Wexford Girl

Why I Love UX Week

Every year, San Francisco company Adaptive Path hosts a conference called UX Week, and I sometimes get to go for a day or so. This year, I was at the opening and the closing days of the conference, and they were awesome! Its so great to be gathered with hundreds of user experience designers, information architects, and content strategists (like me) to hear about the cool new stuff that's happening in the world of user experience - not just online, but in real-world applications too. It's always inspriring and fun.

The first speaker on Friday was Michael Wesch, a cultural anthropologist exploring the effects of new media on society and culture. He spoke for 45 minutes about how the web is creating more human interaction and bringing us closer. Despite the LOLcats, dangerous Craigslist hookups, and anonymous viciousness of YouTube commenters, the Web is helping us forge connections and find meaning and identity in the world. Here is another talk he gave, very similar to the UX Week one.

He created this wonderful thought-provoking movie, which he showed parts of. After his talk, I found the whole thing. I wasn't the only one; I saw many people running this video on their laptops and iPads.

Adaptive Path will have video of the 2010 speakers up soon, (here are the 2009 presentations), and if you just watch one, please watch Michael Wesch's presentation. People - including me - were actually getting teary!

 

Library

A few weeks ago, I rejoined the Library and promptly put several books from my Amazon wishlist on the "request" list. They were sent to my local library (the Chinatown branch, which is near work), and I picked up EIGHT books last week. I started reading two at once (the one I pick up depends on my mood): Nightfall and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov, and A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness by V.S. Ramachandran.

Here is an odd congruence of ideas that struck me:

From short story "Hostess" by Isaac Asimov:

"In short, there are not five intelligences in the galaxy, but six, and the sixth is parasitic....In the case of the parasitic intelligence, all physical attributes would be lost. It would become nothing but pure mind, living... on the minds of others."

From the V.S. Ramachandran book:

"One could think of this metarepresentation almost as a second 'parasitic' brain... that has evolved in us humans to create a more economical description of the automatic processes that are being carried out in the first brain."

I love that! 

I eat up books about the mysteries of the brain. I also just started The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge. Fascinating stuff! It all started with some of more mind-bending episodes of excellent radio show Radiolab. The episodes on Memory and Forgetting, Sleep, Who Am I?, Where Am I?, Musical Language, Parasites, and Animal Minds are particularly amazing. 

Hello again. I'm going to take baby steps back into blogging. I promised my nephew Jordan that I would start blogging again, and I will Jordie! Bear with me! 

 

Sindy's 1972 -1976 Wardrobe

Oh I love the Internet. I was daydreaming about my favorite doll growing up: Britain's answer to Barbie - Sindy, and I decided to see if I could find images of the outfits I had for her when I was young. I found EVERYTHING!

I remember these clothes, the feel of the fabrics, and I can see exactly how each garment fastened. I played with this doll constantly between the ages of 6 and 10, and I would probably still play with her now.

I believe it was Christmas of '72 when I got my first Sindy. She had one leg slightly shorter than the other. Here is a story I wrote for Victoria. I am holding that Sindy. (I can see that it was after I washed her hair and ruined it.)

The outfit she was wearing in the box. What's with the weird half-skirt Sindy?

 

I got several outfits too that first Christmas, including this stylish coat:

This terrifying ensemble:
 

Sindy as a bride:

 

And, Oh!, the "Theatre Time" outfit. I loved this one. It was a skirt and overdress (which also looked great on its own.)

More Theatre Time. I remember one of the little gold buttons on the dress fell off.

 

For my birthday the following year, I got this adorable yellow pinafore and printed shirt:

 

This sweet red dress:

 

And a silky blouse with culottes. So au courant!

 

I spotted this career girl skirt suit in a store in Waterford when we were there on a day trip from Wexford. I set about begging my mother to buy it for me. I cried and pleaded and begged and cried, and eventually I wore her down. 

We drove home from Waterford, the whole family. None of the others had been bought anything, and they were glaring at me. My parents were angry. 

I got the outfit, but I felt ashamed and I never resorted to those tactics again.
 

This blue dress was a favorite. I wanted one that would fit me.

 

 Look at this great coat:

 

The last clothes I got for Sindy were these mix 'n' match separates. After that I lost interest in her, and moved on to other things, like books, and boys, and swimming. 

I kept all the clothes and the dolls in a little black and white circular suitcase for years, until my niece Leigh discovered them, and who knows what happened to them then. It's so great to see these now. Hello Sindy.
 

 

Jamie and Me

This is classic procrastinator behavior. When I was in Ireland, fellow lazy blogger Dave and I made a pact that we would do two blog posts before the end of February, so what do I do? Two posts in one day on the last day of the month. 

Ok, this is about how much I love Jamie.

  

This is his new book (it's called Jamie's Food Revolution in the US). Liz and Dave had it in Wexford, and flipping through it, I had to have it too. It's all about simple, healthy food that anyone can make, with clear instructions and photos. 

One of my goals is to become a better cook (so Eric doesn't have to do it all the time), and this book is just wonderful. I've made his chopped salad, cauliflower cheese macaroni, and this granola:

I made a big batch last night, which was the third batch I've made since I came back. It's so easy to make and tastes utterly delicious with yogurt and fresh blueberries, or milk. 

Here is my version. LOOK HOW MUCH LIKE JAMIE'S IT LOOKS!! I used craisins instead of raisins.

 

I probably should have waited and bought the US version of the book instead though. Can you see why?

 

Grams! There are also some names of items that are different in England and America. 

• aubergine = eggplant
• courgette = zucchini 
• cos lettuce = romaine lettuce
• rocket = arugula
• chicory = Belgian endive
• mince = ground beef

But I can mostly figure it out. Translating keeps it interesting.

When I went to take photos of my book out on the deck just now, another cookbook was out there open to this page:

 
And Eric is not here (I just came back from the studio) so I guess he's shopping and that's what we're having for dinner tonight. God bless my lovely husband!

Tim

We found out on Friday January 29th that my dad's scan had revealed colon cancer which had spread to his liver. By Monday, February 1st I was on a plane home. I just couldn't stand to not be there. 

I am so glad I went home. I got to spend time with the family: 

• My mother. We spent a lot of time just the two of us before Eric joined me for the second week. We would watch all her English/Australian/Irish soaps together with me going, "Who's he?" "Why does she want to kill him" "Whose baby is that?" We laughed a lot.
• Liz and Dave and kids, who possess the enviable superpower of effortlessly feeding everyone with delicious meals. I believe I had dinner or lunch at their house all but two days of the two and a half weeks I was there. 
• Michael, my brother in Cork, who drove back to Wexford both weekends I was there to see dad. It was great to see him, and not just because he brought me three Jeu de Paumes books from his trip to Japan last year.
• John and family in Dublin. John picked me up from the airport and we drove to Wexford together. We were both there to see dad just as he came out of surgery. I saw John, Geraldine and their three little girls one more time when I was there, despite John having a bad chest infection that turned out to be pneumonia! He's getting better now.

Dad continues to recover from the colon bypass surgery, and as soon as he is strong enough, he will undergo chemo to address the cancer. One thing I leaned which was encouraging and surprising is that the older you are, the better you can withstand the effects of chemotherapy. My dad is 76, so perhaps it won't be so bad; he might sail through it.

I really feel that dad will be with us for many more years. Tim Galvin is a great man, generous, kind, smart, fun. We are all pulling for him, and it's been great to see the family really come together and get closer. I am far away, but the unexpectedness of this latest trip taught me that I can be there in 24 hours, at the drop of a hat (without the flight costing more than normal too - thanks Aer Lingus). 

Stay strong dad. I will see you in May.

 

 

  

Some Photos

Eric and me in LA at Jed's wedding:

Eric and my brother John:

 

Eric in Ireland:

My dad with the blonde in the black dress:

 

Me at my first art show opening, in 2006:
 
 
 

 

49 New Reasons

I am preparing for another show, featuring more of the 49 Mile Drive paintings.  I don't want it to be the same show as I had a year and a half ago in the Curiosity Shoppe. That was such a fun show, but new show - new work. Time for something different.

So I am having fun with the sign. I'm no longer keeping the bird white, and I'm introducing patterns and doodles wherever I fancy. The paintings are also on panels, not canvas. It is so much fun. Here are some I have almost completed (one still needs words). 

This will also be a show of 49 paintings so I have a lot of work to do. 

 

And some closer shots: 

 

  

Dear Oscar

Oscar Wilde by Richard Ellmann

This is the best biography I've ever read. Ellmann redefined the genre. His biographies of Joyce and Yeats are great too.

It's a commitment - over 700 pages - but really worth it

Pretty Bandits

 

I just finished these two yesterday.

I can't believe another year has flown by so quickly. Highlights of 2009 include:

• My first full year of having Mondays off to work in the studio - bliss!
• Rossiter Mountain's trip to California in March
• Trips to Ireland in May and September
• Seeing my niece Leigh get married
• My 25-year high school reunion in Ireland (at which I got way too drunk)
• Trip to Chicago and Michigan in August
• The increasing success of 3 Fish Studios

I resolve to post more in 2010, I really do!

Waving The Flag

Just in time for Renegade, Eric printed out these six versions of my California Flag series.  They are 7"x5", and we are selling them on the website for only $12.00 a set.  I think they look great - you can see my brush strokes!

 

Pretty

  

My New Paintings Are For Sale Online!

Here are six of the sixteen new pieces that we have for sale on the 3 Fish Studios website.  I love these pieces - I think they were inspired by MadMen and a few glasses of wine.  They are all 8" x 10", sell for only $100.00 each, and the price includes shipping! 

Old Pictures

Here are some old photos I borrowed from home last time I was there. I love going through the boxes of photos in Wexford.

Look at this handsome lad. My dad, playing tennis in 1959.

 

Mam on Curracloe beach in Wexford, C 1959.

 

After secondary school, my mother went to a domestic college, where she learned to cook and manage a household, and basically be a good housewife. This is her (far right) and her classmates, presenting wedding cakes they had baked and decorated.

 

I love this shot of my parents at a play. This was taken by an Irish Times photographer. After it appeared in the paper, they must have ordered a copy. 

 

Me at age seven, angelically making my First Holy Communion.

 

And five years later, making my confirmation in a matronly blue suit. That's our teacher Mrs. Stafford, who liked to terrify us with tales of the devil and the end of the world. 

I guess T-strap shoes were in that year.

 

I love this, because did you ever see a sadder Christmas tree? Christmas 1969, welcoming home my mother and brand new sister, Elizabeth.

 

Maria Bamford

Maria Bamford is one of my favorite comedians. SO funny and a little painful. I don't know why she's not as famous as Sarah Silverman.

Check out The Maria Bamford Show. It's a fake show she creates at her parents' house (where she has retreated after a nervous breakdown). She plays all the characters and it's just brillant. Find other episodes and her stand-up in the Related Videos.

Love. Her.

More New Work

 

 

Studio Day

More work for my new show. I had a productive day at the studio, while Eric was teaching a linocut class. I love it here.

 

And this is the postcard. Opening is Thursday November 5th, 6:00 pm at Hotel Biron. Come for the art, stay for the delicious wine!

New Work

I'm getting ready for an upcoming show at Hotel Biron in November. More details soon!

  
 

Twenty Years

Twenty years ago today, I moved to the United States. 

On the 4th of October, 1989, Paddy picked me up from the airport with her friend Matt. I called her today and she said she still feels guilty that she was late picking me up, but I don't remember her being late; I just remember being dazed after taking the longest flight of my life, and very happy to see a familiar face. 

We went to Nicki's on Haight Street and Matt bought me a bottle of black Brazillian Beer called Xingu. It was delicious and strange, which was how America felt to me then too. When my eyes started to close, Paddy took me back to the apartment on Russian Hill she shared with Deedee and I slept on a fold-out futon. The next morning, I was woken early by the clanging of a cable car coming up Jackson Street. I was beyond excited, leaning out the window, watching the cable car, looking over the city, the Bay Bridge in the distance, silvergray against the blue.

That first day, I met Deedee (loved her instantly), and took the cable car downtown with her. I wandered around, exploring the city, and eating all the things I had seen in movies but never tasted - a hot dog from a street vendor, a brownie from a cookie shop, and later, French toast in Zim's on Sutter Street (long-time SF folk surely remember Zim's.) I got a terrible stomach-ache.

The first few days are kind of a blur for me. I met Antoinette and Erica who lived upstairs, and did some investigation into ad agencies and jobs. I thought when I was asked "paper or plastic" at the grocery store that they were asking me how I was going to pay. I had to ask for help at the mailbox when I was trying to post a letter - I was looking for a hole and didn't know there was a handle inside you had to pull down.

The first weekend I was in San Francisco, I met my dear college friend Julie in Union Square and we spent the day together. She had moved to the South Bay the year before and was working as a nanny. It was so wonderful to spend time with her. That evening, as I stood looking over the railing on Powell and Market and watched her descend into the BART station, waving goodbye, I was suddenly flattened with homesickness. All I wanted was to be home in Wexford in my parents' kitchen, having a cup of tea with my mam. 

I was homesick a lot the first year, but happy too. I thought of my new life as my American Adventure, a new country I would experience for a couple of years before returning to my real life in Ireland. I never dreamed I would still be here 20 years later. I still think of Ireland as home in a lot of ways, but this is really my home, where I have a house and a husband, and a job and friends. Thanks America, for welcoming me.

This is me in the apartment I shared with weird strangers the first six months. look at that hair!

 

Me at an early job, the art supply/pen store:

 

Union Square, 1990:

After Paddy went to the Peace Corps in Poland, I moved in with Deedee. This is in our apartment getting ready for a party, 1990:

And this appears to be the same night. Antoinette, me, Jim, and Deanna: 

Twenty years. Wow! Its been a good run so far.

Beautiful

My friend Desiree's gorgeous girls.

IB Crafty

On Saturday, 3 Fish Studios will be at the first IB Crafty show in San Francisco, at Workspace Ltd. 2150 Folsom Street. Its going to be a really fun afternoon so come visit!

India Rose Store Opening

Our dear friends Carter and Mark are opening the first India Rose store in Brisbane this Friday. You won't believe what they have done with the space they found - an old liquor store. Come to the opening party to help celebrate, and see India Rose's gorgeous textiles, furniture from Eames Loft, and oh yes, art from 3 Fish Studios. You'll even get to meet the real India Rose, Carter and Mark's beautiful 8-year-old daughter.

It's right in downtown Brisbane, opposite Mad House coffee. Brisbane is a really cute town in the hills north of the SF Airport, and it's not that far at all from downtown, so come on out!

Congratulations Leigh and Gary

My beautiful niece Leigh got married yesterday. Despite torrential rain the day before, they got a lovely day, which is the fervent wish of every Irish bride. It was a really great day. I wish this young (so young) couple the very best.

 

 

 

 

Tim's Class

My Dad's first primary school graduating class from Scoil Mhuire, where he was principal for 14 years, threw him a surprise party on the occasion of the school's 20-year-anniversary. They are now men and women in their mid-thirties. He didn't remember all of them, but as he said, if he didn't remember you, that meant you were a good student who didn't get sent to the principal's office a lot.

Here's the bit in the local paper. He was chuffed!

 

Funny Kids

Oh my GOD I love these kids. Can't wait to see them in a few weeks. Yes, I'm going to Ireland again, this time for my niece Leigh's (the older sister of these four) wedding.

More Blue Girls

I don't know why I like painting blue girls so much, but they are speaking to me right now.

Paint Chip Bears

Went to Lowes today. I love free paintchips!

Blue Girls

Paper Girls

Thanks Jaime

I wrote before about how much I love comic book art, my absolute favorite being Jaime Hernandez's Love and Rockets. Because she came across that post, Jaime's wife Meg (who has a wonderful blog) got in touch with me a couple of years ago; her daughter liked my bear paintings. So I sent her one, trying hard not to gush too much about how much I love her husband's work. 

I was beyond thrilled to get this little drawing of Hopey from Jaime. I think I actually ran around the house screaming with delight when I opened the mail. It is framed at the studio, and it's one of my most treasured possessions. Occasionally, visitors recognize Jaime's work, and they are always very impressed that it's a personalized drawing.

I credit both Hernandez brothers, especially Jaime, with teaching me how to draw women. Thanks Jaime!

 

The Maggie and Hopey stories are available in one huge, gorgeous book, and I can't recommend it highly enough. The art is luscious, and the stories are heartbreaking, funny, and real.

Happy Fourth of July

Have a wonderful long weekend, anyone who is still reading this neglected blog.

Here are a couple of recent paintings:

 

Found Letter, 1910

Monday, Jan 24, '10

Dearest mine:

Before you receive this you will have had the little taste of goodies we did up for you last night, and also the "pome" which Miss Brownell was inspired to write.

Just as soon as I got in from Church, Aunt Sue told me we were to do up a little box for you at tea time! She never forgets you, and she never forgets the nice little things to do.

Allie and Ralph got over there in time to go to Vespers and when we got back to the house, tea was all ready in the parlor. All the household but Mrs. Varney was there, and Miss Brownell besides. We had a very good time, and I wish your share of the supper might begin to taste as well as ours did. Cocoa was the only thing we could not send you.

Here comes Inez Lowthes. She was due to come last Friday and didn't, and I have had no word. It is fortunate for her that I am at home.

Later:

We are just waiting for Allie and mother and father to come to dinner. Allie and mother have been down town shopping all day, finishing up as far as possible the shopping planned for this month. It seems endless. Each day we go down we expect to finish up but can never quite manage it. Allie phoned out that she had found something she thought I would like for a kimono, so I had her get it.

Your letter has come! It seems to be the substance and not the length of letters that please, for yours made me very happy. It brought you so near that I could feel the thrills go through me as when we sat together on the corner seat a week ago tonight. After my day of longing for you, that evening with you in my arms meant simply worlds to me, and I find myself reverting to it and living again the pleasure of it, time and time again. It is one of the nights that stand out even from other happy nights. To try to tell you how I wanted you that night, how I wanted to hold you close to me and cover you with my love and kisses, and how much your love meant to me, would be impossible.

If when you had been asleep and kissed me on waking, you did it just because you thought I would like it, I would be sorry indeed. What pleases me is that you love me enough that your first thought on waking is of me, and your first desire to kiss me. But it is your ever thoughtful and beautiful nature that causes your love to find expression in such tender gentle ways, and prompts you to do the little things that mean so much to me, though directly it may be simply because they are what you want to do.

I just love to think about you and talk about you in so far as I may - your cheery disposition in the home, your pleasing manners and attentions to others, your bright, clean, healthy look, and your general orderliness, your ability to turn your hand to anything and to fit into any place. Oh, a hundred and one things I could not take time to mention. It is you through and through. Everything about you I love, even the tobacco scent which comes with my letters, and because it seems to bring you nearer, I bury my nose in the pages!

More another day. Now they are all at tea and I must run. Many thanks for the nice little book I am glad to have. Goodnight love dearest mine!

In haste,

Flopsie

July 30, 1988

Here is an excerpt from my 1988 journal. I was living in Dublin, and I went with my friend to the Michael Jackson concert in Cork. Her father worked for Pepsi, so we got VIP treatment.

July 30

Got up early + had a shower and danced around the place to the "Bad" album. Completely excited! Got a lift into town and met Adrienne at the station. We were frightened we wouldn't be let on the Pepsi train because it said "Kevin McDonald + Partner," but we got on OK. A beautiful express train all the way to Cork with white-coated waiters bringing us drinks. Arrived in Cork and got a police-escorted coach to Parc Ui Caoimh. We had our VIP passes clipped on and I felt SOO important. There was a Pepsi tent at the concert with free drinks and food the likes of which I will never see again: salmon, fresh and smoked, turkey, prown cocktail, avocado, + loads of salads, melon etc. It was great. Stuffed our faces.

Then we went into the stadium. We missed Kim Wilde. Everyone let us push to the front because of our passes. So we were really close to the stage and then the lights at the back of the stage animated a pair of legs walking across + hopping up on their tiptoes. the crowd went wild. A huge bank of lights rose in the front of the stage and lowered slowly to reveal HIM and his backing singers standing on the stage. We went crazy, screaming and reaching and pushing as he launched into "Wanna be starting something." The rest of the concert is a daze for me. He danced and leapt his way through most of Thriller and Bad, a little Off the Wall, and some Jackson 5 stuff. His costume changes were the clothes he wore in the videos to the songs, and the dance routines the same as the videos. At one point a silver tube descended over him and seconds later went up. He wasn't there! He appeared at the other side of the stage in another costume - a billowing black cape and blood red shirt. The crane he was on swung out over the audience and we reached and jumped. So tantalizingly close, but so far away. At the end of the concert some kids came on, and his sidekick Jimmy Safechuck - the kid from the Pepsi commercial. he was dressed the same as Michael and danced the same. Then it was over, I found Adrienne outside. We were exhausted and dazed. we walked around the city + had a pizza - still wearing our VIP badges and getting envious looks.

...

What a day.* What a concert! Thank you Michael Jackson, for years of music and inspiration, and for this incredible experience. 

*The rest of the evening involved getting flashed by a drunk guy, an expensive taxi ride to Kinsale, failure to find our countryside B&B, walking around dark roads getting frightened, and our eventual rescue by the local publican who picked us up and let us sleep in a spare bedroom over the pub. We shared a big old bed with several mousetraps underneath.

Pinks

I was at the studio with Ashli today and she suggested I do the Pinks Hot Dogs sign for our upcoming show in L.A. I think they turned out great!

Sold Out (Almost)

I am, thrilled that my latest art show at Studio 3579 is virtually sold out. One wonderful patron of the arts bought TWELVE paintings.

All of the flag paintings are gone and most of the rest. Awesome!

Kissing the Boys

When we were in Ireland, Eric and I kidnapped Jordan and Aaron for a day and took them to Johnstown Castle and Kilmore Quay. We had the best time, and they were good sports indulging my auntie kisses. I love those funny, sweet boys!

 

 

Art Murmurs

Some great art events this week, starting with Thursday night, when we inadvertently went to an opening of wonderful wire sculptures by Tara Lou at Hotel Biron. Inadvertently because we were just popping in for a glass of wine before going to the Christoper David Ryan opening at Rare Device. His work had a dreamy, Nordic feel. Lovely cinematic compositions of deceptively simple drawings.

And last night we took BART across the Bay for Oakland's Art Murmur. I really wanted to see Lisa Beerntsen's and Tony Speirs's paintings in person, because I've only seen them online from reading their blogs. Awesome work, and it was so nice to meet this Sonoma art couple in person too. Their show is up until June 27 at Kuhl Frames + Art near the 19th St Oakland Bart Station.

The Art Murmur was quite a scene. We saw some great work (here and here and here), and some very interesting outfits and street art too, including a boat made of scrap wood in the middle of the crowded street with two girls lying on their backs inside wearing animal masks and texting on their iPhones. Strangely awesome.

Today is a nice relaxing day while we get ready for my opening tonight. I love weekends!

Wedding in Wine Country

This weekend was the spectacular wedding of our dear friends Jason and Adrianne. It took place at Leslie's family home of Sonoma, a compound really, with three houses, vineyard, pool, lawns and shady wooden decks. Absolutely gorgeous! It was fun to spend time with so many of our friends for such a joyful occasion. There was lots of laughter, great food and wine, dancing, swimming, and public displays of affection, all weekend long.

This is a group of us on the way to the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening: Jason, Leslie, JP, Dave, Sharie, Adrianne, and me.

Guess who made the sign to direct traffic?

After the ceremony (by Eric, doing a great job), the newly minted married couple, Jadrianne, poured a champagne pyramid and handed out glasses.

Jason, Eric, and John. Eric and John went to high school in Michigan, then John and Jason went to junior college together in California, and Jason and I went to Berkeley together. So this is the connection. John introduced Eric and Jason, and Jason introduced Eric and me.

Gina and Dave laughing at one of the many toasts (maybe mine - Gina made me get up and give one.)

Groom and happy bride:

And this is one of the many reasons they are perfect for each other; the next morning, they put on their wedding attire again for some classic wrestler portraits. Awesome!

Annie 1986

I found some old photos while I was in Ireland. This is one of me in art college.  Such a serious girl.

New Show Coming Up

Coming up in June, I have a new show at Studio 3579. It's going to be all new work, featuring our California flag. 

And NOW, this minute, I am off to the airport to go to Ireland for 2 weeks. Bye!

Thanks Design Sponge

I was so thrilled to see one of my little bear cards used in this fabulous clock tutorial at Design Sponge. (Thanks Amy, for letting me know!). It's not letterpress; it's an original drawing with collage - no two are alike!

You can find many more small bear originals in the 3 Fish Studios shop, on wood veneer and card, all at the recession-friendly price of $15!

 

First image from Design Sponge

I