Nuit Blanche Tonight!

Wondering what to do tonight? You may have heard it's the 6th annual Nuit Blanche this weekend, so what events are you planning on going to? I'm placing my bets on the En Masse exhibition, at Galerie Pangee. Curated by Tim Barnard and Jason Botkin (friends of ours from HQ galerie as well) this show brings together 28 of the citys finest artists (including my BF Tyson) resulting in one enormous collaborative mural. I popped into the gallery last week to drop off a few of Tysons canvas pieces to add to the display, and was blown away by the work!

Rupert Bottenberg (artist and writer for the Montreal Mirror) was there working away, as was co-curator Jason Botkin. The artists involved in the show have been working on the project throughout the month of February, slowly and organically adding to each others work, creating a floor to ceiling black and white monolith of a piece.


So tonight is the wrap party, one and all are invited to view the fruits of their labour. We suggest you come down to the finest party in the city amongst the many activities marking the all night festivities of Nuit Blanche...a party not to be missed!

Here are a whole whack of links for you to check out and ensure yourself that it is a show WELL worth seeing!

To check out the facebook site:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=73302040336&ref=mf

En Masse on the Galerie Pangee website:
http://www.galeriepangee.com/index.php?page=col&lang=fr&id=55

xo
Angie

Olivia Jeffries

Another one of the talented artists participating in the "Prints are People Too!" show is Olivia Jeffries, who is based out of Norwich (UK). Olivia graduated in 2000 with a BA in (appropriately) printmaking and photomedia from Norwich School of Art and Design. As is so appartent in her work, Olivia notes that her creative process is highly influenced by her fascination with used paper. She loves the feeling of working on a surface that has already been given a sense of purpose in a previous incarnation and has become worn over time. As a love of all things vintage and old, I can heavily relate to that feeling, and suspect this is one of the reason I was initially drawn to her work.


Although the works we will be enjoying in the show next weekend are prints, the originals are made using old letter, books or packaging materials. By making art out of them they are detached from their original roles and combined with Olivias ghostly figures, drawn from old photographs and stripped of their surroundings.

Gentle yet eery, thoughtful yet naive, Olivias work appeals to us in a very understated way that makes you feel slightly uncomfortable, while you catch yourself sneaking another peek. We think it may be the voyeuristic feeling created through the use of the photographic inspiration, but whatever it is, we like it!

Hero Design Studio

"Prints Are People Too!" opens March 7th. Here is another sneak peek at some of the work.....

Hero Design Studio is a full-service design studio specializing in all forms of visual media, located in Buffalo, NY. Founded by Mark Brickey and Beth Manos Brickey, Hero has created over 170 hand silkscreen printed rock posters, album packaging, identities, merchandise and more. With a client list that includes national, regional and local accounts, Hero has worked for bands ranging from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Blondie to Spoon and She & Him, and designed marketing materials for the Coalition of Independent Record stores since 2001. Working closely with prominent record stores such as Ear-X-tacy in Lousiville, KY, their innovative approach to music marketing has resulted in the development of successful promotional events and campaigns. With the addition of artist Ryan Besch, 2006 marked the the opening of their designer boutique and studio in downtown Buffalo.

Fifi Lapin

Another great artist whose work will be part of the "Prints are People Too!" show is the lovely Fifi Lapin, from London (England). Like most of my Etsy favorites, I ran across her shop completely by accident, and was immediately smitten. I mean, amazing illustrations of bunnies in designer collections? How could I resist!?


Here's a little bio, grabbed directly from her shop:

I was born one of 257 brothers and sisters but sadly there was an outbreak of myxamatosis when I was one year old and I was the only one that survived. My parents are therefore incredibly protective of me and spoil me rotten. I'm an 'haress' to my fathers fortune which he made playing fast and loose with carrot and lettuce shares on the international stock market. There are a lot of rabbits out there so I guess he just struck gold (or orange you might say). Some people think I’m just a socialite but I think there is more to me than just an extremely stylish clotheshorse! I love to wear the latest fashions and I never wear the same outfit twice which means each and every one of my original drawings is totally unique

I'm madly in love with every single print in her shop. Her drawings of the designer collections are brilliant (see some recent ones on her blog), you can even search her illustrations by designer, so fabulous! (look in the lower right hand column of the blog) . Her single bunny portraits are utterly charming as well, and come with dreamy titles like "stormy tea dress" and "fifi in the striped shirt".


Fifi recently finished work on a collab mini collection with LeSportsac, what a perfect match!
You can read more about this collab on her website www.iheartfifilapin.com. Sadly we will not be selling ltd. edition LeSportsac at HQ any time soon, but don't miss out on one of her prints from our show!

xo
Angie

Sick Day

Sick Day photograph by Aeburse

Tyson is out for the count today, and I'm swamped with orders, so the shop will be closed for the day. Sorry to any folks who tried to stop by and only found a closed store! This is only the second time in 3 years that Tyson has randomly "called in sick" and he really needs the day off!

xo
Angie

Kristiana Pärn

Kristiana Pärn will be participating in next months "Prints Are People Too!" exhibit, which opens March 7th. Bring your friends!

Kristiana Pärn is an artist in New York City. Born in Estonia, at the age of seventeen she launched her art career, studying with Estonian painter Marje Berlokko. Shortly after graduation, Kristiana moved to New York City to study animation at The School of Visual Arts. Since 2005, she has focused exclusively on illustration work, starting out as a textile designer for various Manhattan studios. Recently, Kristiana established her own studio in Brooklyn where she creates original work for clients in the New York area and exhibits her paintings and drawings at local galleries.

Laura Berger

Prints Are People Too!

Laura Berger is a self-taught artist and illustrator based in lovely Chicago, Illinois.
She started painting and drawing because it made her feel good. It is still working.

Working primarily with gouache and ink, her art is currently centered around a dreamlike land full of lovable creature-friends and a smattering of kindly humans. Her work is focused on the connections of these characters to each other and their environment, exploring the possibility of finding novelty in everyday life, and discovering the joy that comes from opening up to unlikely companions and fantastic situations.




Laura Berger is taking part in March's exhibit, "Prints Are People Too!", which opens on the 7th. Be sure to come, have a drink and check out her amazing work.

Skating on the Highway...

Well, I just wiped out big time on the ice while walking the dogs this morning. It mostly sucked for two reasons:

1 - it hurt like a bitch, and I have a huge bruise and lump forming on my leg
2 - my dogs TOTALLY did not come to my rescue. Spidey just ran off to smell things in the back lane, and Mary started pooping. Nice.

But one good thing came of it I guess, the killer ice made me remember this video my aunt recently sent me. It involves ice. That's how my brain works I guess.



This video was taken on Feb. 9th just outside of Sanford, MB, about 15 minutes from where my parents live (Starbuck, MB), and also happens to be the town where I went to high school. They recently had some RAIN (which is not normal February weather in Manitoba) and then of course it froze over night. So driving was almost impossible, although my parents went in to work for some reason and drove 15km/hr the whole way there. Crazy people.

The second amazing part of this video is the music, so nice! The singer/songwriter is Carly Maicher, also from Sanford. Check out more of her music on her MySpace page HERE

xo
Angie

Happy Friday the 13th/Valentines Day!

Whoa, I just realized that's kind of a weird combo....although they're not on the same day, one day apart is pretty close. So I found the perfect video for you all to enjoy....

A "How To" on handmade undies, with a trailer for the new Friday the 13th movie smack in the middle of it. Yes, I'm THAT good. You know, at working the internet.



And for those less crafty, check out some of these amazing Etsy sellers who make handmade undies!

Clockwise from upper left corner:
ClareBare, Twinsyndrome, Ruffeoheartslilsnoty, Bullfight, Supayana

And for the boys...

Ruffeoheartslilsnoty (top), Junk Drawers (bottom)

xo
Angie

Happy Friday the 13th, and an early Valentines Day!

Spins & Needles is coming to Montreal....THIS WEEKEND!

As usual, I assume I know what you're thinking...

"Spins and Needles is really fun to say, but what the hell is she talking about?"


Well, basically what happens is a bunch of awesome people get together and do fun crafty stuff while DJs do their thing. Sounds pretty much perfect. And what is the fun crafty stuff we'll be doing?

Shrinky Dinks....HELL YEAH!

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about and are just giggling at the word "dink" right now....
#1: Tyson, stop it
#2: It involves drawing, plastic, and a little toaster oven. You can't argue with that kind of fun!


When: Sunday, February 15 @ 9:00 p.m. onwards
Where: Le Divan Orange Lounge (4234 Blvd. St-Laurent @ Rue Rachel)
Cover: $6 (includes all materials + instructions) 19+

DJs: DJ Jason Pelletier (ottawa) + B'Ugo (Academy/MTL) + Uzi (Academy/Soulmeka/MTL) will hit the decks throughout the night spinning some jackin' house, funk, disco, techno and other assorted funky beats.

For more info on the various events these folks throw, check them out HERE

xo
Angie

Amy Blackwell

Amy Blackwell is another artist taking part in "Prints Are People Too!" a group exhibit featuring prints from international artists that sell on Etsy.

You can check out her blog here.

Julia Pott

"Prints Are People Too!"

March 7th, s009 will be the opening night of "Prints Are People Too!" A group exhibit featuring prints by international artists that sell on Etsy

Julia Pott is one of the amazing artists taking part in the show. Here are some of the prints that will be in the show.....

"All The Boys"

"Toothy"

"He Has A Goldfish With His Girlfriend"

"It's No Big Deal"

And her bio:

Julia Pott is an animator/illustrator working out of London. Graduating with First Class Honors from Kingston University in 2007 her graduating film 'My First Crush' went on to be nominated for the Youtube Short Film of the Year Award, the British Animation Awards and the London International Animation Festival. It has also been showcased at the South by Southwest Film Festival and at Pangea Day in LA.

After graduating she was signed to Picasso Pictures, Soho, going on to direct an animated set for a production of 'Find Me' in Dublin, a music promo for the band Casiotone for the Painfully Alone which premiered on MTV2 in November 2008, the Picasso Pictures Christmas Viral and Etsy's Title Sequences.

In November 2008 she launched 'Treat Studios', a new animation company consisting of her and 5 other animators. Her illustration has been exhibited in Colorado, London and Antwerp and her work is sold worldwide in stores. Press includes features in Nylon, Cosmopolitan Magazine Norway and a commissioned documentary for Handmade Portraits by Etsy.

Her future plans include upcoming music videos, and a solo exhibition in Guadalajara, Mexico.

All in Together Now: Lifetime Collective Opening Party!

Wow, it seems like ages since we've had an opening party! In reality we had our last one the second weekend of December, but with all the craziness of the holidays, and deciding to not do a January show this year, it's been the longest stretch of time between shows in the history of the gallery! So we highly suggest you come down and celebrate the return of the art show with us tomorrow (Saturday night).


In case you haven't heard of the Lifetime Collective, it's kind of a mash up of publisher, artist collective, clothing line full of folks who are into photography, art, skateboarding, writing, making music and cycling. If you think it sounds kind of awesome, you're right. It's totally awesome, and so is the art.

Find out more about the Lifetime Collective HERE

Where: Galerie + Boutique Headquarters, 1649 Amherst
When: Saturday Feb. 7th, 7pm-11pm

xo
Angie

Ben Tour

Ben Tour is an amazing Vancouver based artist that will be showcased in this months exhibit, "All In Together Now" presented by Lifetime Collective. You can check out an awesome interview with Ben on the Fecal Face site here

Don't forget to come to the opening here at HQ on February the 7th. From 7-11 pm All are welcome so bring your friends.

This ilk

Those of you in Montreal will know about the Souk@SAT holiday artisan show that we've sold our designs at for the past few seasons, and you will probably also know that the work being sold at the show is really amazing. So every time we're doing this show, we're also sneaking off to check out the work and see if anything will be a good fit for HQ.


THIS time however, a great new designer for HQ was literally thrown in our lap. OK well not literally, that would be a bit weird, but what really happened was Clayton & Adam from Complex Geometries came over and were like "you HAVE to have our friends stuff in your store, it's amazing, and it would be perfect."


I can hardly argue with that kind of introduction, and yes, they were right. Smartly the lovely designer (Tamara Bavdek) was wearing a few of her pieces at the show, and I was immediatley smitten. Now I'm happy to say we're fully stocked up at HQ with her beautifully ornate, yet modern pieces. Love!


To give you a bit of background info about "This Ilk" here's some info that Tamara gave me:

What about the name, "This Ilk"?
the word Ilk signifies "of the same class or kind"

Who is the person behind all this goodness?
Tamara Bavdek completed a bachelor's degree in Industrial Design at University of Montreal in 2007. After many, many years of long blond hair, she needed a change. After finally getting a short haircut, she started seeking large earrings to compliment and femininize her look. (I can totally relate to this by the way, having had long hair for many years before chopping it into the bob)

And how, pray tell, did you come up with these great pieces?
Having always been obsessed with Pop Art and the '60s era, she turned to trendsetter of the time Edith Minturn "Edie" Sedgwick for inspiration. This actress/model/heiress was, in fact, Andy Warhol's (most renowned artist of the Pop Art movement) muse and greatly inspired his work as well.

Nicely done packaging makes us super happy, what of yours?
As for the packaging, an attempt to draw attention to the "not-so-well-known-in-Canada" industrial design trade, uses photographs of fellow designers disguised as Warhol paintings.

How did these beauties go from idea to hanging in HQ?
After making a few iterations for herself, Tamara's earrings started to attract a bit of attention. Positive encouragement pushed her to start This Ilk, which is now introduced to you through a first collection of earrings.
Inspiration, let's hear it!
The collection is divided into 5 groups named after various cunning feminin caracters: Poison Ivy, Athena, Ms. Peacock, Octopussy and Jeannie.
Made of hardened lace and hypoallergenic nickel, This Ilk earrings are comfortable to wear despite their size.

Thanks again Tamara, I cannot WAIT to see these beauties swinging from the ears of Montreal beauties all around the city this spring!

xo
Angie