suzanne Savoy recently performed in a play that took place in the 1920s, and wore one of my necklaces onstage.
The play was "Dodsworth" by Sinclair Lewis and Sydney Howard, and this production ran at the Metropolitan Playhouse in New York City.

Yang Taichi...fast!

2010-05-09T14:21:00.006-04:00

Here is an impressive video of a man doing the form in a fast fashion.
I find it gives a totally new outlook on the form. It really emphasizes the martial art side of taichi.

Old illustrations from the 70's and 80's

2010-05-07T10:42:00.010-04:00

1980's ad for Montreal's transport co. Watercolor, airbrush.

1980's, watercolor and charcoal. Ad for the Grand Toys Company.

Early 1980's, illustration for the cover of TV Hebdo, watercolor.

Fall, 1977, watercolor and charcoal pencil.

Here is a watercolor from the summer of 1977. One of the very first images from my very first portfolio.

I've decided to scan a some slides of illustrations from my beginnings in the 70's and 80's; here are a few of them... There will likely be more to come.

Some recent illustrations

2010-05-04T10:18:00.008-04:00

These are illustrations that go on different maps of Québec regions. They are meant to be used very small.

A new beginning

2010-05-03T15:13:00.003-04:00

I was on my way to the post office, this image caught my eye. What a great illustration of a new beginning!

Just finished, sold already!

2010-04-05T10:35:00.004-04:00

This necklace, made of very beautiful carnelian faceted nuggets, on a handmade chain, was finished thursday afternoon and sold the next day! I must admit that it was quite stunning "in person"!

Mars

2010-03-26T23:32:00.001-04:00

A very beatiful photo of Mars, by the NASA

Quebec Illustrators auction poster illustration 198...

2010-03-24T07:47:00.004-04:00

This was the illustration for a Quebec Illustrators auction poster in the 80's.
There was one every year for a few years then, but due to bids being so low, it was abandoned.

An illustration from the 80's

2010-03-22T23:08:00.005-04:00

This was to illustrate an article in L'Actualité magazine, on young adults returning home to their parents.

A ring or two...

2010-03-21T21:38:00.005-04:00

Here are two rings that I made lately.
One is with a square mexican turquoise cabochon; this one is sold. The other one is with a nice kyanite cabochon.

A reversible pendant.

2010-03-21T14:18:00.005-04:00

Here is a brand new pendant. I just finished it yesterday.
It is made of sterling silver with a black onyx cabochon.

Chairs and other antiques...

2010-03-12T21:58:00.009-05:00

Carina Nebula

2010-03-01T09:25:00.002-05:00

A "tilt-shift" test

2010-02-28T16:09:00.003-05:00

"The country fair"

Star making

2010-02-26T14:20:00.004-05:00

A new pendant

2010-02-25T12:51:00.004-05:00

I made this pendant the same day that I received that wonderful labradorite cabochon.
I find it's quite elegant.

Winter in Montreal

2010-02-23T09:31:00.001-05:00

This is an old photo, from before the digital days, that I always liked a lot.
It's on the Plateau Mont-Royal.

With the help of references...

2010-02-11T16:07:00.005-05:00

Here I am, dressed in a rental costume, to sevre as a model for this Thomas Jefferson illustration.

Food for thought

2010-02-10T08:18:00.001-05:00

-"Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken -- the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investment.

"I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing--oriented" society to a "person--oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered."
(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Jack in the Box

2010-02-10T07:31:00.002-05:00

Leopold & Rudolf Blaschka

2010-02-04T15:39:00.001-05:00

My new site is now online!

2010-02-03T14:34:00.004-05:00

I'm so happy! It's been so much work!
There is still much to do, but the illustration part of the site is up and running! Hallelujah!

In Memoriam Howard Zinn

2010-01-29T11:59:00.002-05:00

Happy new Year!

2010-01-11T16:26:00.006-05:00

An authentic masterpiece!

2009-12-20T15:26:00.008-05:00

This CD, sung totally in innu, by Chloe Sainte-Marie, a singer from Quebec, is truly a masterpiece!
The first song, Mamitunenitamun, that you can hear here, is particularly intense and you don't need to understand what is being sung in order to fall for it.
The whole album is great, the words and music are by Philippe McKenzie who deserves much admiration.
Chloé's voice is that of an angel...

Chloe Sainte-Marie. Photo by Pierre Dury

Sold as soon as posted...

2009-12-15T21:33:00.004-05:00

This set has only been online for a day before it was sold! :-)

New jewelry

2009-12-01T10:57:00.013-05:00

Here are a few of the pieces that I made lately. They are all available at my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/maximeboldeau

Citrine hearts and pink tourmaline bracelet and earrings set:

Onyx drops and african striped glass bracelet and earrings set:

Soft green chrysoprase necklace and earrings set:

Pearls and sterling necklace and earrings set:

Knotted black spinel and sterling necklace:

Labradorite knotted necklace:

Red coral on vintage chain bracelet:

My first sterling pendant

2009-09-09T10:21:00.004-04:00

This is my very first handmade pendant. It's somewhat lopsided, but since it's rather small, it doesn't show too much.
It's made of recycled mexican sterling from old broken pieces, and sterling wire scraps from my beading projects.
I'm quite proud of it because I learned all I needed to achieve it from books.
Oh how I love books! And how important they have always been for me!

Just listed necklaces

2009-08-02T15:59:00.012-04:00

Necklace with jasper landscape pendant (SOLD)

Long half and half black onyx and agate necklace

Indian faerie two strand apatite and hessonite garnet necklace. (SOLD)

Beautiful music, and film.

2009-07-31T13:49:00.007-04:00

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

This is one album that I don't think I'll ever tire of. I've been listening to it in loop for a few months now, and it just keeps on transporting me...
It is a fusion of Mozart and chinese music at it's best. I think it is sublime!

Tracks #1 (La montagne Phénix), #10 (Le soupir du bois), and #26 (La grotte des livres) are good examples of the atmosphere created by this music.
You can hear excerpts of it here.

By the way the film is very good also.

Mean beauty, last post.

2009-07-29T11:37:00.008-04:00

These are the last photos of this (giant?) thistle. I intend to rip it out as soon as the flowers have all withered. The ruler is 72 inches long.

A day at Jenness Beach, NH

2009-07-29T11:33:00.002-04:00

This is a quickly realized panoramic photomerge relating a cloudless day at Jennes Beach, New Hampshire...

Today at "Les Belles d'un Jour"

2009-07-28T23:04:00.009-04:00

I took a few minutes at lunch to visit Michel, my neighbour, and catch a few shots of the blooming daylilies. It must be the peak of the season around here...

Some welcome shade...

A sea of flowers...

Beautiful peach roses

2009-07-16T22:38:00.003-04:00

Shot at our neighbour's place...

Seventeenth century Quebec

2009-07-16T22:19:00.004-04:00

This is a detail of the collage.

This is a photoshop collage that I realized for an history schoolbook a few years ago.
All the character's photos are mine.

Neat ideas from Idée

2009-07-15T08:59:00.003-04:00

Found on another blog a while back, I had to try it again. You can choose up to ten colors, and it will display a corresponding array of Flickr photos. It is such a feast for the eye!
They also have other neat applications.

Mean beauty III

2009-07-15T08:28:00.007-04:00

For this photo, I was around five feet from the subject...
Oh! How I love my new camera!

At last, flowers! My giant thistle is blooming!

Newly listed jewelry

2009-07-14T08:33:00.004-04:00

Green opal knotted necklace, with sterling silver "S" clasp.

Jade and glam ensemble.

Tutti frutti necklace.

A brand new camera

2009-07-09T11:19:00.005-04:00

My older EOS Rebel digital camera needed a good sensor cleanup, so I went to the local camera shop to get it done. Actually, I didn't know what caused these blurry spots on some but not all of my pictures. It appears that it's dust sitting on the light sensors. I suppose that this mostly happens with SLR cameras since dust can enter the camera body during changes of lenses.

Anyway, I also enquired about prices for macro lenses. As these were way too high for my budget, I then asked the salesman if a non-SLR could be a good alternative, mostly in regards to macro.

He then showed me what the latest Canon bridge camera could do...and I was flabbergasted!
The results were really terrific! The only thing that made me not buy it was that it runs on AA batteries, and I loathe AA batteries!

So he showed me the Nikon P90 bridge camera, which gave similar amazing results but featured an affordable lithium ion battery pack.

I took it home for a little more than half the price of a good macro lens, and I'm in love with it.

This photo of Queen Ann's lace is an example of what this little marvel can do:

More new jewelry

2009-07-09T08:25:00.008-04:00

A mid-oriental inspired necklace and earrings set.

Black onyx, black agate and rock crystal knotted necklace.

Azurite, new jade, vintage chain and antiqued brass accents.

Amethyst and rock crystal knotted necklace.

Turquoise and antiqued brass accents bracelet.

Toy car illustration

2009-07-06T15:20:00.003-04:00

Here, just for the fun of it, is a little toy car illustration that I did a while back...

Just listed on Etsy...

2009-07-06T09:52:00.010-04:00

Lapis lazuli and brass necklace, with an oriental inspiration

A gemmy amber colored keyring.

A bracelet made of lapis lazuli drops and chrysocolla beads on a vintage brass chain.

Port of Montréal

2009-07-06T09:33:00.006-04:00

I was in Montréal yesterday, with my daughter and her cousin, to see an exhibition on pirates that had been much advertised. We then went all the way up to the museum's belvedere where we could enjoy a striking view of the port of Montréal.
I then took a series of photos of that view, from left to right, taking care to overlap each photo with the preceeding one (or the next one depending...).
Later on, back home, I remembered that, with the newer versions of photoshop, you could merge such photos automatically (file>automate>photomerge...).
This I tried, and here is the result ( 1 minute for something that would have taken me the better part of a day manually!):

Some more sold jewelry

2009-07-02T10:04:00.015-04:00

Faceted garnet drops, fine jade , sterling and brass earrings

Moss agate discs, fine jade and brass earrings

Turquoise, carnelian and metal necklace

Opalite and brass necklace and earrings set

Ebony discs and metal, necklace and earrings set

Amazonite coin beads, czech glass and freshwater pearls necklace and earrings set

Lapis lazuli, yellow jade and brass ensemble

White coral drops, chromed metal accents and brass, necklace and earrings set

Lapis lazuli drops, carnelian faceted beads on a solid brass chain necklace with earrings set

A beautiful poster by Josée Masse

2009-07-01T12:56:00.005-04:00

This is my girlfriend's latest illustration. Isn't she talented?
It is a poster for an acrobat's circus here in Québec. It is acrylics painted on a wood panel.
This is the uncropped version.

Mean beauty, a sequel...

2009-07-01T11:32:00.016-04:00

Today.
I'm holding a 6 foot ruler!

June 26th

June 14th

June 11th

June 5th

This picture was taken on the first of june
This thistle is growing and growing, who knows how large it can get?

Here's my first post about that mean beauty

Poison ivy, more...

2009-06-25T21:08:00.013-04:00

It grows upwards also

A healthy bunch...

So innocent looking...

A cute baby...

At it's most insidious, small, and hidden in the tall grass...

These are new photos of healthy poison ivy, on my way to the mailbox.
Here to my first poison ivy post.

Details of Italy...

2009-06-17T08:30:00.043-04:00

Detail of a column in Venice,

of a fountain in Massa,

of a painted floor in Manarola, Cinque Terre,

of a cabinet in Murano,

of a fountain in Fivizzano, Toscana, of a cabinet in Murano.

A wooden ornament in Pisa,

a coloured marble sample in Carrara,

an old Madonna in Fivizzano,

a door knocker in Venice,

an old sculpture in Murano,

an ornament in Pisa,

a mosaic in Murano,

a medieval detail in Fivizzano,

a door knocker in Fivizzano,

a door ornament in Venice,

a door knocker in Pisa,

a door knocker in Corniglia, Cinque Terre.

Just sold...

2009-06-14T11:05:00.006-04:00

Mauve reflections set: amethyst, pearls, sterling...

Oh Italy! (part1)

2009-06-12T09:35:00.019-04:00

Manarola, Cinque Terre

It was a few years ago.
We were receiving my my cousin and best friend Marc and Hélène, his girfriend for supper, we were having Indian food, and wine was joyfully flowing...
Marc happened to mention how he had lent his mountain cottage to a violinist friend and her italian lover, and how this lover's family had an apartment in Marina de Massa, near Carrara, Italy, that she would be willing to share as a trade if he so desired... He also mentioned that this was very close to the Cinque Terre, a string of picturesque villages, hooked on the cliffs of the Riviera di Levante, and also near the northern border of Tuscany...
Needless to say that it didn't fall into a deaf man's ears (this is a translation of a french expression, I don't know if it exists in english). I then suggested that were the apartment spacious enough, it would be really great if we could all profit from this offer.

Time went by...

One day, whilst on the web, I stumbled upon a photo of Manarola, one of Cinque Terre's villages, I copied it, and pasted it in an email with the mention: Here is a photo of Cinque Terre. Is my memory at fault or is this the place where you were offered a condo?
And at the end of the mail: You cousin who thinks of you...

Well, believe it or not, a year later, Marc announced me that if I were still interested, we could join them in an Italian vacation in the coming months, provided our schedules could match!

These are just a few of the hundreds of photos that I took during this marvelous trip...

Vines and sea

In Massa

Cinque Terre...

More vines and the sea

This is just a glimpse of one of the wonderful paths that join the Cinque Terre villages.

Vernazza

A view of Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Some wonderfully painted plates in Manarola (I think...)

A street in the Cinque Terre

A view from Corniglia, Cinque Terre

Corniglia, Cinque Terre

A mobile hardware store at the saturday market in Marina di Massa

Portofino

Houses painted in a trompe-l'oeil manner in Portofino

Portofino

In my dreams...

A happy bunch in Portofino

Gladioli

2009-06-11T08:35:00.000-04:00

These are close-ups of a gladioli bouquet.

Jewelry abstracts...

2009-06-06T08:18:00.003-04:00

These are extra photographs that I took whilst shooting my jewelry.
I thought it would be interesting to crop and/or squeak them in photoshop to obtain abstract compositions.

By my talented girlfriend...

2009-06-05T22:15:00.004-04:00

This wonderful card for her mother's 70th birthday.
She has always been an avid wild strawberries picker...

Beware!

2009-06-05T09:27:00.022-04:00

With summer, poison ivy is back!

Although it doesn't affect everybody, those that are affected go through itching hell for at least a couple of weeks!

This is what poison ivy looks like: when young it's reddish, shiny and the leaves point downward.
It later becomes green and looses it's shine. Sometimes a bush, sometimes climbing, it always features three leaves.

One of it's dangers is that it can be very small, almost unnoticeable...yet, it's far from innocent!

Tomato leaves and Impatiens capensis (crushed and applied on redness of the skin) are thought to help relieve the itchyness if not the propagation to other parts of the body.

Impatiens capensis © 2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man)

A little piece of paradise...

2009-06-04T22:49:00.027-04:00

This is a merge of two photos taken in Ausable Chasm (Upper NY State).
It features two things that are dear to me: running water and mosses...

Poem to my white brother

2009-06-03T23:06:00.009-04:00

"Dear white brother,
When I was born, I was black,
When I grew up, I was black,
When I am in the sun, I am black,
When I am sick, I am black,
When I die, I will be black.
While you, white man,
When you were born, you were pink,
When you grew up, you were white,
When you go in the sun, you are red,
When you are cold, you are blue,
When you are scared, you are green,
When you are sick, you are yellow,
When you die, you will be grey.
So, between you and me,
Who is the colored man?"

Léopold Sedar Senghor (1906 - 2001)
Senegalese writer and political man.

translation: Luc Normandin
painting © George Sévère Masse

A marble heart

2009-06-02T10:44:00.010-04:00

This marble heart is a souvenir of last year's trip to Italy.
We were enjoying a lovely car ride in the mountains around Carrara, my girlfriend and I, stopping here and there to enjoy the view, to take pictures, and to immerse ourselves in the freedom of well-deserved vacations.
It was during one of those halts that looking down, I noticed that the ground was mostly pieces of marble, of the whitest kind! It shouldn't have been a surprise since the whole mountain was made of marble, but still, the ground was white with marble!
So, I collected a few pieces (too few actually!), and, a few months later, choosing the whitest piece, I made this heart, as a reminder of this particularly fine day.

10 Essentials of Tai Chi Chuan

2009-06-01T08:57:00.012-04:00

10 Essentials of Tai Chi Chuan

Orally transmitted by Yang Chengfu, recorded by Chen Weiming, translated by Jerry Karin

1. Empty, lively, pushing up and energetic

'Pushing up and energetic' means the posture of the head is upright and straight and the spirit is infused into its apex. You may not use strength. To do so makes the back of the neck stiff, whereupon the chi and blood cannot circulate freely.

You must have an intention which is empty, lively (or free) and natural. Without an intention which is empty, lively, pushing up and energetic, you won't be able to raise your spirit. This four-character phrase is probably the most difficult one in all of taiji literature to translate. I have chosen to regard each of the four words as filling the function of a predicate or verb-phrase. Another fairly obvious approach would be to take the first two as adverbial and the last two as subject-predicate: "Empty and lively, the apex is energetic. Many other interpretations are possible.

2. Hold in the chest and pull up the back

The phrase 'hold in the chest' means the chest is slightly reserved inward, which causes the qi to sink to the cinnabar field (dan1 tian2). The chest must not be puffed out. If you do so then the qi is blocked in the chest region, the upper body becomes heavy and lower body light, and it will become easy for the heels to float upward.

'Pulling up the back' makes the qi stick to the back. If you are able to hold in the chest then you will naturally be able to pull up the back. If you can pull up the back, then you will be able to emit a strength from the spine which others cannot oppose.

3. Relax the waist

The waist is the commander of the whole body. Only after you are able to relax the waist will the two legs have strength and the lower body be stable. The alternation of empty and full all derive from the turning of the waist.

Hence the saying: 'The wellspring of destiny lies in the tiny interstice of the waist.' Whenever there is a lack of strength in your form, you must look for it in in the waist and legs. In Chinese thought the waist tends to be regarded as the space between two vertebrae, rather than a circle girdling the middle of the body.

4. Separate empty and full

In the art of Taijiquan, separating full and empty is the number one rule. If the whole body sits on the right leg, then the right leg is deemed 'full' and the left leg 'empty'. If the whole body sits on the left leg, then the left leg is deemed 'full' and the right leg 'empty'.

Only after you are able to distinguish full and empty will turning movements be light, nimble and almost without effort; if you can't distinguish them then your steps will be heavy and sluggish, you won't be able to stand stably, and it will be easy for an opponent to control you.

5. Sink the shoulders and droop the elbows

Sinking the shoulders means the shoulders relax open and hang downward. If you can't relax them downward, the shoulders pop up and then the chi follows and goes upward, causing the whole body to lack strength.

Drooping the elbows means the elbows are relaxed downward. If the elbows are elevated then the shoulders are unable to sink. When you use this to push someone they won't go far. It's like the'cut off' energy of external martial arts. External martial arts such as Shaolin are thought to use energy from parts or sections of the body, as opposed to the 'whole-body' energy of taiji.

6. Use Intent Rather than Force

The taiji classics say, "this is completely a matter of using intent rather than force". When you practice taijiquan, let the entire body relax and extend. Don't employ even the tiniest amount of coarse strength which would cause musculo-skeletal or circulatory blockage with the result that you restrain or inhibit yourself. Only then will you be able to lightly and nimbly change and transform, circling naturally.

Some wonder: if I don't use force, how can I generate force? The net of acupuncture meridians and channels throughout the body are like the waterways on top of the earth. If the waterways are not blocked, the water circulates; if the meridians are not impeded the qi circulates. If you move the body about with stiff force, you swamp the meridians, qi and blood are impeded, movements are not nimble; all someone has to do is begin to guide you and your whole body is moved.

If you use intent rather than force, wherever the intent goes, so goes the qi. In this way, because the qi and blood are flowing, circulating every day throughout the entire body, never stagnating - after a lot of practice, you will get true internal strength.

That's what the taiji classics mean by "Only by being extremely soft are you able to achieve extreme hardness." Somebody who is really adept at taiji has arms which seem like silk wrapped around iron, immensely heavy. Someone who practices external martial arts, when he is using his force, seems very strong. But when not using force, he is very light and floating. By this we can see that his force is actually external, or superficial strength. The force used by external martial artists is especially easy to lead or deflect.

7. Synchronize Upper and Lower Body

In the taiji classics 'Synchronize Upper and Lower Body is expressed as: "With its root in the foot, emitting from the leg, governed by the waist, manifesting in the hands and fingers - from feet to legs to waist - complete everything in one impulse".

When hands move, the waist moves and legs move, and the gaze moves along with them. Only then can we say upper and lower body are synchronized. If one part doesn't move then it is not coordinated with the rest. Literally "one qi". This could also be rendered as "one breath"

8. Match Up Inner and Outer

What we are practicing in taiji depends on the spirit, hence the saying: "The spirit is the general, the body his troops". If you can raise your spirit, your movements will naturally be light and nimble, the form nothing more than empty and full, open and closed.

When we say 'open', we don't just mean open the arms or legs; the mental intent must open along with the limbs. When we say 'close', we don't just mean close the arms or legs; the mental intent must close along with the limbs. If you can combine inner and outer into a single impulse, then they become a seamless whole. Literally "one chi". This could also be rendered as "one breath"

9. (Practice) Continuously and Without Interruption

Strength in external martial arts is a kind of acquired, brute force, so it has a beginning and an end, times when it continues and times when it is cut off, such that when the old force is used up and new force hasn't yet arisen, there is a moment when it is extremely easy for the person to be constrained by an opponent.

In taiji, we use intent rather than force, and from beginning to end, smoothly and ceaselessly, complete a cycle and return to the beginning, circulating endlessly. That is what the taiji classics mean by "Like the Yangtse or Yellow River, endlessly flowing." And again: "Moving strength is like unreeling silk threads". These both refer to unifying into a single impulse. Literally "one qi". This could also be rendered as "one breath"

10. Seek Quiescence within Movement

External martial artists prize leaping and stopping as skill, and they do this till breath (qi) and strength are exhausted, so that after practicing they are all out of breath. In taiji we use quiescence to overcome movement, and even in movement, still have quiescence.

So when you practice the form, the slower the better! When you do it slowly your breath becomes deep and long, the chi sinks to the cinnabar field (danqtian) and naturally there is no deleterious constriction or enlargement of the blood vessels. If the student tries carefully he may be able to comprehend the meaning behind these words.

© Yang ChengFu Tai Chi Chuan Centre UK

Just listed on Etsy...

2009-05-29T13:48:00.003-04:00

I finally found some time, this morning, to photograph and list these.

A post featuring my jewelry...

2009-05-28T10:06:00.004-04:00

Great news this morning!
Laura Trevey is featuring some of my jewelry on her great blog, "Bright, Bold, and Beautiful" with a link to my Etsy shop!
It sure makes my day!
Thanks Laura!

My dogs and me.

2009-05-27T13:33:00.016-04:00

Last but not least, here is Maya.

She is a cross between a Labrador and a Bernese Mountain Dog.

We bought her at a regular farm for $50.00! She was the runt of the litter, and that's what made us take her.

A little before her adoption, my sister had given us a kitten who had tried really, really hard to befriend our old cat, without ever succeeding. So, when we arrived with this puppy, who at that point was the same size has he was, it was such a celebration! They started to play right away, and they did so until their adulthood.

Maya is probably the best dog I ever had; she's smart, she obeys and she loves kids.

Then there was Zoé with her beautiful brindle patterned robe. I adopted her at the SPCA. She was a very loving dog, but very nervous, scared of everything, and a glutton!
She died at eleven.

This was Albert, a great dog that was given to me as a baby when I was 25. He died at the age of sixteen.
Here is a photo of this serious and courageous (he would climb ladders amongst other things) dog that I always liked very much.

A green bouquet

2009-05-26T16:07:00.007-04:00

Illustration © Luc Normandin

We're back!

2009-05-26T11:39:00.005-04:00

While doing my taichi, last night, on my driveway, I realized that the mosquitoes really are back, and hungry as ever!
This is an illustration that I made for Muskol, a few years ago .

Illustration©Luc Normandin

While twittering...

2009-05-24T10:33:00.011-04:00

I just was managing my follows on Twitter and I fell on this photography site "Instants suspendus" by Mylène Bressan, that really touched me, so I want to share.
Here are but a few of these shallow depth of field images...

Smell this!

2009-05-23T23:00:00.006-04:00

Today was a glorious day!
With smells of lilac and lilies of the valley, a cloudless sky, gardening, cooking, reading a great book, enjoying life...
What more can you ask for?

Planting potatoes

2009-05-21T12:43:00.013-04:00

Today's a magnificent day: 30˚c (86˚F), sunny, somewhat windy (no mosquitoes!), so it's perfect for planting!

Lorraine, my friendly neighbour, who has access to a reliable potato tubers pusher, has been so kind as to give me, again this year, a good amount of Ratte potato tubers.

These small oblong potatoes, of french or danish origin, are absolutely delicious.

They are, with their unique nutty taste, a favorite of french chefs.

I plant them about 18 inches apart, with bone meal and wood ashes.

For some facts about potatoes.

A lovely afternoon at Montreal's Botanical Garden

2009-05-19T10:54:00.024-04:00

Yesterday was a holiday here in Quebec, so I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon with my daughter at Montreal's Botanical Garden.
The orchids greenhouse was particularly interesting.
Here are some photos that I took:

A few given pieces

2009-05-18T10:08:00.012-04:00

A formula, a mantra, a prayer?

2009-05-16T23:43:00.011-04:00

This formula has been passed to me by my father.
He used to read psychic books, amongst others (he was an avid reader), and I believe that it comes from one of those "spiritual books".
I have said it everyday for over thirty years now:

"I know definitely, that the right thing will come into my life, at the right time for my peace of mind, because I have all doors open wide, and I am in right thinking".

Giveaway for photoshop users

2009-05-15T11:01:00.014-04:00

This is a two picture faux-matte to be printed on your inkjet printer.
It consists of different layers and can accomodate any digital images.
Here, I have used it with old botanical watercolor images. You can see it in it's frame.
The main color (green here) can be changed to fit the subject, the frame or your environment.

You can download the (zipped) photoshop file by clicking on the ornate flowery frame.

My first portfolio illustration...in 1977!

2009-05-15T10:42:00.007-04:00

Scilla siberica

2009-05-14T19:12:00.006-04:00

Mean beauty

2009-05-13T14:09:00.005-04:00

This beast is over a year old.
Last fall, it was over one meter across, and, since it's in an untamed part of our land, I let it grow.
I wonder how large it will get!

Beautiful flowers, beautiful people...

2009-05-13T13:27:00.011-04:00

This is about my neighbours, Lorraine and Michel, who have been cultivating Hemerocallis for over nine years now.
They have over 400 varieties of these. They offer a visit of their garden, which is beautiful, for a mere $4,00, and they also sell online.
They are very sweet people and dear friends of ours.
Photos Michel Servant

A few long necklaces that I sold recently

2009-05-13T08:56:00.005-04:00

1930s-40s in Color, a wonderful photo collection

2009-05-12T13:17:00.004-04:00

Some jewelry display ideas

2009-05-11T22:53:00.012-04:00

Here are some jewelry displays that I made. The necklace and bracelet post with branches, was made with the help of my cabinet-maker neighbour, and the other ones by myself.

Two large scale illustrations

2009-05-11T06:48:00.005-04:00

These are graphic surfaces for an exhibition in Shawinigan, Québec.

A few more sold pieces

2009-05-09T23:32:00.008-04:00

Revamping my illustration site

2009-05-07T10:17:00.004-04:00

I'm presently working on my illustration site.
I will most likely use SimpleViewer to show my different portfolios. It's clean looking and quite easy to configure. I just have to resize all my images first, and that's a lot of work!

At last, an Etsy sale!

2009-05-07T08:37:00.004-04:00

After over a month without an Etsy sale, I opened up my Yahoo this morning, and surprise! A sale!
And one of my most expensive sets, sterling silver and chrysoprase!
It sure makes my day!

Sold or given lately

2009-05-06T21:54:00.008-04:00

Bad news

2009-05-05T16:24:00.004-04:00

Just got my answer from a juried arts and crafts show for which I had high hopes...
Too many jewelry makers, the letter said.
I guess it's not the time to quit my day job.
Luckily, I love that day job of mine!

Another Etsy treasury

2009-05-05T16:18:00.006-04:00

Thanks vsilcoxdesigns for having me in.

Monique Phaneuf Normandin 1922-2009

2009-04-29T09:24:00.006-04:00

An absolutely amazing animation!

2009-04-22T22:56:00.003-04:00

I'm on an Etsy treasury for the third time now!

2009-04-20T22:25:00.004-04:00

Thanks Eclectibles!

Some more sold jewelry

2009-03-25T22:55:00.012-04:00

A new jewelry and art boutique

2009-03-14T11:15:00.006-04:00

A few days ago, I registered to a new venue called Zibbet. They are still at their beta stage. They promote art and crafts, and most importantly, handmade over all. Their categories are: painting, photography, drawings, mixed media art, digital, prints, jewelry, ceramics and pottery, glass art, sculptures and other handmade items. One of the most interesting aspects of this site is that it's free until you make a sale, at which point, a decent 7.5% fee is demanded.

I have started to list some jewelry, and I'm planning to also list paintings and drawings, and see what happens.

I have been a seller at Etsy for over a year now, and with only 20 sales, I am somewhat desillusioned with it. I suppose that for the first 1000 or so sellers on Etsy, it has been and probably remains a great venue, but - and this is probably true mostly in jewelry - for newcomers, to be noticed in zillions of shops, with almost no chance of ever being on the first page unless you spend your life in forums, trying to figure out how to ever make it there if you're not an Etsy star...
I am now picking up nice Etsy bills every month, religiously relisting my jewelry with little effect, much to the glee of Etsy owners, laughing all the way to the bank!
Actually, that's what I'd like to be today, an Etsy partner!

An interview on Spraygraphic

2009-02-25T13:52:00.005-05:00

I have been interviewed on Spraygraphic. It's about illustration.

More sold jewelry

2009-02-19T13:57:00.010-05:00

Two photo shoots in so many days

2009-02-14T12:40:00.004-05:00

Last night and this morning, I was somewhat behind in my photos, (as you may know, 2 hours to make a necklace will need two hours to put it for sale!).
So, in those two sessions, I took well over 450 shots that will permit me to put some twenty pieces of jewelry online...Hoping some will sell.
Last night I had to use artificial lighting and my light tent, today , the sun was presest, so I took advantage of it.
Now, to photoshop and getting the pics ready for the web!

Holiday lights in the snow

2009-01-05T12:06:00.004-05:00

Two easy sauces

2008-12-10T20:42:00.007-05:00

Easy tartar sauce

•1/2-3/4 cup commercial mayo
•juice of 1/2 lemon
•1tsp Dijon mustard
•1tbs (or more to taste)sweet relish

Mix all ingredients together.
Great with white fleshed fish, fish sticks, fish'n chips...

Easy shrimp cocktail sauce

•1/2-3/4 cup chili sauce
•juice of 1/2 lemon
•1tsp (or more to taste) horseradish

Mix all ingredients together.
Great with...shrimp cocktail, fried clams, fried scallops etc.

Setting up shop

2008-12-10T20:25:00.006-05:00

I am now setting up shop on Artfire.
Since I'm already on Etsy, it's quite easy to list stuff on Artfire, I use all the same elements, photos, descriptions etc.
It's really neat, I registered yesterday night, and sold my first necklace this morning!
This is it: