Studio Sale: Dec 14!

Hi friends,
I haven't been avoiding you; I have been cocooning and I am ready to come out!
I am so close to achieving my dream of supporting myself through my art. I have been simulating an artist residency in my home/studio; in an effort to revitalize/reinvent my artistic practice. I have found my way to making work that is challenging, exciting and not damaging to my health.

Studio sale announcement: Saturday December 14th 2pm - 6pm
1444 Dupont Street Unit 1A Toronto Park anywhere in the lot outside or in the Piri Piri overflow parking. We are above Piri Piri, entrance at ground level off the parking lot.

I wanted to do this sooner but I felt like I had to have at least three figurative paintings before I came out as a figurative painter. I thought the big news was going to be me coming out as a landscape painter; but I think there is more I can say by exploring the contradiction of the figure in the landscape. I place the figure into the landscape in a way that calls into question whether they are friend or foe; or maybe I have integrated the figure so well that they become part of the landscape. I don't know, you tell me.
Babies/kids/dogs welcome! We have two friendly kitties.
I have been taking an inventory and rephotographing older paintings; they are all in a rack, easy to view.
There are many that have not been shown before; and others that have been shown in eastern or western Canada but not Toronto.
See the surfaces: what you miss when you view my work online is the surface; which is an integral part of my work. in have paintings from 2008 that have high gloss reflective surfaces; today's paintings which have an almost paper like finish, matte is my new gloss.
See where the magic happens: my studio is in a live/work loft with lots of big white walls which are great for viewing paintings.

Happy holidays and hope to see you soon!

I am painting humans

Hi friends,
The title of this post may sound funny; but I have not painted people since I was in school. A few months ago I was painting these small landscapes and thinking about how people shape the land that I am painting and it seemed that the clearest way I could get my ideas across was by painting people.
The landscape takes on new meaning when we put a figure in it; when that figure wears a costume which is discordant with its surroundings it sets up a whole series of questions. In an earlier artist statement I wrote that I wanted my paintings to pose questions rather than answer them; this sentence rings true to my practice now.
I feel like I am coming out of this years long period of transition I have been in. I am excited about making and sharing my new work!
Here are two new paintings:

 G&T with lemon/Suits on shore 36 x 54 inches Oil/egg tempera on canvas

Sarah as moss vapour/Sneaking at the zoo 30 x 40 inches Oil/egg tempera on canvas

I have a vertical G&T suits in lake almost finished! Very exciting;)
Stay tuned for details of a studio sale in December; I can't wait to open my doors and talk to people about these paintings!

Whitefish falls

We gave our thanks last weekend for a day in nature at Whitefish falls. The light was spectacular and I got to use my underwater camera under water! I took so many pictures. Here are a few;)

Introducing my galleries and new website

Happy Monday! I wanted to take a moment to introduce my newest gallery and give a shout out to some that have supported my work for years.

Last Friday I dropped off 5 paintings at the amazingly organized Canvas Gallery. I know how hard it is to keep a gallery well organized; I am really happy to have my work there and I know it will be handled well. Many galleries keep their inventory in back rooms where it gets neglected and/or damaged. Canvas Gallery puts the work out where you can see it and makes sure that each piece is protected. They represent my fellow Femme Five Art Collective members Sarah Hillock, Sarah Tacoma and Suzanne Ernst; as well as many other emerging and mid-career artists. I feel I am in good company.

I had a great studio visit in the summer with Canvas owner Megan; she was thoughtful and engaged and really took the time to understand my work. I love working with galleries that see art as more than just inventory and who respect all of the thinking that goes into making it. Megan works with her husband Mark and their team. I love to work with a family business; there is none of the entitlement one finds in galleries in trendy neighbourhoods. I have learned that finding the right gallery is not about real estate but about relationships.

I am happy to be represented by another family business: RumiGalleries in Port Credit. Joseph and I have brilliant talks about how I make my work and why every time he visits my studio. I feel great sending my work off to his gallery. While many art dealers demand an artist produce consistent work, (translation: churn out product) Joseph has shown my abstract paintings and my lichen photography as well as my current egg tempera work. He supports my artistic growth and development. Joseph will have some of my new work at Art Toronto this year; look for him if you are there.

Another strong supporter of my work is Deborah at Sopa FineArts in Kelowna BC. Deborah started her business representing her husband; respected artist Alan Boileau. Many years later she has an impressive stable of leading contemporary artists; I know my work is in good company as well as in good hands. Deborah is eloquent and knowledgeable; it is always a pleasure to speak with her.

I am fortunate to work on a commission basis with Tatar Art Projects Toronto, James Robertson Art Consultant Toronto/London, Fresh Paint Art Advisers Culver City and Soho Myriad Atlanta/Los Angeles/London. I love working on a wide variety of projects.

Some of the thinking behind the re-design of my site.

Paintings: where you will find the paintings coming out of my studio. I like to see the work together in one place because it often gets sent to many places. You will notice that some paintings are available on my website and some are available at galleries. My galleries are my partners; they support me and make it possible for me to do the work that I do. I have a good selection of work at these three galleries please feel free to contact them about specific pieces or visit them if they are in your area.

Purchase Paintings: my online shop where I have paintings which can be viewed in person; or shipped to you anywhere. I accept credit cards payment at my studio with my square card reader. Please make an appointment.

Purchase Prints: my new online print shop. I used to get asked often if I made prints of my work because it cost way more than my friends were able to spend. My canvas works are specifically made to be experienced in person so I was reluctant to make reproductions of them as the print would then be a lesser experience than the original. When I decided to make a set of prints I knew I had to work on paper since the final product was to be paper. I took up watercolour painting because of the challenge posed by the paper.

I am selling the 8x8 inch prints on my site only. I want to keep the cost as low as possible because I hate that look of disappointment on some people’s faces when I tell them my work is out of their price range. 

All of my prints are printed after they are ordered. I work with a high quality local fine art printer who is within walking distance of my studio. I inspect, colour correct, sign, title and edition each one before I package it and ship it.

Everyone should have art; especially if you don't have plants or pets. Art is like brain food.

Shipping: It may be hard for you to imagine how I could take my hand made art work and ship it out into the world. I work with companies I trust. I have had plenty experience with how art work can get damaged while it is being shipped and have talked to lots of artists and shippers about how to package art so it arrives safely. If you have any questions about how I ship my work or if you want a customized shipping quote get in touch. 

Let me know if you have any questions;)

Scenes from the studio

Packard Plant

This is the Packard plant in Detroit. The day we were there it was on fire. No one is putting it out. The locals warned us we might get robbed. We were fine. Actually it was glorious. 

Abandoned zoo

Detroit: First thoughts

I like to travel without expectations. I knew that Detroit had gone bankrupt; I knew it had been built for several million people and it was now populated by about 250 thousand. I went with my friend and collaborator Sarah for just two days last week. We went looking for the local art scene and we went to explore abandoned architecture. 

We had read about the downfall, the revitalization, the urban farming, and of course those abandoned buildings. 

Here is what I observed: 

Income disparity is evident everywhere. The subway only has 2 cars. The streets are wide and very empty.   

The street lights are not on everywhere at night. 

GM waters its extensive lawns and casinos light up the skyline in a city where the street lights are not all on at night. 

We did not see a single grocery store; the downtown drug store had a caged attendant. 

The ubiquitous "Cheks/Liquor/Pizza" mini mall glowing in the night was the hub of activity in many neighbourhoods. 

There are whole neighbourhoods where most houses are gone; in the remaining lots there is farming, art installations and land gone fallow, the crickets are loud and cars are few. People are friendly, we asked the locals what to see, where to eat, and what to watch out for. 

We left wanting to stay longer; wanting to explore more. Here is a small selection of the many photos I took.

Michigan Ave: three lanes each direction.

 Downtown from certain angles looks like any other city.

 Michigan Central Station: Our first stop as it dominates the horizon; surrounded by barbed wire, guarded by police.

 Downtown at night.

The burbs.

Factory

Great local coffee 

The Diego Rivera murals at the Art Institute 

 Art Nouveau furniture at the Art Institute

The Public Library 

The bus terminal

That's all for now. In the next Detroit instalment: the Packard Plant and the abandoned zoo!