New Painting: Quiet Reflections

"Quiet Reflections", 10x10" mixed media on wood panel. Available. 

I've been a bit obsessed with Brian Rutenberg's YouTube videos lately. He paints these incredible, enormous abstracts... abstract landscapes that feel like a landscape even with no actual landscape type elements in them. One thing he says repeatedly in these videos is to "paint with your back to the window".

I think this is like my mantra of paint what you feel, not what you see. And it's what I've been trying to do with these landscapes inspired by my trip to Quebec. I have a load of photos, and before I start a new piece I look through them and decide what kind of feeling I want to capture. I've only done a few so far, so success seems to be a bit hit and miss. While I think this piece is successful as a painting, it didn't really get across the feeling I was going for. I was going for that feeling of blue sky reflected in still water and how calming it could be. But to get it working as an abstract, I had to lighten up that bottom "water" sector. It may have worked a bit darker but I didn't really like the colour i had going. I glazed with white until I had the value I thought I needed, but it lost a lot of the colour. I could have gone back in to add it back, but I liked it, so I didn't. Sometimes you just have to let the painting be what it is, instead of trying to force it into a preconceived plan.

I did learn enough doing this piece that I'm pretty sure the next one will be a bit better. The next one I start from scratch won't be until after the Art tour next weekend. I'm busy with finishing details right now... adding hanging wired and hardware, painting edges, putting a final coat of varnish on all these small works I've done recently.

As for the tour next weekend, I will have mostly small pieces with me, as I don't have a huge amount of space at my venue. It is a beautiful space though, and should we have good weather we will be able to move some of the art into the fabulous garden at Revive, giving it a special end of summer feel. I've got my fingers crossed for nice weather. I have a map on my website should you want to come out to the tour. There are many wonderful artists and artisans showing off their creations, and my particular location promises to be a hopping area with 4 venues on the same short street. You can access a digital version of the tour brochure here, to plan out your trip.

Hope to see you there!

Boxed In Opening: Video

I wanted to do a better walk around so I could really show off the talent here in Port Credit... but the gallery was crowded (awesome!) and I was late arriving, so it just didn't happen. But what a fantastic show! I am continually amazed by the diversity and quality of the work of the artists I meet here. The work was priced to sell, so I wasn't surprised to see a couple pieces had sold. I actually was surprised that more hadn't sold. This is the kind of show that really should sell out.

In 2011 we had 713,445 people in Mississauga. We have 5 dedicated art galleries, one being the public, city-run gallery, and another being the one at the University. Two of the commercial galleries don't carry the works of anyone local (that I know of... I've been following them for quite some time and have yet to see it, but I could be mistaken). That leaves one... and I've submitted my portfolio and wasn't even graced with a response. We have artist-run initiatives: Imagemaker (not counted in my tally of galleries), who keeps it's doors open by holding classes, Pazan gallery, who survives as a framing shop with a display space for the locals, and Promenade Gallery, which has some interesting events centering around the South Asian community. We also have the wonderful Visual Arts Mississauga, who offer all kinds of artists programs and also have shows in their space. I know there have been other galleries open in the past, but they have had to close their doors. I've often wondered why this is, given the amount of money that resides around here. Houses by the lake go for over a million bucks. Some way, way over. Even a condo will set you back over half a million.  So there are people who can afford to have original art in their homes, yet they do not seem to buy it here. My guess is that they go into Toronto. My son has noted the same thing as a musician. There are very few venues for live music here these days. Most of the young people trek into Toronto to catch a show, because nothing much seems to happens here.

The Mississauga Arts Council is aiming to change all that. The Interim Executive Director spoke at the opening, and he had some inspiring things to say. Plans to make Mississauga residents more aware of the local talent we have. Programs to help Mississauga artists actually sell their work here. And combined with the planned conversion of the Small Arms building into a cultural hub, this should be a huge boost to the cultural community in this city. I have high expectations. I hope I'm not disappointed.

Oh and if I've missed something, please let me know in the comments! I love finding new, local spots to visit!

Behind the Scenes at an Art Fair

Me, standing in my booth at Arts on the Credit last weekend. I had my abstract work on one side, and the music series
on the other. I was undecided as to what I wanted to focus on, so I went with a selection of both. Not sure if that was the
best plan or not....  Photo credit: Annette Seip

When you wander through an art fair, do you ever wonder what all happens before those doors open? I never did until I actually participated in one. Now when I apply for anything I take a good long look before I click submit. I thought since I just finished Arts on the Credit, I would give you a little behind the scenes peek... it really does require the organizers plan every detail to have it all go off without a hitch.

Photographer Annette Seip hanging her work. By the time she
was done the booth looked great... you'd never know there
was so much other stuff that came and went.

Set up can be chaotic. When you have 40+ artists with helpers (if they're lucky) trying to set up at the same time, it can be pretty insane. Wisely, Marie and Sue had given us staggered set up times so we weren't all waiting for the 3 parking spots close to the door. Our unloading location seemed to be somewhat of a wind tunnel, and we couldn't have both sets of doors propped open without creating some kind of tornado vortex in the lobby of the hotel. Not acceptable. Luckily we had Don, who stood at the doors, opening and closing them as we hauled in our gear one at a time. And believe me, we had a lot of gear. You could tell the artists that were very experienced at doing this kind of thing... they were set up and gone within an hour. It took me a fair bit longer than that.... 

A hotel employee bringing in more tables. 

Mary Anne Dente, adjusting her lights.

At one point it was difficult to move around in there...

Last minute changes were done on Saturday morning. Little things, like affixing title tags and setting out business cards. Fifteen minutes before the start and there were people lined up at the door. The place was almost instantly packed, and stayed that way, with the occasional lull, until the end. I felt like I hadn't talked so much in one go in my life... or at least since last year. What I got from the other artists that I talked to was that they also had a lot of interest along with a few sales.  It's wonderful that people are actually buying art again, after the last few years of a generally soft market. I myself sold a few pieces, and had many wonderful conversations with people browsing. 

My neighbour, Linda Vanwyck, talking to visitors to the show.

I also had very sore feet, and by the end my back was not feeling so wonderful either. Note to self: get better footwear for standing around. Something with a nice, cushy insole. 

Me and my pal, photographer/artist Dana Brady. She was there bright and early Saturday morning, to purchase my abstract piece, "The Story So Far". Didn't want it to get sold out from under her.... gotta love friends like that!
Photo Credit: David Simmons. 

Arts on the Credit: 2015 Edition

A shot of me with my music paintings from
last year's show. I made the local paper twice
last year. I was one of the few newbies
exhibiting... this year there are a whole lot more.
Photo credit: Graeme Frisque, Mississauga News

Port Credit's annual art fair, Arts on the Credit, is a mere two weeks away. It is held in the ballroom of the lovely Waterside Inn, a beautiful, boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Ontario, across from the Port Credit Yacht Club. The show has expanded this year... almost double the size of previous years. I've been reading their blog faithfully to see what exciting new art awaits. Hopefully I will have a bit of time to wander around and take it all in, but if last year is any indication, it will happen either during set up or while everyone is packing up to go... visitors were waiting to get in as soon as the doors opened, and it was constantly busy for the entire two days.

Last year was my first time doing one of these big, indoor shows. I have done outdoor shows before, and I've had openings at the galleries I've shown in, but this kind of thing had a really different vibe. I learned a lot, and this year I'm much better prepared. I know how I'm going to set up my booth, and I have everything I need organized and already packed up. I have proper lights, and a power bar that works (I didn't test mine in advance last year, and when I got there, I realized I had bought a lemon. The batteries in my camera died in the first half hour. And oh my god, what the hell was I thinking wearing HEELS?!?!?!). One thing I really enjoyed was talking to people and getting to see their reaction to my work first-hand. This year I have a whole new abstract series to show, and this will be the first time it will be shown in public. It's exciting and scary at the same time.

Here are a few of the artists I'm excited to be exhibiting with... I haven't seen all their work in person yet, but the photos look fantastic.

Elysia Prokopetz

Elysia is part of my local art goup, and I've purchased some of her glass work to give as gifts. Lots of beautiful, unique and really interesting pieces. I would love to have a piece of my own, but I'm such a klutz I hesitate...

Check out more photos over on her website.













Nicole Kegan

Nicole does these wonderful abstracted landscapes that completely draw you in. Can't wait to see them in person. I'm sure these are the kind of pieces that look good in photos, but look a hundred times better in real life. Visit her website for more information.

Fernando Resendes

I think I like Fernando's work more every time I see it. He's very active in the Toronto area, showing all over the place. Not surprising, given the originality of his photography work. Many of his images are printed on unusual substrates, like wood and metal. It really adds something to the mystery of the images. According to the blog, he will be debuting a new series at this show. Can't wait. His website is here: www.fmprints.com





Peter and David Marcucci

One works in wood and the other in glass, and they combine to make these amazing one of a kind pieces. I was told by the organizers they were going to be right beside me. (!!!) I should have some time to get a close up look.








There are many more artists that are going to be showing. Arts on the Credit runs April 11-12, from 11am - 5pm. For more info, visit the website. In the meantime, if you happen to be wandering around in Port Credit, there will be work from exhibiting artists on display in many of the local business. By next week I'll have a couple things hanging in My Olive... coincidentally, one of my favourite shops in the area. I'll take pictures. Follow my Facebook page, twitter, instagram or G+ for updates!

Oh, and just in case you are planning to go, here is a complimentary ticket.

Musical Interlude...

Did you realize there's only 4 and a bit weeks left until Christmas? I think I clued in around Wednesday... I'm usually REALLY organized when it comes to Christmas, 1. because I seriously hate crowds, and shopping in the malls around here in December vaguely resembles roller derby, and 2. it's a month that is usually insanely busy at my day job. This year I'm not so organized... somehow the time has managed to slip by without me noticing, and here it is one week till December. Yikes.

What have I been doing? Well... painting. I did my class with Gwen Tooth, worked on a couple decent sized abstract pieces, and finished off a large musician piece that's been hanging around my studio for a few months now. I got an amazing book out of the library, "the Jazz Loft Project"...  Its based on the photographs and tapes of W. Eugene Smith, from 1957 to1965. There are some fantastic photos in this book, and I used one of Thelonious Monk  as a jumping off point for this piece. I try to alter my drawings so they don't actually look like the photos... I will draw from the photo, put the book away and draw it again a couple times, and each time it gets further away from the original, and I learn enough about my subject to be able to paint it with minimal detail and get the "feel". With this one, I was going for the atmosphere of the smoky bar, with the jazz band in the spotlight, completely into the music.

"Straight, No Chaser"  
30x36" Acrylic on Canvas

This is the largest piece I've done in a while. I love painting large, but storage can be an issue... my house is small and I've got art up on pretty much every available wall (not all my own... I have a small but growing collection of works by artists I admire). If you are interested in the various stages one of my paintings will go through, I sometimes post working photos on my facebook page. You can check it out there.

In other events, last weekend was the opening reception for the Colour and Form Society's annual juried show. I hadn't entered many juried shows over the past few years. Time has been limited and I really thought my energies were best spent elsewhere. This year I've been in a few, but they have all had specific size requirements. This show was open, and apparently I had forgotten something i had previously learned about juried shows... if I enter a small piece, I might just have a hard time finding it when the show is hung. That's my little one on the end... the far, far left... actually the end of the hallway. See where all the people are? Yeah. That.

The Summer Sizzler

Opening of the "Summer Sizzler" juried show in London.
My piece is hanging in the window at the back.

So this weekend required a trek out to London for the opening of the "Summer Sizzler" juried show, at the Art Gallery of Lambeth. I was there early to help out... Not the norm since I live so far away, but I had the day off and leaving early meant missing that awful rush hour traffic. When I went to unlock the door, I was caught a bit off guard to see that there were actually people waiting out in the parking lot! I usually get there about an hour after the doors open, so this was something I've never witnessed. But it was a lovely evening, and what better way to spend it than looking at art, listening to music and having a little wine.

I did the initial rounds to say hello to people I had met before, (the London arts community is very supportive and many attend whatever event is going on) before getting out my camera. I only got to snap a few pics before the batteries in my camera died. I didn't even get a shot of my 3 dancer paintings that were hanging directly in front of the door. I'll have to be a bit more prepared next time and make sure I have my back-up batteries fully charged.  I believe the gallery is going to be posting photos of works juried into the show on their Facebook page over the next couple weeks. Interested? Head over to Facebook and check it out. And be sure to "like" them... that way you won't miss anything!

The entertainment, Ben Brown, gave the gallery goers an evening of nice acoustic music. By the
end it was a bit of a sing-a-long... not something I've ever seen at an art gallery. Fun. 

Miniatures

In preparing for this show at the theatre, I neglected to look at my upcoming commitments for the galleries I was already a part of. At the last minute, and after repeated reminders, I pulled out a couple miniature paintings I had done last year and submitted them to the Art Gallery of Lambeth's juried miniature show. The opening was this past weekend. Good turnout, as always, and quite a few pieces sold, one of which was mine. For an added bonus, I got an honourable mention (and a lovely ribbon). The juror was Madeline Lennon, an Art History professor from Western University. That was a lovely surprise.

"Syncopate II"
Mixed Media on paper

Solo Exhibit at the Meadowvale Theatre

The main wall of the lobby, across from the bar. Each of these pieces is
30" wide. They look kind of small, but it just because the wall is so big!

Well, the big day arrived and my solo exhibit went up at the Meadowvale Theatre. Right up until we started sorting and leaning things against the walls I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough work... the place just looked so huge. Luckily my sister was around to help, and she's done this kind of thing many times before. We figured out their hanging system without too much difficulty, and started spacing things out.

By the time we were finished I had almost every space covered. I have to say I'm pretty happy with the way everything looks hanging together. The bright colours really pop on the neutral walls. I have a few new pieces, completed in February, that I have yet to post (as the astute observer will notice...). I will post them over the next couple weeks while I start work on my big "Big" band painting.  :)

Beside the bar, across from the big white wall

View from the front door. The piece beside the coat check
is 36" wide. It looks so little, but it isn't. That seems to be
my running theme....

The main wall from the opposite side.

Escaping: A Group Show at the AGL

My painting made the paper!

The show that I have been working towards for the last couple months has finally opened at the Art Gallery of Lambeth. When I dropped off all my work a couple weeks ago, I have to admit I was just a tiny bit concerned... they were doing renovations and the place was a disaster zone. I shouldn't have worried. They managed to get it all pulled together in time and the place looked fantastic.

I like what they've done there. They opened up the entire back section to make room for some new, bigger classes, and they've put in a counter so the desk, computer and big sinks are partially hidden from view. This will double as a bar during openings and private viewings, when they will be serving food and wine.

I think the evening was pretty successful, even though it was held on the Friday of the Thanksgiving long weekend. They maybe would have had a better turnout if it was next weekend, but there were still a fair number of art lovers who showed up to see the new works. And some of the new work is really beautiful. If I could afford it (and if I had the wall space), there were a few things I would have loved to bring home with me.

The wall with my paintings. You can see my two little bird paintings on the side wall.
There was a real photographer there so I'm hoping he got some better shots...
these don't look great, but you get the idea.

The long wall filled with all new work

Enjoying the ambience

A musician adds to the atmosphere

Miniatures

So, this past weekend there was a show opening at the Art Gallery of Lambeth in London, Ontario. I have work on display there most of the time... they have a nice little space, a studio where they hold classes, and they always promote their shows and openings. It's about a two hour drive from where I live. Not too bad if the weather cooperates. This photo is from this show, before the opening. I thought since everything was so small it might end up looking really cluttered. I really shouldn't have worried. It looked great.

March Mini Invitation

The artists that show here are a really nice bunch of people. The work is always really interesting and there is a nice variety of stuff. Even have a little boutique. This show was miniatures. They did this last year too, and I had a few pieces in that show as well. It's interesting working small... things go faster (for me anyway), but I can do twenty and only have 2 or 3 I'm happy with. This year I decided to go totally abstract. They actually used one of my images on the invitation. Another interesting concept... their invitation was the actual size of the image, with the info about the show printed on the back. It looked really nice. So now I've got actual size reproductions that I can hand out to friends. I kinda like that.