Quiet Sunday

Another ' Quiet Sunday ' in Ottawa. Landscape photographed in Strathcona Park and vintage PEOPLE from 'THE GRAPHICS FAIRY'.

R.I.P Birdie

opening at GALLERY 101

Last night's opening at Gallery 101 was fun and packed. The art was lively and not too complicated. Took time out for a spot of tea and yummy nibblies.

With Canadian Artist David Kealey. Dave and I went to DeLaSalle High School  many many years ago.

 

Group Show Gallery 101 - cREATE tHIS rEVOLUTION

 The Idle No More movement is about Indigenous rights, the immediacy of social media and sharing “a vision of bringing together all people to ensure we create ways of protecting Mother Earth, her lands, waters and people,” (From the INM Web site).
At Gallery 101, we have been greatly inspired and moved by the Idle No More movement. Artist run centres began because artists needed spaces where they could question the status quo artistically, politically, socially, and culturally. 30 years later, we must ask ourselves have we become another in a long line of artistic institutions? How can we become more accessible and vibrant? One answer from Gallery 101 is the “flash mob art show”, Create This Revolution.
Eighteen artists have been selected by our jury panel: Howard Adler; Jaime Koebel, Laura Margita and Heather Wiggs.

• Howard Adler
• Marc Adornato
• Pansee Atta
• Priti Cox
• Alan Harrington
• Kaylene Kelly
• Helene Lacelle
• Emmanuel Laflamme
• Juliana McDonald
• Rehab Nazzal
• Jacqueline Hoang Nguyen
• Ben Powless
• Mana Rouholamini
• Svetlana Swinimer
• Jeffrey Thomas
• Laura Leah Traverse
• Lori Victor
• Adam Void

artist statement: Helene Lacelle

Since the ban of sale and use of cosmetic pesticides  came into effect in Ottawa in 2009, the number of migratory songbirds returning to the area has gone into sharp incline. 

Adored for their golden color, graceful flight and enchanting song, the Goldfinch has returned to my backyard and in my heart. Right-on Ottawa!

Afternoon on the Farm.

We spent a lovely afternoon on my friend's farm near St-Andre D'Avalin. Some Victorian images are from the GRAPHICS FAIRY

Slushy snow everywhere

At the corner of Wiggins Private and Chapel today.

Winter is not over yet!

What it looked outside our house today. Lots of heavy wet snow but at least it's not cold!

My Toronto

I really love Toronto, I often miss it. This composition was created with my photograph and image of cross from the GRAHICS FAIRY

Inside Larrow's apartment

Guest ART-ist on ART IS A WAY

After spending a full and hectic weekend in Toronto working on Peter's documentary BEAUTIFUL BATCHELORS and getting almost no sleep, what an invigorating way to wake up this morning to see my ART submission for ELSA MORA's ART IS A WAY blog.  She created a lively animation to accompany the image. Elsa is THE one to turn to for inspiration, sharing and kindness on all things ART.

Babies in School

' I Want My Mommy ' & ' I'm A Good Baby '

I made two collages/paintings with my found dolls for the boutique at the Ottawa School of Arts, both  are awaiting adoption with open arms!

More stuff from the old house

In yesterday's post I told you about  this old abandoned house in Chipman that I went in and took a few photographs and in the process decided to take a few objects since the house was a complete disaster zone. Under piles of dirty blankets, dirty clothes, piles of papers and lots of garbage bags were these dolls. Yes there were other things of great interest but hey, it's not my house and I didn't want to be greedy. Eventhough by the time I go back to Chipman in April, the house could very well be torn down. Anyway here are the two other things I took. Only when I got home did I notice how spooky the doll's eyes were once they opened and stared at me.

Old dolls in the old house

While out photographing my blocks a few months ago in Chipman, I came across this abandoned house and was of course drawn to go inside. I crawled in through the front door and was greeted by a crumbling house FULL of junk that had been pissed, shit, puked and fucked on. As I took more pictures I began to noticed that under all this mucky stuff were some friggin amazingly old things. Knowing I wasn't really supposed to be in the house I quickly took a few objects and crawled back out the front door. Here are 2 of the dolls I took.

Moments in Larrow's apartment

Back in Toronto to shoot more footage on Peter's Documentary, BEAUTIFUL BACHELORS  about Robert Payne the Homeless street poet and Augustus Larrow, Rob's 87 year old friend. Here are a few details in Augustus apartment.

Making Greeting Cards

I'm using images from the FOLK ART paintings I made a while back to make a series of fun greeting cards that will go on sale in the boutique at the Ottawa School of Art. I wanted to add a bit of ooomph to my cards so I decided to hand-stamp each card with a unique border. I think it dolls-up the card just fine.

New Painting

"Looking to the Future" new mixed media on paper.

Warmish & Foggy

Beautiful day in Ottawa, deep grays and melting snow everywhere. The trees at the corner of Range Rd. & Mann Ave. are kept warm by all kinds of woolies courtesy of the artists who live across the street.

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.