Studio Scenes

I'm the type of gal who does better with a deadline. For example last February a photographer from Apartment Therapy emailed and asked if she could do a photo shoot in two weeks? A million things went through my mind of stuff I wanted to finish around the house. I agreed and the date was set, only so many things could get done in that time frame and I was ok with it. I'm a typical Virgo and I like things very organized. I'm far from a perfectionist, but I have to admit that I feel more relaxed and at ease if my surroundings are tidy. My studio in the basement is probably the only space that I can totally chill in even if it looks like a tornado just swept through it. 

I'm currently reading "Your Critic Is A Big Jerk" by Danielle Krysa (aka The Jealous Curator) and this paragraph is what I needed to read. "So many professional artists, designers, and writers have told me that one of their biggest motivators is a big, fat, juicy deadline. Get out your calendar and mark a big red X on the day that you're going to be finished with whatever it is you really want to finish. If you don't trust yourself to see that through, have a friend or family member give you a deadline, and assign them the task of checking in on you."

I grouped some of our houseplants together for this photo. Inspiration is every where I look!

I have a stack of canvases in my studio and I am telling anyone who might be reading this, that they will be completed at the end of February. I will fill you in on the exact date closer to the end of the month. It feels good to have that to works towards. Once I'm done it will be a big accomplishment for me. The collection that I am working on is based on my interest in both interior design and using plants as decor. I really love where I'm going with it and can't wait to finish a piece once I get started.

Wallpaper patterns by Kelly Wearstler are finding themselves as backdrops for my paintings. I've never loved painting with gold until now.

The first painting I made in the collection, still untitled and currently hanging in my living room.

Dusty Deco

I recently discovered this unique shop in Stockholm Sweden. Realistically, I'm sure I will never have the chance to walk through the show room in person...so today I'm sharing a few photos so we can all drool over them!

This front entrance! I love the graffiti mixed with the font on that sign, so good.

The lines on each piece of furniture are crazy & those Keith Haring pieces are jumping off the gallery wall at me!

"What started out as a hobby collecting furniture and art that we love (and filling our storage to capacity!) became a weekend pop up shop at Gärdet and now four years later we have one fantastic shop. We try to mix rough industrial pieces with a great patina, design classics, photo art, beaten up leather chairs and beautiful objects we find on our travels."

I've never seen anything like these before!

With lighting, accessories and books they really do have it all.

Original art by Joakim Blomquist. Say that five times fast!

I thrifted a chair in Bobcaygeon a few years ago exactly like this. Turns out it's vintage Ikea. The Swedes have some good taste folks.

Check out the bronze sculpted tree to the left of the chair, your not going to find that at Target!

If this post excited you check out their website dustydeco.com & shop online. They ship some stuff world wide. Maybe a trip to Sweden just made it onto your Bucket List? No need to thank me, just a small souvenir from your holiday would be fine.

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. 

Boho House Feature

When I first joined social media I was surprised to see how many other people shared my love of thrifting.  I remember a piece of art that caught my eye in Jo's space & it turns out it is her favourite element that welcomes you into her home. Every time someone sends me photos of their home to feature I get excited.  I have a sense of what style they gravitate towards, but the full tour is like icing on the cake. Jo also lives in Ontario, only a few hours from me. Maybe in the New Year we will have the chance to meet up and go shopping together. When she shares her latest finds on her instagram account, @jmwearing, I totally feel like she is the Canadian version of Emily Henderson. When you see her home & her styled shelves you will agree with me. She's got mad thrifting skills y'all! 

"Holly and I recently connected this year on instagram after finding a mutual appreciation for amazing art and love of décor – bonus points for being a fellow Canadian!  She asked me if I would be willing to participate in a home tour and I jumped at the idea. I have always wanted to start a blog, but am unsure if I could commit to do it, but knew this would be a really fun experience!  My boyfriend and I live approximately 40 minutes north of Toronto, where we purchased our home a little over a year ago.  I work in the financial sector where my creativity tends to be put on hold, so my home is where I am able to fully let it go."

"One of my favourite items in this room is my framed Art Gallery of Ontario poster from 1988 of Andy Warhol’s Elvis I and II (1964), which was produced for an exhibit. I scored this off of eBay and had it professionally framed.  I love this little nook as it adds a big impact when you first walk into our house because it’s one of the first things you see."

"Our home was built in 1987, and is your standard cookie cutter subdivision home, which meant adding personality and character would be done through the decorating!  I tend to live for everything and anything vintage or thrifted. I have no idea where this came from – I only started going to thrift stores over the past 2 years, but I haven’t been able to stop.  There is something weirdly soothing about walking through the aisles of thrift stores. I love looking at items and wondering who the original owner was, why they bought the item, and how it ultimately ended up on the shelf in front of me."  

"I have, and continue, to struggle with our ‘L’ shape layout combo of living and dining room. I have a feeling this room will always be changing. The way I accumulate items means I never know what I’m going to come home with and what will change. I always thought our home would be exploding with colour, but I seem to have shifted to a very neutral palette."

This unique coffee table was one of Jo's latest finds. I love how she layers texture into her space and adds pops of colour with greenery.

Mid Century pieces are what I'm drawn to as well. This thrifted chair needed sanding & staining & looks great with updated upholstery.

I just want to invite myself over for dinner. I would stare at the photography for hours!

"When my boyfriend and I first started dating we took a weekend trip up to his family cottage. In the basement, was the most beautiful antique harvest table I’d ever seen. And coming from a mid century modern fan – I knew this table was something special. I remember making a mental note about how this table needed to eventually make it with us where ever we went.  When we moved into our house, the universe honoured my vibes and the harvest table came with us! The table originally came from my boyfriends grandparents farm and is loaded with character – boards that are starting to curve and plenty of nicks and burn spots – but I wouldn’t change a thing."

"I knew we needed to keep the rest of the finishes pretty modern so that the harvest table didn’t go too rustic. The eiffel chairs and industrial chandelier were easy choices. The picture shelf concept, four in total from IKEA, came from some Pinterest images I had stumbled upon. I was looking for an easy way to differentiate the space between the family room and dining room since it is one big ‘L’."

"The shelves have been mostly filled with photos from thrift stores, antique shops, and eBay. My favourite of the bunch is a small black and white photo my dad took with his brownie camera of the kaleidoscope pavilion from Expo ’67 in Montreal."

"Our master was one of the easier spaces to put together. Prior to us even having a house, I had a bad (…or maybe good?) habit of buying furniture and stashing it away in my parent’s basement.  I think at the time everyone thought I was crazy, but I would tell them that if I loved the item I would make it work in whatever space I ended up with. Our master bedroom is a perfect example of this.  The end tables ,lamps, and rug were all Kijiji and estate sale purchases that I made while we were house hunting." 

"And yes – we are TV in the bedroom kinda people. My dirty secret is out."

"The campaign dresser is one of my favourite pieces in our home. It came from my aunt, whose grandfather or great grandfather either brought it over to Canada from England during the 1800s, or purchased it upon arrival.  I was nervous about how it would work against the mid century vibe of the other dresser, but I think they balance each other out very well."  

The graphic black & white prints above the bed pop against the white wall.

Someone was throwing out this plant as they thought it was dead.  Jo scored it for free, as you can see it's thriving it her sunny space.

"The mid century modern dresser and mirror are vintage – my dad bought this set off of my grandparent’s best friends many, many years ago. This was in my house growing up, and was my first introduction to mid century modern furniture as far as I know. In my early 20s my parents were ready to put it out on the curb. I panicked and begged them to hold onto it. This guy ended up sitting in their garage for 5 years before we finally got our house and went to work refinishing it."

How cute is that rattan rocking horse!

I can't even pick my favourite piece from all these thrifted goodies, there are too many!

"About a year ago, we decided the office would work really well with a wall mounted shelving system. I am a mid century modern lover, and have always loved the look of wall systems/Cado set-ups. After looking for what seemed like ages, I finally came across a set off of Kijiji that worked perfectly. They were gorgeous solid teak that had been milled for the original owners in the 60s."

The Danish monkey & that gorgeous hand are high on the list.

"Fast-forward to today, after forcing black paint [Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron] on my boyfriend, and the office is complete."

"This room really came together after I spotted the peacock rattan headboard at a local thrift store. At the time, I had a rusted out 1997 Toyota Camry and prayed this guy would fit the backseat. Once it was put up, my mind was pretty set on what I wanted in here. It has gone through several different versions, but I think the current one will stick for awhile!"

I would love to be a guest in this space, how cute is the elephant! We have a lot of teak in our home, the style is timeless in my opinion.

"The most recent purchases, the equipale chair and the batik, were scored at a great estate sale and I feel like they really polish off the room. The batik adds a pop of colour that this room definitely needed but still fits with the vibe."

"Our home, like many others, is a never-ending project. I’m sure you noticed our kitchen, bathroom(s) and basement didn’t make the cut this round! I’m sure we will continue working away, room-by-room, and have some updates in the future."

If you're like myself and love a great bargain and get excited when a complete stranger finds the best pieces, then follow Jo along on her Instagram account. You won't regret it! @jmwearing

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.

Breakfast, Lunch & Art

I had the opportunity last month to hang some of my original paintings in a local restaurant in town called Two Dishes. They will be on display over the holidays so you can tell your loved ones they can enjoy dinner and shop at the same time. Sounds pretty easy right!

This is one of my husband's favourite pieces "Overload". He is always honest with what he likes and dislikes, which I appreciate.

The exposed brick attracted me to the intimate space and I couldn't be happier with how the collection has come together. Since that time I have received some lovely compliments on my work and I am excited that my local community will have access to my paintings without having to go to an art gallery to view them.  Here you will not feel intimidated if you just want to look around. The other day Heidi shared a photo of herself in front of one of my paintings on social media and had this to share with me;

"As a fan of Holly's art, I was pleasantly surprised that on a recent visit to Two Dishes, her work filled the walls! I recognized Holly's distinct style immediately; there was no question it was her work. The bold colours that are somehow soft, the texture, everything I love about her work online only better in person! The art, instead of standing alone and viewing it from a distance, became part of the experience of breaking bread with a friend. It added to the warmth of the morning in a lovely way."

In this casual environment if someone has a connection to a piece they can come back to visit it again. I am always open to bringing paintings into homes to see if they work in the surroundings you had envisioned them in. Art is very personal and in my opinion if you love it you will always find a spot for it. All of these paintings are originals, there is just one like it. If you have any questions please contact me.

A variety of sizes to add a pop of colour into your home.

"Hanging work in a new space is like sending children off to university. New surroundings, you have to hope they can stand on their own two feet. By that stage you’ve done all you can. Put it out in the world and the other side of the deal is up to someone else." quote by artist Alice Sheridan.

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!

Make It Indie

I'm so excited this year to participate in my first holiday art market. Shopping local and supporting small businesses is a wonderful thing to do. I hope you can stop by to check out the vendors. You can even enjoy a beer while you're shopping, my husband will be pleased with this. Chatting with collectors and art lovers in person is something I am looking forward to. Some new paintings will be avaialble and some special sale prices will be in effect for the one day only.

A selection of hand painted glass ornaments will be available.

One of my new paintings done on wood panel.

Come out for the day and get your shopping done early. Don't forget to stop and say hello!

All I want for Christmas...

I'm not a big reader and last year was the first time my adult self asked for books as gifts. Most of them were art related and it turns out very useful. For years I have relied on reading articles online, going to the library and browsing my favourite design magazines.

The holidays are approaching and I have already completed my list. There are no clothes or jewellery included, just hard covers. I hope I'm lucky enough to get some hand made items from my daughters as well, you can never have too many of those.

 I read Danielle's last book "Creative Block" this past summer and I couldn't put it down. Even though I was not stuck on a lack of ideas at the time, it was refreshing to read other artists talk openly about their struggles. Being a full time working artist is not something that comes easily to everyone. The cover totally screams...put me on your coffee table lady!

This podcast she was featured on is great, check it out. http://www.johndalton.me/podcast/ep-63-danielle-krysa/

My friend Kandyce has already informed me how inspiring this book is as she posted this great photo the other day. I am seeing it everywhere which means it will definitely be a great addition to the pile of art books in my studio. A group of women sharing personal stories on how they have succeeded, yes please. Following your dreams and not allowing others to interfere with creative path...2017 goals for many of us. I need to add that it just made the New York Times Best Seller List. Way to go Grace!

I enjoy looking through domino magazine for colour combos and inspiration for my artwork. An entire book with beautiful vignettes and styled homes is hard to say no to. Making this the last book on my list this year. If there is a book that you love and I need to know about send me an email I would love to hear from you.

The Creative Local

When Nicole asked me if I would like to be featured as her "Creative Local" interview I jumped at the chance. Uniquely Women is a place of creativity, exploration, and inspiration. Nicole helps business ladies, entrepreneurs and any one who is creative feel good about themselves. I think we all could use a little bit of encouragement and positive thinking in our lives. Check out my interview here: http://uniquelywomen.net/the-creative-local-holly-young/

Download available on Nicole's website.

House Feature - Ashley Izsak

I am so excited to share my first Canadian house tour with you. Ashely is a professional organizer and I'm so envious of how she can edit a space and still have it look so good. I am the opposite and like to display lots of collectables and thrift shop finds that require lots of dusting...which everyone knows is no fun.  She is also a talented weaver. Her work is bright and whimsical, adding that perfect pop of colour to any room.

"When I met Holly (virtually), I instantly felt we'd be friends. I mean she lives in Peterborough - a city I frequented very often in my childhood and her house + art is amazing! So when Holly asked if I would be her house tour, of course I said yes." I work from my home studio where I live with my husband, twin daughters and two felines. In my spare time you may find me sipping wine and weaving. Oh and I have this thing with organizing spaces! Now that you know a little bit about me, hop on over and browse my etsy shop or email me hello@ashleyizsak.com to request a commission."

The pattern on this circular rug in the entry way is great and the large mirror is on trend. We do have similar taste and I know we would chat non stop if we were in the same room.

"I will preface this tour with one statement: our home is a work in progress. When we purchased the house two years ago, it screamed country dwelling. The bones were good, it was open concept and the yard left us speechless, so we took a leap and went for it. We live in a three bedroom high ranch bungalow in the village of Osgoode, Ontario. Our former home was a town home in suburbia and we sold 90% of our furniture on kijiji before moving. We wanted a fresh start and furniture that was more comfortable yet still our taste - and we'd raised twin babies in that house, as well as run an at home daycare. I will admit, transitioning to such a square living space, offered some challenges. Also, furnishing an entire home from scratch, is a daunting financial task."

I can see how Ashley's family were sold on this outdoor living space. A large lot with trees, privacy and a play house, what more could you ask for?

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The bright white walls make the home so light and airy. I would so love to sit and enjoy a cup of tea in that vintage chair...I adore it!

I enjoy a good mix of furniture, and the end table with the brass cap feet really fits perfectly. Here you get a peak at one of her weavings...so lovely. This rug is amazing and the colour palette is what I often paint with.

"Our living room is where we spend most of our time together. For a long time I tried to keep the toys hidden. More recently, I've just tried to build them into the decor and so far I'm happy with it. We painted all of our main living spaces Farrow & Ball Wevet and I still love it. I prefer to commit to coloured accents, not large pieces. With the white walls the colours really stand out."

A framed print fits in with the living room decor and has a theme her daughters will enjoy. The placement of it is perfect here.

Ashley has created a multi purpose living space that the entire family can enjoy. Adults can hang out at one end, while the kids sit and do crafts and draw at these tables. At my house my daughters usually take over the entire dining table with colouring books and markers. Ashley can easily move the Wishbone chairs to the eating area if extra seating is needed.

 This bright open window pours in natural light.  I have always had a love/hate relationship with curtains, this simplistic style looks great just the way it is.

Bananas wearing sunglasses! I want to steal that pillow for our house. A view of the master bedroom is seen down the hall.

Here you can see how easily Ashley has incorporated the girls artwork into the space. I think it's a wonderful idea hanging it low at the girls eye level. The other element that my eye is instantly drawn to is the architectural detail of the stained glass. The colours contrast nicely with the area rug.

"The kitchen was our primary focus that we (thankfully) tackled before moving in. We removed a whole wall of upper cabinets to ease the transition into the dining and living areas. The walnut floating shelves are one of my favourite features of the space and that giant glass ball is actually a vintage Pyrex beaker that my mother bought for me while we were antique shopping in Montreal."

This neutral design is timeless. I love how the walnut shelves play off the warm wood tones in the room. Her cats really are at home here as well. 

With all the natural light that this home has I can see why Ashley enjoys working from home.

Don't we all wish we had a sky light in our kitchen? A perfect spot for her twins to enjoy a snack.

Ashley and one of her daughters at Thanksgiving. In Canada this holiday was last weekend in case you are confused.

"My studio is currently located in bedroom number three ... but I am brainstorming on how to incorporate it into our living space, since my husband and I are hoping to expand our family shortly. If anyone has any suggestions on how to add a fibre studio to a living room, I'd love to hear them!"

Can I just say that plants add so much life to your home. They are an inexpensive addition to any space and your children will appreciate having them around. My daughters usually name ours after their favourite cartoon characters!

Ashley has some pretty amazing pieces. I personally love the ones that are geometric, like this little beauty hanging here.

"Shockingly, our master bedroom is my favourite place in the house. It probably looks empty to you, but it is my zen space. I regularly roll out my yoga mat, shut the door and look out at the trees. We do have plans for wall sconces and floating bedside tables eventually, but for now, I'm happy here."

The one detail I noticed is the hardware on the closet doors as it is very unique.

This vignette has so many interesting pieces to look at. I love the casual vibe achieved here by leaning the mirror and artwork. The dark wall colour is a nice contrast since the room can be seen from the main living area. It helps to create an intimate and cozy feeling.

"Our daughters are five and they share a bedroom. It's bright, full of dolls and they love it." This rug immediately calls my attention and helps to anchor the girls twin size beds. The woven butterflies were purchased on a trip to the Mayan Riviera, they add the perfect pop of colour.

I want to thank Ashley for sharing her home with me. I know I've said it before; social media has allowed me to connect with creative individuals all over the world. I truly appreciate the friendships and relationships I have made over the past year. Make sure to check out the links mentioned above to see more of Ashley's work. I look forward to your next trip to Peterborough so we can have a girls night out!

Friday Introduction

If you are new around here I thought I would share a bit about myself. This is going to be very casual and hopefully you feel like you know me a bit more after reading it. In no particular order let's begin; First off I hate the smell of coffee & have never drank a cup of it. For my Birthday I was recently gifted tea & beer, perfect gifts that you can't go wrong with. Cream of Earl Grey is hands down my favourite, you need to try it folks. 

We no longer have cable and I don't miss it at all! Netflix & John Oliver keep my husband and I entertained for hours on the weekends. I'm very sad that Arrested Development and Parks & Rec are no longer around. The Mindy Project is a comedy I have only recently fallen in love with. I watched a few seasons last summer to catch up. I am not into reality shows at all. 

I feel old when I hear current music on the radio in the car and have no idea who it is...lots of artists sound the same I think. I would rather listen to Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac or some Indie artist on Spotify.  I am a mother of two daughters who are complete opposites of one another.

I'm not techy at all, I usually get my husband's old cell phone but recently got a fancy phone so I can take artist quality photos to share with you all on social media. Our current home has a beautiful kitchen with high end appliances. I thought this might turn me into someone who enjoyed baking and cooking more...3 yrs later and the answer is still no. I do love to decorate but I am not into seasonal decor, we will get pumpkins & a tree at Christmas don't worry I'm not Scrooge! I am very chatty and not shy at all. I've been teaching painting classes for 2 1/2 yrs and have enjoyed the social aspect of it a lot. Painting by yourself in your home studio can often get lonely, good thing I have my dog Dublin to keep me company. It is a long weekend here in Canada, Happy Thanksgiving!

Release of Daydream Series

I am releasing the body of work from my Daydream series into my online shop September 30th. Thank you to everyone who has given me feedback and support while I was working on these pieces. They truly were a labour of love. I have a limited amount currently available and will start my next series in October, which will be using photographs of animals. I'm moving away from pink for a bit! Keep checking my social media for posts of my process. If you are interested in a piece from this series, I will do some commissions and offer larger sizes as well. Please contact me if you would like to chat.

These ladies share in my excitement!

Artsweek

Peterborough is an incredibly vibrant arts community that supports the development of a wide range of artists. Today is the beginning of Artsweek and lots of free activities are available for you and your families...so get out there and check them out! Tonight I look forward to visiting galleries and the opportunity to meet other makers.

I have a few paintings hanging in the group show at Gallery in the Attic. The Kawartha Artists Studio Tours are also on this weekend, shop local and buy original art folks!

Alex Bierk's mural  "Passing Cloud" was just installed downtown. This is just a section of it, you need to see it in person; it is amazing.

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.