Tradesies.

This weekend, I was in Oakville taking part in the Sheridan Alumni Show, part of the school's annual open house. It's a long trip to make (especially by transit) but worth it for many reasons.

For one, I always enjoy visiting Oakville. I lived there for over three years, which for me, is long enough to develop a home like feeling of attachment to a place. I always get a little nostalgic kick out of riding the same old buses, passing the same sites and walking the same streets, even eating the same things I used to eat when I lived there. It's also neat to see what's changed while I was away. A new business here, a pretty garden there. So that was nice.

It's also nice visiting Sheridan itself, which I do with less frequency, but for the same reasons. It's only been three years, but wandering the halls after the show, I was surprised by how many little memories came back; classes I kind of forgot about, things that used to be routine.

And it was really nice to see all the work by the current students. This is probably cliche, but I feel like people are getting more and more talented every year. It was also inspiring. It made me wish I was back in school, so I could spend as much time being creative as I used to do. As such, I found myself vowing to make better use of time I do have, and to pursue other ideas I have before I forget how. (That can happen, ya know.)

The best thing of all though, was the people. I didn't see any of the folks who graduated with me, but I did see my teacher. We had a nice little chat and I received some encouraging words from her, which still means a lot. I also saw others from years above and below myself, and met some great new people as well.

One of my favourite things about doing a show like this, especially one with people I feel a kinship with (as alumni of the same school, of course) is doing trades. There's always so much talent at the shows I participate in, but I can't always make purchases. So it's great when someone enjoys my work as well; then we can strike a deal.

The first bargain I made was with Mary MaKenzie. She had just graduated from the ceramics stream of the Craft and Design program, and was making all these crazy peices inspired by the defensive (and sometimes offensive) aspects of some plants. They were really neat; tangley delicate jumbles of thistley, pokey, twiggy bits. They reminded me a bit of the sea, of coral and driftwood, and I overheard a show goer who thought of insects. Mary says they are landscapes of sorts, which I think also made sense.

The piece I traded a leaf necklace for was one of her smaller ones, this lovely little dish with a glass puddle bottom. I love the delicate colour and the detailed pattern. Very pretty.

respond@whatisalandscape.ca

The next bargain I made was to trade an organza gathers necklace for this lovely bird pin. The artist is Kerri Andreas, who has just finished her second year in the textiles stream and is heading into a Harbourfront residency for the summer. In addition to textiles, Kerri fuses glass, and so was able to make this silkscreened pin, which I chose because of the blue and the bird. But it was a tough choice. She also had some great fabric neck pieces, some pretty decorative bunting, wall pieces and more. She was really very sweet and great to talk to. I hope to see her again next year.

lovelies.ca
reasdesigns.etsy.com
loveliesandreas@gmail.com

Finally, I got to make a trade I'd been planning on all day, a pretty ribbon bracelet for this great gummy worm pendant. It was made by Emma Gerard, who was a member of the glass stream around the same time I was attending Sheridan. Her whole table was just delicious, an assortment of flameworked penny candy favourites. I hard a really hard time choosing between a swedish berry pin and this gummi worm pendant. Then I had difficulties choosing colours! But now I've got it, and I can't wait to get it on a chain and wear it. Emma told me she's hoping to go to NASCAD (I think!) to study jewellery. With the talent she already has in glass, I think she could create some really fantastic things.

http://www.emmagerard.com/

With all the time I spent preparing for this show, I didn't get a chance to write about the other show I was at recently, this one for Sheridan's Illustration graduates. There was so much incredible talent, I grabbed several business cards just so I could keep an eye on their work. If I get a chance this week, maybe I'll post again to share that great stuff as well!

Great Day

Who would have guessed that the smallest show I did all summer would be the best?
Yesterday, I participated in the Fesitval of the Arts Art Walk in River Mill Park downtown. I did the same show last year and had a lot of fun, but this year was even better, I think, in part, due to the new location. Lots of people wandering town happened by and the set up was more of a circle than a line, so I was able to see the other artists there. There was drumming and dancing and a fairly good crowd, so yes, much better than last year.

My mother helped me set up my little booth, which was wet work as the ground was spongey and moist from all the rain the day before. My feet got soaked, but as it didn't rain, that was my only complaint all day long.

Lots of people stopped to chat at the booth; some cute kids asked lots of questions. As this was more of an exhibition/demonstration than it was a sale, I had my sketchbook and my samples on display for people to leaf through. Many people were interested in the design process and it was fun explaining my techniques to them.
My sketchbook display and work area took up one whole half of the table. Therefore, I had to downscale my finished jewellery set up quite a bit. The above photo is about everything I had out. It's a little windswept, but I still made some sales, which was great.

The other artists were pretty cool too. I met quite a few locals which was nice, as I'm still getting to know the arts community around here. The gentleman next to me, Terry Gill, was demonstrating his watercolour technique. There was a bit of a lull around the time that Seguin brought me lunch, so I went over to give it a try. It was very fun and freeing, he encouraged me to paint in the same way we were taught to develop our samples in school; that is, don't think, just go and let it happen.


This is a photo of the resulting painting. He also gave me a print of one of his pieces to take home. They're quite a bit more finished than mine...as I understand it, he kind of lets the paints do what they want and then develops a landscape out of what happens. You can check out his work here. https://www.impressionsofnature.ca

The show was only three hours long and the time passed so quickly. But almost the instant the last few items had been packed into the car and we all got in, the rain began to fall, hard. It was as if it had been waiting all day for us to finish up. With the rainy summer we've had, I couldn't believe our luck.

So overall, a very positive experience. I'm keen to do it again next year. Just one more to go this summer; Sunday, August 16th, look for me in Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge for a second Canlove International festival. More details as the time draws near.

Art on the Street Weekend

Here are a few pictures from the show and the weekend.

Thanks

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who came out and saw the work at the Art on the Street show in Guelph this past weekend. The turnout was pretty good and I met a lot of nice people.....you know who you are! So thanks to everyone who came and I hope you all enjoyed the show.

I also want to throw a thank you out to those who helped make this weekend happen: thanks to John, for driving me there and back again, thanks to Meghan for carting me around, helping me set up and giving me a place to sleep, thanks to Seguin for being understanding and to Mom for helping me buy the giant purple suitcase. I appreciated all of it.

Next up: those who are going to be in the Huntsville area (or at least the Muskoka area) this weekend should come by and check out the Arts Walk on Sunday July 26th. It's a part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and is pretty neat. Basically, a group of local artists and artisans set up their booths in the sunshine, and instead of just selling art, they demonstrate their techniques for the passers-by. Last year featured a photographer, one or two painters, a stone carver, a belly dancer and yours truly, among others. The event taking place in River Mill park this year, which is on the waterfront downtown. It's a great central location, I'm pretty excited about it. It starts at noon and admission is free, so if you'll be in the area, please come check it out! http://huntsvillearts.com/viewevent.html?eventid=61

AOTS Reminder

Hey everyone!

This is just a reminder that I will be participating in Guelph's annual Art on the Street show this coming Saturday, July 18th. The event is located on Quebec street in downtown Guelph and is completely free. In addition to 78 different artists and crafters, there will also be live music, acts of art and magic. If you want to know more, visit www.downtownguelph.com, and follow the links.

In addition to the show, I'm planing to see some friends I haven't seen in way too long. Plus, I get to travel a bit, which is something I always enjoy. So I'm looking forward to a pretty good weekend.

Wish me luck!

Art on the Street

If you will be in the Guelph area on Saturday July 18th, come see me in Art on the Street!
Running from 11am until 6pm, there will be over 75 artists lining Quebec Street and displaying their wares. Come check it out, it's sure to be a great show!

Downtown Guelph Page
http://www.downtownguelph.com/page.php?id=92

Upcoming Show!!

I imagine this is short notice, but as I only just got confirmation myself....
This Saturday May 2nd, I'll be heading back to Sheridan to appear in the Arts Open House and Craft Sale. It should be neat to see the school again; I haven't been there in almost two years. A little intimidating too though, I have to say. Kind of like how I imagine going to a high school reunion would feel.
If you're planning to be in the area, come and see the wares. The show runs from 10 am to 5 pm at Sheridan's Oakville campus on Trafalgar Road. More info can be found at http://artsfestival.sheridaninstitute.ca/.
Hope to see you there!