Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises: The making of “In Conversation”

Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises exhibition, Feb 2020

Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises exhibition, Feb 2020

We live in a culture where consumption and waste are common habits. Plastic seems to be everywhere, and while it is useful we need to recognize the effects it has on our environment and daily life.  In Conversation (Red) and In Conversation (Green) are two soft sculptures, crocheted using recycled and repurposed shopping bags. Featured earlier in February in the exhibition entitled Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises at The Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, the pieces stand 102” high and approximately 51.5” to 74.8” diameter, each sculpture is self-illuminated and fitted with an electronic brain which scans the surrounding environment. When a viewer is in close proximity, the electronic brain, through its motion sensor, causes the sculpture to come to life.  The lights “dance”, alternating colours (depicting an emotion) for as long as the viewer is nearby. Effectively, the viewer becomes part of the “dialogue” between the sculptures.

Below is a series of photographs documenting the process of their creation – from prototype to final form.

It took around 4 months to construct In Conversation (Red) and In Conversation (Green). During this time I’ve experienced a range of emotions – from excitement to anxiety and then finally a sense of calm. And so these emotions have also been embodied within these sculptures.

Once the sculptures were completed, the transformation of the throw-away bags gave them a new life, taking them out of the context of mundane everyday objects we all take for granted. The process forever changed my approach and relationship to this material.

Nesting, November 2019

Cocoon, January 2019

With a heavy heart, October 2019

Illumination, February 2020

Babel, February 2020

In Conversation- at rest (Green), February 2020

In Conversation (Green), February 2020

Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises at The Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, February 15-27, 2020

Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises exhibition, Feb 2020

Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises exhibition, Feb 2020

From February 15-27, 2020 fellow artists Zoraida Anaya, Lisa Fox and I will feature our latest work in an art exhibition entitled Plastic Dreams, Broken Promises at the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre.

As part of the Cedar Ridge Gallery Contemporary Exhibition series, the collaborative installation centers around the themes of a throwaway and wasteful culture in an effort to raise awareness of its impact on the environment.  Ordinary plastic bags, crocheted into sculptures, photography on acrylic sheets and transparency lanterns transform the space to create a visually interesting exhibit.

The exhibition is part of the Women’s Art Project (WAP) Collective initiative, where the artistic intention is to make experimental work in a supportive, inspiring and collaborative environment.

Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is nestled within lush gardens enjoyed by the public and often rented for weddings and special events. Discover Cedar Ridge Gallery, home to contemporary and classic visual, and folk art exhibits. The upper floor of the main house and the adjacent carriage house contain working studio spaces that offer hands-on creative arts programs for visitors of all-ages. The refurbished pottery studio is located in what was the original carriage house.

Exhibition Dates: February 15-27, 2020
Reception: February 23, 1-3pm.

Cedar Ridge Creative Centre
225 Confederation Dr, Scarborough, ON M1G 1B2
Phone: 416-396-7378.

Hours:
Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Closed on Statutory Holidays
Entry is free.

For more info visit The Cedar Ridge Creative Centre.

 

Wild Imperfections at S. Walter Stewart Library, July 4-30 , 2019

Thanks to everyone who showed their support for Women’s Art Project (WAP), art exhibition Wild Imperfections at S. Walter Stewart Public Library. Works from the exhibition are now posted to the Paintings gallery. Here are some photos of the show just after set-up.

 

Coming soon: Wild Imperfections at S. Walter Stewart Library, July 4-30 , 2019

Wild Imperfection, S. Walter Stewart Library, July 3-30, 2019

Wild Imperfection, S. Walter Stewart Library, July 3-30, 2019

From July 3-30, 2019 fellow artists Zoraida Anaya, Lisa Fox and I will feature our latest work in an art exhibition entitled Wild Imperfections at the S. Walter Stewart Public Library.

The multidisciplinary exhibition features work in mixed media, painting and photography and is part of the Women’s Art Project (WAP) Collective initiative. The artistic intention of the collective is to make experimental work in a supportive, inspiring and collaborative environment.

Exhibition Dates: July 4 to 30, 2019

S. Walter Stewart Public Library
170 Memorial Park Avenue, Toronto, ON  M4J 2K5
Phone: 416-396-3975

Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, 1:30 – 5:00 PM

 

 

 

Mere Bodies or Something More?

Broken Hearted - June 2018

Mere Bodies or Something More? (July 2018 – ) In life, we think of our experiences thus far, and what the future holds for us. But when faced with our own mortality, we think of things we took for granted, and what else we could’ve done better. Health is often the catalyst for change, leading us to question life, death and thereafter.

Regardless of lifestyle, the body seems to have a language of its own which manifests through physical, changes. And our transformation takes us from where we were to what we become.

We also share an emotional connection through indirect experiences. Events such as bearing witness to the birth of one life, or grieving the death of another are indirect experiences which allow us to explore the meaning of body as a vessel. “Can we fully comprehend that which makes a body more than just a mere body without the direct experience of its absence?

Mere bodies or something more? is an introspective look at the human body as a physical and spiritual vessel. An interpretation of how one may experience health changes while contemplating mortality and spirituality.

Mere Bodies or Something More? at The Red Head Gallery, August 20-25, 2018

Thanks to everyone who showed their support for Women’s Art Project (WAP), art exhibition Mere Bodies or Something More? at The Red Head Gallery. It’s been a tremendous experience. Works from the exhibition are now posted to the Paintings gallery. Here are some photos of the show just after set-up.

Coming soon: Mere Bodies or Something More? Exhibition at The Red Head Gallery, August 20-25, 2018

Broken Hearted - June 2018

From August 20 to 25, 2018 fellow artists Zoraida Anaya, Lisa Fox and I will feature our latest work in an art exhibition entitled Mere Bodies Or Something More? at The Red Head Gallery

Mere bodies or something more? is an introspective look at the human body as a physical and spiritual vessel. The multidisciplinary exhibition features work in mixed media, assemblage and photography. Through the art we aim to share our understanding in dealing with health changes while contemplating mortality and spirituality. The exhibition is part of the Women’s Art Project (WAP) Collective initiative, where the artistic intention is to make experimental work in a supportive, inspiring and collaborative environment.

The Red Head Gallery, is a professional artists’ collective committed to exhibiting the work of established and emerging artists and to encouraging work that is critically engaged within a wide range of contemporary discourse. Visit Red Head Gallery for more information.

Exhibition Dates: August 20 to 25, 2018
Reception: Friday, August 24, 5:00 – 8:00pm

Red Head Gallery
401 Richmond Street West
Ground Floor, Suite 115, Toronto, ON
Contact: 416.504.5654  |  [email protected]

Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Extended Hours: Monday to Tuesday, (August 20-21), 12:00 – 5:00 PM

4 Cardinal Points Exhibition at Gallery 1313, May 25 – June 4, 2017

On Saturday, May 27, 2017, the Women’s Art Project (WAP), 4 Cardinal Points art exhibition opened with a reception and artist talk at Gallery 1313. Coinciding with the Toronto Doors Open event, the gallery was bustling with around 500 visitors on the first day! Gallery 1313 played host to both art enthusiasts and tourists, looking to take in the art and learn more about the gallery’s historical building. Thanks to everyone who showed their support for WAP and Gallery 1313.

For myself, it’s always a pleasure to show with great contemporary artists like Lisa Fox, Zoraida Anaya and Aviva. And I look forward to next showing with this talented group! You can read about my painting from this exhibit here.

Below are some photos of the show just after set-up. Take care!

 

Upcoming 4 Cardinals Points art exhibition at Gallery 1313, May 25 – June 4, 2017


The Women’s Art Project  is a multidisciplinary and diverse group of women artists. The artistic intentions of the collective make experimental work in a supportive, inspiring and collaborative environment.

Gallery 1313 is a not-for-profit, charitable artist-run centre located in the Parkdale neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. Gallery 1313 is equally an artist run centre exhibiting local, national and international contemporary art.

Gallery 1313
1313 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 1-6pm
Phone: 416-536-6778

 

 

Let’s Paint! A Fun Exercise in Mixing Colours

For the month of March, fellow artists Zoraida Anaya, Lisa Fox and I launched our exhibition titled My World, Our World at the Smith Zone Gallery of Lakeshore Arts. The exhibition was part of the Women’s Art Project artist collective, a multidisciplinary and diverse group of women artists. To close the exhibition we were invited to the gallery’s special edition of Open Studio as their guests. An open studio is an event that offers art creators and enthusiasts a fun and supporting environment to discuss and create art. Lakeshore Arts hosts such an event every Friday (unless otherwise noted), from 12-4pm. If you haven’t been to an open studio and are looking for a little inspiration, I highly recommend checking out Lakeshore Arts!

In the session I decided to do an exercise of mixing colours directly on the canvas and thought to share with you my process. In my last post I mentioned that I like to create my palette by mixing the primary base colours of red, yellow and blue. If you want to build your technique in mixing colours then I recommend doing this exercise. If not, then try it anyway just for fun! This exercise will help you:

  • create greater colour-harmony and balance in your painting
  • think about composition
  • learn how to use warm and cool colours effectively to create contrast
  • become familiar with working with your paint medium, giving you greater control

I used inks because they’re fluid and easy to blend making them ideal for this exercise. However you can use any paint medium such as acrylics, watercolours, oils etc… In fact, I repeat this exercise using different mediums to build strength in working with them. Now with that said, let’s paint!

What you need:

  • A red, yellow and blue based paint, black and white (Ink, or soft-bodied acrylic paint)
  • Brushes: If using acrylic paints a round soft bristle synthetic brush will work. For inks, a natural bristle calligraphy brush, bamboo or Chinese ink brush will work best.
  • Cold-pressed paper, canvas or canvas board
  • Water container for rinsing brushes and re-wetting paint
  • Paper towels for wiping excess paint off brush if needed

Note: If using heavy-bodied (thick) acrylic paints, you will need 5 small containers (one for each colour) to thin out your paint with a little water.

Since we are actually mixing the colours directly on the paper or canvas, we will not need to pre-mix the colours on a paint palette.

For this exercise I'm using Daler and Rowney Acrylic Artist's Ink: Process Magenta, Process Yellow, Prussian Blue (Hue), Black and White.

For this exercise I’m using Daler and Rowney Acrylic Artist’s Ink: Process Magenta, Process Yellow, Prussian Blue (Hue), Black and White.

Step 1
Starting with the colour, drip the blue ink/paint directly on the paper or canvas. Then drip white ink/paint over the blue.

134310-B

A view on the side so you can see how think the ink is.

A view on the side so you can see how thin the ink is.

Step 2
While the ink/paint is still wet, with the tip of the brush start to slowly “swirl” the white ink/paint into the blue in various directions. Afterwards add drips of red and start to “swirl” that into the blue. You can also drip a little more white. As you start to swirl red into blue, you may begin to notice various shades of purples. With the additional white you will get various tints of blues and pinks.

This exercise requires a light touch with the brush. Therefore, don’t over mix the colours. Work with the tip of the brush and loosely swirl one colour into the other. During this process you want to pay attention to how the primary colours mix to create other colours on the paper/canvas.

Red and blue mixed together will create, which the secondary colour. Notice when white is added light blues, purples and pinks are created? These lighter shades are called tints.

Red and blue mixed together will create purple, which is a secondary colour. Notice when white is added light blues, purples and pinks are created? These lighter shades are called tints.

Step 3
While the ink/paint is still wet start to drip in yellow and begin to swirl the colour into the red and blue. Depending on where you place the yellow, you should begin to see green or orange form. Yellow and blue will create green, while yellow and red will create orange.

At this point the ink/paint may begin to dry. You can keep adding drips of red then yellow, then blue in stages, slowly swirling them together to create as many colours as you can. Adding in drips of white will give you a lighter/tint of a colour. You can also add drips of black, to get a darker/shade of a colour. Black will also create contrast. You can also swirl black with white to create shades of grey. Pay attention to how the various colours are created. Also notice the how light and dark colours lay next to each other. Continue building up the layers until you’re satisfied with the result.

Notice how the primary colours; red, yellow and blue are mixed together to create the other colours.

Notice how the primary colours; red, yellow and blue are mixed together to create the other colours.

Final result
At the end of this exercise, I usually ask myself:

  • How many colours was I able to create by doing this exercise?
  • Do the dark and light colours create contrast?
  • Is there balance in the shapes of the swirls?

There are no definitive answers to these questions. They are only guidelines to help me think about colour harmony, balance and composition.

I recommend doing this exercise numerous times until you are comfortable with blending and mixing colours. This exercise will not only build your technique as a painter but you’ll get a different result each time.

Enjoy!

Learning how to mix the primary colours will help you understand colour harmony, balance and composition. It will also help you use warm and cool colours effectively to achieve contrast.

Lakeshore Arts Open Studio Special Edition Featuring WAP, Apr 1, 2016

Meet fellow artist Lisa Fox and myself at Lakeshore Arts, this Friday, April 1st between 1-4pm.

As our Women’s Art Project (WAP) exhibition, My World, Our World winds down, we will be Lakeshore Arts special guests at their Open Studio event. Hosted by the gallery every Friday, between 1-4, Open Studio offers art creators and enthusiasts alike to discuss and create art in a fun and supporting environment.

So drop-in and let’s chat!

Lakeshore Arts
2422 Lakeshore Blvd, West, Toronto, ON
416-201-7093

My World, Our World – Lakeshore Arts Exhibition, Mar 1-Apr 2, 2016

My World, Our World, Mar 2016

My World, Our World, Mar 2016Women’s Art Project is pleased to present:

My World, Our World
A multidisciplinary art exhibition by
Lisa Fox, Michelle Montague, Zoraida Anaya

Please join us:
Reception: Thursday, March 3, 2016, 6 PM – 8:30 PM
Lakeshore Arts, 2422 Lakeshore Blvd, West, Toronto, ON

Lisa Fox, Michelle Montague, and Zoraida Anaya are members of Women’s Art Project, a multidisciplinary and diverse group of women artists. The artistic intentions of these women intersect in the creation of the imagined worlds they portray through their work. Through their practice, they use different media to draw the viewer into these invented worlds.

Lisa creates images depicting a fictitious world that is both intimate and dreamy. With her photography, she invites the viewer to transition between what is real and what is fantasy. Michelle’s paintings and style transport the observer from the real world into the realm she creates through her use of organic shapes and lines depicting an entirely different universe. Zoraida’s collages allow the viewer to escape the harshness of reality. She tries to achieve this with work that focuses on color, shape and movement.

The exhibition will be on display at Lakeshore Arts from March 1 to April 2.