Delfina Falcao

Ottawa artist Delfina Falcao is one busy and extremely talented lady -- when she's not creating gorgeous glass murals, she's forming lovely glass lampshades and one of a kind area rugs. Here's a photo of Delfina in her studio and some examples of her outstanding work. I especially love the glass mural hanging in the bathroom. What a fabulous way to add pizzaz to a contemporary space. For more information, you can reach Delfina at 613-599-9540 or design@delfinafalcao.com Happy viewing and imagining!

Sharon Kelly - Ottawa art

I start to crave colour around this time of year. Big, bold, beautiful colour -- the kind of colour you find in summer; exotic locales; or gorgeous, textured paintings like those of Ottawa artist, Sharon Kelly. Here are some examples of Sharon's work -- all kaleidiscopes of bright, vibrant colour. Each totally meet my summer cravings, and I hope you enjoy them, too. BTW, Sharon's work is available through the Dale Smith Gallery in Ottawa, and more examples of her work are displayed on the Gallery website.

Andrew King: Part 2

There is good news for Ottawa art fans this cold, February night! Ottawa artist, Andrew King has just launched his first solo art exhibit at the Terence Robert Gallery, 531 Sussex Drive, in Ottawa. Here are some examples of his new works -- as quirky, delightful, and animated as ever! Enjoy, and do pop by if you can. The exhibition runs until March 5th.

The Burakkii Collection: Sara Seggie

Imagine ...

It's 10 PM on a Friday night and you're relaxing in your spacious, contemporary living room after a demanding week ...
A fire crackles gently in the fireplace, and gleaming, dark mahogany floors reflect its golden light ...
Through floor to ceiling clear glass windows, you see snow gently falling ...

You sit back luxuriously on your Roche-Bobois sofa, outfitted in the most neutral of fabrics, and glance contentedly at your surroundings, relishing the sense of peace and modern elegance. Finally, your eye comes to rest on this magnificent work of art ...



And you stop ... as always dazzled by the commanding presence of this colourful, modern mosaic wall hanging which so perfectly complements the room's spacious simplicity ...

And, you realize, once again, how lucky you were to find this unique piece -- which is part of Canadian modern mosaic artist, Sara Seggie's, newly launched Burakkii Collection ...

Enjoy everyone, and I hope your weekends are as blissful as the one above! See you Monday!

Alison Fowler

It's Saturday, and I'm back with Day 3 of Ottawa Artist Week. I do hope you're enjoying seeing some of the great art originating with artists in Ottawa. Today, I'm profiling the florals of Alison Fowler, done in fantasticly colourful acrylics -- perfect for grey, January weather like we have here today. Here are some sample images, and you can check out more of Alison's work at http://www.artbyalison.com/ If you live in Ottawa, you can also head down to Alison's solo show at The Foolish Chicken, a funky restaurant at 79 Holland Avenue. Happy rest of the weekend, everyone!

Karen Goetzinger

I'm back with Day 2 of Ottawa Artist Week, and so pleased to introduce Karen Goetzinger, a mixed media textile artist who is based here in Ottawa. I certainly don't know much about textile art -- and suspect I am not alone. But, when I first saw Karen's work last week, I thought, wow, how beautiful. I love the colours and texture, and am so impressed that much is stitched by hand. Just imagine one larger work displayed on a wall, or four arranged together. Wouldn't they make a lovely, stunning focal point -- especially if shown against low, contemporary furniture? Unfortunately, I can't show you more images right now because I'm fighting with technology and it's getting late! But, please do check out Karen's website http://www.karengoetzinger.com/ and enjoy her creative talents. There's more wonderful abstracts, and she also creates kimono-canvas which are extremely unique.

Heidi Conrod

Last night, I looked at my calendar and thought -- yikes, it's mid-January and we don't have any major holidays coming up soon. How about I proclaim this Ottawa Artist Week, just for the fun of it? And so I have, for anyone reading, at least! Over the next few days, I'm going to highlight three local artists whose works have recently caught my attention. First off is Heidi Conrod and her marvelous portraits. Heidi's work is found in numerous corporate and private collections and is currently displayed in Ottawa at the Dale Smith Gallery http://www.dalesmithgallery.com/ Please visit this website to see more beautiful examples of Heidi's work.

Cloudscapes by Keith Burnett

Tonight, I'm going to veer away from holiday postings, and share the work of Ottawa artist, Keith Burnett. Keith paints the most fabulous cloudscapes I have ever seen! They draw me in and, all of a sudden, I'm remembering the look of skies I've seen in the past. Here are a few of my favourites. And, if you happen to be in Ottawa this weekend, Keith is hosting an open house at his studio. For the address, time, and more beautiful examples of his work, vist http://www.gallery4thavenue.com/ Have a great weekend, everyone! And, do pop by on Monday. I'm going to be posting photos of the most exquisitely decorated shop I've ever seen! ...

Alanna Baird

We're all trying to do our bit for the environment, but Ottawa artist Alanna Baird is taking it one step further -- taking old, tin can lids or recycled scrap copper -- and making them into the most beautiful fish sculptures imaginable. All of the tin comes from the community, and Alanna often finds little packages of lids tied to her doorknob, cleaned and left there by people she doesn't know, ready to be transformed into perfect fish scales. More recently, Alanna has started using scrap copper in her sculptures, which means they can be used and left outside. Here are a few photos of Alanna's remarkable fish --the first two are made from recycled tin lids; the last is made from recyled scrap copper. Hope you find them as beautiful as I do, and if you're interested in contacting Alanna or viewing more of her work, she's reachable through http://www.tinfish.ca/

Rosemary Leach

I'm very happy to show you some of Rosemary Leach's wonderful paintings tonight. Rosemary is based in Almonte, Ontario -- just outside of Ottawa -- and her colourful art is perfect for this rather cold, November evening. Her paintings are bold and happy, and a celebration of everyday objects and life. Enjoy and you can see more by visiting http://www.rosemaryleach.com/ or by visiting the Lux Gallery in Carleton Place, where a selection of Rosemary's paintings are on display. BTW, I completely love the second image. I could just be in that kitchen or balcony when I look at it!

Sara Seggie - Part II

I've posted on Sara Seggie before (October 18th) and you know how I love her mosaic work. One of Sara's creations -- a guitar with glass bonded to the surface in intricate designs -- is now on display in the front window of the Ottawa Folklore Centre on Bank Street. Here it is for you to take a look at. And, congratulations, Sara. It looks fabulous, and definitely stood out when I drove by this morning!

Bhat Boy

Dragons and nuns ... Goldfish swimming around towers with huge eyes. Welcome to the marvellous, zany world of Ottawa artist, Bhat Boy -- a world where imagination and eye for detail clearly reigns supreme. And, if nuns and dragons aren't your cup of tea, then Bhat Boy's representational landscape and flower paintings are just as impressive. Check out "Haunted Weather", perfect for a spooky pre-Hallowe'en night; "Gigantica", the most gorgeous sunflower imaginable; and for all of us Ottawa natives, "February Thaw". I hope you enjoy Bhat Boy's work as much as I do, and if you want to see more, his work is impressively displayed and orderable through http://www.bhatboy.com/.
Oops, I gotta go, I hear a dragon at my door ... He must have just swooshed in from the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill!

Christmas is coming

Well, ok, I know it's not even Hallowe'en yet, but it will be soon, and then, we'll all be starting to think just a little bit about Christmas, right?

But, it's Ottawa artists like Janine Smith who make shopping for Christmas easy and so much fun. Here are a few photos of her custom, hand-painted furniture and one-of-a-kind board games. Whether it's Checkers, Snakes and Ladders, Backgammom, or a beautiful rocking chair, Janine has them all, and I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do.

BTW, Janine does custom designs, so if you have an item, or a special someone in mind, it might be fun to give her a call at 613-222-3021, or visit her Web site http://www.janinesmith.ca/ before it starts to get cold outside!

Sara Seggie

I have a real humdigger of a cold tonight -- so, I was really happy when I opened up my email and found mosaic artist, Sara Seggie, had sent me photos of her amazing wall hangings. Sara creates all her art pieces with "intuition and passion", using machine and hand rolled glass of many colours and textures. She then cuts the glass into various shapes and sizes, arranges them, and bonds them to an MDF surface that is bonded to plywood. Once the glass is well bonded, it is grouted and polished, and all set for wall display. Here are a few of Sara's beautiful art pieces. And, if you'd like to see more, The Collection http://www.collectionbar56.com/
-- a great little martini lounge in the Byward Market -- has some of her pieces on display, too. Sounds good to me: great martinis and great art. Can't go wrong there! (BTW, Sara's reachable at saraseggie@gmail.com)

Tick Tock Tom

I have a treat for you today -- the work of sculpture, Tick Tock Tom. Tom is based here in Ottawa -- of course! -- and all his truly 'green' works are made from scrap metals originating from old computers, photocopiers, assembly lines, etc. Here are a few photos of some of his amazing work and you can see more at http://www.ticktocktom.com/

Felicity Taylor

I love jigsaw puzzles and I love Felicity Taylor's contemporary artwork for kids -- which is really, in effect, large painted jigsaw puzzles on multiple canvasses. Take a look at these terrific examples of Felicity's work and go to http://www.felicitytaylorart.com/ to view her portfolio and more information. BTW, Felicity does commissions, so, if you have a piece of art in mind for one of your kid's bedrooms, a playroom, or as a gift, why not give her a call. I'm thinking a giant dinosaur might be fun! ...

Christine Moses

I love the mosaic work of Christine Moses, a local artist who'se based close to Almonte, Ontario. Each piece - made up of bits of broken glass and china - has a special story behind it. Here are a few of my favourites.

BTW, if you're interested in seeing more of Christine's work, she's participating in the Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour around Almonte this weekend www.crownandpumpkin.ca
If the weather gets better, this would be a terrific way to get out of the city and see some great local artists!