The Process

March 9, 2009 |  by Tricia  |  The Creative Force for Efficiency and Morale, dessert  |  No Comments  |  Share

You know how you can just have one of those days where you can’t quite see anything further than the tip of your nose? I’ve had a few of those these past weeks, getting myself all wrapped up in thesis writing and projects, it can be hard to come up for air when you’ve focused yourself so intensely.

(The actual treasures from our “Treasures” print, find more photos by Abby here.)

However, that is why last night was a real treat. A few girlfriends, some good food, and a fire in the fireplace, it was the perfect medicine. It was a potluck, I made my favorite gingerbread cake (a recipe from MFK Fisher) with a Pear Brandy sauce I was inspired by from Molly Wizenberg of Orangette’s new book.

Edith’s Gingerbread (MFK Fisher)
1/4 cup non-hydroginated shortening (earthbalance is a good brand)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cups boiling water
1/4 teaspoon soda
1 beaten egg

Cream shortening and sugar. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, spices and set aside. Beat 1/2 tsp baking soda into the molasses until light and fluffy, add to shortening and sugar. Add 1/4 tsp baking soda to boiling water, alternate adding to shortening and sugar with flour and spices. Fold in egg, pour into greased and floured pan, bake about 20 minutes at 325.

Pear Brandy Sauce (Orangette)
2 medium firm-ripe pears
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons brandy or bourbon
salt

In a heavy skillet, just large enough to hold the pears in one layer, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pears and cook, shaking the skillet occasionally, for 3 minutes. Sprinkle them with sugar and continue to cook, shaking the skillet and turning the pears, until the sugar is melted and the pears are tender. Add the brandy, simmer a few more minutes, turn the pears a few times, and serve hot over fresh gingerbread cake. (I didn’t use the heavy cream because I didn’t have any in my fridge at the time, and this was still de-lishous)!

And while I am up for air and sun, these past few months really have been incredible. (Even when I look at my house and see a huge mess, or look at my desk and see an even bigger mess plus a looming thesis project/paper). Every day I feel more and more passionate about Eating Design with new project ideas and opportunities popping up.

Also, The Creative Force prints have been featured on three design websites here, here, and here which is so neat:). Thank you Frolic, Apartment Therapy, and Abby Try Again!

My friend Abby came in to the screen print lab the other day to see what silkscreen and The Creative Force was all about. She brought her camera and took some lovely photos. You can find more by her here. Time once again to get back to the grind; sun, warmth, and summer will be here shortly! But I’ve got to get my thesis done before that :) .




Cheers!

Recommendations: Spring!

March 4, 2009 |  by Tricia  |  MFA Thesis, The Creative Force for Efficiency and Morale, in action, silkscreen  |  No Comments  |  Share
It’s finally here! After a few solid weeks in the screen print lab, we have finally finished our next print series, Recommendations: Spring. It is a five print series at 15×20, each print has at least a 4-8 color run throughout.
(Recommendations: Spring, Floral Costume)


The Floral Costume print was spurred by our belief in the power of costume! When doing mundane tasks such as cleaning, by donning a floral print or a special piece of jewelry one can transform themselves and the situation into something much more fun and fanciful:).

(Recommendations: Spring, Plans)

Spring is a time for planning and list making. What will be planted in your garden this year? What trips will you take over the summer? But we took the list-making aspect to a whole new level, making a fantasy list of ideal things and situations we’d love to see happen over the warmer months.


(Recommendations: Spring, Treasures)
In old folklore tales, it is said that when you plant something that is treasured by you and you make a wish, your wishes will come true. There can’t be any hurt in trying!


(Recommendations: Spring, Spring Blossoms)

When walking around the neighborhood, taking a closer look at spring blossoms on bushes and trees not only opens your eyes and nose to the sights and smells of spring, but also keys you in to possible foraging sites for fruit, nuts, and berries in the summer. Next time you walk your dog, keep your eyes peeled for blossoms, you could have some fresh fruit on your hands in a few months!

(Recommendations: Spring, Rain)

You know the conversation that goes something like this: “Oh, that’s gorgeous! Where did you get/see/learn of/buy that?” “Oh, it’s European,” aka: always cooler. We thought a play on this cultural phenomenon (maybe it’s more east coast than west coast) was appropriate (and funny) with how much it rain’s here in Portland. Rain not necessarily being something thought of as especially cool, we thought, why not make it cool? After all, we have a lot of it! It also rains a lot in many western European countries, and Portland has been dubbed the European City of the United States, go figure :) .


Here’s our blurb on the series:
The Creative Force for Efficiency and Morale celebrates the state of mind the spring season offers in Recommendations: Spring. In this bold and colorful series of hand-drawn, silkscreened prints, traditions of the season such as spring cleaning, planting seeds, and getting rained upon, are approached with humor and infused with self-made ritual. The founders of The Creative Force, Tricia Martin and Chelsea Heffner are interested in the power of creative psychology to transform everyday experiences. This Portland, OR based team works on collaboratively with other artists on projects, events and experiences that offer entry points to complex concepts such as place, memory and ritual.

They are for sale in my shop (see right column here on my blog for a link), under the name of Chelsea’s and my design collective, The Creative Force for Efficiency and Morale. Hope you are feeling spring where you are! Have a great day!

(Making Plans detail)

(Floral Costume detail)

(Treasure’s detail)

More preview pics

February 28, 2009 |  by Tricia  |  The Creative Force for Efficiency and Morale, in action, silkscreen  |  No Comments  |  Share
(one of the prints in completion! a 4 color silk screen run)

(simple mock up plans for a print)

(pulling the ink through the silk screen)

More preview pics of the new Recommendations: Spring silkscreen print series! Check out Chelsea’s site for more pictures:).

Preview of Recommendations: Spring!

February 27, 2009 |  by Tricia  |  The Creative Force for Efficiency and Morale, in action, silkscreen  |  No Comments  |  Share



Ok, here’s a peak of our first print from the Recommendations:Spring series. We’ve been in the silkscreen print lab for days, some beautiful prints will be posted soon :) . Stay tuned, there is more to come!

woot!