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!

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. 

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.

Summer Getaway

Next week my husband is taking time off from work and we are heading with the girls to Upstate New York. Hopefully the stops at Target and Trader Joe's will make the driving short and sweet. The itinerary consists of lots of activities for the kids, but we will try out some hopefully great restaurants and breweries.

I can't wait to explore and capture photographs that I can use in my new body of work. If you don't follow me on social media I'll fill you in. I'm putting the paint brushes down for a bit and developing a new series which explores dream like landscapes and movement.

This pretty much sums up my next adventure if you take away the Bikini top & add in flip flops, no beaches...but lots of walking.

In August my husband is travelling to Boston for work and I don't have any art classes to teach for a few days so I'm tagging along. I plan to visit local art galleries, design shops, cafe's and the harbour. Eating a meal in silence that I didn't prepare is going to be so exciting for this mom!

We are not staying at the The Envoy Hotel, but I'll be visiting for a cocktail I guarantee. The photos of the lobby have me excited and we haven't even left!

One of my favourite things to do while on any vacation is to purchase artwork. A little reminder or souvenir of the destination we visited. While in New York City a few years ago, I purchased four pieces from a photographer in Washington Square. I wish I had his card, or could read his signature they make me so happy every time I look at them. 

This is one of the photos that has such a cool retro vibe. If you know who the artist is I would love to hear from you.

Now on to the not so fun part...packing!

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.

Artist Feature

When interior designers Susanna and Elaina emailed asking if I would be interested in being the artist of the month for their blog, I didn't hesitate. These sisters who travel between their homes in Southern California and Bali have great taste. I love design and they have mastered the look of an eclectic/boho interior. Check out my interview and then continue to browse their site, it's filled with inspiring photography and interiors that will make you wish they could come over and re-design your dream space!

http://design4corners.com/blog/2016/06/22/featured-artist-holly-young

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