Toronto International Art Fair 2011

The Toronto International Art Fair 2011 is about a month away. This year the show's opening night preview is October 27th with the show being open to the public from the 28th to the 31st. This is the show where Canadian galleries and galleries from around the world come to exhibit, buy and sell. Here are my impressions of last years show. I'm looking forward to checking out this years exhibiting galleries. Will you attend?

Potpourri Opening at Arts on King this Saturday.

I'm always amazed at how different paintings look on screen as opposed to seeing them in real life. This was very evident last week at the Abex show at the AGO. I had gotten so used to seeing the paintings in print or online one way, and it's a totally different experience when you're there in person a few feet away from the original works. 

It's also evident here as well. I try to take good photos and match the colors as closely as I can to the original painting, and yet sometimes they appear flat on screen. Colors aren't as clear or bright and sometimes nuances just disappear altogether. If you like art, books and posters are great, surfing online is fun, but I urge you to get out and see art in person. Go to your local gallery or museum. Check out the independent galleries and outdoor art shows in your neighborhood. Art should be seen in person.

Just a friendly reminder that my show "Potpourri" opens at Arts on King this Saturday. Details here. 

Nuit Blanche 2009

Nuit Blanche 2009 is quickly approaching. Toronto celebrates this all night event with numerous art happenings throughout the city. This year I'm pleased to announce that I'll be participating in "Vis-a-Vis". A group exhibition, the first of it's kind for Artist's Toronto, at Arta Gallery in the historic Distillery district. The opening reception is October 3, 5-7 pm. Please join us.

Urban Inspirations

Hot Summer Night

Acrylic on Canvas 18x18

I've been going back and forth for the past few months painting urban inspired landscapes and then landscapes. City then country then back to city again. My recent trip to New York has inspired a whole new series of urban landscapes and now I'm busy going through plenty of photographs and making preliminary sketches and small paintings. I'll be part of a group show this fall with Artists Toronto in the Distillery and will be showing these new urban landscapes. Details to come soon. I was surprised and delighted to read Gabriela's blog today as she featured a mixed media painting I did for her. We both love New York so much and in looking at her photos of New York, I was inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge. Thanks for the press Gabriela! Now it's back to the studio for an afternoon of painting.