Thursday, November 28, 2013

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!


Friday, November 22, 2013

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!