my lighter side

New Art/Craft market opening in the Junction

yes.. its true.. opening January 31st.. more creativity in the Junction.. come and see for yourself

Wise Daughters
3079B Dundas St. West, 416-761-1555, www.wisedaughters.com,

art for the giving

prints of my herbs are for sale at Crema Coffee in the Junction. These prints will make a wonderful sensitive gift.

3079 Dundas St. West
416-767-3131

Ancient herb watercolour print

ready for framing
archival quality (acid free)
white matte cover stock
8-1/2 x 11 inches
signed by the artist
$25.00 ea. (complete set of 6 for $125.00)

also I am in a group show at Urbanscape gallery, in the Junction...

RCO awards night

Yes this is true... The awards were given out to artists who use recycling in their art. Being a long time patron of recycling, I was asked to give out the awards in this category... As it is a new category included in this evening of "suits"...it was quite small.. but not insignificant..

I made sure I got a good plug in for art.... hopefully next year it will grow.... I am certainly committed to spreading the good word around.

Any artist who would like to apply for this category please let me know.. and I will get the ball rolling for 2009 awards night....

Here is an pic of Diane and myself taken on this memorable evening... my long time friend and event coordinator for the RCO...all such great people.

the Junction launch

oh what a night!
I went through the whole gamut of emotions.. Last night I announced the winners of the Juried arts exhibition of the festival.. congratulations to Gord Leverton! He has won first prize.. couldn't happen to a better artist.. The jury was out for 4 and 1/2 hours and then came up with Gord!....
Our festival..is going to be the greatest... the launch was super.. All the celebrities and all the political figures had their moment.. then there was me.... I took some consolation knowing that everyone wanted to hear what I had to say... the announcement of the winners to the show...and the prizes were awarded... a very special night...

for the next few days we will have alot of people coming to our Junction for the festival
I might as well give you all the locations to view my work while you are here.. I have 3 exhibits going on for you to see ...
first of all

my ancient herbs paintings at crema coffee

then my triptych The Junction for the local options art award. which you can vote for .. please feel free to go around and look at all the particpants in some of the local shops... my piece is in the Relax Shack

and again in the Relax Shack my altered book.. which you will love to see. it has been getting rave reviews... don't miss it!

so make sure you take it all in...

Ancient herbs show

lots happening these days... I have been painting en plein air these last weeks.. and this is the body of work I have produced to be showing alongside the Junction Arts Festival

Rain again

Here I am back again.. I have been spending a lot of time outside in my beautiful back garden... giving workshops and painting .. my front garden is outstanding.. a true wildflower english garden... wild but tame!

heres Chuckie getting lost in the wildflowers

I have been getting ready for the Junction Arts Festival.. I have found an impromtu gallery for my work.. a great place with big walls... Crema Coffee Co. - a brand new cafe on the outskirts of the Junction.. at Quebec avenue and Dundas.. check it out!
I will be there over the period of the festival.. will keep you posted...

If anyone is interested in learning how to construct an altered book...I am giving workshops - get in touch.. also Journaling with fluid paint.. as always popular....

junction triptych

for my entry in the local options art awards for the Junction, I have submitted a triptych
done in plaster and fluid acrylic glazing.. you can see this triptych at the wonderfully smelly shop of Antonnetta among other sensuous products
"The Relax Shack"
3026 Dundas Street West
416-762-1575

This composition depicts the spirit of the Junction neighbourhood.

I have lived in the Junction area for 20 years and have always been intrigued by the quaintness of the houses. Together, they present a unity, yet each house takes on its own personality. I have etched, carved and worn the shapes through sanding and rubbing, as these houses are misshaped and worn, suggesting years of transition.

There is irony within this neighbourhood - the old and the new. Even though the Junction is steeped in history, it’s spirit is not traditional. Under this layer, it is vibrant, creative and holds great promise for the future.

Junction 100

had a wonderful time in the Junction this past weekend... our birthday festivities.. music, entertainment.. all recreating life in our neighbourhood 100 years ago.. I got to volunteer at the "dressup table" getting people dressed for photographs in period outfits... was great.. everyone looked fantastic.. just a sample of us tough broads JFAC ladies... Carmen, Pat and myself..

oh what a day!

yesterday was a red letter day for sure...
my birthday.. my banner went up in my neighbourhood on a beautiful sunny day...there was an opening party at the Gathering Space in the Junction for Home Sweet Home... my altered book was presented there.. It was great to see so many beautiful people ... thank you all! and a big hug to Gerry for sending me these pics.. thanks Gerry mmmmmxxxx....and then the day was topped off with dinner and my wonderful family.. what more could I ask for.. I am truly a happy person...

Loree and myself at Home sweet Home

Home Sweet Home in the Junction

I have done an altered book. This is a reclaimed book found in a Junction thrift shop, altered and transformed into a memoir. This book tells the story of a woman from the Junction. Her life develops out of an artistic interpretation of historical and contemporary facts combining photos, snippets of information, recipes, fabrics, and anything else that tells of the woman’s joys and sorrows. Illustrations and embellishments are added along the way.
this is an amazing book and will be on display at the Gathering space until the end of April.. check it out!

junction show...

I didn't tell you but I am in a group show in the Junction at Urbanscape Gallery.

Just my cup of tea indeed..

Muskoka series

just come back from an amazing trip away up in the Muskokas.. north of Huntsville to be exact.. to give my workshop "journal with paint" to a bunch of arty types and to see my sister, Pats.. the landscape painter... after the workshop I was freed up to stay in the woods for 3 glorious days and nights under a full moon.. sleeping in the wood cabin..with the comfort of a woodstove.. It was glorious.. We did art and snowshoed every day... heres some of what I did - plaster, watercolour and varnish etc.on bits of wood - my Muskoka series..

more Junction

here we go.. they keep on coming....

High Park/Junction

Junction Winter

The Junction

Hello you all!
sorry i have been neglecting you... bin overtakin with designing for the Junction.. my passionate neighbourhood... here are a couple of illos I did recently .. do you like them?

goings on

first of all.. here is something I did the other day... I can't seem to get him out of my head.(literally).. so here he is for the world to see. my connected man... ain't he somit??

the other day I had some bad news.. my dear friend Nancy was in a severe car accident...As she lies in intensive care..I am thinking of her alot... sending her lots of energy and warm thoughts to give her strength and show her some light and happiness...