hazel llanes

My sister and I attended a screenprinting workshop at Kid Icarus a few weeks back. It turned out to be a great learning experience! Not to mention we got to hang out at their awesome shop in Kensington Market and met Lourdes who bought us sweet Mexican bread for lunch.

We also liked that there was an emphasis on learning how to do everything at home. It’s only a matter of time before we set up our own mini screen printing operation at our place ;)

Just a couple of unedited snapshots from some shows I visited within the past few months.

First row: Do you want to hear a story? Yes, I want to hear a story @ OCADU Student Gallery

Second row: Lost in the Memory Palace: Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller @ Art Gallery of Ontario

Third row: The Mr Pickles Fan Club Gemma Correll Solo Exhibition @ Magic Pony - see more coverage at Amanda’s blog

Fourth row: OCAD University Grad Ex 2013

Other events not pictured: The Game of Thrones exhibit @ DX and The Mass Exodus fashion show @ Ryerson. Didn’t go to TCAF this year, sadly…

My two friends Kevin and Jordan recently collaborated to start a fashion blog called Twins in Town. It’s unique in that they bring their own talents to the table; Kevin posts his illustrations and paintings while Jordan uses the blog to document his adventures in the realm of styling.

I got to help them out with their custom blogspot layout as well as other general website stuff like obtaining a domain name and integrating social media profiles into the blog.

So far their posts have been exceptional and I’m so excited to see where it’s headed. Make sure you give them a visit!

Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines is another great book to add to any designer’s arsenal.

It’s an extremely helpful guide to manoeuvring through the business aspects of the creative field and answers common questions such as, “How should I price my work?”, “What’s the deal with copyright?”, and the dreaded “How do I make a contract?” (contract templates are included in the the book).

I really wish this was part of every art school’s syllabus because it’s just that useful. At least I know what to get all my designer and illustrator friends for Christmas this year.

Nothing like being able to get a 360º view inside the Sistine Chapel—complete with background choir music—to renew one’s faith in mankind and the internet. I highly recommend you set your browser to full-view to get the full breadth of Michaelangelo’s masterpiece. Use your arrowkeys and control/shift buttons to move about.

It’s incredible how this has been preserved for so long. Look at that anatomy, those colours, and how he fully integrates the architecture into his painting. Gah!

I actually think this might be better than being there in person, what with those tourists crowding the chapel and all.

Those who know me in real life know that I am crazy about anything nautical-themed. So much so that my most worn pieces of clothing are, by far, my numerous striped tops and my good ol’ trusty navy blazer (complete with gold anchor buttons). I even have a captain’s hat that I throw on during Halloween.

Naturally, I created this huge set on Svpply called Nautical Nonsense. It’s a carefully compiled collection of all things nautical, from accessories and menswear to books and home decor, and it’s still growing. For anyone having difficulty getting me a gift, you know where to go.

Advice to Sink in Slowly is an ongoing series of posters designed by graduates for the purpose of passing on advice and inspiration to first year students.

Although illustrators and designers are the people creating these posters, a lot of the posters also apply to those outside of art school, such as “Eat Breakfast”, “Remember to Breathe”, and “Casual Sex is Overrated”.

One of my favorites is Frank Chimero’s advice zine which you can print out to keep in your pocket for when you’re in doubt.

(via Brain Pickings)

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When people ask me how design school has been, I tell them that it’s been tiring. Some days I feel inspired and grateful to be at OCAD studying graphic design, other days I feel frustrated and I question whether this is all worth it. But mostly I’ve been tired.

It’s hard to feel enthusiastic about school when it’s so draining. But I guess this is all just part of the transitional period from high school to college. Here’s hoping that by second semester I learn to cope better!

This illustration by Jeff Hamada is so apt because my sister actually pointed out how dark the bags under my eyes are getting. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry…

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