I Spy Christian Worthington

I was recommended to take a look at a local artist named Christian Worthington. My hubby loves his paintings and we would buy up a bunch if we could. I unfortunately have not been able to attend any of his shows to see his work in person but I have been exploring his art online and I live vicariously through my hubby's descriptions of them. My husband does not get stirred easily and he LOVES Christians paintings. All of his paintings brings feelings to the surface. I look at one and I am scared, another sad, and another calm. I feel power in his work and his images have a story within them. This goes for his abstract paintings as well. I feel like abstract is not the right word because they do not feel abstract. They too have so much feeling that I am sure I am voyeur looking in at an important scene in history. I have chosen my favorite pieces, starting with my hubby's favorite, to post here and I am mourning the fact that my favorites are all ready sold and will be on some one else's wall soon.

I am also very impressed with his background and that his art is a part of private collections around the world. I stole some Christian Worthington details from his website because I am in awe of how studied he is.

"Born in 1976. Attended Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto in 1997. Currently has work in private collections in Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto, as well as Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin, London UK, and Barcelona.

Independent Study
1999
• National Gallery, London England
• Wallace Collection, London England
• British Museum, London England
• Louvre, Paris France
• Musee D'Orsay, Paris France
• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam Holland
2005
• National Gallery, London England
• Kenwood House, London England
2007
• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
• Frick Collection, New York City

Previous Exhibitions and Events
Solo (selected)
• Christian Worthington and Patrick Neufeld, cre8ery, Winnipeg Manitoba (2008)
• Art at the Ashdown, Winnipeg Manitoba (2007)
• Edge Gallery: New Paintings, Winnipeg Manitoba (2006)
• Light Gallery: New Paintings, London England (2006)
• Mennonite Heritage Gallery: Annunciation Series, Winnipeg Manitoba (2004)

Events (selected)
• Shock vs. Awe: The Art of Christian Worthington, Cardus, 2008
• Mention of CW and PN exhibition in IMAGE Journal blog.
• Cover of Presbyterian Record (April 2007)
• Fundraiser for Point Douglas Women's center (2006)
• Studio show 'Faces of the Exchange' with 'Absent Sound' (2006)
• Studio show with 'A Northern Chorus' (April 2006)
• Publication and book launch of "Christian Worthington: Recent Paintings" (April 2005)"

Take a peak into Christian's history and see what feelings he brings out in you.

www.christianworthington.com

Christian has a Christmas Art Show Dec 5th - 6th at his studio at 62 Albert St. Times are 11am-4pm. I am going to actually be able to see his paintings in person. I am very excited. He is focusing this Christmas Show towards the $100 - $500 range. Come check them out and see what emotions his paintings bring out in you.

Faeries From the Prairies

One thing that most of you do not know about me is my fascination for faeries and Celtic folklore. I have always had a wild imagination and believing in faeries is not out there for me. Faeries From the Prairies is a land where childhood imagination takes life. Faerie Wendy designs beautiful costumes for every little faerie or princess in your home, young and old with lush fabrics such as silk, velvet, and cottons. They look like they are right out of the fairytale that you read to your child before bedtime.

Wendy is creative and a talented seamstress. She also makes sure that the costumes are school & daycare tested for durability and machine washable if you can believe it. She does not want to limit dress up for special occasions. She wants children to be able to imagine a new world anytime they like and create lasting memories.

There are many costume makers out there. If you walk into any box store you can find princesses and pirates all year round. These costume are made out of thin man made materials and plastic. They are cheaply made and nothing compared to Wendy's faeries and princesses. Your child is unique and so is her imagination. Let her choose a faerie to be that no one else is. Do not limit her with costumes of branded characters that line the shelves. Wendy also can create a faerie of your child's making. She can custom make a costume along with you and your child's imagination. Check out her beautiful fantasy website and blog where faeries are brought to life.

If you keep your eyes open and believe in what you cannot see then you may just get a glimpse of Wendy's faeries at a local craft fair or maybe even Folk Fest next year. ;)


www.faeriesfromtheprairies.ca













www.faeriesfromtheprairies.blogspot.com

In Plain View Winnipeg Artists

In Plain View Winnipeg Artists Studio Directory has been compiled by a group of professional Winnipeg artists who have joined forces to promote their work. It can be a great place to look for local artisans and artists in Winnipeg. The artists featured here work in many medias such as painting, ceramics, sculpture, watercolour, printmaking, glass art, jewelery-making, wood, metal, wearable art and more. There are a few artisans/artists along this tour that I plan to look into more deeply and feature on my blog in the future. Winnipeg has such an abundance of creative talent and these artists will have work ready to purchase on site and many will also be available to custom create their works for you.
The main focus of this site is to encourage people to take one or more of the self-guided studio/gallery tours that are offered.

"The primary focus of this project is the promotion of local visual artists as professional, contributing members of Winnipeg's community. We hope that this initiative will create greater awareness and support for Winnipeg's working artists. They are your neighbours and friends and would like to meet you."

Take a look at the website and find a self-guided tour or thumb through the local artisans and artists being featured. They have detailed information on each of the talented people taking part on the tour so if you cannot physically meet them and view their work you can order from their websites or contact them directly for possible custom work.

www.inplainviewwinnipeg.com

All the tours are free of charge and it enables you to visit Winnipeg artists in their studios on the weekends of November 7 - 8 and December 5 - 6, 2009 and June 5 - 6, 2010. Studios will be open from 12 noon to 5 pm for all tour dates. Tour brochures can be found at Explore Manitoba Centre at The Forks (adjacent to the Johnston Terminal) and at Destination Winnipeg, 259 Portage Avenue (204-943-1970) and at the studios and galleries listed in this brochure.

Signatures Craft Show & Sale is This Week

I heard about this and thought I should post it here. It is a large Craft Show at the Convention Centre. It doesn't exclusively feature Manitoba artisans but it does have some interesting tables and a lot of local crafters. Have a look at the website for listings of some of the artisans on show:

http://signatures.ca/winnipeg

This is the main info from the site about the show:

"The Signatures Craft Show and Sale is celebrating it's 30th year in Winnipeg and is proud to be presenting the fantastic, handmade works of Manitoba's and Canada's finest artists, artisans and designers.

Buying green products or products made with environment friendly methods is the logical choice in today's world. The Signatures Craft Show and Sale has been a pioneer in offering original green products for 30 years. For 4 days only, our Winnipeg customers will not only find the best, unique gifts to give during the holidays, they will be making the right choice."

The details on the event are:

"Nov 19-22nd
Location: Winnipeg Convention Centre, 3rd floor, Hall B
Visitors please use Southwest elevator or escalator
Show Hours:
Thursday and Friday from 11am to 9pm
Saturday from 9am to 6pm
Sunday from 9am to 5pm

Admission
Free Admission for all visitors!"

Kate & Birdie Paper Company

I came across Kate & Birdie Paper Company accidentally. I don't even remember how I fell upon them. I don't think I was searching online for anyone named Kate or any Birdies. I think maybe it was green gifts in Winnipeg or something along that road. I am very environmentally conscious and I try to support organic and environmentally friendly products whenever I can. That is one of the reasons I started this blog. So when I read that Kate & Birdie are commitment to creating a smaller footprint by making cards from recycled papers made with wind-generated electricity and by using plant-based biodegradable wrap to envelope each note card I was instantly impressed. Once I got past their first impression I saw the cards. They create beautiful in-house designed illustrations for a variety of types of cards, invitations, boxed notes, imprintables, wrap, and home wall pieces. The images are very modern, fresh, and cheerful. The designs seem to incorporate urban nature and rural nature. I love the street lamps especially. Their 2009 collection gives the feeling that someone was snapping photos as they walked through a beautiful park in the middle of a busy city.

Kate & Birdie Paper Company have been featured in House & Home Magazine, on Canada AM, and Gloria of Kate & Birdie was nominated two years in a row for the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Congrats!!

Kate & Birdie cards are available to purchase at numerous unique bookstores and boutiques in Winnipeg such as Creative Paper Gallery, Small Indulgence, Tiber River, Lake Life, McNally Robinson, Thoughtful Touch, U of W Bookstore, Edward Carrier, Desart, Bailiwix, and The Garden Room. They are also available online at www.jackcards.com, www.elephant-shoe.ca, and www.heritagekids.ca.

Stop in at one of the stores above or take a peak at their website:

www.kateandbirdie.com

Osborne Village's Own Cupcakery

This morning I am posting a review on The Cupcake Corner because I am having my 1030 am chocolate craving and can't stop thinking about their chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing. I have tried making my own version because I am fairly handy in the kitchen but I cannot get the icing right. They know their stuff and the memory of their delicious icing has stayed with me since my last visit there.

I found this cupcakery with a friend maybe 6 months ago. I guess I had seen it in passing many times but finally found an excuse to stop in. We were out garage saleing and decided that we needed a sweet fix and drove past The Cupcake Corner and decided that it was our stop for the day. We chose the right place because as we entered The Cupcake Corner we saw rows and rows of brightly iced cupcakes. She chose a large mocha chocolate cupcake and I chose a large peanut butter chocolate for myself, & 2 small cupcakes in strawberry vanilla and banana chocolate for my little girl. I am a bit of a pusher when it comes to delicious baking. My girl cannot become one of those kids that prefer salty treats to chocolate. I would have to disown her. ;) Back to the review. Well....I am an icing woman. The cake of course was good but the icings were awesome!! I ended up eating the peanut butter and the banana one. My friend loved her mocha cupcake too. They were truly delicious.

Since then, my daughter calls Cupcake Corner her cupcake store and we go now and then and each pick a cupcake. She prefers the vanilla cupcakes with the fruity icings and I always get the peanut butter chocolate because I cannot get over the icing. It is a great place to drop in for something sweet. Normally they have chocolate or vanilla cupcakes with a variety of icings on hand for drop ins but if you want to try something new and even more exciting you can pre-order by the dozen nearly any flavour under the sun: red velvet, apple cinnamon, peanut butter & jam, coconut key lime, blueberry, double chocolate, maple walnut, peach, mango, after eight, banana cream, strawberry banana, chocolate bailey's, double chocolate brownie, strawberry almond, cranberry lemon, smore, lemon poppyseed, ginger apple, cookies & cream, and assorted cheesecakes: strawberry, raspberry, chocolate chips, pumpkin, etc, etc, etc.

I have noticed a new trend lately at the weddings I have attended. Many people are opting for a cupcake tower rather than a traditional wedding cake. The Cupcake Corner can cater weddings, birthday parties, or any other function. They also can make a birthday boy or girl a giant cupcake. The only thing better than a cupcake is a giant cupcake topped with peanut butter icing reaching up to the sky. Oh how I love that icing.





I am now dying for something sweet and they are unfortunately closed on Sundays so I am ending my review so I can dig for some chocolate chips from the freezer. Check out Cupcake Corner in person, pre-order by phone or order online at:

www.thecupcakecorner.ca

The Cupcake Corner - Winnipeg
439 Stradbrook Ave.
Winnipeg MB
R3L 0J7

Phone 204.453.CAKE (2253)
Fax 204.453.2287




The Cupcake Corner - Saskatoon
10-3311 8th St E.
Saskatoon SK
S7H 4K1

Phone 306.933.3385
Fax 306.933.3381

Email: info@thecupcakecorner.ca

Shop Hours
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
CLOSED - Sunday

"Why should people in the prairies have to fly as far as Vancouver just to enjoy a great cupcake? Our story is as simple as that. We decided to open The Cupcake Corner because our own love of this delicious and fun dessert. After researching and testing hundreds of recipes, we’ve found a premium, winning product that puts a smile on the face of every one who tries them. Now who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

At the Cupcake Corner, we hand craft our mixes and hand ice our cupcakes, fresh every day. Stop by and pick up your cupcakes to go, have them delivered to your door, or talk to us about catering your event. We’re sure you’ll enjoy them as much as we do!" - The Cupcake Corner

R.A.Steen Craft Fair Vendors

I just got back from the fair and surprising there were some wreaths and snowmen men made out of cotton balls. ;) If that's your thing then that is great. If not, here are some of the other vendors.

- Three Angels Jewelry & Gifts - handmade jewerly made from Wolseley local
- Paperplay Creations cards, gift bags, tags, how to classes, and handmade birthday parties for children. www.paperplay.ca
- Total She Inc - check out website www.totalshe.com
- Deloresart - plaques, magnets and more made by graphic design & illustrator Delores Orridge (www.deloresart.ca) from Brandon Manitoba
- Aradia's Gallery & Naturals - handmade essential oil's, bath & beauty products, and more. www.aradiasgallery.ca
- Christina Von Schindler - Fine Functional & Wearable Art. Another Wosleley local
- Boomerang 360 degrees - Kylie Stomp's graphic design t-shirts and other designs www.boomerang360studio.com
- Jake Chenier Photography - Jake is a francophone musician that has music releases in both english and french as well as children's music. He now is documenting his adventures with photography. jakechenierphotography.com
- Naw Kay Backstrap Handwoven Designs - scarves, tablecloths, bags, tops, and skirts made on a traditional backstrap loom
- Kurio Studio & Gallery - photography, art & custom book design. http://adrphotographicart.blogspot.com/
- Photographs by Pat Bragg
- Craig Street Cats - Wolseley area cat rescue. http://cats.wolseley girl.com

Other's that either didn't have business cards or I missed their cards were handmade soaps, more photography, handmade cards, photo cards, handmade dog treats, knitwear, a little baking (not enough for my tastes), clothing, vintage items, and more. I have a toddler talking my ear off right now so I apologize to any missed vendors. Check it out along with the other craft fairs this weekend. There is always some neat finds at these things!!!

I will probably do some reviews or posts this month on a couple of these vendors that stood out to me so keep an eye out for them.