I first came across Happy Menocal's illustrations in the latest issue of Matchbook Magazine (it's digital and free, check it out!), but was even more interested in her work when I checked out her website. I am drawn to her watercolour-y paintings and illustrations. And custom heraldry? Are you kidding me? How cool is that? I think that would be the perfect way to start a new life with someone. ...
Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art Interior Manhattan New York
Last September, Greg and I spent a week in New York City, mostly checking out the museums and vegan restaurants. One of my favourite museums we visited was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's too bad that we ended up having to visit so many places in one day—we didn't get to spend enough time at the MET. ...
London Olympic Architecture
Is it mainly the cities that get the Summer Olympics that have nice, purpose-built buildings to leave behind as legacies for the city? Although many buildings and other things came together due in part to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, nothing really amazing like the aquatic centres in both Beijing and London was designed. I guess if the city ever got a Summer Olympics (which is much bigger is scale, and totally appropriate for a mild-weathered city like Vancouver), Zaha Hadid can make us a ...
Oz: The Great and Powerful Teaser Trailer and Photos
As a child I must have watched both the original 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz and the other movie Return to Oz from the mid 80s, dozens of times. I love the magical experience, and the way the characters go on an incredible journey to who knows where. I'm really excited about this new movie, which comes out in March 2013. Oz: The Great and Powerful stars James Franco as the Wizard who eventually goes to Oz, Michelle Williams and GLinda and Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz and other witches. Sounds ...
London Olympic Rowing Team Canadian Stamp Launch
It's normal to see people rowing or out in the water in some way in Vancouver—because there is a lot of water and the weather is mild. Water sports really epitomize to me the idea of the Summer Olympics. That's not to say I am a die-hard fan of watching Olympic events, but I do love seeing people engaged in water activities (partly out of envy). Another thing I love is stamps—I buy special collections of stamps to use when I send things, not just the ordinary permanent ones. These new Canadian ...
The Great Canadian Blog Bash
From today until July 1st we'll be celebrating Canada on Being Tazim. Today is the first day of the Great Canadian Blog Bash. I have a Canadian-only giveaway of $53 worth of summer nature books from DK Canada. Enter to win the prize package here. For the first post of this series I wanted to share with you some pictures that are Canadian in subject matter: ...
National Aboriginal Day — Coast Salish Artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Feature
The first First Nations artist that I really studied the work of was Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. I was a fresh young (?) college student in Vancouver in an Indigenous art history class, and my professor introduced us to the Coast Salish artist. What really appeals to me about Yuxweluptun's work is the use of bold colours, traditional Salish themes revamped and used to convey political messages. Of course, that's a really simplistic description of what his work is all about. ...
DK Canada’s Story of the Titanic Multi-Touch Illustrated E-Book
DK Canada's newest illustrated e-book is a multi-touch wonder! The Story of the Titanic shares stories about the passengers and crew, photos, videos and so much more to make this interactive e-book, designed for the iPad fun, interesting and educational at the same time. With the 100th anniversary of the Titanic bringing up newfound interest in the story of the majestic ship, its sinking and the stories surrounding the passengers and survivors, this book couldn't have come at a better ...
March Break—Complete Painting and Drawing Handbook Review
There are a few books that every good writer has on their shelf-a dictionary to look stuff up, a thesaurus for when you're at a loss for words, and a style guide so that you can check your grammar. But what about for visual artists? Whether you want to learn how to prime canvas, or how to draw a great landscape-there are a couple of DK books that we think are a must for any shelf. The artists manual, and their new Complete Painting and Drawing Handbook. This march break, we'll be lugging the ...
Artist Olaf Hajek Illustrations Work and Home
Artist Olaf Hajek creates illustrations for a variety of different purposes and of varying subject matters. From commissioned portraits, to an illustrated alphabet project, to magazine covers, Hajek has done a little bit of everything. Hajek's colourful illustrations have a timeless quality to them. Some of the illustrations take inspiration from Dutch still life paintings and portraits, while others would have fit right in with an American folk-art movement. ...