I attended the Chelsea Art Show last week-end. It became obvious after the first couple of emails from the organizer that the show was mainly set up as a backdrop for the popular French Show La Petite Séduction, but I decided to attend anyway, in the hopes of meeting a few people and seeing the work of some of my fellow artists.
As expected the artists/artisans of the Chelsea and La Peche area were in fine form. I chose a few of them and took snapshots of their work to share with you.
To visit each artist's website, please click on a photo.
Enjoy the slideshows!

I'll begin with my own work. There's no sense indulging in modesty when you're the author of a blog that highlights your own projects...
Lately I've been working on recycling fabric that has worn too thin to be useful in its original form. For example, torn or threadbare bed sheets.
Crocheting winter hats is really hard on my arms and shoulder, but this form of crochet has been much easier on me.

Lisa Creskey is a Chelsea artist I've gotten to know recently. One of the things that strikes me about her (other than the exquisite quality of her work) is the fact that her focus is very much on the work itself. She doesn't spend a lot of time promoting herself or trying to network or anything of the sort. She doesn't even have a website yet!!! (Horrors!!!)
Happily, her work is becoming increasingly popular despite this fact. I'm glad to see that there are still people who can succeed without having to toot their own horns. (I was like that, once upon a time... sigh...)
:-)

Thank heavens that the Netherlands let us borrow Iris. Her work is refreshing and her attitude is as well. She's not only a calm and positive person, but she's also very interesting and inquisitive. Every time I speak with her I am inevitably introduced to the work of a new artist, filmmaker, spiritual leader, you name it.
Iris' imagination, inquisitiveness and unique perspective really show in her work, as you can plainly see.

Riverside Studio is the work of Kathryn Drysdale, a Wakefield fibre artist.
Kathryn's been diligently making yarn come alive for many years now and recently set up an etsy shop, which you can visit by clicking on the images of her work.
She will also be selling her wares at the Twist Fibre Festival in Saint-André-Avellin, Québec. (More information at http://www.facebook.com/festivaltwist.)

I've been seeing the work of Phil Daniels at shows for many years now. He's based in Rupert and these photos of his highly original work don't really do it any justice. I recommend that you have a look at his site for better images. (Sorry Phil!!)

One of my first memories of Wakefield, or to be more precise, one of the first things that charmed me into moving there, was the work of Janice Moorhead, which hung in the shop window of one of the boutiques. That was many, many years ago...
Her work is still just as beautiful, maybe more so, and is always evolving. She really knows how to keep it interesting.
Taking photos of glass work is a tricky business, so, yet again, these shots aren't great. Please visit her site for a better look. :-)

Okay. I'll admit it. I know absolutely nothing about Oliver Drake, except that he lives in Chelsea, and that he works with reclaimed timber. Oh, and that his business card is postcard sized and looks awesome. And that his site is equally impressive... And that I'd like to furnish my home with his creations. (This from the woman whose furniture consists of hand me downs and garbage picked "treasures". My sewing table is an old headboard held up at both ends by two bar fridges. tee hee. Oh, well. I can dream can't I?)

Last, but not least, we have Jennifer Bennett, who is based in Wakefield. I met Jennifer for the first time at this show and have never seen her blown glass work before. It's very sweet, isn't it? I love what glass does to colour, how it can make it look bright and yet delicate at the same time. This is particularly so when set against a white backdrop.
The Luciole line can be seen at the Wakefield Farmers' Market every Saturday from 9:00 till uhhh, is it 1:00? The Market is located at the corner of Riverside and Legion Rd, right next to The Alpengruss. Good luck Jennifer!

Found another mannequin that needed some tlc. She looks very cool next to my other finished mannequin. Now I have to finish mannequin number 3. Her body is done, but she needs a new face.

The first day in the new place there was a flood.
The landlord replaced the shower basin and the walls needed some tiles. So I set to work. Here are photos of the ceramic work while the grout was still drying.

Well, I've finally done it. I moved. Myself, my son, my studio. It's been arduous, frankly, and I'm not even close to being finished setting up, but, well, one step at a time...

In the end I decided to rent a loft in Rosemont. To be honest I'm already feeling a little sad that I didn't take one in St. Henri instead.
But the unit is very cool. Lots of light, lots of space, and I feel quite at home so far.
The next big project, besides making and selling things, will be the sewing of about 20 large quilted curtains to prevent the place for being burnt to a crisp this summer (and to help keep out the cold this winter).
I'll take photos of the decent looking ones and post them.

Ok. I did it. She's more or less done.
If she doesn't sell as is I'll bring her with me and keep working on her.
I posted some before shots in an earlier post, but I'll do so again so you can compare.
(Though I must say that I don't think the photos do her justice.)

Bingo cards made using images from books I found in a recycle bin. They're rigged so that many of the kids can win at once. Thought they'd be a good tool for learning french. It worked out pretty well. The kids had a good time!
Next time we might work as a group to make some. :-)

I spent the day in Verdun yesterday, looking at apartments. I met so many nice people!! But I have to admit that I felt a little out of place. I didn't meet a single artist, or see much that suggested art related activities in the area.
sigh.
But it's close to the water and bike paths and a CIRCUS SCHOOL (!?!) and the rent is cheap. What's a girl to do?
I'm considering starting over from square one and researching other areas. (Villeray and Rosemont for example.)
I have to admit I still have that typical romantic notion of living in a loft too. Not one of those luxury poser lofts, but a rough space that I can turn into WONDERLAND!!!
But seriously, a large living space that can be used commercially as well and that can evolve as our lives and interests change... Wouldn't that be perfect?
Anyone have any suggestions?
Advice?

Besides apartment hunting I've been getting excited about a new project. An ex-boyfriend of mine gave me a mannequin in rough condition and I'd like to do something interesting with her.
I'm not sure whether she'll display my clothing and hats or whether she'll be a work of art that I'll sell. Hmmm...
I should have taken photos of her before I filled in the holes in her face, but, oh well... Guess I was too eager to get started.
I have to admit, though, that she looks kinda cool as is. And I think it's pretty awesome that she has "no guts no glory" written on her thigh. But the staples, (however cool they look) will no doubt snag on, and possibly tear, any clothing she might display, and we can't have that! Otherwise what purpose does she have in life, huh?
Here she is at this stage. More photos to come as the work progresses...