Art Interiors 'Inside the Artist's Studio'

There was much excitement around here last week as I had a special visitor on Friday morning. Patricia from Art Interiors came for a studio visit. Over green tea, we chatted about life, the art world, cats, and downtown living. 

I've been represented by Art Interiors for quite a few years now and so I'm honored to be featured on the gallery blog this week.  Inside the Artist's Studio. 

You can see all the photos and read the post here.

Studio Cats.

Working as an artist can be a very solitary profession. I spend many hours a day alone painting in my studio. As much as they frustrate me at times I don't know what I'd do without my studio cats to keep me company. 

They're older now and spend much of the day napping, but you can be sure to find them at the window on a sunny day when the birds are chirping. Or when I put down a drop cloth, or decide to work on the floor, they are right there on top of it all, toes in paint. Let me introduce you to my studio cats.

As wee kittens

 IGGY

her full name is Ignatowski Popoloni

I'll guard your canvas

NAMI

Nami was named after our favorite sushi restaurant

waterpark

I am Batman!

 too much catnip

sorry this sink is taken

I can help you with that

nom nom nom

drippies

sisters

Little Abstracts on Paper.

Happy Monday!! It's hard to believe that Spring is only 53 days away, while the eastern seaboard is experiencing a nor'easter. I feel bad for friends in NYC as they're expecting a ton of snow. Keep safe.

Today I'm sharing some very 'spring like' little abstract paintings. They are all acrylic on paper and I painted them with my publisher in mind last summer. I really enjoy working with Canadian Art Prints as I get to play and explore a variety of different subject matter and techniques. I certainly don't get bored in my line of work. I paint many pieces and out of dozens, only a few will get chosen to be published. If you wish you can see my new releases here.

 Pink Abstract No.2  

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Pink Abstract No.1  

acrylic on paper 8x8

 Citrus No.1

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Citrus No.2

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Rhythm No.1

acrylic on paper  8x8

Rhythm No.2

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Circles No.1

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Circles No.2

acrylic on paper  8x8

 At the Shore No.2

acrylic on paper  16x20

At the Shore

acrylic on paper  16x20

Paintings of Signs.

TGIF! What's up for your weekend? I hope you get to do something creative, if that's what you're into. I'll be checking out the Interior Design Show. Always Inspiring!!

I'm keeping to the 'signs' theme to close out the week by sharing a few of my larger paintings of signs. They are all original paintings in acrylic on canvas, and available for purchase. Just drop me an email or you can contact Art Interiors.

 'Gusto' 30x30 acrylic on canvas

sold-Thank you

 'Swan' 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.

available at Art Interiors

 'Hey Lucy' 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.

available in studio

'Kit Kat' 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.

available in studio

My Year Ahead.

I'm back in the studio after two meetings this morning and am super motivated. I've been meeting weekly with another artist/friend since last November. These meetings are all about goals, both career and personal, and keeping each other accountable and on track. Of course there is some small talk and plenty of coffee involved.

The Cityline crew taping in my home/studio.

Much was accomplished last year and probably the highlight was my art/design segment that I worked on with Sharon Grech for Cityline. That dream/goal was a year in the making and well worth the effort. The summer months brought some excitement when I noticed that a couple of my published posters were bestsellers online. Travel is oh soooooo inspiring and there were three trips to Vegas (I know!!) and one to NYC. There were also plenty of field trips to the AGO and local galleries, and I said good-bye to an artist friend that left the country to follow her heart (brave soul)

This coming year is being planned and mapped out. I didn't always do this in fact for so much of my life I just 'let it happen' but now I know that once written down, that dream becomes a goal and attainable.

What I know for sure.

Exercise and eating right are key for me to stay motivated, inspired and happy. Not so much the eating right, that I'm quite good with, but when I get really really busy, the exercise is the first to go. I won't do that this year. The workouts are scheduled in and will happen regularly!!

I need to get out!! Long days painting in the studio can be isolating. I need to get out every day for a twenty minute break, grab a coffee or just a walk around the block. 

A few goals from the past couple of years that were put on hold for one reason or other will be on my calendar this year. The timing is right.

I am going to ask for what I want. Step out of my comfort zone more often, and dream big. I'm not going to let my 'inner critic' screw with me as much. Look out 2015, I've got this!!!!!!

Hello 2015!!!

Happy New Year!!!

I've always loved the beginning of a brand new year. A fresh start. 

Think of the possibilities!! 

I've started off this new year by getting my dreams and goals for my art biz down onto paper (yes I prefer an old fashioned paper notebook and pen) but I'm not going to share that on the blog. At least not today.

Today I'm just going to say 

Thank You

Thank you for stopping by and taking an interest. With all that you have to do, the fact that you take the time, come and visit, and read what I post here means a lot to me. I just want to say all the best for 2015. I hope it brings you health, happiness, and joy.

There's Still Time.

There's still time to shop Art Interiors Festival of Smalls. Here are the paintings I created for the show this year, part of my 'birds on wires' series. Don't you just love the round canvas!! One has sold (yay! and thank you) 

Do choose to give original art. It makes a unique and wonderful gift and you are supporting talented artists when you do so. Show runs until December 24th, 2pm. and you can purchase online here.

 Birds on a Wire No. 6

8x8 acrylic on canvas

$200.

available here

 Birds on a Wire No. 5

8x8 acrylic on canvas

$200.

available here

 Birds on a Wire No. 3

8x8 acrylic on canvas

$200.

available here

 Birds on a Wire No. 2

8x8 acrylic on canvas

$200.

available here

Birds on a Wire No. 1

8x8 acrylic on canvas

$200.

available here

Getting Ready for 2015.

Detail from 'Trendy Birches' 

12x36 acrylic on canvas

$750.

Avaiable at Arts on Queen

All is well here in the studio although I haven't had a chance to get to my easel and paint for awhile now. We got back this past Wednesday from a short break. A long weekend in Las Vegas. It was a much needed break and now that I'm back I'm refreshed and inspired. The desert always does that for me. The wide open space, the big sky and the colors. Oh those colors!

I am now in planning mode. Not only planning festivities with friends and family for the coming two weeks, but also planning for the new year. Setting goals both art related and personal. I like this time of year. New beginnings. A fresh start. How about you? Do you start the new year with resolutions or a goals list?

My Fave Picks From Art Interiors Festival of Smalls Part 2

I'm back with my second installment of my fave picks from Art Interiors Festival of Smalls. There is seriously soooo much beautiful art available, it's really hard to choose. If you can't make it to the gallery in person you can shop online. I think I'll have to do at least one more post before Christmas because new work is always arriving. And for all you last minute shoppers the Festival of Smalls runs until December 24th.

Leila Cools

Pigeon

10x10 $225.

Sheri Kasprow

Untitled Landscape #460

8x12 $240.

Emma Hesse

Slip 

5x7 $250.

Lori Doody

Clothespins

4x4 $75.

Angela Cameron

Coloured Blocks

8x8 $125.

Rick Filler

Birches

16x16 $250.

Rita Vindedzis

Mini Birches #114

3x5 $50.

Go With the Flow.

When I need a break from painting but still want to keep my creative flow going I turn to journal pages. Many artists keep sketchbooks to jot down ideas, keep scraps of ephemera, tear sheets from magazines (old school Pinterest) to doodle or scrap book.  

I've started different journals and sketchbooks over the years but have found that I prefer to work on loose sheets. Sometimes I'll bind them into a book when I have a nice collection, or just keep them as is, or frame them and give them away as gifts.

It's a great way to experiment, play with mixed media and try new techniques. It's also quick as the pages aren't too large. I can work on many at one time and can usually finish quite a few in a day. Instant gratification. I find it to be quite meditative while working on these pages as I'm working intuitively and the ideas are flowing. Art journalling is something anyone can do even those that swear that 'they don't have an artistic bone in their bodies'. There are no mistakes and those 'happy accidents' can be very beautiful. 

The images shown are from pages I created for 'Inner Works' an altered book collaboration I worked on way back in 2010. You can read about it here.