A Home Reno: The Final Reveal Panorama

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno: The Final Reveal Panorama
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

WoBinna accompanies Micki to her Drafting class for Architecture to make a presentation of the renovation they have just completed. They had both talked to their teachers, (WoBinna's Shop teacher and Micki's Drafting teacher) and were told the presentation would get them extra credit for their final year.

They explained in detail, the planning stages, lists made for tools, materials and money needed to complete the project. They also talked about what the client wanted and what was the most important to them, like green materials, energy efficient appliances, colours and style desired.

Both of them were excited to talk about their final work and enjoyed explaining all that they had accomplished.

Top Panorama:

A view of the south end of the reno.

Middle Panel:

Micki (well deservedly proud of her drawings): "This is a view looking from the kitchen island toward the front of the house."

WoBinna (also proud of her work): "...and this is a view standing in the hallway looking towards the back!"

Bottom Panorama:

A view of the north end of the reno.

A Home Reno: Finishing Touches

Building & Construction Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno, Part 5
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

Spaces Become Pieces of Art: Mondrian-Inspired Reno

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno:
Inspired by Piet Mondrian, Panel 3
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

Remember our last strip: A Home Reno: Inspired by Piet Mondrian, now a couple of comments about the artist and the idea of using art for inspiration.

Mondrian was a Dutch painter born in 1872. He was known in the early 1900's for his impressionistic or abstract paintings and best known for his works form - a form he evolved and which he termed Neo-Plasticism. The paintings have a field of white with thin vertical and horizontal black lines where some boxes are filled with primary colours.

Dawn

Using art as a basis for your design ideas is a great inspirer. In this case introducing colours in a seemingly random pattern provides the WOW affect that is so desirable in design. Here at Wo-Built we are always looking for the little extra that will provide a dramatic aspect in a space. WoBinna has matched the spirit perfectly.

We are proponents of simplicity and flexibility in both interior design and for our home additions. The best spaces are the ones which speak for themselves without the use of elaborate finishes. Spaces become pieces of art.

Martina

A Home Reno: Inspired by Piet Mondrian

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno, Part 4 of 4
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

After a great Hallowe'en party it's time to get back to business.

Panel 1

... and now back to renovating!!

WoBinna: (enjoying her power tools) You got that end? Cause I've got the push stick ready at this end.

Micki:(keepin' an eye on her end) Yep, we're good! Keep going!!

Panel 2

Liking the way things are going the girls are happy.

WoBinna: (getting some screws in place on the new wall unit the girls have designed) This is going to be just amazing!

Micki: (making sure the ladder isn't going anywhere says) Between your carpentry skills and my artsy background, we rock girl!

Panel 3

The girls high five after a job well done!

WoBinna: (excited with the finished product) Using Mondrian as your inspiration was a brilliant idea! This wall unit is awesome!

Micki: (thinking to the future adds a few words) Our firm will be for all those that want a unique outlook in building. "Design Chic!!"


links:
Wobinna & Friends: A Home Reno
Part 1: A Home Reno
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna14
Part 2: Time to Pull Out the Designs
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna15
Part 3: A Break from Renovating for a Big Hallowe’en Party!!!
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna16
Part 4: Inspired by Piet Mondrian
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna17

A Home Reno: A Break from Renovating for a Big Hallowe’en Party!!!

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno, Part 3 of 4
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

Part 3: A Break from Renovating for a Big Hallowe’en Bash!!!

Happy Hallowe'en!

link:
Wobinna & Friends: A Home Reno: A Break from Renovating for a Big Hallowe’en Party!!!
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna16

A Home Reno: Time to Pull Out the Designs

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno, Part 2 of 4
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

As we announced, WoBinna had her makeover and now Mom figures their house needs the same! Check the part 1 of Home Renovation where Mom, Dad, WoBinna, Micki, and Alex were busy to start a home makeover with creativity in the air.

Part 2: Time to Pull Out the Designs

Coming up next: A break from renovating for a big Hallowe’en bash!!


link:
Wobinna & Friends: A Home Reno: Time to Pull Out the Designs
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna15

A Home Reno

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Home Reno, Part 1 of 4
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

As we announced earlier this week, WoBinna had her makeover and now Mom figures their house needs the same!

Panel 1

WoBinna's Mom has something on her mind that she wants to talk to her daughter about, so why not during a quiet moment over some coffee and cookies.

Mom (all excited): You've inspired me WoBinna. I think it's time for a home makeover!!

WoBinna (intrigued by the idea): Ya! You, me and Micki can do it all!!

Panel 2

Creativity is in the air.

WoBinna (getting the ideas organized): Okay Mom, we're ready to start right?!! We've got all the plans here!

Mom (looking on curiously): Yes we are!! The permits are in place. Can't wait to see what you two came up with!

Micki (pointing out something she's rather proud of): If we go by the drawings you had me make, it'll rock Mrs. C !!

Panel 3

Now comes the Brawn!!

Mom (out of the picture speaking): Okay girls, Dad's moved all the appliances into the dining room. Go for it!!

WoBinna (a little ahead of her Mom and right at it): We're on it Mom!! WOO HOOOO!!! Having fun Alex?!

Micki (swinging like crazy): This is awesome!

Okay ladies & gentlemen!! Here we go again, Part 1 of 4, stay tuned!

link:
Wobinna & Friends: A Home Reno
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna14

About Dawn, the Artist behind WoBinna: A Proud Mother's Point of View

Photo: Dawn Palfreyman, Artist / Illustrator
Courtesy of Dawn Palfreyman

Where do I begin to tell you about my daughter Dawn, the artist behind WoBinna? For in many ways the character WoBinna is a lot like her.

Dawn, for instance, took an early lead at being an artist. If memory serves me right, she began creating things when she was about 3 years of age, she would disappear in her room and "draw pictures for Mommy", and by six or seven she was winning prizes with her art work. The first one, I remember, was a contest with the Toronto Star, they asked for Christmas card designs. Hers was chosen over hundreds of entrants, and her card was printed in the paper, plus the Star printed up cards for her as well, which I proudly sent out to all our friends and relatives that year.

Toronto Star’s Seasons Greetings Holiday Card Design Winner
Courtesy of Dawn Palfreyman

Having won this contest she had a yen to enter more, and at seven she did a poster for MacDonald’s, and won a wrist watch with Ronald MacDonald on it. Wish I still had a copy of it, but unfortunately I don’t. These are only two of many artistic accomplishments she had through her public and high school years, part of which were spent in the International School of Kenya.

I never did think it really was about winning anything that got Dawn’s artistic juices flowing, I think it is just something that is in her that she has to do. Whatever else is happening in Dawns’ life, always there is her art.

Dawn won a place at the Ontario College of Art, (after graduating from the International School in Kenya), she attended for two years, and then decided that she wanted to be a free spirit. What can I say, she is an artist in every sense of the word!

While she has an excellent feel for anatomy, and her water colours of scenes from Africa are wonderful, a number of which hang in my home, along with some charcoal sketches, and an amazing Acrylic of Lions, another of her real talents lies in her cartooning, her caricatures are so good: she does one of her Father that is brilliant.

Recently she decided to take a course in carpentry at George Brown College, not only did she excell in building things, but she also showed an excellent feel for drafting blueprints and design, it only seemed natural for her to find work using these talents, she is now in the employ of Wo-Built, doing work she really enjoys.

I believe her cartoon strip will continue to follow what she is doing in the construction business, and I, like many of you out there, look forward to WoBinna every week. By the way, many of these cartoons are drawn on the subway as Dawn goes back and forth to the jobs she is on.

I think that Dawn’s cartoon strip of WoBinna is an indicator of how much she is enjoying working for Wo-Built, a career that she decided to take on quite recently. Dawn is a true believer that women can do any job there is out there, and do it well. In a way renovating and design are right up her alley, and she is very happy being involved in the many facets that go into being involved in this business.

I for one am part of her fan base and very proud of her!

2010 © E. Diane Livermore

Reprinted by permission of Dawn Palfreyman

link:
Wobinna & Friends: About Dawn, the Artist behind WoBinna: A Proud Mother's Point of View
by E. Diane Livermore
http://tinyurl.com/aboutdawn

A Makeover

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Makeover
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

It's a new year and grade 12 at that, so WoBinna has decided it's time to shed the tomboy image and start looking the part of young lady that she is now becoming.

Panel 1

The girls have gone to the mall to spend some of their well earned summer job money, and this time round it's a special trip.

WoBinna (all excited): Girls! I need a new look. A new year, a totally new me!!! Any ideas?

Micki (brimming with enthusiasm): There’s lots we can do!! Awesome!!! Can't wait to help!!

Alex (also piping in with vigor): I'm getting another piercing. I'll be happy to introduce u to that world!!

Panel 2

Lots of activity ensues as the girls have got Wobinna doing all kinds of things. There's new clothes, hair and makeup and even a few ear piercings!!

WoBinna (looking for approval from her BFFs): What do you think?

Micki & Alex (shocked and amazed shout in unison): WOW!!

Panel 3

Finally getting home after a fab day at the Mall WoBinna shows her new look off to Mom and Dad.

WoBinna (hoping for a good reaction): Mom, Dad... What do you think?

Mom (almost falling off the couch): Wow, WoBinna! Not my little tomboy anymore!! Love the streaks!

Dad (in awe at how grown up WoBinna looks): Is this really my little girl?!! You look beautiful!!!

link:
Wobinna & Friends: A Makeover
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna13

A Star Is Built

A strip dedicated to the joy of diversity available in T.O. during the Toronto International Film Festival. I think we would all learn a little by taking in a film or two at this festival as it includes a variety of different outlooks on life and culture through international cinema. We could all benefit by being more compassionate of the differences between us all and this could be a little way to start you thinking about it.

Comic Strip: WoBinna and Friends: A Star Is Built
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

Panel 1

The girls are on a three way phone call on a Saturday morning talking about what they are maybe going to do on the up-coming weekend.

WoBinna (has an idea while sipping a cup of coffee, asking about an outing they could go to): "Hey guys, what do you think about checking out the film festival?"

Micki (multi-tasking on the computer and cell phone): "That would be cool! I'd love to see some of the stars that are in town!!"

Alex (another multi-tasker, walking the dog and chatting): "Sic! When do you want to go? I think my Dad could get us tickets!!"

Panel 2

WoBinna gets up to go to the front as she hears someone knocking and Mom and Dad are sleeping in.

WoBinna (curious who would be at the door Saturday morning she shuffles half awake to the door): "Hold on, someone's at the door."

Two men (dressed rather cool with a pleased look on their faces): "Hi, we're with a film crew. We saw your dollhouse in the yard & would love to use it as a prop.”

WoBinna (outrageously excited): "FOR A MOVIE!!"

Cell phone (dropping to the floor with voices on the other end: (you there?)

Panel 3

After talking to the movie guys and telling them she'll talk to her parents she takes their card and closes the door. The being as quiet as possible so she doesn't wake her brother or parents she does her happy dance!!

WoBinna (really over-joeys now): "Oooh!! Hoo!!"

WoBinna (just talking about going to see the stars and realizes something): "I Built A Star!!! Hee Hee!! Woot! Woot! Yaaaaa!!"

link:
Wobinna & Friends: A Star Is Built
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna11

A New School Year, A New Friend

Comic Strip: Wobinna and Friends: A New School Year, A New Friend
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

The new school year has only just begun.

Panel 1

Wobinna is on a construction site hauling a piece of lumber when she spots an interesting newcomer looking at her and the construction site with interest and excitement. Immediately her curiosity is up and she introduces herself to the new girl. Alex, the newcomer, is working at the intersection as a cross guard for the summer but will be starting at the same school that Wobinna is attending. She is quite intrigued by the sight of a girl wearing a hardhat and toolbelt and generally fitting in at the construction site as building is something she likes as well.

Wobinna (cheerfully): Hello. I haven't seen you around before. Did you just move to town?

Alex (with a friendly smile): Ya, Hi! Gonna be going to Main St. High for Gr. 12.

Site Worker (shouting in the background): BINNA

Panel 2

Alex and Wobinna are having a lunch break and have met up again. While munching on sandwiches at the site, they chat about the upcoming school year.

Wobinna (delighted with her new friend): That's great! I'm a senior there this year too! I'll introduce you around!

Alex (sandwich in hand responding enthusiastically): FAB!! Can't wait! Looking forward to my classes this year. My name is Alex by the way.

Panel 3

The two girls meet up again after their shifts are over and walk home together still chatting about school. They are excited to discover that they both have an interest is in building and the trades.

Wobinna (finally remembering to introduce herself): I'm Wobinna. My best friend and I are into the trades too. Maybe we could be the trades trio!

Alex (still with enthusiasm): Your school has lots of trades courses, I love that!! I'm not much of a girlie girl!!

Petroleum Pelican: Getting the Green Message Out

Comic Strip: Wobinna and Friends: Petroleum Pelican
Class Assignment + Exciting Conclusion + Announcement of the Winner
Illustrations and story by Dawn Palfreyman
Copyright 2010 © Wo-Built Inc.

As a "green builder" Wo-Built is always looking for ways to be environmentally conscious and get the green message out.

We recently featured a Wobinna comic strip of a class project entitled Petroleum Pelican. In light of the BP oil spill recently, we wanted to illustrate that the message of taking care of nature is getting out to young people and they are being proactive with environmental issues.

Wobinna & Friends are respectful of nature and this project is a reflection of that.

links:
Wobinna and Friends: Class Assignment
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna6
Wobinna and Friends: Class Assignment: Part 2
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna6b
Wobinna and Friends: Class Assignment: Conclusion
http://tinyurl.com/wobinna6c

Announcing Wobinna's own blog

In April this year we announced on Wo-Built Inc's blog (http://wobuilt.blogspot.com) that Wobinna, our animated spokesperson, our anime, was finally here.

We would like Wobinna, our animated tradeswoman, to connect with younger women to encourage them to enter the building trades. We want to create story lines that through humour and information will persuade young women to consider the trades as a career or at least will provide food for thought and discussions.

Therefore Wobinna and her friends now have their own blog. Over the next week we will repost the first Wobinna stories again on this blog. After that look out for new stories.

Martina Ernst
CEO - Wo-Built Inc