March 21, 2012: Herry Arifin’s Watercolour Demo

Spadina Ave. near Collage St. by Herry Arifin

Those who attended March 21st Demo by watercolour artist Herry Arifin http://www.herryarifin.com really enjoyed his spontaneity of approach and his sense of humour. In the short time of  the demo he painted a vibrant and “busy” to quote him image of Spadina Avenue near College Street with two iconic streetcars. He had many clever and inexpensive tips for artists wishing to paint with watercolours or acrylics in Plein Air. If you were unable to attend, check out his website.

- Joan McGivney, The NYVA President

North York Arts

New Service Organization Launched in North York

North York is home to many talented artists arts organizations, soon be supported by the region’s own arts hub and service organization. North York Arts (NYA), galvanized by the energy of Ward 23 Councillor John Filion, is currently being designed and incubated by Toronto Arts Foundation as part of its  Creative City: Block by Block vision. Designed to address the needs and interests of artists, arts organizations and residents, North York Arts will collaborate with local City Councillors, the City’s Culture Division and the Neighbourhood Arts Network to support local artists, foster arts programming and facilitate engagement in the region. North York Arts will offer marketing and promotion services, networking and community development workshops, programming, and administrative support. The NYA website goes live later this March.

Free Forum for Arts Entrepreneurs Upcoming this April

On April 24, Enterprise Toronto will offer a forum geared for arts and cultural sector entrepreneurs of all arts disciplines interested in learning strategies to further developing their companies. Admission is free. The event, Small Business Arts Forum: Financing Growth in the Arts, focuses on a critical subject for all arts professionals – financing. Renowned contemporary Canadian visual artist Charles Pachter will be giving the keynote address. Panel discussions on funding strategies and in-depth seminars will be held throughout the day from 9am – 4pm, Tuesday, April 24, at Council Chambers on the lower level of the North York Civic Centre.  More info here.  Registration here.  – Tony Cook

The 2011 December Social Winner

Patty Stamp’s Bobble Head pen won the prize for “Kitchiest”.  Congratulations, Patty!

P.S. She got it from the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Homes, Cohasset Massachusetts, in 2009.

ARTISTS vs. the MEGA QUARRY

Joan McGivney, President of the North York Visual Artists, and I were among 30 artists who trekked north last July for a paint-out in Melancthon Township in protest against the proposed MegaQuarry.

On February 3 and 4, 2012, ARTISTS against the MEGA QUARRY will mount their debut Toronto City show and sale, with all proceeds going to support the fight against the quarry. Please come and support the cause against destroying this beautiful landscape so beloved by Ontario artists.

- Tony Cook, NYVA Program Convenor, Watercolour Artist

NYVA Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/nyvaCanada/status/160466903029129217

VAM’s 34th Annual Juried Show of Fine Art

VAM34 2012

- Marta Alvarez, NYVA Member & Former Membership Chair

Visual Arts Mississauga’s 34th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts at the Art Gallery of Mississauga *** When: January 12 to February 25, 2012 (Free Admission) *** Where: 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1 *** Opening Reception & Awards Presentation is on Thursday, January 12th 6 p.m.

Exhibition Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thursdays) & Weekends: noon to 4 p.m.

Demonstrator D.D. (Didi) Gadjanski Shares Her Style in Watercolour and Acrylic

The January 18, 2012 demonstrator is D.D. (Didi) Gadjanski, who will demo watercolour and acrylic on both Yupo and Terraskin surfaces.  Marrakech is one of the examples of mixed media on Yupo paper.

Didi has a personal, artist’s website, on which her bio is available in 3 languages. Please read here.  She has lots of excellent works in her virtual gallery.

Didi also has a few YouTube videos showing her in action. Please view and subscribe to the DDGadjanski’s Channel.

- Tony Cook, NYVA Program Convenor

ARTISTS Against the MEGA QUARRY

Joan McGivney and I were among 30 artists who donated paintings made during a paint-out earlier this, in support of action against the Mega Quarry in Dufferin County. The group has now mounted a web site to display the paintings and to promote future events.

Tony Cook, NYVA’s Program Convenor

NYVA’s Tweet

NYVA’s 11th Studio Tour & Art Sale: Home Studios

This year North York Visual Artists’ home studios were open in 6 location and two weekends (Sept. 24 & 25, Oct. 1 & 2, 2011).  Some of us would like to share our feelings.  Nahid Marandi (www.nahidart.com): “[A]lways is a pleasure to see people coming to my studio.”  http://nyva.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Nahid.jpg  Josephine Latorre (jlatorre.fine.arts@gmail.com): “It was a pleasure to display my paintings and ceramics on part of my house studio and garden for easy browsing around. I hope to do it again next year.”   http://nyva.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/josephine.jpg  Tatiana Ianovskaia (www.taniaart.com): “I liked the home show; it was a joy to see people coming and to discuss the artworks with other artists. It gave an opportunity of self-representation.”  http://nyva.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Tatiana_Ianovskaia.jpg

The Art of Nacho Cartagena

The NYVA member Nacho Cartagena is a Chilean-Canadian sculptor, who mainly works with wood and cork. Nacho developed a unique carving technique while working with cork. His works are simply breathtaking! Please view his art at: http://nachocartagena.ca/works.html. Over spring and summer 2011, Nacho had three group exhibits and one individual show: 2011 Cork 2 (La Casa del Habanero, Toronto, Canada), 2011 NYVA Summer Art Show (McKay Art Centre, Unionville, Canada), 2011 Primavera (Spring Group Art Show) – La Casa del Habanero, Toronto, Canada) and 2011 Escambray (La Casa del Habanero, Toronto, Canada). The list of his accomplishments deserves a separate newsletter! Please visit his NYVA Artist Page at: http://www.nyva.ca/Cartagena_Nacho.html. Nacho Cartagena has a big heart. He is working an a project for visually impaired children called “Ojos del Alma” (Eyes of the Soul) in Cuba. He teaches these children to create cork art. More at: http://www.pitchengine.com/nyva/the-art-of-nacho-cartagena.