Rina Gottesman Inspirations

As a continuation of our Studio Project, we checked in on artist Rina Gottesman to see what's been keeping her busy & inspired during her weeks of self isolation, including what she's been creating, cooking, and her view of the world. She replied along with some lovely shots of her artwork and a beautiful story.

Like everyone else I am at home practicing social distancing. I am lucky that my studio is in my home so there is always easy access to paint and painting.......especially at 2 am if I am still wide awake and can’t sleep!!!

My favourite season has always been Spring. After a long winter, it feels like a time of new beginnings, renewal and possibilities. Walking through my neighbourhood in suburban Thornhill, whether it be on early mornings or on quiet evenings, I find delight in seeing signs of the earth coming to life......tulips peeking out of the soil, new buds on trees, always hearing the sound of birds. They all make me feel hopeful, something we all need these days. 

 

Being home now with all our obligations having been cancelled, has given me more time to cook and allowed me and my husband to sit down to a relaxing dinner every night rather than having our usual ‘dinner on the run’ in order to get to a meeting or watch a hockey practice. 

I prefer cooking over baking as it requires less precision and I am trying to focus on making simple meals with fresh ingredients.....chunky salads, fish etc. 

However to me,  no meal is complete without chocolate!  I think I inherited that from my mother , who felt that no day was complete without some chocolate. I keep pieces of dark chocolate in the kitchen, in a blue dish that she once gave me. Beside it is one of her small oil paintings. The two objects together, plus the taste of the delicious chocolate make me think of her and smile.

Having to stay home now has brought an end to  my daily run to Tim Horton’s for an iced cappuccino. Instead, I am brewing endless cups of decaf coffee during the day (my Keurig machine and I are now best friends) and I have started enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner. 

My mother passed away this year and when she died I stopped painting. It took many months before I was able to pick up a brush. I was just starting to paint again when COVID hit. Suddenly I found that my world had changed yet again and in those first early weeks of fearful anxiety and facing an unknown future, I could not paint. I cleaned my art studio, cleaned my house, watched cooking demos on the computer, and learned to play virtual mahjong. I also ate a lot more chocolate! But as we all began to settle into our new reality, something in me started to shift. I went back into the studio and started to work on small collages which seemed less daunting than a large empty canvas. Eventually the familiar urge to paint returned and the result was a series of paintings which I named ‘Love, Hope and Chocolate’ as well as a larger work which I named ‘Zoom’, all previously ordinary words that had now taken on a new meaning in our new world.  

I usually love to paint with music blaring in the background, anything from Classical and Opera to Andrea Bocelli and the Beatles. However, painting ‘in the time of Covid’ has changed all that. I suddenly don’t have the patience for music. Now, the new background noise for me while I paint is an audiobook which  I download from a library app on my phone. Being immersed in a storyline has been a great distraction and has stopped  me from thinking too much about everything else that’s going on. So far I have painted to books by James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks , Daniel Silva and Jeffrey Archer. When I think about it now, each of these books share a common element. Each plot revolves around a problem which by the end of the book, has somehow been resolved. Coincidence?

 

 

Ghandi wrote that : ‘ in the midst of darkness, the light persists’. Hopefully the darkness that we are all living through now will soon pass. As an artist who paints from the heart, I choose to always try and paint from a place of hope and light, and let it be these emotions that guide and shape my art and my life. ❤️Rina

Thank you Rina for sharing your beautiful work & personal journey.

To view available works by Rina Gottesman as well as our other artists, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.

Sharon Barr Inspirations

As a continuation of our Studio Project, we checked in on Toronto artist Sharon Barr to see what's been keeping her busy & inspired during her time in self-isolation, including what she's been creating, cooking, reading, as well as her view on the world. She replied with some great answers & photos to accompany them.

Some of my favourite books

To be perfectly honest, it’s a challenging time to be super productive. I feel the planet is coaxing us to slow down and I’m listening to that. After all, she is my inspiration and teacher.

My daily schedule has changed to include getting up earlier, more meditation and work in sketchbooks and journals, very long walks, some painting and yes, you guessed it, more baking. I’ve also used this time to look over my art books and I have always loved literature and look for inspiration there.

Harley on his daily Lake Ontario walk

My neighbourhood is filled with parkland and of course, Lake Ontario never ceases to stop me in my tracks with its unspeakable beauty.  How fortunate are we to live beside the largest bodies of fresh water on the planet! Our dog Harley is 15 years old but that doesn’t stop him from taking daily walks with me. This allows me the space I need to create.

My favourite spot in Kew Gardens

I have walked through Kew Gardens countless times for quiet and inspiration and come from a long line of family members that loved it as well. My grandmother used to stroll through Kew when my mom was in a stroller!

My studio is surrounded by a small city garden, and I find in the spring and summer I divide my time equally between the two. Right now, seedlings need to grow up and go outside because they are starting to sprawl on the studio.

I’m working on some 24 x 24 inch paintings. I don’t think I hide the fact that I have great difficulty scaling down to smaller work; my true passion lies in large work. But small pieces keep me humble and I have deep respect for artists that can work on both large and small with ease.

Smaller paintings in progress


Some words from the artist herself

Wishing all health and beauty! Let’s continue to dance, sing and paint....after all, these are true expressions of our human spirit.

Thanks Sharon for the update, along with a peek into your life, beautiful studio, and gorgeous work. We wish you health & beauty as well.

To view available works by Sharon Barr as well as our other artists, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.

Sara Alex Mullen Inspirations

To expand upon our Artist Studio Project, Canvas Gallery asked Ottawa artist Sara Alex Mullen a few questions to find out what's been keeping her creativity flowing over the past months of self-isolation, including what she's been making, cooking, drinking, watching, listening to and her view of the world. She shared her story along with some great phones & a time lapse video of her work in progress.

I've been home looking after my boys, ages 4 and 6 while my husband works from home. We love being home and are all enjoying the slower pace and quality time together. 

We're staying busy baking cookies, cooking soups, stews, BBQ, reading, drawing, playing Lego and such, boardgames (mostly lost cities, space base, and seven Wonders duel) and being active with bike rides, backyard soccer, and yoga at home (mostly that means that the kids are just climbing on top of me). I've been reading about a book every week or two, with my favourites being American dirt, every note played, and wild. I've also taken to sewing some stuffed animals, altering clothing, and organizing cupboards that has been on my to do list for years. We're watching shows like West world and Ozark while drinking craft beer. 

I'm lucky to have a studio in my home so can sneak in now and then and continue paintings in the evenings or weekends. Between commissions, I'm mostly continuing work on lake scenes, with big skies and reflections on water while also playing around with different subjects like florals, cactuses and gesture drawing. My favourite music to paint to is from the fleet Foxes, Lord Huron, paper kites, and first aid kit. 

Watch a beautiful time lapse video of Sara painting in her studio

Thanks Sara for sharing your story and lovely imagery.

To view a full catalogue of available works by Sara Alex Mullen, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.

Christian McLeod Inspirations

As a continuation of our Studio Project, we checked in on Toronto artist Christian McLeod to see what's been keeping him busy & inspired during his time in self-isolation, including what he's been creating, cooking, drinking, listening to and his window view. He replied with some great answers, as well as fantastic shots of his studio & life.

Thanks Canvas Gallery for this opportunity to share my experience during this surreal moment in time. Some things have been put on hold and yet so many other things have begun. The saying 'necessity is the mother of invention' should now be changed to 'necessity is the mother of intervention' so that we can all 'plank the curve'.

What is your window on the world these days …are you in your studio, or social distancing at home?

My studio practice continues, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Quite different from the days when I lived and worked in the same place. 

I find solace in my paintings and in my work during these difficult days. The creative inspiration is coming from ideas of home, gardens, stories that reflect our community lives within the urban architecture. 

 

What is your favourite view out of your window …. morning or night?

I've been working on visualizations of our urban lives both in the light of day and the cover of darkness in the night sky.  

The emotions and stories all around the world come to light as we quarantine, our lives in apartment buildings are not just cold, dry glass towers of anonymity. We live there. We make our homes beautiful and safe, and we bring life to the balconies and windows. Our lives now, more than ever before, are lived in dense urban communities. I want to show the beauty and life that is happening there.

What are you creating ….. coffee drawings, sketch books, poems, sewing?

I've been painting on paper mostly at home, in our small apartment away from the studio.

These works are exciting and fresh for me, fluid, playful and dreamy. I can't wait to show them to you.  I’ve then been taking these ideas to the larger canvases in the studio where I’m working on many new pieces. I’ve included a few images of new works and some of the studio stash.

These paintings offer an opportunity to travel through the layers of paint and the colours - an opportunity to escape into the work. Especially at a time when no one can physically travel.

What are you drinking ….. lattes, tea….. a martini?

Coffee in the morning and Manhattans or a Scotch in the evening. 

What are you listening to ….. news? ugh….or jazz/pop?…. What's your go-to creative music?

Mozart, Acid Pauli, Mose Allison, Fat Freddy's Drop.. I could go on and on. Lots and lots of music, at all times!

 

What are you cooking/eating/baking …. loaded nachos? Chips? Cookies? …. or sourdough bread!

My wife and I both absolutely love to cook. With us both at home now we’ve tried to focus on our specialties. She is a baker and I am savoury. Our issues of Cook's Illustrated magazine and our many cookbooks are in use every day. 

I’m also reading back issues of The New Yorker and have read three books so far, including Nicolas Dickner’s ‘Six Degrees of Freedom’.

Thanks Christian! We loved hearing your story, as well as getting a peek into your studio and fabulous new works in progress.

To view available works by Christian McLeod, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.

Sarah Hillock Inspirations

To expand upon our Artist Studio Project, Canvas Gallery asked Toronto artist Sarah Hillock a few questions to find out what's been keeping her creativity flowing over the past months of self-isolation, including what she's been making, cooking, drinking, watching, listening to and her view of the world. She shared her story along with some fantastic photos of her life & inspirations.

What is your window on the world these days …are you in your studio, or social distancing at home? And what is your actual window view?

My view out the window is through my little tomato plants I started 4 weeks ago when I thought the apocalypse was going to rob us all of tomatoes. 

What are you cooking/eating/baking …. loaded nachos? Chips? Cookies? …. or sourdough bread! 

I did make a sourdough starter! But I haven't used it because baking sourdough is hard. So I'm just eating chocolate chips out of the bag..

What are you drinking ….. lattes, tea….. a martini?

Mostly drinking beer these days. Sours are the house favorite! I'll drink a Side Launch Sour but my favourite is Jam Up the Mash by collective arts. 

What are you creating ….. coffee drawings, sketch books, poems, sewing?

I'm sketching my friends! I'm loving doing people again for a while. Drawing anything is very calming for me.

 

What are you listening to ….. news? ugh….or jazz/pop?…. What's your go-to creative music?

My go to creative music is movies! I've been watching disaster movies from the 90's while I work. I live in an attic so I can project on the slanty ceiling. The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day, Anaconda, Deep Impact, Twister, oh and Speed, not a disaster film but still great. 

Thank you Sarah for letting us peek into your fun & creative world!

To view available works by Sarah Hillock, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.

Heather Millar Inspirations

As a continuation of our Studio Project, we checked in on PEI artist Heather Millar to see what's been keeping her busy & inspired during her weeks of self isolation, including what she's been creating, cooking, and her window view. She replied along with some beautiful imagery of her art & life.

What is your window on the world these days …are you in your studio, or social distancing at home?

In the studio… which is conveniently in the house, our converted master bedroom, because who needs space to sleep?  My studio is my everything… art studio, music studio, sewing studio, exercise studio.  It’s really become a sanctuary for me.

What is your favourite view out of your window …. morning or night?

Definitely morning, and during the day.  We have a small ravine with a pond out back and the trees are right there. I get to listen and watch the birds and at the moment, our peepers have woken up, so I listen to them when it’s warm enough to have the windows open. Imagine a hundred gabbling geese… that’s the sound.  And the ever-present sound of the ocean.

What are you cooking/eating/baking …. loaded nachos? Chips? Cookies? …. or sourdough bread! 

I’ve been doing a little more baking, buns, breads, soups, sweets… basically whatever tickles my fancy.  I’ve been watching The Great British Baking Show and it’s got me all fired up, haha.  Currently we have ugly but delicious strawberry macrons and walnut/Nutella brownies in the fridge.  

What are you drinking ….. lattes, tea….. a martini?

Lots of tea and coffee, anything caffeinated.  I’ve been told 5 cups a day is too much.  Is it? Really??  This is the creative fuel. And I have to have it in my dino fossil mug.  

What are you creating ….. coffee drawings, sketch books, poems, sewing?

Currently working on a show of marine life, however, it may have to be postponed.  And just to switch gears, I’ve been doing smalls of songbirds, and a few little gifts. I’ve also been learning guitar for over a year, so in the evenings I try to dedicate time for practice. Apparently you can still learn new things even if you are middle aged.  

What are you listening to ….. news? ugh….or jazz/pop?…. What's your go-to creative music?

Definitely not news.  My dirty little secret is my love of classics.  Usually I pull up playlists, anything from crooners, old country, singer/songwriters from the 60’s-70’s, vocal jazz, oldies, you name it.

Thanks Heather! We love getting a chance to peek into your east coast life, as well as see all of your beautiful paintings in progress.

To view available works by Heather Millar, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.

Shane Norrie Inspirations

To expand upon our Artist Studio Project, Canvas Gallery asked Stratford, ON artist Shane Norrie a few questions to find out what's been keeping his creativity flowing during his time of self-isolation. He shared his story, along with some gorgeous photos of his artwork & surroundings so we could have a peek into his life & inspiration.

Canvas: What is your window on the world these days …are you in your studio, or social distancing at home?

Shane: I have not been going into my studio in Stratford to paint, and I don’t anticipate I will be for awhile. I recently bought & moved into a new house, so I have set up a makeshift painting area at my new home. I have been working on smaller pieces that have been inspired by exploring the pond across the street from my home as well as trails nearby.

Canvas: What is your favourite view out of your window …. morning or night?

Shane: My favourite view outside my window is the pond across the street in the morning. The leaves haven’t emerged yet on the trees around the pond, so I can see the water still. I also enjoy gardening very much in my spare time and looking at the garden progress out my ‘studio’ window. I am working in the new backyard, building raised vegetable beds and planting fruit trees and edible berry bushes. I am very much interested in Permaculture and have been trying to learn as much as possible lately.  I’m enjoying all of the wildlife that is visiting my back yard, and looking forward creating a more inviting habitat for them.

Canvas: What are you cooking/eating/baking …. loaded nachos? Chips? Cookies? …. or sourdough bread!

Shane: My partner enjoys cooking much more than I do, so I am grateful to enjoy whatever meals are prepared for us. 

Canvas: What are you drinking ….. lattes, tea….. a martini?

Shane: I’m definitely drinking way too much coffee these days. I should try to drink more tea but coffee seems to always be my guilty pleasure. 

Canvas: What are you creating ….. coffee drawings, sketch books, poems, sewing?

Shane: I am painting lots of smaller landscapes inspired by the natural areas very close to my home.  I have been anticipating spring and creating garden beds in my new back yard. I have been starting seedlings indoors and am preparing to spend more time outside in the near future. 

‘Trees are the answer.’ I’ve been thinking a lot about a conversation I had a few months ago about that subject, while finishing up these two small paintings this morning. That conversation resonates with me a lot lately. Plant trees, be surrounded by trees, paint trees.

Canvas: What are you listening to ….. news? ugh….or jazz/pop?…. What’s your go-to creative music?

Shane: I’ve been watching the news every day to keep in formed but it can become overwhelming at times.  I have been listening to my favourite art podcast; Talk Art, which I find very inspiring and uplifting.

Thank you for sharing with us Shane! We appreciate all of the beautiful work that you create as well as your process.

To view a full catalogue of Shane Norrie's available work, please visit www.canvasgallery.ca.