Edmonton is crazy busy at this time of year - has anyone else noticed?

For artists there are lots of opportunities to display their work starting at The Works Festival then moving to the Whyte Ave Art Walk, if you're lucky you can get into Taste of Edmonton (see Oksana's and Saeed's work there) and there's also a huge gallery at Capital Ex in Hall E.  

As great as all this exposure and opportunity is, it's also hard work. Often an event requires 12 hour days outside, rain or shine.  Some events, like the Art Walk, mean setting up and taking down daily too.  Along with this many artists attempt to have a life - what are they thinking!  Family and work (there are not many of us that can survive solely on our art after all) obligations must be met and it can be hard to even fit in the daily dog walk.  Thoughts of a summer vacation are fleeting and, to be honest, it can all get a little overwhelming.

Add in the copious amounts of rain we've been receiving and I guess I have been feeling more than a little swamped this summer.   It's time for a break.  Luckily I have a quick trip to the mountains planned this weekend.  Paintbrush in one hand, tent in the other  I'll be heading out Saturday Afternoon and leaving the crazy city behind for a few days.  

Hopefully I'll come back with some renewed energy and be ready for a month of flower fun at The Gallery as we exhibit floral work through august.  If you're staying in town this weekend and happen across an artist at one of the festivals be sure to take some time to appreciate their work, maybe even splash out and buy a painting (or a card!).  You'll make their day.

Happy Wednesday

Karen

My best friend popped by the Gallery today and I asked him "Evan, how do you like my legs?"  He looked at me a bit odd and then I realised what I had said.  What I really meant was "Evan, how do you like these painted mannequin leg creations by Peter Kominek?"    He liked them (mine and the mannequin's!)

Quirky Art, I love it!  There was quirk-a-plenty on display at this years Art Walk from skulls to pipe-cleaners, cupcakes to... well... legs.  My Gallery isn't big enough for 400 artists, but I hope you'll appreciate the pieces we picked out for the holdover show.  I had a lot of fun choosing them and watching them mingle with the Gallery's existing community of artists.  

That there is a place for so many styles and ideas is something I think artists do really well.  Most (not always, but most) of the time we do very well at appreciating and encouraging each other even if we have very little in common.  

A fairly new artist stopped in today (I didn't think to ask her how she liked my legs!)  I'm no art expert but she flattered me by asking for my advice - flattery accompanied by a latte works every time :)  We talked for a while about finding our style and being true to ourselves in the art business. The best artists, I believe,  are the ones who listen and learn from others but take what they've learned, break it down, throw in a little quirkiness, and make it their own.  These are the artists the Daffodil represents - whether for a 2 week holdover show or for much much longer, there's a feeling I get when I look at this art that is hard to explain but it always makes me smile.  And, really, who could not smile when they see my legs!

Happy Wednesday!
Karen

Last night I watched the 2nd half of "Exit through the Gift Shop".  While thoughts of bringing a painted elephant into the Gallery are appealing they are perhaps not practical.  I admit I am not a very educated lover of street art, but there is something very attractive and provocative about this expression of creativity.  My favourite piece in the entire movie was probably the lovely old fashioned telephone booth 

A different kind of Street Art occurs one weekend in mid-july along Edmonton's Whyte Avenue.  The busy cousin of 124th street (where the Daffodil makes its home) Whyte Avenue has a reputation for it's interesting and independent shops and for 3 days the street gets overrun by artists - this year there's apparently close to 400 of us!  2.8m of artists, lay our work end to end and I'm sure we could shut down a highway or two!  

I'm not sure why I am so attracted to the Art Walk - it's not without challenges, early mornings, late nights, last minute disasters and panic filled nights about not having enough stuff.  Then you have to contend with the wind, rain, sun, mosquitos, litter throwing public, and dogs - yes some seem to think they can mark your paintings with their own special tag.  Despite all this I love it!  Perhaps it's the opportunity to share your passion with such a wide audience. 

In true art style there is something for everyone - from quick 10 minute sketches on cardboard boxes to opulent oils on canvas.  There are art students, art hobbyists, art wannabes, art professionals and unprofessionals!  We may not be scaling buildings or breaking into Starbuck's with our stickers and spray paint but like street art we are taking art out the traditional gallery setting and bringing to the public.  It's a great weekend.

Art Walk runs for one more day - today!  Sunday July 17th.  Look for me and many Daffodil Gallery artists in McIntyre Park where we'll be set up with the group from Night of Artists.  And if you miss it don't panic!  On Friday local MLA Rachel Notley helped us select about a dozen favourites for our holdover show Off-Whyte

Happy Sunday!

July 13th seems like a good day to begin Blogging.  Never having blogged before I'm not sure of all the ins and outs but I'm sure like everything else things will become clearer the more I write.

We opened  2 months ago on Friday May 13th and  we're loving every minute of it.  The response has been amazing and at times I can hardly believe people are talking about something that I have created!  

The Gallery is a personal dream of mine, inspired by an old run down movie theatre, that is now home to a magnificent restaurant, in my hometown of Cheltenham England.  If you're ever in Cheltenham tell them I sent you!  

If you've never been in an Art Gallery before then the Daffodil is the place to begin - affordable, appealing and passionate art by talented local artists we have something for everyone.  Our motto is Art without Pretense - stop in and you'll see why.  

That's it for today - Happy Wednesday!