Fresh New Work at XC Art Restoration, Toronto.

After Hours  40x30 acrylic on canvas

$2000.

King West Crawl 40x30 acrylic on canvas

$2000.

On Approach 15x30 acrylic on canvas

$800.

Sunset Landing 15x30 acrylic on canvas

$800.

Eastbound 30x40 acrylic on canvas

$2000

Five new cityscapes were delivered to XC Art Restoration this morning. Along with my 'King West' themed paintings, I'm so excited to reveal what I've been working on for the past few weeks. Inspired by recent trips 'On Approach' Sunset Landing' and 'Eastbound'.

I get so inspired when traveling and on vacation. During our last few flights I've been enjoying the window seat. Even though it's a little cramped, I love to gaze out the window and get a bird's eye view. Flying at sunset and watching the sky get dark is so beautiful. I've taken many photos and have put my inspirations on to canvas.

XC Art Interiors is planning a move but just four doors south of their present location on Mt Pleasant Road in Toronto. You can always see them online here.

What a decade and Then Some.

I have been a bad blogger once again. I want to be here at least a couple of times a week but it's just been crazy busy here in my studio. I'm working on new paintings for my galleries and also an upcoming show in November. I'm also working towards a deadline with my publisher. and  completed 43 paintings on paper and canvas for them over the last few weeks.

I found this photo last week and posted it on social media. The photo was taken at one of my very first gallery shows. The painting 'Storm Watch' 30x60 acrylic on canvas sold at the opening and was later included in a home tour by designer Eric McClleland on Cityline.

I was a bit shocked when I saw this photo again after so long. See the date? 2005. I've been doing this 'art thing' for over a decade now. Seriously??  The years flown by. Sadly, that gallery no longer exists and it was a great space. I was one of the few artists that had a solo show there. I'm thankful for that and so grateful that I get to do what I love every day.

Lamenting the Weather.

Ocean View  48x60

acrylic on canvas

$4000.

Sigh. Woke up to cold temps this morning and cold winds. It smells like snow. I know, I know, but it just seems like Spring will never come this year. Keeping a positive attitude and focusing on finishing up paintings in the studio. Playing ocean sounds and wearing 'Bobbie Brown Beach' while painting helps. 

Original Landscapes Available in Studio.

I've updated my 'Available in Studio' page with four paintings. Scroll down a bit to see them on the page as I've added them to the landscapes. As always, all my original art is available for purchase. Just drop me an email and I'd be happy to answer all your questions. 

 Spring Marsh  36x36

$2100.

 Field and Sky 2  36x48

$2500.

 North Country  36x48

$2500.

Summer Landscape  24x30

$1250.

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.

My Cityline Dream Comes True.

I was down at City TV studios yesterday to see a taping of Cityline. It's kind of the icing on the cake that they taped this home day show (which airs my segement) on the 30th anniversary of Cityline. I've watched this show from the beginning and it's become a part of my life. If you'd like to catch up on my Cityline adventure you can read this post. The show has aired. You can see the episodes here.

This process began a year ago when I connected with Sharon Grech through Twitter. She was doing a color talk for Benjamin Moore that I wanted to attend. I mentioned that I'd be at her presentation and would like to introduce myself afterwards. And so I did. We had a nice chat and I boldly told her my idea for a Cityline segment.

My paintings had been used as props on Cityline before, and I even got a very special mention (see this post).  I was especially excited to see them included in two house tours with Sharon, as well as in the Benjamin Moore Colour Trends brochure, twice. As far as coincidences go this was a BIG coincidence.

Sharon liked my idea and thought it would work nicely. An artist that lives and works in the same space and would like to have clients in to view/purchase the art, but the space is in a constant chaotic mess. The art not displayed (in fact not on even hung on the walls). Walls painted with a harsh cold white paint that made the whole area too stark and cold.

She helped me choose paint colors for the wall and got me excited about hanging my art. It was alot of work but well worth the effort. Now I won't be embarrassed any more when clients come in to consult for commissioned work or to purchase my art.

So here we are almost a full year later and (my) design segment is finished. This has been a dream (goal) of mine for years. As a loyal viewer of  Cityline  I just knew that one day my art (and in this case myself) would be included. I am so thankful and grateful that this dream is now complete. Special thanks to Sharon, Fiona, Diane, and all the behind the scenes crew involved. I'm popping the champagne and celebrating for a bit and then I'll be back to work at my easel.

My Paintings Used as Props.

When I first got into painting and made it my career choice, one of my goals was to see my paintings in home/decor magazines and even on TV shows or movies. I'm so grateful for the galleries that carry my work in that they let artwork out to be used as props. 

I heard from Canvas Gallery that my painting 'Urban Center' was loaned to Beauty and the Beast last month. I guess I'll have to check out the show and perhaps get a glimpse of my painting. How exciting don't you think?

Other shows where I've spotted my art thanks to Canvas Gallery are Income Property, Divine Design, Designer Guys, Design Inc, Canadian Idol and a couple of commercial spots. One for Swiffer Dusters and one for Heinz.

Urban Center 36x48x2, acrylic on canvas is available at Canvas Gallery.

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.

Spotted One of My Paintings on Steven and Chris Today

I just happened to have the Steven and Chris show on today while I was painting. I was pleasantly surprised when design expert Maia Roffey presented a segment on Scandinavian design.

Right there above the bed hung my painting 'Taupe Forest' 24x48 acrylic on canvas. Available at Art Interiors. I took these pics right off the TV screen.

It's always such a thrill for me to spot one of my paintings in a magazine spread or on television. Especially nice to see it on Steven and Chris as I'm a bit of a fan and have been to a couple of their tapings.

Here I am with the guys at a show taping in 2010. They are so nice and friendly with the audience and they posed for lots of photos. You can read that blog post here.

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.

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.

Paintings Are On the Move.

It's always exciting when a painting sells. I spend hour upon hour putting my inspiration onto canvas, and it's so rewarding to me when someone 'gets it'. When they experience the feeling or mood I've conveyed and genuinely appreciate the painting and my hard work, I know I'm doing what I'm meant to do.

Last week Early Morning and The Journey Home were both purchased and are being packaged and shipped off to Calgary to hang in a new condo development. Early Morning is a very special painting as it was included in the Benjamin Moore Color Trends Brochure 2012. A special thank you to Albert Chow and Harbour Landing Business Park.

 Early Morning  36x48  acrylic on canvas

SOLD

The Journey Home  30x30  acrylic on canvas

SOLD