New Paintings at Arts on King

It's hard to believe that we're at the end of July. The summer is half over and the beginning of August means that my feature at Arts on King starts this Saturday. August 2-31. There's an opening reception this Saturday afternoon from 1-4 pm. I'll be there for the last hour or so, so drop by say Hi and check out all the new paintings that I've done especially for this show. Arts on King features superb Canadian art and craft and is located in the home decor heaven of King St. E. in "Old Town" Toronto. Right next to the St Lawrence Market.

"Field and Sky No. 2" 36x48 is one of my newest paintings that will be featured. Arts on King, 166 King St. E., Toronto, Ontario, 416 777 9701.

I'm looking forward to some time off soon but first I have to finish up my submission for the Square Foot Show 2008 at Awol Gallery.

Thanks Holly and Decor8!!!

There's been a lot of buzz over at Decor8 lately. Holly's new blog went live this past Monday and there's been big excitement. The new blog design looks great. Check it out here. The winners of the Inspire Me Giveaway were also announced. Congratulations to all who won one of the fabulous inspiration packs painstakingly put together by Holly herself. So many donated for this- including myself. You can see the long list of contributors here. A special thanks to Holly for pulling this off and inspiring so many others. I have been going through my boxes and drawers pulling things together for a little giveaway of my own. Stay tuned!!!

The above is another "mini" acrylic on canvas. Available at my online shop.

New Mini Birches at Art Interiors

I dropped off 5 new "mini" birch paintings at Art Interiors today. They are 2"x3" and look adorable in this tiny format. I usually paint up a bunch of small paintings for the annual "Festival of Smalls" at Art Interiors, but as I have been working on a commission for them as well as a large birch painting, I thought I'd get a few smalls done as well.

I had a nice chat with Patricia and Erika and they told me that the commission I had just finished was for Gluckstein. Now anyone that knows me, knows that I just love Gluckstein's style and have watched him on "Cityline" for years. In fact, if I won the lottery tomorrow my first project would be a Gluckstein designed dream home!!! I met Brian Gluckstein very briefly at the Beaches Art Show a few years ago when I was just starting out. He came into my booth and looked at my landscapes and said they were lovely-very nicely done. That compliment meant the world to me. Today, I'm happy to say that more than a few of my paintings have gone into Gluckstein designed homes and model suites. Thanks Art Interiors, Thanks Brian and staff!!

Busy, Busy and Loving Every Minute.

I can hardly believe that just three months ago I was thinking that I'd have a very slow summer (artwise) with nothing much to do but work on some small pieces for my online shop, blog and just enjoy the laziness of the hot and humid days. Boy was I wrong!! I have been going non stop since April, painting and preparing for four shows, keeping up the shop, and trying to post on here more than once or twice a week.

The Leonardo Group show "Out of the Green" is in full swing and goes until August 16th. This past Sunday was a "driving" day and we made the trip out to Bayfield Ontario to drop off my paintings for Marten Arts, which starts this Saturday. The drive was beautiful even with the rain and I took lots of photos for a new series. More on that later. I'm just finishing up the last two paintings for Arts on King and have been asked to work on a commissioned piece as well. After I'm done with that, then I can start on my three 12x12 paintings that I'm putting into The Square Foot Show at Awol. I've got my freshly brewed Starbucks and some great music to keep me going.

Erik (my 16 year old) made up a playlist of music he's listening to these days. Love his playlists!!! Just the right combination of fast and slow to keep me standing at the easel for hours. What am I listening to these days?? Coldplay, The Verve, Radiohead, Beck, some downtempo lounge on Shoutcast Radio, a little Disco (yes Disco!) and of course my friend Jann Arden. How's that for an eclectic mix!!

The above painting "Quiet Drive Home" 36x48 will be at Arts on King. You know I love a good road trip!!

Square Foot 2008

Here's a preview of what's to come at Arts on King this August. North Country, acrylic on canvas, 36x48 is one of the new paintings I've been finishing up for the show.

I've also heard that I'm in Square Foot 2008!!! When I went down to AWOL Gallery last year to see this show I just new I had to be in it this year. It's really quite amazing. Read all about it here.

New Items listed in my Shop

I just posted 6 new paintings up for sale in my Etsy shop. For those of you that haven't heard, you can purchase my smaller paintings, mixed media, and illustrations from Red Banana's shop on Etsy. Etsy is an online shopping site for things handmade. These 6 new small paintings are from my "Blossoms" series that I did awhile ago. They're painted in acrylic on canvas and I've matted them up with an off white mat. This keeps the price of the work extremely affordable and also easy for shipping. Have a look-they make wonderful gifts!!

My City

I love to tour around Toronto and see it with the eyes of a tourist. It's such a beautiful city. Here are some shots I took over the weekend and found particularly interesting.

It's Live!!

My website re-do is finished and looks great!! You can check it out here. I'm really pleased with how it all came together in the end and it looks so much better. Fresh and clean!! Many. many thanks again to the guys at blackDot. You've done a wonderful job and I'm grateful and proud to be included in your impressive list of clients. Cheers!

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day everyone!! These two shots were taken on a family vacation to Ottawa a few years back. Enjoy!!