TED winner 2011

Speaking of art with a message... you just have to see this! Lately I have been borderline obsessive with TED talks. If you're not familiar with TED, prepare to be amazed. It is a collection of incredible people with amazing ideas and spreading them to the world. Once a year, one person wins the TED prize, and with that they get to make a wish to better the world. Yes, just one, not three, but still it's usually enough. Last year, Jamie Oliver won. And he started a food revolution that is teaching children about food.

This year, an incredibly visionary artist won... JR from France. 

We can all be part of this wish, just go to insideoutproject.net

images i got from various google image searches, credit to original photographers

cool quotes

Now since I'm on an internet binge, here goes another blog post. 

I spotted these over behind a building on Richmond St, (near Spadina), and thought they were totally ahhhwesome! Just wanted to show you. :)

latté art + a tech-break

The great thing about the local coffee shops is not just the beautiful latté art, but also the free internet! whoa! score! I'm sure you're all wondering what the heck kinda blog is this anyhow... since it seems like I'm never writing anymore! Well let me set the record straight. I haven't left the internet. We're still friends. But since the move to the studio, Justin and I decided not to hook up the internet right away. We thought it might be interesting to see what life without home internet would be like for a month. And I gotta say it's kinda liberating to not be connected after work hours. It won't last that much longer though... as nice as it is to take a tech-break, it'll be nice to have it back full time. And once I do, I'm sure you'll start to see a lot more of me... or better yet, a lot more happenings on this blog.

Latté from Te Aro. 

Painting + Grey Wall

Are you wondering what I did with this painting? Well I think the "grey wall" was the perfect place for the light colours and softness of this painting. The other one doesn't have a permanent location just yet, but when it does, I'll be sure to post it. 

a work in progress

I took part of today to work in Sue's studio and finally start an encaustic painting that I won't be giving away as a gift. I mean I love giving away my art as gifts... but I think it's about time that I make one for myself too... or rather for both Justin and I. So I'm thinking that the lonesome grey wall will finally be a little more interesting. 

Riverdale Art Walk – Tim Mitchell

These totally cool paper airplane paintings are from artist Tim Mitchell! Definitely some of my favourite work from the art walk last weekend!

Riverdale Art Walk with Susan Wallis

Here's just a sneak peak of this year's incredible Riverdale Art Walk! Of course Susan Wallis was one of the artists showing her beautiful encaustic paintings... and also a giant nest! What a great show! I'll be showcasing some of my favourite artists shortly. 

Permanent body paint

With this need to be constantly creating and designing, I'm surprised that I still don't have a single tattoo. I can't remember how long I've wanted one, but I have this habit of constantly changing my mind when it comes to designing something for myself. I was looking for that right moment – that certainty... I mean, if it's going to be on my body for-EVER, I need to be sure... well ladies and gentleman, I'm sure! I'm sure that this abstracted paint is exactly what I'm looking for. It's beautiful, artistic, and it's perfect! Amanda Wachob is the artist that does these incredible tattoos. She's based in NYC, so it looks like we'll be taking a road trip at some point! Woot! lol. I'm thinking maybe in like a year or so...

The images here are from Amanda Wachob's website and through a google image search for Amanda Wachob's tattoos

This weekend: Art of the Danforth

Looking to check out some art in the city this weekend? Well look no further! The Art of the Danforth is happening April 23 – May 2, and if you're in the area, you should totally check it out. It seems like there is lots to check out! Don't forget to pick up some souvlaki while you're in the area! oh Yum!

Offical Event Deats:

Art of the Danforth is a new art event in East Toronto. Art created by professional artists and community groups will be displayed on and near the Danforth between Greenwood & Woodbine Aves – in empty store windows, within operating retail establishments, on the street and in park areas. Our goals are two-fold: to unify and give voice to the cultural diversity found along the Danforth, and to showcase the artistic talent found in and beyond the community

Locations:

Multiple locations, indoor and outdoor, along Danforth between Greenwood & Woodbine

Image from this National Post article about the event. 

A wax studio

This is my boss, Susan Wallis, who is an awesome encautic artist here in the TO! Before meeting Sue I didn't even know what encaustic art was, let alone what I was getting myself in to! LOL! But I'm so glad I did, and Sue introduced me to a whole new way of painting, and helped to really let go of my perfectionism when doing art. Encaustic art uses molten wax, mixed with oil pigmets and then painted onto a board or paper or canvus... It's really quite fluid in nature and it kinda forces you to let yourself go a bit and just have fun! With layer after layer of hot wax, Sue then scrapes off or melts areas to create a desired effect. She's most known for her birches and beautiful landscapes, but she's got tons more up her sleeve. Anyway I really am inspired by her work and consider myself hugely lucky to have landed this gig!

If you're in the Oakville area, Susan is having a solo show at Towne Square Gallery March 27 – April 11. It's worth checking out!

Towne Square Gallery in located 94 George Street, Downtown Oakville, Ontario, TEL. 905.618.0277
 

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