New Cityscapes at Canvas Gallery Toronto.

Four of the six new cityscapes  I recently completed were dropped off to Canvas Gallery today. It was great to speak with Megan especially as Canvas Gallery celebrated 10 years this past week. You can read my artist statement about this series here and a bit about my process here.

 

City Beat  12x36

$750.

 Downtown Taxi II  12x36

$750.

 Financial District  24x36  

$1275.

Urban Center  36x48

$2500.

Vegas Weekend.

Viva Las Vegas  6x6  Acrylic on canvas

$250.

Available at Art Interiors

I'm out of here for a long weekend in Vegas. I need a fix of the warm sun, the desert heat and of course some sparkly lights and a little bling. A second tour of the Neon Museum is booked and perhaps a helicopter tour of the strip. Plenty of inspiration for new paintings. See you later.

Art Interiors Festival of Smalls Opens Tomorrow.

Good Food  6x6  Acrylic on Canvas

$250.

Available here

Art Interiors 19th Annual Festival of Smalls                           

Original artworks in gift sizes

from $55-$250
November 10th to December 24th
Opening Reception Saturday November 10th
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm  Sun 12-5pm 

If you can't get to the gallery in person you can shop online here.

A New Painting.

Skyline Restaurant

6x6 Acrylic on board

email me to purchase

Here we are. It's Monday already. I don't know about you but I could have used an extra day or two. There is so much to do here on the weekends that I could use an extra day just to do nothing. La dolce far niente. But honestly, getting back in to the studio on Monday mornings is something I really look forward to. 

Remember this post? Well here is my latest painting in my series of mini's. The Skyline Restaurant located in Parkdale. I've never eaten there but I hear it's like walking into the 60's. 

Looking forward to a busy week here in the studio. I'm working on a couple of new projects that I'm keeping quiet about, for now. Back soon with details :-)

Flying

Flying

Acrylic on canvas

18x18x2

I am still so inspired by birds these days. The inspiration is all around as I see birds on wires every day right outside my window. We also get to see swallows flying about enjoying the insects in the sky at sundown, sometimes swooping into the chimney of the old school across the street. A very large crane was erected a couple of days ago and I was delighted to see the sparrows sitting in a row on it the next morning. And I've seen Canada geese flying past many times. One Sunday morning they flew by very early honking. They were loud. And so "Flying" came to be. My newest painting fresh off the easel. I'd love to see it find a good home. If you're interested in purchasing, drop me an email.

New Paintings

I've been away from this blog for what seems like ages and with good reason. I've been focusing 100% on painting new works for my June show here. 

Last month, I also received a request for new landscapes and I've completed five. I'll be delivering these new landscapes to XC Art Restoration sometime next week. Here are two of the larger ones.

 Mountain View  40x40x2  acrylic on canvas

Beautiful Nature  24x48  acrylic on canvas

Ongoing and Upcoming Events

"Thirty-A Retrospective" continues at the offices of Odgers Berndston until April 22. If you're interested in purchasing a large painting for your home or workspace, this is a great opportunity to view my large paintings in a corporate setting. 

As this show is by appointment only, please feel free to send me an email and we can arrange a day and time for a viewing.

Coming up on Saturday April 9th I'll be exhibiting at the Kingsway-Lambton Art Show and Sale. This is a one day only event and I was happy to be invited to join over 30 artists exhibiting and selling their work. This art show and sale was established in 1998 and the $10 admission raises funds for 26 local charities. I met with one of the organizers and 2 exhibiting artists last Friday and we were interviewed for an article in local newspaper. I'll share more on this closer to the show.

And I'm happy to announce that my paintings will again be featured at Arts on King for the month of June. Show details to be posted soon.

Artistic Inspiration.

What's inspiring me these days?

color

paint chips and brochures

home decor magazines

empty branches

sunsets

friends

shadows

fresh new paints in tubes

feathers

looking at old vacation pics

text

the smell of fresh flowers at ave & dav

sunshine

my kittys

artsy blogs

architecture

What's inspiring you??

A New Day.

On January 1st this was the view outside our bedroom window. It was a cold and gray morning and all was quiet and very still. It was SO quiet. I assumed that the whole city was still asleep after the celebrations of the night before. The balloons were an explosion of color happily swaying in the cold breeze. I knew right away that this was a sign. A good omen promising that the coming year will be a positive one.

This week has been all about organizing and preparing. Updating my blog and website, writing posts in advance, scheduling meetings and making many to do lists. The studio has gotten a complete make over, is cleaned up and ready to go. The art supplies that Santa brought are laid out all shiny and new, waiting to do their thing.

I could list all my resolutions and goals for the coming year but I won't bore you with personal details. I will share with you what inspires me and little bits of 'happy' along the way. I'd like to celebrate the positive in the coming year (and beyond.) How about you? What's inspiring you these days? Are you making time to do the things that make you happy and fuel your passion? What will you do to make this year a positive one?

Starting Work on a Commission Today.

"Assembly" 24x30 Acrylic on canvas.

I've started working on a large commission this week. I'm working with Deborah Levin and her designer on 2 paintings in my continuing birds on a wire series. Just working on sketches and colors right now but I'll post the finished paintings after my client has them in her home.

Deborah is working very closely with her designer and they are doing the room with my artwork as a starting point. This is quite an honor as usually artwork is chosen in the final stages of a project. I've been asked to use colors that will match the wallpaper and other elements in the cozy home. Some artists are horrified at this "matching the art to the drapes" but I welcome it.

The above painting "Assembly" was completed not long after we moved downtown this summer and is heading to Koyman Gallery this weekend along with new cityscapes.

Moss, I Need Your Help!!!

I am definitely an artist that writes a blog and not a professional blogger. I certainly haven't posted much lately. I've been focusing on painting new work for upcoming shows and to hang in our new diggs too.

And being the technophobe that I am, getting a new laptop over the summer has thrown a bit of a wrench into things. Getting used to a new keyboard and re learning many things has slowed me down a bit. Apparently I was a renegade before as I was using Ubuntu Linux, so I've been told. My IT guys are out most of the day so I'm left to either try and figure things out on my own (this takes way to long and I'd rather spend that time painting) or scream for help. Maurice Moss, I need you!!!

Have you seen the IT CROWD?? It's a hilarious British comedy starring Richard Ayoade, Chris O'Dowd, and Katherine Parkinson, as the main characters Maurice Moss, Roy Trenneman and Jen Barber. The three are an IT support team working in the dingy basement of Reynholm Industries. It is totally hilarious and I highly recommend it. They are all over Youtube and you can watch clips of them. I would have included a few here for you, but I still need help to figure that out.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm having some difficulties here so I'll have to 'try turning it off and on again'!! Watch the show-you'll understand.

"Fresh" Sneak Peek.

Twittering 18x18 Acrylic on Canvas

Contact Arts on Queen to Purchase

Sophisticated 30x30 Acrylic on Canvas

Contact Arts on Queen to Purchase

Spring Birch Forest 36x36 Acrylic on Canvas

Contact Arts on Queen to Purchase

This Saturday my solo show "Fresh" opens at Arts on Queen in the Beaches, Toronto. New paintings of birches, blossoms and birds. The opening reception is from 1-4 pm. Please stop in if you can, it would be great to see you.

ARTS ON QUEEN

July 3, 2010 - July 31, 2010
Reception: July 3, 2010, 1-4 PM
Fresh - Rita Vindedzis.
Toronto artist Rita Vindedzis takes a fresh approach to her new collection of paintings featuring birches, blossoms and birds. Inspired by the colours and textures of the season, Vindedzis shows diversity in her art and has taken a step away from the landscapes she is best known for. Her "birds on a wire" series hints at whimsy while her decorative blossoms and birches present a current perspective of nature. Her abstracted birches have graced the pages of magazines such as Style at Home.

2198 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON
M4E 1E7, T: 416-699-6127
Mon-Wed 11-6:30, Thurs-Fri 11-7:30, Sat 9-6:30, Sun 11-6

There's No Place Like Home.

the view from our balcony

looking south

Hi there. I'm back!! It seems like I've been gone for ages. Things are finally starting to come together in our new home. 10 days without internet was a challenge even for me. There's only so much I can do with my Iphone. (ya, I know)

Boxes have been unpacked and things have been sorted and put in their new places. Tomorrow I'll paint one wall and my studio shelves that were painted before and didn't fare well through the move. Settling in has taken a little bit longer than expected but I don't mind. I'm totally enjoying setting up house. I'm working on getting my studio completely set up by Friday so I can actually get back to painting next week. I always feel a little off when I don't have at least one painting on the go.

My show "Fresh" opens at Arts on Queen this Saturday, but more on that in my next post. I'm off to enjoy a quiet evening with a glass of wine on the balcony. Dorothy said it best when she said "There's no place like home".

"Fresh" at Arts on Queen, Toronto.

Sunny Day 36x36 Acrylic on Canvas $2100.

Here is the official write up for my show that opens at Arts on Queen next month. I'm really looking forward to it. It's a really great little gallery in the Beach, in Toronto-very trendy area. The reception is always fun as I get to meet and chat with the public. It will also be relaxing as I get to chill with the gallery staff after all the commotion of moving into our new condo. If you're in the area please do drop by. Sorry Kim, you won't be in town for the opening but please contact me before your trip. I'd love to get together and have a face to face with you.

"Fresh" New Paintings in Acrylic by Rita Vindedzis

July 1 2010 - July 31 2010

Reception: July 3, 1-4 pm Artist will be present

Toronto artist Rita Vindedzis takes a fresh approach to her newest paintings of birches, blossoms and birds. Inspired by the colours and textures of the season, Vindedzis shows diversity in her art and has taken a step away from the landscapes she is best known for. Her "birds on a wire" series hints at whimsy while her decorative blossoms and birches are a popular choice with interior designers, snatching them up for their clientele. Rita's decorative abstracted birches have graced the pages of Style at Home Magazine, the 2008 Benjamin Moore Colour brochure and the 2010 Style at Home Collection Colour brochure. Arts on Queen 2198 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON, M4E 1E7. 416-699-6127, Open 7 days a week.

Spring is in Full Bloom.

I've been walking around with camera in hand. Spring is in full bloom here and I try to get out of the studio everyday to enjoy the sunshine and blossoms. So much inspiration for new paintings.

There is just so much color everywhere. In our area we are about 2-3 weeks ahead so I've gotten the early spring I wished so hard for.

I'm being bombarded with inspiration. So much inspiration that it's hard to sleep at night. I keep my little sketchbook handy so I can jot down ideas or thumbnails for new work. What's up with me lately???

watching the cats enjoy the sun

Daydreaming

thinking of moving

window shopping

making lists

yogurt with raw nuts and cinnamon for breakfast

the cardinal outside my studio window

kalamata olives and feta cheese

color

spring cleaning

paint chips

mad men season 2

cooking

mixing a really good margarita

80's music

style at home magazine

redoing the studio

wanting to go to new york

trying to stick to an exercise schedule

the it crowd

being grateful and enjoying life

good friends

Checking In

Just popping in to say "Hi" as I'm still on a spring break of sorts. I've been getting lots done while I'm taking a little break from the computer here. I miss my blog writing (and reading) but needed to step away and get down and dirty. Spring cleaning is getting done as are a few DIY's that I'll be sharing with you soon.

I've been keeping up with my painting and new landscapes are getting finished almost daily. These will be heading out to a gallery soon but I'll be sure to post a few pics to share before they're gone. I also had a little time to play in the studio and came up with these two pieces. They're acrylic on paper and I've combined stamping techniques with my painting. Not very "springy" colors you say? You're right but these are very decor oriented so I've stuck with mostly neutrals.

I've been asked to show at Arts on Queen, in the Beach in Toronto again this summer (ooh, I'm excited about this!). I'll post the details as soon as I know. I'm already thinking of a show title but it shouldn't be too hard to come up with one as I'll be concentrating on new paintings of birches, blossoms and birds. That's a pretty good title right there.

One more thing before I get back to work. My friend Gabriela Delworth is teaching a Glam Tees Workshop this spring. She makes the most awesome custom t-shirts using fabric painting, photo transfers, embellishments, glitter, and my fave technique tie-dye. If you're in Toronto and are looking for a great workshop, I suggest you check out her blog here for details. I've taken Gabriela's workshops before and they are FUN!!

Be back soon. Ciao.

Bright and Sunny

Everybody's Talking 12x24 Acrylic on Canvas
Available at Art Interiors

Bright and Sunny 40x40 Acrylic on Canvas
Available at Art Interiors

New work (6 paintings) were delivered to Art Interiors this past Saturday. "Everybody's Talking" is a continuation of my bird series. I'm really enjoying working on these paintings. Some have hydro/telephone poles in them and some just have a hint of treetops and birds on wires. I guess I must be craving spring. It really shows in my paintings. "Bright and Sunny" is quite large and continues my love of the birches series.

I've been working on new landscapes as well and will get some photographed and on the blog soon. I'm also finishing up on a new project that I've mentioned before but am not quite ready to reveal yet. Off to the studio now.

Art Interiors 16th Annual Festival of Smalls

Mini Birches 3x5 $50.
Sold Thank You

Treeline 6x12 $250
available at Art Interiors.

Birds on a Wire 4x4 $50.
available at Art Interiors.

It's that time of year again. ART INTERIORS 16th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF SMALLS begins this Saturday, November 14th. You can purchase original artworks in gift sizes from $55. to $250. by Art Interior's wonderful roster of artists. This year, there's even an advanced preview available online November 13th, here. Don't miss out. This is THE hottest event at Art Interiors.

New Paintings Available Soon.

Marsh and Sky 36x48 Acrylic on Gallery Canvas

Hi There. Did you have a great weekend?? I'm just taking a quick break from painting. I stopped to fix myself a green tea and I thought I'd pop in and say Hi. I won't be around much this week as it's a busy time for me in the studio. Lot's of paintings are half finished and I'm taking the week to finish and varnish them all. Actually, I'll be popping back in at the end of the week with a new show announcement. Have a great one!!

Summer Solitude Opens in the Beach

Early Morning Calm
36x36

Quiet Creek
24x30

Morning Mist
18x24

Hot Summer Night
18x18

It seems rather fitting that my next show opens this Saturday at Arts on Queen. It is a long weekend here, I've titled the group of paintings "Summer Solitude" and the gallery, Arts on Queen is in "the Beach" district of the city. Here's a sneak peek at a few of the paintings that will be on exhibit (and available for purchase of course) until the 31st of August. There will be an opening tomorrow from 1-4 pm so if you're in the area please do drop in and say hi.