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.