Artist Reception – Vancity Commission

As mentioned previously, I will be hosting an artist reception along with four other artists to showcase work commissioned for Vancity Credit Union last year. Original art work created by Robi Smith, Christina Norberg, Jasna Sokolovic, Noel O’Connell (and me) is on permanent display at the South Burnaby Branch located at 5064 Kingsway.

Vancity Credi Union Art commissions-3

Join us for the artist reception on Saturday January 12th, 2013, 1pm to 3pm, in the Community Stage Room. All of the artists will be present.

Artist Reception – Vancity Commissions
Date: Saturday January 12th, 2013
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Location:South Burnaby Vancity Branch, 5064 Kingsway

Infinite Possibilities: Math, Science, Book Arts at 23 Sandy Gallery

I am very pleased to be a part of this show, opening Thursday November 29th at 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland. The theme of math and science is explored through the lens of book arts, with the idea that art, math, and science are not as disparate as we are often led to believe.

From the 23 Sandy web site:

Infinite Possibilities shows us how math and science can be used as a source of artistic inspiration to book artists who are thinking creatively about such topics. Taking a wide range of approaches—from serious to humorous—participating artists explore mechanical and theoretical concepts extracted from a diverse range of scientific fields: from mathematics to medicine, space, architecture, engineering, physics, genetics, botany, biology, and more.

The piece I created for the show is titled, The Universe is Intricate. Read more about it here.

The Universe is Intricate - Inside

The show runs until December 29th, 2012, so there is plenty of time to see it. And for those who can’t make it in person, there is a catalogue of the work available to browse through online.

Infinite Possibilities: Math, Science, Book Arts
23 Sandy Gallery
Date: November 29th to December 29th
Location: 623 NE 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR

Aftermath of Eastside Culture Crawl 2012

It’s a few days after the end of Eastside Culture Crawl and I decided to take a few photos of the set up before I dismantle it. It is a crazy amount of work to transform our apartment into a gallery space, but it does end up looking spectacular.

This year I showed a mix of paper cut work, altered books, installations of paper crows and a yarn tree, and a bit of the old metal prints. People seemed to really enjoy their visit to our location, and I received many terrific comments and questions.

Eastside Culture Crawl set up - paper cut work

Eastside Culture Crawl set up - paper cut work

Eastside Culture Crawl set up - map reconstruction

I work hard to create a cozy and welcoming environment because sometimes people feel weird about coming into the home of a stranger. It helps that Boris plays the perfect host by offering chai with optional whisky, and there are cookies for munching.

Eastside Culture Crawl set up - map paper pendant

Eastside Culture Crawl set up - yarn tree, etc
Eastside Culture Crawl set up - yarn tree

I went all out this year by adding installation work in the mix. The paper crows are suspended from the ceiling in the hallway, and the yarn tree (a permanent feature in our apartment) got a facelift with new red maple leaves.

Eastside Culture Crawl set up - paper crows and art

I feel this year was more successful than the previous Crawl. We had a lower visitor count, but sales were higher. It probably helped that I now have Square and can accept credit card payments.

As always, I would not be able to do the Eastside Culture Crawl every year without the support of my partner, Boris. He puts up very well with his home being turned upside down, and he does as much talking as I do with visitors over the course of the weekend.

If you were unable to make it to my location this past weekend, please drop me an email and I’d be happy to set up a studio visit.

16th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl

It’s mid-November, which means it’s time for the annual Eastside Culture Crawl.

The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual FREE 3-day visual arts phenomenon. This event involves more than 10,000 people visiting over 400 + artists in their studios in the area bounded by Main Street, Victoria Drive, First Avenue to the waterfront of Vancouver, BC. This year it takes place on the weekend of Friday November 16th to Sunday November, 18th, 2012.

Once again I will be throwing open the doors of my home and welcoming the public into our private space. Our living and dining room will be transformed into an art gallery for the three days of the Crawl. It will be an extraordinary display of new paper cut work, altered books, mixed media collages, and installations made from paper.

You can find my page here on the Culture Crawl web site. For those on Facebook I have created an event invitation if you would like to RSVP »

16th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl
Date: November 16th to 18th, 2012
Time: Fri, 5pm to 10pm | Sat & Sun, 11am to 6pm
My location is D06 on the Culture Crawl map
Address: 1660 East Georgia Street

Eastside Culture Crawl Preview Show: The Circle

One of the last shows I’ll be doing in 2012 is the Eastside Culture Crawl Preview Show. This year the theme is “The Circle”, and as in previous years the show features a selection of work juried from artists participating in the Crawl.

This is the work I have included in the show.

Paper Cut Design: Ripple Effect

Culture Crawl Preview Show: The Circle
Dates: November 16th to December 2nd, 2012
Opening Reception: November 16th from 6pm to 8pm
Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri noon-6pm Sat noon-4pm Sun closed.
Location: Vancouver East Cultural Centre (“The Cultch”)
1895 Venables Street Vancouver, BC

SubmiT Vancouver 2012

One of my paper cut designs has been reproduced as limited edition t-shirts and prints for an awesome event coming up this week called, SubmiT Vancouver. This is an annual fundraiser in support of Imagine1Day and their mission for primary education in Ethiopia. I am one of the ten local artists whose work will be showcased as part of the event, with all proceeds from t-shirts and print sales going to Imagine1Day.

Tickets range from $15 to $60 to attend the event (depending on whether you want to also purchase a t-shirt and/or print) and are available through Eventbrite »

SubmiT Vancouver
Date: November 1st, 2012
Time: 7pm to 11pm
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown

Port Moody Art Centre, Cabinet of Curiosity Series: Cut Fold Repeat

Cut. Fold. Repeat. These are words that pretty accurately describe my process but they’re also the title of a small show I’m having at the Port Moody Arts Centre in October. As part of the Cabinet of Curiosity series, I have created an installation within the Plum Gallery Display Case of paper cut designs, work-in-progress pieces, and sculpture made from paper.

In my approach to putting together this show I wanted to create an installation combining a variety of recent works-in-progress. Some are explorations of materials, and others of process, but each express my interest in the repetition of shape and form. The idea is to create a large-scale three-dimensional visual sketchbook.

Please join me for the opening of the show on Thursday October 4th, 6pm to 8pm.

Cut Fold Repeat: Works with Paper
Port Moody Arts Centre
Opening night: October 4th, 6 to 8pm
Dates: October 4th to November 10th, 2012
Location: 2425 St. John’s Street, Port Moody
Web site: http://www.pomoarts.ca/

Upcoming Events: The Word On The Street

The Word On The Street is Canada’s National Book and Magazine Festival that happens every September in six cities across the country.

I’ve been attending this event for years, and have fond memories of wandering Queen Street in Toronto with my mom as we rummaged through the tables of books that took over the street for the day. For a bookworm like me it was a dream come true, especially when bargains are involved.

This year I will be sharing my work at The Word on the Street as an exhibitor. Look for me in the Alice MacKay Room as part of Word Under the Street, where you can also find zines, alternative comics, and book artists. I’ll be the one transforming unwanted books into sculptural artwork.

The Word On The Street
Date: Sunday September 30th, 2012
Time: 11am to 5pm
Location: Library Square, 350 West Georgia Street

Flight of the Albino Crows at Illuminares

It was a beautiful thing to finally see the installation I’ve been working on for the past few months come together at Illuminares on Saturday evening.

Untitled

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows-7

It took Boris and I two hours to set it up in the afternoon. I was a little worried at the time because it was so windy during installation I thought the crows might blow away. Thank goodness I went with wire to suspend the crows because it kept them from tangling together.

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows-4

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows

Just as I’d hoped, the location was a perfect spot for the crows. These photos don’t quite do it justice but there was a magical atmosphere surrounding the installation, and people gazed at the work with a sense of wonder. I really enjoyed observing people’s reactions to it.

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows-2

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows

Many friends stopped by to hang out at our blanket under the tree, which made for a very fun evening.

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows-5

Illuminares 2012- Illuminated crows-6

A BIG thank you to Boris for his tremendous help throughout the whole process, and to Scott and Sam for helping de-install at the end of the evening. I could not do half the things I do as an artist without the continued support of friends.

Unleashing a Murder of Crows at Illuminares

This week I’m putting the finishing touches on the installation of paper crows I shared at the beginning of June and will be presenting it publicly for the first time at Illuminares this Saturday.

Murder of crows

lluminares Lantern Festival is a yearly summer event organized by Public Dreams Society. If you’ve never been before, this is a one night only community event featuring performances, fire spinners, lanterns, and many things to inspire.

Wip crowd

This year, Illuminares is a celebration of the light within us – of togetherness and creativity, sustainability and artistic expression, of rebirth and new beginnings. Illuminares is about you and your community. As participants, you are integral in making this beloved community event happen and our hope is that Public Dreams inspires you to create, to imagine and to participate. For 24 years, you’ve been the true architects and creators of Illuminares, and we’re once again creating a platform for you to showcase your creativity and Let Your Bright Light Shine!

This is my first time taking the leap from audience member to a participating artist. I’m very excited about this (and intimidated) because it’s a chance to challenge myself and work larger than I have in a good long while. I hope you’ll join me this Saturday July 21st as Illuminares returns to Trout Lake Park.

Illuminares Lantern Festival
Date: Saturday July 21st, 2012
Time: 6pm to 10:30pm
Location: Trout Lake Park