benjamin bridge sauvignon blanc

(post by kara)

When asked this July if I would be able to create a painting for the release of the Benjamin Bridge Sauvignon Blanc, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I was honoured. 

"Dara Gordon, co-founder of Benjamin Bridge, envisioned potential greatness for Sauvignon Blanc in Nova Scotia and refused to let growing challenges alter this quest. This week we are releasing a wine that represents our unconditional commitment to pursue the best of our regional terroir."

My process for creating this painting was to start with understanding the terroir, the mood, emotion and flavours behind the wine and from there I put together a mood board to share with the team. I wanted to make sure I was headed in the right direction.

From there, I sit with all of the keywords, images and information I'm given and let it marinate. Sometimes that takes a few days to let it all settle and then the fun begins! In my studio sits a blank canvas, my tools, great light and a glass (or two) of sauvignon blanc.

Here's the end result.

sauvignon blanc, acrylic mixed media on canvas, 2014

Painting on wood

At our last Table Twenty-Five event the art project for the evening was painting silhouettes onto wood. Each person was given a 12x12" piece of pine and I walked them through how to get their image onto it (after a few glasses of wine). It was a success. Nic and I did a practice run at my place a week before just to see how it would turn out with a little instruction. You can learn how-to here.

Here's Nic working on her son's silhouette.

Here are a few people the night of, working on their pieces. Aprons on and wine glasses nearby.

I spend a fair bit of time in Brooklyn and love going to the Brooklyn Flea market. The last time I was there, I ran into an artist I'd met in Soho a few years back. He was selling his art on the corner of Mott and Prince. I bought a bird screen-printed on linen. Turns out he's painting on wood now and I absolutely feel in love with this piece below. His name is Philip Sachs.

Another thing I love to do is find paintable surfaces in the trash. I found this piece of wood in the trash in Brooklyn. Excited to paint on it! Stay-tuned. PS - If you're interested in attending our next Table Twenty-Five event, you can purchase tickets by clicking the link above on the right...or you can click here.

my blue shelf

(kara)

I love thift stores. I didn't always though. My mom starting shopping at Value Village over 30 years ago in East Vancouver on Hastings Street, near our house. As a kid, getting anything second-hand was embarrassing and I remember having my lunch packed one day in a VV shopping bag and when I pulled it out at lunchtime in my grade five classroom – I was mortified. I remember crying that night at home, asking my mom how she could do that to me. Back in 1985, it wasn't cool to shop at second-hand stores...or at least it wasn't where I grew up.

When I got older, my grandma, mom and I would go and do the circuit on seniors day to all the VV's and Salvation Armys in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and even sometimes Maple Ridge – we were serious about it and often turned it into a day trip. It was a bonus for me because it meant 30% off and most times my grandma and/or mom would pay for my things. I still look forward to Tuesday's with my mom when I visit and think of my Grandma everytime I go. I never admitted going until later on when I'd find myself wanting to go on my own, living away from home, to hunt for treasures. Instead of lying to friends where I was or where I'd purchased things, I'd fess up, at first reluctantly, for fear that they'd make fun of me, like when I was a kid. Turns out I have some pretty amazing friends!

I grew up with a resourceful family. My aunt always refinished pieces she'd find in bright colours. My mom always had a collection of treasures and I remember going to a lot of garage sales in my childhood – even hosting my own in my front yard if I needed an allowance top up. My mom would say "Why spend $100 on something when you can find it for $10?". Sometimes that's hard when you want it now, shinny and new straight out of the shop. But I learned at an early age that being patient, resourcful and treasure hunting for what was waiting to be uncovered at roadsides, garages and thrift shops, was not only less expensive, but it was saving stuff from going into the landfills. Most importantly, it's a ton of fun, especially when you find something you love.

My most recent find was a find on Kijiji. A shelf that I fell in love with for its legs. I primed and painted it a lovely shade of blue.

- kara

Primer: Zinsser Cover Stain

Painted: Semi-gloss Benjamin Moore: Lucerne AF-530

Michelle St.Onge

Our friend, Michelle St.Onge, makes beautiful silk screened pieces. Nic and I have both purchased pieces from her and on a trip to Austin last year, I feel in love with my first piece – Power Plant – printed on linen (below). Whenever I can, I like to support artists, especially local ones. It takes a lot of time and energy to create and then sell your own work. Michelle does all her own printing and stretching by hand and her process from start to finish is inpiring to watch. She has just completed a new collection for Austin and Halifax.

Her Austin and New Orleans prints can be seen here and her Halifax pieces can be viewed after May 7th at Morris East and Argyle Fine Art. Michelle is offering a 50% discount until May 7 on her new Halifax collection. You can view the collection here and contact her via email if you're interested.

I'm headed into her studio in the next couple weeks to have her show me some cool techiques I can use on my own pieces. Super pumped!

Power Plant

A few pieces from the Halifax series:

Tower Rd. Pigment Print on Organic Canvas 24" x 36"

Hart & Thistle. Pigment Print on Organic Canvas 24" x 36"

Tall Ships. Pigment Print on Organic Canvas 36" x 24"

Bedford Overpass. Pigment Print on Organic Canvas 24" x 24"

A few pieces from the Austin series:

Mean Eyed Cat. Original Silk Screen on Canvas 24x36

SXSW on 6th. Original Silk Screen on Canvas 16x54

inspired

During a walk last week in Brooklyn...I was insanely inspired by dumpsters and doors. A nod to my art school days where we were instructed to slow down and look at things we'd normally miss. It was nice to slow down to seize and soak it all in. I love the layering of paint, paper, rust and what time does to surfaces.