WYCHWOOD BARNS ART MARKET -- THIS SATURDAY!

Come out this Saturday (August 15th) from 9am-2pm and join me at the Barns Art Market!

If you haven't been to The Wychwood Barns, you have REALLY been missing out!
They also run a farmer's Market on the same day!
Come out and buy some art and some fresh tomatoes!
WUNNERFUL!
Okay, this is how you get here:

GO HERE FOR MAP INFO....
Now, for my part - I will have a BUNCH of prints and postcards and little original pieces for sale!
It will be swell!!!!!!
COME OUT -- COME OUT!!!!!!

KENSINGTON IN THE RAIN......

Happy Monday!
Yes, I DID have a show just yesterday in Hamilton - and YES it was SUNNY AND WARM!!!!!!
Sadly, the weekend of The Kensington Market Art Fair......not so much.
Now, you know this story.......inclement weather is NEVER good news for sales.
Thankfully it was just a constant drizzle......not a hurricane (like the Saturday just before the KMAF)
Still.
BLERG!
The good news? There were some brave souls that came out to support us!
ALSO the team at the KMAF were super prepared and proffesh. (as usual!)
Here are some photos.....

Nice day for an art fair!
Why do you hate me Mother Nature? ;-)

                   

Thankfully people were well suited for the weather - NICE BAG!

See?? There are still folks out......and yet.....

.....I still look like this.
MEH!

Noon - weather check.....
UGH.

Here is my tent - full of stuff.....it was an easy set up....
....well.....not easy....

The glue that held the bottom of my shoe attached
came off in the rain. So I duct taped the sunamabitch!
;-)
THANKFULLY it was teal tape! 

I love this whole "cardboard chic" look...very on trend this season!

Hello puddles - Goodbye sanity.

This is me covering my eyes - to avoid looking up at the weather......

...which looked like this at 3pm....
....as the temperature began to drop.....
....and my patience began to wane....

Yes....things IN the tent began to get moist.

The rain eventually stopped.....
NOPE JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!

The freezing and wet weather couldn't keep some people on the main strip down!
(or clothed)

This was at 5pm.......

...AS WAS THIS!
(Working hard? or Hardly working?)

So there you go - it was WET WET WET and COLD COLD COLD....but you can't keep a good artist down! So onward and upward we go!!
Hopefully I will see you out On July 26th for the next KMAF - It is my last Kensington Show this year! (and hopefully it is warm and dry!)

FINAL FINAL SUMMER SCHEDULE

Hey Y'all!!!!!

So all the jury results are in!

For those of you who are not artists, let me tell you, I do not enjoy the jury process.

I have a HUGE file of rejection letters.......that mostly all start with: 

"After much deliberation, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to include your work in this year’s __________. Blahbity blahbity blahbity!"

The truth is, each "no" still hurts a little, yes, even after all these years.

And each "yes" is still a validation of your art!

It is terrible! 

Each year, I have had to say to artist friends "Well, these things are subjective and have no reason........" when they inform me that they haven't gotten into a show that I have or vice versa!

The thing is, I am not on the jury committees. It must be hard. 

You want your show to be the best it can be, and you want to have the breadth and depth that a show should have. You can't have 100 pop-art inspired poster-stlyed painters (like me). You can't have 100 wildlife photographers.....you should have a varying roster of artists. I GET IT!

BUT still that "no thank you" is like a kick in proverbial balls.

This year has been a mixed bag or rejections and acceptance!

HERE are my upcoming summer and early FALL shows......

APRIL

Sienna Gallery

A new gallery carrying works by ME!!

2865 Chamberland Street, Unit #2

Rockland, Ontario

I cancelled my MAY shows to focus on getting work done!
(And taking ANOTHER short VACATION!)

JUNE

Riverdale Art Walk

Jimmie Simpson Park, Toronto, ON.
Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7, 2015

I will have brand new works in most every size, and some limited edition prints too!

JUNE

Queen and Jackson: Art and Craft Market

Players’ Guild | Downtown Hamilton, Ontario

June 13 – 14, 2015

I am working on new Hamilton works - and prints!!!!!!

JUNE

Kensington Market Art Fair 

Kensington Market, Toronto, ON.

June 28th

Getting a NEW print about Kensington Market ready!

JULY

Kensington Market Art Fair 

Kensington Market, Toronto, ON.

July 26th

AUGUST

Wychwood Barns Art Market

Toronto, ON.

August 15th 

SEPTEMBER

Cabbage town Art and Crafts Sale

Riverdale Farm, Toronto, ON.

September 11-13th

THAT is the new schedule!

WHEW!

BUSY DAYS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you come out to see me and the new work at any OR ALL of these shows!

See you in the parks!

TENTH ANNIVERSARY - MILES NADAL JCC

HOWDY!
I am really happy to be a part of the 10th anniversary exhibition of the gallery at The Miles Nadal JCC.

Established in 2005, the Gallery at the J has been home to over 80 exhibits beginning with Faces of Aliyah by Aviva Auerbach and followed by Portraits of Bravery: Canadian Jewish War Vets by Yuri Dojc. Since then painters, photographers, illustrators, mix media and textile artists have exposed our members and guests to a range of themes, stories, cultures and geographical locations. There is always something to think about. Always something to interpret.

In celebration of the Gallery’s 10th anniversary we have invited some of our past artists to once again display their work. These artists represent the variety of mediums and subjects that have been explored over the past ten years.

Featured artists: Aaron Vincent Elkaim, Bernice Eisenstein, David Trautrimas, Esther Simmonds-Macadam, Harry Enchin, Harry Tiefenbach, Irit Epstein, Jason Schwartz, Judy Singer, Mark Loren Freedman, Myriam Nafte, Rafael Goldchain, Rob Croxford, Roman Elinson, Shelly Grimson, Sheree Rasmussen

To read more about artists, click here.

I am excited to be a part of it. Here are some photos I took a thee Opening night last week!!! Enjoy:

To check out the exhibition person you need to drop by:

The Miles Nadal JCC

750 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON.

March 12 – April 6, 2015

Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm; Saturday - Sunday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

RED CHURCH GALLERY

Good Morning and happy Saturday!
Well……it's been SUPER busy…..I will tell review it for you on Monday!
NOW…..get in your car and take a trip……a little drive in the country…..

So one of my favourite-ists places in now open and ready for you to visit!
RED CHURCH GALLERY is located in Coe Hill…..which is between Peterborough and Bancroft!

LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE:

Ok…enough about the scenery…….here is more about them:


The Red Church Gallery was founded in May 2012, by co-owners Karen Decker, Shena Hinks, Wendy Taylor and Kathleen Urdahl.

Nestled in the middle of the Bancroft area cottage country, Coe Hill is home to the Red Church Gallery. Once St. Michael's and All Angel’s Anglican church, this historical, circa 1885 red brick building, is now home to a newly re-furbished art space. The gallery sits high on a grassy knoll in the centre of town and is a treasured piece of structural history for the community.

The goal of the gallery is to provide a contemporary art space while utilizing and maintaining the historical integrity of the structure and the karmic energy of its previous incarnations. The Red Church Gallery will focus on creating a place of beauty where artists, established and up and coming, will be able to show their work and artistic talent.

The gallery is committed to discovering and showing the works of known and unknown artists and in doing so, it hopes to provide a venue for dialogue across all art forms.

Hours of Operation

Fridays ~ 11 am – 3 pm (July/August only)
Saturdays ~ 10 am – 4 pm
Sundays ~ 11 am – 3 pm

The co-owners - buy  the way -  LOVELY LOVELY people (which if you have ever met gallery owners before is REMARKABLE! - There. I said it.)

oh…..and look whats on the wall:

It really is a nice space…..with some fantastic artists:

Ok……so check out their site for any more information…….
Or like them on Facebook…..
Or better yet…pack up the car…..make some nice sammies in a picnic basket and take a trip up to Red Church Gallery!!
Have a great weekend y'all!!!

MAY SHOWS ADDED………AND NEW WORK…..

Howdy!!

Well the weekend is almost upon us. Sadly,m I won't see much of it as I am locked in the basement working!!! SIGH. Oh the glamourous life of an artist.
NEXT WEEK I have my first show of the Spring Season!

Artfest at the Distillery

May 17, 18 & 19, (YES…..that's Victoria Day Weekend)

11am-6pm daily

Artfest Toronto launches the summer with a celebration 85 of the top artists & artisans from across Canada. Artists are exhibiting at the Historic Distillery District for three days only. Come stroll the cobble stone lanes and take in the beauty of the Distillery District. Featuring pottery, glass, jewellery, paintings, wood turning, gourmet foods, live music and more. FREE admission.

LOCATION
EXHIBITORS

FOR MY PART…….I will be showing a few new paintings and a BUNCH of great NEW and affordable works!! You will love the new stuff I promise! Like this BRAND NEW PIECE:

"Sunnyside", 30" x 24", Acrylic on Canvas (also available as prints FOR THIS SHOW)

PLEASE KNOW that this is one of the ONLY shows that I can show my prints at - so come out and pick up the merch while you can! You will find me enjoying the SUN in booth #E12 (on Gristmill Lane)!!!

Later this month…….

"May the Fords be with You"

May 24th, 7-10pm

Atomic Toybot  (978 Queen St E)
What do you get when you combine the Star Wars Universe and the whatever universe that Rob Ford lives in? THIS SHOW! Nerdy and fantastic! I have a fun piece all ready for this show…that I will be showing that night…and previewing to YOU dear readers in a week or so!!

AND……ending out this month……. (whew)

Kensington Market Art Fair

Sunday, May 25th - 11am-6pm

This is the first ever! Come out and enjoy this outdoor event as part of "Pedestrian Sundays" in historic Kensington Market! I will be showing more GREAT new merch at this show! More information coming soon! 

OK…..now go have a great weekend!!!!!!!!
Have a cocktail for me! Oh who am I kidding - I'm drinking as I type this!!!

;-)

A PREVIEW….AND MY NEW SUMMER EXHIBITION SCHEDULE!

Ok…so I am not ready to show you any finished new paintings - but rest assured I have a BUNCH of new stuff on the drawing board! I working on new TORONTO paintings of the Sunnyside Beach Pavilion and here is a little preview of my easel RIGHT NOW…..

It is gonna be for The Distillery!!!
I will have more to show by the end of the week - I PROMISE…...I am also working on more prints and such……..until then…...

I will share with you my schedule (as I know it today) and I hope to see you out this summer!!!

MAY - TBA - still waiting to find out about 3 possible shows…..I hope to know soon! ;-)

JUNE - Print exhibition, First Unitarian Church, June 1st-22nd
           - World Pride show (TBA)

JULY - Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. BRAND new artwork for the "big daddy" of outdoor art festivals. Come out on this - probably SUPER HOT - fantastic weekend of fine art. I am not allowed to show my prints and reproductions at this show, so come to this to see my new mixed media paintings!

AUGUST - TBA

SEPTEMBER - Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Festival, September 5-7th!

Ok…so that is it for today. I  hopes you are having a restful Easter Monday!
:-)

LOS ANGELES

Hey guys!
Well…….we are getting closer and closer to the big deadline!!!
Next week at this time……The Artist Project will be open.
(If you have no idea what that is, see THIS POST!)
That means things are coming to an end in my production of work for the big show this year!
As you may have figured out, I am trying to make work that is not COMPLETELY Toronto specific.
Up to now, I have focussed locally…..but THIS is my year for expanding my empire!
First step….paint things out of Toronto!
Like this one…….

You can read all about this one of NYC in THIS POST!! 
….and this is my latest painting……and a bit of the process for it:

Normally with a painting  - one starts with the background - but I was worried that I would  have troubles with the people…..so I started with them!

Then I started laying in all the other elements - and colour correcting the things that needed it.
Then…BAM…I was done…..
Ok…maybe it wasn't that easy……but……here is the final product:

"All That Glitters", 36" x 48", acrylic on canvas

This one I really love!!!
It is HUUUUGE…and has a real presence to it!
I also like the wording on it!
What do you think?
Wait till you see it in person at TAP this year!
--It will knock your socks off!
Any comments???

WW151: WOODEN BOW TIES, CROCK POTTING and GEORGE ON AMAZON (again!)

Welcome to Wonderful Wednesday y'all!
Here we go…..5 things I LOVE this week!

1.) Here you go art lovers…….the top 10 MUST-SEE art shows in Toronto this winter at BlogTO

You'll notice The Artist Project is on there!
No special mention of how FANTASTIC the booths at the END of this show are….especially #830!!
(READ MORE ABOUT ME AT THE TAP ON MONDAY'S BLOG)

2.) Hey Fancy boys……this one is for you…...OH MAH GAWD……I SOOOOOO NEEEEEEEED one of these……a WOODEN bow tie!! Yup! You heard me right wooden bow ties made from recycled furniture!! Thanks to Vinyluse for this collection handmade bow ties!

Crafted in Italy with recycled wooden materials like abandoned floors, disused chairs, and furniture!

 There are 9 nine wearable pieces that are part of the series each take the name of a different renowned artist from history. The ‘dali’, for example, is mustache-shaped in homage to the master’s trademark facial hair, while ‘matisse’s’ geometric voids reference the celebrated frenchman’s cut-out art.

This is my favourite!It's a moustache!! HINT HINT!! ;-)

LOVE IT!!!


3.) Ok food lovers…..I give you this! I did a version of this last night…..but NOW I know what I would do differently……..TRY THIS:

 I love my crock pot…….so read this recipe at www.creative-culinary.com

MMMMMMMMM!!!
Not just for football games…..I assure you it goes great Downtown Abbey!
(Yes..I KNOW I got that wrong!)

4.) Ok nerds…one for you……I was gonna save this for May….but there is so much here to waste your time….TIEFIGHTERS - your one stop for nerdy Star Wars stuff. It is amazing!!!

Thanks to Husband and Warren for this tie waster!

5.)  Yes…..I gave this the #5 position before in August of last year….….but it is worth revisiting…….George Takei is a busy guy……what with all those amazon products to review…..
CHECK HIM OUT HERE! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!