Highlights of the week

I've been sick for the past few weeks, therefore lots of time has been spent sitting on my sofa surfing the good old internet. Here are some things that I'm excited about, in no particular order.

I recently discovered a new artist that I admire; Jeanette Sperone. She currently lives and maintains a studio in Northern New Jersey. The simplicity of the subject matter is what attracted me at first. Then I really fell in love with her colour palette and composition. These prints are wonderful and affordable.

"The Ever-Present Feeling of Neglect" prints starts at $40

"Avuncular Knots" prints start at $50

Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors has amazing style and her designs are timeless in my opinion. This piece available in her shop is stunning!

The Lounger Daybed in natural.

We no longer have an Ikea store close to home. We visited friends out of town during March Break and made a pit stop. We left with only a handful of items, very proud of myself as I loved a lot of the plants they had.

Ikea's Mastholmen collection has some great pieces like this loveseat. With the popularity of rattan you could style it in an indoor or outdoor space.

I just re-watched Season 3 and can't wait for next week's premiere! If you haven't watched this show your missing out, it's hilarious.

Design & photograph by Holly Hickey Moore.

This photo really makes me want to go outside and do all of the yard work that needs to be done when Spring arrives. Our daughters are eager to go play in the back yard, but I have to clean up some remaining winter dog poop first! I have a few more Plant Studies to finish before I tackle it. May 1st I hang my show at a local Craft Beer Cafe, if you are local, details will be in my next newsletter.

This week I did something I'm quite excited about. During both of my pregnancies I developed Varicose veins in my legs. I still suffer pain in one leg as a result five years later. I've finally booked laser surgery to remove it in early May. If you don't know what they are I won't go in to detail, I'll just say they are green swollen veins. If you are still reading this, I need to add that I don't wish them upon anyone!! They are no fun. Unfortunately the procedure is not covered by OHIP (insurance) and quite expensive. 

I've donated this painting for a local fundraiser this Saturday April 22nd at Holiday Ford. The proceeds will go towards Hospice and St. Catherines Public School (Peterborough, ON). 

Coming Soon

A few weeks ago I discovered a unique shop in New York, and as I looked through their website I got so much inspiration to create a new painting. Vintage furniture and a variety of quirky home goods make this design shop in Lower East Side a must see.

 “We’re basically always playing house,” says Fabiana Faria, who opened the airy Lower East Side design shop Coming Soon with partner Helena Barquet." “The concept is something that will always be evolving. But what we want and look for are fun, original, well-made tools that bring you some happiness.”

These images and colour combinations were in my mind as I painted. This is a rug they offer & this neon logo reminds me of the 80's classic "Cocktail"!

A vintage 70's brass chair got a makeover with this emerald green velvet.

This is my most textural Plant Study piece so far. I love the bits of mauve peeking through the coral background.

Love this vignette!

Colourful Carafes by Anna Karlin Studio.

Primary colours joining together in this table top.

How fabulous are these modern chairs.

This Octavia bowl by Concrete Cat comes in so many colours. Check out my post on this Canadian Company.

Theses Fan Palm leaves look great on this Kelly Wearstler inspired pattern. I'm dreaming of summer can you tell.

This painting will hang with a collection of Plant Studies in May. If you are interested in it please contact me directly. Hope you all have a great long weekend!

Architecture = Inspiration

The other day I decided to grab the camera, hop in the car, and go explore. I drive by a particular stair case a lot and always think to myself that I should go snap a photo. The accent colours are yellow and mint green, a great combination. I parked my car outside the retirement home and headed to the stair case and adjacent ramp.

Behind the retirement home is a modern building that I only had ever seen the top of while driving by. I didn't even know what it was until I walked closer to it. I'm so glad I had my Nikon camera with me and not just my cell phone. I was blown away by this architecture. This is five minutes away from my house, why hadn't I seen it before? We have lived back in my hometown of Peterborough for only 3 1/2 years, this building was built before that time I discovered.

I didn't take an exterior shot of the entire building, this photo is by Teeple Architects.

Who lives here I thought? I went home and did some research. The Sisters of St. Joseph Convent is built here and is on the property of the old heritage building that they used to reside in. "The Sisters’ vision for their home was for a simple, modern environment that would be permeated by openness and warmth. They expressed a desire for the interior spaces to be bathed in daylight and to be crafted from high-quality, natural materials."

"The concept for the new convent was to create a series of ribbon-like curved surfaces that would allow the landscape to flow into, around and over the building."

I can't wait to go back on a sunny day when the trees are in bloom and walk on the grounds again. I have always been drawn to the repetition of shapes. I think this is why I like the exterior that is clad in white cement panels so much. The simple and modern design is unlike a lot of buildings in my neighbourhood. While I browsed the architects site I found a few interior images that I will share. I also learned that they built the library I used to take my daughters to when we lived in Burlington. Our library is currently being renovated and updated, I can't wait to see it once it is completed this summer.

This room is now the chapel. Photo is by Teeple Architects.

These curved lines remind me of the interior of the Guggenheim. Photo is by Teeple Architects.

I lost track of time while I photographed the building...40 minutes later I got in my car feeling as though I had just discovered a hidden gem. Like many other artists I do find inspiration from walking in art galleries. I find it's easier for me to pay attention while I'm walking or driving and really look at the colours and textures of houses and structures I pass by. Architecture is something my husband and I both enjoy. You might enjoy this post of Frank Lloyd Wright from last year.

International Art & Design

The other day I was online and it occurred to me that I was drawn to a variety of sites from around the globe. If I won the lottery and could travel anywhere in the world, Australia would be my first stop. The art and design community there is so inspiring.

I enjoy every house tour I browse on the Design File website. The plants in this room caught my eye, I'm very inspired to create something similar on canvas. This is the home of Australian artist Miranda Skoczek. Photo from the Design Files. 

Behind by Javiera da Fonseca

As soon as I opened up my email, there was "Art for your Inbox" from The Jealous Curator. I was excited to see the colourful work of Mexico City based artist Javiera da Fonseca. When I checked out her portfolio I honestly could not pick a favourite painting. Every single image is stunning! I love mid-century architecture and she does it so well. If you are in Vancouver check out her exhibit at Back Gallery Project.

Refugio FX by Javiera da Fonseca

The photo below is from fenton&fenton a design shop in Australia. I was blown away to see all of the wonderful artwork they carry from over 20 local artists. I was a little envious to be honest, I would love to a collaboration similar to this one day. A girl can dream right!

This outdoor collection is perfect for the warm climate they have. There is still snow on the ground outside my window even though it is officially Spring. The planter on the left was inspiration for my painting Plant Study #9.

"Lucy Fenton established fenton&fenton inspired by her experiences backpacking around the globe. From vintage to avant-garde, the furniture collection accords with vivid textiles, one-off curios, artwork and jewellery to create a highly sought after look. Lucy has created an emporium filled to the brim with colour and texture, a haven for creativity where you are bound to find the object of your desire!" 

They also offer services to help you decorate and style your home for resale purposes. I personally don't know of any retail shops in Canada that also offer staging as well. A fantastic idea in my opinion. "Adding warmth, texture and interest to a space is key when selling. Not only does it make prospective buyers instantly feel at home, it helps them visualize how they too can create a space that is welcoming, liveable and personal."

Artist Helen McCullagh reinterprets the still life genre in a modern context in her work.

Meet my new girl crush...Megan Grant. I'm in love with her style & fell down a rabbit hole while browsing her IG feed.

The painting leaning against the fireplace is by artist Carly Williams. Some elements in her work remind me of the mobiles by Alexander Caldwell. The small cactus piece on the mantle is by the talented Kate Jarman.

The graphic patterns in the work of Ali Wood are a modern juxtaposition to the floral arrangements. I think they look wonderful grouped together in this vignette.

The connection between interior design and original art is an important one. Good designers & decorators understand that artwork really does make a space come alive. Whether it's a gallery wall or one statement piece, artwork helps balance all of the other design elements in a room.

Plants, plants and more plants!

If you are the type of person who can't keep a houseplant alive, maybe I've got your solution. How about a painting of a modern plant that you can keep & style in different rooms forever! If you like the look of greenery in a space, I've styled a few vignettes so you can imagine them in your own home.

Make sure to check out the full collection tomorrow at 11:00 EST. If you see something you love and it sells, send me an email and we can do a custom piece. I want buying original art to be an easy task with no stress involved. Now I guess I have to name the paintings, that's the hard part.

Highlights of the week

I've been keeping busy painting lately, which I will admit feels really good. Yes I still paint things and stand back and think "This sucks...I hate it." For the most part though, each time I sit at the easel I produce something I would hang in my own home. 

I now know I am not good at painting cacti as I tried the other day with no luck. I also attempted to create this geometric planter, but my friend Yumi gave me her thoughts and it got a make-over. I love the Instagram community and the friends I've met through it. Email a friend a photo and ask for an honest opinion, you'll probably get one. My husband is usually the one I ask as I work out of my home, it was great to get more feedback.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ECHO + EARL PHOTOGRAPHY

This bedroom design on domino that I just read about really stood out. The retro 70's vibe and colour palette inspired the painting below. I often use Interior sources for ideas. I actually dreamt of the green and peach combo, and woke up that morning and painted the background.

If you are local check out Artspace on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 7pm for an artist talk and closing reception with artist Omar Badrin. I had the chance to see the installation last month and it was like nothing I had seen before...in a good way.  This is one of his pieces below.

If you haven't already seen the collection of art up on Schoolhouse Electric, you should check it out. This kind of collaboration is so wonderful, I can only hope that one day I will have an opportunity so exciting. 

I adore the work of Lulie Wallace, this is one of her pieces. She mixes objects and patterns so well.

"Originality is alive and well. Introducing one-of-a-kind works of art by five independent artists handpicked by Schoolhouse. As makers, we believe that art – original or otherwise – plays a vital role in the creation of the home. Each painting in this series was made in collaboration with Schoolhouse to celebrate creative expression and the enrichment it provides us."

When your on a roll you have to keep going. You never know when the momentum and desire will stop. Things happen and every day is different, especially when you have children. Finding time to create has never felt so good. I better get back at it! Next week my new series will be available, the day has yet to be decided. I'll keep you posted I promise.

Inspiration from the book "In The Company Of Women"

Approximately nine years ago I stumbled upon the blog of artist Michelle Armas. I often checked back to see what she had to say as we both have a thing for design and interior spaces. At that time I was only creating paintings for my own home and as gifts for friends and family. I was too afraid of my inner critic to try and persue being an artist as my actual career. Fast forward to 2015 when I decided to take the plunge and make my dreams happen. My husband helped me make a website and there was a section for a journal or blog. I told him I would try to write a post once a week for a month, and then just go from there.

Well it turns out that even though I never enjoyed writing in school, I have found a topic to share here every week since then. I took a week off at Christmas...that's it! It kind of shocks me still that I have stuck with it. When fellow creatives tell me that they enjoy what I'm doing it makes it all worth while. Maybe a year ago I listened to a great podcast that interviewed Armas & one of the things she said to do was "write a blog". Allowing people who enjoy my artwork into my world has allowed me to make some real connections. 

As I was reading this book I got for Christmas I thought to myself, I need to go back & bookmark all my favourite pages. Most of my reading choices are online articles that are design and art related. In The Company Of Women is something I couldn't put down, it's that good. If you are a creative female I think you will agree. I thought I would share a few quotes that have really stuck with me. 

"Whether it is the hours you are open for business or the frequency in posting a blog, let people know they can depend on you. I believe that being consistent has been one of the best ways to build our reputation and to grow our business." - Cheryl Day

"Embrace social media completely. It is the most incredible tool to feed your audience, to engage, and to advertise ( skillfully ). You should give a portion of every day to do this as a creative business owner. Follow people in the field; follow people who are really, really good at it to learn your craft." - Genevieve Gorder

"You have to be willing to be bad at it in order to get good at it." - Mary Going

How incredible is the work space of Dana Tanamachi! Loved her interview on page 203.

"To me, success means staying true to the vision and values I held before ever setting out to be "successful". As long as my work continues to foster joy, celebration, community, generosity, and simplicity, I'm on the road to success." - Dana Tanamachi

"I love seeing brilliant, creative women making space and laying down tracks for other women. It's easy to fall into the pernicious trap of thinking that just because you scrapped your way toward achieving your goal, there's no room for anyone else. I also think generosity can apply to both self-care and care of others, allowing yourself time away from work, allowing mistakes, allowing forgiveness. To me generosity is openness, and openness is crucial for creativity." - Carrie Brownstein

"Ever since becoming a mother, I am mostly motivated by the desire to set an example for daughters. I want them to see that they have a mom who truly loves what she does." - Joy Cho

"I would have started my own company sooner. I started my design studio the day my daughter was born. She was basically my biggest career catalyst. I thought I wasn't ready before that. I was waiting for that angelic choir to come down from heaven to tell me I should start my business now. But what I realized is that perfect moment doesn't exist. The perfect moment is when you realize you actually want to start your own business and you have the freedom to make it happen. Take small steps but work your way towards it. Don't wait. Also, your twenties are the ideal time to experiment." - Tina Roth Eisenberg

Moving forward in 2017 I will take the words I have read and put them to use in my own business. Grace Bonney I thank you for writing this book, you are a wonderful role model. Design Sponge is one of the websites I look forward to checking out every day. 

Gardiner Museum

 The Gardiner Museum is located in downtown Toronto and celebrates the art of ceramics. I had the opportunity to visit for the first time a few weeks ago, primarily for "True North", and the exhibit did not disappoint. The exhibition charts Canada’s embrace of Scandinavian design and its enduring influence on local artisans. Nordic design struck a chord in Canada. I've included photos of a selection of pieces as more than100 objects and furnishings were on display.

 I have worked in a few high end design and furniture shops over the years. I gravitate towards midcentury architecture and design, this is my kind of fun. 

Graphic pottery in neutral shades...yes please! In another area they had a great selection of Lotte lamps, the shades alone are works of art in my opinion.

I have a thing for chairs & these two are lovely! Years ago my husband thought I would enjoy watching Mad Men for the decor, unfortunately it was the only thing I enjoyed... sorry Don Draper.

Wool wall hanging by Velta Vilsons (1965-1970). I could use this as inspiration for one of my paintings for sure. The striking pattern and bold pops of colour are stunning! 

I'm not a fan of red, but I would allow this chair into my home. The one on the right with the tufted seat is my favourite though.

This piece of fabric has a Group of Seven vibe to it.

This textile is on trend with Pantone's colour of the year. My daughter got a small loom for Christmas, I can only imagine how long it took to create this master piece!

The museum is known for its ceramics and they offer a wide range of pottery classes. If you live close by you should look into some of the classes they offer. All kids 18 and under are free admission and Family Sundays sound amazing. Only the adult pays admission and your child gets to be creative and take home something unique and hand made. We attend a local gallery where we live and they have a similar program that my daughters love.

Back at it

My mind has been thinking a lot lately, unfortunately it's when I'm trying to sleep. I wake up at 3:00 am and things that I think should happen with my art business are on repeat in my head. My daughters are still on Christmas break this week so the only creative time in my studio ( aka a corner in my basement) has been when they go to bed. Today I actually left them doing Play-Doh for a few minutes while I snuck away to have me time. That quickly turned into them watching me paint and trying to do yoga on the floor beside me. I was, however, able to start a small painting that I am happy with. The last pieces I worked on were with resin so it felt nice to pick up a brush again. 

I'm thinking of working on paintings similar to "Two Houses" shown here. We have a lot of plants surrounding us in our home, I may try and add some of those as well...lots of ideas.

I signed out some design magazines the other day from the library, thought I would share some images that inspire and connect with me:

Organic forms and shapes are what I want to concentrate on as I move forward.

The colour and pattern in this caught my eye.

This is modern and has a mid century vibe which I love! Blue often finds a way into my palette.

I like the colours and geometric forms here. It's like Kelly Wearstler designed a boutique hotel circa 1985.

I recently watched the Tom Petty documentary "Runnin' Down a Dream" on Netflix. It was actually over two evenings as it was like 4 hours long! Watching other creatives write, compose and collaborate was just what I needed to see. If you like his music I highly recommend it. I've been listening to "Wildflowers" a lot around the house lately.

Pretty/Peculiar Exhibit

The name of the exhibit alone told me I was in for something special when I entered the space a few weeks ago. Danielle Krysaart aka "The Jealous Curator" recently curated an exhibit at the Alison Milne Gallery in Toronto. My husband and I travelled around the city one Saturday afternoon visiting all the art spots on my list. I'll be sharing the rest of our adventure in a few other blog posts ( I took a lot of pictures y'all...I didn't want to bore you) The photos were all taken on my phone so the quality is not the best representation of the installations and art pieces. I've included some of my favourites...not everything. The show is up until January 7th, so if you are local you still have time to see it in person.

Alison is also an Interior Designer, I was so excited to finally see this stunning space in person.

If you don't know the work of Tina Berning go look her up. Figurative drawings that are gorgeous! This framed piece greeted us when we first walked into the gallery.

A portfolio filled with drawings for sale as well as her book 100 Girls on Cheap Paper. I should have bought a copy, the images were all so wonderful & it was a steal at $35!

Visual artist Tania Love lives in Toronto & creates these delicate works of art. This installation really stood out in the room.

It's all about the details.

American artist Natalie Baxter "I create soft sculpture that playfully push controversial political issues."

Seonna Hong is a contemporary pop surrealist artist out of Los Angeles.

"Deciding How It Should Go" was one of my favourite pieces in the exhibit. These colours are what I gravitate to.

Tonya Corkey is another Toronto based artist. These gorgeous portraits are made with lint on canvas. My husband & I could not believe our eyes, they were stunning in person!

A pair of Tina Berning's Acrylic on Paper pieces.

I can't stop looking at this painting by Tina. It's loose gestural brushstrokes make me want to go create.

I wish I could have added these geometric beauties by Martha Rich to our art collection at home. The graphic pops of colour are so delightful.

Here you can see the scale, they are each 8x10". I totally agree with her on this "Original art should be accessible to all." Martha resides in Philadelphia.

This day was special. My husband and I were without kids, he drove us all over the city so I could experience art that I had only read about online. I was so inspired when I got home and I can't wait to see what happens in my studio in the New Year. 

Boho House Feature

When I first joined social media I was surprised to see how many other people shared my love of thrifting.  I remember a piece of art that caught my eye in Jo's space & it turns out it is her favourite element that welcomes you into her home. Every time someone sends me photos of their home to feature I get excited.  I have a sense of what style they gravitate towards, but the full tour is like icing on the cake. Jo also lives in Ontario, only a few hours from me. Maybe in the New Year we will have the chance to meet up and go shopping together. When she shares her latest finds on her instagram account, @jmwearing, I totally feel like she is the Canadian version of Emily Henderson. When you see her home & her styled shelves you will agree with me. She's got mad thrifting skills y'all! 

"Holly and I recently connected this year on instagram after finding a mutual appreciation for amazing art and love of décor – bonus points for being a fellow Canadian!  She asked me if I would be willing to participate in a home tour and I jumped at the idea. I have always wanted to start a blog, but am unsure if I could commit to do it, but knew this would be a really fun experience!  My boyfriend and I live approximately 40 minutes north of Toronto, where we purchased our home a little over a year ago.  I work in the financial sector where my creativity tends to be put on hold, so my home is where I am able to fully let it go."

"One of my favourite items in this room is my framed Art Gallery of Ontario poster from 1988 of Andy Warhol’s Elvis I and II (1964), which was produced for an exhibit. I scored this off of eBay and had it professionally framed.  I love this little nook as it adds a big impact when you first walk into our house because it’s one of the first things you see."

"Our home was built in 1987, and is your standard cookie cutter subdivision home, which meant adding personality and character would be done through the decorating!  I tend to live for everything and anything vintage or thrifted. I have no idea where this came from – I only started going to thrift stores over the past 2 years, but I haven’t been able to stop.  There is something weirdly soothing about walking through the aisles of thrift stores. I love looking at items and wondering who the original owner was, why they bought the item, and how it ultimately ended up on the shelf in front of me."  

"I have, and continue, to struggle with our ‘L’ shape layout combo of living and dining room. I have a feeling this room will always be changing. The way I accumulate items means I never know what I’m going to come home with and what will change. I always thought our home would be exploding with colour, but I seem to have shifted to a very neutral palette."

This unique coffee table was one of Jo's latest finds. I love how she layers texture into her space and adds pops of colour with greenery.

Mid Century pieces are what I'm drawn to as well. This thrifted chair needed sanding & staining & looks great with updated upholstery.

I just want to invite myself over for dinner. I would stare at the photography for hours!

"When my boyfriend and I first started dating we took a weekend trip up to his family cottage. In the basement, was the most beautiful antique harvest table I’d ever seen. And coming from a mid century modern fan – I knew this table was something special. I remember making a mental note about how this table needed to eventually make it with us where ever we went.  When we moved into our house, the universe honoured my vibes and the harvest table came with us! The table originally came from my boyfriends grandparents farm and is loaded with character – boards that are starting to curve and plenty of nicks and burn spots – but I wouldn’t change a thing."

"I knew we needed to keep the rest of the finishes pretty modern so that the harvest table didn’t go too rustic. The eiffel chairs and industrial chandelier were easy choices. The picture shelf concept, four in total from IKEA, came from some Pinterest images I had stumbled upon. I was looking for an easy way to differentiate the space between the family room and dining room since it is one big ‘L’."

"The shelves have been mostly filled with photos from thrift stores, antique shops, and eBay. My favourite of the bunch is a small black and white photo my dad took with his brownie camera of the kaleidoscope pavilion from Expo ’67 in Montreal."

"Our master was one of the easier spaces to put together. Prior to us even having a house, I had a bad (…or maybe good?) habit of buying furniture and stashing it away in my parent’s basement.  I think at the time everyone thought I was crazy, but I would tell them that if I loved the item I would make it work in whatever space I ended up with. Our master bedroom is a perfect example of this.  The end tables ,lamps, and rug were all Kijiji and estate sale purchases that I made while we were house hunting." 

"And yes – we are TV in the bedroom kinda people. My dirty secret is out."

"The campaign dresser is one of my favourite pieces in our home. It came from my aunt, whose grandfather or great grandfather either brought it over to Canada from England during the 1800s, or purchased it upon arrival.  I was nervous about how it would work against the mid century vibe of the other dresser, but I think they balance each other out very well."  

The graphic black & white prints above the bed pop against the white wall.

Someone was throwing out this plant as they thought it was dead.  Jo scored it for free, as you can see it's thriving it her sunny space.

"The mid century modern dresser and mirror are vintage – my dad bought this set off of my grandparent’s best friends many, many years ago. This was in my house growing up, and was my first introduction to mid century modern furniture as far as I know. In my early 20s my parents were ready to put it out on the curb. I panicked and begged them to hold onto it. This guy ended up sitting in their garage for 5 years before we finally got our house and went to work refinishing it."

How cute is that rattan rocking horse!

I can't even pick my favourite piece from all these thrifted goodies, there are too many!

"About a year ago, we decided the office would work really well with a wall mounted shelving system. I am a mid century modern lover, and have always loved the look of wall systems/Cado set-ups. After looking for what seemed like ages, I finally came across a set off of Kijiji that worked perfectly. They were gorgeous solid teak that had been milled for the original owners in the 60s."

The Danish monkey & that gorgeous hand are high on the list.

"Fast-forward to today, after forcing black paint [Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron] on my boyfriend, and the office is complete."

"This room really came together after I spotted the peacock rattan headboard at a local thrift store. At the time, I had a rusted out 1997 Toyota Camry and prayed this guy would fit the backseat. Once it was put up, my mind was pretty set on what I wanted in here. It has gone through several different versions, but I think the current one will stick for awhile!"

I would love to be a guest in this space, how cute is the elephant! We have a lot of teak in our home, the style is timeless in my opinion.

"The most recent purchases, the equipale chair and the batik, were scored at a great estate sale and I feel like they really polish off the room. The batik adds a pop of colour that this room definitely needed but still fits with the vibe."

"Our home, like many others, is a never-ending project. I’m sure you noticed our kitchen, bathroom(s) and basement didn’t make the cut this round! I’m sure we will continue working away, room-by-room, and have some updates in the future."

If you're like myself and love a great bargain and get excited when a complete stranger finds the best pieces, then follow Jo along on her Instagram account. You won't regret it! @jmwearing

Portland...here I come

The other day I discovered the most delightful shop through Instagram, and began drooling over every image they have ever posted. When I was a teenager I travelled with my mom to Portland, but at that point in my life home decor shopping wasn't high on my list of priorities. My husband & I would both love to hop on a plane for a weekend getaway! My first stop; Woonwinkel. "Owned by two color-obsessed women with a passion for independent designers and handcrafted objects. We carry modern, colorful, inviting pieces from all over the world, with a particular affection for makers of the North American west coast. Woonwinkel means “home shop” in Dutch."

This is in the front window, how fun is this.

If you love modern design and colour you will love this shop. (Note: Canadian's spell colour with a U) You can shop online if you are not in Portland and happen to live in Canada like myself. When I paint I'm often inspired by interior design, bold pattern's are what I gravitate towards. The more the better!

They have a blanket wall....how amazing is that!

Hand made pottery...yes please!

When my daughters were small my favourite toys were the wooden ones. You can easily see why.

Pillows & textiles,  you can never have too much.

These soaps by Wary Meyers are made in Maine and each one is a piece of art.

The pineapples are lights, so even if you have long freezing cold winters you can pretend you are in the tropics!

I'll take one of everything please.

While I'm shopping I would also love to stop into Schoolhouse Electric & search the city for some murals by artist Lisa Congdon. A girl can dream right?

Holiday Show & Sale

Artspace is having its first holiday sale and this Saturday is the opening night. If you are looking for a unique gift come out and support local artisans like myself. The show will be on until December 17th, plenty of time to pop in and check out all the goodies! Hand made gifts don't have to break the bank, all of the items are priced under $100.

One of my favourite new paintings is available in the sale "Old School" 8x10" Acrylic on Canvas.

I came across this photo on www.shyle-brandi.com As soon as I saw it I was imagining what my painting "Old School" would look like installed in the bottom left corner. The energy, style and design of this studio space all speak to me. Sure I have daydreamed of gorgeous interiors, but this time was different. The image jumped out at me & I couldn't help but take notice. I'm not sure if or when it will happen again but I can't wait, it was a fun process. If you are a creative give it a try, let your imagination run wild.

Artists I Admire

Back in my early twenties I worked in a Furniture/Design shop in Toronto. The owner had curated a collection of art that was hung in the space. It was one of my favourite elements. It was here that I first discovered resin artwork and I instantly connected with the work of Canadian artist Joshua Jenson-Nagle. His pieces were large scale and really grabbed your attention. The colours were muted and the images captured the landscapes that I have grown to know living in Ontario.

Here is one of his pieces installed in a home in Toronto.

I have only been on social media for just over a year, in that time I have discovered many creative artists I admire. I came across Joshua's name & a light bulb went off. I actually sent him a message letting him know how much I enjoyed his artwork and that I first came across it 15 years ago. For me a working artist, just starting off in her career, this gives me hope. His talent and determination has allowed him to have a lasting career. If you check out his website you will see just how talented he is. His current works are photographs that are face mounted onto plexiglass, that explore dreamy large-scale beaches. http://www.jensennagle.com/

This is another older piece that I love! Those pastel polka dots add the right amount of whimsy.

The other artist working with Resin that has inspired me is Canadian artist Christine Flynn. Her passion for vintage decor, interior design & photography makes me think we would be friends if we ever met in real life! I love how she layers in text, colour blocks and numbers to create a unique piece of art. There are so many of her pieces that I enjoy it was hard to choose. Make sure to check out her website for more information on her work. http://www.christineflynnart.com/

I feel as though I am walking on this highway, just breath taking!

Christine's shop "Love The Design" a great place to hang her latest pieces.

I think I am going to put my paint brushes down until the New Year & focus on my second collection of resin based pieces. I look forward to sharing process shots from my studio with you over the next few months.

Breakfast, Lunch & Art

I had the opportunity last month to hang some of my original paintings in a local restaurant in town called Two Dishes. They will be on display over the holidays so you can tell your loved ones they can enjoy dinner and shop at the same time. Sounds pretty easy right!

This is one of my husband's favourite pieces "Overload". He is always honest with what he likes and dislikes, which I appreciate.

The exposed brick attracted me to the intimate space and I couldn't be happier with how the collection has come together. Since that time I have received some lovely compliments on my work and I am excited that my local community will have access to my paintings without having to go to an art gallery to view them.  Here you will not feel intimidated if you just want to look around. The other day Heidi shared a photo of herself in front of one of my paintings on social media and had this to share with me;

"As a fan of Holly's art, I was pleasantly surprised that on a recent visit to Two Dishes, her work filled the walls! I recognized Holly's distinct style immediately; there was no question it was her work. The bold colours that are somehow soft, the texture, everything I love about her work online only better in person! The art, instead of standing alone and viewing it from a distance, became part of the experience of breaking bread with a friend. It added to the warmth of the morning in a lovely way."

In this casual environment if someone has a connection to a piece they can come back to visit it again. I am always open to bringing paintings into homes to see if they work in the surroundings you had envisioned them in. Art is very personal and in my opinion if you love it you will always find a spot for it. All of these paintings are originals, there is just one like it. If you have any questions please contact me.

A variety of sizes to add a pop of colour into your home.

"Hanging work in a new space is like sending children off to university. New surroundings, you have to hope they can stand on their own two feet. By that stage you’ve done all you can. Put it out in the world and the other side of the deal is up to someone else." quote by artist Alice Sheridan.

Highlights of the week

The girls are starting back to school next week and my new series "Daydream" will finally get completed. Resin is time sensitive and shouldn't be rushed, layers need a few days to dry in between coats. I will have more time in my studio soon and I'm looking forward to it.

I've already decided the theme of my second series and animals will be featured. I have an amazing photograph of Zebras I'm excited to play around with. It seems Zebras are a fun subject matter for several artists as I see them everywhere now. Artist Anna Church has done this piece "Party Animal" above and has several other stunning prints on her website. You should check her out, she is currently living in Toronto. http://annachurchart.com

Design Sponge has a full studio tour of Light Lab online, it is a must see! This seating area is gorgeous. I want to pretend it's my house, I love it that much. http://www.designsponge.com/2016/08/studio-tour-light-lab.html

While I'm creating art or making dinner we always have Spotify playing in the background. The girls love to dance around the house, and discovering new artists is half the fun. I've been listening to Band of Horses on repeat for a while, you should check them out....so good. Roosevelt came on the other day, I was immediately drawn to the ombre effect on this cover as it reminded me of my current body of work. https://youtu.be/ToyuZwTO068

The lovely Emily Henderson & I share a Birthday which happens to be today. Yesterday she did a blog post about getting older, it was a good read. I'm the big 39 & she is turning 37! I like to think if we were at the same Flea Market we would meet & instantly hit it off. She's a fun gal & I love her style. https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/turning-37

Summer Getaway

Next week my husband is taking time off from work and we are heading with the girls to Upstate New York. Hopefully the stops at Target and Trader Joe's will make the driving short and sweet. The itinerary consists of lots of activities for the kids, but we will try out some hopefully great restaurants and breweries.

I can't wait to explore and capture photographs that I can use in my new body of work. If you don't follow me on social media I'll fill you in. I'm putting the paint brushes down for a bit and developing a new series which explores dream like landscapes and movement.

This pretty much sums up my next adventure if you take away the Bikini top & add in flip flops, no beaches...but lots of walking.

In August my husband is travelling to Boston for work and I don't have any art classes to teach for a few days so I'm tagging along. I plan to visit local art galleries, design shops, cafe's and the harbour. Eating a meal in silence that I didn't prepare is going to be so exciting for this mom!

We are not staying at the The Envoy Hotel, but I'll be visiting for a cocktail I guarantee. The photos of the lobby have me excited and we haven't even left!

One of my favourite things to do while on any vacation is to purchase artwork. A little reminder or souvenir of the destination we visited. While in New York City a few years ago, I purchased four pieces from a photographer in Washington Square. I wish I had his card, or could read his signature they make me so happy every time I look at them. 

This is one of the photos that has such a cool retro vibe. If you know who the artist is I would love to hear from you.

Now on to the not so fun part...packing!

Design Inspiration

It's no secret that I love Interior Design Magazines & have a nice collection to browse when I need some inspiration. I was recently looking at the Summer issue of domino and fell in love with a company and thought I would share more details about them.

Concrete Cat is a Canadian atelier established in 2007 based out of Edmonton Alberta. They explore the use of concrete with a focus on colour, pattern and form. We travelled on a family holiday to Edmonton when I was a kid, maybe it's time to go back and check out the design scene. Here are a few of their products, get ready to drool!

This is still on new stands, grab yourself a copy and thank me later!

Oracle is a technique for creating marble like patterns in vibrant colours in cast concrete. Concrete cat is the only studio in the world with the technology to create this pattern in concrete. The piece on the right makes me want to head to my studio and create something in this palette.

Octavia Pico is an incense burner that is available is so many patterns. This small bowl would also be perfect at your front entrance for change and keys. Or on your bedside table for your favourite earrings and rings. It was hard for me to choose just one to share. My new body of work is photo based, with moody landscapes and clouds. This is such an inspiring jumping off point for me.

This camera is a conversation piece for sure, I love it!

Atlas Bookends would be a unique addition to your library or bookshelf. They also carry some lovely vases that would look amazing as sculptures even without flowers in them.

Creative Director Shawna Heide had some lovely words that I wanted to share. " Recognizing authenticity make take an instant. However the layering it takes to create something authentic takes time. Materials that age well are critical to inspire the visual awe that we all crave."

A detail from a work in progress. I can't get away from pink.

With this new body of work, I am sharing a part of myself that I have wanted to express for several years now. I'm going to put it out there and see what happens. As long as I am creating all the time I am continuing to grow as an artist. I'm excited to put the paint brushes aside and go back in time to memories and photographs that I've collected over the years.

All opinions are my own. Check out www.concretecat.com they have retailers all over the world.

Artist Feature

When interior designers Susanna and Elaina emailed asking if I would be interested in being the artist of the month for their blog, I didn't hesitate. These sisters who travel between their homes in Southern California and Bali have great taste. I love design and they have mastered the look of an eclectic/boho interior. Check out my interview and then continue to browse their site, it's filled with inspiring photography and interiors that will make you wish they could come over and re-design your dream space!

http://design4corners.com/blog/2016/06/22/featured-artist-holly-young

Artist Spotlight + A Giveaway!

I'm excited to share this fun interview I did for an amazing design blog called "Room for Tuesday." We have also included a giveaway for an original painting of mine. The contest rules are all stated at the end of the interview. Good Luck!

http://roomfortuesday.com/artist-spotlight-holly-young-a-giveaway/

I've been experimenting painting on wood panel, turns out I really enjoy this medium. This original 8x10" piece titled "Who You Are" would look great on your wall!