Coffee Hangout Found!

So today was a long one with me leaving the house at 6:00 am and riding the subway up at 11:15 pm only to drive another hour from Downsview station.  It has already become very evident that a coffee break will become part of my daily ritual to maintain the level of energy required for this program! Great news is that the OCAD cafeteria has the most aromatic coffee  I have found to date. 

Today also contained our first introduction to our theory and criticism class as well as our first Directed Studio session which requires us to pull together a group exhibition by next week!  I stuck to my rule and didn't take on any additional administration or curating, but rather stuck to menial tasks of organizing signage and helping with installation.  The show will be called trajectory to speak to the new paths we are all about to take within our practice. 

What will the weekend hold? Readings, artist statements, 500 word studio practice proposal, TA preparation, visit with my inlaws, curatorial talk at Quest Art and opening of Marlene Hilton Moore's exhibit in Midland, order of signage for exhibit, delivery of work for exhibit, contacting potential advisors and beginning new sketches to outline my plans for the new direction I would like to take so I can leave for Jamaica next week with no worries.  Oh yeah, eat and sleep should be in this somewhere.

Survived first day at OCAD!

Well it was a long day figuring out how to get down to the city and checking out all the studio facilities we can access at 100 McCaul.  So what did I learn? I learned that you turn left on Dundas when coming out of the ST.PATRICK subway station, watch out for the intricate and dangerous pattern of subway tracks, hold your nose while walking past manholes and be sure to get to the Downsview commuter parking early.. How did I feel? Absolutely terrified, but some familiar faces such as Annette, Alexander and the one and only Max Lupo made the day feel not so lonely or scary.  What was exciting? Meeting new people is always a blast and Paulette, the interm head of the program is a warm and generous delight.  We were led on an extensive tour of all the studios and materials we will have access to as well as met all the technicians who we will be running to for technical advice and perhaps rescue as the year proceeds.  Blunders for the day include taking a washroom break during the tour resulting in me being left behind and wearing inappropriate shoes for walking.  Now I know why urbanites are so skinny!  Tune in next week for a report on how our Orientation day goes.

Art and more art!

Here are the shots I promised of how the moving in to my new studio is going.  As you can see the space is already overflowing with materials and unfinished works.  My biggest challenge will be to stay focused on one thing at a time as there are so many things I have on the go.  I have been told that you should really have negative white space to allow for new ideas to evolve and keep old ones at bay.  As I have a commission to start ans finish before anything else, I may need to flat file everything away before I begin to play. 

NEW STUDIO NOW OVER FLOWING WITH THE PAST & NEW IDEAS

My husband has once again come to the rescue to build me a space that will inspire me to create despite my crazy schedule.  With new white walls and beautifully bright pot lights, my new space is cheery enough to make me head to the basement.  Still organizing all my stuff, I have still managed to pull out my brushes, scissors, paints & grease pencils to release physical angst over my lack of time with my work.  I'll show you some new shots tomorrow to reveal how things are progressing with making everything fit.

A big thank you to Lauren Miller @ Art Inspire

Last night, I received a lovely little note from Lauren Miller via Facebook that she had done an artist profile on me for their new blog Art Inspire.  Despite the surprise about the work that they chose to use as the cover; a wee watercolour and ink landscape done in Japan (seen left), I was grateful for her attention. Upon visiting the blog, I was astonished at the variety of things the blog will be talking about and how they go about sharing wonderful articles from other publications.  I was also surprised to see my images being used everywhere, not just for my artist profile.  My images were being used as the cover for an article on the Armoury Show in New York, a place that I love, the image used to promote a link to a Basquiat, one of my favourite artists, as well as in their slide cover on their home page and heading up a series of other cool posts.  The important part was how they have been so professional in using these images.  Each picture is tagged with my name and the title of the work.  Congratulations and Thank You on so many levels to Lauren Miller and the Art Inspire team.  You are well worth a follow.  http://artistinspire.com/?p=476

CAN YOU SAY STUDIO SALE?

For those still having Jill Price Studios Gift Certificates, the sale price
of the work must be atleast double the price of the value of the
gift certificate!

Well if you haven't heard yet, my husband is frantically getting the basement ready for me to move my studio into the basement.  The walls are built, the lights are in and the first layer of plaster is on.  He is even being a doll and building me some built in shelves for all of the books and art mags I just can't seem to let go of.  My excitement is building to get into my new space and get busy, but there is something inside me telling me that there is no way there will be room to work if I move my studio from Lakeshore Mews into it.  Not only do I have enough tables to start a school, but my mixed media approach requires so much more storage than if I were just a painter or drawer.  Let's not even begin to mention the amount of work I have created in the last three years!  So here it is.  The only way I can forsee myself squeezing into my new space is if I part with a good chunk of my work.  Yep, you guessed it, A MASSIVE STUDIO SALE! Starting next Sunday, I will be in my studio packing things up and getting organized.  All works in the space will be 50% off. Hope to see you there!

Universe Looking After "Me" while I Can't

It's been an interesting few months for me, now working full-time and unable to work at my practice or at Gallery 111 as much as I would like.  But somehow, things have a way of happening that still let you know your efforts don't go unnoticed.  I just received notice last week that I have been nominated by Sarah Uffelmann for the Contributions to the Community Arts Award for the City of Barrie.  And while I was way up in Midland hosting the opening of a wonderful new show of Ila Kellerman's work at Quest Art, somehow, my work was featured on CTV as part of the Maclaren's Annual Art Auction; an event I was sad to miss.  Check out the video to see my work featured first on the clip, and then watch to listen to Siobhan Byrne, an emerging photographer we are trying to get to show at Gallery 111.  Barrie art auction 'Off the Hook' | CTV Barrie News

Crafted Realities will be Unreal!

December 5th Gallery 111 will be hosting the work of Jesse Bromm along with some new mixed media textiles by myself.  I first saw Jesse's work at the Artist Project 2 years ago and again this summer at the Toronto Outdoor Show.  There is something extremely playful about his work, and yet layers of meaning come to the work when you spend time investigating his juxtaposition of materials.  What I didn't realize originally is that Jesse actually hand blows his own glass containers for his work.  It is this level of craftsmanship that I would like to bring to my own practice. I am really excited to see how his miniature vignettes will look beside my enlarged photos of embroidery hoops.  

Web Savvy Seminars for Creatives from Jill Price Studios

Many people have been asking me about how I manage my online presence and still find time to create.  What I tell them is that you need to look at your web presence as part of your creative process.  Due to many inquiries and puzzled looks about the world of social media, I have designed two six week courses; Website Wednesdays & Facebook Fridays, that I will be offering out of Gallery 111 beginning in May.   With only 8 spots in each, be sure to sign up early to reserve your place around the table.  Not the right times or day for you, contact me about setting up one on one mentoring to suit your timetable.

705-229-5211, jp@jillpricestudios

Website Wednesdays

Are you a business or a creative without a website?  Then join me at Gallery 111 Wednesday evenings from 7 til 9 to have fun while setting up your own blog or website.  You’ll learn the importance of branding, while learning how to use free online templates and design tools.

Wed. May 15^{th –} Form and Function: How should it work?

Wed. May 22nd ^- Choose your weapon: Blog or Website?

Wed. May 29th ^- Time to Personalize: Layout and Design

Wed. June 5th ^- Content, Content, Content: Editing & Uploading

Wed. June 12^{th -} Link your way to success: Social Media & More

Wed. June 26th^th – The Big Launch: Finding a Domain & Host.

Full Course: $200.00

Individual Sessions: $40.00

Facebook Fridays

Does Social Media seem overwhelming, but you know it’s time to embrace it?  Then join me Friday mornings from 9:00am to 11:00am to at Gallery 111 to learn how to use Facebook to increase your audience and share news effectively.  Participants will need a laptop as well as saved photos, logos and info they would like to work with.

Friday May 3^rd: Opening Your Personal Account,

Friday May 11^th: Building and Organizing Content

Friday May 24th^th: Inviting Friends & Building Contacts

Friday June 7th: Separating Life from Business

Friday June 28th: Creating and Sharing Events

Friday July 12th: Advertising Your Page & Events

Full Course: $200.00

Individual Sessions: $40.00

Spring has Sprung at the Studio

This week I have taken a break from production to do some spring cleaning around the studio.  With new shelves, fabric and changing out my flowers, it is beginning to feel light and airy in the studio.  Tomorrow I will finish cleaning out my back room to put a fresh coat of paint on the floor.  Stop by to say hello and check out new works on display by Blayne Collins, Lisa Brunetta and Meaghan Armstrong. Check out more pictures of the transition on my Facebook page.  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.320355144686979.80007.117072381681924&type=1

Fabricated Landscapes seen as Notable in Toronto

Well coverage of the Toronto Artist Project still filters in from different publications both off and online.  I received a little bit of recognition on the Notable blog as they showcased my piece called "Marsh "  in their second image.  I would've loved it if they could've shown my name at some point.  Oh well, I will take what I can get.  http://notable.ca/toronto/shop/The-Artist-Project-2012/ 

Now back from a week in Nicaragua, I am right back to work composing new works for my group show Conveyed at the Mad and Noisy Gallery in Creemore, Ontario, as well as working on 3 new fabricated landscapes for Marlow Gallery in April.  We decided to switch out my show Process-ed after a month which will give Barrie and opportunity to see my series of local landscapes starting April 11th.