Tea Eggs

I remember my grandmother making Tea Eggs for me as a child.  I don't think it was associated with any occasion, more like comfort food on cool/cold days.  It doesn't get very cold in Vietnam, but when the monsoon season hits the weather is miserable.  It's nice to stay indoors and eat a warm bowl of tea eggs.  This is a quick and healthy snack, also very easy to make.  If you can boil water you can make this.
The quail eggs are from my mother ^_^  She had 2 quails, but unfortunately one was eaten by a raccoon.  Vicious creatures!

Ingredients:
6 cups of water
4-5 tea bags (black tea)
4-5 eggs (more if you use quail eggs)
3/4 cups of brown sugar (less or more depending on taste)

Hard boil the eggs, peel and set them aside for the tea.  Boil 6 cups of water, then add tea bags and peeled eggs. Set the temp to low and steep for about 30min or longer if you like darker/stronger tea. Fish out the spent tea bags and add sugar.  Ta Da!  You're done!


To serve ladle a healthy portion of the sweet tea and an egg into a small bowl.  You can also use quail eggs for a more intense yolk flavor.

There's an alternative recipe without the broth and more spices, a popular method with the Mainlanders.  I've never made it, but the crackle/marbling effect on the egg is beautiful.

The crackle effect is done by soft boiling the eggs, cracking the shell and immersing it in the steeping tea.  Usually in this method you do not drink the tea/broth.

The Tree Workshop

I just finished teaching my Mini Tree Workshop at the ACRS.  There were about 30 or so participants, this was my first time working with younger children (6-7years old).  I'm blown away at how well they did!  I think they did better than their parents. LOL  Must be those tiny fingers. A BIG thanks to the ACRS and Artist Trust for helping to make this happen.

If you'd like to make these trees/landscapes yourself please visit this post.


This was the quite table, these guys were so focused!


That's not a forced smile, I swear she was having fun! :P


After the trees were finished we got them together for a class shot.


Here are some of the little parks. Everyone loved the fake moss, I should have brought more and more bases too! Good thing to remember for next time.


A bird's eye view.


We even had a class mascot... Buddy. He's SO precious!!! Buddy is a therapy dog and hearing dog in training. I believe he was a pound dog and his owner works at the ACRS. He gets to come to work often. He was very inquisitive, but quiet and very polite. So well trained!

This workshop was in part thanks to Artist Trust. Artist Trust's Meet
the Artist program is an integral component of the annual Artist Trust
Fellowship. Meet the Artist events bridge our artistic community with
the diverse communities in Washington State, increasing awareness about
the vital roles art and artists play in our culture. Find out more at
www.artisttrust.org.

G.Gibson Gallery in Seattle

I will be showing with Thuy-Van Vu at G.Gibson Gallery in Seattle. There will be a First Thursday reception and an artist talk on Nov. 7th.  If you're visiting from out of town and want to experience Seattle's art scene the TK building is a must, where G.Gibson is located.  It's home to numerous galleries in Seattle as well as artist live/work spaces.  Many of the artists living in the loft will have open studios on 1st Thursday. 

Diem Chau + Thuy-Van Vu
October 15th - November 21
Reception: Thursday, November 5 from 6-8pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, November 7 at 2pm

G. Gibson Gallery
300 South Washington Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm





A few new pieces in the show.

Double Parlour Collaboration

I did a collaboration (more of a commission... they did most of the work!) with Ernie and Cassandra Velasco of Double Parlour. They are a husband/wife artist team in SF. Their work is beautiful and quite affordable! I saw their sculptures on Etsy a few months ago and contacted them about a trade/collaboration.



I drew a little sketch and made two trees.  They sculpted two figures, I got one and they kept one.  You can find more of their work on Flickr or Etsy.


When I was little my mom told me if I swallowed any seeds it would grow in my stomach and pop out my head. I was scared to eat anything with seeds in it! Thanks mom >_< 

Small Worlds Workshop

The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) & Artist Trust presents:

Small Worlds:
A Miniature Tree and Landscape Workshop with Diem Chau
This is a hands-on 2 hour workshop on how to make miniature wire trees and landscapes.  All tools and materials will be provided.  You will learn simple wire working techniques and how to work with basic hand tools.  No prior skills are necessary this is beginning class designed for kids and adults alike.  Come, have some fun and learn something new!  Please RSVP, we only have a capacity of 20 participants.

This workshop was made possible by support from The Asian Counseling Referral Service and Artist Trust's Meet the Artist program. Artist Trust's Meet the Artist program is an integral component of the annual Artist Trust/Washington State Arts Commission Fellowship. Meet the Artist events bridge our artistic community with the diverse communities in Washington State, increasing awareness about the vital roles art and artists play in our culture. Find out more at www.artisttrust.org.  

Where:
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
3639 MLK Jr. Way South
Seattle, WA  98144
206-695-7579
www.acrs.org

When:
Saturday October 17th, 10:00 am to Noon

RSVP with:
Jocelyn Lui
jocelynl@acrs.org

Nothing But Sun

I had an amazing time in San Francisco, really friendly folks and the weather was superb.  Thanks to all who showed up at the opening.  It was great to meet in person.


Installing at Rare Device with artists Lisa Solomon, Marina Luz and Lisa Congdon (working away).


I even snuck in some site seeing time at the Golden Gate Bridge.