Featured Artist: Yvette Daou-Yacoub

Yvette Daou-Yacoub was born into a family with five uncles who were fine high end jewellers and Goldsmiths. She inherited her passion for jewellery from her uncles. Yvette is now designing jewellery using gem stones, pearls, and crystals just like she used to dream as a little girl. Her commitment to her one-of-kind designs and meeting her customer’s needs are foremost in her approach to every piece. You can see her passion for her work in every piece.

Tell us about your most memorable moment that has happened in a previous studio Tour

4 years ago when I first participated in Studio Tour, I did not know what to expect and how the town and the community will receive the Beaded Art/Jewellery designs in the  world of Art  in general. I remember when the doors opened on the first day of the Studio Tour, and the people started coming in, the look on their faces when they saw me standing behind my table full of beaded jewellery and accessories, they were surprised and bit confused. I remember one lady in particular, approaching my table and saying out loud: “I did not know beading is part of Art isn’t that a crafty thing?!” I did not know whether to laugh or to cry. I decided to keep quiet, smiled  and let her admire my collection as she kept looking at my creations with admirations…I knew then that I have added a new flavour to the Art world and I have created more awareness about the beading and the beaded art in general…I will never forget it.

Featured Artist: Valerie Kent

VALERIE KENT B.Ed., B.F.A., M.F.A.,O.C.T. presents workshops to art societies and colleges. Member of IAOCA International Association of Contemporary Artists (Japan), winning an Award at the Kyoto Art Museum Annex, juried into the Seoul International Open Art Fair in Korea and will exhibit in Korea in 2014. Certified Golden Educator.

 

Tell us about your most memorable/ or funniest moment that has happened in a previous studio Tour

I have been party to many a remarkable and memorable moments in the Studio Tour.  I have had the

privilege of being in it since its inception.  When someone loves my work and then wants to adopt it

there is a wonderful bond that is set up.  I find it heartwarming when those who have purchased pieces return year after year, and even if a particular year they do not purchase a piece, they stop by to say hello and see what is being offered this year.  I cannot mention persons by name, but they do become my patrons and art family.  I think they know who they are.  I just want to take this opportunity to thank those who care enough to visit and to purchase my work.

Also give us 3 interesting/ unusual facts about your chosen medium/ art form or the materials you use or the way in which you work

I do paint in several mediums and sometimes in a combination as in mixed media.  I always use the best quality materials.  There are no ifs, ands, or buts in that.  I will never compromise the quality of an artwork. Some of my mixed media pieces had everything from egg shells from my sister Kate's farm, to dried foliage and flower petals, to sand, (before the companies came out with pumice) and glass beads, wool, string and so very much more.  I create the archival quality by covering it all with Golden gels and pastes.  I enjoy doing mono printing painting in soap on plexiglas plates and then printing the image.  The newest way to do that is slightly different in that we now can buy a Gelli plate and print using Golden open acrylics.  This is such fun to do and creates  a very interesting image.  My newest work is both outdoor plein air painting and I take the time to get out into the countryside to paint and also my new Marketplace Series which will be shown in Amsterdam in a solo show on Oct. 10th.  I am so  excited.  

 

 

www.valeriekent.com artistvalerie@yahoo.ca 647 223 5531 

Featured Artist: Cesan d'Ornellas Levine

 Césan is a self trained painter with over 20 years of studio practice and meditation. Formal study has focused on development of from the wrist up artistic intuition and includes a BA in Religious Studies and Art History from McMaster University, and a diploma from the Anna Wise Institute, San Francisco in Biofeedback Meditation.  Extensive travel, from prehistoric sacred sites of the East, to contemporary museums of the West, is an ongoing foundational pedagogy.

 Lens and Light: Sun Series #73  9ft by 12ft  acrylic on panel   2012

Her work is currently in corporate and private collections in Canada, US, UK, Holland, France, Italy, Iceland and Israel. Césan’s studio/residence overlooks Pioneer Park Conservation Area in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

 

Tell us 3 interesting or unusual facts about the way in which you work 

I  have painted abstract expressive works: 1. Hanging from a harness above the canvas 2. Throwing paint from a bucket standing 15 feet above the canvas 3. Doing a live performance in front of 500 people...the painting was started and finished while the audience watched and then it was auctioned off to the highest bidder... what a night!!

Featured Artist: Victor Molev

Victor Molev was born in Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) in 1955. He graduated from architecture faculty in 1976 and worked as an architect and theatre set painter. He immigrated to Israel in 1990. Victor was a member of the association of artists and sculptors in Israel.

He is a painter and graphic artist. He participated in numerous exhibitions (both solo and general) in Russia, Israel and Europe. His works can be found in private collections throughout Europe, United States, Canada and Israel. In August 2006 he moved to Canada. Now he lives in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Victor says "I am very happy to be part of Richmond Hill Studio Tour again, to meet people and to exhibit my new work. You can see my studio by this link Visit the Studio of Viktor Molev .wmv

Featured Artist: Sue Sun

Sue Sun is an artist in love with the colors of the natural world. She paints landscapes, still—life work and most importantly, elegant, richly colored floral. She works in oils, acrylics watercolors and soft pastels, and is equally adept at all of them. This is unusual for many artists who use only one or two types of media, but Sue chooses her medium based on the demands of the subject matter.

Today, Sue would be best described as an emerging artist. Her work of acrylic paintings is available to be exhibited.

Title: After the Rain

Size: 18" X 18"

Medium: Acrylic Painting

 Through the years she has developed a style that is loose, colorful and boldly unique...all of Sue's original work is now done on acrylic painting on canvas...she loves the effect that helps her creativity and she enjoys the freedom it provides.

You will not find it optional to have matting, glass or even framing. The presentation is amazing, simple and natural.

Title: Secret Dating

Size: 16" X 16"

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Featured Artist: Inga Rozina

Inga creates handmade jewelry designs with gemstones, Swarovski Crystals, Sterling Silver and Gold. She creates necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and other accessories.

 

 

 

What are you most looking forward to

I am looking forward to show my works and to gain more knowledge by hearing other people's opinions and comments, and this is going to be my first time, so I am very excited to participate and meet other artists.

Tell us how you got started in the world of art and who inspired you

I have always wanted to create beautiful things. For a long time, I've tried to find myself in different art styles. In 2011, I immigrated to Canada, and the colorful beauty of the Canadian fall triggered my desire to try my hand at creating jewelry. I experiment with different textures and colors - plastic bottles, beads, pearls, shells, silver and a lot of other materials. I also like to make crochet jewelry and various different accessories. The biggest reward for me is to see that people are not only using, but enjoying my craft…

 

 

My shops:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelleryIrozochka

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Beautifulcrocheting

Featured artist Ben Lee

Ben Lee is the founder and President of Dynasty Watercolour Association (DWA).  It's a young but vibrant self funded voluntary organization in Richmond Hill which is committed to promoting watercolour particularly among artists of different cultures and ethnicities. DWA opens its membership to all watercolour medium artists, amateurs and professionals.

Tell us how you got started in the world of art and who inspired you

Much of my inspiration comes from my late father, an OCAD alumnus in 1930.  I started to paint at an early age.  I often tacked along with his colleagues to plein air painting during weekends.  Later, I furthered my studies at Vancouver School of Fine Art.  Since then I hardly had a chance to pick up my  brushes and palette until I took my retirement and immersed myself into the world of art, sharing my love and passion with my peers.  

I am an impressionist watercolour painter with its fluidity techniques expressed in my paintings.  A style offered me as it dances in the rhythm of my desired images and creativities.  Landscape is amongst my favourite subject matter.  I tried to capture the ever changing mood of the outdoors, capturing the magic of nature in dramatic colours with bold strokes.  Orange is my favourite colour.  I am forever exploring in different mediums and techniques much like working on canvas and particle wood-board with regular watercolour, thoroughly enjoying the painting process.

Tell us about your most memorable or funniest moment that has happened in a previous studio Tour

Nothing really funny ever happened during my many years at Richmond Hill Studio Tour show but there were many happy moments when friends came to see my show as well as having the opportunity to get acquainted with other artists.

Give us an interesting or unusual fact about your chosen medium or the materials you use or the way in which you work

I considered myself as a fast painter.  I often turned out two paintings during plein air in a day.  I

remembered one colleague said to me that he has constipation; cause he can hardly finish one painting in an entire day!  And now, I think this is a good Joke!!

 
For more information please visit Ben's website www.benleestudio.ca

Featured Artist: Tiffany Folmeg

 This is Tiffany's first year as an artist in the studio tour.

 

Tell us what you are most looking forward to about this years Studio Tour.

This show encourages a connection between the artist and public granting direct exposure and interaction with the community.  I look forward to talking to individuals engaged in supporting the local art scene.  There is much to learn and experience within such an event in hopes to heighten my practice.  

 

Tell us how you got started in the world of art and who inspired you.

Being creative was encouraged at a very young age, and as I continued into secondary school I had great support from my visual arts teacher.   He was a great mentor which paved way to post-secondary art and now as an instructor of the arts.  It is honest to say that all art inspires me, I love to learn about the historical attributes woven in rich pieces of artwork and the various means that drive humanity to create.  It will always be a goal of mine to engage individuals and myself for the sake of creative and tactile learning.  Art is the evident connection between the soul and the world around us.

 

Featured Artist: Long Yun-Xu

 
Long  Yun-Xu was born in Nanjing, China.  A renowned artist in watercolour medium.  His works often published in art-books and magazines.  His works were shown many times in the National Watercolour Painting Exhibition, a most prestigious art institution in China.  A lot of his works have been collected all over the world including National Art Museum of China.

Long is the member of several top rated watercolour artist including the International Watercolour League and the consultant of Nanjing Artist' Association.  He is also an honorable member of the "Dynasty Watercolour Association" in Richmond Hill.  He can be contacted via DWA's President Ben Lee at (416) 903-4830

This is Long Yun-Xu's first time participating in the Studio Tour. he is looking forward to the experience very much

Featured Artist: Alexandra K Conrad

 Alexandra likes to create paintings that evoke emotions in the viewer. The conception of one of her works of art begins with a subject, idea, inspirational view, a set of colours that grab her attention or the particular light of that moment. This then gets expressed through her brushstrokes.


What is your most memorable moment from your previous Richmond Hill Studio Tour experiences?

I did a portrait in oil on canvas of our friends’ daughter Michelle, and I had this for the first time displayed at the 2013 Richmond Hill Studio Tour. Michelle and her parents came to see the painting for the first time. The reaction of Michelle and her mother was the most memorable for me. Michelle said: It is me and I love it. They both had tears in their eyes form happiness. Michelle wrote in my Guests Book: “I love the painting of me! Thank you! “This was very emotional and memorable moment for me.

Artist: Alexandra K Conrad
Title: “Michelle” Medium: oil on gallery canvas
 Size: 28 x 22 inches

Can you tell us 3 interesting facts about the medium you use?
Lately I paint mainly in oil and acrylic. Both mediums allow me to

1. Apply paint thin or thick

2. To have brush strokes visible

3. Acrylic dries fast, so if I need to have painting finished fast I use acrylic.

Other time I might use acrylic because I feel that for certain subject and my interpretation it will be a better medium.

Alexandra K Conrad and her paintings at the exhibition 2013 Richmond Hill Studio Tour at the Burr House (Pottery by Elena Fumagalli)

For more information please visit Alexandra's Website: www.akconradart.com
 or Contact: akcmail@akconradart.com
905 883 5539

Featured Artist... Jette Cott

Jette Knudsen Cott came to Canada from Denmark with her parents and siblings in the 1950s.  All her life, she has been passionate about the beauty of the world around her and what she could do to make it more so.

Jette draws much of her inspiration from everyday visions such as nature’s scenery, children at play, florals and still life.  Her craft brings her incredible joy and the she enjoys the enthusiasm for her work of those who collect it.

 

Tell us about your most memorable moment that has happened in a previous Studio Tour

During last year's Studio Tour, I had old friends come by whom I had not seen for over 10 years. We had a great visit and they purchased a painting. I also had a wall designated to commissions I had done of children and dogs. Conversations and interest in this resulted in more commissions.

Tell us a little about your chosen medium you use and the way in which you work

My favorite paintings are watercolours, but I can't call it my only medium for painting. I love using acrylics too and always stride to create more blended, flowing images, even with some transparency to them.

 It's a very forgiving, fast medium which suits my impatient personality.

 If you would like to see more of Jette's work please visit her website: http://www.jetteknudsen.com/

Introducing the 2014 Studio Tour Artists

There are many exciting events planned over the coming months in the lead up to this years Richmond Hill Studio Tour including 'Art in the Park' events, outdoor summer concerts, and the Hillcrest Mall Preview Show, where people will have the opportunity to meet many of the Studio Tour artists and see them at work.

 We will also be doing the popular Featured Artist here on 'Art on the Hill' again so check here often to read about some of the memorable or funny moments the artists have had during previous Studio Tours or what they are most looking forward to at this years Tour. They will also be telling us some interesting facts about their type of art.  Its a great opportunity to get to know about each artist and the mediums in which they work.

Each blog post will also be shared on our Richmond Hill Studio Tour Facebook page and our Google + page so don't forget to stay connected and either Like us on facebook, join our google+ circles or follow us here on the blog. To make sure you never miss a post why not sign up for e mail notification (on the left of this post) Then you will automatically receive an e mail each time there is a new blog post.

Congratulations to the 44 Artists who have been juried into this years Studio Tour

Sherry Rossi                                  Jamak Hadiyan
Ian Kochberg                                 Chris Kingdon
Cesan d'Ornellas Levine                Ona Kingdon
Victor Molev                                  Vladimir Lopatin
Didi Gadjanski                               Olena Lopatina
Sharon Kirsh                                  Andrea End
Susan Chater                                  Khatcho Yazedjian
Karen Pasieka                                Momin Wasim Khan
Peter Pasieka                                  Alexandra Conrad
Mari Nicolson                                Valerie Kent
Rose Hirano                                    Jette Cotte
Joanna Dabrowski                          Wendy Cho
Michelle Tourikian                         Maryam Sadrolhefazi
Kate Liubansky                               Masha Toosi
Alice Chik                                      Laurel Douglas Shugarman
Valentine loppe                               Don Downer
Tiffany Folmeg                               Liz Menard
Ben Lee                                           Irina Zaretchnev
Yunxu Long                                    Josephine Sherman
Inga Rosin                                       Daniela Anzil
Sue Sun                                           Shiva Moghaddasi
Yvette Daou-Yacoub                       Lezlie Winemaker

Application forms for the 2014 Studio Tour

Thank you to everyone that came out and supported our local artists last weekend. It was lovely to see so many visitors.

The application forms for next years Studio Tour are now available. Click on each photo for a larger printable version.

Richmond Hill 2013 Studio Tour E Brochure

Watch this slideshow to meet the artists, see their locations for the tour and get a glimpse of some of the beautiful artwork that will be on display on october 19th and 20th 2013

Paintings on display throughout October

The month long promotional display of a selection of Studio Tour artists work is now hung at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Drop in any time between 10 am and 6pm to view the work.

You can find paintings on display throughout the main gallery space in the lobby of the theatre and the upper and lower east side galleries.

Here is just a selection of the work