Warm welcome to 2016!

Papermill Gallery, at Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre
Exhibition: January 13-24th
Reception: Thursday January 14, 6-8pm

Gonna be showing two pieces in Scarborough Arts' 30th Anniversary exhibition. Both pieces were selected as Juror's Choice. Sweeeeet! And the works will be published in their Big Art Book. Annnnnd, totally stoked to be exhibiting at a Toronto Heritage Museum. Welcome 2016!

Commentary by Julie Oakes

Stumbled upon this today. It's from a while ago, but I realized I never posted it. I love the writing in this. Thank-you Julie Oakes and Headbones Gallery!

A Home for E.T. A Home for ALL.

Window Installation, hand-cut paper on glass, 2015

Window Installation (detail), hand-cut paper on glass, 2015

So much darkness in this anxious time. I want to invite you to a promise of home. To a place of safety.

What's in my basket?

A collection of photographs taken over the course of this year documenting all the wonderful things that people leave in my bike basket. Just prior to starting this series, I recall finding a half melted ice cream as well as a bottle of Heineken in my basket, but I was way too annoyed and angrily threw those items out of my basket before taking a photo. Then a few days later I discovered two big crumpled balls of packaging film in my basket and I decided to make lemonade from lemons. This is an on-going series and I will add more photos as more items get stashed by strangers in my bike basket. (I was only able to upload a portion of the images today... still more to be added soon!)

 

 

Hot Balls

Hot Balls by Tom Friedman, about 200 balls stolen from shops by the artist over a six month period, 1992

Late the other night, as I was biking home, I saw a small group of guys laughing and carrying a small pumpkin. They all seemed a wee bit inebriated, and I could only guess that they had stolen the pumpkin from the bar where they had been drinking (there were definitely no stores around that were open and selling pumpkins at that time). I immediately thought of this Tom Friedman piece. I always laugh to myself when I imagine the artist stealing the giant ball. 

Happy Birthday to my big bro!

Go Pape Panthers!, hand-cut paper, 5 layers, 8 x 8 inches, 2015

A Very Brady Welcome

Window Installation. Hand-cut paper on glass. Projector.

I've stared at this 9 pane grid window a number of times and all I could see was the Brady Brunch. So decided to bring it into fruition. Why not? 

Once upon a time... I was a photographer

I've been thinking a lot about photography these days. Perhaps because I'm presently surrounded by many photography students and photography enthusiasts. I remember making the effort to really see all the time, and appreciating little oddities. I also remember lacking confidence. I still struggle with that today, but in a more seasoned and objective way, if that makes any sense... I took this photograph quite a while a go when I was still in school. Being a destitute student, I presented the series as 4 x 6 inch prints mounted on mat board trim from mat board windows. I still look back on that project and think it's disappointing that the problem of money (as well as confidence) held me back from printing this image large scale. I compare this to an introvert clearing her voice versus an extrovert screaming "look at me!" Size and volume matters. Well, I love this photo, and I want to share it with you here. 

Work in Progress...

Slow and steady wins the race, right? Making time here and there. Missing the silence of the island. Relishing pensive moments. 

Big Panels!

My Curry's order arrived today! So stoked about these big panels. Better get to work.

Andrew Solomon: How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are

I love TED talks! I stumbled upon this one while I was at Artscape. Can't stop thinking about it.

STAY WEIRD

When I used to make things...

I used to make things. I used to see things differently. I used to have ideas and get excited. Then I would look for things, scour for objects and images, then find a way of combining them together. I would stay up all night. When I did sleep, it would be on the floor while I scattered and rearranged my objects for my piece atop my bed. I miss my former self. How did I transform? How can I regain that vibrant energy I used to have? 

I am staring out the window at Artscape Gilbraltar Point. I see trees, bare branches, and blankets of illuminating whiteness. I hear nothing, but some random drips of melting ice pattering onto the ground. I need to make things again. 

Ivory, mixed media, collage, 12 x 24 inches (approx.), year: back in the day...

Coming up: Residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point!

Heading off to this wonderland on Monday. Yes!

Art Gallery of Mississauga TONIGHT!

I have a piece in this exhibition at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. Reception is tonight from 6pm-9pm. Show runs until February 14th!