Inspiration from the book "In The Company Of Women"

Approximately nine years ago I stumbled upon the blog of artist Michelle Armas. I often checked back to see what she had to say as we both have a thing for design and interior spaces. At that time I was only creating paintings for my own home and as gifts for friends and family. I was too afraid of my inner critic to try and persue being an artist as my actual career. Fast forward to 2015 when I decided to take the plunge and make my dreams happen. My husband helped me make a website and there was a section for a journal or blog. I told him I would try to write a post once a week for a month, and then just go from there.

Well it turns out that even though I never enjoyed writing in school, I have found a topic to share here every week since then. I took a week off at Christmas...that's it! It kind of shocks me still that I have stuck with it. When fellow creatives tell me that they enjoy what I'm doing it makes it all worth while. Maybe a year ago I listened to a great podcast that interviewed Armas & one of the things she said to do was "write a blog". Allowing people who enjoy my artwork into my world has allowed me to make some real connections. 

As I was reading this book I got for Christmas I thought to myself, I need to go back & bookmark all my favourite pages. Most of my reading choices are online articles that are design and art related. In The Company Of Women is something I couldn't put down, it's that good. If you are a creative female I think you will agree. I thought I would share a few quotes that have really stuck with me. 

"Whether it is the hours you are open for business or the frequency in posting a blog, let people know they can depend on you. I believe that being consistent has been one of the best ways to build our reputation and to grow our business." - Cheryl Day

"Embrace social media completely. It is the most incredible tool to feed your audience, to engage, and to advertise ( skillfully ). You should give a portion of every day to do this as a creative business owner. Follow people in the field; follow people who are really, really good at it to learn your craft." - Genevieve Gorder

"You have to be willing to be bad at it in order to get good at it." - Mary Going

How incredible is the work space of Dana Tanamachi! Loved her interview on page 203.

"To me, success means staying true to the vision and values I held before ever setting out to be "successful". As long as my work continues to foster joy, celebration, community, generosity, and simplicity, I'm on the road to success." - Dana Tanamachi

"I love seeing brilliant, creative women making space and laying down tracks for other women. It's easy to fall into the pernicious trap of thinking that just because you scrapped your way toward achieving your goal, there's no room for anyone else. I also think generosity can apply to both self-care and care of others, allowing yourself time away from work, allowing mistakes, allowing forgiveness. To me generosity is openness, and openness is crucial for creativity." - Carrie Brownstein

"Ever since becoming a mother, I am mostly motivated by the desire to set an example for daughters. I want them to see that they have a mom who truly loves what she does." - Joy Cho

"I would have started my own company sooner. I started my design studio the day my daughter was born. She was basically my biggest career catalyst. I thought I wasn't ready before that. I was waiting for that angelic choir to come down from heaven to tell me I should start my business now. But what I realized is that perfect moment doesn't exist. The perfect moment is when you realize you actually want to start your own business and you have the freedom to make it happen. Take small steps but work your way towards it. Don't wait. Also, your twenties are the ideal time to experiment." - Tina Roth Eisenberg

Moving forward in 2017 I will take the words I have read and put them to use in my own business. Grace Bonney I thank you for writing this book, you are a wonderful role model. Design Sponge is one of the websites I look forward to checking out every day. 

Gardiner Museum

 The Gardiner Museum is located in downtown Toronto and celebrates the art of ceramics. I had the opportunity to visit for the first time a few weeks ago, primarily for "True North", and the exhibit did not disappoint. The exhibition charts Canada’s embrace of Scandinavian design and its enduring influence on local artisans. Nordic design struck a chord in Canada. I've included photos of a selection of pieces as more than100 objects and furnishings were on display.

 I have worked in a few high end design and furniture shops over the years. I gravitate towards midcentury architecture and design, this is my kind of fun. 

Graphic pottery in neutral shades...yes please! In another area they had a great selection of Lotte lamps, the shades alone are works of art in my opinion.

I have a thing for chairs & these two are lovely! Years ago my husband thought I would enjoy watching Mad Men for the decor, unfortunately it was the only thing I enjoyed... sorry Don Draper.

Wool wall hanging by Velta Vilsons (1965-1970). I could use this as inspiration for one of my paintings for sure. The striking pattern and bold pops of colour are stunning! 

I'm not a fan of red, but I would allow this chair into my home. The one on the right with the tufted seat is my favourite though.

This piece of fabric has a Group of Seven vibe to it.

This textile is on trend with Pantone's colour of the year. My daughter got a small loom for Christmas, I can only imagine how long it took to create this master piece!

The museum is known for its ceramics and they offer a wide range of pottery classes. If you live close by you should look into some of the classes they offer. All kids 18 and under are free admission and Family Sundays sound amazing. Only the adult pays admission and your child gets to be creative and take home something unique and hand made. We attend a local gallery where we live and they have a similar program that my daughters love.

Back at it

My mind has been thinking a lot lately, unfortunately it's when I'm trying to sleep. I wake up at 3:00 am and things that I think should happen with my art business are on repeat in my head. My daughters are still on Christmas break this week so the only creative time in my studio ( aka a corner in my basement) has been when they go to bed. Today I actually left them doing Play-Doh for a few minutes while I snuck away to have me time. That quickly turned into them watching me paint and trying to do yoga on the floor beside me. I was, however, able to start a small painting that I am happy with. The last pieces I worked on were with resin so it felt nice to pick up a brush again. 

I'm thinking of working on paintings similar to "Two Houses" shown here. We have a lot of plants surrounding us in our home, I may try and add some of those as well...lots of ideas.

I signed out some design magazines the other day from the library, thought I would share some images that inspire and connect with me:

Organic forms and shapes are what I want to concentrate on as I move forward.

The colour and pattern in this caught my eye.

This is modern and has a mid century vibe which I love! Blue often finds a way into my palette.

I like the colours and geometric forms here. It's like Kelly Wearstler designed a boutique hotel circa 1985.

I recently watched the Tom Petty documentary "Runnin' Down a Dream" on Netflix. It was actually over two evenings as it was like 4 hours long! Watching other creatives write, compose and collaborate was just what I needed to see. If you like his music I highly recommend it. I've been listening to "Wildflowers" a lot around the house lately.

Pretty/Peculiar Exhibit

The name of the exhibit alone told me I was in for something special when I entered the space a few weeks ago. Danielle Krysaart aka "The Jealous Curator" recently curated an exhibit at the Alison Milne Gallery in Toronto. My husband and I travelled around the city one Saturday afternoon visiting all the art spots on my list. I'll be sharing the rest of our adventure in a few other blog posts ( I took a lot of pictures y'all...I didn't want to bore you) The photos were all taken on my phone so the quality is not the best representation of the installations and art pieces. I've included some of my favourites...not everything. The show is up until January 7th, so if you are local you still have time to see it in person.

Alison is also an Interior Designer, I was so excited to finally see this stunning space in person.

If you don't know the work of Tina Berning go look her up. Figurative drawings that are gorgeous! This framed piece greeted us when we first walked into the gallery.

A portfolio filled with drawings for sale as well as her book 100 Girls on Cheap Paper. I should have bought a copy, the images were all so wonderful & it was a steal at $35!

Visual artist Tania Love lives in Toronto & creates these delicate works of art. This installation really stood out in the room.

It's all about the details.

American artist Natalie Baxter "I create soft sculpture that playfully push controversial political issues."

Seonna Hong is a contemporary pop surrealist artist out of Los Angeles.

"Deciding How It Should Go" was one of my favourite pieces in the exhibit. These colours are what I gravitate to.

Tonya Corkey is another Toronto based artist. These gorgeous portraits are made with lint on canvas. My husband & I could not believe our eyes, they were stunning in person!

A pair of Tina Berning's Acrylic on Paper pieces.

I can't stop looking at this painting by Tina. It's loose gestural brushstrokes make me want to go create.

I wish I could have added these geometric beauties by Martha Rich to our art collection at home. The graphic pops of colour are so delightful.

Here you can see the scale, they are each 8x10". I totally agree with her on this "Original art should be accessible to all." Martha resides in Philadelphia.

This day was special. My husband and I were without kids, he drove us all over the city so I could experience art that I had only read about online. I was so inspired when I got home and I can't wait to see what happens in my studio in the New Year. 

Portland...here I come

The other day I discovered the most delightful shop through Instagram, and began drooling over every image they have ever posted. When I was a teenager I travelled with my mom to Portland, but at that point in my life home decor shopping wasn't high on my list of priorities. My husband & I would both love to hop on a plane for a weekend getaway! My first stop; Woonwinkel. "Owned by two color-obsessed women with a passion for independent designers and handcrafted objects. We carry modern, colorful, inviting pieces from all over the world, with a particular affection for makers of the North American west coast. Woonwinkel means “home shop” in Dutch."

This is in the front window, how fun is this.

If you love modern design and colour you will love this shop. (Note: Canadian's spell colour with a U) You can shop online if you are not in Portland and happen to live in Canada like myself. When I paint I'm often inspired by interior design, bold pattern's are what I gravitate towards. The more the better!

They have a blanket wall....how amazing is that!

Hand made pottery...yes please!

When my daughters were small my favourite toys were the wooden ones. You can easily see why.

Pillows & textiles,  you can never have too much.

These soaps by Wary Meyers are made in Maine and each one is a piece of art.

The pineapples are lights, so even if you have long freezing cold winters you can pretend you are in the tropics!

I'll take one of everything please.

While I'm shopping I would also love to stop into Schoolhouse Electric & search the city for some murals by artist Lisa Congdon. A girl can dream right?

Holiday Show & Sale

Artspace is having its first holiday sale and this Saturday is the opening night. If you are looking for a unique gift come out and support local artisans like myself. The show will be on until December 17th, plenty of time to pop in and check out all the goodies! Hand made gifts don't have to break the bank, all of the items are priced under $100.

One of my favourite new paintings is available in the sale "Old School" 8x10" Acrylic on Canvas.

I came across this photo on www.shyle-brandi.com As soon as I saw it I was imagining what my painting "Old School" would look like installed in the bottom left corner. The energy, style and design of this studio space all speak to me. Sure I have daydreamed of gorgeous interiors, but this time was different. The image jumped out at me & I couldn't help but take notice. I'm not sure if or when it will happen again but I can't wait, it was a fun process. If you are a creative give it a try, let your imagination run wild.

Artists I Admire

Back in my early twenties I worked in a Furniture/Design shop in Toronto. The owner had curated a collection of art that was hung in the space. It was one of my favourite elements. It was here that I first discovered resin artwork and I instantly connected with the work of Canadian artist Joshua Jenson-Nagle. His pieces were large scale and really grabbed your attention. The colours were muted and the images captured the landscapes that I have grown to know living in Ontario.

Here is one of his pieces installed in a home in Toronto.

I have only been on social media for just over a year, in that time I have discovered many creative artists I admire. I came across Joshua's name & a light bulb went off. I actually sent him a message letting him know how much I enjoyed his artwork and that I first came across it 15 years ago. For me a working artist, just starting off in her career, this gives me hope. His talent and determination has allowed him to have a lasting career. If you check out his website you will see just how talented he is. His current works are photographs that are face mounted onto plexiglass, that explore dreamy large-scale beaches. http://www.jensennagle.com/

This is another older piece that I love! Those pastel polka dots add the right amount of whimsy.

The other artist working with Resin that has inspired me is Canadian artist Christine Flynn. Her passion for vintage decor, interior design & photography makes me think we would be friends if we ever met in real life! I love how she layers in text, colour blocks and numbers to create a unique piece of art. There are so many of her pieces that I enjoy it was hard to choose. Make sure to check out her website for more information on her work. http://www.christineflynnart.com/

I feel as though I am walking on this highway, just breath taking!

Christine's shop "Love The Design" a great place to hang her latest pieces.

I think I am going to put my paint brushes down until the New Year & focus on my second collection of resin based pieces. I look forward to sharing process shots from my studio with you over the next few months.

Highlights of the week

I've been busy lately teaching art classes, filling Birthday loot bags, and trying to maintain a house that keeps me sane. I always feel more relaxed when the space I'm in is tidy, especially in my own home. Halloween decorations & costumes were piled in my laundry room until Birthday decorations went up. Christmas always sneaks up so quickly I ought to start thinking about getting out the tree ( yes it's a fake) and putting out lights before it snows. Amongst all of this I'm trying to remind myself to do the following;

This tea towel is a rag I use in the studio. It keeps getting better every time I pick up a brush.

After a trip to Home Depot I got all of the materials I needed for my booth at the Make It Indie show this Saturday. I prepped all of my paintings for hanging, and decided on names for each one (sometimes it's not that easy) Loving these stickers from MOO!

"Everlast" 9x12 Acrylic on Canvas

I dropped off four new paintings at Burrow, so if you are looking for a gift or want to add it to your holiday list stop by. Recently I was having a good day, I even told my husband how happy I felt mid afternoon. My day got even brighter when I read this message.

 "LOVE your pieces!!!   I've been in Burrow checking them out and following you now on instagram.  I know one day I will buy one.....but it will be the "perfect one" for our home....I also have my husband's approval(since we share a space...lol)

I am deeply fascinated by your art....it's like finding a song that you feel connected to."

As an artist I've never really thought of that connection before, it was like a switch was turned on. Some days you just need to know that you are connecting with others and that what you are doing does matter. I love seeing where my artwork goes to live after it leaves my studio, keep sending me photos folks!

It's all happening...

That's a quote from one of my favourite movies "Almost Famous" and that's how I'm feeling these days. I am making the work that I want to make in the studio but, some details are still not complete. I'm waiting on some finishing touches for new packaging and as well as more business cards. I don't want to rush to get the pieces I have completed on my site so, I hope you can be patient if this series interests you.  A peak into my thought process...get ready!

I'm learning as I go and everything is not always the way I wish it would be. When I paint I control the medium and if something looks like crap I have the option to paint over it. With resin; things are not in my control as much as I would like them to be. Last week for example it was so humid the pieces were not going to cure properly so resin pouring didn't happen. Some pieces need more coats than others and after some time, I make the decision to leave them, or continue on. Air bubbles occur and my heat gun only takes away some of them. Other lines, marks and dust particles settle, and as I look at the finished piece I tell myself "it is a handmade piece of art". When the resin and hardener are mixed I only have a certain amount of time to even out the surface before it starts to harden. Listening to fast upbeat music has me on high speed when working. 

The other thing I'm debating on is how many pieces I want to produce of each image? I currently have been working with three sizes as I want to keep the price at a certain amount and not make it a hassle to ship worldwide. Affordable art that someone can add to their home or gallery wall interests me more than making huge pieces that collectors have to save years for.

Another topic for discussion is how difficult it is to photograph resin...that shine is intense. Here you can see me and my Nikon hard at work today. 

If you are new to my website it just got a makeover thanks to my amazing hubby! You can now sign up for my newsletter & my blog posts are a little easier to browse. House Tours are adding up & I thank all of my friends for letting me share their beautiful homes. 

Highlights of the week

The girls are starting back to school next week and my new series "Daydream" will finally get completed. Resin is time sensitive and shouldn't be rushed, layers need a few days to dry in between coats. I will have more time in my studio soon and I'm looking forward to it.

I've already decided the theme of my second series and animals will be featured. I have an amazing photograph of Zebras I'm excited to play around with. It seems Zebras are a fun subject matter for several artists as I see them everywhere now. Artist Anna Church has done this piece "Party Animal" above and has several other stunning prints on her website. You should check her out, she is currently living in Toronto. http://annachurchart.com

Design Sponge has a full studio tour of Light Lab online, it is a must see! This seating area is gorgeous. I want to pretend it's my house, I love it that much. http://www.designsponge.com/2016/08/studio-tour-light-lab.html

While I'm creating art or making dinner we always have Spotify playing in the background. The girls love to dance around the house, and discovering new artists is half the fun. I've been listening to Band of Horses on repeat for a while, you should check them out....so good. Roosevelt came on the other day, I was immediately drawn to the ombre effect on this cover as it reminded me of my current body of work. https://youtu.be/ToyuZwTO068

The lovely Emily Henderson & I share a Birthday which happens to be today. Yesterday she did a blog post about getting older, it was a good read. I'm the big 39 & she is turning 37! I like to think if we were at the same Flea Market we would meet & instantly hit it off. She's a fun gal & I love her style. https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/turning-37

Studio Scenes

When I stand in front of a canvas nothing is planned out, the brush strokes are spontaneous and come together to form a layered composition. For the photo based series I'm currently developing I'm looking everywhere for inspiration.  Experimenting with new techniques and materials is very structured and precise. I'm enjoying the creative process and can't wait to see where it takes me. 

I've had these photographs in an envelope in my desk for years. They capture my Mother's parents back in the day. Even though I was not born when they were taken, they still allow me to reflect back on memories and see things in a different perspective.

When my second daughter was born 5 years ago I took out my sketch book and started to journal my ideas about doing a photo based series with vintage photos and collage. This series has never been made but it has led me to where I am today. I am finally making the time to explore a photo based collection and trying out various mediums on the images themselves.

Playing around with spray paint and shadows.

A photo taken from the plane on my recent trip to Boston. Right now I'm into landscapes with fluffy clouds that have a daydream blurriness to them.

Experimenting with chalk pastel, and my love of pink.

Highlights of the week

Just returned home for a few days, after a few days away, before we fly to Boston next week. I thought I would share some of my favourite parts of our road trip to Rochester. 

We stopped here for drinks and a quick dinner with our kids. The food was yummy and the atmosphere was contemporary and casual. No complaints from this gal!

A flight of beers. 

We enjoyed an interactive exhibit at The Strong Museum with butterflies, fish, turtles and birds. The Star Wars exhibit was enjoyed by all, the girls have already decided who they want to dress up as for Halloween!

This is a detail of a series of wall hangings that caught my eye at The Science Center. The colours were gorgeous and the textiles are amazing in person.

Established in 2012, Atelier Stella is an ever changing collection of unique ceramics hand made by Stella Baggott in Brighton, England. I purchased this amazing vase at West Elm, its got a retro vibe that I adore. I love how they collaborate with artisans and makers all over the world. It's already found a new home in our living room.

"My work is modern, stylish and brings a smile! I lovingly design, hand build, fire in my kiln and glaze small batches of work to give you a truly unique, one of a kind work of art, so if you like a piece grab it while you can! I design pieces for those who like vintage finds."

A friend who I met though Instagram who is from the area told me we had to eat here. We did and it was so delicious!

Glen Edith Coffee Roasters had a great atmosphere and the decor was a great mix of natural and modern elements. My tea was GOOD and the girls had no problems making themselves at home on that sofa.

It's a long weekend here in Ontario...enjoy!

Design Inspiration

It's no secret that I love Interior Design Magazines & have a nice collection to browse when I need some inspiration. I was recently looking at the Summer issue of domino and fell in love with a company and thought I would share more details about them.

Concrete Cat is a Canadian atelier established in 2007 based out of Edmonton Alberta. They explore the use of concrete with a focus on colour, pattern and form. We travelled on a family holiday to Edmonton when I was a kid, maybe it's time to go back and check out the design scene. Here are a few of their products, get ready to drool!

This is still on new stands, grab yourself a copy and thank me later!

Oracle is a technique for creating marble like patterns in vibrant colours in cast concrete. Concrete cat is the only studio in the world with the technology to create this pattern in concrete. The piece on the right makes me want to head to my studio and create something in this palette.

Octavia Pico is an incense burner that is available is so many patterns. This small bowl would also be perfect at your front entrance for change and keys. Or on your bedside table for your favourite earrings and rings. It was hard for me to choose just one to share. My new body of work is photo based, with moody landscapes and clouds. This is such an inspiring jumping off point for me.

This camera is a conversation piece for sure, I love it!

Atlas Bookends would be a unique addition to your library or bookshelf. They also carry some lovely vases that would look amazing as sculptures even without flowers in them.

Creative Director Shawna Heide had some lovely words that I wanted to share. " Recognizing authenticity make take an instant. However the layering it takes to create something authentic takes time. Materials that age well are critical to inspire the visual awe that we all crave."

A detail from a work in progress. I can't get away from pink.

With this new body of work, I am sharing a part of myself that I have wanted to express for several years now. I'm going to put it out there and see what happens. As long as I am creating all the time I am continuing to grow as an artist. I'm excited to put the paint brushes aside and go back in time to memories and photographs that I've collected over the years.

All opinions are my own. Check out www.concretecat.com they have retailers all over the world.

Local Art Scene

I often think I should get out more and see what other local artists are making and, what is happening in my local art scene. I've taken a break from painting for the last few weeks and did just that. I was able to volunteer for several class trips and take some time to sit, relax and think about what I would like to pursue next. Taking a break helps me get inspired and makes it that much more exciting to get back to my studio and create. I usually teach art classes on Friday evenings but I lucked out and was free to attend the opening reception for Sarah Gibeault's latest show. It was amazing to see her work in person and her colour's are so inspiring to me. The exhibit is on until July 8th so you still have time to stop by and check it out. I gravitated towards the landscapes that had a touch of pink in them. Today my daughters were out of school for the first day this summer, guess where I took them? After the library we walked up the street to the gallery and I loved that they asked if they could sign the guest book...too cute!

www.christensenfineart.com

All photos were taken on my cell phone and the colours and quality may not be accurate representations of the original work.

Her Land Series explores forms from nature and depicts abstract shapes and patterns in bold colour patterns.

Each painting on paper is matted and framed in a simple modern frame. I left a few weeks ago telling myself I needed to save up to purchase one for my own art collection.

Sarah majored in drawing and I think that is evident when you look at the loose gestural lines in her painting.  Each one is a mini narrative I want to jump in and explore.

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is just a 30 minute drive from my home. The extensive contemporary Canadian art collection was wonderful. It was my first time at the gallery and I was not disappointed. It was a bright modern space that was child friendly as well.  My girls were in school when I went last week, but I will definitely be back with them this summer.

www.rmg.on.ca

The reason for my trip was to view the new exhibit by local artist Laura Madera. Her watercolours are so dreamy and whimsical, I could stare at them for hours. I only took a few photos so you have to go and check out the rest of the pieces on your own. You will thank me I promise.

This is comprised of three large panels of paper that appear seamless to the viewer's eye. I asked my mom to snap a photo of me in front of it to show the scale.  

I would like to think that I am that cool that I planned my outfit to match the art in the photos. Reality is that I threw this on in 2 minutes as my mom honked the horn in my driveway and I tried to eat my breakfast and get dressed at the same time. I remembered to brush my teeth before I left the house so I had that going for me! Life before kids was a different story folks.

This is a detail of the bottom of the painting.  I am still in awe at how Laura created this, I think it is amazing!

This painting was maybe 20x24" and there was an entire wall full of these organic images.

Another large painting on paper that reminded me of being at a cottage on a secluded Island filled with trees. Her palette reminds me of my own, these colours are very calming to me.

It's a long weekend in Canada (and the United States), go out and explore your city. Even if you are not an artistic person take your kids with you, they will enjoy the exhibits as much as any adult would.

Back In The Day

I often wonder what other artists were making in the early stages of their art practise, and how that style has developed and evolved. Lots of creatives are self taught, and many I follow studied another major while attending University or College. I myself did not know what style I wanted to focus on while in art school & dabbled in a bit of everything. 

My parents have lived in the same house I grew up in and my mom has kept all of my artwork. Since I moved back to my hometown almost three years ago I've been asked several times, "When are you going to come and get your things out of the basement?" Well today I finally went with an empty trunk to gather some of my old stuff. I didn't take everything, but I thought I would share with you some pieces that I made approximately 17 years ago. When I say that it really seems like so long ago, but I can remember the feelings I had when I created some of these pieces.

I experimented a lot with water colours, I'm not really sure why I chose this medium as no other class mates were into them. Even then I was drawn to the same colours as I frequently use today; blue and green. 

Stacked rectangular compositions were my go to. I was influenced by artist Mark Rothko a lot during this period and his colour blocks. Each individual form was comprised of a few lines, mark making was quite simplistic for me. Adding water to the paint created a tension that I can still remember today. Looking at them now they appear to reference a landscape in some way.

Here my process was more fluid and abstract. I used a straw to push and pull the paint around the surface. The forms appear like sea creatures dancing across the paper.

I liked to work big, details were then created drawing the viewer into the piece.

This installation hung on the wall, the brackets are on the back of these books that I painted from a thrift shop. This was an assignment (not sure the topic), I had the idea that I wanted to have a photo of an angel inside one of the books and travelled to a cemetery in my hometown to find this. For a while I was into discovering unique decorative statues, I even asked my husband to come to a cemetery while we were on holiday in Cuba. These are dated 1999.

This assignment was a self portrait. This is one of a triptych. The first focuses on the eyes. The second on my eyes and nose, and lastly my entire face. I remember that I did quite well on this even though I did the entire assignment the day before it was due.  To be twenty again!

A close up of the crosshatching I used to vary the shades of pencil.

Being a creative has always been part of my life. My child hood was spent drawing and colouring. Today it is no surprise to me that my daughters are finding joy in the same kind of things.

Art Exhibit - Gallery In The Attic

Saturday is the opening reception for my show at The Gallery In The Attic. As I hung the painting's on the walls today I really noticed the character and charm that the space holds. Most galleries have white walls which showcases the artists' work quite nicely, I chose the room that has a feature wall with original brickwork. There are still some white walls, don't get me wrong, I just thought that the brick detail adds a textural quality to my paintings. This reminds me of the influences street art has on my creative process.  What better way to display this collection than in an indoor space that has the same aesthetic? I'm really excited about this body of work and I look forward to sharing more images with you from "Wonderland".

The gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday 12-5 if you are able to stop by.

There are nine paintings in the show. Here is a glimpse at two of my favourites "Casual Party" (30"w x 24"H) and "Make Some Noise" (36"w x 36"h) Isn't the wall amazing!

Do It For The Process

Magic doesn't happen every time I pick up a paint brush, I wish it did. I am like many other artists out there who paint and hope the outcome will be something they are proud of. I haven't made a body of work, or collection in a long time. Every painting I have shared on my website or social media in the past is a creation that stands alone for the most part. Not too much of my work has been repetitive in subject matter.

This brings me to the present day. Several paintings have received adjustments or do overs after I thought they were finished. I have now completed the pieces for the exhibit that I will hang next week and I am very proud of the results. A style and ease has started to take shape and I feel comfortable and confident in my work. I know that I will continue to develop this style as it just feels right for me. 

Of course I want others to enjoy and purchase these pieces, but if nothing comes of it I won't be disappointed. I know I put myself out there and did something that took a lot of my time & creativity. That makes me a happy artist/mom/wife...all of the above.

The other day I got a chance to paint outside which was amazing. Our winter was so long!! My husband took a fun video of me during the process of this piece the previous day. I am almost finished it in this photo.

Artist Crush

Someone recently told me that they had an artist crush on my work. How flattering is that?! I'm far from popular in the art world I realize, it didn't go to my head...don't worry. You know Pinterest, well I once made a board I titled Artists I love. Instead of you looking for hours at random recipes you'll never make, I thought I would save you the trouble & post a few favourites here. Some of these artists have been on my radar for awhile, others are newer to me since joining social media.  

If I won the lottery, some originals by these folks would be added to our art collection.

Paul Davies' paintings are mid century dreams. The colour palettes he uses are so unexpected and perfect in every way. He is Australian which makes me love him more. I have found so many creative artists and designers who are from down under. Check him out on Instagram @pauldaviesartist

I've been reading the blog of this talented artist Michelle Armas for so many years I feel like I know her; she is so down to earth. When she first acknowledged my work on Instagram, I told my husband that she was really awesome & funny!! If you have the chance, listen to some of her interviews online, they won't disappoint. She keeps it real & tells it how it is, and we both like Arrested Development so I know we'd hit it off in person. I feel like everyone knows who she is already, but if you don't check her out www.michellearmas.com

Looking at the body of work that painter Jessica Hess has produced, made it very difficult to choose one image to share with you. Her landscapes make me do a double take, they are so realistic to a photograph. I love grafiti art & she captures every detail with her brushstrokes. You need to see what else she has created. Go to www.jessicahess.com

I am fascinated by the paintings of Guy Yanai. His linear brushstrokes have such precision & his colour combinations are not on my typical go to list. His collection of mid century homes are beautiful, complete with sprinklers! Check out his work at www.guy-yanai.com

Surfaces

When you hear this word you think of texture. Is the surface smooth, rough, bumpy...I could go on. As an artist I see ordinary things/objects every day & find inspiration in them. Lately I've been carrying my camera with me when I go for a walk, or driving to work with it beside me. I'm that person who will pull over on the side of the road & start taking pictures of random things. When I paint I love adding multiple layers of paint to the canvas. The texture is what I'm drawn to the most lately. Yes the colour and composition play important roles in the final piece, but the layers get me excited. I thought I would show you some images that are an example of this.

I often walk my dog by this garage. The faded mint green paint and the chipped aluminum is eye candy to me. 

This is on a large scale wall downtown that has graffiti on it. I always drive by and recently decided to get out of my car and take a closer look. The actual images that were painted did nothing for me, but the fact that the paint also went onto this piece of wood were delightful.

I was doing errands one morning and spotted this large dumpster behind a secondhand shop. I pulled my car into the parking lot and grabbed my phone to take some photos. The old metal reminds me of my trip to Cuba and all the colourful buildings. A man opened the door expecting a donation and found me. I told him I was an artist before he could say anything. Instead of him acting weird his response was "Do you have some photos of your art I can see." This interaction & that dumpster made my morning. It might seem small, but it's the truth!

I need to tell you that this photo has not been edited to alter the colour. Those bricks are AMAZING!! When I got out of my car and saw this building with those drips of paint, I instantly became giddy.

I was driving in the country on my way to work and I stopped to capture this photo. The side of this house was so textured, the cement was starting to deteriorate. I'm not sure if someone actually lived there.

I got rear ended a few weeks ago and my van needed a new bumper. The day I pulled into the parking lot at the body shop this wall was in front of me. I snapped a quick photo on my phone & then went inside. This pattern is so retro and if you didn't already know I enjoy anything mid century. The architecture of the building and the furnishings inside were from the 70's. The front desk was walnut strips with olive green formica. Even though the whole experience of being in a car accident sucked, at least I smiled every time I pulled up.

The green shutters on this house are in need of a new coat of paint...but the green is what caught my eye.

That baby blue and the mix of horizontal and vertical lines is perfect.

Artspace Gala

I'm very excited to be participating in this annual community event in town. This evening will be lots of fun and I look forward to meeting other local artists whose work I admire. The kids are having a sleep over... date night!

This 8x 10" photograph on wood panel with resin is one of my pieces that I have submitted.

"Islands" is a 12x12" acrylic painting on canvas that is also available in the 50/50 draw.

I went to the preview evening last week and snapped a few photos of the space to show you how many submissions they actually received. I was informed that this year has been the best yet, what a great artistic community!

A large selection of paintings, drawings and photography.

Another gallery wall.

How fun is that modern still life? I love the graphic punch of black and white.  The two pieces on the bottom right are by my friend Lucky Jackson. We have several of her pieces already in our home. 

This is one of her pieces I bought as a gift for my husband at Christmas. Who doesn't love Biggie? 

These are the details folks. If you are local come support Artspace & say hello!