Art

The Friday Five: The Beauty of the Ampersand

Today I’m featuring a bit of typography…the simplicity and the interesting form of the ampersand to be exact. I have never been able to actually write it accurately (does anyone else have this problem?) but it does look pretty cool in various typefaces.

via The Proper Stranger

via Friends of Type

by Jude Landry

Helvetica ampersand print, $2.95, via BKS Design & Print

via Little Somethings

More ampersands here and here.

Delicate strength

Today I’m spotlighting award-winning Japanese artist Kasuyo Aoki with a few pieces from her Predictive Dream series.

The porcelain pieces have an ethereal, sinuous-ocean quality, don’t they? Not to mention some of the skull-inspired shapes. I love how easy it is to get lost in the movement created by the swirls of porcelain.

Happy White Wednesday, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

All images courtesy of Kasuyo Aoki.

Art: Steve Ellis

Last fall I featured some artwork that I spotted at ‘wichcraft in NYC. Since then a few people have asked me about the artist but unfortunately I had no idea who painted this very cool extra large muffin tin…

Park Ave. muffin tin, Steve Ellis

But I do now!

After a bit of investigative work (i.e., a few emails sent to ‘wichcraft) I learned that all the artwork in ‘wichcraft locations is by NYC-based artist and art instructor Steve Ellis. The series, entitled Tools of the Craft was commissioned by ‘wichcraft in 2006. Some of Mr. Ellis’ prints are available for purchase here (prices range from $150-$800).

Astor Place Percolator, Steve Ellis

Union Sq Espresso Machine, Steve Ellis

Chrystler Meat Slicer, Steve Ellis

Record Player, Steve Ellis

for MOMA Store, Steve Ellis

Images courtesy of Steve Ellis.

Many thanks to Lauren P. at ‘wichcraft for helping me out.

Marketplace: West Elm + South Africa

If you can’t make it to South Africa…

photos by Mathilde

photos by Corie & Jeff

but crave a South African vibe in your living space…

via

then West Elm’s recent collaboration with South African designers and artisans might be just for you! The collection of ceramics, textiles, furniture and home accessories has been growing in popularity since it hit the marketplace just a little while ago. Some of my favourite pieces are white (duh!) and they are simple, structural and functional.

Mick Haigh oversize serving bowl, $63.09

Potter’s Workshop napkin set – black shields, $21.39

Ceramic Matters candleholder, $63.09

Anthony Shapiro pillar candleholders, $84.48-$105.87

Source dining chair, $212.81

Pedersen + Lennard hooks, $12.81

Note: All prices are in Canadian dollars. Some items are not available for international shipping.

Many thanks to Mathilde, Corie and Jeff for allowing me to use their photos from their trips to South Africa.

Art: A Noiva by Joana Vasconcelos

Take a closer look…this is not your average chandelier.

A Noiva (The Bride) by Joana Vasconcelos

A Noiva (The Bride) by Joana Vasconcelos, via Le CentQuatre

At first glance, this is just a gigantic (as in 5m high) chandelier. But with a closer inspection, you’ll discover that this sculpture by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos is actually made up of tampons. Yes, tampons. Over 14,000 of them!

A Noiva is at Le CentQuatre in Paris until mid-September 2012. Joana Vasconcelos also has an amazing exhibit at Versailles until the end of September 2012.

Many thanks to CC for sending this my way.

Art: Abstract and Affordable

It seems that we’ve got summer activities and art on our brains this week. I was browsing through the amazing work of some Etsy artists last night in hopes that I would find inspiration for the three blank canvases that are waiting for me (this was the last piece I painted – a year ago!). What do you think of the works I’ve gathered here?

$50, Adriane Duckworth

$280, Tainted Canvas

$325, Letter Happy

$260, Linda Monfort

$81, Lulu & Drew

Do you buy original art? Do you always have a budget?

Or, do you prefer to make your own?

Giveaway: Evoke & Imagine

Artwork these days isn’t just about landscapes and portraits. We are seeing more and more inspirational words and sayings used as artwork in living rooms, offices, and bedrooms around the world.

via Stylizimo

via Made By Girl

via 365 ting jeg liker

Toronto-based Evoke & Imagine offers a good selection of inspiring art prints. They also offer a custom option where you can decide form, colour and quote and they’ll print it for you.

Happiness

Life Goes On

Love Never Gets Lost

Everything Will be Alright

How Far You’ve Come

custom prints

The kind folks at Evoke & Imagine are offering one lucky reader an 11×14″ print of their choosing (including the custom design option). To enter this giveaway leave a comment telling us what your favourite print is. It’s as easy as that! Winner will be chosen at random. Giveaway ends Friday July 6th 12pm (EST).

Celebration: Happy Belated Birthday Mackenzie!

Mackenzie celebrated an important birthday over the weekend…and I’m sure she is still celebrating for the rest of this week so I don’t feel so bad about the delay of this happy birthday post!

Clare Owen illustration

I’m so glad you’re part of the White Cabana team Mackenzie! Happy belated birthday!

xoxo

J

Photography: Patterning at IKEA

On Mondays I love to head over to Jacquelyn’s blog because through her Scenes from My Weekend series, she shares interesting photos from her weekend activities. It is not as though she does something grand every weekend but the subjects and composition of her photos are so lovely. She has a great eye for detail and her honesty comes through in her posts. I encourage you to click on over and check out what Jacquelyn has been up to.

Today I thought I would try out a super mini scene-from-my-weekend à la Jacquelyn. I was in Toronto on the weekend doing an assortment of things, one of which was a trip to IKEA (I needed to stock up on crackers). I took some photos of the interesting patterns I saw. I wonder – can you name the four products in the photos below?

I’m such a fan of repetitive forms.

Photo by me using iPhone + Instagram + Pic Stitch.

Furniture: Sit on This

Things are getting a little wonky in the seating department. First, my friend CC sent me this seat designed by Lila Jang:

Lila Jang’s wall-climbing sofa

And then Kelly from Design Crush posted a link to these benches designed by Jeppe Hein:

modified social benches by Jeppe Hein, images via Beaufort 04

What do you think? Are these pieces functional or are they only for fun?

20 Below: StickyGrams

I’ve barely had my iPhone for a month and I’ve been loving every minute of using it. One of the first apps I downloaded was Instagram and last week I read about StickyGram, a company that turns Instagram photos into small fridge magnets. Well – I ordered a collection of photo magnets for my brother-in-law’s birthday and decided to order a few for myself.

Here I am with my nephews – a photo of the first time I met each of them.

Me and my nephews (who have all grown since these photos were taken)

I am now reminded of these happy moments each time I look at my fridge.

As far as companies go, I was thoroughly impressed with the ease of uploading, the speedy delivery of my order, and the competitive price ($14.99 for 9 magnets plus free shipping worldwide). I’ll definitely be a repeat customer!

The Friday Five: Black & White at Caviar20

As you know, we’re a big fan of Caviar20 around here. I’m always excited to see what Troy has in store and recently I’ve been drawn to some impressive works of art. The black and white pieces by Canadian artists Harold Town, Charles Pachter and Kent Monkman are of diverse subjects and styles but I think they actually look great together for today’s Friday Five!

Harold Town “Gable & Crawford” Litho, $1400

Harold Town “Yoko Ono” Litho, $1650

Harold Town “Toy Horse” ink drawing, $1500

Charles Pachter “Untitled Portrait”, $3500

Kent Monkman “Study of Apollo & Hyacinthus”, $4500

If colour is more your thing – then be sure to check out Troy’s segment on House & Home TV where he shares his advice for collecting art. Very interesting stuff (even though there’s not much white in the clip)!

Reading: The Lab Magazine

I feel a bit sad that I neglected Issue 5 of The Lab Magazine for a couple of months. I was pumped when it first arrived (many thanks to Tony for sending it my way) and I had a good initial browse through it. But then my life became quite hectic and I have barely been at home to really sit and review it. So this past weekend I made it a priority to spend some good quality time with Issue 5.

I have to admit that even though actor Willem Dafoe is on the cover of this issue, when I first got a hold of The Lab Magazine I was actually more attracted to the large format, the shiny gold lettering, and the quality of the paper of this Canadian (woohoo!) publication. I’m such a sucker for beautifully crafted works.

The magazine’s stories and photos are beautifully and artistically arranged which made it a true pleasure to read. And because I’m not as much of a movie or music buff as my friend Drew (who initially introduced me to the Lab), I learned a lot about the lives of some pretty fascinating actors (e.g., Ty Burrell, Shailene Woodley, Greta Gerwig) and musicians (e.g., Electric Youth, Hey Ocean!). (Have I mentioned before how much I like to learn new things?)

While each article has its unique appeal, I really enjoyed the Making the Shoot story toward the end of this issue. The Making the Shoot, an international competition, invited photographers to submit their work for judging. The grand prize – a full editorial shoot – is featured in this issue. Marta Dymek, the winner, was flown to Los Angeles to photograph Selma Blair (amazing) and the results of this shoot are beautiful. I’ve included a sneak peek here and as you can see Marta’s photos of Selma are simply stunning in this editorial spread (if you want to see more – buy a copy!).

Kudos to Editors in Chief Justin Tyler Close and Jeremy Power Regimbal and their team for The Lab Magazine! It’s apparent that a lot of thought and effort went into this – and I’m sure every – issue.

Notes: The Lab Magazine is available at Barnes and Noble, Chapters, and news stands across the world. Stay tuned for more of their online presence. Thanks to Tony for sending me this issue. Thanks to Drew Nelson for introducing me to The Lab Magazine. Photos of The Lab Magazine by Jordana.

New Series: White Out

I’m happy to announce that we are starting a new series on the blog today! White Out will be a monthly (for now) post featuring the work and photos by our readers. If you see something white that catches your eye – cool architecture, innovative product, great design in any form – snap a photo and send it our way. Each month we will post our favourite images.

So – let’s kick off the series with a couple of photos that have landed in my email inbox and Twitter feed over the last few weeks. While the subject matter of the photos is so completely different, I love that they have one thing in common – repetition. The repetitive, but very different, forms in each of these photos have definitely caught my eye.

NYC architecture, photo by Alisha H.

antique goblets, photo by Elizabeth L. of Shock the Bourgeois; sent to me by Caroline C. V. of Paloma’s Nest

I am so happy when someone sees white and thinks of White Cabana! Thank you to our first couple of readers for sharing your photos.

Note: You can send your photos of delights in white to me at whitecabana (at) gmail (dot) com.

20 Below: Geometric Art

Looking for inexpensive artwork for your home? Have you checked out Etsy lately? There are some really great paintings and prints. This simple geometric print, for example, could go in so many different spaces, and it’s only $10!

Geometric Art, $10, Fat Eye Design

p.s. Speaking of art, if you have an interest in vintage posters you should definitely watch Troy‘s informative segment on House & Home Online TV.

Design: Holaria from Brazil

I was recently asked what inspires me. I feel very fortunate to say that I’m continuously inspired by the places I visit, the new people I meet, and the interactions I have with old friends and family. I am also inspired by the books and magazines that I read, and of course, I find an incredible amount of inspiration online (have you scrolled through my blogroll lately?).

Every so often amazing things find their way into my email inbox! Most recently I received an email all the way from Brazil from Rômulo who was eager to share a video that his company, Telecinese, created to feature the work of Holaria, a porcelain design studio in Brazil.

Isn’t the creative process beautiful? I think this short film does an excellent job of capturing the design process while also making it accessible and informative for the viewer. It is additionally attractive because of its whiteness (obviously)!

Here are some of the products produced by Holaria. Which are you most drawn to?

Holaria – Booh salt & pepper shakers

Holaria – Plissan

Holaria – Pinguim Rei

Holaria – Mathelada

Holaria – Glaciar

Images courtesy of Telecinese. Many thanks to Rômulo Z. for introducing me to the world of Holaria.

Travel: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

When I travel to a new city, I often find myself wandering into a museum or art gallery – I know, big surprise, right? While in Boston, I spent a couple of hours at the newly renovated Museum of Fine Arts. It was glorious! If you find yourself in Boston, I urge you to visit the museum. In the meantime, here’s a little peek into some of the whiteness that caught my eye.

Xie Kitchin Asleep on Sofa, 1873, Lewis Carroll

Endlessly Repeating Twentieth-Century Modernism, 2007, Josiah McElheny

The Sneeze, 1949, Harold E. Edgerton

The Artist in His Loft, 1969, George Segal

Double Doors II, 2006-7, Rachel Whiteread

#3, #6, #7, 2008, Martha Diamond

Three models hailing a taxi in Manhattan, 1963, Jim Howard

Photos by Jordana.

Happy Birthday Duke!

It’s my oldest nephew’s birthday day. He’s three and he loves (loves, loves, loves) trains…especially Percy…

Percy is the Number 6 green engine. He’s one of Thomas’ friends.

Happy Birthday Duke!

p.s. I don’t have kids but it’s amazing how much I’ve learned about Thomas and Friends over the past year from my now three year old nephew!

Hot on Jordana's trail

Since Jordana’s travels have been “crossing” the USA this week, I thought it would be fun to showcase her trajectory via the ever-fun typographic city neighbourhood maps known as Ork Posters by artist Jenny Beorkrem.

Jenny’s story about how she started to make these is so cool: back in 2007 she was looking for a good typographic map of Chicago- another one of Jordana’s favourite cities- and couldn’t find one. Read Jenny’s interesting need-turned-business success story here.

Toronto’s Telegramme Prints & Custom Framing– a lovely print shop with locations in Leslieville and on Ossington) offers the prints for $25 a pop, which is so perfect for a just-because gift to a friend.

Jordana’s travels to the USA this week probably started in Toronto:

And I think she then headed straight to Boston:

Jordana ended her trip in lovely and second-hometown to her, NYC! 

All images courtesy of Ork Posters

Art: Fail Harder at Wieden + Kennedy

I recently watched the Art & Copy documentary which is about advertising and inspiration. One of the images and ideas that really caught my attention was this sign at the Portland offices of Widen + Kennedy.

via Mocoloco

The mural “reminds us of the importance of failing during the creative process”. Look closely – beyond the words – can you guess what was used to form the script?

via Mocoloco

Clear push pins. 100,000 of them. Pretty amazing, right? The video below shows us how it was done and how many people were involved in the process.

Video

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xffQBxfKJg&w=480&h=360]

 

Event: Interior Design Show

Ideas. Inspiration. Innovation. What more does one event need?

My experience at this year’s Interior Design Show began with The Party, continued with BlogPodium, and ended with a lot of photos and information about what’s new and exciting in the design world. Mix these elements up with designer talks, the Studio North exhibit, and a crowd full of beautiful people and it’s no wonder that I’m still on an IDS high.

Reports and reviews of cool design, innovative products, and designers’ takes on trends have been circulating around the web for a few days now and hopefully you’ve had time to read some of them. As for my recap? Well, here it is…all in white!

At the entrance to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, event goers were greeted by Strip Tease, the collaborative effort of RAW and Mark Tholen. Not only were the hundreds of white felt strips interesting to look at, but they doubled as a projection screen. A white welcome…yes, please!

Strip Tease

La Clôture is a hold all for coats, hats, mail, umbrellas, and anything else you might want to drop off – or pick up – at the entrance to your home.

La clôture, $149.95, Six Point Un

It was wonderful to see Tahir Mahmood’s beautifully crafted pieces in person and I appreciate having the opportunity to chat with Tahir about his background, his design process, and his plans for future projects. While many of his designs are colourful, my eye was drawn to this wood and white spinner.

Spinner by Tahir Mahmood

Like almost everyone at IDS, I fell in love with the space designed by Italian architect and designer, as well as International Guest of Honour, Piero Lissoni. Ah – those books!

BY_LISSONI

While many of us are now used to our stainless steel appliances, Jenn-Air is bringing back white and making it super sleek and simple.

Jenn-Air appliances

I can always count on IKEA for injecting a dose of white into a space and this time was no different. The white kitchen (with black counters and back splash) was in classic IKEA style – storage galore, simple design, and repeated forms. I could really use a wall of cabinetry like the one below for my growing shoe collection.

IKEA

The display at Eurolite was gorgeous overall but it was this white fixture’s layers and form that really caught my eye.

Eurolite

The Hansgrohe faucet is sleek and sophisticated. Gorgeous.

Hansgrohe

The texture on the chairs at the Andrew Richard Designs exhibit was just lovely.

patio chair at Andrew Richard Designs

The Magus Julius chair was transformed by a selection of designers for Cherish, an auction in support of the ONEXONE non-profit children’s foundation. I wonder who were the winners of these two white chairs.

Magis Julian chairs in white (right: with lights; left: textured)

And, of course, the people were great!

Troy Seidman, Mazen el-Abdallah, Suzanne Dimma at the How do you live? exhibit

Troy Seidman & Tahir Mahmood

So, there you have it. My recap in white. What are your thoughts? Did you attend IDS this year?

Photos by Jordana.

A tree in your house

Has spring sprung yet? (Here neither.)

In the meantime, how about a sculptural tree to add some forever-winter branches to your home? Does that sound too blah? Would you rather see flowers and birds? (Will I ever stop asking questions?)

The Gondor tree (25″ x 22″), made in India and available at CB2, $80 on sale.

See? I have a bird too:

Candle stick bird, available at CB2, $9.95

Event: Come Up to My Room

Each February, the gorgeous Gladstone Hotel in Toronto gets taken over by talented artists who transform twelve rooms with their innovative, creative, and jaw-dropping installations. The event, Come Up to My Room, began in 2003 and was co-founded by Pamila Matharu and Christina Zeidleris. I had a chance to see the installations in person this past weekend and I was impressed by the talent of the artists, designers, engineers, and architects at this year’s exhibition.

Among Bruno Billio and Sam Mogelonsky’s mirrored room with shiny spinning things, and Matthew Blunderfield and Skanda Lin’s hanging installation exploring the disposable nature of the digital world, there was plenty of whiteness to be seen.

Wendy Fok

Gareth Bate

Interstice Studio

Matthew Davis & Aurelia Adams

TOMA

Redux Lab

Redux Lab

Redux Lab

Sonia Tyagi

WE-3

Did anyone get to Come Up to My Room this year? What was your favourite exhibit?

Photos by Jordana.

Travel: Scenes from New York

First, let me take the time to wish you all a happy new year! I hope you celebrated the new year in style! As for me, well, I celebrated the arrival of 2012 in NYC! I know some of you might be expecting me to tell you about a wild night I had in the city but my New Year’s Eve was quite low-key. After my sister and I fed and bathed my cute little nephews and put them to bed, we changed into pjs, watched a movie, and listened to the party goers outside making their way to Times Square. We watched a bit of the Times Square coverage on tv which was bizarre (because it was only a few blocks from where we were) and at midnight I opened the window and listened to the sounds of people’s noise makers and cheers down on the street below. It was a great evening and I felt happy and lucky to have spent it in NYC with my family. I hope your night was just as you had wanted it to be.

As you may have noticed, I have been away from the blog for a few days – what with the holidays and travel and all that, I haven’t really had much of a chance to blog. Things will get back to normal soon, I promise. For now, I am happy to share with you some images of the things I’ve seen so far in New York City.

Vivian Maier exhibit at the Howard Greenberg Gallery

Vivian Maier exhibit at the Howard Greenberg Gallery

eyelash containers at Gaga’s Workshop; read my review here

stunning works of art at Bergdorf Goodman

gorgeous dresses at Bergdorf Goodman

Swarovski star at Rockefeller Center

cool lighting display at Anthropologie

The NYPD getting prepared on New Year’s Eve (p.s. the Starbucks was closed!)

I’m not the only one in my family who loves white…
my sister painted these massive works of art for her white kitchen

So – there you have it – a glimpse into my current adventures in NYC. I look forward to sharing more photos soon.

Before I sign off for a few more days, let me thank you once again for joining the White Cabana team on our daily exploration of white. We hope we can continue to inspire you in 2012!

Photos by Jordana.

Art: Cathy Daley

When I was at Art Toronto earlier this fall I was really  drawn to the work of Toronto-based artist Cathy Daley. Through her drawings, Cathy explores cultural representations of the feminine and the body. I like how these black and white pastel pieces are full of movement.

Cathy Daley, untitled, 2005

Cathy Daley, untitled, 2009

Cathy Daley, untitled, 2009

Cathy Daley, untitled, 2010

Cathy Daley, untitled, 2010

Cathy Daley, untitled, 2010

Cathy Daley, Installation, Birch Libralato, 2009

Images courtesy of Birch Libralato. Birch Libralato is located at 129 Techumseth Street, Toronto.

Art: Saanen Goats

A little while ago, Mandy contacted me requesting permission to draw inspiration from my photo of the Saanen goats. Soon after I said yes, Mandy emailed me this photo of her amazing painting.

painting by Mandy

As you may or may not recall, I took this photo during one of my summer trips in Switzerland. I had no idea at that time how popular this photo could be (do you remember Leah‘s work?)!

Mandy’s painting is going to be part of an art exhibit to be held at the Chalet Hotel Hornberger in Saanenmöser (Gstaad area) over Christmas and New Year’s so if you’re in the area, please stop in and let me know what it’s like.

Event: Design Miami

The art world descends on Miami this week for a variety of art fairs and events anchored by the mammoth and super-glam Art Basel: Miami Beach.

There are numerous additional art fairs and cultural events happening around the city simultaneously including Design Miami. Now in its sixth year, the fair has become one of the trendiest venues for selling (super) high-end contemporary and 20th century design.

This year David Adjaye was awarded the designer of the year and was commissioned to construct a site-specific work for the show grounds. Below is a selection of Adjaye’s creations, celebrity visitors…and, of course, great design being exhibited.

Genesis by David Adjaye at Design Miami

Chainsaw Lounge Chair by Charles de Lisle, Hostler Burrows

Craig Robins and Pharrell Williams

For more information, check out Design Miami’s great blog about the show, the exhibitors, designers, and more.

Dear Readers: Do not adjust your computer screens. Troy is taking over White Cabana this week and, as you can see, he’s really shaken things up around here! Enjoy. – Jordana

Marketplace: Andy Warhol's Coloring Book

It is not often that one can find a child’s gift that is cool enough for an adult to keep. However, A Colouring Book: Drawings by Andy Warhol is a prime exception.

As the title implies, the 24-page book contains Warhol’s whimsical drawings (sans colour) from the late 1950s.

Originally created in 1961 for on of Warhol’s clients (at the time Warhol was working as a commercial illustrator) the book was re-released in 1990…only to go out of print shortly after. Well, as Warhol mania continues in the art market, the colouring book has been made available again.

$17, Amazon

A charming stocking stuffer for the little creative types in your life…or a cheap & chic idea for any Warhol aficionados.

Dear Readers: Do not adjust your computer screens. Troy is taking over White Cabana this week and, as you can see, he’s really shaken things up around here! Enjoy. – Jordana

Art: Black Works

Would you hang an all black art work in your home (or fantasy museum)? What if we said it was a work by Robert Motherwell, Louise Nevelson, Kara Walker, Richard Serra, or Robert Mapplethorpe?

Reconciliation Elegy, 1978, Robert Motherwell (at the National Gallery, Washington DC)

Sky Cathedral, 1958, Louise Nevelson (at the MoMA)

Kara Walker, 2008 (from an installation at the Whitney)

Untitled, 1973, Richard Serra (from the Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum, 2011)

Parrot Tulips, 1988, Robert Mapplethorpe

Images courtesy of Spencer Alley, Art in the Studio, June Joon Jaxx, The New Yorker and Me, Christie’s.

Dear Readers: Do not adjust your computer screens. Troy is taking over White Cabana this week and, as you can see, he’s really shaken things up around here! Enjoy. – Jordana

Art & Design: Ian McChesney

Fiona Chan is Caviar20‘s hard-working, tireless, charming, and clever intern. An interior design student at Ryerson University, Fiona had a lot of great ideas for Caviar20’s “paint it black” week on White Cabana. She alerted us to this sensational sculpture, located in London, by British artist Ian McChesney.

Titled Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness, the 72-foot high (!!!) sculpture resembles the upside-down form of tar dripping off of a spoon. Made of carbon fibre by a company that does ship building, the base is actually a leather-covered round seating area. Wild!

Images courtesy of the Contemporist.

Dear Readers: Do not adjust your computer screens. Troy is taking over White Cabana this week and, as you can see, he has really shaken things up around here! Enjoy. – Jordana

Art & Food: 'wichcraft

Has anyone been to ‘wichcraft in NYC?

On my last visit to the city this summer my sister and I each had the BLT and it was delicious (although we thought it should have come on a bigger plate and cut in half). Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of the BLT, but I do have a photo of the fun piece of art that hung at the top of the stairs (at the Flatiron location if I remember correctly).

art at ‘wichcraft, photo by Jordana

A 24-cup muffin tin. Does one of these really exist?

Event: Art Toronto 2011

I was lucky enough to spend yesterday afternoon surrounded by incredible and varied art work at Art Toronto.

cover art by Edward Burtynsky

If you’re in Toronto and looking for a great way to spend an hour (or many as I did!) I highly recommend a visit to this international art fair as you are sure to be amazed and inspired.

There is so much to see and a lot to take in and this week on White Cabana I will be sharing with you some of the art that really caught my attention. For now, I’ll just let you know that I was especially amused by Kent Monkman‘s The Art Game – an interactive “funhouse” at this year’s show.

The Art Game by Kent Monkman

The event is at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and runs until October 31st. For more information click here.

Photography: Making the Shoot Competition

Calling all photographers!

Do you want a chance to win a photo shoot with a celebrity in LA? If yes, then enter the Making the Shoot photography competition hosted by The Lab Magazine and Photoculture. The grand prize is a fully financed celebrity photo shoot to take place in Los Angeles and to appear in Issue No. 5 of The Lab Magazine. Amazing, right?

This international juried competition is a great opportunity to show the world what you’ve got. Submit your best work by December 30th, 2011.

Visit Making the Shoot to read all the details about this competition.

Art: Red Hen Design

A couple of months ago Leah from Red Hen Design emailed me to ask me permission to use my photos of Saanen goats as inspiration for some paintings that she was going to be doing for the American Dairy Goat Association Convention. Yeah, I know! This request was a complete surprise to me but I was happy to help out Leah with her project.

So last week – Leah sent over images of her final paintings. My jaw dropped when I saw them. I’m pretty sure yours will too.

painting by Leah, original photo here

painting by Leah, original photo here

The painting of the group of goats has been printed onto stickers that will be applied to tins for the American Dairy Goat Association board members. I never could have dreamed that a photo I took – of goats no less – would provide such artistic inspiration. I’m thrilled and I hope those board members appreciate Leah’s dedication and talent.

If any of you are attending the American Dairy Goat Association Convention in Grand Rapids Michigan October 15-22, 2011, be sure to stop by Leah’s booth to say hello (and to buy some of her art)!

The Friday Five: Chicago

Greetings from Florida! I thought I’d take a break from working on my tan (I know, hard work, right?) to post a vacation update.

Although my friend Shannon and I are in Florida at the moment, our US tour actually began in Chicago. We spent four amazing days eating our way through the city. We also saw some incredible art and made time for shopping too (of course!). This was my second time in Chicago and I’m happy to say that I loved it as much as I did the first time around. The city has so much to offer and the people are so friendly.

Today I thought I’d share five of my favourite photos from the trip.

Chicago flower art

The Lion House at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Marilyn Monroe statue

The Rookery building – by Frank Lloyd Wright

Monument with Standing Beast by Jean Dubuffet

As always, thanks for reading White Cabana!

Jeffrey Campbell Shoes

Does Jeffrey Campbell make cool shoes or what?

Jeffrey Campbell Skate, $189.95, SoleStruck

Jeffrey Campbell MR, $139.95, SoleStruck

Jeffrey Campbell Tick, $169.95, SoleStruck

I know I probably wouldn’t be able to walk in any of these shoes but they are such great pieces of art that I would be happy to display them on one of my shelves or perhaps under a glass cloche.

Painting

It’s been at least a year since I painted anything and this fact makes me a bit depressed as I used to paint quite often. But time has moved at lightning speed this past academic year and it’s only now that I’m finding more chunks of time to paint. Here’s a piece that I worked on last week.

artwork & photo by Jordana

Fredericton, NB: Ingrid Mueller Art + Concepts

After my visit to Gallery 78 in Fredericton, I walked over to the Ingrid Mueller gallery.

Ingrid Mueller logo

This modern gallery with white walls and a striking black ceiling definitely caught my attention. Inside, works of artists from the Atlantic provinces hang on the walls. Pieces of pottery and jewelry are also housed in this beautiful space.

Ron Shuebrook

Ron Shuebrook

Rick Burns

Rick Burns

Jennifer Mackleur

Maja Padrov

Maja Padrov

Maja Padrov

Many thanks to Aidan for taking me on an art tour here and for sharing stories about life in Fredericton.

Many thanks to Stacey at Tourism Fredericton for arranging this visit.

Photos by Jordana.