Sharon Kirsh - Cold Wax Artist

This will be my third year participating in the Richmond Hill Studio Tour. Yet in many ways it does feel like the first time. Three years ago, my artistic focus was almost entirely floral in nature, and since then, I have moved towards an abstract style that still gives homage to my love of flowers through colour.  I have also been painting with a delightful medium known as cold wax.  So why does it feel like the first time? The change in medium and approach reflects changes in myself. They reflect my desire to be more authentic and honest in my work, and I hope I'm not alone in finding it both exciting and nerve wracking to share something new... 

"Fauve Rocks" 16 x 20 cold wax and oil painting on birch panel

My floral work came from a deep motivation to share how resilient and courageous I find flowers. Sharing these paintings during the first studio tour, was a huge a-ha moment. I realized that the joy and emotion captured in these paintings was contagious.

The idea that art lovers can share in the joy of creative expression, moved me to focus more on themes and emotions, and immediately, subject matter began to disappear. And then cold wax and oil entered the studio.  An unusual medium, that dates back to Ancient Egypt. Thick like shortening, it changed everything. I began working in an entirely new way, without brushes and traditional tools.  Instead, I massage the paint into areas with my hands and excavate the surface with pottery tools. This process allows me to bring out light and natural texture in ways that seem unique, fresh and sometimes perfectly imperfect.

"Strength" 18 x 24 Cold Wax and Oil on Birch Panel

My meditation practice has over the last few years had a greater impact on my work. I wish I could tell you that I meditate daily (I don't), but even subtle moves towards living more presently in my day-to-day life help me imbibe my artwork with ideas. Sometimes this is as simple as wanting to express a feeling, such as joy, and other times there is a beloved poem, lingering song lyrics or a quote that leads the way. Pictured below is "A BOAT beneath a sunny sky" based on a famous poem by Lewis Carroll by the same name. I have provided it below the image of the painting.

A BOAT beneath a sunny sky 16 x 16 cold wax & oil on birch panel

A BOAT beneath a sunny sky, 

Lingering onward dreamily 

In an evening of July — 

Children three that nestle near, 

Eager eye and willing ear, 

Pleased a simple tale to hear — 

Long has paled that sunny sky: 

Echoes fade and memories die: 

Autumn frosts have slain July. 

Still she haunts me, phantomwise, 

Alice moving under skies 

Never seen by waking eyes. 

Children yet, the tale to hear, 

Eager eye and willing ear, 

Lovingly shall nestle near. 

In a Wonderland they lie, 

Dreaming as the days go by, 

Dreaming as the summers die: 

Ever drifting down the stream — 

Lingering in the golden gleam — 

Life, what is it but a dream?

Events such as the studio tour, provide a wonderful opportunity for artists such as myself to meet lovers of art who sometimes also happen to be a neighbor. That really is one of the great benefits in participating. This year, I will be featuring my new series of cold wax and oil paintings, and in appreciation of the wonderful Richmond Hill community that has offered so much support, I have created a fun salon wall of remaining floral paintings, priced so that anyone can bring some floral joy into their home.

I will be sharing my work at my home studio at 8 Whalen Court, Richmond Hill. You can find more information about me and my artwork at my website. Inquiries can be sent directly to info@sharonkirshart.com

Featured Artist - Rubina Panjwani

This week's blog post is written by Rubina Panjwani. She is sharing some of her thoughts on creativity. 

Creativity is the essence of any art.  I make jewelry from different shapes of wire, mostly copper, sterling silver and gold fill. The stones I use are gems or semi-precious.  The knowledge I use to create wearable art jewelry comes from the courses I took in college and working alongside other great artists. But my inspiration comes from a variety of places, and I tend to feel a particular connection with nature. The fours seasons and associated colours, folded leaves, a rainbow…all of these can strike a chord within me and I suddenly feel the urge to create.  Inspiration is all around us - all we need is imagination and our resources.  The more we take chances and try something new, the more we can cultivate an expertise in our specific field.

On that same note, creativity plays a significant role in an artist’s life. As a result, we have a drive to socialize, experiment and take risks, and keep up on styles and trends, be around positivity, experiment with different techniques and ideas, visit museums, galleries, shows and exhibitions, bring communities together, challenge ourselves, read, take photos, teach and share our work/ideas. When it comes to creating, I truly believe that there are no rules; rather, the important thing is to put our heart and soul in the task, and always dream big.

'Stay loyal to your creativity because it's a gift'.

- Pharrell

See you all at Richmond Hill Studio Tour Artists Show on Oct 15-16, 2016. I will be at the Oak Ridges Community Centre, Richmond Hill.  My facebook page is: www.facebook.com/Artbywire

Katie and Sharon: Artists in Residence at Mill Pond Gallery

This week, Studio tour artists, Sharon Kirsh and Katie Argyle are Artists in Residence at the Mill Pond Gallery.  This bright sunny space, located beside the Mill Pond, is one of the featured stops during the Richmond Hill Studio Tour. During the summer, this gallery space is occupied by artists at work. And for the week of July 22nd to July 29th, Katie and Sharon have been hard at work, indulging in their desire to create in a focused manner.

Works in Progress: Sharon's Cold Wax Paintings beside Katie's Wood Cuts

 

Q. Why did you want to be an artist in residence?

Katie Argyle (KA): I was an artist in residence here last year and I knew that I could make good work in this space. So, this year I planned to finish some large projects and continue to add to my series of work about the suburbs. I also, simply value the large space we have available to us. I have a very small studio and I live in an apartment. I can't actually see or display many of the pieces I make. For me, part of being here is the joy to see my own work up on a wall.

Katie's got big plans!

Sharon Kirsh (SK): My studio is at home, and although I am grateful to have this convenience and space, I am to easily distracted by home responsibilities. I am deeply sensitive to my environment, and felt that being somewhere new sharing space with another creative soul, would bring new energy and vitality to my work (and it did!). 

Work in Progress, Looking at the world "Through Rose Coloured Glasses"

 

Q. What did you hope to get accomplished, and what actually happened?

(KA): I hoped to finish carving a large woodblock and to immerse myself in printmaking techniques. In particular I wanted to try some experiments with prints. What has happened is I have talked to more people then I thought I would. I will finish my large woodblock and have made a print a day.

Katie's wall of daily print and larger print from her series on the suburbs.

(SK): My plan was to first complete a few pieces that seem to remain chronically in progress. I am pleased to say, that they have taken on completely new life and energy, (pictured up above) and although still not complete, they now feel interesting and alive. I also wanted to play with an idea that has been simmering for the last few months. Influenced by the musicians and dancers I met during York Region Art Council's Artrepreneur program. I started some small samples of this idea earlier this week, and am eager to continue them on a larger scale in the remaining day here.

New idea, reflections on movement.

(KA & SK): Today is our last day at the gallery as Artists in Residence. There is an Abba Tribute band playing at the Mill Pond Park across the street tonight so the party atmosphere may make it's way into the gallery.... Before then, we have plans to work on a collaborative piece today. Check out tour websites, and Facebook pages, to see more of our progress!

To learn more about Katie and her work please visit, katieargyle.com or  http://plasticmasters.blogspot.ca/2016/07/busier-than-i-thought-id-be-rhga-artist.html. To learn more about Sharon Kirsh and her work, please visit sharonkirsh.com or facebook.com/sharonkirshartist. For details about Artrepreneur program, check out https://www.facebook.com/YorkRegionArtsCouncil/

Please make a point of visiting both of these artists during the studio tour!

Featured Artist: Raya Finkelson, 3D Artist

This week the very talented Raya Finkelson shares her artistic musings with us by answering some questions lovers of art often want to know.

How did you get your start as an artist?

I was not born into an artistic family and was not immersed or exposed to a lot of art and music growing up.  But, I always felt that there was a creative spark inside me that was constantly growing and waiting for the right time to emerge.  I felt inspired by various life experiences, memories and the natural world.  In my teens I began experimenting with drawing, painting and sculpting for a few years, but eventually abandoned those pursuits to focus on school, immigrating to a new country and starting a family.  As is common with most creative personalities, it was only a matter of time before the swelling up of inspiration would come out and reveal itself once again, this time through a more dedicated effort to focus on painting and sculpting.  In 2005, I made my art a priority and haven’t looked back.  it is now my full time endeavor.

What Inspires you and your work?

The beauty and diversity of the natural world is my primary inspiration. The depth and variety of shapes in nature constantly provide endless opportunities for me to re-imagine and reinterpret the world around me into 3D sculptures paintings.

Can you please describe your process?

The entire process is quite time consuming, since it involves more than just putting brush strokes to canvas as I am creating 3 dimensional objects within my paintings.  The steps include sketching, defining the 3D objects, molding them out of clay, baking the clay, then attaching them to the canvas. Only then does the actual painting begin.  You can find some of my art work at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/raya-finkelson www.instagram.com/rayafink

Please visit Raya Finkelson during this year's studio tour, when you certainly will be amazed by her beautiful 3D works. The studio is on during the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Sign up for our email list for more details!

Irit Brodsky: Fused Glass Creations

This week we are featuring Irit Brodsky. She is a wonderful fused glass artist.

It is a very exciting moment when the hood of the kiln is opened and the finished glass creation is revealed. Rarely do I look at it and think " yeah, it's what I expected". I am constantly amazed by how the glass changes from the raw 12"x12" squares, bought in the store, to a finished product that has a minimum of two layers of cut, constructed and designed pieces of harmonized glass. Each piece is warmed up to almost 1500 degrees and cooled back to room temperature, which takes about 12 hours. It is then warmed and cooled again over a ceramic mold in order to give the piece a functional purpose.

 I grew up by the Mediterranean Sea, mesmerized by the sunsets. Turquoise and Orange is my favourite combination of colours and I never get tired of them. Glass can be very playful and shiny, allowing the artists to enjoy endless combinations of creative possibilities.

Fused glass has been a hobby for almost 10 years, and I am still learning new things.
My next goal is to in cooperate glass with wood, for the purpose of coffee tables and shelves. And yes, I am still holding on to my day job... for now.

I am honoured to be included among such talented artists and excited to present my work at the Richmond Hill Studio Tour 2016. You can learn about Irit by visiting her website brightglass.weekly.com.  Please visit her during this year's studio tour!

Lori Dreyer Spendiff: The Magic of the Medium

This week's blog post is written by Lori Dreyer Spendiff. Although new to the studio tour, Lori is not new to the making of art. She is a highly skilled watercolourist and beloved fine art educator. 

Orange Dream

Drop Aureolin (yellow) onto wet watercolour paper and watch it spread.  Add a puddle of Permanent Rose and then watch the two colours mingle to make orange.  Repeat with Prussian Blue.  Tilt the paper, letting gravity do its job, and you’ll see purple, green and grey appear in the mix.  It doesn’t matter how often I demonstrate this basic watercolour technique, it never fails to impress me. I love the process and challenge of watercolour.  The endless variations and possibilities are a constant source of inspiration.

Primary Colour Blend

I enjoy working in the traditional watercolour method.  Layers of transparent washes are built up to create intense colour, deep shadows, and inviting textures.  As the only white I use is the white of the paper, the challenge is to build the layers without losing the lights.  Once you lose them, they’re gone.  And too many layers of even the most transparent paint can become muddy, especially in the dark areas and shadows.  Put down the brush and walk away!

Jet Eye

Creating texture can be difficult, but fun, even when it backfires.  Watercolourists are the original faux-finishers, and we use all kinds of items and tools (salt, plastic wrap, sponges, just to name a few) to disturb the paint while it dries, or to apply paint on a dry background.  Many of my texturing experiments have inspired future pieces – I love the results, which are sometimes not what I expected, and look for a way to work them into a painting.

Fall Colour

Translating the images in my mind onto paper is not always easy.  Watercolour can be unforgiving.  There is nowhere to hide, no cover-up, and no turning back.  But it is also exciting – those first few washes are filled with so much possibility.  I never know exactly how the pigment will settle into the pores of the paper until it has dried completely.  Many of my paintings are never finished, but I find the process so satisfying that I am inspired to try again.  And again.  When all the elements do come together, and the painting works – it’s magic!

Fort Myers Pier

I am honoured to be a part of this year’s Richmond Hill Studio Tour.  Drop in and see my work at the Boynton House during the tour, on October 15 & 16, 2016.  For information on my classes and workshops, please visit my website or my Facebook page.

Sue Foerster: Works In Progress

Sue Foerster is giving us a sneak peak into her artists studio this week as she prepares for this year's Studio Tour, which will be taking place during the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Sue will be showing her work at the Mill Pond Gallery site.

Sketch of Barbie the ballerina.

Preparing a background in oil and cold wax.

Painted figure work in progress.

If you would like to stay up-to-date on her progress, please follow her on her blog. And subscribe to our email list, and have fresh images from talented artists such as Sue delivered to your email each week!

Yvette Daou-Yacoub: The Beading Artist

When I started beading 13 years ago, all I wanted is to create jewelry and accessories. I love jewellery, I love fashion. To me, no outfit is complete without accessories. What got me started first and foremost was the fact that I could never find the proper pieces of jewellery or accessories when I went shopping for clothes. Yes, the market is flooded with accessories, but never the proper ones for me. And, when I found a piece that I like, either it was very expensive or not in line with current fashions. At that point, I made me decision: I had to start making and designing my own jewellery.

So, this is how my beading journey got started! I signed up for jewellery making courses, beading workshops and taking gemology courses. My first gemology class was the study of pearts at the Canadian Jewellers Institute. Pearls are the most amazing organic gemstones, and with the technology of today, they are produced in so many forms, shapes and colours, sometimes natural and other times cultivated or even artificially made.

The more I educated myself about beads, the more I fell in love with the trade. I started designing jewellery for myself, then for my sisters, then for my friends, then for neighbours and colleagues, and the circle started getting wider and wider…  I started showing my designs by having jewellery parties and open houses.  All the ladies kept admiring my pieces and complimenting me by saying: “Yvette, you are so talented, your work is a piece of art”, “Yvette, you are such an artist, I love your work. I have been receiving so many compliments on that necklace I bought from you last year”. Suddenly, it dawned on me; beading is a form of Art!

Few years later I started receiving orders for Bridal Parties, it was not just to make jewellery, but it was for centre pieces.  One bride needed crystals drops for her tree as a centre piece.  So I started creating and designing beaded items for decorations, and Holiday themes.  My beading journey took a different turn all of a sudden. I cannot call it just beaded jewellery anymore, I am designing and creating more than just that, I had to change the name to Beaded Art items, so I can include all the other decorative items, such as: Holiday items, Key Chains, Book marks, Sunglass holders, napkin rings, purse enhancers, Tiaras, hair combs, window Sun Catchers…

I am called the Beading Artist now, I am creating items with beads, and I am designing jewellery with all sorts of beads.  My horizon have widened so much, the sky is my limit.

The studio tour is during the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Please mark your calendar and plan on visiting some of our amazing artists. 

Introducing Maya Strelnikova

One of the wonderful aspects of the studio tour, that many visitors have commented on, is the diversity of arts and handiworks that are included in each tour. This year, Maya Strelnikova, a gifted knitter and designer of beautiful knit works is joining the tour.

This is Maya Strelnikova, modelling one of her original sweater designs.

This year, the Studio Tour will be taking place on the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Subscribe to our blog, to learn more about this year's artists!

Happy Mother's Day from the Richmond Hill Studio Tour

Sharing art and culture with Richmond Hill and surrounding communities, is one of the purposes of the Richmond Hill Studio Tour. In honour of Moms and the special people in our lives who love and nurture us, today we are sharing some inspiring and beautiful artwork and some ideas for art related activities you can enjoy with your mom.

You can see some of Victor Molev's work at Reversion 2016 Superwonder Gallery at 876 Bloor Street Toronto.

Sue Forester is having a lovely exhibition this weekend, called "Strokes of Paint", check out this website for details.

If mom is busy brunching this weekend, then consider sharing art together, by participating in a floral inspired collage workshop on May 28th. This collage workshop is with studio tour artist Sharon Kirsh and is geared to all levels. You can read about it here, The course code is 563066. 

This year's studio tour will be on the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Make sure you are subscribed to this blog to learn more about the amazing artists participating this year. 
 

Mother's Day is Soon!

Need a gift or card for Mother's day? Our Richmond Hill Studio Tour artists have some wonderfully unique ideas.

Rubina Panjwani creates such beautiful jewellery that mothers would be delighted to receive.

 Ona Kingdon has several of her Ted series on soft velveteen pillow covers. This one is especially appropriate for Mother's day.

Katie Argyle has created some fun decorative plates. I am sure many Moms would love this one.

Komal Riz has made these beautiful butterfly earings

and of course, no Mother's day would be complete without a card. Vera Samarkina has created these wonderfully unique hand painted cards for Mother's day

If you would like find out more about any of the above items please click on the artists names above. To see some other current work by our Richmond Hill Studio Tour artists please visit our facebook page.

Elina Ten at Vancouver's Fashion Week

Love high fashion, but not able to be part of Vancouver or Western Canada Fashion Week? Don't worry! There's good news.  Elina Ten, who was a hit on the runway, will be participating in this year's Studio Tour. In the meantime, you can enjoy these photographs of her amazing designs.

You can learn more about Elina, by visiting her website.

This year, the Studio Tour will take place during the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Like our Facebook Page, for up-to-the minute information and inspiration about our Studio Tour Artists!