The Second Ferrari 500 Exhibition (Mach 2!) is at hand! We had an amazing debut show at Button Factory Arts in February, and remain grateful for all the folks that came out and helped make the show such a success! In this second rendition, to be held at Communitech on October’s Friday the 13th, we’ll have even more artists, more art, and even more fun…
The Mission of The Ferrari 500 – Moving Art!
The first purpose is to benefit our local art lovers, allowing fine local art to be found and purchased at easily affordable prices.
The second purpose is to benefit local non-profits and/or charities by selling art, and donating a percentage of funds from the sales of art to a local non-profit or charitable foundation.
For this rendition of The Ferrari 500, 10% of all sales will be donated to The Working Centre in Kitchener.
And the last, but not least, purpose of the F500 is to benefit local artists by providing an exciting venue to sell fine art.
The Donation
For the 2nd rendition of the Ferrari 500, we have chosen The Working Centre in Kitchener to be the beneficiary our donations. We in the Waterloo Region are so fortunate to have a facility where “people have access to tools to create their own work combined with continuous ways of learning and co-operating.”
The Working Centre in Kitchener
In Ken Westhues book The Working Centre, Experiment in Social Change, he describes the centre in this way. “Two decades later, it has survived as an independent instrument of self-help community development, and has woven itself into the fabric of Kitchener-Waterloo. It has also achieved a certain maturity, coherence and confidence in its approach to work and unemployment and in its conception of itself.”
The Event
Communitech
Communitech is an industry-led innovation centre that supports, fosters and celebrates a community of nearly 1,000 tech companies. “We support companies at all stages of growth and development—from startups to rapidly-growing mid-sized companies and large global players”… and local artists too!!! We are very grateful to Communitech for allowing us to use the space in their Hub.
Venue: Communitech, 151 Charles St. W, Kitchener
Date: Friday, October 13, 2017, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
The Artists….
In this second rendition of the Ferrari 500, these 17 amazing artists will take the starting gate:
It seems like the calm before the storm, as there’s so much in store for the fall!
But for now, I’d like to share two paintings, now on display at The Art District Gallery until August 17.
This is going to be, perhaps, the most special exhibition put on by The Art District Gallery to date. We’ll be celebrating our 2-year anniversary by hosting a retrospective of our works shown at The ADG thus far. This means we’ll be showing so many paintings that our only choice will be to display them ‘salon’ style… floor to ceiling art!
And we’re so happy to welcome our newest member, Maria Holland!
Come out Thursday for the art, and enjoy some festive cupcakes and live music!
The Art District Gallery is pleased to welcome Diana Erb as our newest member with a flair for abstract expression! Don’t miss the chance to come out to our next opening reception to welcome Diana and experience the creative vibe of all of ADG’s artists!
Art makes a wonderful Easter gift too – we have a whole wall of smaller pieces that will fit into your Easter basket… and Woo Hoo!…. no calories!
The Slide Show Below gives you a peek at what I’ll be offering at Friday’s Ferrari 500.
Eleven other local artists will be showing their amazing work as well. We’ll all be donating 10% of the proceeds from every sale to Button Factory Arts.
Every single piece is priced at $500.00 or UNDER!
Hope to see you there!
Friday Evening, February 24, 4:00pm to 9:00pm at Button Factory Arts
I work in acrylics. Acrylics dry quickly, and this fast drying is what makes all of my transforming layers possible, because I don’t have to wait more than a few minutes for the paint to dry. Once the paint dries, I can forge ahead with another layer, without the worry of having unwanted glopping textures appear on my painting.
Me in one of my typical paint shirts.
Blending with acrylics is challenging, precisely because the drying time for acrylics is very short. In order to blend colours smoothly, I have to work very quickly, as the key to blending is controlling the amount of paint and/or water on the paintbrush. Wiping the brush is the best way to manage the amount of paint on my brush. Did I mention I have to work very quickly? My wipe rag must be on hand at all times. There is no time to search for a misplaced wipe rag. Having a traditional wipe rag hasn’t been a reliable solution to my wiping needs, which is where my paint shirt comes in. I always know exactly where my wiping rag is, because I’m wearing it!
Me wiping paint on my shirt.
My paint shirt has paint wiped and smeared all over it, and it doesn’t take long for a shirt to become encrusted with my acrylic paints. If my paint shirt is relatively new from the thrift store, the shirt is also at its peak absorbency and usefulness as a wiping rag. If my paint shirt has been in use for weeks or months, a globular texture begins to develop on the shirt. Putting the shirt through the heat of a dryer cycle repeatedly allows a bead-like texture to develop as the acrylic layers on the shirt melt and meld together. A globular paint shirt is not as effective a wiping tool as a newer shirt, so eventually, the paint shirt is retired and put away, and it’s time to visit the thrift store to find a replacement.
Close-Up of Paint Texture
Close-Up of Paint Texture
Close-Up of Paint Texture
Because my wiping action is so ingrained and so automatic, I find that this wiping habit is very dangerous to my wardrobe. So, in order to not ruin my ‘nicer’ clothing, I tend to wear my paint shirts most of the time, and I go everywhere in my paint shirts. I get a lot of comments about my paint shirts, and surprisingly to me, most people think that the paint patterning on the shirt is intentional. I’ve often been told that I should sell my paint shirts because they look so colourful and cool.
Good Day at the Studio
It’s Fun to do Grass
It’s hard for me to imagine anyone wanting to wear my paint shirts, but it has also been hard for me to want to throw away these wonderfully random assemblages of texture and colour. This is what led me to preserving my paint shirts on wooden artist panels.
After the Robot
The Yellow Logic
The Brightness Lab
Much like stretching a canvas, I stretch my paint shirts over the wooden panels. Then, I position the shirt for the best composition possible, before adhering the shirt with acrylic gel and stapling the material to the backside of the panel. I give the stretched fabric a final clear coat, in order to protect the globules, and to bring out the colours to their maximum brilliance. Each shirt panel is a dynamic artifact from my process of painting, is fully unique, and is not replicable.
The Grounding Experiment
Brushing Off Doubt
Cascading Buildage
For the first time, these shirt panels are for sale, and will be shown at an upcoming art event, The Ferrari 500! It’s a must-go show for art collectors is coming to the Region! The Ferrari 500 is a unique art sale featuring art from 12 of our local artists. Why is it unique? Every piece of art in the show is priced at $500.00 or UNDER, and 10% of the proceeds of all sales go to benefit Button Factory Arts.
It’s a one-day only event, and will race by like…a Ferrari…so mark your calendars: Friday, February 24 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at Button Factory Arts at 25 Regina St. S., in Waterloo.
Forget all that ‘supporting the arts’ bunk.
Why should you want to collect art?
Why should you want to spend your scarce resources on mere decoration?
Consider This Scenario:
You’re single, and your job takes up 80% of your free time and you just don’t even notice your walls. Imagine that you found an eye-catching painting that spoke to you.
Pro-Photonic Sunshine System
So you took down that old poster, and hung the painting there instead. So now, every morning as you’re dashing out the door, you catch a glimpse of the colors and forms in the painting. When you’re on your way to work, you see something that reminds you of the painting. When you come home, you may see something in the painting that helps you see the solution to a problem that you’ve been trying to solve. Weeks later, when you least expect it, you see something totally different in the painting that you really never noticed before. So you start wondering about the artist’s intent for the painting. And then you remember that the artist lives in town, and is always posting about this show or that show, and you could easily show up at a show just to ask the artist some questions. After all, talking about art is one of the things that artists like to do most. Whether the artist shrugs or launches a dissertation on the meaning of the piece, your thoughts will be enriched, because your imagination will be challenged! And then you’ll see more of the artist’s work, and you’ll realize you may have a connection to these pieces too! You turn around and are struck by the absolute truth and beauty of another painting.
Inevitable Intrusion into the Delusion of Exclusion
You think about buying it, but your funds are too low, so you don’t. But the idea of the painting is knocking around in your brain, becoming almost as important as the painting already on your wall, because it is inspiring emotions and thoughts. It’s even altering the way you see the painting on your wall. In fact, every life event somehow gets recorded in the painting on the wall, because it will be with you, as a silent steady companion, as your life changes and unfolds.
Thermal Sensaton Detoxification
Later, the very same artist posts a picture of a painting that’s very reminiscent of the painting you didn’t buy, but it’s even more evocative, so you arrange to purchase the piece with a payment plan. It takes a few months, but finally, you bring the new painting home, and hang it in a place of honor, over the sofa. The two paintings instantly connect, and your environment begins to transform into a very personal, reflective space, inspiring you in different ways. Home. Home is where the art is.
Another Scenario:
You’re starting a family. There’s a toddler in the house, and a baby on the way. As a baby shower gift, that artsy friend gave you a very colorful whimsical painting for the nursery.
SpWeeeee!!!
The painting is quietly with you as you comfort and nurture your child. You always hope your child will grow to have as much lively fun as the images in the painting. The painting fascinates the children. As they grow up, they ask about the painting, and you’re able to share all kinds of ideas about what the painting means.
Full Throttle
The artist’s new painting manages to find it way into your social media feed, and you realize it is the perfect companion piece for that first whimsical painting. So you buy it, and hang it with the other painting. Suddenly, the stories you were telling about the first painting evolve to include the new painting. So much imagination and so many giggles! The art becomes a part of the fabric of the family, and always serves as a conversation starter, and a reminder of happy times. Family. Art serves as a type of glue that helps to strengthen family relationships.
And Another Scenario:
A family is going through troubled times, which is causing a family member unfathomable grief. Sometimes there are no words that are adequate for expressing that which cannot be said. This is a key specialty of art. A painting has the ability to soothe by acknowledging pain, embracing the darkness, and by offering hope, all at the same time.
The Indescribable Churning of Green
A painting was found with graceful somber notes, and some small, but significant brighter notes, and it seemed, though somber, to have an overall positive vibe. This painting was hung at the kitchen table. The painting helped to pave the way for family members to be able to talk about profound sadness, maintaining the faith that hearts will eventually heal, and that life continues. It became a powerful symbol of the family’s strength through adversity.
Eternity Out The Window
Months later, a very similar, but brighter painting came along, and was hung in the dining room, and as the grief slowly subsided, the collection of paintings became livelier, almost documenting and honouring a journey through grief. Mourning. Art can serve to aid in the ability to recover emotionally.
And Lastly:
You’ve come through a struggle. The illness has lifted, the ex left town, the long awaited job is finally a reality. It’s time to embrace a new life with perhaps a bit of frivolity. As you forge a healthy new life of positivity, you find art that embraces positivity!
Inter-Dimensional Transcendental Hop
It just feels good to look at it. This is exactly what you need to inspire creativity and happy thoughts. You hang the painting in the living room, but then the bedroom seems stark.
Pursuit of the Pink Preservationists
So you find another painting for the bedroom, and eventually, every room has a bright reminder for positivity! Positivity. Happiness. Harmony. Art can serve to enhance a brighter attitude.
Home. Family. Mourning. Harmony.
There are countless other ways that art plays a supporting role as it sees you through your life’s journey.
Westward Yearning Tree
Art provides a gateway towards understanding, empathy, and pure joy.
Collecting art is an investment in you, your family, and the betterment of living!
Not to mention supporting your local artists…. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Are You Ready?
If you’re ready to consider starting, or enhancing your art collection, there’s a great opportunity coming to Waterloo Region:
The Ferrari 500 features affordable excellence in art.
Every piece is priced at $500.00 or UNDER.
Hope to see you there!
As my paintings continue to get painted, and new concepts are becoming expressed, I’m always thinking about ways to sell paintings, in order to make way for even more paintings with more experimentation and more expression…
500?
So, I had the idea of a show where all of the art was very affordable, which to me, means that each painting would be priced at $500.00 – or under! And then the ideas exploded from there…
From the beginning, I knew that I’d like to have an invitational type of show, where artists that I personally know, and whose work I deeply respect, could come together to put on an event, because together, we are an amazing group of artists. 🙂 And together, we’ll be able to accomplish much more than we could individually. I am truly honoured to have so many of my friends and local artists agree to be a part of this show!
Ferrari?
The idea for the name, well, at first, it was just a giggle…
No, not this Ferrari 500!
But, to my surprise, it seemed to have staying power! Well… why not? Why not capitalize on having a very recognizable last name, that also is synonymous with the highest quality and undeniable aesthetics? It also makes sense, because all of the artists involved are top-notch (Ferrari quality!) local artists – and – a big part of the point of the show is to move art!
But Wait! There’s More!
I very much wanted to have a percentage of the proceeds go towards our local community. So, an important component of the Ferrari 500 is to help out a local nonprofit or charitable foundation by means of donating 10% of all sales to the community organization.
The Event
My vision for the Ferrari 500 is that it becomes a series of pop-up style shows, recurring 2 to 4 times a year, with changing venues, and changing community beneficiaries. Happily, my idea is beginning to transform into a reality. The Ferrari 500 Debut Exhibition is at hand!
Button Factory Arts
The venue and the community nonprofit are one in the same, our own local arts hub, Button Factory Arts. We in the Waterloo Region are so fortunate to have a facility where arts programming can happen, art classes can be taken, and art of all types, and artists from all levels of experience, are nurtured and appreciated. Sadly, due to unexpected structural renovations last fall, Button Factory Arts had to be closed, and therefore, lost a month’s worth of revenue from events and classes. So the proceeds raised by the Ferrari 500 will help towards restoring funds for operations and events. Yay!
Venue: Button Factory Arts, 25 Regina St. South, Waterloo
Date: Friday, February 24, 2017, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
The Artists….
In the first rendition of the Ferrari 500, these 12 artists will take the starting gate:
The holidays have come and gone. It’s the dead of winter. In Canada. So why not focus on refreshing your home, cottage, or office space with a new splash of colour and lively expression? The prices will be, by design, low enough, and the atmosphere will be charged with artistic creativity. Come out and meet and support your local artists, see and support your local arts hub, enjoy some tasty nibbles and drinks, and find some unexpected treasures to cherish for years to come…
The images below represent paintings that are currently on display at the Art District Gallery in St. Jacobs (1369 King. St., N.) www.ArtDistrictGallery.org At the recent opening reception at ADG, I had the wonderful opportunity to share my interpretations of the meanings inherent in the paintings, which I had never put into words previously. Now that I have, I figured that it’s time to share!
Abstract paintings are my favourite! Often, in my abstract work, the forms evolve into what I call “shape characters”. In my mind, these forms represent subconscious thoughts. My mission in art is to create paintings that add positivity to any environment, thus, these shape characters all have the common goal of co-existing in harmony.
Renaissansical Generation Jam
In Renaissansical Generation Jam, the forms are congregating in order to share ideas to solve a problem. All are attentive, giving full mindfulness as each idea is presented and explored. Some of the ideas are red, indicating that the ideas have matured. One idea is green, and still is being developed and nurtured. Only one idea is considered by the group at a time.
The Learning Curves
In The Learning Curves, there are two classes of forms, the larger verticals, and the smaller squiggly reds. All forms are working in harmony to reach a common destination, and the relationship between the verticals and the reds is symbiotic and flourishing.
Happy Huddle
In Happy Huddle, all of the forms are yellow. Only five of the forms have some red individuality rings, because the forms know and love each other so well, that they can perceive and appreciate each other’s uniqueness. And all the happy goodness bubbles up and collects above them and spreads the love to all.
Happosition Harmony
In Happosition Harmony, the forms represent two opposing factions that are coming together to resolve their differences. There is some tension in the situation, but overriding that tension is calmness, and the ability to understand the opposition’s point of view.
Relearning Gravitational Resistance
In Relearning Gravitational Resistance, the forms have created a sort of floating nursery, because sometimes we all need to remember how to let go, relax, and just float. The beginners are in the safe floating tubs at the bottom of the picture plane, and the more advanced are floating higher, with some nurturing assistance. Ahhhh…
For more information on these paintings, please see my Available Pure Abstracts page!
These five pieces will be on display at Art District Gallery until March 22nd, 2017.
I’m so happy to be rejoining the amazing collective of artists at Art District Gallery!
We’re also welcoming our newest artist, Gary Barnett!
Hope to see you all on Thursday evening of July 7th at the opening reception of our newest exhibition!
Well, it’s true. Original Art is a luxury item. The painting you truly love could take a big chunk out of your rent or mortgage payment, and it could seriously put a dent in your cash flow.
Buying art is serious business. It’s a big decision and a big commitment. The art you buy is likely going to be with you for a very long time, and perhaps will be passed on to your kids or even your grand-kids. It’s personal. And potentially a key factor in creating a joyful environment that you love.
So how to get around the cost factor??
About to Sprout
Well, first, there’s payments. Most artists, including myself, will happily arrange for you to purchase their work in instalments. $500.00 in one payment could be daunting, but $50 a month for 10 months is totally do-able!
Another option would be renting. Did you know you can rent art? Many galleries, including the Art District Gallery in Kitchener, will rent you art. In the case of Art District Gallery, all you have to do is agree to pay a minimum of three monthly fees at 4% of the purchase price of the art. For example, a painting that costs $500 could be rented for 3 months for $60; and after 3 months, it would be a monthly payment of $20 for as long as you’d like to rent the art. And if you rent the piece long enough, you can end up purchasing the piece. Renting is a great option, because you have the opportunity to live with the work, and make sure it’s a good fit for you and your environment.
Yet another option can be a pooling of monies. It’s a novel concept, sharing a work of art, but it does happen. One year at one person’s home, the next year at another’s; alternating between two people. Another scenario for a pooling of money would be co-workers contributing to the purchase of a piece of art for the work environment. A more likely version of pooling money involves gift certificates. A person buys a gift certificate for art to give to the art lover they love. The recipient of the gift certificate is able to apply the value of the gift certificate to the payment of the piece of art of their choosing. And, as you might guess, Gift certificates are available at the Art District Gallery!
Finally, you may consider purchasing small. While small works may not have the impact that larger works have, the right piece could do more for your environment than you’d imagine! Most homes have a host of small spaces that need brightening. And smaller works of art are generally very affordable! Coincidentally, the Art District Gallery is going to be featuring smaller works at the upcoming show that kicks off on Thursday, December 3rd.
So if you happen to be in downtown Kitchener, near the Farmer’s Market, please take a moment to mosey over to the Art District Gallery. We’re located just off the plaza in front of the Farmer’s Market at King Street and Cedar in Kitchener. We’d love to see you!
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