2nd Annual TWAC (Toronto West Artist Collective) Members Show
Please note: Extended until July 25th, 2017
345 Evans Ave., Toronto (Etobicoke), Ontario, Canada
Contact Artworld Fine Art Gallery for more information.
art show
The Polar Bear Zone
New Polar Bear Painting
Drying on the easel is the 24" x 18" polar bear oil painting above. This painting is the direct result of the large painting I created before it that took a lot of time, focussed attention, and physical effort to create.
How Things Unfold
One of the joys of painting is that artist often goes into "the zone". You may have heard runners speak of this loss of time and in the moment experience, but did you know that painters experience this, too?
The day I finished the big painting, I still had the time and urge to paint. I spontaneously decided to work on a smaller canvas I had in the studio, and not begin the next large work I had planned.
Because this painting was unplanned, I had no clear vision of what it would be other than to keep to my Polar Bear Dreams Series theme of monochromatic blue polar bears. I was pretty relaxed as I blocked in the bear's portrait, as after all, I was basically playing at the end of the day. As I laid down the blue under painting, I got to thinking how much I enjoy showing movement in the fur, and that I love doing the brush stroke that emphasises this.
Polar Bear painting copyright Christine Montague
Next thing I knew I had a swirly sky with stylized northern lights and stars. And colour followed the day after. I think the fun and joy I felt while creating this polar bear tribute shines through in the work. And the portrait has that odd mix found in the polar bear - mighty, beautiful, intelligent, and somehow goofy at the same time. My good spirits played a part in conveying the spirit of the bear and sky above.
Polar Bear Dreams
About Polar Bear Dreams
These polar bear oil paintings are part of the Polar Bear Dreams Series, a dreamlike, wistful, and spiritual tribute in oil to the mighty polar bear, whose threatened future always seems open to debate.
Polar Bear Dreams. On the Move. Oil Painting ©Christine Montague
Symbols
In dream intrepretation, the symbolism held by a bear is independence, strength, death and renewal, and/or resurrection.
And, if that bear is a polar bear? Reawakening.
I try to show the physical beauty and power of the bear in my paintings. The night sky, the aurora borealis (northern lights) , the use of color, and lack of detailed landscape show how this beautiful bear has a foot in our world, but may be edging closer to the spiritual one. Hopefully, knowledge, awareness, and empathy, will ensure that the ursus maritimus remains firmly planted in this world.
The limited color pallette of Prussian (or Indigo) blue, white, black, (and sometimes green ) creates the other-worldy mood, spirituality, and mystery.
Polar bears are actually not white, but we do see them that way. (Read the Polar Bears International article on their fur here).
The white in my polar bear paintings represents strength, intelligence, innocence, and hope.
Blue is the most popular colour. Looking at blue is proven to make one feel well, and is helpful to sufferers of SAD. The blue in these paintings is more than representation of the night sky. It symbolizes the earth, the spiritual, the unknown, and beauty, too.
When I paint the green of the northern lights, it is one of the colours of the aurora borealis, but also represents nature, fertility, life and balance. The colour reflects off the bear's fur, connecting it to all this colour represents.
And, as in many of my paintings, the concept of living life "in the moment" and of solitude that is not lonely is prevelent. But, longing lingers there, too.
In these paintings, the longing can be as simple as wanting these polar bears and their progeny to live a long. healthy life.
I welcome your comments and inquiries. To see more polar bear art, or to make inquiries about my polar bear paintings (portraits, too), please feel free to comment below, or contact me www.christinemontague.com
Doors Open to Amazing Art, Architecture, and Vision
Spoiler alert! Don't look at the interior photographs of the Small Arms Inspection Building below, if you want to be surprised completely at 2013 Doors Open Mississauga art show and WWII related demos Saturday, September 28, 10 am - 4 pm.
This remarkable 144,000 sq. ft. architecture has a rich history involving the war effort (where the Lee-Enfield Rifle was manufactured) , women's independence, and the revitalization of Lakeview, Mississauga (then Longbranch). It sits empty now, but is it any wonder that the space, high ceilings, huge windows and skylights,have inspired plans to renovate it as a world-class arts centre of working artist studios, performance space, art galleries, a museum and coffee shop?
To give you a hint of just how dynamic this centre will be, 30 artists (including myself) will show and sell their art. My portraits of people and polar bears will be at the end of the hall on the first floor.
Also in the works! Heather Brissenden will sing hits from the Blitz, the Lorne Scots (this was once their home, too) machine gun teams will compete, The Honorary Colonel Gerald Haddon will speak about J.A.D. McCurdy, the Canadian aviation pioneer and much, much more (really!).
There is plenty of free parking. Just find your way to Lakeshore Rd., and Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON. For more info on what's on, how to get there, and about the Small Arms itself, please go to www.smallarms.ca
Polar Bears Found at Small Arms, Doors Open Mississauga
This Saturday, September 28, from 10 am - 4 pm, my portraits and polar bear oil paintings will be for show and sale at the Small Arms Inspection Building, as part of Doors Open Mississauga 2013. The Small Arms Building is near and dear to my heart. Why?
The Small Arms Building is a 144,000 sq.ft example of WWII industrial architecture. During the war, over 40,000 women, "Rosie the Riveters", came from all over Canada to work at this site, where they manufactured about 1 million Lee-Enfield rifles.
The Lakeview Legacy Foundation, of which I was proudly a founding member, has set out to repurpose this impressive, but empty building into a desperately needed arts centre of working artists studios, performance space, art galleries, and museum. In other words, arms to arts. (Read more about it here)
And, to help you envision just how dynamic this centre will be when it houses studios for working visual artists, (and musicians, actors, dancers, filmmakers, creative scientists, etc.) over 20 artists (including me) will each set up shop in an office. We'll show our craft as if a working day in our studios, and offer work for sale.
But that's not all.
The Honorary Colonel Gerald Haddon will speak about J.A.D. McCurdy, the Canadian aviation pioneer.
Heather Brissenden will sing Hits of the Blitz from 10:00 to 14:00.
The Lorne Scots machine gun teams will compete through out the day.
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion will also be there.
You can see a Sherman tank.
And best of all, you will have the rare opportunity to meet some of the wonderful Rosie the Riveters who actually worked at Small Arms.
http://www.smallarms.ca/SmallArms.html for contact info, schedule, & parking (it's free!). P.S. a very short walk west from Longbranch Go Station, Toronto.
Now, can you find the polar bear in the photos below?
New Cold Wax Oil Painting Collectibles
Cold wax painting is the search word subject most used to bring visitors to my blog. It's been just over a year since I took my workshop with the creative Janice Mason Steeves and my curiosity about this interesting medium (along with yours) continues to grow.
I haven't experimented with cold wax as much as I 'd have liked, but I enjoy how my painting style changes when I do these little art works. I work fast and free with my Wilton pastry cutter and oil paint mix. I think some of these small works would translate well into large acrylic paintings on canvas, don't you?
So scroll down to see my most recent cold wax and oil paintings below. The Williams Mill Gallery has added them to the "Big Show, Small Works" one of a kind gift show on until Dec. 24th.
Once again, the historic 1850's yellow lumber mill outside my Williams Mill studio window are the inspiration for these cold wax panels. And when I do a painting involving koi, water-lily and ponds, the Chappell House Pond at Riverwood Park, Mississauga is my inspiration.
Lake Dreams: New Art Show Dec. 1 - 24, 2011
I hope you can attend Lake Dreams, my solo show of new oil paintings, at the Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre, in Glen Williams. December 1 - 24, 2011. Wednesday - Sunday 12 - 5 p.m. You can read about some of the Lake Dreams paintings here.
Williams Mill Gallery Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre, 515 Main Street, Glen Williams, (Georgetown), Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada L7G 3S9
Tel: 905-873-8203
Blue Sky in Cold Wax Art
Every once in a while I experiment with cold wax and oil paint. So when I had some spare time a couple of Saturdays ago, I created these little "Yellow Mill" blocks. I painted (squigeed, is more like it) them en plein air, except I was working from the comfort of my Williams Mill Stone Building studio. This is the view from my studio window. The Yellow Mill (an 1850's lumber mill by the Credit River) was freshly painted this summer (an enormous task as this is one big building) and its yellow clapboard now glows against the bright blue sky. The sky really is more blue here at the Williams Mill. It 's gotta be all that "blue sky" thinking we do. lol
I made four of these cold wax panels. One sold before I had even signed it, and I received commissions to do two more. All this before they have even appeared in public in the "Big Show, Small Works" art exhibition & sale at the Williams Mill Gallery, (along with my chipmunk panels & Scotsdale Farm paintings) opening Nov. 9th, 2011. They are happy little paintings, aren't they?
Big Show, Small Works & Chipmunks
As one of the professional visual artists at the Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre, I take part in the annual Christmas Big Show, Small Works show & sale, Nov. 9 - Dec. 24., in the Williams Mill Gallery.
Every year I create a themed small painting series specifically for this show. The first year, the koi paintings on 3"x5" wood blocks were popular. Last Christmas, I sold abstract landscapes in cold wax and oil paint on wood panels. This year, my muses are the chipmunks of the Williams Mill gardens. An aspect of this series that remains consistent with my usual work? Even though the wood panels are small (8" x 10") the chipmunks painted on them are larger than life!
Please scroll down for the invitation below. I hope you can attend this holiday art show, perfect for shopping for unique one-of-a-kind fine art gifts & collectibles. As well as my paintings, there will be other watercolour, acrylic & oil paintings, jewelry, blown glass, ceramics, fibre art & more in the Williams Mill Gallery. Be sure to drop by my studio in the Stone Building behind the gallery. Gallery hours: Wed. - Sun. 12 - 5 p.m. My studio hours: Fridays, Saturdays 12-5 p.m. Saturday Nov. 19th 1-4 p.m. Opening Celebration with light refreshments
- Invitation to new exhibition. Big Show, Small Art. Williams Mill Gallery Art Show. 2011
Art Show & Art Cook Book Signing at the Williams Mill
You are invited to the "Art Show & Book Signing" for the fine art cook book "Recipe for a Good Life" Saturday, May 28th, 2011 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the studio of Sheri Tenaglia at the Williams Mill Arts Centre.
I am proud that my pastel drawing "Soya Beans" (Soybeans) is in this wonderful cook book that is also a fine art book. Fine arts and artisans from Murphy's and Friesen's myriad of artist friends created images inspired by the ingredients found in the book.
On Saturday, May 28, 2011, join Paulette and Dawn in the Sheri's studio at the art show opening of the original paintings & drawings found in the book, including mine. You will be able to buy this inspiring cook book of recipes tested by a nutritionist, and have the authors autograph it too! Portions of sales of the book will be donated to support cancer research and/or treatment centres.
Sheri's studio is in the Parkside Level of the Yellow Building, just across the parking lot from my Stone Building Studio.
Like Summer, Art is Just Around the Corner
Just when it seemed winter would never end, suddenly it's almost June! And June is a busy time at the Williams MIll Visual Arts Centre. This is the second year for Halton Hills Big Daddy Festival and once again the Williams Mill figures prominently in the festivities. The Mill will be open as usual Saturday, June 17, 12 - 5. But on Father's Day June 19, you won't want to miss all the special art related activities being offered to Dads and their families. http://www.bigdaddyfestival.ca The Williams Mill schedule of events is not up yet but the day starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. See you there!
Following the Big Daddy Festival is the MAG (Mill Artists Group) Exhibition in the Williams Mill Gallery. I will have new paintings in that show.
After the MAG Show is the 5th Annual Eye Full Salon! I put forth this concept in 2006 before I left the Mill to work at home for almost three years. The Eyeful Salon will run all July. And I will have more art work in that! Think of me kindly, as I have helped hang this show 3 times now, at about 100 paintings each time, and will probably help again this year. Bonus? I always get an exclusive preview! lol
As well, I am now offering selected work on Fine Art America & Xanadu Gallery Online. Or for more art, see column to the right "Where to buy my art".
Of course, you are always welcome to visit me in my studio most Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 5 p.m.
Call to Artists: New Mississauga, Halton Hills & Hills of Headwaters Art Shows
Suddenly, there are a lot of new visual art shows on the radar in the western Greater Toronto Area, specifically Mississauga, Burlington, Alton (Hills of Headwaters). Calling all visual artists - In Mississauga
- NEW DEADLINE! March 4, 2011. The Salmon Run Project. Proposal due tomorrow! You can do it, what's Red Bull for anyways?!..... Create a concept for a pre-made fibreglass salmon. Info due by 5 pm., Friday, Feb. 18th at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. See info here. http://www5.mississauga.ca/agm/agm_root/upcomingex.html#salmon
- Hotbox Riverwood Mentorship Project. A professional development program to challenge artists to create temporary natural, site specific outdoor sculpture on the grounds of Riverwood Park, an amazing urban wilderness just 3 miles west of Square one on Burnamthorpe Rd. 4100 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga, ON. International artist Reinhard Reitzenstein will mentor artists selected to take part in this exciting transformative learning experience. Monthly meetings begin March 2011. The project will conclude with an exhibition in the Fall of 2011.Application Deadline: February 28th apply please send; 10 jpeg images of your work (size 72dpi) or website, a C.V. and a letter of interest to; HOTBOX24@LIVE.CA
Hills of Headwaters
- Time Frame. Heritage Caledon presents an open juried showat the Alton Mill Gallery. Celebrates Ontario's cultural and natural heritage through art. Open to all artists. 3 pieces may be submitted. April 1st deadline. Show May 28th - July 10th. Entry fee $25. All pieces must be available for sale. Entry forms downloaded from www.caledon.ca
I have heard there is another theme related juried show out there having to do with the escarpment - will post more as soon as I find it.
Brampton: Beaux- Arts Brampton Annual Open Juried Show. Entry Form and payment due Mar. 15, 2011. Delivery of works for jurying. Sunday, April 3rd. 8:30 - 10:30 am. Pick up of declined work Sun. April 3, 2011. 4 - 5 p.m. Show runs April 5 - 30th. Download form here.
Williams Mill Gallery, Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre. The first ever theme based juried art show is about to be announced! Stay tuned!
A Winter Treat - Don't Miss Sommer Art Show Opening. A Five-Fold lesson in Visual Arts Vision, Legacy & Generosity
Where they Are Now! Yup. I'm Still Here Seeing Rainbows.
I' m lucky. I may be off to a later start than many of my artist peers, but at least I'm here - painting in my very inspirational studio at the Williams Mill. You'd never know it is only 15 minutes north of the big city. Looks right out in the country doesn't it? There it is - that promised pot of gold - pointing the way to the studio.
The OCAD University Alumni has had an exciting new initiative in the works. Alumni, of which I am proudly one, could enter work in the very first alumni juried show entitled "Where They Are Now!". Jurors were Melissa Bennett, Curator of Contemporary Art - Art Gallery of Hamilton, Maggie Broda, AOCA, Drawing and Painting, President of OCAD Alumni Association, and William Huffman, Associate Director at Toronto Arts Council.
I'm honoured my painting "Down the Light House Stairs" , a figurative painting in the Kincardine Lighthouse, was accepted into the show.
The Opening Reception - Nov.12 sounds intriguing as all 12 of OCADU's disciplines will be on display. As well, it will also be the official launch of "In Quest of a Countenance", a new book by OCAD alumni & past faculty, John Inglis. John will donate $5 from each book sold to the OCAD University Alumni Association.
Steam Whistle Brewery and Kacaba Vineyard and Winery are being supportive too. (Wahoo!)
Nov. 18 - 28, 2010. Art Square Gallery. Across from the AGO. 334 Dundas Street W. Toronto , Ontario, Canada. Daily from 9 am to 11 pm.