Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Talking to Artists
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Titre
Date
Durée
With Painter James Fowler (Episode 70)
05 Mar 2024
00:53:59
Synopsis: James talked about the importance of planning and long term planning in a business practice. He shared his inspiration behind his maps - an homage to the iconic Canadian landscape as well as the culture and people who make up this country. He shared the strategy behind creating hand embellished prints and the ability to make art more accessible to more people. We laughed as we talked about his rapid rise to TikTok stardom. We ran out of time so....will do part 2 in a few months!
About the Artist: Drawing inspiration from aerial views of cities and maps, James Fowler's acrylic, oil and gouache works on canvas, paper, and wood are playfully geometric and resonate with the digital world, and culture of online information distribution. His non-traditional landscape paintings borrow from cartography and geometric abstraction, and celebrate both urban centres and rural living. He attended York University in Toronto for Film Studies and maintains a full time studio practice as a painter in Toronto. His work has exhibited in Canada and United States, and his work can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada, US and Europe.
To see more of James's work, please visit:
Synopsis: Michael shared his fascinating journey from professional hockey player to artist...the challenge of leaving one love to pursue another and the loss of community. He talked about masculinity and about channeling this as a way to communicate feelings and emotions. He creates dynamic, bold and energetic paintings that capture these emotions perfectly.
Artist Statement/About the Artist: Born just outside of Toronto, Ontario, like many young Canadians, Michael Wills grew up with a hockey stick in his hands. For over 20 years, Michael put his passion and energy into playing pro hockey but little did he know, an entirely different skill would become a driving force in his life. Soon, the hockey stick would be replaced with an artist’s brush.
Every piece that Michael creates is the product of an intense release of emotional energy. His passion and creativity are expressed in a kaleidoscope of colours as he glides across each canvas with a pallet knife, giving his work a rough, energetic feel, that many have referred to as “masculine” in style. Michael’s inspiration comes from the energy and movement of the city, which he feels is best captured in the city lights.
Synopsis: Floyd shared how he arrived at metalwork as his paintbrush. He talked about his process and inspirations, specifically the aggressive nature of seeds. He chatted about the challenges of creating installations both in Canada and overseas in Vietnam and how proud he is that his work welcomes visitors to Canada at the US border. Stay tuned to see what he is planning next.
Artist Statement: Rotten stumps, broken branches, invasive species, ravaged trees as well as polar opposites and dysfunctional objects; these are the things that excite Floyd Elzinga. He has made a career out of highlighting and glorifying these through three dimensional sculpture, relief work and environmental installations for over 25 years. Current themes in his work focus on broken landscapes, portraits of trees and the aggressive nature of seeds.
Floyd received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design in Halifax, NS. He was initially drawn to steel, due to its malleable, plastic and forgiving nature, and he continues to utilize its range of colours as well as the way light plays off the surface. He has been exploring traditional metal working techniques to create textures and depth the same way a painter would use a paintbrush.
For show notes, please visit my website
To more of Floyd's work, please visit
Synopsis:
We talked how Joan got inspired to start her own gallery; a gallery that focused on inclusion vs exclusion and strives to remove barriers to purchasing original fine art. She shared her incredible journey of doing international art fairs and online auctions to expose Canadian artist to a broader world.
About the Gallery:
Affordable original modern and contemporary art. Spence Gallery has a carefully curated collection of original, powerful and inspiring work from over 30 emerging, mid-career, and established artists from Canada. Book an appointment at Spence Gallery now and discover abstract, figurative, surreal, and mixed media artwork ranging in price from $500 - $5,000.
Synopsis:
We talked about her scary experiences while pleinair painting and her love of unusual materials....snowballs settling on her watercolours to make interesting marks; she embraces play and unpredictability in her art. We shared a loved of vibrant colour and our Canadian influences of the Group of Seven. Hilary shared her recent initiative highlighting the issue of water conservation in her Tiny Township.
About the Artist:
Hilary paints landscapes of the Canadian wilderness, from Ontario to Labrador. Her recent works are large-scale watercolours sealed with cold wax, mounted on birch panel, as well as acrylic paintings on panel.
Primarily self-taught as a painter, Hilary has been painting for over 35 years. Since moving to Georgian Bay she has been professional for the past 8 years. Her focus is capturing the unique landforms around Ontario. Goemorphological landforms intrigue her most.
Hilary paints most in watercolours. She thrives on the lack of control that her wet-on-wet techniques allow, since other mediums afford a forced decision making with each brush stroke. Wet on wet forces the excitement of letting go to allow nature to take over
Synopsis:
Kate speaks with Joanne Poluch of Remarque Art Consulting. Joanne shared many valuable tips to help artists succeed in their art practice. She works to help them find their voice and to suppress their inner critic. Her artist mentoring program supports the growth of their work as well as their business. About Remarque:
All artists want their work to be appreciated and valued. They want their work to gain exposure and ultimately, sell their work in the best possible fashion. Art mentorship and coaching is an opportunity to explore hearing your own inner voice, to gain control over your marketing skills and re- light your artistic fire that always burns inside of you. These Art Mentorship sessions will afford us the opportunity to explore your work, examine the success of your social media exposure, benefit from succinct, clearly defined artistic statements and gain an understanding of the competitive market.
Kate Taylor interviewed Cat Tesla about her transition from being a full time faculty member focusing on genetics to becoming a full-time artist. Cat was generous with her tips and insights of what is needed to make a successful transition. Kate also asked Cat about her collaboration with artist Lisa Ridgers during the pandemic , @lisaridgers_artist. She asked Cat about the entire process, challenges and final outcome of their collaboration.
Synopsis:
We talked about how her location as she moved homes around the world had an influence on her art. How travel enriches the soul and inspires different colour palettes. Chatted about her love of unusual materials including painting on feathers and using cellulose to sculpt.
About the Artist:
Where wildlife art meets west coast lifestyle. Karin prefers to work with unusual canvases and materials. Her choice of 'canvas' has ranged from huge boulders to wild turkey feathers to canvas. Currently Karin hand-sculpts wildlife (including her yoga bears) out of wood cellulose and creates wildlife and coastal paintings in acrylics and mixed media.
Synopsis:
We talked about dogs, the ever-changing inspiration of nature and gardens and how that is reflected in our art. Claire shared her wonderful journey partnering with Anthopologie and creating her own Signature Collection of women's apparel through Wearables. She is a strong advocate for artists finding a way to create revenue from their art beyond art sales in a way that is authentic and true to themselves.
About the Artist:
Claire Desjardins (b., Montreal) is an award-winning Canadian artist living and working in Gore, Quebec. Working primarily in painting, her formally driven work focuses on gesture and colour, emphasizing energetic, animated brush strokes and bold palettes.
With Art Supply Retailer Jackie Gwartzman (Episode 53)
27 May 2021
00:41:42
Synopsis:
We talked about the long history of Gwartzman's and how they moved from the drapery to art supply business. Jackie shared how they have pivoted by doing virtual meetings with artists and their weekly Instagram lived demos. Stay tuned to see what new and exciting products they are introducing over the next few months!
About:
In the 1960’s Spadina and College was the place for artist to live and work, crammed with studios at every block. At the time Gwartzman’s was a Discount Drapery and Fabric store, owned and run by Mr. G. Often artists would come into the store looking for canvas, so the Gwartzman’s brought in canvas of all different types and widths to accommodate the artists.
Once we became known for our discount canvas, the artists then came looking for paint, brushes, and all types of art supplies. The drapery and fabrics were eventually moved to make room for a larger selection of art materials, and we started sourcing products from around the world. Finally, we took on the name, Gwartzman’s Discount Art Supplies. We've been in the same building at 448 Spadina Avenue since October 2nd, 1945. Almost 50 years later, 2nd and 3rd generation Gwartzman’s are still carrying on the business.
Synopsis:
Hannan gave us a quick tour of her studio and sand blasting equipment as she shared her unique carving process to making her delicate (but apparently not really fragile) sculptures. She shared her love of music and involvement in three music projects that have kept her busy and creatively energized during Covid.
And, of course, we bonded over mica!!
About the Artist:
Hannan Fayad is a glass artist working in a unique sculptural style. Her work highlights the diverse possibilities of glass with forms that delicately balance geometry, organic shapes and colour. The way natural forces of erosion transmute a surface and play with the symmetry of a form influence her compositions and carving technique. Fayad wears away the glass with a sandblaster to reveal an intricate structure.
HF Glass studio is located in the Old East Village in London, Ontario, alongside screen printers, ceramicists, and musicians.
Synopsis:
We talked about how Marianne transitioned from architecture to fine art. She shared her struggles in being a "good enough" girl and started painting her life-sized women as a celebration of womanhood. We talked about showing internationally, running an art business and her goal of having an immersive large-scale showing of her women.
Artist Statement/About the Artist:
Marianne Enhörning is a West Coast Canadian artist. She creates evocative, dreamlike works in oil that are figurative, nature influenced and abstractly architectural. Her art explores the division between modern society and nature, longing for a more harmonious world.
“Painting is my voice, the place where I can express passions that words can’t reach. I begin with a pallette of paint, a new canvas and no preconceived ideas. When I raise my head I see an image true to my being that still evades words.”
With Painter and Printmaker Susanne Clark (Episode 68)
04 Mar 2024
00:41:31
Synopsis: Susanne talked about her recent move back to New Zealand and how it is a challenge getting started on your art practice after a big change and how important it is to find your local art community. She shared how she makes collagraph handprints and how she created an online course to share this unique form of printmaking to others. I am looking forward to seeing how her art changes with the different scenery!
Artist Statement: "I'm an artist who loves to paint, create Collagraph Handprints and Sculpt. I
also find people fascinating to draw and paint.
One of the joys of my life is to share my passion for art and the life
enhancing effect of creativity with others. I teach workshops for art clubs, work internationally with people in my online video printmaking course and
occasionally teach in my studio.
My overall vision for my life is to become more compassionate as a person and reduce suffering upon this planet. In my art life it is to create well considered, uplifting and authentic art and then have it go out into the world to bring joy and pleasure to others."
Synopsis:
We talked about Olga's journey from Toronto to Japan to the UK and the different art scenes. She shared her commission process and how, becoming a full-time artist during Covid, has forced her to embrace selling online. She shared her tips for doing one line figure drawings and the benefits of keeping a sketchbook.
About the Artist:
I am an Artist and Art Educator from Toronto, Ontario. After earning by BFA at York University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, I decided to go on an adventure and to teach English in Japan! I thought I'd be away for 1 year at most. I completed a Masters at Goldsmiths and have lived in the UK since. I am based in Haslemere which borders three stunning counties; Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex. My paintings are based on memories, travel, nature and whatever takes my fancy!
Synopsis:
We talked about how she got started on her art journey...from scientist to abstract artist. We shared thoughts about the importance of community in getting started - building and growing your network as you find your tribe! Karen talked about how she works in multiple collections and how to move collectors from 1 series to another.
About the Artist:
In addition to being a member of the prestigious Ontario Society of Artists, I am the founder of local abstract art groups Colourshift Collective and SolidColour with which I exhibit regularly throughout the year. Also, I was a Board Member of the Artists' Network of Riverdale in 2009, and part of my duties was co-organiser of the Riverdale Art Walk in the same year.
Statement:
Birch trees proudly sport their scars. Every mark on their white skin is a reminder of lost branches and harm inflicted. The more scars the more majestic and beautiful they appear to us. Wear them with pride. They are evidence of a life lived.
Synopsis:
We talked about Litsa's business running 2 galleries, Blink Art Resource, her book and running Art Comes Alive gala. We chatted about the importance for artists to think about their business and how to work with galleries. Litsa shared her thought of the newest design trends and colors.
About:
Litsa Spanos is the President of ADC Art Design Consultants, Inc., a multimillion dollar and nationally recognized, award-winning gallery located in Cincinnati, Ohio. ADC is also lauded as one of the top women-owned businesses in the nation. In addition to running the gallery, she is the founder of ACA, one of the largest and most desirable artist competitions in the nation, and the publisher of both Blink Art Resource and Curated Spaces.
A passionate advocate and supporter of arts and artists, Litsa has spent the last twenty-five years working closely with artists to mentor them and help them establish successful and meaningful lifelong careers. When she is not coaching and mentoring artists, she is working with many prestigious clients (corporate, healthcare, hospitality and private collectors) to assist them with the art selection process
With Painter and Gallery Owner Marion Evamy (Episode 45)
01 Apr 2021
00:47:23
Synopsis:
We had a lively discussion about how Covid has disrupted the art business - how do galleries and artists partner and communicate expectations when artists are now more visible and accessible to collectors. Marion shared her experiences as a gallery owner and how transparency was critical with artists and collectors. She talked about her brand and how she manages 3 different art businesses each with their own sales channel but have an overall consistent brand.
Artist Statement:
I was blessed with great initials..."m.e.!" and given my enthusiasm for bold colour, the exclamation mark completes my signature. I approach my paintings to arouse feelings of joy, intrigue and amusement for you the viewer.
Creating with acrylics and mixed media, I have an affinity for interesting shapes and colour combinations, with my strong and confident abstracts. My quirky, and often distorted figures, showcase my strong stylistic approach and some say "masterful composition skills."
Synopsis: We talked about Julie's journey to find her unique voice in art and how, for a while, the public embraced her work before she did. She shared the importance and influence of her faith in creating and in giving back. She shared the beginning and subsequent success of her company Levelling Up (or LU) - delivering mentoring to emerging and aspiring artist who are ready to take the next step.
Artist Statement:
My art is strongly influenced by my faith and a belief that this big, bold, beautiful world was created by a big, bold, and beautifully creative God. Creating for me is a process of letting go and an exercise in trust. The more I trust this innate gift, the more the gift is able to grow, develop, and impact people who enjoy it. My journey as an artist is an ongoing process of change, always moving, growing and adapting. Taking life's experiences, lessons learned, truths realized and focusing the artwork through these things, like light through a magnifying glass. In this way, my artwork becomes a truly unique expression of me.
Synopsis:
We talked about her upcoming shows - including a virtual exhibition. Holly shared her inspiration for painting - capturing and sharing her reverence for the Earth...about how her childhood was interconnected to the trees and the forest. We chatted about some amazing art residencies and how that grew her network and fed her growth as an artist. She shared her business tips of using @artworkarchive to manage her paintings and her philosophy of "saying yes!" to new adventures!
Artist Statement:
“My work revolves around earth-honoring images that reflect and instill connection to local bio-regions,” says Holly. “These images internalize a reverence for the earth and shift the intent from harming the world to living in a mutually life enhancing manner. I learn what I need to know by painting. The more I paint the less separation there is between inner and outer worlds. For me, painting is like deep prayer awakening an inner wilderness that reflects the earth’s landscape; the image is in you and you are in the image. Painting is my breath, beauty my compass and the earth is my body.”
Synopsis:
We talked about how her teaching in watercolors led to the looseness of her current work. Danielle shared her typical day and the time required to manage the business of art- updating websites, photography etc. We talked about influence and how the changing seasons changed the work and her Hairy Ass Goal of dying with a paintbrush in her hands!
About the Artist:
Danielle has been painting professionally as well as teaching art for over 25 years. Drawing and watercolor where her first means of expression and these mediums still influence her work in acrylics today.
She loves to paint daily surrounded by nature in her light filled studio in Gatineau. Her paintings are inspired by this nature and the ever changing feel of the seasons that she strives to capture with bold expressive brush strokes and a combination of transparent and opaque paint application witch creates a sense of movement as well as space and light in her work. Working in recurring series, her subject matter varies from colorful florals and fields to clean high contrasting more neutral winter landscape paintings. Her unique work is appreciated for it’s uplifting and calming mood.
Synopsis:
Shelley shared her survival techniques for overcoming pandemic stress....paint fun, small paintings and do 1 every day! We talked about the financial importance of having small works in your inventory to sell online and how to differentiate yourself....Shelley photographs her minis with an egg! She shared her success with grants and artist residencies as well as what she would love to outsource....giving her more time in the studio!
About the Artist:
A landscape and figurative painter, Shelley Mansel attended UCFV in British Columbia and received a BFA from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. She has shown in solo, two-person, and group exhibitions internationally with works reviewed in magazines including House & Home and featured on HGTV. Her paintings are held in private collections in Canada, Germany, France, and the US, and in permanent public collections at St. Mary's University Halifax and UBC Vancouver. She has received two Nova Scotia Creation Grants, a Presentation Grant, and has served on the selection committee for the Nova Scotia Culture Division’s Grants to Individuals Program.
Synopsis: In Part 2, we talked about finding the authentic and beauty in everyday things...the serendipity. Tash shared her thoughts about how her degrees in Psychology and Philosophy combined with an MBA all feed into her creative work. She shared her insights about how to start creating as a fine art photographer and what her big dreams are!
About the Artist:
Tash Damjanovic is an award winning fine art photographer based in Toronto, and has spent over 25 years focusing on creating painterly images that explore her fascination with the human figure, as well as two fundamental elements of nature, wind and water. Her work has been recognized by the Julia Margaret Cameron Awards on six occasions, as well as the Tokyo International Foto Awards. She has exhibited extensively in New York, Chicago and Toronto and has been featured in a variety of media, including CBC and CTV. Her works appear in collections in North and South America, and Europe.
To learn more about Tash please visit:
· Instagram
With Multi-media Artist Laurie Skantzos (Episode 39)
19 Feb 2021
00:49:59
Synopsis: We talked a lot about workshops. Workshops to help an artist realize a breakthrough and also hosting workshops to share knowledge and mentorship. We chatted about Laurie's constant drive to challenge herself and explore new things - leading her from painting to creating wall sculptures.
. Artist Statement: Shapes and forms that dominated in my two dimensional work have taken on a life of their own. The integration of these elements onto a flat surface is not always appropriate to what I’d like to express. I am working on a threshold between the worlds of painting and sculpture and am very interested in the play between the two. Materiality is becoming increasingly dominant in my work and a more sculptural approach is necessary, as well as a distillation into more isolated forms. The reflected "glow" emitted from the pieces is integral to the aliveness of each work, and the juxtaposition of solid wood with reflected light is a commentary on the inner and outer life of living beings.
With Joanne Poluch of REmarque Consulting (Episode 67)
23 Feb 2024
00:55:19
Synopsis: Joanne shared tips for collectors and art lovers in this episode. She recommended taking your time and doing the research, including meeting the artist before buying what you love. She recommended exploring work by black and Indigenous artists and the trend towards calming art. She talked about the trend of corporations to sell vs buy art and the huge trend towards buying art online.
Artist Statement: Quality original art speaks volumes. Whether it is inside your home, business, or cottage, art reflects your taste, style, personal values and professionalism. Original art can bring enjoyment for a lifetime. Joanne Poluch is an established art consultant that will help you source, find, place and negotiate the best possible price for all your art needs.
To see more of Joanne's work, please visit:
With Rug Hooking artist Deanne Fitzpatrick (Episode 38)
11 Feb 2021
00:50:39
Synopsis:
We talked about the history of rug hooking and how Deanne came to it - woman's work born of necessity and poverty. We chatted about having to integrate all aspects of your life - raising children, volunteering, managing a home with being an artist....we decided a bit of selfishness created resilient and empowered children! Deanne shared with us her inspiration of love!
Artist Statement: Rug hooking is full of possibilities. It has changed my life, and been a powerful force in changing the lives of the people I have met through it over these twenty five years. It has made me who I am. I started out as a therapist, thinking that was how I would spend my life helping people, but rug hooking found me and helped me find myself.
I have learned that craft and handmade can totally change the way you view the world and how you feel about it. I believe that I have helped as many people by teaching them how to hook rugs and embrace their own creativity as I would have as a therapist. My style of rug hooking is not about being perfect, it is about creating beauty everyday.
We talked about the need to show outside of Canada if you want to build your art practice. Renato shared his newest work, marrying icons and antique artifacts with glass, and the challenges of selling and shipping such fragile pieces. We had a quick tour of his studio and talked about how his engineering background helps with the structural elements of his work.
Artist Statement:
"My current work focuses on fused & slumped glass wall sculptures that can be hung in a variety of venues as well as sculptural pieces both functional & not . These large scale wall creations are composed of fused glass made out of a variety of colours segments forming a strong sense of balance & harmony to the space. The segments alone are very simple, yet together form a more complex chain that fits naturally together. The Colour Wall Series sculptures are typically made up of linear lines, with variations at different angles as well as sections that are rectangular, forming a harmonic pattern that fits naturally with in the whole."
We talked about the merging of Phil's 3 passions - photography, woodworking and design. He shared his struggles during Covid to get motivated but also the challenge as an introvert to travel to different countries to shoot.
About the Artist:
In the constant quest for learning, Phil constantly pushes its limits. He is a self-taught photographer and graphic designer who graduated in cabinet making. He worked for over 18 years in the field of printing and woodworking. His passion for design and arts brought him to photography. It's curiosity and devotion to different printing technologies and the wide variety of materials that motivates him to discover unique and remarkable finishing processes. Real explorer and open minded, his passions come to life in his art. Here, woodworking meets photography.
We had a fabulous conversation about the business side of an art practice. Sheila shared her insights about writing an artist statement, ensuring a professional approach to your practice, inventory management and more. We talked her classes and mentoring programs.
About the Artist:
Primarily self taught, Sheila has been a professional artist for over 23 years. Her interest lies in obscure areas of the environment as seen on the periphery of daily vision. Sheila works in oil, painting both Plein Air and in the studio, preferring large panels.
Using dynamic brushstrokes and saturated colour, she captures the friction and play of texture and temperature where surface planes meet, challenging the eye to look deeper, to see beyond the obvious, to become aware of those areas of nature necessary to existence, to see beauty in the mundane.
Her work has a strong organic feel to it, indicative of the natural landscape she paints.
With Curator on the Go Liza Zhurkovskaya (Episode 34)
15 Jan 2021
00:32:41
Synopsis: Today we chatted about how Liza helps mentors artists with the business of art. She also work with collectors to build a personal art collection. We talked about how to set up a podcast and some high level social media tips to build engagement.
About: Liza Zhurkovskaya, aka Curator on the Go, is a Toronto-based Art Curator and Art Advisor. She has been working in the industry since 2015 with a goal to welcome everyone to the art world and help people collect, buy, and commission art stress-free. She is currently an Art Curator at Kefi Art Gallery (www.kefiartgallery.com).
Liza also works with and mentors artists from across the globe to help them understand how to sell and price their artworks and services to collectors.
To learn more about Curator on the Go, please visit:
Special Episode - How to Create a Strong Submission (Episode 33)
14 Jan 2021
00:45:11
Synopsis:
In a bit of a break with tradition, this week Angela and I talked about how to create a strong submission. If you are paying to submit, give yourself the best chance possible to get accepted.
Some criteria:
- Be prepared and read the guidelines -before you start, know what the show is about and what the submission criteria is. Judges are looking for consistency across the work, excellence in execution, and originality
- Images- this makes or breaks your submission. Makes sure your image quality is good with no peripheral junk to clutter up your image. If you need to, hire a professional to document your work. Make sure your work is well lit and that you submit your strongest pieces - your weakest piece will cast doubt on your submission
- Consistency-have a consistent body of work. if you are unsure, reach out for feedback
-Artist Statement - in 1st person. This communicates what informs your work - try and be more descriptive than "I love nature"....everyone does and it does not set you apart. Use a character counter to maximize what you can say. Never copy and paste your current bio without ensuring it is not cut off.
Many other tips and tricks about booth set up photos and submissions....
Synopsis:
Marissa shared her experience being a part of the Landscape Artist of the Year competition - check it out on Makeful Channel. She shared how she incorporates elements of Feng Shui and green therapy into her work and how, during this time of isolation, she has had more time to play and refine her beautiful landscape paintings.
Artist Statement:
"In today's world of busy-ness, life could have many distractions. With time seemingly running fast and with many to-do lists on our calendar, we seem to lose track of our inner spirit and could feel rather depleted.
My work is about celebrating the simple things, enjoying nature and respecting our natural environment. My hope is that it could fill your hearts with memories of simple times, to reflect on happy moments, of quiet solitude and provide you with a daily dose of soothing comfort. With each painting, you would be able to relive the sound of leaves swaying with the cool breeze, the freshness of the water and hear loons calling each other as you enjoy the fresh air.
Nature is a chance to reflect, exhale and feel renewed from the stress of everyday life."
In a turnaround, Jelena from Petroff Gallery interviews me - a very different experience being on the other side of the 'interviewer' mic! I talked a bit about my process and looking to capture Joy in my work.
With Gallery Representative Jelena Jankovic (Episode 30)
10 Dec 2020
00:37:49
Synopsis:
We had an engaging conversation about how art lovers and collectors can confidently buy art online, using video calls and digital mockups and also discussed the relationship between the artist and galleries - from who "owns" the client to submissions and selling expectations.
About Petroff Gallery
Petroff Gallery proudly represents works of visual art and contemporary craft by over 200 Canadian artists and makers. Petroff is located in Toronto and works with clients around the world to help them find that perfect piece!
Angela and I chatted about her art and inspirations as well as how to use your corporate background- in her case marketing- to build you art practice. We talked about ideas for emerging artists trying to break into the art world quickly...basically say "yes" and try everything. We talked about the importance of understanding your client and how to help them understand your work in their terms.
About the Artist:
Angela Lane is an impressionistic and abstract painter, as well as a fine crafter creating rich, colourful art in mixed media encaustic (beeswax) and reclaimed barn wood that reflect the joy, beauty and energy found in nature.
Angela has a life-long love of the arts and works out of her home studio in Thornhill, Ontario. She is a multi-disciplined artist who fell in love with encaustics. “The response was almost immediate; I love the organic shapes and free flowing energy as layers, colours and movement are experienced and expressed. It’s simply freeing to lose control and embrace the journey the painting takes me on. Plus, who doesn’t love working with a blow torch.”
With Art and Found creator and Painter Court Senior (Episode 66)
23 Feb 2024
00:53:16
Synopsis: Court talked about her art and how it helped her process the sudden death of her father. We talked about the importance of getting into the right head space to create. She also shared her thoughts about no short cuts....you have to put the hard work into social media and the business of art to be successful. We chatted about Art and Found Day (Mar 12) - its inspiration and impact.
About the Artist: "I am a self-taught abstract artist located in Toronto, Canada. After experiencing a long bout of anxiety in my early twenties, I made my way back to art. It seemed to be the only thing that would ease my angst and bring my mind back to serenity. As my anxiety subsided and as I pursued my career in marketing, painting was pushed to the sidelines again; that is until my late twenties when I lost my father in a sudden accident and my life was turned upside down. From that moment on, I spent every free minute I had painting. I used it as an opportunity to put all of the emotions I couldn't express verbally into a form that helped my grieve and ultimately helped me heal. Flow state is truly a magical place."
We had a lively chat about Lori's inspiration as a "generalist" photographer. She shared her incredible photo adventures to locations such as Antarctica, the Moab Desert and now, during Covid, her neighborourhood. She also talked about her involvement with Nature First and the responsibility of photographers to preserve and care for the places they shoot.
Artist Statement:
"I seek out little mysteries in mundane, daily occurrences, and looks for echoes left behind in urban and ancient landscapes. In an increasingly noisy universe, I use my photography to create a balm of silence in a quiet corner.
Sixteen years of studying flying trapeze in the Toronto cirque community changed my perspective on the world. A lifelong exposure to Japanese culture gave me an appreciation for fine details, and how negative spaces contribute to the tale.
My camera has become both my brush and my pen, allowing me to tell the stories I find in my viewfinder."
Synopsis: Was so wonderful to catch up with Jim Turner of 2 Gallery. He talked about his long-term plan and the steps required to see his dream of retiring in Prince Edward County and starting a contemporary gallery. Jim gave us a curated tour of the gallery's current show.
About the Gallery:
A contemporary fine art gallery, and not-to-be-missed destination in the dynamic arts scene found in Prince Edward County, Ontario. The gallery features Canadian fine art from national, regional and local artists producing work across a wide-range of styles and media including painting, drawing, prints, fine art photography, mixed-media, sculpture, and glass. We also offer Additional Works, a selection of historical art and secondary-market works by well-known Canadian artists.
To see more of the gallery and represented artists, please visit:
Synopsis:
A heartfelt conversation about using your art platform as a way to bring about social change. A Conversation with Myself is an interactive environment that tackles mental health and the Shelter project opens discussions about homelessness. His goal with the Canadian Gratitude Flag is to support and send appreciation to Frontline workers during Covid.
Artist Statement:
"The world is filled with wonder and it's often either right in front of us... discoverable in abstract shapes, lines, shadows, vivid colours and geometric patterns that are both man and nature-made... or found in the stark and subtle beauty of people and places.
Coaxing light, media and materials to provoke emotional responses, conversations and engage the public with my photography and art is my aim and my reward.”
Synopsis: We had a great chat about finding our voice as an artist - how to push boundaries that are healthy and when to say no. Eleanor shared her progress from watercolor artist to bright fun acrylics. We reminisced about being graduates from @westernuniversity and the transition to selling online.
Artist Statement:
“My work is an interpretation of life from a happy point of view. My style plays with patterns and repetition of forms. My main sources of inspiration are crowds of people, umbrellas, trees, polka dots, mass cultural objects, candy and most recently, spring flowers. Through these differing subjects, I am continually exploring unique compositions while creating bright, luminous paintings built up through many layers of acrylic paint.”
With Multimedia Photography Artist Morgan Jones (Episode 24)
29 Oct 2020
00:49:27
Synopsis:
In addition to talking about Morgan's profess and inspirations, we chatted about transitioning from a corporate job to an artist's life, working on large projects, about the inspiration that comes from mistakes and trial and error and, of course, his gnomes!
About the Artist:
Morgan Jones is a mixed media artist, living and working in Toronto. Self-described as an artist driven by the casual observation of the people and life around him.
He is inspired by the casual observation of the people and life around him; his work is constantly evolving, guided by his tendency toward patience, observation, perseverance.
Continually looking to incorporate new ideas and mediums Jones follows a multi-step process when creating his artwork. With a keen eye for texture, design and composition, coupled with a whimsical flare, Jones creates works that are aesthetically engaging while also evoking a visceral response in the viewer
With Minimalist Encaustic Artist Sue McNenly (Episode 23)
22 Oct 2020
00:41:45
Synopsis:
We had an engaged conversation (sorry about the tech challenges) about how we approach our art practice and the drive to constantly improve our technical skills. Sue has a complete idea in her head before she starts creating - a very different process than how I work and so interesting. We talked about white space and calming art with a quirk of humour. And we chatted about the benefits of outsourcing parts of your business to professionals vs trying to do everything yourself.
About the Artist:
Suzanne ( or Sue but never Susan) translates expansive feelings into tangible form using wax and precious metals. Silver and gold fabricated frames hold miniature gouache paintings to reflect the details of our lives that we carry with us. Layers of painted and fused encaustic medium form an ethereal base in which to tether these elements. Sketches and line work connect the two and tell the story of the myriad experiences that combine to make up our unique, individual worlds. The end results are minimalist pieces that belie their complicated origins, drawing the viewer in and creating a feeling of calm wonder.
Synopsis:
We had fabulous conversation about how your physical location and emotional state during Covid makes an impact on subject matter and colour palette. We talked about taking risks and how discomfort can lead to growth as an artist. And we talked about the need to work hard, every day to continue to improve your art practice.
About the Artist:
Born into a somewhat nomadic family, Kari grew up in the Caribbean where she was exposed to many different avenues of creativity, she then moved to Toronto where she studied Fine Art at The Ontario College of Art (1987-1991) the final year of which was spent in an off campus program in Florence Italy. Since graduating in 1991 Kari has pursued various creative outlets including Ceramic Arts, Decorative Painting and most recently Encaustic Painting.
With "Artists in Canada" Founder Paul Constable (Episode 21)
08 Oct 2020
00:48:49
Synopsis:We had an wonderful conversation about Paul's art and his political inspiration around roadkill and oil spills and the impact on the Saskatchewan environment. Also had a critical conversation about the need for artists to save and invest for the future through pension plans and some financial planning.
About Artists in Canada:
In 2000, I started artistsincanada.com to create a free to use platform for Canadian artists to reach out using their websites in the directory. We have helped sponsor art fairs such as ArtNow in Saskatchewan and Art Vancouver, plus numerous other smaller art events.
The theory of the site is to create a large body of Canadian artists that the search engines like to visit. They index what is posted and our 1.5 million views per month are shared with those listed. We even let artists post their social media links, so people can find them different ways. This is traffic artists would not normally get eg, via their social media. They are searched by ‘Canadian Art/ Artist/ painter etc at the top of the engines pages.
For more information about Artists in Canada, please check out:
With Gallery Representative Nora House (Episode 20)
01 Oct 2020
00:38:27
Synopsis:
We covered soooo much in a short time...we discussed strategies for artists to use to approach and partner with galleries, how to create prints of your work, creating for art consultants vs individual clients, and how collectors or art lovers can work with the gallery virtually.
About PI Fine Arts:
"We’re one of the largest vertically integrated art companies in North America, specializing in art, custom wallcovering, mirrors and alternative wall décor. We manage every step within the art development and supply chain process - from art consulting to publishing and manufacturing. We’ll work with you on creating concepts for your project, collaborating with you on customized fine art options that reflect your project’s vision and budget. We work directly with artists, and have the publishing rights to thousands of images, offering a high degree of innovation and customization. We manufacture in-house, which allows us to offer accessible prices, shorter lead times and uncompromised quality.
For over 40 years, we’ve created artwork for hotels, commercial, healthcare and residential spaces.
For more information about PI Fine Arts, please check out:
Synopsis: We had a sparkly conversation about Artist residencies, collaborations and taking your art business to the next level by offering high quality prints.
Artist Statement:
"Love, life and shapes found in nature are my immediate inspiration. The whimsy and delight and colour of the natural world as expressed by The Group of Seven, Ted Harrison, and Norval Morrisseau have remained an inspiration for me since I began painting.
My paintings BURST with BOLD, VIBRANT colour , STYLIZED shapes are full of energy and joy. My black outlines create the energy the shapes describe the story and as I finish each piece I am in “awe” of having done it.
I hope to leave this world a little brighter than it was."
“Colour was not given to us in order that we should imitate nature, it was given to us so that we can express our emotions” Henri Matisse
For more information about Vicki's work, please check out:
With the Artist Abroad Denise Buisman Pilger (Episode 65)
23 Feb 2024
00:44:17
Synopsis: Expat Denise talked about goodbyes and how important it is to surround yourself with art that captures those happy memories. We talked about times and places left behind and the challenges of moving to a new country; working to understand the cultural rules and language. We talked about using images that are not from your own culture and how this can be used to celebrate our connection to all people. Denise has just been asked to participate in an online show to combat Asian hate - check her profile for details.
Artist Statement: My obsession with taking endless photographs, combined with our newfound opportunity to travel the world, lead me to the photo based mixed media paintings I create now. My frequent travels allow my ongoing body of work ‘Traveling the World’ to grow and evolve as I explore and add new destinations. A recent stint of living in Japan inspired a deep dive in Japanese arts and aesthetics which resulted in my new series ‘World on Washi’. As I continue to travel and experience the world I will keep on growing and evolving as an artist and as a person.
With Photographer Sage Szkabarnicki-Stuart (Episode 17)
10 Sep 2020
00:45:59
Synopsis:
Sage joined me from beautiful Salt Spring Island. We had a very interesting chat about her theme - human impact on the environment as well as artist residencies, public art and her next project about "invasive" species.
About the Artist:
Sage Szkabarnicki-Stuart is a 24 year-old emerging photographer living in Toronto. She mostly uses herself as the subject of her photographs, which is both vain and necessary because she is alone a lot of the time. She is completely self-taught.
Sage’s work focuses on how humans interact with their home environment. The central question of her work is: what defines a place as home? One way to try and answer this is by highlighting aspects of the day-to-day that are embedded in routine. Through her photographs Sage hopes to give the viewer a new sense of appreciation and awareness for the place they call home.
Sage graduated with a degree in animation from Concordia University in 2018. Her work has been recently exhibited at Art Toronto and the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair where she won both the Honourable Mention: Student and Emerging Artists by Emerging Curator awards. She is currently resident artist at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.
Synopsis:
A deep conversation about the role of emotions, specifically shadow emotions, that get processed and integrated into our work.
About the Artist:
Intrigued by the evolution of the human spirit; Harte seeks to translate intimate thoughts, moments, and feelings of daily life into art works. Harte’s use of symbolism, as well as hidden and fractured images, draw the onlooker into multilayered portals of storytelling. Although at times seemingly raw, Harte challenges the onlooker to lean in and fully immerse ones self, with an open heart.
Cherie’s work has been celebrated in ads for Saatchi Art and was recently named “Must See Artist” at “The Other Art Fair”, by Rebecca Wilson Chief Curator and Vice President of Art Advisory at Saatchi Art (Los Angeles March 2019).
Harte's work was featured in the 75th anniversary exhibit of Peggy Guggenheim's “31 Women” exhibition, as selected by juror Kate Bryan, head curator of SoHo House International (Sept 2018).
We talked about how motherhood influences Corynn's work and the place of figurative work in art society. She shared her inspirations and how volunteering has helped her build her business knowledge and grown her network.
Artist Statement:
Corynn is a full-time artist and mom of three. Having given up painting for over a decade to raise her family, her reinvigorated practice merges the disparate roles of mother and artist through the centring of child development and the labour of caregiving.
Corynn’s vivid renderings record intimate moments of transition and development, capturing children when they are most honest and without reserve. The figurative gesture is celebrated, and a sense of the individual emerges as each child moves autonomously through the world. With an emphasis on the caregiver’s point of view, these sensitive portrayals anchor the fleeting firmly in paint, giving weight to emotion and memory. The work is painted allaprima, welcoming the viewer to explore the material processes of oil paint. The result is a contrast that plays between the stillness of the image and the dynamic movements inherent in the physical act of painting.
With Multimedia Artist Caterina Stambolic (Episode 14)
20 Aug 2020
00:39:38
Synopsis: We had a lively conversation about creating public installations, the mental health benefits of creating and experiencing art and how collaborations can sometimes be a challenge but can grow your creative inspirations. Also a shout-out to Deserres - a Canadian art supply company! Next show for both of us is ArtWalk in the Square Online.
Artist Statement:
"I’m a Toronto-based contemporary artist, currently working in sculpture. This ongoing series “Prone to Overthinking” consists of pieces I create that are an exploration of the relationship between you and the art. I’m fascinated by our differences in brain chemistry, which shape the way we experience reality and drastically impact how we relate to the world on a physical level. Each piece examines the point at which our individual perspectives meet and we experience reality as shared beings. The sculptures take cues from images of neurons, mapped cell structures, and brain scans. Curling up from their supports, the pieces will transform with changes in light as their bodies cast colourful shadows onto the surface below. As the mounted sculptures reflect themselves, I hope you find a moment of reflection as well."