How to Crochet A Granny Square

Do you want to participate in the upcoming SHELTER Project, but don’t know how to crochet a granny square? Have no fear! Below is a simple step-by-step guide and a video to walk you though the process. Don’t worry about it being perfect. I had a few failed attempts before I got the hang of it and I’m still working on my technique. Before you get started, you’ll need a few materials.

Materials needed:

• Worsted weight yarn in at least two colours (you can use one colour for starters)

• Crochet hook (size H/5.0mm)

• Scissors

• Yarn needle (for weaving in ends) <—Optional

Instructions:

Step 1: Begin with a slip knot. Chain 4, and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Step 2: Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet stitch), then work 2 double crochet stitches into the center of the ring. Chain 2.

Step 3: Work 3 double crochet stitches into the center of the ring, then chain 2. Repeat this pattern (3 dc, ch 2) two more times, until you have four sets of three double crochet stitches.

Step 4: Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.

Step 5: Slip stitch into the next two stitches, until you reach the chain-2 space. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet stitch), then work 2 double crochet stitches into the same chain-2 space. Chain 2.

Step 6: Work 3 double crochet stitches into the next chain-2 space, then chain 2. Repeat this pattern (3 dc, ch 2) in each chain-2 space around the square.

Step 7: Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.

Step 8: Slip stitch into the next two stitches, until you reach the chain-2 space. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet stitch), then work 2 double crochet stitches into the same chain-2 space. Chain 1.

Step 9: Work 3 double crochet stitches into the next chain-2 space, then chain 1. Repeat this pattern (3 dc, ch 1) in each chain-2 space around the square.

Step 10: Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.

Step 11: Slip stitch into the next two stitches, until you reach the chain-1 space. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet stitch), then work 2 double crochet stitches into the same chain-1 space.

Step 12: Work 3 double crochet stitches into each chain-1 space around the square.

Step 13: Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.

Step 14: Cut the yarn and weave in ends with a yarn needle.

Congratulations! You have now crocheted a 6x6 inch granny square. Repeat this pattern to create additional squares. Here’s a video created by Bella Coco to help get you through each step.

Once you’re finished, if you’d like to send in your square to participate in Shelter, see the mailing information here.

I look forward to seeing your creations and thank you for participating in this amazing and important project.

The Queer Art of Failure and the Joy of Experimentation

The creative process involves experimentation, which can be daunting. However, it is crucial to recognize that failure is a natural part of the process. I’ve been reading ‘The Queer art of Failure’ by Jack Halberstam and he’s offered some insight on the topic. While not every experiment will be successful, each one presents an opportunity for growth and development. As an artist, I have found that giving myself permission to fail enables me to take risks and explore new possibilities.

Experiments with vinyl, riveting and embroidery.

Recently, I have been engaging in experimentation with a range of craft techniques, including the art of repair, and materials that are not commonly associated with each other. These have included embroidery, paper, vinyl records, wood, fishing lures, makeup brushes, sequins, and paint. Through my experimentation, I have been exploring ideas surrounding toxic masculinity, societal expectations, and the role of queer cultural aesthetics in challenging and disrupting normative beliefs. I am particularly interested in how techniques for mending and repair can intersect with these ideas, and how such techniques can either facilitate or hinder the process of repair.

A recurring theme in this work is the inter-generational trauma that is often associated with traditional expectations surrounding masculinity. I see these repeated generational acts that cause trauma as a failure to repair unhealthy beliefs about oneself, about others, and about what it means to be a man or masculine in a time when I feel we could be moving towards a more inclusive and fluid concept of gender.

A prototype for fishing lures made of makeup brushes.

By exploring these ideas through my work, I hope to contribute to a broader conversation about masculinity, gender equity, and the role of art in promoting positive social change.

Collaborating on a New Shoe Design: Inspired by Mexican Folk Art

Recently, I had the opportunity to collaborate on a new shoe design project for couragedrifter.com. The design team at Courage Drifter wanted to create a unique shoe collection that drew inspiration from the vibrant and colorful tin hearts found in Mexican folk art. The challenge was to translate this folk art tradition into a modern and trendy shoe design that would appeal to a wide audience.

The first step was to determine the color palette for the shoe collection. It was decided that a bright and cheerful color scheme would capture the essence of the tin heart art. Colors like bright blue, lush greens, and fiery reds and oranges were chosen to reflect the bold and vibrant hues of the traditional art.

Next, the team started to brainstorm ideas for the shoe designs. They decided to name each shoe after a flower or mythological god or goddess in nature. This naming convention would give the shoes a unique and memorable identity, and also reflect the beauty and power of nature.

The final result is a stunning collection of shoes that blended the traditional art of Mexican tin hearts with a modern and trendy design aesthetic. Each shoe is a work of art in its own right, with intricate details and bold color combinations that make them stand out from the crowd.

If you're interested in learning more about this shoe collection, head over to the Courage Drifter website where you can read about the inspiration behind each shoe design. Whether you're a fan of Mexican folk art or just love sneakers, this collection is worth checking out.

The BARCODE Series: A Critique of Consumer Culture and the Erasure of Queer History

The BARCODE series is an ongoing collection of hand-embroidered bandanas that correspond to the colors of the Hanky Code, a secret language used by gay men in the 1980s to signal their sexual desires and fetishes. Originally conceived during the Inter-generational Queer Artist Residency in 2019, the series has expanded with the addition of two new hankies and regular updates every few months. In 2020, I created a large number of new works for YASSIFIED, an exhibition at Novah Gallery in early 2021.

Installation view of YASSIFIED at NOVAH Gallery.

Each bandana in the series features a color and a consumer product slogan that pairs well with the corresponding Hanky Code color. The use of consumer product slogans is a way to critique the pinkwashing that often occurs during sponsored LGBTQ+ events and festivals and aims to draw attention to the role that corporations have played in the erasure of the more sex-positive aspects of queer culture.

The act of "culture mapping" consumer culture onto a disappearing part of gay men's culture is a deliberate choice to highlight the influence of corporations on the mainstreaming and sanitization of queer culture. The use of humor in pairing consumer product slogans with the Hanky Code colors serves as a subtle reminder of the subversive origins of the Hanky Code and the need to preserve and celebrate queer culture in all its complexities.

Capturing the Magic and Romance of a Rainy Chicago Night

I'm always inspired by the beauty and energy of cities. Each on is different and can be represented by diffent music, movements, forms and colours. For this small of Chicago, I wanted to capture the magic of the city at night in the rain. Whenever I visit, I am particularly drawn to the unique architecture of Chicago. It is renowned for its stunning skyscrapers and iconic buildings. I love it when it rains.

There is a romance one can have walking downtown in the rain. I used a combination of blues and yellows, and metallic paints added a touch of shimmer and sparkle; the glittering lights reflecting off the wet pavement. I also added little hints of pink to the painting. This hint of color helps to lighten the mood, added a playful element and adds a reminder that there is always a silver lining.

New Work: York University Glendon Campus

Je suis heureux de partager cette peinture du campus Glendon de l'Université York. Inspiré par les couleurs de l’institution, l'architecture et l'environnement naturel, ce tableau représente l'ensemble du campus incluant les installations académiques modernes et historiques, les résidences étudiantes, et ce quartier au cœur de Toronto. Peut-être remarquerez-vous le tableau installé au manoir Glendon, lors d’une prochaine visite.

I am happy to share the completion of this painting of York University’s Glendon Campus. Inspired by the school colours, architecture and natural surroundings, it depicts the entire campus including the academic, historic, services and student residences as well as the surrounding North York neighbourhood. Perhaps you’ll spot it in Glendon Hall on your next visit.

New Work: BANBRIDGE

I have been out and about this summer and have made little time for studio work. I did manage to do a few small works, including this gouache painting of Banbridge, Northern Ireland. From this I created at graphic version that is available in the shop.

If you are interested in getting a city painting done for yourself or as a gift for someone special, send me a commission request.

Around The World: Graphic Prints - Batch 2

Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive feedback on these new graphic maps! I am thrilled so many people like them.

In this second batch of nine, the cities included are: Auckland, Beirut, Chicago, Edinburgh, Havana, London, Quebec City, San Francisco, and Tokyo.

Auckland

Beirut

Chicago

Edinburgh

Havana

London

Quebec City

San Francisco

Tokyo

Each print is 12x12 inches, on Hahnemuhle paper, signed and numbered in editions of 25. Click here to order one for yourself or for someone special. These make a great gift for those who love to travel or have a special affinity for one of these cities.

New cities will be released each Thursday, over the next 4 weeks. If you have a city request, please feel free to send me a note here.

Thank you and happy travels!

Humpday Art Hop: Issue 3

Welcome to HUMPDAY ART HOP, a weekly post of art, tech, architecture and design things I’ve found around the web. I hope this gives you a little serotonin boost to get you through the week.

HERE’S THIS WEEK’S ART HOP:

The weird and wonderful world of Shary Boyle is on show at the Gardener Museum in Toronto. ‘Outside the Palace of Me’ is a multiple-sensory installation that uses drawings, ceramic sculpture, life sized automatons, two-way mirrors, and coin operated sculpture. You can read Sue Carters’ Toronto Star review or attend one of the many events planned including free public virtual and in-person tours with the curator and the artist planned later this month.

SIMPLY VICTORIOUS! Designer Micheal Smith has done up Shonda Rhimes’ New York apartment with some Brighton-inspired flare. The writer and television producer recently did a video tour of the newly finished space with Architectural Digest. Spoiler alert: It’s Gorgeous!

FEELING ALONE, TOGETHER. A retrospective of the work of Mathew Wong is opening at the Dallas Museum of Art. If you have a chance to see this exhibition, please go. I saw ‘Blue View’ at the Art Gallery of Ontario and it was incredibly moving. Blue View is on until May 15th in Toronto and the retrospective opens in Dallas later this year. Read more from ArtNews. If you can’t get to the show, the newly published book of his work is well worth it.

WHAT’S GOOD, CHICAGO?! Expo Chicago is coming up on April 7th-10th. This year marks its in-person return since 2019. An event addition to the Expo is the inaugural Directors Summit which brings together a diverse group of emerging art museum leaders from across the United States for a three-day program addressing the shifting dynamics of museum leadership today. Joining this years Expo are 140 participating galleries from 25 countries. You can see a full list of exhibitors here.

THE FLYING GAME. Are flying cars and van life the wave of the future? Two recent DEZEEN interviews with staff at Hyundai would lead us to think so. Chief Executive of European Operations, Micheal Cole, talks about Hyundai’s partnership with Uber for flying taxis set to launch in the second part of this decade; and head of global design, SangYup Lee, predicts our vehicles could become our living spaces in the near future. They are in early stages of development, but this is something to keep your eye on. Read more…

That’s all for this week.

Stay arty, I love you and you’re gorgeous! Mwah.

Humpday Art Hop: Issue 1

Welcome to HUMPDAY ART HOP, a weekly post of art, tech, architecture and design things I’ve found around the web. I hope this gives you a little serotonin boost to get you through the week.

HERE’S THIS WEEKS HOP:

LESS GUNS, MORE ART. Pavlo Makov, the artist representing the Ukraine at this year’s Venice Biennale, opens up about selling his art to buy guns to help his country defend itself from invasion from Russia. This is a heartbreaking example of direct action by artists. Read more…

SMART DESIGN FOR A DUMB PHONE. Space engineer Justine Haupt has designed an anti-smart phone that features a rotary dialer. I’ve seen videos of GenZ confused by this part of old phones. Somehow I find this comforting. I wish it also came with that long curly cord. Read more…

Photo: Getty Images

HE’S NOT HEAVY, HE’S MY BRILLO. A new series on Netflix based on Andy Warhol’s Diaries will feature Andy Warhol’s voice recreated by Artificial Intelligence.. If it doesn’t include his infamous ‘ uh, yeah.’ and ‘ That’s so great.’, I’m not buyin’ it. Somehow I think he would love this. Read more…

SO MUCH COLOUR, SO MUCH LIGHT. An exhibition of work by the late Ad Reinhardt has opened at Pace Gallery, in New York. What’s interesting about this exhibition is that its curated by installation and light artist James Turrell. This is sure to be a contemplation on colour. Read more…

GO LIKE YOURSELF. Artist Jane Sawyer made a ‘Thumbs Up Michine’ for a Tiktok video that sparked an avelanche of requests for one. Instead of cranking out orders, she posted how-to instructions on her website so fans of the toy can make their own. You can now send likes or fuck-yous to your family and frenemies. Read more...

That’s all for this week. Stay arty. I love you and you’re gorgeous. Mwah!