Studio Scenes

I post a few work in progress photographs on Instagram a few times a week. I am really enjoying sharing my thoughts and inspirations on this form of social media. Before I joined it last summer, I didn't even know what a hash tag was...true fact! Receiving feedback & reading comments on pieces has been helpful. So far, I have found the community very supportive. If you do not follow me on Instagram, here are some of the highlights from the past few weeks.

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#doitfortheprocess and #creativityfound are two hashtags I use a lot. These paintings were shared as I worked on them in my studio. These books were christmas gifts I received, all great inspiration for finding creativity in art & design. I've already completed two of them.

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A tea towel that shrunk is now a new painting cloth, and a photo I purchased a few years ago at the One Of A Kind Show that gave me a colour palette to work from.

Painted this without realizing I was using Pantone's colours of the year, Rose Quartz & Serenity. Images I see in design influence my work even if I am not aware of it at the time. 

Music, Art & Design.

While watching Sonic Highways, a show that documents the Foo Fighters as they record an album, an idea came to me for a blog post. Mike D from the Beastie Boys was being interviewed and I remembered that I had read about his home a few years ago, online, in The New York Times.

It was 2013 when I first came across this article. Mike & his wife Tamra, a filmmaker, have mixed a variety of elements & styles together to create a unique family home. The one thing I still remembered three years later was a large abstract painting that hung in the living room. I didn't know exactly what it looked like but, I remember the feeling I had when I first saw it. I needed to find out more on this young Brooklyn artist, Keltie Ferris.

What a great mix of styles. A room I would feel very comfortable in.

Her work & this painting are so colourful & full of energy. I think the use of spray paint really adds a three dimensional quality to this piece. I can only hope that one day my work resonates with those who come across it, and that it is an image that remains with them in some form.

The family put this home up for sale last summer. I would love to know where this beautiful piece of art now resides.

Painting by Keltie Ferris

You do not have to hang a large piece of art or a mirror over a mantle. The armoire and painting are both rectangular, the symmetry and placement of them on either side of the fireplace make this wall balanced.

Full house tour can be found here on the NY Times website:

http://nyti.ms/1ZSU4qA

A little Vintage in the mix

The other day it dawned on me that every chair in our home is preloved or vintage. Whatever the correct term may be, not one was purchased at a chain/ big box store. If you have read any of my other blog posts you know that I love to mix it up with pattern, colour, art & vintage accessories. My husband & I purchased the leather sofa in our living room from a store I worked at when we moved into our current home two years ago. Before that we have had a collection of vintage sofas. Vintage chairs are easier to find & re-upholster in my opinion & you can usually find somewhere to put them in your space. My husband supports my chair obsession & I thank him for it.

I received Emily Henderson's book Styled for a Christmas gift. I am not a stylist but, I did study Interior Decorating in College and I think I have a good eye for putting eclectic looks together. Your space should reflect you & those who enter it hopefully will feel that connection as well. All of our chairs have been collected over years from auctions, estate sales, thrift shops, kijiji, & my parent's house.

My mom is my partner in crime; she knows my taste well & will often find me a deal. Now that we live in the same city we are able to shop with one another which is fun. 2015 was a good year as I was able to find a lot of pieces & rugs to finish off decorating our home. 

This chair reminds me of a Bertoia style, the sheepskin softens up the look.

When I discovered this beauty my mother-in-law was driving me & my girls through a small town called Bobcaygeon. If you're Canadian you all know the Tragically Hip song...sorry if you can't get it out of your head now. I seriously yelled "Stop the car... back up" Just like the lady in the Ikea commercials. When we pulled up in front of the thrift shop my mother-in-law asked me what I was interested in? When I showed her the chair she looked at me with a strange face, it was so rusted & grungy. It had previously lived outdoors, but I saw the potential.  Hours of scraping paint off in the garage & a few cans of spray paint made it come back to life. My oldest daughter has it in her room. It's not a cuddle up & I'll read you a book kinda chair but, it's comfy when I need to relax & blow dry her hair. 

Hans Wegner style folding rope chair

When we first moved into this home I browsed Kijiji (similar to Craigslist) on a daily basis. We had sold stuff before we moved, which allowed me to find some pieces to fit in where I needed them. This ad appeared & I couldn't call the lady quick enough. She lived right up the street from us & was moving so everything was being sold. No bargaining done, I gave her what she was asking as I knew I was getting a deal. This chair sits in our living room, it's comfy too you can ask my husband!

A retro slipper chair tucks nicely into any corner.

My mom got this chair for me probably 15 years ago from an estate sale, I think she paid $10. When we moved my husband didn't want me to sell it & it now sits in the corner of his office. I chose a microfibre material as it is durable & it used to be a popular choice for fabric where I worked. It has a tufted back & a retro style, it makes a great extra chair if you need another seat while entertaining. I also want to tell you that two years ago I scored that Jonathan Adler inspired needlepoint pillow at a church flea market...$2, score of the day! I am not sure what I was thinking when I painted that bentwood stool years ago, first it was orange & it has been yellow for a while now. It was a thrift shop find for $5 I think.

This rattan bucket chair is versatile indoors or out.

My mom got this pretty much for free at an auction. She had it in her shed in the backyard for a long time before I even saw it. At the time we lived in Burlington & I had no space for it. It sat in the corner of our basement with toys & junk on it for a long time. It now fits perfectly under the window in my youngest daughter's room. I'm glad I held on to it, it feels like it was meant to be in that space. It usually has a lot of her favourite stuffed bunnies on it (she let me move them to take the photo!).

An Eames style replica made in Canada in the 70's

I have worked in a number of furniture & design stores that have sold knock off Eames Chairs. My husband has always wanted one.  He watches Mad Men folks and he knows what good design is. One day I found an ad on Kijiji for a chair an ottoman under $200 & I emailed the seller without checking with him first. The colour is perfect as black would not fit in with our colour scheme. He was on board with it & the seller lived down the street from my parents. How easy was that?! She said they were passed down to her from a family member & she no longer had room for them.  Lucky us, as they now sit in front of our television in the basement.

We have two of these Navy Chairs, a classic design.

Check out a Law & Order episode & you'll see this chair. It's the go to interrogation chair for the television & film industry. My husband & I were on vacation in Pittsburgh years ago & instead of me dreaming of our trip to see Falling Water, I remember telling him that I really needed to go back to the Goodwill Shop we stopped in the previous day. There was a group of these chairs, I chose my two favourite's...$5 each! We drove & didn't have kids so there was room in the trunk. The metal was the same grey but, the upholstery was a dirty green shade. I used so many of those Mr.Clean magic erasers to try & clean them. I think they were in a school as someone has scratched their name on one on the top at the back. My parent's neighbour is an upholsterer & he did these in a white vinyl for me. The material was cheap as I worked at the store where I ordered it from. They now flank a teak console in our laundry room, the lighting was too dark so I brought them upstairs to capture this shot. They are so versatile, extra seating in the living room or as end chairs at the dining table.

Bentwood stools...aren't they pretty?

Stools at our new home were tricky as everything I liked was either the wrong height or too expensive. The previous owners were tall & the counters are not standard height. They left us the three vinyl ones they had with cat scratches on them. So we used them for a year and a half until we got these. I'm crazy & search for stuff online in cities I don't live near. These were in Hamilton (a 2 hour+ drive) & my girlfriend who also loves a good deal picked them up for us. My husband saw the photo of them & said "where are the backs?". Turns out they are comfy as well. I have to supervise my youngest daughter when she climbs up on them but, eventually she'll be able to do it on her own.  They were $45 for the set & the caning is in perfect shape. I gave them a fresh coat of black paint & think they add the perfect bit of vintage to our kitchen.

You won't find this solid wood chair at a big box store.

My mom has kept a lot of things from my childhood including a kid's table & two chairs. This is in the girls' playroom & the pink colour I painted them really updates the set from the traditional dark wood they used to be. Note the candy machine which has candy in it that is maybe 10 yrs old. Doesn't everybody pay a huge fortune for decorative candy no one is allowed to eat, or is it just me? I grew up with that in my parent's house. I painted it turquoise as I am not a fan of red... oh the memories. 

I was driving home a few weeks ago I noticed the wood shell on this chair sticking out of the back of my neighbour's pick-up truck. I asked him what we was doing with it & he replied that they just got a new office chair & he was taking it to the dump. Timing is everything & luck has a big part of thrifting as well. He is a great guy & even carried it into the house for me. My husband's back was sore from his other chair, so he welcomed this into his office quite easily. It's in pretty good shape other than the piping that is coming off on the arm pads. Maybe one day we'll fix it...maybe not.

Im excited to share more of our home with you in 2016. A house tour is in the works that I'm excited about. I love design blogs & seeing what stuff strangers have thrifted or found on the side of the street! 

Comfort Zone

Last week I shared a few photos on instagram of new art I am so excited about. I've had an idea in my mind & the box of resin sitting on a shelf for too long. Stepping out of your comfort zone is a great way to expand as an artist, no matter what medium you work in. Photography is a hobby of mine & I look forward to producing a new body of work.

I am not limited to work in only one material,  I will only get better as I practise my craft & discover new ways to express myself. The New Year will also bring some collaborations that I am excited to share.

A messy process, but totally worth it.

I started with an 8x10" size, excited to work on larger pieces in 2016.

I think this piece would be a great addition to a gallery wall in your home or at a cottage. You can tell from my art collection I'm a proud Canadian.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough

We moved back to my hometown of Peterborough two years ago. When we left Burlington I thought it may be difficult to find fun activities & outings for the girls & I to experience in this new city. Turns out I was wrong.  

One of our favourite things to do at the beginning of each month is to explore the local Art Gallery. They have free craft projects & activities, encouraging families to come explore the entire space. Last week as we looked at all of the art hanging on the walls, my youngest daughter asked me to take photos of some of her favourite pieces. If you check out the link below it will take to the Gallery's website. Since I was walking with a four year old I was unable to get the info on each artist to credit them...sorry.

My daughter loved this as it was abstract... like her mom does

This one was her favourite it's so colourful!

Dancing under this whimsical installation

If you are looking for something to do with your kids, check out your local galleries. You might be surprised by how much they already know about art & how kid friendly the galleries are.

www.agp.on.ca

Christmas at our House

I love styling & interior decor. I do not love an abundance of seasonal accessories. Lots of people do home tours for the fall & Christmas. I enjoy looking at them but I would never be asked to participate in one. There are no fresh boughs of greenery draped over the doorways, we don't have a mantle to hang our stockings from. We keep it simple, our home already has a lot of art & pattern going on. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays & ever since our daughters were born it has become a magical time. They get so excited when our elf "Jingle Bells" arrives from the North Pole. They love baking & doing crafts. I'm not much of a baker...but I can think of some creative ornament ideas. Every year I unpack our tree (it's artificial folks I've never had a real one) & get excited to see my collection of vintage ornaments & all of the things my husband &  I have accumulated over our 12 yrs of marriage. We gift our girls an ornament every year and hopefully they will have similar memories when they are older.

Lots of our ornaments are passed down from our family.

These photos are of Jingle Bells' first Christmas at our home. I photographed him every morning & sent the images to our sisters & parents so they could share in the fun. Three years later, our girls are 4 & 6, them running around the house looking for him is excitement enough.

I purchased these from a local vendor at The One Of A Kind Show...so colourful & fun!

My Grandma's wreath got a DIY makeover from a House & Home tutorial. 

I made the garland out of artwork my older daughter made as a toddler & I get excited to see it up every year. My husband has a variety of felt ornaments his Aunt made for him as a child, this colourful parrot is one of them. One year we made Pearler Bead animals for relatives; this bear was a gift for my husband. If you do this keep in mind that your home will smell like melted plastic for the day!

My mom loves to thrift & go to Flea Markets just like me. One year she surprised me with this vintage white vase that we had seen while shopping one day. The retro design reminds of work by Jonathan Adler.

I'm almost done my shopping, baking is next on my list. I wish you & your loved ones a wonderful holiday!

Roslyn Costanzo of Style Forage

You know that friend you have that you never get to see, the one who connects with you instantly after months of separation? Roslyn is that girlfriend, a kind hearted & creative individual who I know many of you will relate to. We've been friends for 17 yrs, & now find ourselves in different cities with families of our own.

I met Roz in University & we hit it off immediately. Her love of fashion has always been evident, even in the art studio. I would wear my Grandpa's old cardigan & jeans, Roz would casually enter the room in a leopard blouse & knee boots. Her style has evolved, & I am so happy that she is sharing a bit of herself today. Her design at home mixes both modern & mid century, and her love of art is noticeable in every vignette. When I need an update on what the current trends are, I check out her website & know that with little effort I can make myself appear like I am a mom who's got it figured out. Roslyn often shops at Joe Fresh, & if you are Canadian you know that means you can do the groceries & pick up something for yourself at the same time...it's a win win!

At home this colourful painting made by Roslyn's husband Mike, hangs proudly in the dining room.

Q. What is your creative background?

I've always loved art and aesthetics in general--including fashion. I majored in visual arts in undergrad where I focused on small-scale sculpture, then I did my MA in art history. Currently I'm a freelance writer, specializing in fashion and lifestyle topics, and I have a personal style blog, www.styleforage.com.

Q. Do you have a favourite piece of art in your home?

My husband is (used to be?), a painter. I guess it's better to say that he is a painter that used to have a huge studio in Hamilton where he painted large-scale pieces. One of my favourites now hangs in our dining room but hung behind the crib in the our son's nursery when all we had was a tiny "solarium" to work with in our old apartment. It's big--4' x 6'--and it was perfect because it had a huge visual impact in a room where we otherwise had very little space to work with. Plus I thought it was cool that Viggo could wake up looking at his dad's art everyday. Now it hangs in our dining room and I still love it--partly because of the sentimentality and also because it is just a really beautiful painting.

Q. Where do you feel most inspired?

I get a lot of inspiration just walking around Toronto. I love living in a place where aesthetics play a major role in everyday life, whether it be the architecture, restaurants or the street style. I find myself taking mental notes of outfits and decor ideas all the time.  

Our dining room. I got the Knoll table as commission years ago when I worked at a mid-century Modern furniture store. The vintage credenza was a gift to ourselves after our wedding, and the chairs were a clearance find at IKEA, which satisfied my desire for chairs with caning. We assembled the gallery wall from pieces that we love by our artist friends and some are by Mike, while others belonged to my grandparents. The mirror is an antique we picked up here in Toronto one day.

Q. How would you describe your personal style at home?

Well my home is eclectic and filled with art. My husband and I belong to an artist-run-centre in Niagara, Niagara Artists Centre, and have purchased work by several of the member artists. As far as furniture is concerned, I'm typically attracted to minimal lines and bold colours but more recently, when I was redecorating the master bedroom in our small Toronto apartment to accommodate ourselves plus the baby, I found myself drawn to crisp whites. My aim was to make the space (which I knew I'd be spending more time in once the babe arrived), feel like a peaceful retreat amidst the chaos that our cramped (toy-filled) apartment, can quickly become.

Our refreshed bedroom where I incorporated a lot of white for a peaceful, de-cluttered feel. 

I love this corner of our home right now because of all the love that went into making the pieces we used to decorate it. The quilt was a gift when Gigi was born and is based on an abstract work by our friend and artist, Marco Cibola. My sister cross-stitched Gigi's name, and I ordered the sweet, little weaving from Canadian Etsy seller, WIOUX.

Our DIY floating bookshelf.

Other favourite pieces by Marco Cibola

Q. What was one of the biggest challenges that you faced as you started your own business? How did you overcome that?

I always say that I'm a writer for a reason--I like to be behind the scenes--but working as a freelancer in a fairly saturated market requires a lot of hustle and networking so I'm constantly pushing myself beyond my comfort zone in that regard, which has probably been the toughest part. (I know it sounds crazy because I have a blog and am active on social media but those are just pictures--I prefer to let them do the talking!) I think I am overcoming it naturally though, just by the fact that I am becoming more comfortable with what I'm doing. For a while I didn't think of my work as a business, but rather odd jobs that I was stringing together. Now I'm proud that I have made a career for myself that allows me to do what I love while staying at home with my four year old and five month old.

Q. What are you working on now that you¹re most excited about?

I'm working on some holiday stories, which I always love because I really do think it's the most wonderful time of the year :). I've also got some exciting collaborations coming up on the blog. I should mention that what really excites me in terms of style, is finding great deals. I'm a shopaholic on a shoestring and I love the challenge that that presents. The collaboration that I'm most excited about is in keeping with the idea that you can look stylish no matter your clothing budget!

I want to thank Roslyn for taking the time out of her busy schedule to do this post today. Take a minute & check out her website, her approach to style is affordable & classic.

http://www.styleforage.com

Check out Burrow!

If you live in Peterborough or plan to head to the Kawartha's this holiday season, Burrow is a shop that is a must see. I read interior decor magazines & they often showcase boutique's that carry handmade or local artisans work. Burrow is that shop in this area. The owner Meg Currie has a curated selection of modern home decor & furniture, as well as children toys & products. Local painter Jenny Kastner has a selection of landscape prints & paintings available. I am happy to announce that my artwork & holiday ornaments are now offered as well.

The store has been on Hunter St. for a couple of years, but it's new location is breathtaking. It is a bright & airy space with loft like ceilings, I've taken a few photos of the space for you to see. You should check it out in person or shop online for that perfect holiday gift. 

www.burrowhome.ca

Artist Feature

I am excited to share some fun wallpaper designs I have recently collaborated on, with two wonderful ladies from California. You can learn more about my artistic background & what motivates me in the studio if you read the Q & A as well. Check out the feature at: www.cheekybillo.com and www.hellolovely.com.

Deck The Halls

I knew I wanted to create holiday ornaments this year & I'm excited to share them with you. When I start to paint on canvas I have a colour palette in mind & then the process begins for me.  Inspiration for this collection came from interior design magazines & a baseball team that everyone in Canada was cheering for. They are all unique as they are hand painted & come with a gift tag that you can personalize. 

If you are interested in purchasing one, they are being sold at a local boutique that also carries my original artwork. (Link at the end of the post) You can also contact me directly to place an order & I will figure out shipping.

Eclectic Collection

Abstract Collection

Peacock Collection

Pop Collection

Blue Jay Collection

www.burrowhome.ca

Looking for the perfect book...

...for someone this holiday season? I've got some recommendations & you may want to get a copy for yourself as well.

First up is the ever so talented, spunky, blonde mother of two Emily Henderson. If you are unfamiliar with her, she won "Design Star" on HGTV, had her own show "Secrets From a Stylist" on the same network, & is now Target's home style expert. I don't think she has ever done something I didn't like, she uses just the right combo of quirky, vintage & modern. She also hoards art, so I gotta love her! Her first book "Styled" has just been released & is the talk of every home decor blog I read. 

I have been reading a Canadian online magazine "Covet Garden" for years & their first publication in print was great. It showcases real people in their real surroundings. These homes belong to creative types who have a passion for decor & have not used an interior designer or stylist. Looking through the pages you will see a unique mix of eclectic spaces with their own character & charm.

I am one of those people who like "coffee table books" with beautiful covers & photos you drool over. I discovered the work of Canadian architect Todd Saunders after reading about his project Fogo Island. "Architecture in Northern Landscapes" has endless images of beautiful structures in their natural surroundings. A great read for someone who admires contemporary design, architecture & photography.

"The Wes Anderson Collection" is a conversation piece of its own. It captures the whimsical, unique style of his work & also shares with fans previously unpublished photos & artwork. I have not seen all of his movies, but once I started reading about each film I couldn't put it down.

The next two books you may share with your children, or choose to hide & read when they're in bed. "Who Built That? Modern Houses" & "The Lego Architect". You can choose if you want to learn about mid-century style, or how many bricks it takes to make a variety of structures from the Art Deco movement.

If you love food & are open to trying new cuisine, then Amy Rosen has got you covered in "Toronto Cooks: A cookbook of the city's hottest culinary trends". In this you will find 103 recipes from 48 restaurants across the city. Amy says "I wanted recipes that people can execute, and that they will execute. My biggest passion is getting people to cook at home". She asked the chefs to prepare these recipes at home, without the help of a sous chef, & with ingredients the average kitchen would already have on hand. Maple Bacon doughnuts...enough said!

The last book on my list is one that my husband ordered for us for Christmas last year. "Swissted" is graphic, colourful & is totally one of a kind. Do you have any other books that come with pages that are meant to be torn out & used as artwork on your wall? I didn't think so. If you love music, design or have a thing for font, then Mike Joyce has made your day. All of the concert dates are actual events that have been performed, he has just made the poster for each one look 100% better. This book sits proudly on the side table in our living room & I have a wall in our entry way that is filled from floor to ceiling with posters.(Warning, it is almost impossible to choose your favourite's). I haven't gotten around to putting the acrylic on top of them yet, hopefully by 2016 that happens.

All opinions are my own.

Starting an Art Collection

I am excited to share that I was chosen to participate in this year's Square Foot Art Show in Hamilton Ontario.  Julie Veenstra is a local artist, & she is opening up her studio for a great event to kick off Hamilton's Art Crawl.  Help support local artists & add to, or start an art collection of your own.

If you are interested in purchasing an original piece of artwork, remember bigger isn't always better. Smaller pieces are less of a financial commitment, allowing you to own works by several artists you love...not just one.

You can create an eclectic feel to your space by collecting pieces over time. I personally love choosing artwork as a souvenir from a holiday, this way I remember my favourite vacation spot for years to come. Art is the easiest way to personalize your space, remember that when looking through your own photographs.

If you ever move into a new home or office space, smaller pieces are more versatile. They are easier to move around, & if you don't hang them you can lean them on a bookshelf or mantle. Often a different space or wall colour will give your piece a new look & feel.

When grouped together, they can have just as much impact as a large piece. If you look back on my previous post on Gallery Walls, you will see some photos from our home that display this.

I think the most important advice I could offer to an art collector is to buy what you love. If something speaks to you & makes you happy every time you look at it that this is a sign. Art shouldn't match your decor, it should be the element that is the conversation piece in the room.

If you are interested in checking out the show, make sure you attend the preview first. Opening night is crazy, artwork is literally flying off the walls!

http://www.juliaveenstra.com

Family Roadtrip

At the beginning of October we packed up the girls & drove to Virginia. We had been on a holiday there a few years back, & this time the kids were old enough to remember it. Our youngest got an ear infection a few days in which sucks, but we made the most of the time we had together. We planned our outings based on them, so going to art galleries was not top on the list. We went to a few Kid's Museums & I wish we had places like this in Ontario. 

My first time at Trader Joe's, & I bought this just for the packaging...how whimsical is this.

I popped into a stationary store, because this sign was so fun I had to see more. I have a weakness for stationary, I could spend hours looking at cards (ask my husband).

I was able to see a local artist named Tom Tartaglino's work on display in a restaurant we enjoyed called South Street Brewery. These paintings "Bridge Traffic" & "Survivor" are complete opposites, yet they were the standouts in my opinion.

We stopped in Rochester on our way home & went to the Strong Museum of Play. Look it up, there was something each of us really enjoyed.  The arcade brought back some memories & made my husband happy. A photo of me taking a rest with my really large purse...if you 're a mom you know what I'm talking about.

We were stuck in traffic for a LONG TIME on our way home, at least I got to capture this view...breathtaking.

The Blues...

...recently I even named a painting this. When I make a colour palette for a piece, inspiration is pulled from many directions. I tend to choose cool colours & never use warm shades such as red & orange. Things in our home such as decor & artwork, influence my choices even if I am not aware of it at the time. The obvious influence for many artists is nature, blue skies & green grass, so inspiring. Looking at my gallery as a whole, I've noticed these colours are often repeated. 

This paint by numbers was a thrift shop find.

Ten years ago, this was our master bedroom (Jonathan Adler was my inspiration). This was before stencils were popular... this was all tape & laser level. I think turquoise is one of my favourite colours.

Gallery Walls

Like how fashion changes & every other season skinny jeans are in again, home decor follows a similar suit.  Often designers are trying to show you new ways to hang, lean, or display artwork & family photos. The gallery wall often appears, but like skinny jeans people get tired of them. Personally I don't think they are a trend that will pass, I love gallery walls & am happy to share some with you.

Ladies in the design world whom I admire are Jenny Komenda & Emily Henderson. They both have a great sense of style & their homes are eclectic with a good mix of vintage decor. I have been reading their blogs for years and watching their styles evolve & grow. They both are queens of gallery walls in my opinion.

We have lived in our current home for 2 yrs this November. It didn't take me long to figure out where I would hang the gallery wall in our living room.  One day the kids were out for the afternoon & I thought this is my chance to lay all of our art on the floor & pick & choose what will go where. I have never been the girl who pre-measures & puts up templates the size of each frame, I usually choose the largest piece & let the rest happen. I will admit that I do love my laser level!

Living room gallery wall

In this gallery I have a mix of paintings, photographs & vintage finds. If you read my last post, you will notice the two photographs of graffiti images, alongside some pieces that have significance in our family. The black & white portrait is of my grand parents, & the rusted first aid box belonged to my father-in-law. Take risks & do what you love.  If you have a connection to a piece of art buy it. Your home should have a collection of images that inspire you & that you are happy to look at everyday. I remember when I first got the first aid kit from my father-in-law's garage. I was so excited about it & the colours were perfect. My mother-in-law thought I was crazy to hang it in our living room, her art preferences are different from ours...that's ok. 

My daughter's bedroom gallery wall

My oldest daughter had just turned 4 when she got her new room, & her only request was that she wanted a pink room. I got out my laser level & went to work. This is the first room in the house where artwork was hung, & again I started with the largest piece. In University I did a series of water colour studies, this is one of them. Then I had fun mixing in her artwork with some fun things from vintage shops. The girls love the cuckoo clock!

Our bedroom gallery wall

Our bedroom has a selection of pieces that didn't make it into the living room wall. I still love them all, but I didn't want to do floor to ceiling gallery. We have kids & a german shepherd, things too low may get damaged.  Since I am an artist I do often change it up in here a bit.

Stairwell gallery

This landing is at our back door & leads you to the basement. We don't get that much natural light down the staircase, so I didn't photograph the other side which also has family photographs on it. This was definitely not the easiest to hang, I didn't want to put a ladder on the stairs like I did when I painted the walls. So the frames are up as high as my arms could reach. Here I mixed a variety of images; colour & black & white photos with a large print on canvas & some vintage letters. My husband & I love photography so we have a lot of candid shots. We have never done a traditional family photo shoot, it's just not our thing.

If you have read all of this post I thank you...I tend to ramble.  If you are wondering, no I don't have a favourite piece, that would be a hard decision to make.

What inspires my artwork?

When I find a new artist I admire, I enjoy reading about their thought process & where the inspiration for their work stems from. If you haven't already read my Bio, then you may not know that I adore colour, texture, & pattern. If you are on instagram, then you have been able to see some photos of our home that display this.

I feel a connection to street art & murals, as the texture is often layered & the more the paint is chipped & distressed the better. The vivid colours, shapes & composition get me excited & I usually need to photograph the image.

These pieces now hang proudly in our living room, a female figure whom I stumbled across while walking on my honeymoon in Montreal .  

This image says "You & Me Create" & is a piece of the Berlin wall. While visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentuck Knob home outside Pittsburgh, we walked through the sculpture park on the grounds & were able to see some great installations and sculptures, this being one of them.

Some examples of my work that I feel express a bold, gestural quality often seen on the street.

Don't Wait, Do It!

For years now I have been telling myself & those who seemed interested in my artwork, that one day I would have a website that they could use to view my work. Well the day has come & I am very proud of myself for taking a lot of time this summer to create more work, & try to stick to a deadline. I think that has been my problem in the past, but this time there was something driving me to get it done by a certain date. I will share that with you, but not today my friends....the anticipation yes, I know!

Passion is a word I think of when I think of painting & actually making art. The creative process & the feeling I get after I finish a piece is such an adrenaline rush. After finishing school, I worked in  and managed numerous retail stores, that focussed on design & were styled perfectly. I was happy with what I was doing, & thought that I could never make a living out of being an artist.

The internet & social media was not like it is today. There are so many resources, podcasts & books teaching & coaching you on how to do what you love. I'm making myself sound old now...I just turned 38. Whenever I took the time for myself to do a commission or create artwork, I often wondered why I didn't do it more frequently. I think the answer is that I would put away my supplies after I was done with them, as I never had a studio space in my prior homes. It seemed like such a chore to get everything out & either hang out in the unfinished basement, or spread it on the dining room table that I just didn't bother.

Now I have a space in our current home, that I have created for me. A corner where I can post up photos & memories that inspire me & that I love to look at. This time I am going for it! I am not allowing myself to give up. Opportunities are now in front of me, & I am ready to succeed. I also think I am now mature enough to embrace failure, instead of taking rejection or criticism personally.

Image from http://www.thisislu.us

Website is almost ready!!

I'm excited...we've made good progress this weekend on getting the site ready to go live, thanks to my ever patient photographer/web designer/husband!

Looking forward to sharing my work and experiences with you all on the site and here on the blog.

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