a bit more Spark Box

Thinking of all the hard work and good times spent at Spark Box recently. So many photos from my time there. Here are a few more.

Their Fall Residency Awards link is here and the deadline is August 31st 2014.

good morning, afternoon and evening, everyday Print Studio!

Chrissy just does fun things like this. (chalk rug)

and buys things like this to hold the garlic her neighbours give her

another studio space to try different things. some quick watercolour sketches on newsprint

my bedroom window with the huge dancing tree outside. somedays it was quiet and still but most days I could lie for some time just watching it sway all over the place. I really wish i had filmed it...another trip?

an outing to Karlo Estates vineyard in Wellington

The bridge behind Karlo Estates

The wonderful vine chandelier at Rosehall Run Winery where we tasted a few delicious wines and I bought a bottle of the righteous dude to take home to my honey

a happy group taking a break

return to Spark Box Studios

Yay! Another wonderful time spent at Spark Box Studios in Picton, Ontario. 
It feels long ago now but I returned just over a week ago after two lovely weeks spent indulging (or tormenting) in my own work and in the company of a great group of artists. Chrissy and Kyle are the talented twosome who run the residency where lucky artists are taken in for a time. My co-residents this stay were Pam Lobb (we had some grand plans to return to ideas that grew from our show together at Renann Isaacs Art Gallery) and Michelle Simon from Boyle, Ireland. Lots of work was done as well as some adventuring in the glorious weather, trying cider and delicious pizza at Country Cider, garage saling (?? verb word), Michelle's first drive-in movie, the return of Fifth Town Cheese (hurray), Vickie's Veggies and some heritage tomato plants to take home. Lots of laughs, good times and inspiration for more work at home.
I thought I would be a bit more orderly about this posting but things have been quite busy and I am just going to put these snapshots out there and explain more later.

Chrissy's loom in the window

Kyle's organ and barking deer art

some material I brought with for inspiration

Pam hard at work late at night

me in the lovely studio

Pam's work station with sculptural works ready for her printmaking layers

studio got an organized mess in record time

these sweet little guys were on the dresser in my bedroom

my cool room, was happy to have a different room than last time

Pam ready to go

the view of Lake Ontario from County Cider's lounge chairs

enjoying the view with Pam and Michelle

Spark Box Studio « PRINTERESTING

Yay! I am going back to Spark Box Studio late this Spring with Pam Lobb to work on some collaborative projects, as well as a couple things of our own. I am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful changes in the studio that I read about the other day on Printeresting. The article and photos (with link below) are by Josh Dannin who was my co- resident when I was at Spark Box in 2010. It will be great to catch up with Chrissy and Kyle and reacquaint myself with the lovely area.

Spark Box Studio « PRINTERESTING

Spark Box Studios

Just home after a refreshing and inspiring two week residency in Prince Edward County at Spark Box Studios.  The studio and residency are run by artists, Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping in a beautiful setting just outside of Picton, Ontario.  
I had many plans and ideas on what I wanted to accomplish before I went but was so inspired by the natural beauty that surrounded me in the many different trees on the residency property that I did not actually get to work on any grapevines or orchard works while I was there.  There were numerous trips to a few of the lovely vineyards and orchards in the county and I did take lots of photos and sketched a bit, but those works will have to come later.  The majority of the work that I did while I was there was inspired by all the little bits of wonderful that I found just walking around the property enjoying the views and all the fresh air and sunshine.  Kyle and Chrissy were very welcoming hosts and most helpful with getting me set up and started in the studio.  While I was there I spent some time with fellow printmaker and resident Josh Dannin, a very talented and interesting individual from Philadelphia.
It has been a few years since I had a chance to get away on my own to focus on artwork and I am so glad I did.  The time away allowed me the space to clear my head and to be open and inspired by my surroundings.  Can't wait to get back into my studio and start work on some new projects.

studio

studio books

my cutie room

Josh printing

sunny kitchen dining room

Kyle, Chrissy, Josh and Rico (in front)

At breakfast my first day I realized that everyone had their own laptop computer.  I expressed to my young friend, Grace Black, that I was feeling a bit left out (even though I was offered use of the computers) and she kindly let me use her laptop which she had made for herself this Summer.  As you

can see in the photo below,  Grace's computer is a fantastic one of a kind creation and I was so happy to have had use of it for my visit.  Even though Josh called it 'Canadian facebook' I think it was the envy of everyone there.

 

I will probably post more images and write a bit more about my stay later, but here are a few shots of the views around Chrissy and Kyle's home.