Maryanna Hardy

This little Artist Profile is short and sweet. A pretty big difference from the last one....I really like Maryanna's book that just came out. Its full of beautiful illustrations and the more I look at it, the more things I find to love about it. The Toronto launch for the book was just held at 107 Shaw. Maryanna is such a lovely person, and her answers are so honest and real, which I appreciate. I think you all will like her work as much as I do. She is the kind of artist that will always be drawing and making things...and I like that. Check out the interview I did with her and Maryanna's blog to see more.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/art/story.cfm?content=178376


http://maryannahardy.blogspot.com/

The Chief

My friend Cody has just opened up a lovely shop in the west end of Toronto. I remember when we first started working together a few years back in a dusty art supply store. She mentioned that she wanted to eventually have her own shop. Well she did it folks! And I couldn't be more proud! It's called The Chief Salvage Co. and its right at Dundas and Dufferin (1493 dundas st w. if you wanna be exact). Cody also started a blog for the shop, you can have peak at the charming insides and get stoked to stop by. The opening night party is happening November 25, so if you live in the west end and like good times you should come and say hi to Cody...one of the best ladies in town.

Check out the awesomeness here: http://thechiefsalvage.blogspot.com/

Rory Dean

Yeah I know I have been neglecting my blog. I feel guilty...I really do. This interview with Rory Dean makes up for lack posts---I swear. I just want to say thanks to Peggy & Joe, they keep me on top of things, with gentle reminders when I'm slacking. Also mega thanks to Rory for making this interview not suck. And for filling it with quotes that are pure gems. I really thought all the internet trolls out there would go crazy with mean comments. I guess they really didnt know what to write....haha. I know I say this with each Artist Profile---but this one has to be my (new) favourite! Read it and laugh.


http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=177832


http://www.rorydean.com/site/home.html


http://thisisrorydean.blogspot.com/

Nathan Cyprys

This Artist Profile interview was kinda short...You would think after doing about 40 of them that it would be easier by now or that I would be less awkward. Nope. Oh well, maybe after 80 interviews?...haha. I remember seeing Nathan's photos at a little show in OCAD. They really impressed me and stood out. I am glad that he is part of a group show at 111 Bathurst Street called "Present in the Art" where you can watch one of his video pieces. If you cant make it to the show than please go to his site and watch them. They are good. And his blog is something that you all should check out, his writing and photos are something that I cant get enough of. For a blog, its top notch. Also I have been BUSY. Really busy. Workingworkingworking. I love doing the Artist Profiles, but lets face it---I have to have jobs that pay bills. So I have been working 60+hrs a week. So if you see me biking around the city looking like a zombie, now you know why. On a good note, so many great things are happening....Amazing art openings! Crafting with rad ladies, reading none stop. Oh, and I love this weather!!! More to come....


http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=176779


http://www.nathancyprys.com


http://illblogtomorrow.blogspot.com/

Joe Becker

This profile was a long time coming. Finally we did it. I have wanted to interview Joe for some time now...but then Peggy and him left Toronto and went off to Germany, basically to live the dream. Paint, eat good food, drink good beer, and go to amazing museums. Yup, I am jealous. They are two of the best oil painters I know, and work so hard. Joe has been painting non stop since arriving in his studio space. And I was glad that he took the time to answer my questions. And I love how Joe quoted Oprah! I laughed so hard. Joe is constantly updating his blog with new work, totally worth bookmarking.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=176619

http://joebeckerpaintings.blogspot.com/

Alex Kisilevich

It's already August...I cant believe summer is going to be over so soon. Many things have happened, but I feel like I'm settling into a routine slowly---which is good for me. Oh and it was my birthday last week (im not a birthday person what so ever), it was really nice and embarrassing all at the same time. I have really great friends who totally surprised me with a thoughtful gift that I just adore! Okay, back to the Artist Profile. I had approached Alex over a year ago to do the interview(hence the old questions)...and finally it is done-huzzah! It was a nice surprise to have it coincide with the show at Angell Gallery. Which is totally worth going to see, its running till August 21. Beautiful images, and nice answers. Thanks Alex. Oh and hopefully the internet trolls dont bum me out, I dislike how they anonymously pick on the artist (or me).

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=176205

http://alexkisilevich.com/home.html

Made in Japan

Recently I have been trying to take photos with film. I have a holga but this Pentax camera from the late 70's-early 80's is something else. The photos I took were basically a test roll, not sure what to expect. What I like about it is that you have more control and 24 images versus 12 0r 16 with a holga. And I want to say thanks to a couple of friends who gave me some tips on where to get the film processed for super cheap. This means I will be taking more photos. And hopefully getting better results as I go. This summer is full of things going on, so sorry for the lack of exciting posts. Expect a new interview that I look forward to posting soon.

TZL & This Ain't the Rosedale Library (R.I.P)

These are photos of the Toronto Zine Library that I took last time I did staffed hours. I'm usually around here on Wednesdays 6-8pm. Speaking of zines....Last night I was at a zine reading in front of the now closed independent bookstore This Ain't the Rosedale Library (R.I.P). The zinesters who read stories were Jeff Miller/Dave Roche(so funny)/Joey Comeau/Liz Worth. It was a nice gathering in the hot sun on the pavement outside the closed bookstore. After everyone read a piece of their work the owner Charlie and his son Jessie said a few words about the store, they didnt seem upset...it was like they were thinking of what they could do next. The store was around for 30 years! and now that it is closed what now?... I dont think they are giving up, just looking for other options. Its hard to be an independent bookstore when people are buying books off amazon. It's just really sad that we lost such a great bookstore, it was part of the Toronto community for so long, its such a bummer that it takes losing something for people to come together like last night.

Happy 84th Birthday Grandma

Yesterday was my grandmothers birthday, so I made the trip out to suburbia. Which was actually a nice break from all the madness that has been going on downtown recently. It seems like suburbia is going through a rough patch. So many abandoned buildings, it also feels like it is outdated...gas prices are so high that it doesnt make sense for people to drive all the way downtown to for a job and then back to suburbia. I wonder what will happen to all those buildings?...One of them is my old grade school right behind my grandparents house. It would make sense to turn it into a community center, but somehow I dont think that will happen. Maybe in the near future I will bring my camera and spend some time exploring all these buildings. For now you will just have to look at personal photos I took yesterday. I really like the second photo, my grandmother is showing me a scar on her hand from a surgery. And the fourth photo of grandfathers legs, with his Clark shoes on. I love their bathroom wallpaper, its floral with metallic silver. Lots and lots of Old Spice---Classic!

Andrew Myers

Something new, finally. With Andrew Myers photos its worth the wait. He just finished school and is so talented. You should really check out his site and see more of his work, its like eye candy. I was really nervous interviewing a photographer since I dont really know much about it...Andrew was really nice and Im glad I asked him. Also he has a really sweet set up where he lives, but of course I was super awkward (what else is new). Read the interview since its different from all the others I have done so far.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=175676

http://www.andrewbmyers.com/


More to come...

Island photos part 2

Here are a couple more photos of my stay on the island, I really like the one of my room. It had the sweetest little desk and lamp. And I miss the big kitchen with crappy coffee, and a lil pick of my studio space. I have to go back and have picnic on the island soon.