Art Interiors 21st Annual Festival of Smalls.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's time for Art Interiors Festival of Smalls. In it's 21st year, the festival opens Saturday November 8 and runs to December 24th. Get full details here.

I was so inspired by the Alex Colville exhibit at the AGO this year that I painted small round canvases. They are adorable little round views at 8 inches in diameter. Original acrylic on canvas, I've only painted six of them, exclusively for Art Interiors. I think they will go fast so if you can't get there when the doors open you can purchase online. Just click on the images.

 Birds on a Wire No. 1

$200.

available at Art Interiors

 Birds on a Wire No. 2

$200.

available at Art Interiors 

  Birds on a Wire No. 3

$200.

available at Art Interiors

  Birds on a Wire No. 4

SOLD. Thank you

available at Art Interiors

  Birds on a Wire No. 5

$200.

available at Art Interiors

 Birds on a Wire No. 6

$200.

available at Art Interiors

Let the Festival Begin!!

Early Morning King West

acrylic on canvas

$2500.

available at Canvas Gallery

In honor of TIFF which officially opens today, a part of King Street West has been shut down to vehicular traffic from University to Peter. The street is now known as 'Festival Street' and will be a flurry of activity, special events, outdoor screenings and festival mayhem. Wondering if I should head out, brave the crowds and perhaps catch a glimpse of Robert Downey Jr. tonight. Let the festival begin!!

Almost TIFF Time.

This is probably one of the most colorful parts of the city. Restaurant row on King St. at John St. right across from TIFF. Always busy, it will be all systems go in a couple of weeks when the Toronto International Film Festival begins. These tables will be full 24/7. (well just about). 

I like the signs so much that I started painting them awhile ago, Check out this past post. I'm still working on new ones to add to the series. Stay tuned.

 Fred's Not Here

6x6 acrylic on canvas  $250.

available here at Art Interiors

 Kit Kat

6x6 acrylic on canvas

available here at Art Interiors

Hey Lucy

30x30 acrylic on canvas $1500.

available in studio

email me for info

The Original Art Giveaway has Begun.

Mentioned in my previous blog post and on my facebook page, Rita Vindedzis Fine Art the original art giveaway has begun. I've been working on paintings in my very popular 'birds on Wires' series and I thought that one of these would be perfect for the giveaway. 

Just finished! 'Afternoon Tweet-Up' is an original painting in acrylic. I painted it on a 6"x6" Ampersand Gesso panel. It is varnished and signed on the back. (I don't like signing the small paintings on the front as I feel that it takes away from the image.) Retail value is $150.

'Afternoon Tweet-Up' can be displayed as is or it can be framed in standard 6"x6" ready made frame. To be eligible to win this original painting by me :-) you'll have to head on over to my facebook page Rita Vindedzis Fine Art and 'like' my page. All 'likes' will be eligible to win. On May 1st I'll randomly pick a winner.

Good Luck!!! 

It's time for an Original Art Giveaway!

If you are a fan or have liked my facebook page Rita Vindedzis Fine Art, you might have seen this post from last week

Hi all. Rita Vindedzis Fine Art page needs your help. As you may know Facebook keeps making changes that can keep you from seeing my updates. Unless you like, comment, and share my posts regularly, FB will think you don't find my page interesting and will stop showing you my updates. Here's what you can do to help.

*Like, comment and share my posts.

*If you've liked my page (BIG Thank You!!!) follow it too. Just click the follow button under the header.

*Feel free to add me to interest lists or if you really like my art create a list of your own.

I really appreciate your help and don't fret, it will be worth it. I'm planning a giveaway just for you all. Stay tuned 

I'd love to reach 200 (dare I say even more!) likes this month and it's been ages since I had an art giveaway so I thought this is a great way to combine both. I haven't chosen the art yet and I think I might just carve out some extra time and paint a new piece just for this. So click on over to Rita Vindedzis Fine Art and give me a like to be eligible for this giveaway. Please don't be shy, share and pass it on. Tell your friends and they'll tell two friends, and so on...:-)

3 Artists Studio Clearance Sale.

3 Artist's Studio Clearance Sale

401 Richmond St West

#216

Friday November 15

11am-7pm

Saturday November 16

11am-5pm

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 look forward to seeing you

Kingsway-Lambton Art Show and Sale 2013

I've been very busy in the studio for the past few weeks getting ready for the Kingsway-Lambton 2013 art show and sale. This is the third year that I've been invited to participate and I'm looking forward to another wonderful day.

 On the easel.

I have plenty of new paintings fresh off the easel and this year I'll have some 'studio sale' specials as well.

Two new cityscapes in progress.

This is Kingsway-Lambton's 16th annual art show and sale fundraiser for Toronto charities. You can get more information here and see the list of participating artists.

Saturday April 6 2013

10am-4pm

Admission $10. which supports local charities

Kingsway Lambton United Church

85 the Kingsway

(at Prince Edward Drive in Etobicoke)

Hope to see you there.

New Paintings.

It's time to share the other paintings that I completed in the last few weeks. There is definitely a theme going on here. I'm enjoying this new series very much. I think they'd fit well in an urban condo or loft, but fit just as easily in a summer home or larger cottage. Especially the flag (that's the proud Canadian in me!)

I start with small sketches and color roughs and then a small painting in acrylic. Then I decide which ones I like best and enlarge them onto a larger sized canvas. Then it gets really exciting. 

I spent a good part of yesterday riding the TTC and taking photos. I'll definitely be painting one of the subway themed paintings just for me, to frame and hang in our home. All paintings are available at Art Interiors.

 'It Was Her Regular Stop'  30x40x2 acrylic on canvas

SOLD

'The True North Strong and Free'  24x48  acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Every Painting Tells a Story.

'The Drive South Was Long'  40x40x2  acrylic on canvas

$2300.

Available at Art Interiors

The large paintings that I've been working on for the past few weeks are done and varnished and wrapped to be delivered. They'll be making their way to their new temporary home at Art Interiors today.

'The Drive South Was Long' was inspired by the many trips my family made to Florida when I was a child. My dad would load up the car every spring break and we'd head south on I-75 towards the east coast of Florida. This was in the mid 60's so the roads, scenery, and experience was of course nothing as it is today. Think Mad Men (if you watch the show). As a child of 10, I was fascinated by how different and 'American' everything was. The different restaurants, gas stations, hotels, food, shopping. It was completely different than what I had in Toronto, Canada and I loved it all. Unfortunately I don't have too many photographs of those trips.

So as this painting was inspired by those trips, it's really a combination of the memories with elements of modern day. The lines and poles are nothing as they were some 40 years ago nor is the sign retro. Stay tuned as I'll be posting more new work in this new series.

We Have Contact.

Happy Monday all. We have a long weekend here as it's Victoria Day so this is a short post. Last week I was out and about checking on some photo venues that are part of the Contact festival here in Toronto. I happened across this store front that I just had to get a shot of. It made me laugh for a few reasons. #1 the name, and #2 the small print. Ok, so I thought it was cute.



There is so much wonderful photography to see during Contact and I like that it's not just in galleries but everywhere. Restaurants, retail, pubs etc. I came across the photography of Stephen J. Edgar in Delight, a tiny shop that sells handmade organic fair trade chocolate. I instantly fell in love with his treescapes. So full of movement and energy. Check out his website and blog. Today, I'll be checking out what Contact has to offer in the Distillery district. Contact ends May 31.

Arts on King Show

Here are some photos I took of my paintings at Arts on King. My show runs until August 31st so if you're in the area please stop by and check out this wonderful gallery. Jodi Wheeler did a beautiful hanging of my work. Jodi is a fine artist and she curates the shows for both Arts on Queen and Arts on King. Her lovely mixed media work can also be found gracing the walls.

Originally opened in 1991 by Ellen Wagner, Arts on King along with the Wagner Rosenbaum Gallery was located at 169 King St E. in Toronto. I had a show of my landscapes and still lifes upstairs at the Wagner Rosenbaum Gallery in August of 2003. The retail/gallery space closed after 13 years and Arts on Queen was opened. Now happily back in the community at 165 Queen St E., Arts on King features a variety of media by Canadian artists. I personally think that they have the best selection of handmade jewellery in the city!

New Mini Birches at Art Interiors

I dropped off 5 new "mini" birch paintings at Art Interiors today. They are 2"x3" and look adorable in this tiny format. I usually paint up a bunch of small paintings for the annual "Festival of Smalls" at Art Interiors, but as I have been working on a commission for them as well as a large birch painting, I thought I'd get a few smalls done as well.

I had a nice chat with Patricia and Erika and they told me that the commission I had just finished was for Gluckstein. Now anyone that knows me, knows that I just love Gluckstein's style and have watched him on "Cityline" for years. In fact, if I won the lottery tomorrow my first project would be a Gluckstein designed dream home!!! I met Brian Gluckstein very briefly at the Beaches Art Show a few years ago when I was just starting out. He came into my booth and looked at my landscapes and said they were lovely-very nicely done. That compliment meant the world to me. Today, I'm happy to say that more than a few of my paintings have gone into Gluckstein designed homes and model suites. Thanks Art Interiors, Thanks Brian and staff!!

Leonardo Gallery, Arts on King

Sky and Sea, 36"x48" will be available at Leonardo Gallery along with 5 other new paintings over the summer. This painting is a little different from my usual landscapes. I don't usually paint in pastel shades but this time it just seemed right.

I will be showing 12 new paintings at Arts on King beginning Aug 2 until the 31st. Yes, Arts on King is back!! It's re-opened at 165 King St. East, Toronto. I was part of a group show at Wagner Rosenbaum Gallery/Arts on King back in 2003. Exactly 5 years ago. (Really, I mean exactly-the dates were the same!). There will be an opening reception on Saturday Aug 2 from 1-4 p.m. although I'm not sure if I will be in attendance yet. That happens to be a long weekend here in Ontario and I'm not sure if we will be in town. I'll post about that as I know.