This Week's Inspiration: Weaving!

Handwoven fabrics are truly a wonder!  Some of the pieces below are my absolute faves and really showcase this lost art.  I personally love weaving items with different colors, prints and textures and displaying them in my home. I just started weaving about a year ago at a local studio and I'm now completely obsessed! The possibilities are endless and therefore totally inspiring!

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Art Finds Wednesday

So I'm on the hunt for some great art for my dining room. I've been scouring the internet for days now and thought I'd share some really fantastic pieces that just make my heart melt. I'm always a fan of saying that someone is "Easy on the eyes"... and these pieces my friends are just that! Enjoy!

Derek Root at Monte Clark Gallery.

Please don't think I'm crazy, but honestly I'm having a hard time breathing just looking at this painting. I've got butterflies like love at first sight!

From Accident and Incident Series by Caroline Wright.

So striking right!?! It's like a massive storm of colour... this one just doesn't quit!

Lightning Drawing 7 by Cassandra C Jones at Eli Ridgway Gallery.

Using found photographs the artist pieces together prints and videos that speak to how we communicate with and consume photography. Definitely check out her videos!

Reclaimed Wood Wall Art by Earth Art By Wendy. 

She's also got them as coasters too. Put 'em on your wall or coffee table! Your pick!

Nuit Blanche Toronto 2011

 

I head out with some buds to Toronto's huge annual contemporary city-wide art event Nuit Blanche this weekend. It runs alllll night long on Saturday through to Sunday morning. The streets were buzzing and excitement was super high! The event showcases art projects all across the city. We primarily worked through the downtown core. Starting with Flightpath Toronto at city hall...

 We belted out some rockin' hits at Campbell House Museum with 1972-1976. I found myself singing into my camera... as if it was a microphone (or a beer bottle:)...

 ...we did the wave behind city hall with Through The Gorilla Glass...

 Barricades completely transformed a block of Yonge Street. 

 MORE JUMPING!

 TESTtubes was so magical. These little laser lights were sound sensitive and would move around with the sounds of the crowd underneath. Renée pointed out that our cats would have LOVED this exhibition!

 You called this balloon and it would ring loud in the air. 

It was on a super quiet peaceful side street. a very nice surprise!

 Our last stop was at The Gladstone Hotel for their Fly By Night projects...

 a life without tomatoes is like a life without... peanut butter.

This piece win Most Amazing/Ridiculous Art of the night. We were all taking turns snuggling in this huge bird nest.

Affordable Art Gift Guide!

What I love about buying art during the holiday season is that the only person you can really buy art for is yourself. Sooo take a look at these great pieces and treat yourself to a little Christmas cheer!

Left Column: 

tastesorangey - I See You

withwallpaper - Found Object - Paper Clips

inaluxe - OneMillion Short Stories

Middle Column:

ThisYearsGirl - Little Fox Prince

matteart - Lillian playing with an abstract thought.

ChingLevyStudio - The Weight of Heat

Right Column:

stephanielevy - Madeleine and Tea

lizzyjanssen - Your Sweet Self

HeyHarriet - Espresson Cups

Art Find! Amber Alexander

A Hard Day

Is there anything as fantastic as animals acting like humans? Amber Alexander's artwork of animals living their everyday human lives just kills me with cuteness! I feel for the kitty in A Hard Day. She's been hard at work all week chatting up her One of a Kind Show customers and packing up orders and working long hours and now all she wants to do is cheers to herself with a glass of Beaujolais.... oh kitty. Our lives are so linked. 

 Cat Art - Snow Kitten

It's the first snow fall in Toronto today and this little kitty is calling out to my indoor cat meowing "come out and play"... don't forget the carrots!

 Albino Squirrel Art - Donald

Oh Donald! Amber, you have managed to paint this squirrel in the image of my own friend by the same name. a sharp looking man who can't wait to indulge in a gin martini with a good friend

Art Love : Jennifer Sanchez

Eeeek! I am in love with this piece by Jennifer Sanchez that i spotted on Jen Beckman's 20x200 site that curates and sells really fantastic contemporary art online. Best part is it's totally affordable!

All the vibrant colours and the movement of the radiating rings and drippy paint just make the painting this intense environment that makes me want to do a backstroke swim in it. What a total pick me up!

Etsy Finds : Violet May

There's so much fantastic art on Etsy. I can just get lost looking at all great works and totally lose track of time. I spotted Violet May last week and knew right away that i was in love with her vintage inspired pieces. The retro imagery and the soft and sweet colour palette of her artwork just makes all your troubles melt away. They bring about cozy nostalgic feelings and a sense of peaceful "Hmmmm and Ahhhh" moments.

Above : Balancing Act.


She Caught the Sun


Pop Music

Paper and Stitch Market Picks

The new Paper and Stitch Marketplace is definitely a feast for the eyes... and holiday pocketbooks!

It's a beautifully designed site with a curated set of designers and artists that matches the taste and style that you can count on finding in the Paperandstitch universe!

Here are some pieces that caught my eye. The marketplace will showcase different shops every month so definitely keep checking it out for new items!

Lazy Soosan - The Alphabet Series
Robin101 - Fridge on Lime Cards
Englishcookies - The Handmade Series - Painting
essimar - Grehm Card

Set 4... here it is!!

Where was my brain on Monday!
I swear, i am still on track with my daily coasters... I posted them on etsy on monday... i swear!

Well here they are... a couple about Heath Ledger... one about Obama... and the rest are newsworthy :)!