Thank Goodness for London Timeraiser!

JIll Price, Treed: Playdate, 2011, 

For the last three months sales have been less than scarce to the point where I have actually been having dreams (nightmares) about waitressing again.  Many of my peers and myself have been sharing our frustration over the current art market and what people are choosing to buy.  These discussions often end in someone pulling at their hair and letting out a drawn out yell of some sort.  As I drove home today from picking up an art rental gig I had up in Collingwood, one which ended in no immediate sales I might add, my motivation to make new work took another hit despite me having four shows to work towards.  Then, just when I thought my day was a complete write-off,  I finally received notification from London's Timeraiser Event that my piece "Playdate" has been selected for this year's event to happen on  Thursday May 10th, 2012 at the London Arts Project.  I find it fascinating that just when I needed something or someone from the universe to confirm my efforts, it pleasantly appeared in my inbox.  I guess I will get back to work first thing tomorrow. Whew, one more month of studio rent looked after!

Spring Workshop Series now ready at Jill Price Studios

Last year I met some amazing people down along the mews through our series of workshops in Printmaking and Collage.  As a request, I have designed some new workshops to help our creativity bloom this spring.  Please email me at jp@jillpricestudios.ca for your registration form or any questions you may have.

New Summer Handmade Market at Lakeshore Mews

As the warm weather begins to shine on us down along the mews, new ideas begin to grow.  Meaghan Armstrong, Barrie's one and only amazing Milliner, is beginning to work on setting up a Saturday handmade market for this summer.  Kind of a pilot project, there are talks of trying it out for one month during July or August.  If you make art, jewellery, soap, clothing, or any other cool functional or decorative item by hand then be sure to look for an upcoming call at our Lakeshore Mews blog. 

Art ce Soir Receives Funding from the City of Barrie Culture Grants

Well the 2nd annual Art ce Soir is now a go for Barrie's 2012 culture days.  Receiving $3000.00 in funding from the city, we already have a good start to raising money for artist hounourariums.  This year we will be doing a call for both food and art related vendors as well to expand the festival.  Planning to run the event from 4 til 4, we hope that we will be able to keep more numbers of people right until the end of the evening.  My biggest wish is that Quammie Williams will grace us with his amazing drum playing again as his group completely rocked the house at Awkward Stage.  Be looking for our call for submissions beginning the middle of April.

Betty, Carol and Samantha Await.

Here's another little visual treat from my current show at Marlow Gallery in Barrie.  "Betty" is all mixed up as her arms are no longer strong enough to mix cookie dough!  What has happened to those firm upper arms of the 50's and 60's?  Oh yes, it was the invention of  the wonderful electric mixer that seduced us all with its shiny and sleek design.  Somehow it snuck into each of our cubboards to undermine our own physical abilities, leaving us to be slaves to its existence as we carefully release it from the confines of a dark shelf, assemble it, plug it in, lick the excess sweet recipes from it's appendages, wipe it clean, soak its private parts, dry it and then carefully rearrange its abode so we can find a neat and tidy spot for it to rest until we use it again.