WW195: BEVERLEY HAWKSLEY, GBD, and The Cat-tanic........

Hey guys! Welcome back to Wonderful Wednesday!!!!
Here are 5 things that I enjoy this week....

1.) I always talk about art that I see that moves me. This week I thought I would feature an artist that I have shown with and whose work I really enjoy. You gotta check out Beverley Hawksley. 

I love how subversive and dark, yet how playful these pieces are. 

I thoroughly enjoy seeing her work around Toronto. I want YOU to learn more about her art....

Check out this video:

Beverley Hawksley - Maker Of Things from PowerOutlet Productions on Vimeo.

(or go here)

You should go to her WEBSITE here.... to find out where you can see her work LIVE, because it needs to be seen live to get the real feeling from it! Engaging and melancholy work....but not depressing.....just interesting and lovely!
Oh also you can follow her tweets!!

2.) Okay my cat loving readers.....there is this. I know this may seem like a lot to you, but I REALLY think you need to own it!!!! Deb? Cindy? Cheapay? Adrienne? Mark? COME ON!!!!

Yup! The Kitty Titanic Condo! Go to Hollywood Kitty Company to BUY BUY BUY this!

Just imagine reanimating the last 10 minutes of the Titanic movie -- EVERY DAY!

"I'LL NEVER LET GO MR WHISKERS!!!"

Watch this wonderful video.....to see how your cat(s) will LOVE IT! (but be pre warned - the video SHOULD have 'My Heart will go on" instead of the weird porn-like music.):

3.) Okay, as y'all know I went to Washington DC a couple weeks ago....and you know how Robbie loves his chicken and donuts? Well I researched and found GBD (Golden Brown Delicious)...

Seriously folks. You like donuts? You like chicken? YOU GOTTA LOVE THE LUTHER:

Fried Brioche Doughnut Glazed in Maple-Chicken Jus, with Buttered Pecans,
Slab Bacon and Fried Boneless Chicken Thigh + Side of Fries

OH

MAH

GAWD!

It was like heaven......maybe not for my arteries.....but still.....YUUUUUM!

I washed it down with this lovely punch......

This was the donut selection for the day....

Oh....also.....these deep fried brie bits......yes.....for reals......

Check out the menu HERE!

And if you are in Washington - DO NOT MISS IT!!!

YUUUUMMMMM!!!!!!!!

4.) My hubby sent this to me....it is really kinda interesting.........the evolution of the MGM logo...I thought it was really interesting. Check 'er:

or go here and see the evolution of the Disney and Dreamworks logos...
Also check out http://geektyrant.com for TONNES of nerdy great stuff!

5.) Oh Billy......this clip of David Letterman was wonderful (thanks Cindy):

and this clip with Michelle Obama and Big Bird.....also enjoyable!!!!

There you go! 5 things I enjoyed this week!!!!!
I hope you did too!

WW156: WHERE COOL CAME FROM, SHE PLAYS HOCKEY and DANIEL ST-AMANT

Hey folks…….you know how this post works….each Wednesday I post an image of FIVE things that I LOVE…….

1.) I LOVE a good success story. As I wait patiently for mine (hee hee) I can't help but be THRILLED for Dave LeBlanc! You may know him from his columns at The Globe and Mail…..but his new project…..I REALLY FREAKING LOVE!!! "Where Cool Came From" is a super great web series that explores the nature of the "cool things" we know and love! Well….maybe not ALL of us….but if you like my work…..you're gonna LOVE:

Seriously…..it is so enjoyable!!!!! Don't believe me???? Check out this:

Where Cool Came From Video Preview from Where Cool Came From on Vimeo.

(or try this link)
Way to go Dave!!!!! I LOVE this web series!!!
You can give "Where Cool Came From" some love on Facebook too!

2.) THANKS CINDY FOR SENDING ME THIS ONE (She gets her knickers in a knot if I forget to thank her!) This is fantastic!!!! Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and singer Miche Braden bring you the most FANTASTIC remake of classic Guns N’ Roses!

http://www.openculture.com/2014/02/guns-n-roses-sweet-child-o-mine-retooled-as-1920s-new-orleans-jazz.html

3.) She Plays Hockey. Ok…I know what you are thinking……Normally I am NOT a sports person….let alone the hockey……BUT….in the spirit of Woman's empowerment……..I give you THIS:

She Plays Hockey is a website dedicated to providing products to girls and women who play hockey. The female game is growing every year and we have decided to say it loud and clear, whether you are a daughter, mother, sister or grandmother who plays or you’re a doctor, teacher, banker or stay-at-home mom – SHE PLAYS HOCKEY! And remember, you are never too old or inexperienced to start playing the game of hockey
SHE SHOOTS SHE SCORES!!!!! (Am I saying that right??)

4.) I really enjoyed this work at TAP this year! Daniel St-Amant's work at first glance is very attractive wildlife studies…..truthfully that is not normally the kind of work that really gets to me….BUT there are so many great things happening in these paintings!!!

I don't wanna ruin this for you…..but you should GO TO HIS WEBSITE and see how he creates these works. It is super cool……..yes…they are painted very well - but I love the flip of the middle finger to big oil…………(the phone number for an offending company is on each piece!!!!)

Here's his artist statement:

In an era of mass consumption, poverty, pollution and war, it's difficult to avoid being alarmed by the abundance of negativity and hopelessness that surrounds us.
My work explores some of these issues, specifically our destruction and exploitation of the natural environment. As our population grows, so does our consumption as a species with increasing pressure to meet quotas and profits. Humans are driving deeper and deeper into the wilderness. My latest paintings discuss this pressure we are putting on the natural environment and the adaptation that the animal kingdom is forced to undergo.
Using modern surfaces such as major road ways to emphasize our global footprint, I have managed to capture the density within our city life. Laying my canvas on the road I capture physical traces of climate affecting technologies “tire tracks” to which I use as a landscape for my animal compositions.

GREAT JOB DAN!!!!!!!!
You can also follow him on the Twitter…and on the Facebook!

5.) This is for my crazy cat ladies……you're welcome Cindy….see all these cats…….then hit the link and see 19 more……...

http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-wet-cats/

JOSEPHINE CLEO and TORONTO ART.CA

I wanted to mention this poster that I was commissioned to do.........
She gave me the photo of her and an idea of her vision and then I went to work!
I AM THRILLED WITH IT:

It is for my dear friend's big show....she is an AWESOME SINGER.....and if you are in London.....you NEED to come to her show....go here for details! And GO HERE for tickets!

ALSO........
I want to check out TORONTO ART ....I just joined - and I think there is some great other quality artists on this site....check it out:

I think that's it for today!!!
YES. I am doing a bunch more....but nothing I can share yet......stay tuned!!!!!

WW:90: A LITTLE BIT OF CHICAGO, ADELLE, and lost in translation

I was so impressed by Chicago. I can hardly wait to go back again!! So over the next few weeks I am gonna share some of the things I loved! Don't worry though, I am also gonna put in a couple NON vacation related things!
Enjoy!

1.) "They" say that in Chicago, you MUST do the Chicago River Boat cruise. "They" are right. You simply must! The architecture was really impressive! We took the architecture cruise, from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. It was 90 minutes that FLEW by. I loved it!!!! I do NOT want to give away all the interesting stories I learned....so I won't. But here are some photos I took. REMEMBER TO MAKE THEM BIGGER!!!

2.) Adele. Skyfall. Yes, I know I am weeks behind on this one.....but I just had to put this one...just in case you have been living under a rock......here is the song:

and....if you are looking for something more upbeat for the treadmill.......I STRONGLY SUGGEST this one. I know, I know.....not for everyone.....but it gets pretty good around the 2 minute time mark:

3.) Joseph Cornell.  Ok...I hadnt hear of him, but he had a huge presence at The Chicago Art Institute. (he died in 1972) By collecting and carefully juxtaposing found objects in small, glass-front boxes, Cornell created visual poems in which surface, form, texture, and light play together. Using things we can see, Cornell made boxes about things we cannot see: ideas, memories, fantasies, and dreams. What makes these so great is that they are from the 50's.....and yet seem so current. Take a look:

4.) (ok this is 3 part-er) The Wit Hotel. Located at State and Lake in Chicago, right in the Loop, this was a very enjoyable hotel experience. WHY? The lobby was nice, the rooms were lovely....and I got a fresh warm cookie upon checking in!!!!! Here are some photos:

The outside of The Wit

The lobby is very nice too!!
(pay no attention to the ne'er-do-wells hanging out in the lobby) 

LOVE these lights.....
and right outside the windows, the cool train!!!!

Lobby Mural

The carpet was rolled out on a rainy day.
Very clever!!

The room was lovely.

The sink was stupidly big!!!!

I approve of this bathroom art!!!

Another great thing about the hotel was the adjoining restaurant State and Lake.

I really like the logo here!

Nice atmosphere! 

Especially love the subway tunnel light box at the end of the restaurant!

Nice brunch menu......

Red Velvet Pancakes.
HELLO!!!

...and for lunch.....a turkey and swiss burger on a pretzel bun with blue cheese fries!!!
YUMMERS!

Lastly, I was impressed by the rooftop patio!!!

Open in winter too (yes it is all glass!!!)

Like the logo again!!!

The views were fantabulous!!!!

Here is a video of the patio -- it was not full of people (or d-bags as the video suggests) when I was there! ;-)

Thanks to Lastenia and Joe for making the arrangements for us at The Wit!
I really enjoyed it!

5.) Ok...this also has NOTHING to do with Chicago....but it made me laugh....(thanks Cindy/Dale)