I did practice!

I felt it was inspiring to finish a painting in only 20 minutes. But I did it! I did it 5 times and had a blast painting and listening for the alarm to go off. This is a good exercise, too, for those who are feeling a little flat with their work. Because you must stop in 20 minutes, you work from the heart without that long thought process. You should try it.

Varley Art Battle 2011

The Varley–McKay Art Foundation of Markham welcomed Art Battle (http://artbattleto.com/) to host an exciting live competitive painting event inside the halls of the beautiful Varley Art Gallery.

Art Battle at the Varley included a curated one-night, 30-painter exhibit in the gallery with all painters battling for the title. Standing easel to easel, artists had 20 minutes to create the best work possible. There were 3 rounds of competitive painting, audience voting and an auction of all the work created.

I put my name into the hat, hoping to be drawn so I could compete with a 20 minute painting. That didn't happen, so I had a wonderful time looking at the work being done by the chosen artists. Over 350 people attended this event and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Markham at the Movies

I’m a programmer for Markham Art Council’s Markham at the Movies. Our series started in September with a gala showing of the newly restored classic, Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis.” What a great night that turned out to be.

The next films for this series are:

January 24 The Secret in Their Eyes

February 14 Bright Star

March 28 Incendies

April 18 Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie

June 20 Love Crime

Coming Soon...

I know it's still only January, but already there is excitement in the air, my air anyway, about a whole new set of ART happenings in the coming months.

February 5: I've submitted my name for the Varley Gallery Art Battle on this date. http://www.artbattleto.com/#889445/Feb-5-AB-theVarley

March 8 - 20, 2011: Markham Arts Council "Art Show" group show. Markville Mall Loft, Markham ON

March 14 - 28, 2011: Breaking Boundaries, Markham Group of Artists at Art Square, Dundas St. across from AGO, Toronto

April 5 - 29, 2011: Ontario Society of Artists Open Juried Exhibition, theme: "Memory". John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto

May 26 - June 5, 2011: Markham Group of Artists Spring Juried Show, McKay Art Centre, Unionville, ON

July 14 - 24, 2011: Ontario Society of Artists Members' Juried Exhibition at Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills

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Yesterday I met with Franklin Beecham, abstract artist, Robyn Craig and with Wilson and Winnie, the two partners at the new Cubbii facility where they offer 24x24 inch cubicles and larger areas for vendors to showcase products. The concept for the vendors is for a short term, low overhead space. We discussed how to show art in this wide-open space that features other areas of specialty items.

Some of my artwork is being tested in what was one of the refrigerated casements and small works on easels on shelves.

We developed some good ideas and are already implementing them.

Frank and I are showing our work, all for sale,

starting with an

Opening Reception on Friday, December 3

from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Light refreshments will be available.

Cubbii Market is located at the corner of Kennedy Road and The Bridle Trail, just south of 16th Avenue. Drop in and see us during the Opening Reception.

Today I am asking the energies of the universe to pass on my deep apologies for intruding in someone's life. I knew not what I did but it was basely selfish. I am in the process of learning a life's lesson because of this. Will it make me a better artist? That's not the point here. What it seems to be doing is opening my mind. My heart is crying at the pain I have caused. I am so sorry.