Custom made ... !



... couple of commissioned pieces I was working on the past week.  The earrings I made for a lovely lady who wanted to match one of my wire rings she had purchased ... the necklace now belongs to a lady who wanted to give herself a special birthday gift! ... she wanted something fun and colorful & I was happy to deliver!

Jewelry section updated ... !

It's taken a while, but I have updated the Jewelry section of my blog with lots more pictures.  The pictures include previously sold pieces, some still available, ... most, currently on sale at Shop AGO. 

Made it onto SNAP!

Remember that Sketchbook Challenge a while back? ... and the opening night at ARTiculations? ... Leslie from SNAP Bloor West was in attendance at the opening, photographing the event.  I was happy to learn my picture and my sketchbook made it onto their paper along with an article she wrote about the event !

Image via { SNAP Bloor West}

Jewelry debut at the AGO!

I am so very happy that some of my jewelry pieces, ... rings and earrings have made it to the Art Gallery of Ontario shop.  My jewelry made it to the AGO  shop with the start of the new Picasso exhibit.  This is a very big accomplishment for me, as I started making jewelry only recently.  I also owe a very big thank you to everyone who has been supporting and encouraging me along the way.

Below are a few of the pieces that are currently at the AGO shop! ... I will be posting more images of the pieces in the jewelry section of my blog.









Invite ... Transmission, photo response!

Painting for "photo response exhibit" ... !

8" x 8" / Mixed media

The mixed media piece above is a piece that I made for the "photo response exhibition" at Art Works Art Gallery .  For this exhibit the participants were challenged to create a 2 dimentional piece of art based on their reaction or response to a particular image which was provided by the curator of the show.

The response to the image could be sensory and emotional, and could simply be based on the colors of the picture,  ... or the artist could be inspired by the implied theme/s within the image and their response, a social, political or environmental reaction. 

Work in progress ...

I like being part of group shows such as this ... because in participating, I feel that I allow myself a challenge.  What is the challenge you ask? ... well, the challenge for me is  approaching themes and subject matters that I would maybe not consider on my own and it is also letting go of my usual approach to the start of a painting and letting go of my "painting style" ... and in that there is also a sense of freedom, because I am giving myself an opportunity to explore, even if the exploration is in experimentation with the medium and painting techniques!

Venture to the vintage show!

Hat pins sparkle!

 

Gadsden's Toronto Vintage Show 

I had learned about the Gadsden Vintage Clothing Show from a friend of mine who is also passionate about finding old treasures.  I have gone to quite a few antique markets in Toronto and around ... mostly in search of jewelry and objects, odds and ends that just called out my name; discovering vintage clothing however had not really been on my radar! ... This particular event showcased clothing, textiles as well as jewelry and I had been looking forward to the date.  I wanted to open my eyes to what would be a "new world" for me, and if the clothing would not end up as a highlight, there would still be the jewelry to capture my attention.

First to inspire was the location of this event.  Wychwood Barns on Christie street is a beautiful sight, especially on this rainy day!

At this event, there was lots to look at and when there are racks of clothing in no particular order, it can get a little overwhelming ... the fashion colors and trends of decades gone by ...  all displayed in one single space.  I thought about the reason why vintage clothing is so intriguing to so many. 

There is no one single response to that question, as with anything ...  I suppose everyone has their own individual reasoning, but is it because we find these pieces unique and different? ... a bit ironic if that is one possible reason, I would imagine that a 50s dress would hardly have been viewed as unique and something different then ... everyone was wearing them.  But is it unique today because it's a rare find? or is it because we simply appreciate the patterns, colors and textures ... or maybe that a dress of decades ago, puts us in touch with the past, and becomes a physical remnant of stories our parents and grandparents told ... and that is reason enough for something to be called special and unique!

My special find of the day! ... It's so happy, interesting how colors & trends find their way back!

Beautiful vintage buttons ... though I love the wood drawers more!

If you want to find some of your own unique finds, the next Gadsden Toronto Show is in the Fall.



Opening night ... ARTiculations!

Myself & Heather taking a pose by the display with names of all participants!

I was excited to make a trip to "The Junction" this past Thursday for the opening night of the "Sketchbook Challenge" ...  the junction is a neighbourhood at the west end of Toronto that has been called the next big "hip place to live."  A place that has been very appealing to artists, and home to my friend Heather's new art store/gallery. 

A different type of opening night one would be used to, as you would normally find art pieces hung on the walls! ... here, the display was on shelves and tables and it was ok for visitors to actually touch the art! ...  as everyone flipped through the many sketchbooks, this cozy space felt a lot like a charming little library.  Buzzing still, as opening nights are, but there was an underlying sense of calm and quiet as viewing this art required a little "getting close to," a more intimate connection, as people were essentially viewers of the artists' "diaries." 

I felt that the sketchbooks revealed a lot about the character and personality of the artists ... some sketches were more rigid and in some the free and looser hand could be seen.  Some of the sketches were quite humorous and told a visual story of the daily happenings of the artist's life.  I thought that the project and event were quite successful, and as for me I will continue with my sketching.  I believe that Heather would like to make this an annual event at her gallery, so perhaps more will become participants; though if you want to draw, don't wait for next year and pick up your pencil today!

... and I found ... me!

Invite ... Sketchbook challenge!

Image via {ARTiculations}

More from the sketchbook challenge!



Quick sketch of my dining table with a pile of books!

Where do new ideas and thoughts come from? ... ideas and thoughts for new artistic projects ... where does an artist get their inspiration from? ... I often ask myself that question.  I have at times led myself to believe that great ideas and great art must come from a place of abstraction, from a place of genius that cannot be explained, cannot be touched.  I believe that is true ... only partly ... sometimes its hard to explain a great work of art because it seems to be so perfect ... even more difficult to fathom how a great idea has been conceived of by a single human mind ... 

... In saying that, I have also come to realize that believing  this notion of great thought and great art resulting from abstraction puts an immense amount of pressure on myself, on any artist really.  As with anything in life, to allow yourself to break things down to its simplest form, is the greatest advantage that you can provide for yourself.

Ideas are often right in front of us, quite literally! ... what I've come to realize is that having the ability to have your eyes open to what surrounds you has great value ... to be more observant is to be more thoughtful and more analytical.  When you take the time to look, everything from trees, birds, even objects as mundane as a stool, a chair, a rug come to mean a little bit more ... appreciation learned through observation, promotes the progression of thought process.

Can never do too many sketches of your own hand!

Still life of a few things from the kitchen.

{Click here} to see more from previous challenge update! 

Time in the studio ... !

When I find precious time to work on my art, be it painting, drawing or working on my jewelry, I retreat into my room/studio! ... I do wish, like other artists I'm sure, that I had a place dedicated to my art, a proper studio ... a space where I could spread everything out, the paint, the brushes, all the beads and not have to pack it all up at the end of the night ... 

... I've imagined this perfect studio space for me so many times in my head! tall ceilings, wide windows that overlook a gorgeous scenery ... the perfect smell of paint, wood panels, raw canvas, ... the sweet smell of creativity! ... having said all that, my current "studio" now, IS, in fact the place where inspiration resides.  I look around my room and the honeycomb color of the walls, my mementos, my art books, are the familiar;  familiarity that helps in welcoming the surge of new ideas.

... working away on new projects, new rings and earrings! ... I'm excited about the reveal, they are definitely colorful and perfect for spring.  Not forgetting the pencil and brushes, ... I'm looking forward to a couple of group exhibits I'm a part of at the end of the month.   I will keep you posted with pictures.  Stay tuned ...

Pink agate, black onyx and more!

SOLD

Cherished postcard collection!

As it turns out, my mom has a pretty extensive postcard collection that dates back to about  the early 60s! ... I think that I'd seen them before, but had completely forgotten that she had kept them.  We were going through some old photographs and things of the past and came across these lovely postcards once again! Lots of them had been sent to her by friends ... the words and notes of her friends on the back of these cards, makes them even more cherishable.

For me, its a delight to know that I take after my mother in collecting things we find beautiful and that beauty becomes more evident and precious when you get reacquainted with them after years that have gone by.

... so after looking through them all, I thought of sharing with you the humour and cuteness of the postcards above ... & how sweet is the little girl feeding the squirrel!

Wire ring ... dots & stripes!

$ 35

Pretty, funky ring! This one is a size 6.5 and the surface measures at about 1 and 1/4" across.

Sketchbook challenge update!

A drawing that was inspired by a photograph I had taken during one of my travels.

I wanted to allow myself to be a little more free and it became something more about creating shapes and shades.

Trees & pathways! I love landscapes.

I was inspired by spring and its beautiful colors, the rest just happened and its a drawing that has now given me some new ideas for my jewelry.

Close up!

 

So we are half way through our Sketchbook Challenge! ... have I fallen off the sketch-a-day wagon? ... well if I'm going to be honest, just a bit ... life happens, you're busy all day and at the end of a work day you realize there was a promise I made to myself! ... in speaking with friends who have also taken up the challenge, I know that I'm not the only one and I have only missed a day or two! That's not too bad now, is it?

I'm so glad that I decided to join this challenge.  The first thing I realized, is that I have quite a few half-filled sketchbooks that have been collecting dust.  In looking through them, I re-visited lots of drawings and notes and scribbles that went back to the days of being at school.  If you have ever kept a diary, a sketchbook is very similar really.  Both, journals that guard your thought process, whether it be through words or images.  A diary or sketchbook is a vehicle for any person to release, exercise and confront their intuitive, emotional and intellectual responses.  

Somehow, I had personally forgotten how important a sketchbook can be.  Ideas and thoughts for new artistic projects constantly run through my mind but I had failed to take the time to anchor those ideas!  Having that sketchbook as a "safeguard" for my thoughts, I feel, gives my mind a chance to refresh.  Being able to look through your sketches, allows you to expand them, edit them and create something further than what your mind had initially thought of ... and sometimes a sketchbook is just a great vehicle to exercise your hand, to better your craft! ... practice does make perfect! 

Three strand chain necklace!

$ 95

This delicate piece is approximately 29" in length.  Semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls adorn this three strand sliver-plated necklace. 

Triangle shaped wire wrapped earring!

SOLD

Wire ring ... copper & pearl!

$ 35

This classy copper wire ring with a single freshwater pearl, is a size 6.  The surface of the ring measures at about 1" across.

8 pearls on a necklace!

$ 65

With the different sizes and shapes of the beads and stones, I'm still tempted to view  this as a subtle piece ... the reason is the soft and calming colors of the stones and perhaps the addition of the few light pink freshwater pearls that bring in the touch of the "modest" and the classic!

This necklace is 25.5" in length, with semi-precious stones, including black onyx, freshwater pearls and a single sparkle of a swarovski crystal.

Sketchbook challenge!

So today I'm joining the Sketchbook Challenge that my friend has started up @ her art store/gallery, ARTiculations! ... The idea really comes from a bigger, worldwide project ... The 2013 Sketchbook Project that launches April 18th, 2012. 

At her gallery, she's challenged artists and non-artists alike to start sketching again and fill up the half-filled books we may have laying around.  The duration of the challenge is 30 days and the sketchbooks will be exhibited on April 12th.  Simple, yet very intriguing idea that I have decided I want to take part in.  No one really pays much attention to the doodles and lines inside of a sketchbook, as much as they do to the end result that covers the surface of a canvas ... but looking inside of a sketchbook, is looking inside the mind of an artist, the thought process, the errors, the "happy mistakes" ... all the journey that results in brilliance, in ART!

What I love, is that a sketchbook can be as simple or as complicated as you'd like to make it.  I'll start mine and keep you posted and in the meantime join the challenge?

Wire ring ... playful red!

$ 35

This fun and whimsical ring is a size 6-6.5, but is a bit adjustable because of the nature of the wire and can fit a slightly larger size as well.  The surface of the ring measures at about 3/4" across.

Wood, pearl & lava necklace!

$ 65

Among the semi-precious stones and the pearls, the wood beads take centre stage on this casual chic necklace!

This necklace is approximately 36" in length, with gunmetal chain, freshwater pearls and lava beads among other stones.



Wire ring ... pyrite with red & black!

SOLD

1 2 3 ... The first had to be for ME!

One of the very first pieces I made, was this necklace! Among all the colorful beads, the challenge  really, is  knowing when to stop picking at the colors for a single piece.  The iridescence of the purple beads, sparkle of the red, shine of the white faux pearl, create a beautiful silhouette piece; perfect for a daytime or evening look.

I think it is  important to keep the first pieces of any type of artistic creation.  As you progress, it's a good thing to be able to look back and see where you started from!



Investing in color!

Anyone who knows me, is aware of my "slight" obsession with fashion jewelry! For some reason, the "real" stuff has never sparkled my interest as much.  Don't get me wrong, diamonds and rubies are classic and perfection! ... but lets get real ... you can't exactly sport all that when you're at work, school or shopping for your week's worth of groceries!

For me, fashion jewelry has got a different kind of pizazz! Not to mention, in most probable cases ... it is Affordable! ... keyword, that allows enthusiasts like myself to more than just window shop! To me, that piece of fake jewelry is still a work of art, no matter where it gets purchased.  As a collector, being able to expand your collection and not having the "shopper's guilt," feels great! ... some may say that collecting fake jewelry is a waste of money.  You call yourself a collector but your collection doesn't have any "real" value.  It's no investment by any means, it's not gold and you can't sell it down the road! The investment to me, is opening my box of jewelry and seeing the rainbow of colors that shine.  Colors make me smile, and my smile is MY investment!