Monday, April 29, 2013

Moving

So... I'm afraid I'm going to be an absentee blogger for the next few weeks. My life is in complete disarray right now. In less than a month my family and I will be moving house. The date has changed 3 times already, each time cutting a week off my prep time. I had initially thought I could pack somewhat leisurely, maybe taking an evening or two a week to keep working. That went right out the window with the latest change. Now I'm in the process of packing up my studio, and trying to let go of things I've kept for years... just in case. Bags of stuff have been passed on... books, my kid's toys, clothing I never wear, movies we don't watch... but when it comes to my art stuff...

This evening I tossed into the recycling 5 newsprint pads of life drawing, every sheet full on both sides. I have no idea why I hung onto them... most were just quick sketches, learning exercises rather than finished drawings. But there was some value in flipping through them and seeing how far I'd come in the past few years. I'm looking forward to getting back into  life drawing... my new house has a weekly drop-in session less than a 10 minute drive away. And with my commuting time cut down dramatically, I won't have to rush to get there. My life is about to get much easier... if I can manage to make it through the next few weeks....

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Toronto Art Expo, 2013

TAE, 2013 edition

This past weekend was the Toronto Art Expo, held at the convention centre downtown. I usually go to this event... it can be pretty inspiring to see so much art at the same place, and it gives me a chance to talk to the artists at the show. I had a friend exhibiting this year, so it gave me an added reason to make sure I made it to this event.

The show seemed a bit smaller than it had in past years. I seem to remember it being the entire floor, but this year it was blocked off about half way across. There was some really interesting work, some grabbing me more than others.  It seemed to be catering to all tastes. I was surprised that there weren't  more people there. I remember it being quite crowded last year, but it could be that I went in the afternoon of the final day... maybe the art lovers of the city had already been and gone. A few of the artists I talked to said their sales were not what they expected. That's unfortunate... a show like this usually attracts artists from all over, and if sales are poor many of them might not come back. It will be interesting to see what happens next year. There are other big art events in the city... maybe this one will be smaller and another one will be the next big thing.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

The Big Switch Up

It was one of those weeks. Too busy by far to do anything relaxing or creative, just a lot of running around. The show at the Meadowvale theatre was extended for a few weeks, but as both galleries where I have work on a regular basis are changing up the shows, I had to go to all three venues and move things around. I also had a one day art event held at the Lakeshore Yacht Club (in west Toronto), where I had donated a painting to the silent auction for Sick Kids Hospital, and had a few other paintings on display. Seemed like it was one long social weekend, which while enjoyable, has left me longing for some creative down time.

"A Cappella"    12x12" Acrylic on Canvas
Now on display at the Art Gallery of Lambeth in London, Ontario