Talking to Artists

Synopsis: James talked about the importance of planning and long term planning in a business practice. He shared his inspiration behind his maps - an homage to the iconic Canadian landscape as well as the culture and people who make up this country. He shared the strategy behind creating hand embellished prints and the ability to make art more accessible to more people. We laughed as we talked about his rapid rise to TikTok stardom. We ran out of time so....will do part 2 in a few months! About the Artist: Drawing inspiration from aerial views of cities and maps, James Fowler's acrylic, oil and gouache works on canvas, paper, and wood are playfully geometric and resonate with the digital world, and culture of online information distribution. His non-traditional landscape paintings borrow from cartography and geometric abstraction, and celebrate both urban centres and rural living. He attended York University in Toronto for Film Studies and maintains a full time studio practice as a painter in Toronto. His work has exhibited in Canada and United States, and his work can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada, US and Europe. To see more of James's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Michael shared his fascinating journey from professional hockey player to artist...the challenge of leaving one love to pursue another and the loss of community. He talked about masculinity and about channeling this as a way to communicate feelings and emotions. He creates dynamic, bold and energetic paintings that capture these emotions perfectly. Artist Statement/About the Artist: Born just outside of Toronto, Ontario, like many young Canadians, Michael Wills grew up with a hockey stick in his hands. For over 20 years, Michael put his passion and energy into playing pro hockey but little did he know, an entirely different skill would become a driving force in his life. Soon, the hockey stick would be replaced with an artist’s brush. Every piece that Michael creates is the product of an intense release of emotional energy. His passion and creativity are expressed in a kaleidoscope of colours as he glides across each canvas with a pallet knife, giving his work a rough, energetic feel, that many have referred to as “masculine” in style. Michael’s inspiration comes from the energy and movement of the city, which he feels is best captured in the city lights. To see more of Michael's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Susanne talked about her recent move back to New Zealand and how it is a challenge getting started on your art practice after a big change and how important it is to find your local art community. She shared how she makes collagraph handprints and how she created an online course to share this unique form of printmaking to others. I am looking forward to seeing how her art changes with the different scenery! Artist Statement: "I'm an artist who loves to paint, create Collagraph Handprints and Sculpt. I also find people fascinating to draw and paint. One of the joys of my life is to share my passion for art and the life enhancing effect of creativity with others. I teach workshops for art clubs, work internationally with people in my online video printmaking course and occasionally teach in my studio. My overall vision for my life is to become more compassionate as a person and reduce suffering upon this planet. In my art life it is to create well considered, uplifting and authentic art and then have it go out into the world to bring joy and pleasure to others." To see more of Susanne's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Joanne shared tips for collectors and art lovers in this episode. She recommended taking your time and doing the research, including meeting the artist before buying what you love. She recommended exploring work by black and Indigenous artists and the trend towards calming art. She talked about the trend of corporations to sell vs buy art and the huge trend towards buying art online. Artist Statement: Quality original art speaks volumes. Whether it is inside your home, business, or cottage, art reflects your taste, style, personal values and professionalism. Original art can bring enjoyment for a lifetime. Joanne Poluch is an established art consultant that will help you source, find, place and negotiate the best possible price for all your art needs. To see more of Joanne's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Court talked about her art and how it helped her process the sudden death of her father. We talked about the importance of getting into the right head space to create. She also shared her thoughts about no short cuts....you have to put the hard work into social media and the business of art to be successful. We chatted about Art and Found Day (Mar 12) - its inspiration and impact. About the Artist: "I am a self-taught abstract artist located in Toronto, Canada. After experiencing a long bout of anxiety in my early twenties, I made my way back to art. It seemed to be the only thing that would ease my angst and bring my mind back to serenity. As my anxiety subsided and as I pursued my career in marketing, painting was pushed to the sidelines again; that is until my late twenties when I lost my father in a sudden accident and my life was turned upside down. From that moment on, I spent every free minute I had painting. I used it as an opportunity to put all of the emotions I couldn't express verbally into a form that helped my grieve and ultimately helped me heal. Flow state is truly a magical place." To see more of Court's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Expat Denise talked about goodbyes and how important it is to surround yourself with art that captures those happy memories. We talked about times and places left behind and the challenges of moving to a new country; working to understand the cultural rules and language. We talked about using images that are not from your own culture and how this can be used to celebrate our connection to all people. Denise has just been asked to participate in an online show to combat Asian hate - check her profile for details. Artist Statement: My obsession with taking endless photographs, combined with our newfound opportunity to travel the world, lead me to the photo based mixed media paintings I create now. My frequent travels allow my ongoing body of work ‘Traveling the World’ to grow and evolve as I explore and add new destinations. A recent stint of living in Japan inspired a deep dive in Japanese arts and aesthetics which resulted in my new series ‘World on Washi’. As I continue to travel and experience the world I will keep on growing and evolving as an artist and as a person. To see more of Denise's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Richard talked about how his work is inspired by relationships - between each other and us and our surroundings. He talked about his transition from wood and clay to steel. We shared a love of mobiles and the tech challenges to make them work. We discussed the importance of having a business plan - understanding the operations of a business and the nurturing of collectors. About the Artist: Richard Sturgeon creates interpretive abstract and landscape sculpture, influenced by contrasts between natural and urban environments and a life shared between the dramatic landscapes of Northern Ontario and the developed regions of the province’s southwest. In it the artist examines the essence of our relationships; to one another, to one's own make up and to our surroundings. To see more of Richard's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook

Synopsis: James shared his inspiration behind his kinetic, joyful Prayer Machines. He talked the role of God in his journey - moving from teacher to full-time artist. He shared a bit about his process and the role of storytelling in his work. . Artist Statement: “When you see these objects I’ve created, I hope you open your eyes wider, you compel your heart to listen more closely and you entice your mind to wander with intuition as its guide to a place where there is a joy that confounds and a beauty that embraces.” James Paterson builds ambiguous machine-like objects with wires and steel rods. This artistic process has led to his being branded an “Imagineer” creating structures by twisting wire and welding rods into shapes that become stories that come to life with splashes of colour. He invites viewers to interact with his sculptures by incorporating moving parts that give the pieces an experiential quality. Memories from the culturally diverse and visually textured neighbourhood in Toronto where he grew up have inspired the wire sculptures he has been creating for almost 10 years. To see more of James's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Ramona talked about how a Bic pen became her signature "tool". She talked about her interest in opposites - old/new, traditional/unconventional and past/present. Ramona shared her inspirations behind her "famous people" portraits....understanding their thoughts and beliefs before they were famous. We talked about hard lessons and how this can often lead to a breakthrough. About the Artist: Ramona tries to push the boundaries of traditional figurative/portrait painting by choosing an unconventional mixture of color and patterns within her work. Nordal studied at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver, British Columbia. Studying under internationally renowned Canadian artist Dennis Burton she focused on colour theory, anatomy drawing and painting. Nordal’s work has been shown in Canada, the United States, Kuwait, Europe and most recently Australia. To see more of Romona's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Steve, a colour blind painter, shared his journey from first picking up a paintbrush during Covid to promoting and selling his art today. How his passion for military history informed his work and why he chose to combine these 2 interests. As a consultant, Steve shared his insights on the use of LinkedIn to promote his work. About the Artist: Steve began painting on July 1st, 2019 and has had no formal ART training. His first paintings were a series of 50 “Military Portraits” demonstrating the development of Steve’s unique and quirky portrait style. He draws his artistic inspiration from the details of military uniforms, traditional military portraiture, visualization of military data and procedure, aerial reconnaissance photography, campaign maps, nautical charts, propaganda posters, the machines of warfare and the use of colour and design to both disguise and reveal. To see more of Steve's work, please visit: · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Floyd shared how he arrived at metalwork as his paintbrush. He talked about his process and inspirations, specifically the aggressive nature of seeds. He chatted about the challenges of creating installations both in Canada and overseas in Vietnam and how proud he is that his work welcomes visitors to Canada at the US border. Stay tuned to see what he is planning next. Artist Statement: Rotten stumps, broken branches, invasive species, ravaged trees as well as polar opposites and dysfunctional objects; these are the things that excite Floyd Elzinga. He has made a career out of highlighting and glorifying these through three dimensional sculpture, relief work and environmental installations for over 25 years. Current themes in his work focus on broken landscapes, portraits of trees and the aggressive nature of seeds. Floyd received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design in Halifax, NS. He was initially drawn to steel, due to its malleable, plastic and forgiving nature, and he continues to utilize its range of colours as well as the way light plays off the surface. He has been exploring traditional metal working techniques to create textures and depth the same way a painter would use a paintbrush. For show notes, please visit my website To more of Floyd's work, please visit · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: We talked how Joan got inspired to start her own gallery; a gallery that focused on inclusion vs exclusion and strives to remove barriers to purchasing original fine art. She shared her incredible journey of doing international art fairs and online auctions to expose Canadian artist to a broader world. About the Gallery: Affordable original modern and contemporary art. Spence Gallery has a carefully curated collection of original, powerful and inspiring work from over 30 emerging, mid-career, and established artists from Canada. Book an appointment at Spence Gallery now and discover abstract, figurative, surreal, and mixed media artwork ranging in price from $500 - $5,000. · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: We talked about her scary experiences while pleinair painting and her love of unusual materials....snowballs settling on her watercolours to make interesting marks; she embraces play and unpredictability in her art. We shared a loved of vibrant colour and our Canadian influences of the Group of Seven. Hilary shared her recent initiative highlighting the issue of water conservation in her Tiny Township. About the Artist: Hilary paints landscapes of the Canadian wilderness, from Ontario to Labrador. Her recent works are large-scale watercolours sealed with cold wax, mounted on birch panel, as well as acrylic paintings on panel. Primarily self-taught as a painter, Hilary has been painting for over 35 years. Since moving to Georgian Bay she has been professional for the past 8 years. Her focus is capturing the unique landforms around Ontario. Goemorphological landforms intrigue her most. Hilary paints most in watercolours. She thrives on the lack of control that her wet-on-wet techniques allow, since other mediums afford a forced decision making with each brush stroke. Wet on wet forces the excitement of letting go to allow nature to take over · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Kate speaks with Joanne Poluch of Remarque Art Consulting. Joanne shared many valuable tips to help artists succeed in their art practice. She works to help them find their voice and to suppress their inner critic. Her artist mentoring program supports the growth of their work as well as their business. About Remarque: All artists want their work to be appreciated and valued. They want their work to gain exposure and ultimately, sell their work in the best possible fashion. Art mentorship and coaching is an opportunity to explore hearing your own inner voice, to gain control over your marketing skills and re- light your artistic fire that always burns inside of you. These Art Mentorship sessions will afford us the opportunity to explore your work, examine the success of your social media exposure, benefit from succinct, clearly defined artistic statements and gain an understanding of the competitive market. · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Kate Taylor interviewed Cat Tesla about her transition from being a full time faculty member focusing on genetics to becoming a full-time artist. Cat was generous with her tips and insights of what is needed to make a successful transition. Kate also asked Cat about her collaboration with artist Lisa Ridgers during the pandemic , @lisaridgers_artist. She asked Cat about the entire process, challenges and final outcome of their collaboration. · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: We talked about how her location as she moved homes around the world had an influence on her art. How travel enriches the soul and inspires different colour palettes. Chatted about her love of unusual materials including painting on feathers and using cellulose to sculpt. About the Artist: Where wildlife art meets west coast lifestyle. Karin prefers to work with unusual canvases and materials. Her choice of 'canvas' has ranged from huge boulders to wild turkey feathers to canvas. Currently Karin hand-sculpts wildlife (including her yoga bears) out of wood cellulose and creates wildlife and coastal paintings in acrylics and mixed media. · Instagram · Website

Synopsis: We talked about dogs, the ever-changing inspiration of nature and gardens and how that is reflected in our art. Claire shared her wonderful journey partnering with Anthopologie and creating her own Signature Collection of women's apparel through Wearables. She is a strong advocate for artists finding a way to create revenue from their art beyond art sales in a way that is authentic and true to themselves. About the Artist: Claire Desjardins (b., Montreal) is an award-winning Canadian artist living and working in Gore, Quebec. Working primarily in painting, her formally driven work focuses on gesture and colour, emphasizing energetic, animated brush strokes and bold palettes. · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: We talked about the long history of Gwartzman's and how they moved from the drapery to art supply business. Jackie shared how they have pivoted by doing virtual meetings with artists and their weekly Instagram lived demos. Stay tuned to see what new and exciting products they are introducing over the next few months! About: In the 1960’s Spadina and College was the place for artist to live and work, crammed with studios at every block. At the time Gwartzman’s was a Discount Drapery and Fabric store, owned and run by Mr. G. Often artists would come into the store looking for canvas, so the Gwartzman’s brought in canvas of all different types and widths to accommodate the artists. Once we became known for our discount canvas, the artists then came looking for paint, brushes, and all types of art supplies. The drapery and fabrics were eventually moved to make room for a larger selection of art materials, and we started sourcing products from around the world. Finally, we took on the name, Gwartzman’s Discount Art Supplies. We've been in the same building at 448 Spadina Avenue since October 2nd, 1945. Almost 50 years later, 2nd and 3rd generation Gwartzman’s are still carrying on the business. · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: Hannan gave us a quick tour of her studio and sand blasting equipment as she shared her unique carving process to making her delicate (but apparently not really fragile) sculptures. She shared her love of music and involvement in three music projects that have kept her busy and creatively energized during Covid. And, of course, we bonded over mica!! About the Artist: Hannan Fayad is a glass artist working in a unique sculptural style. Her work highlights the diverse possibilities of glass with forms that delicately balance geometry, organic shapes and colour. The way natural forces of erosion transmute a surface and play with the symmetry of a form influence her compositions and carving technique. Fayad wears away the glass with a sandblaster to reveal an intricate structure. HF Glass studio is located in the Old East Village in London, Ontario, alongside screen printers, ceramicists, and musicians. · Instagram · Facebook · Website

Synopsis: We talked about how Marianne transitioned from architecture to fine art. She shared her struggles in being a "good enough" girl and started painting her life-sized women as a celebration of womanhood. We talked about showing internationally, running an art business and her goal of having an immersive large-scale showing of her women. Artist Statement/About the Artist: Marianne Enhörning is a West Coast Canadian artist. She creates evocative, dreamlike works in oil that are figurative, nature influenced and abstractly architectural. Her art explores the division between modern society and nature, longing for a more harmonious world. “Painting is my voice, the place where I can express passions that words can’t reach. I begin with a pallette of paint, a new canvas and no preconceived ideas. When I raise my head I see an image true to my being that still evades words.” · Instagram · Facebook · Website