NTGA Artwalk Saturday May 3 & Sunday May 4 | 11-5pm

The North Toronto Group of Artists, of which I am a proud member, will be launching a Fine Arts Spring Studio Tour on Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th from 11 am to 5 pm.

Visit local artists in our home studios on Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th from 11 am to 5 pm.
For the entire list of artists, click on this link:
http://www.ntga.ca/2014/03/ntga-fine-arts-spring-studio-tour/

The works exhibited will be in various mediums. I will be exhibiting from the home of Anastessia Bettas, who has graciously extended herself. This means that you won't have to walk as far and that you'll see the work of three artists at this location. John Nussbaum will also be exhibiting there.

101 Chudleigh Avenue, at Greer, 
south west of Yonge & Lawrence
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.7227497,-79.4085554,17z

This is a great family event. Enjoy the weekend and enhance it by taking in and purchasing the great works of some great artists.
Find it on facebook: http://goo.gl/UJyhYF

My work can be purchased via debit, credit, cash or cheque. As usual, the euro will be taken at par.

I look forward to seeing you!

Copy and paste below into your browser for more details:
http://www.ntga.ca/2014/03/ntga-fine-arts-spring-studio-tour/

On a side note, I recently finished reading, The Book of Negros by Lawrence Hill, This phenomenal book changed the way I see the world, which is what a great book is meant to do.

I was at a Starbucks on College street about a week ago and started chatting with a man at one of the tables. I know. How unlike me! In any case, it turns out that he was preparing to read for one of the parts in the feature film of The Book of Negros. It has begun shooting in South Africa and is being directed by Canadian director Clement Virgo, starring Cuba Gooding Jr.

I look forward to seeing it, but more, I'm looking forward to seeing you on May 3rd or 4th at the NTGA Artwalk!

Cheerio,

Simone

Patois, Oxtail and Art

Patois - 11"x14" - $500 | 2014

One thing I love is a good oxtail dinner, so I keep forgetting to try the shrimp dish at Patois Jamaican Restaurant in Pickering. It’s worth the drive and parking is free if you feel like eating where the staff is friendly, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is great. Wonderful music plays as you dine in a casual setting. And even more wonderful… my art is now hanging on their walls. Smile!

Patois Jamaican Restaurant
1286 Kingston Road,
Pickering, ON
Canada
L1V 1B7
905 492 8492

I met with the owners to discuss hanging my work and they asked me if I could integrate Patois in my art exhibition. This was a struggle as I barely speak it. My parents spoke the Queen’s English at home and we were corrected like crazy growing up so that our English would be impeccable. Lucky for me, Google helped.

https://www.nlj.gov.jm/?q=jamaican-proverbs

Using that as my inspiration, I was able to illustrate some of the proverbs in ink and scratchboard.

When I exhibited in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2000, I had a great time. One of my favourite shows was at Laambi’s Yatch Club on Union Island. There I created pastel drawings of a Calypso band that performed. There were four musicians and a dancer. The dancer was very acrobatic. He did hand stands and walked on broken glass while wearing a tight leotard.

Jump Up - 11"x14" - $500 | 2000

The music was incredible. I drew images with bright colours on natural paper ­– now on exhibit at Patois Jamaican restaurant.

I packed up my Swiss Army luggage, and headed out for Patois Jamaican Restaurant. I took the #92 Go Bus from York Mills Station. It comes pretty regularly. I got off at Glenanna and walked back on the opposite side of the street to Patois Jamaican restaurant. Parking is free if you choose to drive there.

Click here to get directions and the review on Yelp.

The customers are great there too. Very friendly. When I saw them smirk at my luggage, (large enough to accommodate a months stay overseas), I told them it was my wagon.

“Where are you headed?” One of the customers asked.

“To Toronto.” I said.

“Really, I’m from Toronto.”

“Can you give me a lift back?”

“On Sunday, I can.”

Everyone laughed. “A” was on his way to a meditation retreat just up the street. He bought some jerk chicken to meditate on during his three-day stay. A perfect combination!

Speaking of meditation, I finally found a great cd to meditate to. I was on my way to Ikea to buy some frames for the show at Patois. There was a man playing strings at Sheppard-Yonge station. The music was so beautiful that I bought on of his cds and have been playing it all weekend. The artist’s name is Leo Chi Zhang. You might find him at Sheppard Station. I’m really happy that the TTC allows buskers to perform!

Stay tuned about an event at Patois Jamaican Restaurant.

For now, I’m preparing for the North Toronto Group ofArtists Artwalk.

Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4, 2014

11-5pm

For more details please click the link below.

http://www.ntga.ca/events/

Looking forward to Spring weather!!!!!!!

Ole Fiyah Tick - 11"x14" - $500 | 2014

Cheers,

Simone