Author: monikablichar

Monika Anna Blichar was born in Latina, Italy in July, 1982. After immigrating to Canada in the early 1980’s, the family lived in Red Deer, where they bore a second daughter, and then moved west to B.C. in 1996. Monika has completed a B.A. in English and French from the University of Victoria and has also obtained a teaching credential with the B.C. College of Teachers. Primarily self taught, she has also studied art at Camosun College where she learnt various techniques and strategies in creating contemporary pieces. She continues to pursue creative projects and is exploring various professional opportunities in the arts which include body painting and events coordination. Her interests include the Humanities, writing, traveling, and being outdoors. Art has played a significant part of Monika’s life and continues to be an expression of her flowing imagination, appreciation for beauty, and a reflection of seeing beyond the obvious. Monika is currently living and working in Vancouver, B.C. She is the owner of MAB Ventures Inc., An Arts & Entertainment Agency, and is President of Make and Break Arts Foundation. Her notable projects and initiatives include founding Art World Expo, Diamond Dolls Women's Networking Group, MAB Arts Studio & Boutique Gallery and THE FAB Art Program.

The Illusionist: An Interview with Carolina de la Cajiga

by Alyssa Laube

“Annitya” will be up for auction at the Art World Expo. Proceeds support Make and Break Arts Foundation.

Carolina de la Cajiga doesn’t call herself an artist but an “illusionist and interpreter”. To describe what she does in photography, sculpture, and painting, she explains “I create illusions by transforming my ideas into something tangible”.

Her vision is different than reality, she “adds or removes from what is there” in order to feel satisfied with the finished product. In her Portraits of Canada and Canadian Divas series, she replaced hair with flowers. In Post-Modern Glyphs, she removed the backgrounds surrounding her subject: cable knots. What used to be behind – buildings, clouds, trees – was digitally cleared away in order to obtain a clean image with only the knots visible. “My goal is simple: to represent what I see in my mind. “It’s all aesthetics, beauty,” said de la Cajiga.

Over the past few years, her work has been focused mostly on photography but, as anything she does, it is her own kind of photography. Her most recent series is “shooting dynamic light that lasts atto seconds (the smallest unit to measure the speed of light).” De la Cajiga takes hundreds of shots and carefully picks the ones she believes have the most potential. What follows is a multi hour-long process that turns those photos into de la Cajiga’s vision for the piece through the use of various methods and computer programs. “The result is a photograph that asks the audience to question whether [parts of] it ever existed -what you see is not what is, but what your mind sees… “The more of these shots I process, the more complex and intricate the images are turning out to be.” Not finding a term to describe her technique, she coined the word “Katharosgraphy” from the Greek Katharos = to scratch, to clean, to purify, and Graphy = process. Coincidentally, Katharos also means oak tree which is what Cajiga, her last name, means. At the Art World Expo, she will be exhibiting this series of work.

Many of her other works also play with altering reality. The series, City In Flux, is based on illusion and “bend[ing] architectural protocols”. Here, she twists and morphs Vancouver buildings. In What If ? she places Las Soldaderas (“civilian women who made significant contributions to both the federal and rebel armies during the Mexican Revolution of 1910”) into other important events throughout history. Even in her photography of everyday life, such as Construction – Workers, Lifting of Backhoe, Invisible in Neon, and Rain City, she added or deleted components that are unidentifiable to the public eye. Only de la Cajiga knows what did and did not exist in the moment when the photo was captured. The audience is left to wonder.

Carolina will be part of the “Love in Any Language” exhibition at the Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver, 1414 Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver, February 2 – 21, 2016. The opening reception will be February 2, 6 – 8 pm, and Meet the Artists is on February 6, 2 -3 pm.

You will also be able to see her work and catch up with De la Cajiga at her new studio at the 195 Pemberton Studios bustling artist community in North Vancouver.

Take a look at Carolina de la Cajiga’s collections yourself on her website. Better still, see them in person at this year’s Vancouver Art World Expo. She is in the process of finalizing a new website, http://www.delacajigafineart.com, to display the Katharosgraphy artwork. Stay tuned!

To Etsy or Not to Etsy-Check out Morphingpot Art Studio!

As an artist, there really are a million and one ways to promote art for sale. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google, Youtube, Periscope, Snapchat are just some of the the social media platforms that you can use. The list is endless when you think about it! Today we want to look at a shop on Etsy from Morphingpot Art Studio. While the craze for Etsy may have started several years ago, as seen in this shop, it is still an amazing way to sell and feature work to potential buyers and fans from all over the globe.

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Meet Isabella Pavanati, who studied painting at the Art School in Milan; Drawing and Artist’s Book at the Graphic Int. School in Venice and Sculpture techniques at the Sculpture School in Treviso. She loves Jazz and Soul Music is a vegetarian and loves animals (but not as food :)).

“Hello and welcome to Morphingpot Art studio, the Etsy s hop of artist Isabella Pavanati. Here you will find a large selection of my unique and whimsical sculptures, folded book art, head planters, wire wall frames, wire wall art, paintings and so much more, all made by hand here at my studio in Treviso, Italy.

I also love custom orders, so please feel free to convo me to discuss any custom art projects you have.

Thanks for visiting!”

Want to find out more? Check out this shop’s About page.

Feature AWE Artist at MAB Art Studio-Marilyn McKee

by Monika Blichar, Owner and Producer Art World Expo

I first met Marilyn Mckee in 2010 when producing the first of a series of events; now known as Art World Expo produced in Vancouver and Toronto. Drawn to her talent in jewellery making back then, I knew that she was a treasure and kept my eyes on her. I think back to all those phone calls I made to check in over the years and wonder at how she could stand me asking about her art and progress. I wasn’t a customer after all; just an agent and promoter keeping tabs on her. Through my eyes, I knew that she was something special. I am really pleased that I kept in touch as today, she is the first feature artist of 2016 in my studio and gallery in North Vancouver.

If you haven’t met Marilyn, I will tell you that behind the stunning pieces is a truly wonderful woman who is not only a talented artist but an accomplished professional, mother and community member. Marilyn McKee is a member of the Tsit Gitanee (Eagle) clan of the Haida Nation, whose roots are from the islands of Haida Gwaii; world famous for its natural beauty and talented artists. Aside from creating, Marilyn is an active mother and grandmother and contributes to the community regularly. She is currently the President of Raycam Community Centre; the only community center in the Lower Mainland to offer free programs for kids and adults. She has been with the organization for over 10 years and has done everything from leading art projects to sewing 50 Halloween costumes.

Since a child, Marilyn has always had an artistic ability. Even when asking her about her work and photographing her for this article, her childlike joy and wonder shine through in her smile and in the way she talks about her work. She is at ease with her imagination and an innocence about her talent has stayed within her spirit. She is inspired by traditional stories and moulds them into her art with a modern twist, incorporating Celtic design, Fairies and mermaids amongst more traditional Northwest Coast elements. Her most popular are the Fairies; which are breathtaking in both jewellery and paintings to say the least.

As an artist myself, I feel privileged to have seen her art evolve into an array of beautiful works ranging from jewellery, drums, and paintings. I look forward to sharing our space with her essence this month; not only because of the beauty of the works but also to see an another artist’s work through my eyes and through those of our visitors.

Unafraid and experimental with her work, MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery is pleased to have Marilyn McKee as the January 2016 feature artist. Her use of many unconventional methods in her artwork result in a fresh look at the knowledge and richness her Haida culture.

For more information, please visit Mab Art Studio

All pieces featured are listed in the Facebook.

Thank you to our sponsors BLUSH Vancouver Magzine and Twin Peaks Construction.

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Happy New Year to All!

This year has been an incredible one with so many new adventures into the Art World! Thank you all for your wonderful support, enthusiasm and of course, creativity! In 2015, we saw an amazing amount of expansion and growth.

Our first expansion was starting a new event in Toronto this year. It was truly an amazing event especially since we met a tremendous amount of aritsts, sponsors and community players. The calibre of artists in Toronto is wonderful to see and we are grateful for all the artists who participated. We are also looking forward to hosting the 2nd annual Art World Expo in Toronto and are inviting artists, galleries, and organizations to participate! If you are interested, or you know of an artist or group who would be, be sure to share our website!

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Our first Painting Dreams International Art Tour to south west France with a group of artists to the Dordogne area. What a wonderful opportunity to work with artists as well as experience French culutre, history and arts. The tour was not only incredible, but a very rewarding experience for Art World Expo as we made some amazing connections that will surely last a life time. Our second tour is scheduled for July-August 2016 and we are travelling to both France and Poland in conjunction with the European Capital of Culture in Wroclaw, Poland. If you are interested in a 12 day tour to either France or Poland, be sure to visit Painting Dreams Art Tours Info. We would love to see you participate in this international trip this year!

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A big huge thank you to all of our artists, sponsors, affiliates and volunteers for making 2015 one of the most memorable years to date! We look forward to 2016 and wish you all an abundant, creative and inspiring year ahead!

Yenny Cocq-Bronze Sculptor working in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Yenny Cocq, Bronze Sculptor, Born in Hamburg, Germany, owned gallery in Copenhagen Denmark. Residence and studio in Santa Fe, NM.
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Working in figurative sculpture, I am challenged by one of nature’s most complex and beautiful forms the human body. I have refined the human figure to basic and almost geometric forms. I love to use the human form to portray an emotional idea or story. Giving life to my subjects by capturing their innermost emotions, I express my own romantic longings. My romantic couples embody their unique body language and in their unison they display an emergent emotional expression. With simple lines and planes I work to capture the essence of these gestures.
The couples are separate individuals but bound in nonverbal communication. I am intrigued by the minute nuances in shift of posture or angle of the head to convey a different expression”
In addition to creating something visually pleasing, it is my hope that viewers merge their experiences, perceptions and passions reflected in my sculpture with their own. It is my wish to create and provoke something unique for each viewer.

For more information about Yenny or to view her work, please visit: http://www.bronzesculpturegifts.com/

Paul Be-Check him out on Instagram!

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https://www.instagram.com/dankskunk5/

Happy Holidays-Join us for our Holiday Party!

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The Art World Expo’s “Intuitive Coach”, Christine Johel

By Alyssa Laube

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Christine Johel “received [her] first card deck from [her] life coach and mentor” and “was re-connected to a gift and talent: the ability to read tarot and oracle cards.” As a result of honing in on that talent, Christine started practicing as an “intuitive coach”. To elaborate on what that title entails, Johel offers the following services: Reiki, Akashic records reading, tarot and/or oracle card reading, hypnotherapy, and mediumship.

She “began [her] training in Reiki to reconnect with universal energy” and now uses it “to prepare the space for [her] clients’ session, so that they can feel like it is a safe place to express what he or she is going through.” Tarot and oracle card readings are likely a more familiar practice; Johel “reads or translates the symbols or pictures in the cards” in order to “assist [her clients] in their life’s path”. As is hypnotherapy (“used for pain management, phobias, past life regressions”) and mediumship (“used to connect clients’ [to their] love ones who have passed away into the spiritual world”). Akashic Records Reading, on the other hand, is more complicated.

“Before our soul comes to Earth, we create a contract with our source, God, or universe to learn,” says Johel. “Many people lately are questioning their life purpose and what it means to have freedom of choice. The Akashic Records have all of that information. It allows one to heal and release blockages. I use Akashic Records with my clients when they are indeed needing guidance, a change of direction, or understanding in their life.”

Christine will be offering her card readings at this year’s Vancouver Art World Expo “for three reasons”.

“First, I can offer them to a new audience,” she says. “Second, I will be able to meet, connect, and build new relationships with people who are passionate and talented in art. And last, card reading is a form of art; it is reading art on cards and relating that information to the client.”

Attendees of the Expo who visit Christine’s booth can expect the following from her card readings:

“Step 1: I invite my client to choose a card deck that has caught their eye, by colour or name. During the conversation, I will ask my client whether they want three or five card readings.

Step 2: I’ll take the cards out of the box and hold them in my hand for approximately ten seconds. Then I pass the cards to the client to hold for ten seconds, or longer if needed.

Step 3: Once the client has held the cards, they will then return them to me and I’ll begin shuffling them. I’ll invite to the client to tell me when to stop shuffling the cards.

Step 4: Once I have stopped shuffling the cards, I’ll ask the client to pick the cards, either by spreading them out or breaking the deck. If the client breaks the deck, I’ll invite them to pick cards from the top/middle/bottom.

Step 5: I will lay each card the client chooses upside down. Once all the cards are chosen, I turn them up and have them facing the client.

Step 6: I begin to read the cards by pointing to the symbols and how they relate to my client. From there, I will begin to share deeper information.”

Visit Christine and get a reading of your own by purchasing tickets for this year’s Vancouver Art World Expo!

The aesthetics of war-Mario Brondo

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Artist Mario Brondo recently completed a series of 8 videos that were shot in the Western Sahara refugee camps and mined frontier with Morocco, which is considered the largest and the one with the most mines in the world.

The series uses a different expression technique in each piece, although they have many factors that keep the unity of the piece. All the chapters are narrated by a pc robotic voice. This is rather interesting, as the “subject” speaking to us is artificial intelligence, and hence has an automated series of mistakes. To enhance that quality, Mario Brondo goes even beyond: the spoken texts come from (curated) random searches on the internet speaking of each chapter´s central theme. For instance, I will talk about 4 episodes:

Fresco shows from the distance a synthesis of the lifestyle that the improvised (but very well set) the refugee camps host. The narrator uses a poetic historic tone that transforms into an open protest towards the end. Many fragments come from Spanish soldiers´ testimonials, when they used to live in Villa Cisneros, now called Dakjla. They mostly speak of sensations, such as temperature, smell, breeze, beauty and generosity. Contrast is brutal with the images presented.

Archaeology, is perhaps the episode that best reflects the artist´s eye and taste. It is a series of still shots, that show mainly abandoned and corrodes vehicles being swallowed by the desert since 1979. Voice-over and music resources are brilliantly exploited. The text is an amalgam of Wikipedia´s Archaeology article, along with humorous interventions by the author. As all many of the resources used by Brondo in this work, music was also forced into the artwork/film, and it comes from free-license music under www pseudonim authorship.

Sirocco, is a no-nonsense, open and even violent protest to the world potencies that keep this situation since 1975. Sirocco is how the Saharaui people call the wind that comes from the Mediterranean Sea, causing sand storms that difficult even more the living of the refugees in an already indignant situation; in a desert impregnated with misery, mines, and some of the toughest weather conditions in the planet.

La Guerra (The War), is my favourite episode: It depicts the Saharaui people, claiming their freedom in a deaf shout in the middle of the desert. It also shows brave people walking through te mined camp, and how they manage to recognize the safe paths. For each mine they put off, or detect, they signalize the spot by placing flowers knit by the saharaui women. The music denotes heroism, and the voice over reads a text by Alessandro Baricco, that talks about the beauty of war, its importance, and how to overcome the fascination we experience since the beginning of human history. A real jewel!

The importance of the art in war settings can be of enormous interest for historians and politicians, as it becomes a document, and pa proof. It is also fundamental to many people, as they rarely have the opportunity to know what is it about to live in a situation of war. That generates empathy and unity among people throughout the world.

For more information, please visit Mario’s site HERE.

Dream of India: Stunning New photography Project Seeks to Paint a Picture of a Diverse and Vibrant Land

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India is arguably one of the most diverse and beautiful nations on the planet, which makes it a great subject for artistic photography. With its amazing mix of cultures and postcard scenery, there are endless opportunities. Croatian travellers Jelena Nikolic and Sanjin Kastelan are looking to share their journey through this rich and colourful nation via the media of video, photography, and blogging. They fell in love with India after working at a yoga retreat there last year, and would love to help others to do the same. Their photos are truly stunning, and really manage to capture the country’s beauty.

Jelena and Sanjin are looking to fund their project via the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. One of their focuses will be food, as they wish to display the unique culinary offerings that India has to offer. The overall aim of this project is to alter the way in which people perceive India. Oftentimes, when people think India, they think of squalor and poverty. In reality, these things exist in every nation, and are only one side to India. Perhaps this project could help to challenge preconceptions and replace prejudices with a new, more positive image. It is a fascinating artistic project that uses photos to achieve social good, which is one of the many functions of this multifaceted art form. Check it out for yourself at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dream-of-india–3#/