Messages From the Universe Or In This Case Instagram.

Staying focused on my art has been a bit of a challenge these days. I guess it's the time of year. The hectic pace of preparing for major shows is over. Now planning and prepping for future art related goals and holiday events have taken over. This includes paperwork, organizing, shopping, cleaning etc. etc. Studio time has taken a hit for sure.

When I'm away from my paints and creative tools for awhile, insecurities and self doubt will slowly creep in. Especially if I've been looking at other artist's work on social media, or at galleries and art shows. 

Am I good enough? I'm not good enough. I should be painting this way. Why is her/his painting so popular? Perhaps I should change my style. Why am I not farther along? How come her/his work is selling like hotcakes? 

I am good enough!!!! aren't I ??? 

I think all creatives get like this at times and it's so easy for these feelings to creep in when we are bombarded with images of other artist's work. So I was so happy to see this quote on @glenandjamie's Instagram. 

"A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it.

 It just blooms."

We all need to remember this at times and I got this message exactly when I needed to see it. Thanks guys.

Landscapes at XC Art Restoration.

 Secret Place  36x48  Acrylic on canvas

Available at Art Restoration

 Early Riser  36x48  Acrylic on canvas

Available at Art Restoration

Art Restoration

Every now and then I get the exciting news that my work will be featured in a gallery, brochure, magazine or even on television. This is always such a big thrill for me because it gets my work out to be seen by so many. When I was informed that Art Restoration will be featuring my paintings in the front of the gallery and in the beautiful big feature window, I jumped for joy.

For the next few weeks Secret Place will be featured in the gallery's window and a selection of my landscapes will be at the front of the gallery. I hope that when people catch a glimpse as they go by that it somehow conveys a sense of peace and stillness. I feel that our lives have become so fast paced and hectic that in looking at one of my landscapes, I'd like the viewer to enjoy the calm and serenity that I've captured, even if only for a moment. And of course if my paintings resonate with someone so much that they purchase it, well that is the ultimate compliment. This is why I paint really. It's my way of bringing some peace and maybe a little joy into the world. And there's proof that looking at art makes you happy. You can see a previous post about this here.

XC Art Restoration Inc

604 Mount Pleasant Road

Toronto Ontario

A Peek Inside My Home/Studio

Living and working in the same space can be challenging at times. My tiny studio space is just a corner of the living/dining open concept room. Every inch of space counts and having canvases all over drives me crazy. So I've started to make use of all the wall space available. We are lucky, we have more wall space than many of the newest condos going up in the area-they seem to be all glass. Where does one hang their art??

    
At first I thought it odd to hang artwork so high but as we have 10 ft. ceilings it works. Here I've hung a 12x48 in. landscape above the entrance to the master bedroom. The framed painting on the left hangs above the large flat screen television.

I finally got four "Birches" paintings framed together and am very pleased with the look. Separately they are four 12x36 in. canvas panels, but stacked on top of each other and framed in a black floating frame, they look like one large "Birches" abstract.

This space by the window in the master bedroom is a perfect spot to hang one of my vertical "Birches". I painted this one just for me. 

This spot above the kitchen sink and stove top area is perfect for display. I've set up a little retro vignette with some favorite items. The "R" was a gift that I received this past Christmas (thanks sweety) It came from Metropolis Living.

Soul Searching.

Sometimes you just have to get back to the basics.

Pencil to paper. 

It's honest.

It's real.

Looking Forward.

Haven't been around the blog much lately. Taking a bit of a break from much of social media these days. I've turned inward these past few weeks. On a private journey. Soul searching. Cleaning house so to speak.  Figuring out what stays and what goes in my life. Changes are definitely happening. I'll be back with more regular posting next month. For me, September has always been a month for new beginnings. So there will be new stories and art to share and a few surprises. Stay tuned.

Art and the Common Cold.

Last week I was side swiped and knocked down by the common cold. It came on slowly with a cough and then progressed into a full blown respiratory spectacle. I really hate getting a cold because not only do I feel physically awful from the symptoms, I usually feel very vulnerable and even the smallest of stresses can turn me into a blubbering idiot. Throw in a small splattering of guilt (Get off the couch it's just a cold. Others are suffering from much worse, how can you let a cold bother you??) and it's been a little rough. I couldn't even drag myself to my workouts. 

I did manage to finish some paintings in spite of having to put my brushes down constantly to reach for a tissue or sip my green tea.

Afternoon Debate  12x12x2  

Acrylic on canvas $350.

Electrical Storm  12x12x2

Acrylic on canvas  $350.

Feeling a little better today so I'm going to try to get out and enjoy some sun and human interaction. I know there are much more serious problems affecting humanity, but if they could could finally find a cure for the common cold it would be a good thing.

Arts on King Presents "Potpourri"

My newest paintings are being featured at Art on King, June 1-30. Why "Potpourri" you ask? I chose "Potpourri" as a title because this showing is an ecclectic grouping of paintings of my favorite themes of late. Birches, blossoms, and birds.  As well as continuing with my birds on a wire series (with an urban twist) I've completed five paintings of pigeons. I watch the pigeons from my studio window on the sidewalk and the rooftops. I find them oddly comforting, and remember feeding them often as a child.

Potpourri-Artist Statement

I carry my camera with me at all times as I find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. I use the photos I've taken as inspiration and reference, but it is my personal interpretation of the subject that appears on the canvas rather than a replication of the photograph. I strive to make each painting a soft focus moment in time. A recent move to a new home/studio in downtown Toronto has ignited a passion to paint the things I see around me. But rather than capturing the noisy, ever changing movement and high energy that is the norm for most large cities, I paint the hidden quiet moments. My intent is to transport the viewer to a softer place where the hard edges of the world have been removed, replaced by romance, peace and innocence.

If you can, please join us for the opening reception at Arts on King. 165 King Street East. Toronto on Saturday June 4 from 1-4 pm. Hope to see you.

More event details here. Rita Vindedzis Fine Art on Facebook.

Get Them While They're Hot!

Little Birds 4x4 Acrylic on Canvas
Click Here to Purchase

Summer Birches 4x4 Acrylic on Canvas
Click Here to Purchase

Birches 4x4 Acrylic on Canvas
Click Here to Purchase

I just listed three more mini paintings into Red Banana's (my) Etsy shop. One more for the "Birds on a wire" series and two more for the "Birches" series. I like the square format of these.

"Metamorphosis" Opening Reception

Thank you to all that came out to our opening reception last night at Leonardo Gallery. It was a busy evening starting with not one but two Yorkville art gallery walks. I wish I had my camera handy during the walks as it was a great turn out. The Yorkville art walk is a great opportunity to enjoy the many galleries throughout the Yorkville neighbourhood in Toronto. People meet with the tour guides at a Yorkville location and then walk to ten different galleries to view and consider a wide range of art. After being cooped up in my studio for so long producing the new work, it was fun to give my little artists talk and then to answer the many questions that came my way. Anne Barkley and I had been hoping to have an opportunity to show together for quite awhile now and "Metamorphosis" became a reality last night. Above are a few photos of our paintings hanging, old friends, and Anne and I at the end of the night.

Getting it Done

Secret Garden 12x24

The past few days have been crazy busy here in my studio. I meant to post my demo but haven't even had a chance to finish it. OK, I didn't start it, but it's all here in my head ready to go. Next week won't be so intense as all will be done. Today I need to get every painting for this show finished, signed, catalogued, varnished, and photographed. It's been a long few months preparing for this gallery show, but now basically all the hard stuff is done and I can focus on the fun part. The schmoozing (actually, that's hard for me, not really a schmoozer) the artist's gallery talk, the opening reception, the champagne, etc. etc. As "Metamorphosis" is a duo show with fellow gallery artist Anne Barkley, it won't be so stressful (for me) as we will each have to speak during the artists talk. Here's what the media is saying about our show.

"Metamorphosis" is centred on the notion of change of structure and transformation; the show brings together Vindedzis and Barkley to explore the process of painting with a new sense of freedom. Through subtle shifts and varying media approaches, the artists give fresh new meaning to painting.

"Secret Garden" (above) is a painting that I posted here a few months ago. It's been hanging here on the studio wall for the past few weeks, not quite finished. I worked on it all afternoon yesterday and now it's done. It will be in the show.

Business as Ususal.

I haven't been around for a couple of days. I wish I could tell you that I won the lottery and have packed up my family to travel the world for the next few years. Paris, London, Dubai, Sydney, Thailand... Or better yet, that I've been discovered as the next new "hot" artist and must move to New York to start showing in galleries and hang out with "A" listers. I wish I could tell you these things but I can't. It's been business as usual here. I've been plugging away at "being an artist" and running my business and trying to stay optimistic in these oh so pessimistic times. I've been finishing up and delivering paintings. I've been photographing and listing items for my shop. I'm at a crossroads of sorts and have been struggling with my next steps. I'm a member of the Artists Network of Riverdale, and so today I dropped in to the Hangman Gallery and had a wonderful discussion about "things". Thanks March for taking so much time speaking with me. You pointed out a few things that I already knew in my heart, but hearing it from you made me realize what I have to do. You helped me to remember that I am in charge and I call the shots.

I know I've posted the above picture before, but it makes me happy so it's here again. "Black Crows" 12x12 Acrylic on Canvas. This particular painting is sold but I have many new paintings in my bird series available at Art Interiors and Arts on King in Toronto. Sorry there's no link available as they don't have a website. Available next week in my Etsy shop.