My friend Augustus

I took this picture of my friend Augustus, in the quiet of the afternoon while in Toronto last week. Saddened by the fact that his scooter is not working, Augustus was forced to stay inside unable to go outside to shop for food and have his lottery tickets verified. He lives in a  one bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto in the heart of Queen West, abstractly cluttered with 2 scooters, 2 wheelchairs, 3 tv's that are on all the time full blast, a radio on full blast playing golden oldies. And the heat on cranked up to the max.
Augustus loves my partner Peter because Peter is really the only one in the world who cares for him. As we continued filming footage these last few days, for Peter's latest documentary, Augustus kept thanking Peter for keeping a record of his life, " That is my happiness, thank you Peter for keeping a memory of me".

I want to be a 'PENCIL'

I took this picture at the corner of Dundas and Kensington in Toronto a few days ago.

My art at CARMEN'S VERANDA

Here is what some of my art looks like at Carmen's Veranda at 1169 Bank St. in Ottawa. My work will be displayed until the end of January. From the aubergine colored walls to the authentic 50's decor, Carmen's is a must destination next time you get hungry!
  
Carmen describes her restaurant and cuisine, " The joy of creativity is evident in everything we do... from our unique and flavourful rotating menu to our equally whimsical eclectic decor.

Only the freshest ingredients (picked up daily from local producers) are used in all our dishes. We combine these ingredients in various global fusion-like ways to create what many of our customers call "edible works of art".

So when next in Old Ottawa South... whether looking for a quick tasty bite... or a languishing dinner spot with friends... drop in and enjoy!"

New PETIT TABLEAU on Etsy

I've posted a new PETIT TABLEAU on Etsy. I created this little collage during my summer holiday but only  photographed today  while on my walk to the post office this afternoon. Ah, another beautiful crisp windless Winter day in Ottawa.

At the Laudromat

This morning at the laundromat at Mann & Chapel.

Happy New Year !

Got a call from Starbucks on Elgin yesterday wanting to know if I wanted to hang some paintings since their January artist did not show up. I accepted even though I was a bit mift since they bumped me off their list last month without notice. So here I am at Starbucks this morning, a glorious sunny cold day, wearing my snow pants putting up my simple prints. The crabby old lady sitting there had a difficult time moving her skinny bonny legs to let me hang my stuff and the man sitting in the forefront, a British man by his accent, phoned everyone in his book to wish them a happy new year.

Show will be up until the end of January : Starbucks on Elgin at Lewis
I will be switching the prints over the next week.

NEW Petit Tableau at Etsy

Now Available in my ETSY SHOP

Each ORIGINAL PETIT TABLEAU is a creation unique unto itself.

As you handle these 'object d'art' you'll notice a warm, array of art styles such as collage,
cutouts, painting - creating layered images with a remarkable depth and tonality to please the heart and the eye. Every Petit Tableau is finished in a coat of light, glossy, protective,
lifelong resin that allows the inner beauty of each block to produce a glow of interest.
On it's own, the artwork is friendly and cozy and easy to display just about anywhere in your home but as a grouping, they create an excursion for the mind!

Your Petit Tableau comes with an opening at the back which allows instant hanging - No need for framing
- it's ready to hang or stand in your favorite place the minute it arrives!!!

- All are approx: 3" x 4" x .5"

note: Every kiln dried, spruce wood block has been rescued from the overload bins of a futon factory.

Christmas in Toronto

Christmas morning at King & John, almost nobody on the street except Rob Payne, the Homeless Poet, my companion Peter, shooting a documentary on Robert Payne and me. Rob opens the door at Tim Hortons for people in exchange for a few coins.

The CN tower looks different every day. Well that's what I thought when I lived here for 20 years.

Later we go and eat Chinese on Spadina at the Jug, where the cooking staff is all over 70 and they look like they never sleep. One Chinese woman came out of the kitchen dragging a large bucket of soup, across the dinning room floor with a large meat hook. She does this about 5 times a day. An open bucket where hair, and slush and stuff can just fly into the open bucket. That's what I like about Chinatown, there are no rules.
The ceiling in the ladies washroom is about 5' 3" high and I'm 5'2" tall.

I don't like fortune cookies but I do like the fortunes they put inside. My fortunes are almost always vague and boring, but not the one I got yesterday, it was pretty close to my heart and I decided that this little strip of paper would make it home with me.

Merry Christmas to All !

Not Forgotten

'Not Forgotten' was created with paint, stickers and image elements from the GRAPHICS FAIRY.

New Art Blocks For Etsy

A fresh batch of 'Petits Tableaux' for Etsy. Keep watching!

new paintings at CARMEN'S VERANDA - opening - DEC.11 - 6:30 to 9pm

All are welcomed to my opening at Carmen's Veranda, 1169 Bank St. Dec.11 - 6:30 to 9pm

WELCOME TO CHINATOWN

'Welcome to Chinatown' original digital/painting collage by Helene Lacelle

'Welcome to Chinatown' was created with paint, stickers and image elements from the GRAPHICS FAIRY.

vernissage : HELENE LACELLE at Carmen's Veranda DEC.11

LOCAL & NATIONAL ARTIST, HELENE LACELLE, OPENING AT CARMEN's VERANDA 11 December

Opening Dec.11, 2012 6:30 to 9:00pm :::::: Show runs until Jan.31, 2013

Carmen's Veranda 1169 Bank St, Ottawa

CARMEN's VERANDA is once again supporting community art with a new art opening by HELENE LACELLE on 11 December 2012. LACELLE is a lifelong artist who is represented by various galleries in Toronto, St John, Fredericton, Philadelphia and Huston. She has shown frequently in national and local restaurant/galleries as well as in Ottawa's KARSH MASON gallery and has won several awards in drawing and painting.

She describes her present style as Primitive Naive. LACELLE says, 'She tries to capture joy.' in her work. Her 'ladies in waiting' as I would describe them, look very much like folkart but with such skill and layers of glazed foundations that they surpass what we conventionally think of as 'folk art'. Lacelle recently returned from a very successful showing and sale of her original art at Toronto's 'QueenWestARTcrawl' - an event where hundreds of artists are juried and the best are selected to represent the event.

LACELLE will be showing a variety of her art styles covering several years of creation - for example, her very unique 'ART BLOCKS', large gouache paintings and collages some recently completed specially for the CARMEN's VERANDA exhibit. She keeps her prices reasonable starting at $25. so that those visitors considering original art as a Xmas gift will not have to dig too deeply into their pockets to purchase local art from a very skilled creator. 'I prefer to show my work in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and certainly Carmen's provides that.'

Also LACELLE produces and hosts the ONE&ONLY art/craft Fair - an annual event held in mid November where 50 artist/crafters and hundreds of visitors view local art at the Ottawa Community Centre in Sandy Hill.

Carmen Letourneau and her staff put out an incredible opening night free gourmet nibblies - cash bar.

LACELLE"s show opens 11 December 2012 from 6:30p.m. to 9 p.m. at CARMEN's VERANDA, 1169 Bank Street, Ottawa 613 730 9829 and ALL ARE WELCOME

Show runs from Dec.11 to Jan.31, 2013

Customer Appreciation Night @ A CURIOUS SHOP

A Curious Shop is getting together with our neighbour Adorit Boutique to host a Customer Appreciation night the evening of Friday December 7th. Starting at 5pm we'll be serving some snacks, turning up the music, having entertainment outside and offering customers discounts and special deals.

We'd like to first of all invite you all to this event and ask you to put the word out to your friends and fans and encourage them to come out, here's a link to our FB event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/121860324638931/

All my artwork at A CURIOUS SHOP will be on SALE on CUSTOMER APPRICIATION NIGHT, DEC.7 starting at 5pm - I'm offering everything at BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. I've got framed original collages, prints and lots of tiny mosaics that make terrific and unique Christmas gifts!!!

Take a walk down to A CURIOUS SHOP & ADORIT - it's a holiday for the senses!

Sandy Hill's ONE & ONLY Arts+Crafts SALE

Linda Norton of Crazy Fox Studio with hubby Ken Mclaren

Michelle Potter helping visitors with their shopping experience!

Sisters Savannagh & Magida El-Kassis selling their amazing photographs and vintage findings

At the booth of Savannah & Magida

Kitchen 'Dream Team' Francois Bregha, Marc Lacelle, Dallas Fletcher and Peter Evanchuck

As you know I host and organize a large and popular Arts+Crafts SALE every November at the Sandy Hill Community Center in Ottawa. My partner Peter Evanchuck prepares and cooks for our FREE ALL DAY BUFFET with the help of our kitchen 'volunteer dream team' ! This year's selection of vendors outdid all previous shows. Their work, their booths and displays were amazing! Here's a glimpse of our show.
To see more pictures from this event click here!

New Piece for Toronto's ART INTERIORS

'Most Days She Just Hangs Out'

One of my 26 pieces destined for Toronto's ART INTERIORS GALLERY.
Victorian image of lady from the GRAPHICS FAIRY

Getting Ready for the ONE & ONLY - NOV.18

I've made a bunch of Tiny Treasure Boxes for  - Sandy Hill's Fabulous ONE & ONLY Arts+Crafts Sale, next Sunday Nov.18! I've still got quite a bit of stuff to do before the big day. Every day I go out and put up posters only to find a few days later someone has taken them down, very frustrating! Anyway, Peter my infatigable husband has already started to buy lots and lots of food for our ALL DAY FREE BUFFET! He will be creating vary large amounts of dishes in our kitchen soon, things like German potato salad, Thai noodles, Chicken Catchatori, fried perrogies just to name a few.  See poster above for time and location of our show!!!

Helene Lacelle @ A Curious Shop

Today in Ottawa

At the Rideau Mall

On the lawns at Ottawa University

Down on King St.

Our neighbor's beautiful Maple tree down on King St. in Chipman, N.B.

The Girls...

Original collage on woodblock created with paint, stickers, magazine cut-outs and images from THE GRAPHICS FAIRY.

STOP START

At the corner of Nelson and Besserer, Ottawa

Helene Lacelle at QWAC - 2012 - Toronto

Another full-blown fun weekend in Toronto. The QWAC was a huge success once more. With the sun shining for 2 days, keeping everyone nice, warm and dry. I ate great food, enjoyed quiet early morning walks and saw beautiful art. Here are pictures of my booth.

The ladies love Peter's mushrooms!

Sunday downtown

Yesterday my friend Maria and I spent the afternoon walking about downtown Ottawa taking pictures of ourselves goofin' around.

Follow Nobody

Mixed media collage using paint, stickers and silhouette image from The Grahics Fairy.

The Butterfly Tamers

Lovely composition using one of my original folk art paintings combined with THE GRAPHICS FAIRY irresistible vintage images of a child and butterflies.