More on my New Home

My building OOhh Ahh.

Queen West Street car outside my door

Neighbour across the street

Neighbour

Neighbour Woolfitts Art supplies

Thanks to everyone for their Congrats on the new condo messages.:-)
They were lovely to receive.
My space is officially a loft so I'll call it that from now on because that sounds more glam.
Are you rolling your eyes?
Here is a shot of the building amidst much dust + construction [ohh the glamour) and a few pics of the hood.(Same hood I am in now just a bit more East)
How much do I love that the streetcar is outside my door?

What makes us happy in our Home: Prospect and Refuge

There is a a great show on cbc radio 1 right now discussing what makes us feel happy in our home. Behavioural Psychologist Colin Ellard is stating that we basically need two kinds of space: Prospect and Refuge.* These needs are deeply biological based on our ancestor's need to protect ourselves from threats (refuge) and our need to see a vista and peruse our Bounty! (Prospect)
Unfortunately I think most Lofts have neither....but I think you can build them in.

* I think Frank LLoyd Wright coined this idea. Winnifred Gallagher also discusses it her her book House Thinking. A good read.

News Flash: I bought a condo today

Freshly signed agreement and Artscape info package in bicycle basket.
Next stop: The LCBO for a celebratory bottle o wine!

I bought a condo today.
It is built by Artscape - a fantastic not-for-profit urban development organization which revitalizes buildings and ensures that artists aren't priced out of their neighbourhoods by providing affordable ownership opportunities for them.
Sounds like I got that from a flyer but I promise I didn't.
Yay Artscape and Yay new home.
ps. Warning: This blog will be probably get a bit more decor focused in the next couple months as I plan my new pad! It is a big open space so I am already investigating room divider possibilities.

OK That's It: Keep Calm and Carry On has officially Jumped the Shark

Oy vey.

Keep Calm and have a Cupcake?

Spotted in Indigo Books on Saturday:
Keep Calm and Carry on mugs, thermoses, tins, journals and carrying bags.
Need I say more?

How to display little pieces of artwork

The livingroom of printmaker Hugo Guiness
As the Style bloggers would say.. LOVE!

More of his prints
After I posted my little iron sketch yesterday I was thinking about one of my fave printmakers Hugo Guiness. He creates small lino cuts of everyday objects. I first saw his stuff beautifully displayed at the John Derian shop in NYC. (6 East Second Street) (I know, I know-- another reference to John Derian) The collection of mismatched frames in all different shapes + finishes made for a fantastic display. The key is to include a few gold ones to add depth and patina. FYI They are often going cheap at garage sales!
The photo of Hugo's livingroom has inspired me to do some small black and white prints on tanned paper. Then I'll sell them and you too can have a little salon wall like this. STAYED TUNED!

Little sketch

1960s iron. I had one like this growing up.
The 2 prong cord now looks so dangerous!

News Flash: More S is for Swing and Alphabet legs to be printed

Hi there
Due to popular demand I will be printing 3rd editions of my S is for Swing and Alphabet legs prints which are currently sold out. Please send me an email to be put on the waiting list.
S is for Swing measures 14" x 22".
Alphabet legs measures 12" x 22".

Hot Docs: 12 Views on Vermeer

Have always loved this hot docs logo.
Anybody know who designed it? So great.



One of the 12 artists inspired by Vermeer: Photographer Steve Mccurry
(The guy who shot the famous Afghan girl photo)

Post film:
Brunch and going over my notes from my trusty journal

Saw the documentary 12 Views on Vermeer at Hot Docs today. Was fantastic - ranking up there with Gary Huswit's Helvetica - which for me is saying a lot.
I loved that the director Hans Pool took a Vermeerish approach to his filmmaking. Instead of staging perfect scenes he filmed the interviewees while they went about ordinary quiet activities in their natural surroundings like doing dishes or opening their email. He even included the cleaning staff vacuuming around the Vermeers at the MET. Cute.
The film is made up of interviews with 12 different artists, writers and photographers whose lives and work have been touched by the 17th Century painter.
I thought the best commentator on the artist was Alain de Botton, (one of my favourite writers) who explained that Vermeer's biggest appeal is his sense of peacefulness. He then offered that it is then no wonder that people are endlessly attracted to his pieces because "We fall in love with something that we don't have enough of in our life".
So true.

Press: Canadian House and Home

Spread with my prints

Olivia's bedroom with Alphabet legs print

Close up of Alphabet legs

Trish's bathroom with Ochre mannequin
(mmm... what a great tub for soaking in)

Close up of mannequin

Findlay's room with A Room of One's Own print

Close up of print

Lovely Trish and her three kids

Three of my prints are featured in the latest issue of Canadian House and Home.(Some subscribers received the issue on Monday but I only got my hands on a copy today!)
Alphabet legs, Ochre Mannequin, and A Room of One's own appear in the home of Chef, TV Host, cookbook author - and gorgeous woman Trish Magwood. Whoops forgot to mention mother of three! Trish is an early collector of my work. She bought two of my prints the opening morning of my first solo show at Jet Fuel Cafe in 2006.
ps. Interiors Note: Do note that Trish is also a fan of the grey wall! Her paint of choice is Farrow + Ball's Skylight.

Knit Cafe Triangle

I love this crocheted triangle up in the Knit Cafe Window right now. Great combination of colours.
ps. If you look closely you can see my bike (Beatrice) in the reflection.

Swiss Miss is turning 5

My beloved swiss miss blog is turning 5 on May 26.
To celebrate this birthday - and to investigate how global the readership is -swiss miss has asked her readers to create a birthday card including url + location and post it on her flickr site. These images will then be projected on a big screen during the party in Brooklyn on the 26th. My card appears above. Was thrilled that it received a "made me smile' comment from Tina. (This is her ultimate compliment :-))

ps. Just joined flickr properly yesterday. Talk about coming late to the party! sheesh.

Sketches for a Father's Day gift card

This is the same image inverted.
This is one of my favorite techniques. I love the look of drawings reversed out in white.



These are some Father's Day gift card sketches I completed last month for McGinty Design. Art director Kyle Russell.
ps. I am aware I have a bit of a brogue obsession.

Shooting my apt + Katy Dockrill

David Cooper of the Toronto Star

Katy's paintings

David Cooper of the Toronto Star came by today to shoot my apt ... and I decided to shoot him!
(The article will appear Sat June 5th)
Those bright pink paintings beside David are by Toronto illustrator + artist Katy Dockrill. They hadn't made it into my apt photos yet so wanted to highlight them today.
I love their colour, composition and sense of whimsy.

New Work: VIV Magazine

It didn't take long to be asked to draw an IPAD!


Close up
This is my sexy librarian gal

Close up
Hair based on Betty Draper!

These are 2 of 6 illustrations I created last week for an article on Great Gift gadgets for VIV magazine. Art Director Vickie Elleman asked for the characters and settings to look 1960s Madmen-ish.
Creative Director Campion Primm

Motivation

Sally Armstrong of Canadian House and Home came by today to scout my space for a possible upcoming issue.
My apt has never been cleaner.

This was my weekend: Cloud White

I painted my bathroom white this weekend. Benjamin Moore's Cloud White to be exact. (CC40)
There was lots of trim and details so it was a big job. Oy vey.
Cloud White is a huge favourite amongst decorators
In this Macleans article Designer Jan Brown explains some of the reasons why:
1. It's a bright white but doesn't scream like a builder's white.
2. It has a soft edge to it.
3. It has the ability to stay white and not take on blue, pink or yellow tones when placed beside another colour.

And now here's a great tip which I picked up from my talented decorating friend Kim Taylor:
Most paint shops can mix Cloud White for you! I had mine mixed at Home Hardware and it looked dandy.