Summer in the City (Le Donne, gallery 133)

 

 

Summer in T.O. has been hot, congested, and crowded because of all the events taking place.  So it's been perfect!  Attitudes and styles are intriguing during our summers in this part of the world.  Beauty is everywhere, and the eyes of the beholders get a daily dose of different and cool, and funky and wild and so on....just like "Le Donne", above. Le Donne are available at Gallery 133 on Castlefield in the design district.
Ask for Vanessa, Janet or Christine.  They are outstanding in their knowledge and appreciation of art and design.  I am proud of my affiliation with Gallery 133.  I first entered their doors in the early 1980's when they were located at Bathurst and King.  Their longevity is a testimony to first-rate service and a deep understanding of the art market.
Drop in to view art in a truly world-class space.
Gallery 133.  Proprietor: Mr. Paul Wise
Enjoy La Dolce Vita (try an espresso on ice, followed by cold lemon water) in Toronto! Tiff and autumn colours are still weeks away!

 

 

 

I know that many collectors have been awaiting the arrival of Rossetto ( Lo Specchio) on handbags, shoes and accessories by Icon (iconshoes.com).  You may order on line or at fine stores such as Nordstrom.  If you wish to have a limited editon giclee on canvas, google Greenwich Workshop.  Should you desire an original, check out the list of fine art galleries which carry my work in your area.  The latest figurative works are available in the G.T.A at Gallery 133, Hazelton Gallery, Kipling Gallery, Frame of Mind, Marquis Gallery, Select in Newmarket and Crescent Hill in Mississauga.  It is thrilling to know that the Rossetto series has such a following.  Many thanks, and may you enjoy a warm, wonderful spring in the Northern Hemisphere and a prolonged summer to my friends down under!  To those who will be attending Art Expo in New York later this month, look for my work in the Progressive Fine Art Booth...please ask for Mr. Michael Havers.  

Sultry, even as she engages in the mundane act of applying lipstick....it's not in the when, where or why-it's all in the how.

"NEBBIA" is the title of my latest series of abstract paintings available through GALLERY 133 in Toronto 416-504-6099  (Please ask for Vanessa or Janet).  The pieces, seemingly simplistic in composition and overall effect, are actually complex and labour-intensive in that they require multiple layers of both colour and texture.  Impasto, stucco and marble dust, silica and sandpaper-all are employed in the creation of these "simple" abstracts.  The word Nebbia means fog, and so out of the fog appear shapes, colour and often forms.  See what you will.  They exist for your interpretation. 

Nebbia III, 40"x60", mixed media on canvas, 2015

Here comes the Sun!

The 48x72 canvas (Giardini series: "Sogno D'Oro) pictured above will be featured as part of the Interior Design Show taking place this week at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (Jan.22-25,2015).  I am delighted to be participating with Hazelton Galleries (Yorkville) as part of an elegant collection curated by Peter and Belinda Priede and their excellent staff.  Opening night ( Jan. 22/2015).  Hazelton continues to be an important gallery located in the heart of the great city of Toronto.  I continue to expand  Giardini , intending on exploring it to its full potential as a series and for this I humbly thank the many collectors who have taken to its very distinctive, complex multi-layered surface textures and vibrant colour.  With each completed piece, we travel to a mystical place, charged with uplifting possibilities and unlimited potential.  We become, perhaps, entangled in the very abstract nature of nature itself. 
Should you find yourself in T.O. this week, enjoy the Interior Design Show, and please visit the Hazelton Gallery booth.  It would be terrific to meet and chat with fine art aficionados and collectors. 

"Classic Gold", mixed media on canvas,30x72,2014
I thought the stampeding horse theme would be appropriate to headline the Grand Opening Celebrations of Magnotta Winery's newest location at 1320 Castlefield, not too far from Gallery 133.  I will be there to sign bottles and to hopefully connect with collectors of art as well as wine.  I offer congratulations to Rossana Magnotta and her staff in continuing the fine tradition of producing good Canadian wines while at the same time maintaining a strong relationship with the arts in the community.  It's a "natural pairing". I will be there from 12-3p.m. on Thursday.  So if you find yourselves in the Dufferin-Castlefield-Caledonia area this Thursday, do come in to help celebrate the Grand Opening, and I'll be looking forward to catching up with you.

The piece above is part of the Heart of the City Series.  A similar piece (Lakeview) was acquired by a special person ( an artist herself) this weekend in Sarnia, Ontario.  I begin this blog with a new perspective.  I didn't think I needed reminding about what truly matters in this existence because, as an artist and teacher, I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with charitable events and I have served as a mentor for many students.  As you know, I do not mention names in this blog, but I can tell you that if I was going to begin, I would not have space enough to mention all of the wonderful people we met this weekend at An Event Apart in Sarnia.  Our invitation came through my cousin who resides with his family in Bright's Grove.  I couldn't refuse as the cause is one of epic importance in today's society, and on a lighter note, we could not refuse the chance to dine with my cousin (an unbelievable chef).   I realize that thanks to my network of representatives and galleries I have been spared the hard work in doing shows.  I appreciate their efforts.  But this show was surreal.  My wife and I would not have missed it for the world.  We had absolutely no idea of what to expect from a show held in a greenhouse!  The even light during the day made it the very best possible light for viewing artwork.  The uplifting feeling of being in that light, along with live fine music added something difficult to replicate in a gallery.  To cap it off, everyone from the volunteers, local artists and artisans from all over Ontario contributed to a positively charged atmosphere.  We met and chatted with people from all walks of life- many collectors and many who simply just love the arts. Some came from a distance just for a chance to chat with yours truly and to take some pics-humbling indeed.  Some came from out of the past- University of Toronto and Sheridan College days-and because we were in greenhouse light-we hadn't aged a bit!  I was privy to many stories between conversations revolving around art.  Again the light served to relax and disarm.  I had stories of my own. They weren't important.  What was important was the other topic of conversation-the charity, and the struggles people have in coping with loved ones who contemplate ending it all.  And so I listened.  To mothers of veterans, to fathers of kids that "just don't get it", to parents of special needs children.  I listened and I knew we were there for a good reason.  Was I back in the classroom or was I in my studio?  A bit of both, really.  Everything we do affects someone in some way.  Awareness is a good thing.  Awareness of what we say and do and how we influence others is an on-going process of refinement.
I want to thank everyone involved in An Event Apart.  I feel truly honoured to have made a humble contribution. As for my cousin-hey, we're family. 

So we drove on London Line toward Lakeshore and the Huron sunset that they were all talking about-it did not disappoint. 

In Io e lei, above, the viewer is invited to experience whatever he/she brings to the table upon viewing, or "reading" the painting.  Abstract painting is now a long-standing, time-honoured tradition with its own understood "standards".  It does not aim to please, although it can.  It does not offer answers, only more questions.  It is a 52x52 inch oil and acrylic painting on canvas.  Relevant or relic?  It offers a chance to contemplate, reflect or simply observe-perhaps the ultimate luxury in this split-second digital world we now inhabit.  The new irony is that this type of art once reflected the confusion of post-world war society and the acceleration of science and technology at an alarming rate- too much, too fast, too little time.   It has now become a question of sitting and digesting the art, letting it affect you and perhaps even soothe you.  It is a painting- it does not have an app or mouse or fast forward feature (but wouldn't it be a cool hologram?).   Enjoying a still object on the wall,
painted by a fellow human, by his/her hand, a direct expression of humanity-an attempt to communicate with direct physical evidence as presented through actual brushstrokes and drips-and perhaps enjoying a favourite libation-now that could be the newest status symbol. 


Io e lei, 2014   Mixed media on canvas 54x54"
Enjoy the autumn