Toronto Artist Project, finished

One of the best things about the show was meeting new friends. I was lucky to be stationed between two really great, funny artists who inspired me no end. Todd Clark and Nancy Moore. Here they are with pictures of their work.

Then there is the work of these artist that really caught my eye. My pictures don't do them justice, please look them up online to get a better view!

Photographer Patrick Lajoie

 Artist Daniel St-Amant

 Artist Nurit Basin

 Artist Jim Bourke

 Artist Samantha Sandbrook

And last but not least, Artist Richard Ahnert. Love his sense of humour.

And that's it till 2017! : )

Toronto Artist Project, cont'd.

Today through Thursday I will finish up with my experience at the Toronto Artist Project 2016. Here are the first set of pictures of artists that inspired me.

 Artist: Happy Sleepy aka Marc Ngui Magda Wojtyra. This was a large banner when you walked into the venue,

 Artist: Jeannie Pappas. I am totally in love with these. 

 Artist: Joel Martimbeault. I especially love the painting on the top right.

Artist: Anya Mielniczek. There were two of these flanking the podium. Individual pieces of art incorporating bright colours and candy wrappers. They were gorgeous!

Artist: Claire Desjardins. Last but not least. I love her work!

Toronto Artist Project 2016, recap 1

Last week this time I was in the thick of the Artist Project 2016 in Toronto. I was able to make Facebook updates but since I couldn't blog, here is a recap of the weekend. Today, pictures of my booth set-up. It was 5'x10'. I love doing outdoor shows but there is definitely something to be said for hanging your work on hard, gallery-style walls.

The show was quite a ride. Inspiring, exhausting. So glad I experienced it.

Toronto Artist Project

It is a few short days until the Artist Project in Toronto at the Better Living Centre, CNE. February 18-21. If you love art, this is the place for you! Here is a collection of abstract paintings from my newly updated website. If you haven't seen it for a while, please check it out!

I Always Knew

I Always Knew / 30"x30" / acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas / $1,050
This is my last painting for the Toronto Artist Project next week!
The Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair is held at the Better Living Centre on the CNE grounds.

Getting ready for the Artist Project 2016!

Well, the time is almost here. Next week is the Artist Project 2016! Look what just came in the mail:

Swanky opening night tickets! If you would like to see a glimpse as to what the art fair is all about, please click here. If you like what you see and can make it to Toronto, please come!

So now all the last minute busy work begins. Lots of checklists : ) Another part of exhibiting at a show is decided painting placement for your booth walls. For this I made a schematic with paintings to scale. This way I can play around with groupings and take some of the guess work out of set-up day. 

Away (Road Trip)

New Work. "Away" (Road Trip) / acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas / 16"x20" / $560

I'm also pleased to have just signed up for a workshop this summer with Claire Desjardnis. 
This is one of her paintings:

Cobblestones of San Miguel, 2016

Painting 48 x 90 x 1.5 in 122 x 228 x 5 cm

The uneven cobblestones of San Miguel wind through the oldest parts of the colourful town. I imagine the hundreds of years' worth of traffic that have ridden and walked along the paths that find their ways into the heart of the village, atop the mountain. I will go back. I used mostly acrylic paints, but I also used graphite, charcoal, and conte.

Lovely, yes? #alwayslearning

Wanderlust

Wanderlust.
Who hasn't felt it? Where would you go if money wasn't an object? I'd love to know, on this cold January day. Let's all do some dreaming : )
24"x36" / acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas / $1050

Two new works

This morning it began like this:

And now two new small works. Cloud I and Cloud II. I think they go quite nicely with "Shift" (bottom of the post, painted last year).

 Cloud I / mixed media on cradled wood support / 8"x8" / $180

 Cloud II / mixed media on cradled wood support / 8"x8" / $180

Shift / mixed media on cradled wood support / 16"x16" / $465

Studio clean-up + Happy New Year!

Happy New Year a good week in. Hope everyone is feeling fine and that January hasn't been to harsh a start for 2016!
The new year brought a studio clean. Believe me. Much needed. Feels excellent to be working in a open uncluttered space again.
I continue to paint away, working toward the Artist Project in Toronto in February. A mountain to be done! I currently have 5 pieces on the go. One has been with me since November - a beast! haha. Sometimes they're like that. Next week I'll be able to share some pictures but for now they're not quite ready. I leave you with a couple snaps of my studio. Good day peeps!

Top 5 + Happy New Year!

Another year has almost wrapped and it is time to wish all of you a very Happy New Year! It is also time for lists : ) Here are my Top 5 favourite paintings of 2015.

 Sea Glass / 36"x60" / acrylic on cradled wood support / $2100. ©Kim Rempel

 Shift / acrylic on wood / 16"x16" / $465 ©Kim Rempel

 Golden Sun / acrylic on canvas / 40"x48" / $1900 ©Kim Rempel

 Secret Garden / acrylic on wood / 36"x72" / $2600 ©Kim Rempel

Crow / 6"x6" / oil on archival panel / SOLD ©Kim Rempel
And in the spirit of a new year and fresh start, here is a piece of writing I quite like. I take issue with the line "no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should" but there is so much greatness here that I enjoy going back to it for those thoughts. Cheers everyone!
Desiderata.
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy

Merry Christmas!

Today I am reposting a painting from a few years back along with a lovely piece of writing I saw online yesterday. I think I will copy the words and remind myself to read them year round : ) My warmest wishes to everyone! And to those celebrating, Happy Holidays!

Santa String / SOLD. To see a note about this painting, see below.

This Christmas end a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind; be gentle. Appreciate. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Welcome a stranger. Take pleasure in the beauty and the wonder of Earth. Speak your love. Speak it again, speak it yet once more.

A note about this painting: These figures are made from what looks to be a type of pipe cleaner, with plastic heads and they're holding trees or wreaths. They are 4" high.

Notes from the collector: Definitely European. Probably vintage 30s. I love browsing antique shops. In December everything is overpriced. The rest of the year, it's in storage and it's fun to ask if they have anything. The friendly types of shop keepers will go back to their stock rooms and invariably come up with something.

ARTLOVE: Denis Sarazhin

It's been way too long since I did an ARTLOVE post but I discovered a painter online that has blown me away and wanted to share. His name is Denis Sarazhin and he paints with such complex, intricate marks and colour that I find I'm actually holding my breath when I look at his work. Exquisite. There is a quality to his work that reminds me of Egon Schiele and wow, does Sarazhin know colour. I could get lost in his works for days.

Wandering through streets of Kerch by Denis Sarazhin



Pantomime 5 by Denis Sarazhin


Corn by Denis Sarazhin

After Hours

Done! I have had a block with my latest abstract so I moved to something completely different for a bit of a break. This is "After Hours". Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas (edges painted black) / 24"x36" / $995.

Work in progress

I've been blocked on an abstract I've been working on so I decided to shift to something completely different and see if that unlocks something when I go back to the abstract. Right now this has strong lines and is quite graphic - not sure if it will stay that way but this is what it looks like to date.

Laundry Tub

40"x60" / acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas / sold

A client commissioned this piece for a client of hers. It was great fun to work on - it had been a while since I painted a large still life!

Day One at the HandMade Market!

Here are some pictures from the first day at the HandMade Christmas Market at Honsberger Winery in Jordan, Ontario. 
So many wonderful artisans and handmade items. Bring your Christmas List - you'll be able to cross a lot of items off! ; ) 
Hours: Saturday 9-4 Sunday 11-4.

Acceptance!

I am thrilled to announce that I received my acceptance last week to the Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair. It runs February 18-21 in Toronto. Yowza!

Also, this weekend I will be at the HandMade Christmas Market at the gorgeous Honsberger Winery in Jordan, Ontario with my small works in oil. Three days to shop, sip and savour!

Chihuahua

Another small painting for the upcoming Handmade Christmas Market at Honsberger Estate Winery in Jordan, Ontario.
6"x6" / oil on archival panel / $100 (includes free shipping)

Coneflowers

6"x6" / oil on archival panel / $100 (includes free shipping)

Puffy bird

6"x6" / oil on archival panel / $100 (includes free shipping)