Lunch Break at the AGO.

 From the film 'Moonrise Kingdom' Directed by Wes Anderson

 Dog and Priest 1978

Woman and Terrier 1963

It's been a crazy few weeks here in the studio. I've been in intense painting mode with upcoming shows and getting some new works out to a few of my galleries. I'll be posting about those shows soon. Stay tuned.

One of the things I like most about having my home/studio downtown is that I have the city right at my door. Just a 10 minute walk on my break for lunch and I'm at the Art Gallery of Ontario. I checked out the Alex Colville exhibit last week and really enjoyed it. Colville has always been one of my all time favorite artists in that he painted the events of everyday life and personal quiet moments. It was a thrill to see his iconic paintings in person. 

I'm on Cityline With My Art. Somebody Pinch Me!

Watch here

Here are just a few pics from the Cityline taping I attended last Thursday. So much fun to be in studio and see all that goes on behind the scenes.

Here's a birds eye view from the green room of Brian Gluckstein with his collection of one of a kind pieces for his segment.

Host extraordinaire Tracy Moore hams it up for my camera. She's so much fun and engages the studio audience. Everyone was having a great time.

Sharon Grech and stylist Diane Gallard setting up one of the display walls. How to hang art. That small 12x12 landscape behind the orange flower is one of mine.

Thanks Sharon, for making this adventure happen. It's been a great experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. My little corner of a studio is a joy to paint in and now the rest of the space is pulled together and inviting. I'm no longer embarrassed to have clients come in.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about paintings you saw on the show or purchasing info in general. Be sure to check out my website, the 'available in studio' section of my blog as well as the list of galleries that carry my work.

Paintings Available in Studio.

Did you know you can arrange a studio visit? If you're in the Toronto area and are interested in purchasing directly from the artist (that would be me) you can arrange an appointment to come and view the paintings I have available for purchase in my home/studio.

 Coastal  12x36x2

acrylic on canvas  

$1500.

I've just updated the 'Available in Studio' page. Scroll down to see a select list of landscapes and abstracts that are available for purchase. 

I have many smaller works on canvas as well as works on paper. There are just too many to post. These will be available at the next studio sale, but if you just can't wait contact me to arrange a studio visit.

Still don't see quite what you're looking for? Customization is available and can be as simple as changing the size of the piece or color palette. I'm happy to create a completely custom commission just for you. Drop me an email to discuss.

Blue Monday? I Think Not!

Low Tide  36x36

Acrylic on gallery canvas

$2100.

 High Tide  36x36

Acrylic on gallery canvas

$2100.

Coastal  12x36

Acrylic on gallery canvas

$750.

Hello Monday. Why are you so blue? 

Today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. Blue Monday. Nope. Not falling for that!! Does not work because I love Mondays. The start of a brand new week. Think of the possibilities!

I also love the color blue in all it's shades. Sky blue. Ocean blue. Blue glass. Love them all. If I had to pick a favorite color it would definitely be blue. 

Just wanted to share three new abstracts all water themed and various shades of blue. These are available in my studio. Studio visits can be arranged by appointment. Just drop me an email.

Dreaming of Spring.

There has been much going on in my little studio. Even on the days when the windows wouldn't open because of the freezing temps and I couldn't paint. There was paperwork, blog writing, banking, social media and marketing to be taken care of. So when I finally had some actual painting time today, I was thrilled.

As an artist, the inspiration, prep work and the actual painting are the favorite parts of my job. Today I'm working on a medium sized painting for a client and it needs to be done fast. Thankful that I work with acrylics and have my hair dryer handy.

I'm painting a quiet scene using yellows and greens and blues. Birch trees. A subject I've painted many times but never tire of. As I mix the colors on my palette I'm relaxed and happy. I've mixed up this pale shade of green blue with just a hint of gray so often that it just feels natural.

As I paint the blue onto the canvas and create the background I get into my 'zone'. I'm not bothered by the construction noise or traffic from the street, or the sirens off in the distance. In a way, I'm transported into the scene that I'm painting. Blue sky, leaves gently swaying in the warm breeze. Birds chirping. This zen moment has left me craving an early spring for sure. I hope mother nature complies.

A New Year. A New Beginning.

Fearlessness

Photo credit: rolereboot.org

Time. Time is on my mind on this 2nd day of 2014. I really enjoy this time. It's as if the world outside my studio window is in limbo. It's much quieter out there than it usually is. Many are still off from work and the school across the street is closed. But things are not in limbo on this side of the window. There is a whirlwind of activity as I'm in major planning mode and mapping out the new year.

Organizing supplies (yes again) A little obsessive compulsive maybe? No, I just like to organize my paints by color and canvases by size. An artist's life. Always thinking. Soaking up every bit of inspiration that I seem to find everywhere these days. Sleepless nights. Mind abuzz. Imagining, planning what it will look like once it spills from my minds eye onto the canvas.

Change. Changes are happening. Looking forward. New experiences. New friends. New paintings. New venues. New website and blog. New clients. I love the beginning of a new year (for that matter the beginning of every new day). I do not have a 'word' for 2014, and made no resolutions either. I'm jumping into this year with positivity, optimism, fearlessness and big dreams. Care to join me?

For the Love of Birches.

Golden Day  18x18  acrylic on canvas

$550.

Available at Arts on Queen

Birches have been one of my favorite subjects to paint over the years. To me they are just so beautiful. My paintings of them have had a few different variations from very realistic to quite textural and abstract. Golden Day is one of my most recent birches paintings completed this past summer. It's available for purchase at Arts on Queen, Toronto.

Studio Changes.

My studio has certainly changed from the time I decided to turn my passion for painting into my career. 

I started out painting very small paintings on the dining room table.

When we moved into a larger apartment there was more space available to me and I progressed to larger works and invested in an easel.

A few years later we moved again this time purchasing a loft/condo in the entertainment district, in downtown Toronto.

I now have a cozy little corner studio that I work from. It's on the southwest corner of the building so I get plenty of beautiful sunlight. My morning commute is fantastic. It's about 6 steps.

Technically my studio space is smaller but it seems much larger thanks to 10' high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows.

It's also easy for me to move furniture out of the way in case I have to spread out and work on the floor. I've done this for some larger paintings and mixed media work.

Next year in June it will be 4 years that we've lived here and my little studio space has been changed quite a few times.

Yet, I've still to purchase proper lights to paint by during these  gloomy cloudy and dark days of winter.

Changes are coming once again. Walls have been painted and some new furniture has been purchased.

My special collaboration with Sharon Grech is coming along and a date for the 'after' shoot for our Cityline segment has been set.

I'm really getting excited about it as it's now all coming together. It won't be long now.

TTC Smalls Available at Art Interiors.

I find it hard to believe that the holiday shopping season is in full swing. Of course in my opinion nothing makes a better gift than original affordable art. 

I have a full selection of my TTC series available at Art Interiors in their festival of smalls which runs right up until December 24th. Can't get to the gallery in person? You can shop Art Interiors festival of smalls here. With work from over 150 artists your holiday shopping is easy.

 Exit  6x6  acrylic on canvas

available here

 Queen  6x6  acrylic on canvas

available here

 Exit - Cumberland  12x12  acylic on canvas

available here

Bay - Yorkville  6x6  acrylic on canvas

available here

Fine Art Studio Sale This Friday and Saturday

Artists Studio Clearance sale

3 artists

Friday Nov 15  11-7

and

Saturday Nov 16  11-5

401 Richmond Street West, Toronto

#216

Most of the past week has been spent organizing for our 3 artists studio sale. This is my first studio sale and it's not even taking place in my studio. I'm very grateful to Lynn and Beth for letting me join them. Our fine art studio clearance sale equals great deals for you.

I've got everything packed and ready to go for our set up tomorrow. I will have 59 (I counted!) original paintings in acrylic on stretched canvas in an assortment of sizes. 41 pieces of art, matted and ready for framing, paintings on panel, and an assortment of small framed work and 'oddments' , all priced to sell. And that's just what I'll have. Lynn and Beth have lots available as well.

You didn't think I'd show you everything that will be for sale did you?? You'll just have to attend and find some treasures for yourself. Hope to see you there.

Artists Studio Clearance Sale This Friday and Saturday.

Artists Studio Clearance sale

3 artists

Friday Nov 15  11-7

and

Saturday Nov 16  11-5

401 Richmond Street West, Toronto

#216

All art is original.

paintings in acrylic and oils

watercolours

silkscreens
etchings
monoprints

pastels

mixed media

some works are framed

With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is an excellent time to stock up on original art for gift giving. Or get a gift for yourself. Get a few!

All the art is priced to move. 

Please feel free to tell your friends and share this post.

We hope to see you there.

Back Soon.

Swan  30x30  Acrylic on canvas

Available at Art Interiors

I'll be taking a break from the blog for a little while. There's so much going on with various projects and paintings on the go, I haven't been able to devote the time to it. In the meantime you can catch up with me on Twitter. Hope your summer is going well. 

A New Series of Cityscapes.

I posted this photo on Facebook a short while ago. It's the under painting for a new cityscape. I finished this painting on Friday and although I wanted to post a photo of the finished piece, in the end I decided against it. I'm going to wait until all six paintings in the series are finished and then I'll post all of them together. I think it will make a bigger impact when they are all viewed at once. I'll include a bit of a statement and maybe a glimpse into my process as well.

Enjoying a beautiful weekend. The weather has been a little cooler than normal but it's just right for me. Blue skies with big white puffy clouds and cool breezes. Hope you're enjoying your day.

Happy Canada Day.

The View From the Lake Made Her Smile

36x48 acrylic on canvas

$2500.

available at Arts on Queen, Toronto

June is My Month.

Glistening Waters

18x18 acrylic on canvas

Summer has finally arrived here. The heat and humidity are high and I'm grateful for central air. I've sort of slipped into vacation mode. There's lots going on in my world and plenty of projects on the go but I'm taking care of everything in a more relaxed 'summertime and the living is easy' sort of manner. During the month of June...

I finished a handful of new paintings

painted and submitted new work to my publishers

worked on collecting images and info needed for my website re-do

had a birthday

traveled and took lots of inspiration photos

framed some work and hung them up on the wall

Went to the AGO and looked at art

chose some artwork for my 'art wall' in the making

confirmed one very big project

connected with some new friends through social media

was thankful everyday for getting to do what moves my soul for a living.

Toronto Restaurant Signs.

I've had a nostalgic fondness for signs as far back as I can remember. When I was eight my father worked as a sign painter for a small chain of stores. At times he let me be in the studio while he worked. I loved to watch him mix the paints. He used special brushes made from real hair that I wasn't allowed to touch. I remember how smoothly his hand would flow over the paper as he did the hand lettering. This combined with our many road trips down to Florida and my fondness for signs grew stronger. I saw many hotel and restaurant signs while sitting for hours in the car on these trips and my love for neon was born. 

I started with small paintings of Toronto restaurant signs and went on to do larger ones. These are available at Art Interiors.

 Fred's Not Here 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

 Good Food 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

 Swan 6x6 acrylic on canvas

SOLD

 Skyline 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

Kit Kat 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

 Gusto 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.

Swan Restaurant 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.

New Work at Canvas Gallery.

 Golden Evening  24x36  $1275.

Available at Canvas Gallery

Hello and Happy Monday. Hope you had a great weekend. We had beautiful weather here in Toronto finally. Full sunshine and warm temps. The trees are bursting their leaves and the city is turning green. Yay! 

Two new cityscapes were delivered to Canvas Gallery over the weekend and I even got a mention on Canvas Gallery`s blog. Thanks for the emails and the great response. Yes we do have yellow cabs in the city-Crown Taxi. 

This week will be all about preparation. I`ve got some new canvases in assorted sizes on the go. First a few layers of gesso and then some base color. Then sorting through photos and working out the palette colors. Stay tuned as I`ll definitely share my process.

Downtown Taxi  24x36  $1275.

Available at Canvas Gallery

New Website Coming Soon.

Swan  30x30  acrylic on canvas

Available at Art Interiors

I've received quite a few emails asking about my website ritavindedzis.com. Unfortunately, it's still undergoing construction and it will be a little while longer before it goes live again. The delay is my fault as I've been so busy painting in the studio I haven't had a chance to make some important decisions about its design. 

In the meantime you can check out the 'available in studio' section of my blog as I update it with new paintings often. You can also check out the 'galleries' for links to the galleries that carry my work. Have questions about a special order or how to purchase? Drop me an email, Tweet or connect through Facebook.  

Live Life With Gusto.

Gusto  30x30  acrylic on canvas

$1500.

I am finally done! All the paintings are wrapped and ready to go. So far this is my favorite painting in my foodie series. I started out small (6x6) with the paintings of the restaurant signs last year but then wanted to go larger. Along with Gusto, I'll have Swan, Kit Kat, and Here's Lucy at the show tomorrow. Hope they all find good homes.