Synopsis:  We talked how Joan got inspired to start her own gallery; a gallery that focused on inclusion vs exclusion and strives to remove barriers to purchasing original fine art. She shared her incredible journey of doing international art fairs and online auctions to expose Canadian artist to a broader world. About the Gallery: Affordable original modern and contemporary art. Spence Gallery has a carefully curated collection of original, powerful and inspiring work from over 30 emerging, mid-career, and established artists from Canada. Book an appointment at Spence Gallery now and discover abstract, figurative, surreal, and mixed media artwork ranging in price from $500 - $5,000. · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis:  We talked about her scary experiences while pleinair painting and her love of unusual materials....snowballs settling on her watercolours to make interesting marks; she embraces play and unpredictability in her art. We shared a loved of vibrant colour and our Canadian influences of the Group of Seven. Hilary shared her recent initiative highlighting the issue of water conservation in her Tiny Township. About the Artist: Hilary paints landscapes of the Canadian wilderness, from Ontario to Labrador. Her recent works are large-scale watercolours sealed with cold wax, mounted on birch panel, as well as acrylic paintings on panel. Primarily self-taught as a painter, Hilary has been painting for over 35 years. Since moving to Georgian Bay she has been professional for the past 8 years. Her focus is capturing the unique landforms around Ontario. Goemorphological landforms intrigue her most.  Hilary paints most in watercolours. She thrives on the lack of control that her wet-on-wet techniques allow, since other mediums afford a forced decision making with each brush stroke. Wet on wet forces the excitement of letting go to allow nature to take over · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis: Kate speaks with Joanne Poluch of Remarque Art Consulting. Joanne shared many valuable tips to help artists succeed in their art practice. She works to help them find their voice and to suppress their inner critic. Her artist mentoring program supports the growth of their work as well as their business. About Remarque: All artists want their work to be appreciated and valued. They want their work to gain exposure and ultimately, sell their work in the best possible fashion. Art mentorship and coaching is an opportunity to explore hearing your own inner voice, to gain control over your marketing skills and re- light your artistic fire that always burns inside of you.  These Art Mentorship sessions will afford us the opportunity to explore your work, examine the success of your social media exposure, benefit from succinct, clearly defined artistic statements and gain an understanding of the competitive market. · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Kate Taylor interviewed Cat Tesla about her transition from being a full time faculty member focusing on genetics to becoming a full-time artist. Cat was generous with her tips and insights of what is needed to make a successful transition. Kate also asked Cat about her collaboration with artist Lisa Ridgers during the pandemic , @lisaridgers_artist. She asked Cat about the entire process, challenges and final outcome of their collaboration. · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis:  We talked about how her location as she moved homes around the world had an influence on her art. How travel enriches the soul and inspires different colour palettes. Chatted about her love of unusual materials including painting on feathers and using cellulose to sculpt.   About the Artist: Where wildlife art meets west coast lifestyle.  Karin prefers to work with unusual canvases and materials. Her choice of 'canvas' has ranged from huge boulders to wild turkey feathers to canvas.  Currently Karin hand-sculpts wildlife (including her yoga bears) out of wood cellulose and creates wildlife and coastal paintings in acrylics and mixed media. · Instagram  · Website

Synopsis: We talked about dogs, the ever-changing inspiration of nature and gardens and how that is reflected in our art. Claire shared her wonderful journey partnering with Anthopologie and creating her own Signature Collection of women's apparel through Wearables. She is a strong advocate for artists finding a way to create revenue from their art beyond art sales in a way that is authentic and true to themselves. About the Artist:  Claire Desjardins (b., Montreal) is an award-winning Canadian artist living and working in Gore, Quebec. Working primarily in painting, her formally driven work focuses on gesture and colour, emphasizing energetic, animated brush strokes and bold palettes. · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis: We talked about the long history of Gwartzman's and how they moved from the drapery to art supply business. Jackie shared how they have pivoted by doing virtual meetings with artists and their weekly Instagram lived demos. Stay tuned to see what new and exciting products they are introducing over the next few months!   About: In the 1960’s Spadina and College was the place for artist to live and work, crammed with studios at every block. At the time Gwartzman’s was a Discount Drapery and Fabric store, owned and run by Mr. G. Often artists would come into the store looking for canvas, so the Gwartzman’s brought in canvas of all different types and widths to accommodate the artists. Once we became known for our discount canvas, the artists then came looking for paint, brushes, and all types of art supplies. The drapery and fabrics were eventually moved to make room for a larger selection of art materials, and we started sourcing products from around the world. Finally, we took on the name, Gwartzman’s Discount Art Supplies.  We've been in the same building at 448 Spadina Avenue since October 2nd, 1945. Almost 50 years later, 2nd and 3rd generation Gwartzman’s are still carrying on the business. · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis: Hannan gave us a quick tour of her studio and sand blasting equipment as she shared her unique carving process to making her delicate (but apparently not really fragile) sculptures. She shared her love of music and involvement in three music projects that have kept her busy and creatively energized during Covid. And, of course, we bonded over mica!! About the Artist: Hannan Fayad is a glass artist working in a unique sculptural style. Her work highlights the diverse possibilities of glass with forms that delicately balance geometry, organic shapes and colour. The way natural forces of erosion transmute a surface and play with the symmetry of a form influence her compositions and carving technique. Fayad wears away the glass with a sandblaster to reveal an intricate structure.   HF Glass studio is located in the Old East Village in London, Ontario, alongside screen printers, ceramicists, and musicians. · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis: We talked about how Marianne transitioned from architecture to fine art. She shared her struggles in being a "good enough" girl and started painting her life-sized women as a celebration of womanhood. We talked about showing internationally, running an art business and her goal of having an immersive large-scale showing of her women. Artist Statement/About the Artist: Marianne Enhörning is a West Coast Canadian artist. She creates evocative, dreamlike works in oil that are figurative, nature influenced and abstractly architectural. Her art explores the division between modern society and nature, longing for a more harmonious world. “Painting is my voice, the place where I can express passions that words can’t reach. I begin with a pallette of paint, a new canvas and no preconceived ideas. When I raise my head I see an image true to my being that still evades words.” · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website

Synopsis: We talked about Olga's journey from Toronto to Japan to the UK and the different art scenes. She shared her commission process and how, becoming a full-time artist during Covid, has forced her to embrace selling online. She shared her tips for doing one line figure drawings and the benefits of keeping a sketchbook. About the Artist: I am an Artist and Art Educator from Toronto, Ontario.  After earning by BFA at York University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, I decided to go on an adventure and to teach English in Japan!  I thought I'd be away for 1 year at most.  I completed a Masters at Goldsmiths and have lived in the UK since.  I am based in Haslemere which borders three stunning counties; Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.  My paintings are based on memories, travel, nature and whatever takes my fancy!  · Instagram  · Facebook  · Website