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!