Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Press Release:Plein Air Society 3 Day Show @ Mackenzie Hall


Exhibition: Friday - Saturday May 25 - 26 10 am - 5 pm
Meet the Artists Reception: Sunday May 27 - 12 - 4 pm

Landscapes of Windsor, Essex County & More -en Plein Air-
Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich St.

Artists:
Margaret Dawson
Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald
Mary Wheeler
Patrick Nicell
Terry Desjardins
Phylmarie Fess
Joan Rieveley


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Review: Music: Reflections on 1812


It always surprises me when I hear that the War of 1812 was boring. Growing up in Windsor, I heard many stories about General Issac Brock, the astonishing victories, the ridiculous defeats. I always kept coming back for more. The Windsor Regional Writers Group, the local chapter of the Songwriters Association of Canada produced Reflections of 1812, a collection of original songs to commemorate the war's bicentennial. The CDs were distributed gratis to promote Canadian heritage.

An eclectic mix of folk songs, a blend of traditional tunes and traditionally-flavoured original music  performed by local musicians recreate the feel of 1812. The perspectives, the anxieties and boasts of the people who struggled through that difficult era in our region's history draw these songs together. Paulette Ingram's expressive vocals and adaptation of the traditional lyrics of Come All Ye Bold Canadians is refreshing and evocative.

The collection is performed by Peter Boyer, John Broadwell, Dale Butler, Judy Butler, Mark Campsie, Adam Gilchrist, Linda Girard, Paulette Ingram, Roger John, BJ Laub, David Light, Sharon Light, Tim Logsdon, Glen MacNeil, Chris Martin, Anneke McCabe, Jeff Meloche, Philip Scott Poli, Ryan St.Denis, Terry Taylor, and Sue Wilson.

Track Listings:

1. Dance Queen Charlotte Dance
2. Come All Ye Bold Canadians
3. The Wonder of All the World
4. The Ranger's Lament
5. La Riviere Detroit (Detroit River)
6. Detroit Coming Down
7. Our Last Storm
8. Tecumseh
9. The Messenger
10. And I March
11. The Road Leading Home
12. One Hundred Man Strong

The collection will be performed on the Reynolds Stage in the Kings Navy Yard Park August 4th - 5th.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Sketch(es) of the Day: Cambiasi Exercises

Today was another one of those experimental art adventures. This time I cracked open my Moleskine and made some messes. I discovered the sketches of Renaissance painter Luca Cambiasi. They intrigue me; I was trained in a modern drawing style which emphasises gesture and mark-making. My natural inclination is to realism, and here I find the two in harmony, which is something I continually strive for: expression and precision of each mark I make. And these are meant to help the artist solve visual problems. I'm hoping to use this technique to improve reference material.

I tried using the kuretake waterbrush I have inked up with a grey wash but it was very dry on the Moleskine paper, so I switched to the Aquash waterbrush. I stroked the tip of a charcoal grey Derwent inktense pencil to produce the ink tones. Also, the Noodler's black ink reacted with the water since I did not give it time to set in. This wasn't a great way to be accurate but I still got plenty of visual information down.
Pieta sketch by Luca Cambiasi

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Press Release: Slam Homophobia


The 3rd Annual Slam Homophobia hosted by Dan MacDonald takes place Thursday May 17th - 7pm sharp at the Windsor Pride Centre. Fun, informative, heart-wrenching, hilarious - Slam Homophobia explores perspectives and thoughts on the impact homophobia has had on all of us. If you'd like to share a poem(s) at this event - please email dan.m@Windsorpride.com - you must register in advance to read - space is limited. Small donation mid-show...not mandatory...give what you can give, all proceeds go to Windsor Pride.

Sketch of the Day: Dilly Daisy

Yesterday, it was my turn to run the shop at the Back Room Gallery. Whenever I had a moment or two to myself, I worked on this little sketch of my view from the cashier a display of clothes by Dilly Daisy. The colours actually look brighter and fresher than this in my sketchbook (and, of course, in reality!). I rather like the effect of mixing Caran D'Ache with Winsor and Newton artists' watercolours. The Caran D'Ache crayons, used as paint pans, can be stunning in their intensity and the chroma is amazingly high. When I have the pennies to, I'll be getting more crayons. They're fantastic!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Press Release: Call to Artists: Windsor Essex Open Studio Tour


CALL TO ARTISTS
WINDSOR ESSEX OPEN STUDIO TOUR 2012
Application Deadline – June 09, 2012

The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Windsor Essex County invites individuals, groups and organizations working in the Arts and Cultural sector to participate in the 2nd Annual Open Studio Tour, being launched during Canada Cultural Days September 28, 29 and 30th, 2012, with additional Studio and Gallery tours, arranged by appointment, throughout the month of October, 2012.

The Open Studio Tour is an annual event which celebrates and promotes the creative communities and artists that live and work in our region. All art forms are invited to participate including visual, literary, performing, media arts and artisans throughout the Windsor Essex community. We invite you to open your studios/work space to introduce your work and processes to the general public, fellow artisans and interested groups. You may wish to offer demonstrations, hands on workshops, play opportunities to children and youth groups.
Your studio and artistic works will be promoted in the full color Tour Guides and on the Open Studio website with a link to your site. Your name and contact information will be publicized for 12 months from date of listing in the Tour Guide Brochure and on the Open Studio website. As a participant, you’ll receive a series of Free Tour Guides, Signage and postcards promoting the event. The Open Studio Tour 2012 Participation Fees are broken into 3 categories: Individual $130.00; Small Group (up to 4 artists) $160.00; and Large Groups, Galleries, Organizations $200.00.

The Open Studio Tour is designed to showcase fine art and craft in the artist’s working environment demonstrating a broad range of media and styles. The self-guided tour offers visitors the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the artistic process in a wide range of original work. This event is a marketing opportunity for serious professionals and a supportive environment to nurture and present new talent. Last year more than 30 local artists displayed their creations and projects in homes, studios, galleries and community centres. The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Windsor Essex expects the 2012 event to be even more successful. Admission is free.

For additional information and participant registration forms, please go to the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Windsor Essex County website at http://www.artsculturalalliance.org/ or contact Gulnaz Turdalieva at gulnazt@gmail.com

Monday, May 14, 2012

Press Release: Daily Grind @ ArtSpeak



As part of MayWorks Windsor 2012 youth from Catholic Central High School and Holy Names High School have created a piece entitled: “The Daily Grind” a commentary on the meaning of work. They have written stories about their workplaces, usually part time jobs after school and on weekends and have added a few stories by people with whom they come into contact on a daily basis. The work collective consists of the students their teachers Andrea Rice and Laura Vidler and is curated by Elaine Carr.

At ArtSpeak from May 14-18 the students will have on exhibit images and story about their daily grind and on May 14th at 7 pm tonight, they will be in the Artspeak Gallery 1942 Wyandotte St. E. with a performance piece. The work is very engaging and the youth give us much to think about and many laughs as well.

The project is part of the third annual MayWorks Festival of Arts, Culture and Labour.

MayWorks will continue throughout the month of May in venues throughout the City.

The Daily grind is sponsored by OECTA and is a partnership with the Arts Council Windsor Region.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Sketch of the Day: New Sketchbook


When I open a new sketchbook, I like to go straight to the back and make some test charts to see how the different tools work on the paper. I just finished my last sketchbook and am starting in a new watercolour Moleskine sketchbook. Instead of making little ordered grids of squiggles, I thought it would be fun to sketch the supplies using the supplies! Easier said than done, it turns out. It sure was fun, though! The pens turned out very bendy, which amuses me (need to remember to wear my glasses next time). I forgot to use the Aquash waterbrush, but otherwise I kept to my rule: the Winsor and Newton paints are just that, same with the Neocolor watersoluable crayons. This is the first time I've tried to use them like gouache. I had swapped the white for ultramarine, but I found it fun to add white touches here and there for a different effect.

For the sake of completeness, these are two examples of the same exercise using the Aquash waterbrush, both from when I was just getting used to it. In fact, I was starting to believe I wouldn't like to use it; it seemed like a lot of water and very little control. But I did get used to it, or it to me!