Schedule of EXHIBITS & EVENTS

"Twilight over Point Roberts" - Semiahmoo Magic Series,

Cross section, with acrylic skin on canvas

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"Contemporary International Art II"

Group Exhibit - now, in Argentina

Currently - November 13 - December 18 .09

Baraka Exhibition Salon,

Rosario, Sante Fe

January 8 - February 19.10

International Art Fair,

Miramar and Mar del Sur, Buenos Aires

To be Confirmed:

Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Rosa Galisteo,

Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina

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February 2010

Solo Art Exhibit

White Rock Library

White Rock, BC

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March 2010

Solo Art Exhibit

Semiahmoo Library

South Surrey, BC

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The Terra Studios

click to link

Jewelry, Soapbox, Self-Help, Talks/Workshops, Poetry/Writing

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Current Projects

"Renascence", acrylic

&

"Semiahmoo Magic" ("acrylic skin" on canvas)

a series inspired by our delicate, moody, riotous peninsula sunsets

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International Group "Mail Art" Exhibit

Rome, Italy, March-May 2010

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"Rana Incognita", acrylic

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"Pond Memories", acrylic

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"Blue Woman Hanging on by a Thread"

acrylic skin on canvas

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"(Con o) Sin tetas no hay paraiso",

inspired by the famous Colombian soap-opera

acrylic skin on canvas

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"Interconnected" One - acrylic

Finally solved the "puzzle" today... Oct.14.09

(this work incorporates photographs from friends around the world)

not a collage, but pure energy acrylic skins...

What "orbs" are all about!!!

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"Two peas in.... " acrylic

skin on board

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Past Exhibits and Events
as well as Bio.
please scroll all the way to bottom of page

VERY HAPPY and PROUD

The "International Contemporary Art II" Exhibit, Museum of the Americas, Miami, July 10-24, 2009, has moved to Argentina.

In Argentina, it became an Itinerant Exhibit.

First venue:

September 4 to October 2.09

Ideal Theatre, Provincial Cultural Centre, Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe

(Centro Cultural Provincial Teatro Ideal, Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe) - photo gallery link

(September is the 40th anniversary month of me taking a 6 months holiday and never returning home... how exquisitely symbolic and "accidental" life may be...)

* further details bellow

"Intermezzo Giocoso" - Abstract. What?

Often times I have wondered about other artists abstract work... What was the inspiration, thoughts, feelings behind it?

How "random" IS random?

I found that in my case, painting is all about feelings - deep perceptions - that translate into my abstract life metaphors.

In the case of Intermezzo Giocoso (Playful Break), is all about "energy". More specifically, the energies I feel around me when amongst others.

The different colors represent different individual energies. A veritable cacophony of energies!

I found myself also to be able to add sound effects (if needed - lol) to these diverse waves (people/things/events...etc. ) which, often times overwhelm me and sent me scurrying to find peace in the quiet of my studio.

Through painting I am able to more "accurately" express my emotions regarding life, that which surrounds and affects me. The term "accurately" seems almost incongruous to apply to an abstract work yet, I find it very easy using color and form to express different reactions.

At the end, it is of little or no consequence what my expression is, as each individual will have some sort of emotional but, not necessarily intellectual response to it. Those near me had an opportunity to view it and the while the reaction was positive - everyone saw something definitely different - with the exception of one, whose second choice/statement was the question, is it about energy? While gesticulating as I would myself... :)

Last, the tittle...! Although, this time the background music were Latin Ballads , I have almost exclusively listened to classical music during these past 10 years. The work/expression/translation was more suited to the tune of a concerto... in this case, borrowed from an 1800's Opera that had a first "Giocoso/Playful" , carnival like intermission...

click on image to read

"Intermezzo Giocoso" Acrylic Diptych

Izquierdo/Left

Derecho/Right

160 x 60 cm.

click on images to enlarge

Miami Exhibit ...

recepcion de artistas y prensa / artist and press reception /réception de atistes et presse / ricezione di atisti e stampa/ exposicion / exhibition / exposition / esposizione

Photos by:
Oscar Alejandro Poliotto
Curador, Arte Contemporaneo Internacional
Museum of the Americas

Lantern Festival - August 30 - Hollad Park - Surrey, BC. A Fun Community Project

OCTAVIA and LITTLE OCTAVE

(Blue Ring Octopuses)

The "Octopedes" Installation in situ

for the Wandering Angels Lantern Festival and its journey

click on pic to enlarge

. Work Station No.52... or, did just felt like it?

Enjoyed the detail... oh, let me just say it - the glitter stuff!

eight days to go...

Three days to go. "The Dream Team": Tim, Kaitlin, Jessica and Tyrell
helping glue on the countless rings... :) Thank you!

"The Dream Team": Karen - Thank you!

"The Dream Team " : Johnny, that's the spirit - Thank you!
(He gets around on in the scooter seen in background)

Octavia's "enchanted" shell

Little Octave's "enchanted" shell



One of the Artistic Directors and, now "Guardian and Godmother" Carrie Campbell
. "The Dream Team": Juliet, self-labeled "apprentice"
Thank you so much for your support and hours of hands on help,
including seaweed lantern making, when we could have been down at the beach!

Proud "mom"

The actual breathtakingly beautiful little critter - the blue ringed octopus - that inspired it all
all 2 and 1/2" of it! - A Google search pic!

my lantern... a little closer to the truth - lol!
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This is another experience that came to an end, bringing with it new knowledge, acquaintances, friendships and all sorts of possibilities .

I learned how to do/work with paper-mache and lost my fear of chicken wire about three weeks into it, as well as realizing that glue was truly a friend! lol

Once that "hesitation" overcome, the road was clear for the "people/community" experience... how wonderful to be able to gather just to "build" - a lot of layers go into that word at this time as I observed and experienced that a lot more than lanterns were being built in that studio that at times turned out to be tiny and overflowing with hard working people of all ages; exploring, creating, anticipating, sharing, giggling and just being overjoyed by the finished projects of one another.

Great Project - all around - Thank you for all the efforts and support of your staff, for the opportunity and, last but not least congratulations City of Surrey for taking the step to create, what I hope will be a "growing into the park" yearly event!

(In a week or so, I will be removing this post and placing it in the "August 08" archives for it to be accessed with all the other Wandering Angels Lantern Festival posts.)

The "Interconnected" series

at the White Rock Library

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Partial view of works on display...
otherwise under wonderful natural light,
courtesy of sunny days...

Will have to post somewher the wonder Peace Arch News write up

as the link is no longer "up"
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MISSING CHILDREN and The Secret Behind the Painting "SURREAL MOMENT"

"Surreal Moment" 9 x 9" acrylic - donated

When I stumbled upon the Honor With Art Project I immediately knew I had to participate – it all tied in with my strong believes.

Honor With Art, a project dedicated to the cause of missing and exploited children through works of art. Shawn Marie Hardy’s, mine and, I am sure it is safe to assume, all (100?) others that have joined her, hope to jointly bring awareness and keep it alive through this artistic, creative process.

The painting I have contributed - mailed this afternoon – is an imaginary glimpse at that spilt second when panic takes over after a flash survey of a play area where a much loved child is out of sight …

Is he/she behind the shrubs, safe?
Is she/he missing - abducted?

That “Surreal Moment”, when all that is familiar, looks familiar and yet, it is somehow distorted…
All that is related to the child is clear and in focus and all else is obvious, almost grotesquely interfering and alien; there is nothing beyond the immediate…

Shawn and Honor with Art on CNN - April 08
http://http://www.%20cnn.%20com/2008/US/02/01/NancyGraceExtraordinaryParentContestFinalists/index.%20html2008/US/02/01/NancyGraceExtraordinaryParentContestFinalists/index. html

* please note the colors and focus are somewhat off - Nikon digital camera not cooperating

The INTERCONNECTED Series

Celebrating our Interconnections

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The unfolding understanding of our interconnectedness – at all levels - is still in the early stages of research and discovery; as we continue learning “the extremes” by which we are an integral part of one another, light is further being shed on how we, mostly “unconsciously” influence/affect (nurture, mold, destroy, etc.) each other, our immediate environment and much more...

I have recently been adopted in a formal – yet contemporary and urban native ceremony - which brought forth the evidence, as with everything else, how similarities far exceed our differences.

The “Interconnected” Series also began spontaneously, flowing out of feelings and thoughts associated with the nature of the above mentioned event and a number of rather exuberant memories, among them, David Suzuki's passionate description of air circulation around the planet, how my breath (my “self”, my millennian-full “biology”) exhaled here, is a breath taken in by someone else, seven days later somewhere in Africa... And, so on. Just imagine!
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Bellow, a selection celebrating our interconnections with nature and one another....

="Interconnected" One
watercolour - paper batik
image 8 3/4 x 11 3/4"
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"Interconnected" Two

watercolour - paper batik

image 8 3/4 x 11 3/4"
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"Interconnected" Three
watercolour - paper batik
image 8 3/4 x 11 3/4"

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"Interconnected" Four
watercolour - paper batik
image 8 3/4 x 11 3/4"
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"Sapo cancionero"

watercolour - paper batik
image 8 3/4 x 11 3/4"

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The "miss stereotype" series and its secrets

“MISS STEREOTYPE”
Stereotype or Archetype?
As I painted each one of “the girls”, the prevalent thought was how immediately, we as a society, come to assess and label each other - almost as if by auto-pilot - no “formal thought” taking place. But, is it naughty “Stereotype-ing” or simple “Archetype-ing”? Are they one and the same?
Some of our often voiced mottoes are:
“You only have one chance to make a first impression”“It takes only three seconds to make an impression”, etc….
Why? Truth or legend?
While honoring our instincts is imperative for a sane survival, how often are these first “impressions” accurate? How much do our preconceptions influence the outcome of our relationships/fleeting interactions?
The “MISS STEREOTYPE” Portrait Series, as well as “the girls” names were given deliberately, to clearly define what is that they represent.... However, do they? Perhaps, there might be room for other “truths”, – as with everything else there are always at a minimum four more options! @2008
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"Miss Darlah Darling"
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The Secret Behind The Girls....

Miss Darlah Darling:
If not a blond, many a women wish to be one; point in case, the extraordinary number that "live impersonations of blonds" - from a bottle .... :) This sketch was prompted while viewing the Blonde Mystique documentary... Blonds elicit all sort of fantasies from man as well as other women which even surprised me while allocating a name - sooooooooooo many stereotypes came to mind... none of which we would normally associate with other girls/women. I believe I could write chapters on this one, particularly having been born as one, but It almost goes without words, except that I will add, that at a deeper level, perhaps blonds are subject also to more abuse as a result of all that (ultimately nasty) "mystique".

"Miss LaSavannah Saucy"

image 51/2 x 71/2" watercolour paper batik in an 12X20" mat 

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"Miss La Savannah Saucy":

could be a ”loaded one” as it all is, when dealing with ethnicities, particularly 

Obviously an “African", "African-American” woman? LaSavannah, might just be a dead giveaway, may conjure up white folk notions of having to be “Saucy”, the fun kind-of-girl, you know?
The hat flirtatiously tilted, provoking a stare of attention?
Who does she think she is? Wearing all that turquoise!!!

Perhaps a second, more paused look will ease this beautiful, gentle, perhaps even a bit shy young woman into allowing her ready lips to bloom into a smile…
Her tilted hat shielding her eyes form the bright sun.
The 3 strands of turquoise, a gift for her grade average this year… from her proud and loving parents.
The colorful name juxtaposition indicating – to me, possibly – a desire by her parents/family to be valued as unique and precious ... as she indeed is!

I love all “the girls” but young "Miss LaSavanah" is just very special to me.

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"Miss Hortense Hoity"

So trim and proper "Miss Hortense Hoity" appears, with her perfect haircut, a three strand pearl necklace, a wonderfully woven Panamá hat and frozen cheeks…

With a closer look, we might discover a warm smile emphasized by the luminous orange of her lips… A “neutral” background and trimmed hedges, a sword plant standing in salute, could possibly suggest her love for order …. Or, is it her love for balance and harmony? A clearly mature woman, one that has grown accustomed to herself... comfortable being.

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"Miss Miriam Mysterious"

51/2 X 71/2" watercolour paper batik in an 12X20" mat 

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Ah, the adventurous soul and mannerisms of "Miss Miriam Mysterious".... always leaving us wanting to know more. Alluring, flirty, vivacious, exploring and living life to the fullest... perhaps making us yearn for the same richness she can find about all by herself... 

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Miss "Sadie Shady"

51/2 X 71/2" watercolour paper batik in an 16X20" mat 
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With her downward gaze, wild red hair colour, nose ring and, darkish lips, her chin in folds – as if wanting to recoil under her hat… "Miss Sadie Shady" gives the distinct first impression that she has something to hide… hmmm ?

Or, she might be an independent, wise woman – with a couple of feathers on her cap - caught in a moment of introspection… meditation perhaps. The background colours in an antithesis suggest calm and gentleness. Is she by flowing water? Or, are those reflections in a fountain? She definitely knows as is sensitive to "what's up".
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"Miss Sally Sour"

51/2 x 71/2" in an 16X20" met - watercolour paper batik

Dear "Miss Sally Sour".... a woman with the heaviest of hearts. Loss and pain have hovered about her all of her life - she can barely manage a faint grimace for a smile.... her facial muscles ache with the pain she has endured, as life handed a basketful in the draw...
She did not go looking for trouble. She does not give trouble. Has a tender, if bruised heart, hidden deep beneath the layers of built up (and useless) collection of shields.
Proud to have survived - all on her own - she goes about alone and discarded as the world can't, or won't bother to see beyond...

While all these paintings were very spontaneous and came one after the other as shot form a cannon, as I share their “Secret”, I feel a strong empathy, as well as love towards them and a change occurring inside myself. At times I have become very moved by the positive feelings this images and their stories have inspired, that is also why I affectionately refer to them as "the girls".

This collection is NOT for sale - images are reproduced in greeting card form - in packages of six.

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Originally posted Jan.11.08

Feb. 17.08 - addendum

A tad more "Social Commentary"  In conversation last night... "Each time we label someone, we avoid responsibility for our own actions", meaning, that when arbitrarily, carelessly, willfully, even with malice, an individual labels/defines another as such and such, be that a ho, a bore, an ass - an eccentric? - etc., an invisible line is drawn in the sand that clearly denotes the "differences", thus, creating an automatic chasm instead of seeking out commonalities to create a bridge ...

We don't all have to be friends but we certainly all have the ability to be kind to one another!
Indeed life is a two way street; interesting how automatically segregation generates more segregation...
Therefore, I can safely conclude that an act of kindness can just as easily be followed by another and another….. why isn’t it?
Wouldn’t that be nice? Soothing to the soul?

Update - January 22.09

Happy to present:

Blank Note Cards from the "Miss Stereotype" series

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click on pic to enlarge

Something "New" for me... Blank Note Cards!

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Including all six girls: Miss Saidy Shady, Miss LaSavannah Saucy

Miss Hortense Hoity, Miss Darlah Darling,

Miss Sally Sour and Miss Miriam Mysterious
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Available in various sizes

EARTH - The Minis Series - new...

This ongoing “EARTH” Series is a natural and spontaneous expression of my deep love and enchantment with her many gentle and soothing offerings, my preoccupation with her intriguing and often ravaging beauty; her joys, pains, sorrows, her moodiness oftentimes resulting in catastrophic outbursts, the ruthless pilferage and the unending myriad of horrors inflicted upon her... @2008
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"Earth" one

51/2" x 71/2" watercolour

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"Earth" two

51/2" x 71/2" watercolour

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"Reflection"

32x20" diptych, watercolour batik

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"Churning Waters" 16x20" watercolour batik.

..

"Rough Seas" 16x20" watercolour batik.

..

"Dream a Little Stream" 16x20" watercolour batik

. .
"Hip-Hop Jungle" 16x20" watercolour batik . .

"Broken Samba" 16x20" watercolour batik

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"Sucked In" 16x20" watercolour batik .

"Infinite Possibilities" 14x18" watercolour batik ..
"Inside the Box" 12x16" watercolour batik

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"Paz" 16x20" watercolour batik.

"Earth" Two, Series A - 16x20" watercolour .

"Earth" Three, Series A - 16x20" watercolour .
"Spiralling" 14x18" watercolour batik .

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"Bell Lap"

20x23" watercolour

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"Purple Prosesion"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Playfull Labyrinth"

16x20" watercolour batik, $169.00

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"Flights of Fancy" Collection

and other works

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"Chagalaga-Choo!"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Revisiting the 70's"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Mayan Mod"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Vibrant Contortions"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Ethnic Dreamin' "

16x20" watercolour batik

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"All Out"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Water"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Childhood Chapel"

11.5 x 15" watercolour

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"Somethin' fishy s goin on"

16x20" watercolour batik

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"Dream a Little Dream"

16x2- watercolour batik

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Tender Petunia

11x14" watercolour paper batik

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PAST EXHIBITS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

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Artist @ Work

A unique Art Show and Sale

at the

Semiahmoo Library

Saturday October 24, 11AM – 4PM

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"Contemporary International Art II"

Group Exhibit in Argentina

September 4 to October 2.09

Ideal Theatre, Provincial Cultural Centre,

Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe

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July 10 - 24, 2009

at

The Museum of the Americas

"International Contemporary Artists II"

Group Exhibit

Doral, (Miami) Florida

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Earth Day 2009

Wednesday, April 22

all day celebration at

The Terra Studios

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Terra Talismans

April 2 - 30, 2009

Showcased at Semiahmoo Library

200-1815-152 Street,

South Surrey, BC

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Terra Talismans - Jewelry with Purpose at

Spirituality and the Arts

- For the non-religious -

First United Church of White Rock

Sunday, April 19.09

3:00 - 7:00PM

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Exhibit New "Semiahmoo Magic" series

and the "Miss Stereotype" series
January 13 through February 28, 2009

~ Extended to the end of March ~

White Rock Museum and Archives

by the pier on Marine Drive and Martin, West Beach

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"Official Launch of Terra Talismans'

Special Event in my heart
Exhibit - Opening - Meet the Artist

University Women's Club of Vancouver
by Invitation only - let me know if you like to attend!
March 1, 2009
2:00 - 3:30PM

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Exhibit/Sale

New "Semiahmoo Magic" series

and the "Miss Stereotype" series
January 13 through February 28, 2009

~ Extended to the end of March ~

White Rock Museum and Archives

on the Promenade,

by the pier on Marine Drive and Martin, West Beach

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March 1-25
University Women's Club of Vancouver
Vancouver, BC

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Open House

Saturday and Sunday - Nov. 29 & 30
11:30Am - 7:00PM.
The Terra Studios "moved" to
Trishas Artists Place
15237 - 16Ave (East/off 152) South Surrey
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Officially Open for business:
Monday, December 1st

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Second Annual Fall Studio-Galeria

"Open House"

Saturday, October 18, 1:00-4:00PM

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"Octavia and Little Octave" - The Octopedes Installation
making an encore appearance
at The Night of 2008 Lantern Festival
Dear Lake, Burnaby, BC.
Friday, September 19, 7:30PM

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"Octopedes" Installation

"Octavia and Little Octave"
Wondering Angels Lantern Festival
Saturday, August 30, 6:00-9:30PM
at Holland Park, Surrey, BC. Canada

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"Interconnected" - Solo Exhibit

June 2 - 30, 2008

White Rock Library, White Rock, British Columbia

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Honor with Art - Group Project
January 2008
International group of 100 Artists unite to compile a multi-media album.
Proceed from its auction will reach various
Missing and Abused Children organizations
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The Arts as Social and Theological Protest - Group Event
February 2, 2008
First United Church of White Rock
White Rock, BC, Canada
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Silent Auctions
Fashion Show Fundraiser for South Surrey Women's Centre
November 10, 2007
First United of White Rock Fall Fair
September 29, 2007
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
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“Grand Opening” of Studio Galeria
Fall Open House, October 20, 2007
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
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International Artist's Day
October 25, 2007
Celebration Open House/ In Studio Activities
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
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Poirier Branch Coquitlam Public Library - Solo Exhibit
August 1 to 31, 2007
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
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Terry Fox Library – Solo Exhibit
July 3 to 31 - extended to August 30, 2007
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
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Mural Painting - Group Project
City Commission for the Celebration of the 58^th Annual Festival of the Sea
August 3 to 6, 2007
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
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“Artist's Techniques” - Group Demonstration
July 15, 2007
Surrey Arts Centre
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
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“Flights of Fancy” - partial collection - Solo Exhibit
June 16 to July 16, 2007
“Meet the Artist” Evening
July 5,2007
Java Express Neighbourhood Café
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
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“Flights of Fancy” - partial collection – Solo Exhibit
May 2 to 31, 2007
Surrey Arts Council
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
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Annual Group Exhibit
November 9 to 11, 2006
Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino
Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada
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“Western Canada Tour” - Solo Photography Exhibit
August 1 to September 30, 1998
Fraser Health Unit
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

A few Endorsements and fresh Reviews ...

..... " "We are all exiles from the First Eden, we can never go home again, the cherubims with flaming swords will deny us entry. But we can take a journey to a secondary but real Eden constructed by aesthetic magic. Alicia's Paper Batik Paintings are a tantalizing hint of that Second Eden. Her pictures have the quality of Eve-before-the-Apple innocence, there are no complicated serpent images, no odd fig leaf shapes.
The paintings are the dreams that Eve dreamt when she was still a rib. The colours shout the joy of an Adam roused from his slumbers. And the colours are baptismally fresh, Eve white fusing with Adam yellow, twig brown growing into a bud green, moon silver welcoming a twilight grey. The Batik lines are the rope of a nine year old girl skipping in a secret garden she has accidentally discovered. And as I look at the paintings posted on her blog, I say in my heart, "Yes, I know Eden again, but now as a sophisticated paradise, not a naive one and in knowing it discover it was never at any moment totally absent from us!" (Chad Walsh)
Alicia aka Angel is that cherubim who sheathed her sword to take up the paint brush................Amen & Amen!" - Kianseng, 22 February 07,

"Ah you are enjoying life dearest Angel ! We experience your joy and freedom through your work." - Rauf, March 24.07,"

"They are so cheerful, so bright.. flowing, alive. I look at them and I simply smile... feeling lighter. I think they are radiant!" - Katie, March 24.07

"Pretty awesome. I love it, Angel Dust. You down a beauty with "Arenosa"". November 18, 2006 - JQ/United Kingdom

"It's even lovelier in reality and it did look awesome on the screen.
You can rest easy now. I'm going to find an amazing frame for it."
November 17,2006 - AM/Ontario, Canada

"You have evolved as a person and as an artist. Imagination talent and creativity was already there in you Angeldust. Your confidence level has gone up due to your new way of thinking and you have emerged as an excpetional artist." November 16, 2006 - R/India

"I love the painting Alicia. It is splendid. I was so thrilled to receive it yesterday, and escaped squeal made it's way out when i saw it :)
Lovely, truely. Thank you. Can't wait to frame it!" October, 14, 2006 MK/Saskatchewan, Canada

Sat, 10 Mar 2007
Subject: Look at my post today.....
(Mimi does it again - with music this time!)

Sunday Blog Chatter Part One: Studio Galeria
Sunday, November 19, 2006 - ML/United States - global acces

Sunday Blog Chatter : Angels and Art
Sunday, October 29, 2006 - ML/United States - global access

AngelDust and the Peace Globe Meme
Saturday, October 24, 2006 - ML/Unites States - global access
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Local Press June 14.07

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Artist: Painter ~ Designer ~ Photographer ~ Writer
My hugely reduced BIO

I was born in South America, where I lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay until moving to Canada in 1969.

My main occupations were that of Simultaneous Interpreter, Translator, Consultant, Language Instructor and “Community Leader at Large” .

Painting and writing have been my eternal passion along with photography and almost anything creative that captures my attention and keeps me grounded – such as jewelry design and furniture refinishing, etc. …

I have indulged in my creative/artistic expression off and on throughout the years. At one point, I produced consistently enough to show and sell privately, as well as, in the mid/late 70’s, at the renowned (former) Agghazi Gallery of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

My medium throughout, has almost exclusively been oil, but in the past five years I have taken courses in acrylic and watercolour, which, currently I can’t leave alone.

After more than twenty years of on and off again painting, I recently made myself the commitment to paint “full time” from now on – this IS IT. I will also continuo with my other complementing passions of jewelry design and writing.

I am also still available to give Talks and Workshops - by request only at this point - on a number of Self-Help topics relating to personal growth and development, thus reaching out to others and sharing my life experiences and findings… life as art/art as life.

Please also visit:
* Jewellery Design
* Writing
* Photography and "tutti-frutti"
* Workshops and Talks
* Self-Help

"Mermaids at Play"
East Beach Mural, White Rock, BC, Canada

in Celebration of the 58th Annual Festival of the Sea
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Group work by local Artists, alphabetically:

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Alicia M. Balogh Ballard - moi...

Nicci Lanthier Battilana

Joanna Bevis

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click on pics to enlarg

=The blank canvas

=Day Three - working late

=Letting go... there is always something more to add...
Detail images bellow.
="Sheme" the Mermaid - I'm told she looks like me...

Seriously, what are the chances, hm!? he-he-he=

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Some detail close-ups bellow... loved working on all of them!

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"Sarahmosa" (our fourth artist, absent due to injury),

lovingly symbolized resting on the sandbank

as the distant mermaid
with play-pal...
= == = = = == Some of the scrutiny...
=Darling octogenarian "Lolly" Upton,

the mural's biggest (known) vocal fan...

:)
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a little bit more bellow...
Original post August 2007

THEOLOGY - ART - SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Interesting how it all is "theology related"...
Those of you familiar with my sojourns into the field know well how I allow myself to trace the root of a lot of our ills to rigid and outdated/erroneous theology... So, whenever I have an opportunity to share in the fresh "outside the box" thinking of others, I jump at the opportunity.
The weekend was at a minimum a delight - as it was a joy to also hear ideas from prairies' visitor the Rev. Dr. Bob Hoverluck and his soul touching cartoon humor and, a group of local artists sharing our own social commentary/works - loved it all!

Bob Haverluck - outrageous cartoonist/political theologian/humble pastor - sharing wisdom through the images and words of his cartoons - and his engaging, gentle and warm discourse.
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My favorite of his originals on exhibit - still available for sale!
- James L. Adams - encouraging us to share our (so very individual) perceptions on his work...
The invisibility of "women of a certain age" and, the moment "before the inevitable".
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Margaret McLaughlin with her take on a local group of "Raging Grannies" and, on the right - "homelless-nes" depicted in a now all familiar to all back alley cardboard dwelling...
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Don Hutchinson and to the left Musician/Poet ......... (?) Never again in my life I will look at a pottery item the same way! Don gave soul/life to clay and meaning to the "hollow spaces protected by it" ...
www.langara.bc.ca/creative-arts/publishing/prm/2001/downtoearth.html
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Dehai Wang - an accomplished artist and inventor, showing us his very original invention already popular in China - the mobile frame... now we can hang'em form the ceiling

it got us artists all speculating and finding uses for it as soon as it is available in our market!

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Deborah J Putman explaining to us how her own journey/spiritual quest brought about this mixed media installation, up for the visit of the Dalai Lama a couple of years ago.

The work embracing all mayor religions - and those not so recognized - in a circle that includes a walking labyrinth as well as multicultural/discipline musical accompanyment... a truly Sacred Space!

http://www.deborahputman.com/
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Moi, sharing on how "the girls" came about; feeling compelled to comment on not only how prevalent and acceptable it is in our society to pass judgement, but also how cruel it is to either covertly or overtly act on such most likely erroneous assessments...
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I love the slight shifts in thinking and feeling that come about gently, in the company of independent minds

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The weekend event - "The Artist's Re-reading of the Bible as God's defense of the world"

was organized by the White Roch First United Church

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The secret behind the paintings...

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It was not until Alex Browne Art Editor at the Peace Arch News (also known as Alexander Browne, the playwright) asked me about "the meaning" behind my paintings, while interviewing me for a newspaper article last Spring, introducing the "Flights of Fancy" collection, that I gave that angle a serious thought.

As I looked at each one of the paintings in preparation for the interview, I recalled the state of mind, soul an body I found myself in when painting them, I realized (to my surprise!) that there was indeed a "secret life" to them... a meaning deeper than "met the eye" and even I was aware of at the time.

While they all were indeed products of "flights of fancy" (free, spontaneous expressions) they were all emotion leaden and an absolute metaphor for life - the life passage I was transversing at the time...

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As it appers that it appears the whirlwind of activity is slowing down and I will be focusing almost entirely on the "Sacred Feminine" project, I will make time and re-post each work individually with an explanation of its "origin and meaning".

It will be interesting to hear what your take is!

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The SECRET behind the LABYRINTH paintings

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A quick and last minute invitation brought on this interesting project; for a spontaneous painter of “intricate labyrinths of sorts” it turned out to be a bit of an adventure.

Using someone else’s templates one cannot help but approaching it with the secret thinking it is going to feel as a paint by numbers experience. Not so!

Being this is the first time I have been invited to participate as an artist in a project of this nature and as such, a lot of excitement and anticipation came along with the watercolour and brushes…
So little time to plan an unique piece of work …, never mind three! Thus, simplicity prevailed.

I chose, the Triangle, the Heart and the Circle.
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"Harmony Space"

8x14" watercolour batik

The Triangle was an inevitable image choice; I love threes and the asymmetry it brings to any space/situation.
Three/trilogy, a sacred number which “constructive/light side”, presents the vibrations of artistic expression, the joy of living, freedom from worry, optimism, inspiration, talent and imagination. Good taste, sociability, friendliness, kindness.

The colours, a favorite progression calling into mind the Seventh, Sixth, Fifth and Third Chakras and their own energy: beauty, creativity and inspiration, intuition,
mysticism and understanding, knowledge, health and decisiveness, balance, love and self-control, wisdom, clarity and self-esteem respectively, in a brief summary.

="Vibrant Love Space"
8X14" watercolour batik

I was immediately drawn to the Heart Labyrinth, a clear choice as it represents love, most of us are appreciative of what a heart conveys, in our popular culture as well, symbolically, so does the red in its various shades.Red is a strong archetypal/primary colour. The colour of beginnings, providing positive energy when in need to meet a demanding day, or when feeling drained of energy. It connects us to our physical body. Everything that is to be commenced needs the life vitality of red.

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"Sacred Tribal Space"
8X14" watercolour batik

The Circle had to also be included as a major component of all that relates to me, and all I relate to …
This simple, very straight forward image was the one that required the most of me, particularly because my first attempt was disastrous – I my opinion – and a “better, more pleasant” one needed to be painted instead…
That was not going to happen! My pastel hues never materialized and I was left to apply bold/primary/archetypal tones to represent all the Chakras in this labyrinth journey. There is something about it that reminds me of a warrior’s shield.
While working with it, I felt a deep/primitive call back to the basic - the genetically encoded “tribal” ways… in the very quiet of the moment I could even hear the rhythmic beat of the drums...
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The gold leaf icon in the bottom of all three was placed there to quietly reinforce the larger image/passage/meditation – I felt it needed the “weight of it” – as a grounding “force”… Gold, being a sacred hue, contributes also its power of illumination, love, self-esteem, courage and passion. Also light, sun – solar magic and fire, as well as prosperity and wisdom.

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Fleetwood (Surrey, BC) Labyrinth Building Fundraising Project

for further info contact the City of Surrey - Parks and Recreation

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the secret behind the painting "WITHIN"

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Unlike the rest of the paintings in the “Flights of Fancy” collection, this one took the longest “to mature” experiencing all the “rites of passage”, perhaps becoming one of the most poignant of metaphors yet.
I was going through the strong “circle and spiral and earth phase” when I began, as with the others, attempting to find a way to express my feelings; on this occasion to “pretend looking out to the world/earth from a secret, distant vantage point” …
It was not meant to be…
Through the months and, the many stages/attempts, I began noticing that this work was clearly telling me that it was all about looking in, not out.
It definitely had an intent of its own!
I began with a watercolour and ended up with a gold leaf mixed media piece – neither before nor after - that clearly shows the vantage point narrowing into the subject, not vise-versa… granting a rich glimpse “within”.

Within, I found a distinct focus, a horizon/resting place, with all sorts of life energy surrounding and flowing about. Just as with inner life…

A deep red solid land mass just a quarter way up into the circle, symbolizes/provides the power from the earth and gives energy on all levels.
The yellows/ambers, rising above indicating the rebirth of the day with the warm rays of the sun, connects us to our mental self.
The luscious greens, representing nature in its glory - all surrounding/cocooning - connecting us to unconditional love and balancing our whole being.
The luminous blues bring us a pacifying and great relaxation effect, as well as connecting us to our unconscious self, giving us the experience of being part of the whole universe.
The purple connects us to our spiritual self, bringing guidance, wisdom and inner strength.
The circle, a sacred hoop/ring; ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity; the goddess, and female power - the feminine spirit or force, the cosmos or a spiritualized mother earth, and a sacred space.
Last but not least, the gold, a sacred hue - symbolically leading “within” – crowning, or gently embracing the experience by contributing ancient beliefs of illumination, love, self-esteem, courage, passion, light, sun – solar magic, fire. Prosperity, wisdom and the yang …

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:) AMB

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The Secret behind the painting

"Earth" one

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It is obvious that I have "something really intriguing going on" with the colour blue and all its hues and, what feels like an airiness and translucency that reaches the depth of my soul.

Blue does bring me peace, tranquility (colour of the fifth chakra, of will, choice, self-expression, knowledge) ... yet in this painting it has a very dynamic and almost simultaneous and reversible role that quiet intrigues me as it may suggest in the shapes a duality in the elements it represents.

On the subtle "symbolic/perceptual connection" of this fifth, the "willpower Chakra" is progressing to the maturation of will: from the tribal perception that everyone and everything around you has authority over you; through the perception that you alone have the authority over you; to the final perception, that true authority comes from aligning yourself with the will of the Universe/ the Creator/ God / Ala ............ partially quoted from "The Anatomy of the Spirit" by Caroline Myss

A rather loaded concept to ponder and even more "elaborate to mature to'; which, brings me back to the special feeling this painting gives me - not really requiring words/explanations - it just IS.

This was the first time that I folded and crumpled paper in order to "express/create" together with water and pigments a fleeting glimpse at the deep sensation of what Earth felt/feels like to me.

I used the wet-on-wet technique and I must say, this was a stunning experience to me as once the brush was loaded and the tip touched the water it needed little "guiding", but a whole lot of "maneuvering" of the paper for the paint to flow in the desired directions.

For me, it represents "a miracle" in how puddled and seeped into the paper. I love using this particular "amateur" paper, because it is smooth and when throughly wet is almost like a cloth - although, one must be careful, as it is possible to cause it to tear...

Earth: raw, simple yet multi-dimensional, vibrant... wet! lol
There were three more and just recently a couple smaller in size that began the "Minies Series".

I am sure you will look at them differently form now on... what do they say to you?
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