Monday 30 June 2014

Happy Canada Day!

The winter of 2005 seems oh so distant and alien on this muggy Canada Day eve.
I stumbled into the gallery of Mercer Union, which, at the time was just around the corner
from my gallery on Dovercourt, south of Queen.


That was before the neighbourhood had gentrified, before my studio building was sold off as the new "art condos", which pushed out the actual practising artists, set designers, and dancers who occupied the building.


On an extra snowy day, I found myself staring at an amazing portrait of the Queen, rendered entirely in fur, by artist Marianne Corless. 


Sharing common thematic conceptual explorations, in our work, I felt a kinship of interest, and I loved the humour in her work.


Her work incorporates quite literally the "spoils of the colonies", vintage furs of various species, alluding to the materials that were covetable in Europe which led to the exploration and eventual settlement of much of Canada and the north. 


Happy Canada Day, everyone...











Friday 27 June 2014

Sweet Summertime Rolls.....

Some amazing images to roll you into the weekend....Venice Beach, in the 1970's.
Happy Long weekend...Canada Day and the 4th of July!


Venice kids #splendidsummer
xx   #splendidsummer


skateboarding / 70s venice beach









skateboarding / 70s venice beach















California skateboarders photographed by David Scott, 1970s.




low tide

California, 1975


70s venice beach
toes on the nose

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Delft Blue Dutch Tattoo.....

I am so indecisive about permanent body modifications....for years I've flip flopped
on design ideas for tattoos that have inspired me.


I think I've found the solution in these stunning temporary tattoos....perfect for the summer,
without any of the pain and commitment.


Designed by Wilma Boekholt, these feature traditional Dutch delft patterns and motifs.
She also designs custom pieces, and simple, geometric pieces.
See her full line here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tattoorary



Vintage Dutch 'Delfts Blauw' floral temporary tattoo








Temporary round 'Delfts Blauw' floral tattoo








Floral vintage Dutch 'Delfts Blauw' temporary tattoo



Temporary tattoo vintage 'Delfts Blauw' bird and flowers





Temporary tattoo with lesbian gay couple in 'Delfts Blauw'








Large floral Dutch 'Delfts Blauw' temporary back tattoo








Temporary 'Delfts Blauw' floral tattoo

Wednesday 4 June 2014

White Wedding Wednesday: Adina and Lukasz

It happened quite by accident that I found out about this weeks White Wedding Wednesday couple, Adina and Lukasz.

Their photographer, the extra talented, Brittany Esther, from Canmore, Alberta  was purchasing a piece from me and casually mentioned doing a photo shoot with a couple who were using one of my pieces in their secret wedding ceremony, beside the Kicking horse river.

I was pretty interested to see the photos of the wedding, but was floored by what Brittany sent along....I've been meaning to post this for a while, but things get oh, so busy.

A huge thank you to Brittany for sharing her stunning work, and a big congrats to Adina and Lukasz! 

The whole photo set can be viewed here on Brittany's website:

http://brittanyesther.com/adina-and-lukasz-canadian-mountain-elopement/


canadian mountain elopement 04


canadian mountain elopement 03



canadian mountain elopement 06


canadian mountain elopement 09


canadian mountain elopement 11


canadian mountain elopement 24


canadian mountain elopement 26


canadian mountain elopement 31


canadian mountain elopement 32


canadian mountain elopement 33


canadian mountain elopement 41


canadian mountain elopement 42


canadian mountain elopement 49


canadian mountain elopement 54

 

Monday 2 June 2014

Spring and the Peony Express...

Whew! What a weekend.


It's been a busy Spring, and I've been trying to squeeze as much garden time as possible into the weekends.  This weekend was an annual plant sale in my neighbourhood, so I picked up a lot of plants that I am curious to see grow up.  Some bearded Iris, Peonies, White Aster, Tiger Lilies, a rose of Sharon tree, a trailing blush rose and lots of native flowering grasses for the front of the garden as a natural privacy screen.


When I saw these photos by photographer, Donatella http://instagram.com/donatellase,
I was so excited...terribly beautiful, rich floral shots that express so much abundance.


Have a great week everyone, hope it's beautiful and abundant~!

















All photos by: http://instagram.com/donatellase