House and Home

Here is my painting as it appears in the December issue of House and Home Magazine page 139. Speaking of home; we have finally finished moving to our new home! I will get around to posting some pics of the space; right now it is a sea of boxes.

News

Here's a new mylar painting. I have been posting less than usual lately because I am getting ready to move my studio and apartment. I have been in a sublet since moving back to Toronto but now finally we are getting our own place. Yay!
You can see me on TV today for a repeat broadcast of the Polish Language program Na Luzie (I will be speaking english:) The interview airs Friday, December 5th at 2:00 PM. They begin the program with a music video. My story airs after the first commercial break. I should have posted this earlier but moving preparations and more days at the gallery have taken over my brain.
Also I have been featured on blogto check out http://blogto.com/artists/
And one of my paintings has been reproduced in the December issue of House and Home magazine. I will post a scan as soon as I have time to scan it:)

Carte Blanche Vol. 2: Painting

Please come out and celebrate the launch of Carte Blanche Vol. 2: Painting; this Saturday November 15th at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) from 8 - 11pm. And there is a book signing (CORRECTION: not this) Sunday November 30, 3-5 pm at DAVID MIRVISH BOOKS ON ART in Toronto; I will be there as well.

I am honored to be included in the book among amazing painters whose works I enjoy and respect.

Hope to see you there!

New works

I posted these a while ago; then I re-worked them, here they are again. They are a continuation of the Swift Shadows series. Check out my website for these and more www.aleksrdest.com

Painting

New direction; sort of. New orientation.

Full moon in the park

Commute home

Fall: when did that happen?

Its been a busy fall. The show is wrapped up now; I'll be on Omni TV's polish language show "Na Luzie" in November and my work will be featured in House and Home next year sometime. I will posted the details when I have them. I've had some major developments in the studio recently but I am not quite ready to share those yet. In case anyone has been wondering how the old dog is enjoying the city; here she is at High Park:)

Man and hound

Drizzle pair

Found

Pair

Pair of images I took the other day. This is how beautiful a parking lot can be.

City rain

Weekend in the country

New

Brand new piece. This one is on mylar. Its about 18" square. Its called Swift Shadows. I will have a few Swift Shadows in the Postcards from the Void show.

Upcoming Show in Toronto

Park Night

Summer rain

Home

Opole, Poland; my hometown. I went there briefly, unexpectedly, recently; for a funeral. I won't go into the sad details; but I will say that I have gained perspective. Life and death matters make other concerns pale. I have been taking time to reflect and come to terms.

Since moving from Newfoundland I have been thinking a lot about the concept of home. Home is, essentially, where you make it. I didn't know when I left Toronto that I would be coming back here, but now that I have, it is like coming home. My parents house, even though I did not grow up there, is home. Going to Poland is like going home. I have no memories of living there; we left when I was two. The language is home. I have my mother to thank for the fact that I can still speak Polish and I am grateful. My vocabulary is not diverse but I can communicate. Living in Polish is like walking around in a sleeping bag: warm and comfy, if awkward:)
I managed to get out for a few walks with my Dad and my Aunt while I was there. These pics are from walking around Opole. I am interested in contrasts; visually as well as conceptually.
I took a lot of pictures; I am still going through them. More soon I hope.

Mushrooms in the lawn

Summer evenings

My posts have been sparse, its not that there isn't visual inspiration here, its that I tend to forget to pull out my camera while on the gauntlet that has become my dog walk. I dodge traffic, dogs, skateboarders and irate lawn owners. For the first while I found this very gloomy. I knew that being here was the right decision but I missed my thoughtful, reflective, solitary daily walks. I was jarred; I'm still a bit jumpy. I am still gaining perspective; but I am definitely enjoying the city. I love the warm evenings, strolling down Roncezvelles in flip flops and a loose skirt, going to the Gate for a cold beer and great jazz. Sunny days, the love and support of friends.

New works

I just put some new works up on my website aleksrdest.com
Go see!!

And if you are in Toronto; Grant is playing at Gate 403 June 18th 5-8pm. He’ll be playing upright bass and guitar in a style that interweaves jazz and classical techniques with latin rhythms to create a distinctive sound.

Leslie Street Spit

Sunday morning jaunt to the Leslie Street Spit. Did not stay long; it was very hot but found a few colourful treasures along the way. Anyone know what these neat red things are? They can not be good for this tree but I love them.


And yay for the red lady bug; those orange ones just aren't the same. I know its such a cliched image but so perfect nonetheless.

Sunny Summer Time

Blooms in trees in High Park.


The studio is all set up now. Yay!

Toronto

Its been a while of technical difficulties and general exhaustion after the move; but I am finally back online. Yay! G and I are in Toronto now; mostly unpacked, and thrilled to be here. Its warm and sunny with plenty of good food and great friends. Truth be told, we have not seen many people yet, still getting settled in. These pics are from a recent walk in High Park. More from me soon:)