"INTERNAL TOURISM" - SPACING MAGAZINE (with Rob Croxford's fine merch!!)

Hey y'all!
I was just pursuing my NEW copy of Spacing Magazine.....
(if you don't know Spacing.....FORSHAME!)
If you live in Toronto, you MUST subscribe to it!
It's got tonnes of toronto specific articles about our fine city! Honestly, it is just a great read, that tells the stories of those of us who LOVE living in an urban paradise! I really LOVE getting my Spacing Magazine......but this week I LOVE it extra!!! (Because I crave attention....I guess? ;-)

SEE WHY??
YUP! They have featured my postcards!
As part of an article on "Internal Tourism".
Thanks to the fantastic Dylan Reid......check out some of these other recent writings.....
Enjoyable article...and also......just so nice to be noticed!! Right?
So, get a copy of Spacing TODAY!!
AAAND....go to The Spacing Store which carries a whole inventory of awesome urban merchandise.

Really.....you could do all your summer birthday and Victoria Day shopping there!!!!
For more on The Spacing Store...go ahead and read THIS POST.
(Oh ya, they are also the exclusive retailer for my merch!)
Thanks to whole gang at Spacing for making mention of my art/merch!
So muchly appreciated!

ONLY 9 THINGS TO CELEBRATE???

Yes…time again for a little introspection.
Do I have the time for this? NO!!!! I have a BIG SHOW opening in 6 weeks from now. YEOWSA!
But more about The Artist Project in a couple days…...
Until then, let's see what happened for me last year….I know it sound like bragging - but don't think of it like that! Think of it as me 'taking stock' of a kinda BRUTAL year in art!
So…let's get to it……..
What was so great about last year????

1)     I created about 50 new original artworks….a little down from last year! Generally, I was happy
        with my "artistic direction" for the year…..especially considering how much time went to creating
        smaller affordable pieces like these:

       If I added all of these to my list of completed works….I could claim to have created an additional
       33 pieces of art!
       So that would bring my numbers up to over 80!
       THAT SOUNDS MORE IMPRESSIVE!! Ok - let's go with that!!!
       PLUS……I also spent a great deal of time in production with my prints and giclees…...

2)     Not only did I develop a line of 6 heat transfer prints, but I also created a series of TWELVE
        limited edition giclèes! I even developed some bags too!! THAT IS CRAZY!!! The prints have
        been a great success so far, and I continue to produce them - and add to my inventory of
        reproductions! I have 2 sizes available, and am looking forward to adding MORE soon!
        Now…the numbers are harder to count…..but it looks like last year, I was able to move about 100
        reproductions in varying sized last year! Which is really great!!!!

         See my FANTASTIC PRINTS HERE.

         or on my ETSY site!

3)     Now the prints are hard to keep an exact inventory of because I was able to solidify my
        partnership with Spacing Magazine! I LOVE SPACING!!  
        If you don't know them.......READ THIS
       blog post...….and check them out at Spacing Magazine.
   
       Not only do they carry my prints online:

      But they also showcased them at both WOTS and at Christmas in a POP-UP SHOP
   

So weird to see them all together in a line. I LOVE IT!

        I hope 2014 prints more with me and Spacing!!!!!!

4)     Speaking of press…...I was THRILLED with the press from this year!
        ESPECIALLY A GREAT PROFILE IN NEIGHBOURHOOD LIVING FALL 2013!
        Not only was my work on BOTH covers…..

      But Neighbourhood Living included a FOUR PAGE spread all about me and my illustrious art 

      career! It is a really enjoyable article writen by Tracey Coveart. (more of her writing HERE)

      Read the whole story HERE.

       ……now that seems like enough press right?? Well then there was these:

        - Check out this LINK to Torontoism.com (Thanks Richard Silver/Jackie Marchildon)

        -  A fantastic mosaic artist and aspiring writer wrote a GREAT little piece about me! Check out 

            Natalie at www.Fragmentalist.com

       -  mentioned on 3 other blogs last year including the Grid and Blog T.O!!

       -  Peter Glaser's column "Northern Roadsides" explored the history of Ontario Place. Using a 

          photo of my work in The Society for Commercial Architecture. You can check out the SCA 

          on Facebook HERE......or their website at www.sca-roadside.org

 

5.)    I WON AN AWARD!!!!! Finally!!! I mean, all you need to do is work full time for 9 years, 

        and then you are recognized for your talent! ;-) Re-READ this post to remember!

        Or you can re-read about it on the Cabbagetown site...…

6)      I did 108 Blog posts last year!!!! Down a bit…..but certainly respectable!!
          I hope you read ALL of the posts???
         Go back and re-read them all now……then come back to finish this post!
         ;-)

7)      A record amount of rain and number of group shows….this year for all it's faults included a
          record of 12  shows last year!!!!
       -  “Holiday Art Market”, Artscape Barns,
       -  “Canadiana” , Project Gallery, Toronto, ON
       - “Just my Type”, #Hashtag Gallery, Toronto, ON
       - Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Show, Toronto, ON
       - Riverdale Art Walk, Toronto, Ontario
       - Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
       - “Monsters & Robots”, and “Pony Paddock “ Atomic Toybot, Toronto, ON
       - The Artist Project, Toronto, Ontario
       - The Toronto Home Show
       - The International Home Show
       This does not mention the galleries and retail locations that supported me in a significant way last
       year…special thanks to:
       - MJG Gallery
       - Atomic Toybot
       - Red Church Gallery

8)      ONE solo show of work last year……..

My "Sign of The Times" Series paintings and my "Tin Toy" Series are STILL UP!!!!!

When?      Wednesday December 18th, 2013 - Thursday January 23rd, 2014 

Where?     The Miles Nadal JCC (right on the corner of Spadina/Bloor in Toronto) 

** HOURS: Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm; Saturday - Sunday 9am - 7pm

     

9.)    Thanks to my long suffering  (and greatest fan) husband, I was ONCE AGAIN,  somehow able to
        make a living in the arts!! It was a harsh year, with harsh weather to deal with!

        AGAIN…… I am sooooooo grateful for those who purchased my work this year.

        I am grateful for the Galleries that were able to stick with me this year - especially mark at 

        MJG GALLERY

        who has turned out to be a world class kind of guy!!!

        Finally, thank you loyal readers for checking in with me, I appreciate every one of you.

       Thanks for taking the time!  

       And remember your comments are most welcome here!

FRIDAY HOUSEKEEPING: NEW PRESS....AND NEW WORKS ON LESLIEVILLE ART CRAWL

Hello! Happy Friday!
What a week for me!
Yes....it is true.....I am still in the midst of trying to find new studio space for myself. The hunt in not really revealing much so far in the way of great spaces at affordable prices.....but I am not panicking.
Something will reveal itself when the time is right!
Ok....also this week my photo spread in "Neighbourhood Living" (East and Beach) came out!

READ IT ON THIS BLOG FROM MONDAY!
It was super to get this press.
BUT THEN.....there is also this......remember when I was a BIG WINNER at the Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Show? Re-READ this post to remember!

To jog your memory....I received the Richard Silver Special Award. Yes. An award for specialness! You can read about it on the Cabbagetown site......

NOW you can also read a little interview about my first experience WINNING something!
Check out this LINK to Torontoism.com!!!

Thanks Richard Silver/Jackie Marchildon for this little piece!! 

I appreciate the free promotion!!!!

ALSO..........if you are looking for something to do after brunch this Sunday.....may I suggest checking out my new work Toronto/Rural landscapes on reclaimed wood at MJG Gallery

You will LOVE the new work....and I can't wait for you to see it......here is a bit what you will see:

"Build, Moron!",  acrylic on mixed medium, 10" x 20" 

Each piece is painted on a segment of reclaimed wood from my Grandpa's old barn.
The barn got torn down a few years ago....and my Dad went and took a load of the wood home for me. Honestly.....I thought I would make a bench or something cool with it.....but as the years passed.....
I realized - I am not as skilled as a carpenter as I am as a painter.
So these WELL PRICED little gems are my first use of the wood!
It was weird cutting it up, but I like the idea that the McCord Barn lives on in people's homes!

"Cha-Ching",  acrylic on mixed medium, 10" x 20"

 Yes....they have less words on them - but they still have a little bite!!

"Outside the Box",  acrylic on mixed medium, 10" x 20"

So go by MJG Gallery this weekend and check these out!!!

After that..........you can swing by and see my new tin toy piece at Atomic Toybot - whose show 'the devil's in the details' opens that day too!!! 

I will show you my NEW piece for Atomic Toybot on MONDAY....

(as it is STILL not done!!)

Be the first to see it at the crawl! SERIOUSLY......GO AND CHECK OUT THE CRAWL!!!! 

Here are all the deets:

Check out the FACEBOOK page with more details about this SUPER FUN crawl!!!!!

Have a great weekend y'all!!!!!

NEIGHBOURHOOD LIVING FALL 2013!

Well....FINALLY that magazine has come out!
The one I mentioned in THIS POST almost a month ago!
I am really really happy with it!
So.....my paintings are right on the cover of TWO of the publications:

So as you can see....they LOOK FANTASTIC!

They go to almost 50,000 Torontonians!

Neighbourhood Living is all about the people and places you should know in Toronto!

If the covers were not enough.....there is also a FOUR PAGE spread all about me and my illustrious art career! It is a really enjoyable article writen by Tracey Coveart.

(You can see more of her writing on her website HERE)

So.....here is the article (click on the 2 separate pages to see a larger photo -- so you can read them! ;-)

NICE HUH???

MAGAZINE SNEAK PEEKS......and WOTS (with SPACING)

Today I wanted to share with you 2 bits of news.......
First....my limited edition Giclèes have been picked up by Spacing Magazine.
If you don't know them.......READ THIS blog post.......
They are a SUPER magazine that feature really interesting articles about urban living.
I LOVE reading it!!
They featured my art a couple editions ago & now they are gonna feature my prints in their online store.....

But BEFORE they sell them online.....they are selling them at The 'Word on the Street' Festival this weekend! Here are the W.O.T.S. deets:

(I keep calling it TWOTS - but evidently THAT is pretty offensive to most ;-)
So, go out on Sunday to the Spacing booth.....buy a subscription to the magazine......some cool merch.......AND one of my new giclèes!!
I will have more information about our joint merch selling efforts in weeks to come!
You can also follow them on Facebook or Twitter

OK....next PREVIEW.....
I am only giving a preview (so that I don't get in trouble).

I am going to be featured in 2 local magazines.

If you live in the Beach or in Leslieville/Riverdale (essentially anywhere in East Toronto) you may already get a copy of "Neighbourhood Living" Magazine to your door. There are 3 different versions that come out in Toronto -- "East", "West" and "The Beach". Here is the link to their website.

Basically they produce a lovely glossy magazine that "celebrates local people and supports local businesses"! How fantastic is that?
Lucky for me, I am being featured in TWO of the publications!
Two paintings - on two covers! Here is your sneak peek of both:

 

If that weren't enough..........there is also a 4 page interview with me!
FOUR PAGES!
Thanks to Tracey Coveart (whose writing you can follow HERE)
Not only do I love the look of her site....

Tracey and I really hit it off in the interview......and she is just super!!
I don't know why I am always surprised when I find another kindred spirit who really 'gets' what I am about........I think we spoke for an hour or so!
What makes it better is that she didn't make me sound like a big dummy!
Which MUST have been a challenge!  ;-)
I am NOT gonna show you the article YET, because the magazines don't come out until NEXT WEEK! In fact, I don't really have the 'green light' to show you ANYTHING.......but I couldn't hold it in any longer! I am pleased as punch!
Next week I will show you the whole article...and the covers....and probably talk MORE about myself!
(you're welcome! ;-)
Until then, have a great weekend!!!!

SOCIETY FOR COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE JOURNAL: ONTARIO PLACE

Hey guys!
Finally the SCA Journal is out........

The Society for Commercial Architecture Journal is published twice a year, and recognizes unique 20th century commercial buildings and landscapes! It is full of really cool stuff. GREAT articles and photos that are super documentation of the architecture and signs and so on that I LOVE so much!

You can check out the SCA on Facebook HERE......or their website at www.sca-roadside.org

In this month's publication, Peter Glaser's column "Northern Roadsides" explores the things that we can be proud of and sad about when it comes to the history of Ontario Place:

A very enjoyable article that......WAIT.........IS THAT MY ART??
Oh yes, he also mentions my painting "Summer Fun":

And yes.......this original,  36" x 24" acrylic on board painting is STILL AVAILABLE!

It is also still available as a limited edition print!

Ok.....now go and enjoy your weekend!!!!

ME ME ME MEEEEEE.

Ok...you know how I am a bit shy about self promotion.......well today maybe not so much.
;-)
I had a really nice coffee with Natalie who is a fine artist herself and showed a the Riverdale Art Walk a few weekends ago with me! We chatted (or rather I talked her ear off about myself for an hour) and she is really lovely!! Her artwork, which is mosaic is really nice too....for example this one:

So....back to me.....(hee hee)

Natalie is also an aspiring writer...and wrote a GREAT little piece about yours truly on her blog www.Fragmentalist.com

Take some time to browse her lovely work on her site too....

Ok......GO read it NOW!!! 

Thanks Natalie for the lovely words!!!
I appreciate it!

AWKWARD AT THE ARISTS PROJECT

Ok...I don't have the time today to get into ALL THAT HAPPENED at The Artist Project this year.
I will post  something on Friday about it....but I wanted to share this video.......
MAN O MAN am I glad I have been taking those "hand movements for Dummies" classes....
Really pays off in this video!
If you watch it without sound - it looks like I am an interpretive dancer........
Enjoy my awkwardness (I cannot speak to the other artists that are represented here):

You're welcome.

NEWS! THE ARTIST PROJECT AND MORE!

Wow. What a borrrrrrrring  blog post title!!
Gimme a break....it's Friday!
So.....I wanted to share another new piece of art that I just finished for this years 'The Artist Project'.
If you don't have any idea what that is......TAP is:
It is my big indoor art show for the year.....

Hours

Thursday:  7PM – 10PM (Opening Night, 19+ Event)

Friday:  12PM – 8PM
Saturday:  11AM – 8PM
Sunday:  11AM – 6PM

Venue Location

Booth #631 http://www.theartistprojecttoronto.com/

Better Living Centre
195 Princes’ Boulevard, Exhibition Place
Toronto, ON

Cost

Here is a link to get half price on the opening night, $12 instead of $25, there will be drinks, food, music and well, art. The discount for the opening night is good today only.

http://www.teambuy.ca/en/toronto/28144970

Here is a link for $7 tickets instead of $15, not for the opening night. You can buy tickets anytime using this promotion code.

Enter TAPEX13 into the “Promotion Code” field

https://www.microspec.com/tix123/eTic.cfm?code=TAP2013&disc=TAPEX13#.URqE0KU80po

Read more about The Artist Project in THIS POST!
Ok......so here is the latest painting....

"Judgement", 24" x 18", Acrlyic on mixed media.

So....the landscape is of The Evergreen Brickworks here in Toronto.
To read more about The Brickworks check out my blog post about it!!!
The bottom is painted on wood and (although you cant tell in this photo) it is bowed out.
These 3 buildings (Castle Loma, The old City Hall and Massey Hall) are all ones that have been built using bricks from Don Valley Brickworks.
The Quote is from Dr. Wayne Dyer......who is super smart! (And very much alive - unlike most of the authors of the quotes I use.)
And the band at the top is based on an Art Nouveau flowers/leaf pattern.
Ok.....so come out and see it next week at TAP!!

ALSO......I am mentioned in a Q&A on the Spacing Toronto Blog today!!!!

READ IT HERE!
I have a few more things I was gonna share today...but I think that is enough.....I will mention the rest on MONDAY! Have a great weekend y'all!

BOMB GIRLS, Season 2, Episode 2!

Well, I have kept a lid on this one for MONTHS now.
But finally I can share with you!
This is  "Bomb Girls"

The show profiles the stories of four women working in a Canadian munitions factory during World War II, beginning in 1941. Yes, it is Canadian, and yes, it is taped right here in Toronto. The second season debuts this week on Global.

You must check out the cool Global website!!!! Very informative and interactive!

Ok....so what does this fine show have to do with me???
Well, I did some artwork for the show.
I was given the art direction to create artwork for the Valentine-themed episode.
In it is a specifically scripted element that reads as follows:

Betty and Ivan smile for the camera, cut-out heads on
a big board -- pilot and bomber, painted hearts joining them
as they drop bombs on Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito!

So essentially, it is was to design one of those stand up gag-photo boards.
Here was the rough thumbnail I that was my starting point:

From there, I created my drawings. Here was my final drawing....

Then I rendered it in paint. Here is my final artwork:

They then scanned my work and blew it up to people size!
I will post a photo of the final set piece after it shows up on NEXT WEDNESDAY'S (the 9th) show!!!
REMEMBER TO TUNE IN AND LOOK FOR IT!!!

So then, later I was commissioned to do a second piece of art.
I was given the following art direction:

"Hitler as a 'raging animal' in the background - very propaganda-y - he is LARGE and looming over some happy officers chatting. With the words "Do your part. SILENCE" on the bottom."

I was given this artwork too:

Once I got some notes.....I went ahead, it became this:

SPOOKY!!!!

Sadly, at the 11th hour, they decided to change directions completely, so this one never made it to air.
So...........anyone wanna buy a hitler painting??? (YIKES!!!)
None the less, it was still a great experience!!
I am happy to have been ANY part of the show, and I hope you check it out.
Bomb Girls Season 2, on Global starting this week.....
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK TO SEE MY ART (if only for 5 seconds ;-)