RIVERDALE ART WALK 2015 - a review.....

HEYA GUYS!
I like to take stock after each show I do, to figure out what I did well, and what I could improve upon.
I also like to tell you all about the things that happened, the people I met and how the weather was.
You know. Because weather is like, SUPER important, and all.

So...I gotta tell you.....the whole set up was FAB.
Okay, yes...I am an old pro at this point (emphasis on the 'old') but it really was a great set up!
I had gone to the trouble of waterproofing my tent.....which is probably why it DID NOT RAIN.
YOU'RE WELCOME!
;-)
So here is what my booth looked like:

LOADS of stuff fine art!
I even had a gret location!
Lots of my favourite artists (peers) were there too, which makes for a fun show!
READ http://www.fordhampr.ca/stroll-with-me-thru-this-weekends-riverdale-art-walk/ to see a bunch of my artist friends......(oh, and me ;-)

Don't worry - it picked up! This was pretty early!

 I had lots of these little 6 x 6" ORIGINAL art pieces, and it was funny to listen to people try to guess what each of them meant. It was not unlike a gameshow, except a gameshow where the host doesn't get paid! ;-)

It was amazing some of the guesses, and how FEW realized they were labelled on the bottom.
OY.
Then there was this piece....

A client of mine kept referring to it as the buffalo chicken story.
It made me laugh. I guess he was hungry??
I even put a piece into this little group exhibition:

As I mentioned, the weather was PERFECT for me!!!!!!!! (a little chilly for some though)

There were LOTS of people out......

I want to thank the people that came out...it was most appreciated!!!
I would also like to say that the organizers did a PHENOMENAL job getting this even ready.
It was really so well run......and that is a BIG thing!! So great!! They deserve some time off now!

OK......now to the kvetching part.........there were 4 comments that kinda bugged me this weekend.

DO NOT GET ME WRONG - there were lots of great comments about the work.....and those are the ones that I really took to heart - but sadly, if you listen to the good reviews you have to listen to the bad ones as well!!!And although, where I come from, POLITE people DO NOT discuss art or performance until you are out of the earshot of the potential artist, and/or the people who ENJOY said artist....SADLY, not everyone has common sense. :-)

So comment #1.........

"Oh look, its another streetcar guy" 

It's true.....I was on the right side beside a fellow lover of streetcars and the beach.

It was a weird coincidence. One that was NOTED ALL WEEKEND LONG.....

http://www.erwinbuck.com does iconic photos of Toronto.......here was his booth:

I also got:
"Really? Another streetcar booth? Why is everyone doing streetcars now!"
There was even a
"Streetcars.....of course......because we can't think up anything new."

OY!
It's okay - it doesn't bother me in the least......But that brings me to comment #2:

"oh, I know this guy, he copies old posters." to which the friend replied, "well that's not too original is it".

Now......I would like to dissect this exchange from the kind ladies.  I had to pipe up and tell them both "actually these are original to ME"....to which Lady #1...(let's call her Ignorantina) said to me:

"really....because I recognize that poster of Yonge Street!"

Yes. She said it like a stupid *hore. ;-)
I tried to explain in my most calm (non screechy voice) that she must remember it FROM MY BOOTH, as no such poster has ever existed. Alas, she was not convinced, and left shrugging.
I also shrugged. HONESTLY!!!!

People are funny...and yes...funny is a code word. The other 2 comments I got were:

"Um....I like concepts that are a little more relevant." 

-- but it came from a guy with a lumberjack shirt and a weirdy beardy.....so I did not take it to heart. Perhaps if I would have had work that could be appreciated ironically, THAT would have been more to his taste.  Just saying...must be tough to be such an original RELEVANT person! ;-)

Finally - #4:
No no I don't like these at all....oh maybe this one is growing a little bit on me!

I kept wondering if I was actually invisible?! I would pinch myself just to make sure that I was ACTUALLY there.......All and all it was the usual. People came, people bought, people said nice things, people also complained about the price. Just your typical outdoor show!

Now I am all braced and my "armour" is up and ready for the season!!!

I did have a number of very lovely conversations with old friends and clients and that is what makes it all worth it....that....and MAKING A LIVING.......

At 6pm the sky looked like this:

and at 8pm.......it was a total washout!
Thankfully I was home drinking by then!!!


So.....I have a few days until I do it all over again.....in Hamilton.
Keep your fingers crossed!

RIVERDALE ART WALK 2015

HOWDY!
Well...we are almost there......let's take a moment of silence to PRAY for dry warm weather.

Thank you.
Okay so about this show.....

Since its inception, the festival has grown to 170 participating artists and the inclusion of local community groups, entertainment and food vendors. Artist Awards in Photography, Painting, Mixed Media, and Other Media have been created through exciting new sponsorships with local organizations and businesses. Now in it’s 17th year in the Riverdale/Leslieville area of Toronto, the festival has grown to reach an audience of over 10,000 art enthusiasts and supporters. Through new partnership opportunities with the local BIA, the Riverdale Art Walk expects to grow both in participating artists and visitors. 

Download the event guide to learn more about the Riverdale Art Walk.

 Highlights:

• Gallery Wall – showcasing all artists in the park 
• People’s Choice Awards – a  chance to WIN
• Guided Art Walk along Queen Street East
• Eats and Beats Celebration
• Participate in the East Side Story Collection Project
• FREE Popsicles to first 1000 visitors
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2015
• 11am-6pm
• 
  
• MAP TO THE PARK
  

Here is the map of the park:

I will be showing my original paintings (and YES, there will be some special "deals").

I will also have my 2 sizes of giclèes......and I will have a SHOW SPECIAL on the prices of these!

BOOTH #98

I really hope to see you there!!!!

SKY WATCHING AT THE R.A.W.

Hello friends - some of you maybe new??
This past weekend, we braved the Canadian elements, and enjoyed The Riverdale Art Walk.
Here was my booth....it was a new layout....I think I liked it.

It was a pretty ok turn out, give the fact that Mother Nature was a bit schizophrenic.
Sadly, the weather is really a factor in outdoor art shows, so it was a bit disappointing in the short term.
Here were a few shots of Her mood.....

Thankfully - I am a long term thinker!
I have learned over the course of the last 18 outdoor art shows NOT to get discouraged by one less than stellar show.....there is often a week or two of 'grace time' when things can happen.....
...and if they don't, you have probably made some contacts - even if you don't know it yet!
You can never know what is coming tomorrow or next week - or next year!
I have had clients think about my work for YEARS before committing.
I know am fortunate. Each piece eventually finds the right home!
I am also VERY grateful that I get to do what I love, and that I can make a living at it.
I work hard, I paint a lot, and I try to show as much as possible!
Having said that, the outdoor shows are a bit of a test of my mental fortitude sometimes.
I would love to publish a post of all the things people say to me/about the art in my booth.
It is funny....and sometimes shockingly rude......thankfully you develop a thick skin pretty fast!!
There are a lot of people who were really receptive to my work!
It is nice that people like it. Nicer still when they choose to live with it!!!! ;-)
Here is a blog that mentioned my work this weekend. We had a lovely conversation - which is a great thing when you are in your 4th hour of hocking your wares in the park!
 Please check her blog out:

http://icelandpenny.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/eats-beats-art-plus/

 She took this photo of me......covered in dirt and sunblock! ;-)

OKAY......so if you are checking out this blog for the first time, which often happens post show,  I want to to keep checking back. I generally post 3 times weekly.
AND NOT TO WORRY - it is not all about ME ME ME!!
On Wednesdays I focus on 5 WONDERFUL things that have inspired me that week!
My post-brunch shopping trips are pretty popular - and get a good laugh....look for those.....
And yes, of course, I also post photos of my work as it progresses, and other exciting news in my illustrious art career. So enjoy my blog - comment when you can, and I hope to see you soon!!

EATS & BEATS (and ART) IN RIVERSIDE......and a new painting.....

Happy Friday!!!
So this weekend......in the rain.......I will be showing my prints.....and originals in Jimmie Simpson Park in Toronto. Here is the Riverdale Art Walk information again:

Then....if that weren't enough, there is also music and great eats..... 

Check out EATS AND BEATS

Come by and see a brand new piece!!!!

NEW NEW NEW

Ok....so......here's the story......this painting is 'repurposed'.

What do I mean?

Well......I painted this one last year.......but then was NEVER happy with it:

"Hoedown", 48" x 60" 

So....I cut up the landscape....

(INSERT SHOCKING INWARD BREATH HERE)

In fact, I cut into TWO pieces. 

(INSERT DOUBLE BREATH)

Here is my re-draw of it......

The quote was from Piet Mondien. 

So I thought that I would use that theme.....but then I DID NOT like it......

So I did a redraw......

I was much happier with this layout. 

I wanted it to be about how the East of Toronto has been becoming a destination.

I like that it has been developing slowly and more methodically. 

I also I like that there is so much green space in the East end. 

The new painting is in a 18" x 36" wooden panel. 

Here it is:

So....let's break it down......the background is my version of that retro cherry wallpaper.

The poster I designed and painted to look more water-colour-y...and be about "building".

 I made the 'tend the garden' more of a postcard size and moved the quote onto a post-it note - to better balance my composition.......and kept the little shovel!

The bottom on the other side just says Queen and Broadview.

Finally I put my washes and tried to balance it all out.

So there it is!

What do you think???

Come out tomorrow (in the rain!!!!) I would love to see you!!! 

"GATEWAY TO THE EAST" and THE RIVERDALE ART WALK

Hello!
So, hot off the heals of being 'an inspiration' I wanted to share my latest original painting!!!
Heck ya! I also wanted to mention that you can come out to The Riverdale Art Walk this upcoming weekend! Here are the deets on this great little outdoor art show!!!

i will have lots of great stuff to show this weekend....and there are some other great artists work to enjoy! COME OUT!! Rain or shine....I'll be there!!!
OK.......onto the new work:

"Gateway to the East", 30" x 24", Acrlyic on Board.

 Ok.....so this one is a nod to my peeps in East Toronto!
As my studio (and my home) are both in the east, I wanted to create a piece that celebrated that area!!
So....let's disect it.
The poster has a Queen streetcar crossing the bridge over the Don River.
The 100 year old bridge with spans the Dona River  - is lovely and adorned with (Toronto artist) Eldon Garnet's stunning "Time: And A Clock". Simply a lovely symbol of the great things that happen as you venture into the east of Toronto!!
In the background, is an old map of Toronto, WHICH I LOVE.
There is also some bricks at the bottom that emulate the ones on the sidewalk at Broadview and Queen.
Moving on....there are 2 'patches' or coasters that mention 2 of the great ethnic areas of the east - Chinatown and Little India - I chose them because they are GREAT and also as tongue in cheek - get it FAR EAST?? Ok...also there is a postcard that I made about the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (which I also LOOOOVE)
 All of those elements were created BY ME...(not the monuments - the coasters)
And then finally everything was aged and 'Rob-ified' to give it an antique look.
I was so thrilled with this piece that I created an accompanying print:

"Gateway to the East", 15" x 20" Variable Edition Print!

SO.........as usual:

-These LIMITED EDITION beauties are Variable Edition Prints (which means there may be slight differences from print to print.)
-Each print is heat transfered onto paper by hand and hand embelished with ink.
-The paper is high qualtity, acid and chlorine free 100% cotton rag paper.
- made with love and time, these are great little AFFORDABLE pieces that can be a great addition to YOUR home!!!!

Remember to come out this weekend to buy a FABULOUS painting or a wonderful print!!!

Also you can buy a print on Etsy.....or contact me directly!!

Cheers!!!