David Blackwood at the AGO

A couple of weeks ago, we joined some friends to visit the show of David Blackwood's etchings at the AGO. I have had the opportunity, in the past, to view only a few of David Blackwood's prints in person and have been captivated for hours over the reproductions in books but I was not at all prepared for this wonderful display of his work. I was (am still) so in awe. It was a couple of weeks ago that we went and I keep thinking about the work, the imagery of the Eastern Canadian landscape,big sky, big ocean, the Newfoundlanders, the boats, ice and I just do not have the words to express how intensely and quietly complex they are. There are so many of his masterfully rich works and just not enough time to take them all in, on just one visit. So I have go back and spend the day or maybe two and sit with them, each one a story I want to hear. One thing that I was really impressed with was a room devoted to the various stages of his etching process, starting with the sketches, then the multiple proofs at numerous stages of etching and finishing with the final state of the plate, the print that would become the edition. In the centre of this room was a display case with the copper plate he used to print this image and the tools used to create the plate. If you are at all curious about the printingmaking process or a fan of etching, you really should go. I think you will enjoy it thoroughly.

Hamilton Art Crawl

Last night we went to Hamilton and met up with some friends and family in town to check out the ArtsCrawl. Had such a good time and definitely have to go back and see more than we had time for last night. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so no photos to post. I just wanted to post a link here so that you can see how much in going on in that vibrant arts community and maybe check it out for yourself.

Jazz Festival art auction

The Guelph Jazz Festival is gearing up for their annual art auction,
which is a fantastic opportunity to get some really wonderful work
while supporting our great Jazz Festival. They have posted the works
in the auction, through their website.
I have submitted this new etching, 'dark crabapple'.

Hillside Festival poster is done!

  The Guelph Hillside Festival 2011 chose me to work on this year's poster!  After a couple of months fine tuning the multiple blocks and getting the printing just right, the poster work is complete and the first ad will be in the Bookshelf newpaper soon.  I decided to work on an image that incorporated my love of the botanical, something to convey Hillside and all the wonderful things that happen there, while touching on a very timely issue.  The honey bees, flying through the apple blossoms and gathering pollen seemed a good fit with a number of themes we wanted to include in the promotion of the Festival.  The disappearing bee is a serious issue as they are a crucial part of our food chain, pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.  It was important to me to have the bee in the picture while remembering the spirit of the festival and keeping it light. The fact that bees communicate through dance makes me smile and the huge cooperative volunteer effort that is the preparation and running of the Hillside festival is alot like a super busy hive. 

 Please check out the link below if you are concerned about the future of our bees.  https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl
And a link about Ontario bees, beekeepers, honey, etc.  http://www.ontariobee.com/

This is the big picture.  I am now working on having a small edition that I can have available, possibly at the festival

or from my studio (which is one floor above the Hillside office).