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.

Nature and Technology-Working in Unity: An Interview with Chris Collacott

By Alyssa Laube

About: Chris Collacott is an international award-winning photographer who is known for his stunning natural landscape, architecture, and cityscape images. He specializes in large-scale panoramic photos, which are created by merging a collection of shots of a chosen subject, resulting in captivating and beautifully detailed prints. Though some of his works are mastered through the use of digital technology, it is a steady hand and adherence to age-old photographic principles that makes his photos come to life – composition, location and an eye for the dramatic.

What are you planning to bring to the expo this year that will be different than last?

Each year, I continue to travel and explore new and incredible places. This year, I will bring some amazing new images that I have captured over the last year. Also, I will have a one time special on my prices of my prints for the show – that almost anyone can afford.

You’ve spoken of a past career and interest in science and technology. How were you involved with it, and is it still a part of your life today?

Science and technology will always be part of my life. One aspect that I love about being outdoors and in the back-country is having some fundamental understanding of the science behind how our planet was formed and how all these beautiful places (mountains, ocean) were created. Imagine seeing mountains being created as a time-lapse in the space of a few seconds. It makes us, me, feel very small in time and space, and that I feel is awe inspiring. It makes me respect our planet and where we live outside the concrete jungle. As for technology, I am always interested in how it can improve my work. New camera systems, drones – I am an early adopter for technology so I say bring it on!

In the past year, what have your focuses been?

In the past year, I have captured many new images from some amazing places including Spirit Island in Jasper National Park Alberta, Lake O’hara in Yoho National Park, Mount Assiniboine in Assiniboine Provincial Park, BC, Steptoe Butte in Washington State, the Grand Canyon in Arizona – and many more!

Do you prefer to work in colour?

Although most of my work is in colour – I also create black and white images as part of my works. I love working with stark high contrast black and white images and especially as long exposures. These types of images just look better in black and white!

Why do you think you like photographing mountains?

Mountains give me a feeling of awe, and I feel that is the same way with humans in general. They are so majestic and really speak volumes of how small we are in the geological time scale. They also look great to capture and even more fun to climb and ascent to the peak!

When did you start taking photos from helicopters, and what are the advantages of doing so?

Helicopters allow me to take images from a completely different perspective. As a photographer, we are always seeking that unique view on the same scene, and getting up in the air allows us to do that! So any opportunity I get – I will take. I recently teamed up with SKY Helicopters and offer photography helicopter tours with them – so now I can offer that same experience to others as well at a very reasonable price!

With winter on it’s way, and your environment changing, how do you expect your work to change?

Not really, other than the subject matter being ‘winter’ in nature, I will continue to capture scenes of the outdoors. The great thing about photography is that all seasons have something to show, something to offer, and many adventures to go on.

To learn more about Chris and his work, visit:

www.avision.ca

The Art of Knowing Strangers-An Autobiographical Introduction to Alyssa Laube

The Art of Knowing Strangers

An Autobiographical Introduction

By Alyssa Laube

There’s nothing more enticing than a mysterious stranger, and the desire to explore their minds has been gripping the public for decades. Whether it be a teen heartthrob or world-renowned scientist, there is something endlessly fascinating about peeking into the lives of the talented, experienced, and attractive. However, it isn’t always possible to speak directly with our icons. Audiences worldwide dreamed of getting to know the character behind their favourite records, paintings, or novels. The human urge to to connect and be educated united the artists and their admirers, and so the interview was born.

As I grew up, my own attraction to journalism rapidly transformed from escapist to educational. As a young girl, I would eagerly anticipate my monthly issues of Glow, Teen Vogue, and Seventeen. As soon as it dropped through the mail slot, I would flip through the pages, instantly fascinated by what to wear and which Disney star was having boy troubles. Fortunately, years passed, Hannah Montana ended, and I began to form my own style – free at last from pink sequins and enormous bows. Yet, my love for magazines and newspapers was unwavering. Today, I look forward to The Rolling Stone, People, and of course, a long list of online news sources for their ability to broaden my world view. Merely being exposed to a foreign perspective, concept, or lifestyle can change the lives of an entire demographic. The power of journalism is not only beneficial to me as a reader, but also has inspired me to work in the field professionally.

From there, my interest only grew. At the age of sixteen, I was thrilled to be accepted as a volunteer journalist by the admirable woman I am writing this blog for today – Monika Blichar. When I stepped into the Make & Break Arts Foundation studio for the first time, surrounded by incredible pieces of diverse art, I could hardly believe that I would be able to meet and write about their creators. Nevertheless, here I am – one Art World Expo and dozens of interviews later – still in disbelief of my privilege.

Truly, that is what is has been. Working with Make & Break Arts Foundation has given me a world of experience and the opportunity to speak with creative local artists. Each interviewee I meet has a unique style, experience, and personality. It’s not unlike exploring different realities; I continue to be stimulated by captivating works of art and concepts which I would never have considered otherwise. Overall, being a part of Vancouver’s vibrant art scene, all while building my portfolio as a budding journalist, has been a dream come true. Still, it couldn’t have been the joy it was without every part of the Art World Expo team making it so! To all of the artists, readers, and of course, Miss Monika Blichar, I say an honest thank you. In the future, I hope to continue unmasking the human behind mysterious strangers. Every story deserves to be heard, and every one has a story.

Folktales and Faerie Stories-An Interview with Melissa Mary Duncan

By Alyssa Laube

http://www.melissaduncan.ca/

About: Melissa Mary Duncan is a Mythical and Faerie Artist living on Canada’s West Coast and working in the northern European tradition of Faerie Tale and Celtic Myth . She is delighted to be taking part in this year’s Art World Expo at Telus Science World, in Vancouver. She looks forward to welcoming you to her inner landscape

Your mother taught you to paint. Was she an artist? Was her style similar to yours?

Mom painted in oils and taught painting to children. She tried to interest me in painting but I was a most recalcitrant student preferring the wild out of doors to the inside of her studio or the classroom. And my style, subject and use of medium are nothing like hers.

You’ve been influenced by Celtic legends and Brothers Grimm. Are there any in particular that had a lasting effect on you?

Celtic Legends are an interesting mix of oral history, hero tales and magical happenings. They are different than Fairytales in that the stories are believed to have happened. The characters are varied and often rather intense in their passions and motivations. I would say that my love of history and traditional Celtic Music drew me to Celtic Mythos as much as my passion for a damned fine yarn.

My favourite tale from the Brother’s Grimm is “ Hansel and Gretel”. I have always delighted in a good wicked witch and who can not be charmed by spunky little sister Gretel. The children best this witch not through any use of magic but through their own pluck and daring. I think that if the material in Hansel and Gretel was taken as the plot line and produced straight-up, as a film, it would be terrifying.

What is it about fantasy and folklore that fascinates you?

Fantasy can be a very effective vehicle for metaphor. I like my fantasy with real world sociological, historic and anthropological roots. I am very traditional in that regard, although having said that I must admit to often painting narrative Faerie tales based on noting more grounded than a collage of fay, mythic and human beings interacting in the twilight world, as if we, the viewers, have suddenly stumbled upon this motley collection of characters and interrupted them at their own foxy, magic and mysterious business. That kind of fantasy, at first glance, can be just for fun. I am a romantic at heart but I do not always expect or even enjoy a saccharine happily ever after. I use the fantastical as a metaphor for life, the sacredness of the environment and to make sense of our mortality. I also use it unashamedly as an escape.

When and how did that fascination begin?

It started during childhood, as a child with a love for good old-fashioned bedtime stories and a wonderful song about a Dragon with Thirteen Tails. I was a sickly little girl often confined to resting indoors and I remember my father and our local librarian engaged in a heated discussion about what I was and was not allowed to bring home from the library. I had set my heart on a gilded late Victorian edition of The Tales from The Arabian Knights translated into English by Sir Richard Burton. Now, you need to understand that these were not the tamed down nursery versions of Aladdin and Albi Baba with which you might be familiar, but Adult Folk tales which begin with an invocation to Allah. These stories informed the reader not just of a King with supreme power over the life and death of his wives but life in a harem, of monsters and seduction and … Well, you catch my drift. The librarian was scandalized. My father held fast and I brought home Sir Richard Burton’s volume. Faerie tales, the stories of Aesop and The Lays of Marie of France, Shakespeare’s 12th Night, the Opera Turandot seem to have always been part of my life so I suppose my fascination began with my first lullaby.

Are there any places that you’ve been to which have inspired you or had a fantasy-like atmosphere? Are there any here in British Columbia?

In British Columbia we are blessed with beauty. We live in a very scenic part of the world. Take me to the woods. Take me to the sea shore . Take me down an old narrow alley in Victoria’s China Town, or on a bus or to the supermarket. In every human face there is magic. In every aspect of the natural world there is the wondrous. In every vestige of civilization or ancient building there are the echoes of “Once upon a time…” I love the Lady Chapel in St. James Cathedral, in Vancouver. In that sacred space one can feel the tradition of prayer that has gone before and hear the echo of song from the choir singing in the Victorian Romanesque main chapel. As Fantasy is a product of human intellect and imagination it is inherent in ourselves. It is informed by the mechanics of the natural world and sprinkled throughout with superstition. It grows in traditions and in the fascination with the obscure. Fantasy is a product of the exotic and of wishes. It is the cousin of hope in the face of our own mortality. It is all around us because we carry the seeds of fantasy in our subconscious.

Your book, FAYE ~ The Art of Melissa Mary Duncan, came out in 2013. How do you feel about having a book dedicated to your work? How did it change your life?

It got me Nominated for the Canadian Aurora Award as Best Artist of 2014 for illustration and cover art…Dead shock! It was a labour of love. It taught me a whole lot about the craft of making a book. And it sold, which again, was rather a surprise to me.

You had a bit of a challenging childhood. How did those challenges help you grow into who you are today?

I am a Polio Survivor. Despite the fact that I draw Faeries and fantastical beings I am very pragmatic. I seem to possess most of the typical character traits of a Polio survivor in that I am a bit of a workaholic. I feel that Folktales and Faerie stories took me out of myself to other worlds when it was not so easy for me to go into the world. I think that is also why I find life so wonderful.

Your artistic career started with your membership in the Society for Creative Anachronism. What was it about this group that encouraged to to develop your work?

Ahh . . . The Society! I am smiling as I write those words. The Society showed me a different kind of art from what my mother tried to teach me. It introduced me to the magic of the manuscript, the delicacy of ancient music, and the earth, body and spiritual morality of the Miracle play. It gave me encouragement and a place to try ancient craft. It let me experience through doing and that gave me a visceral hint of what I might have experienced had I lived in another time and place. That is what the SCA gave me and still gives it’s members.

How did your graduation from Emily Carr affect your artistry?

Emily Carr did not teach me what I expected it to. It taught me other things which I did not know I needed to learn, like most college experiences. It was both a positive and a negative experience for me. I was almost afraid to paint and draw what interested me most because it was so different from what the staff and the other students were pursuing. It was really long after Emily Carr that I returned to my love of Magical Realism. I think I would just have confused them at college painting Faerie tales and witches with due diligence – and minus that Disney gloss.

Explain your interest in “strong female archetypes” and the importance of character.

I come from a long lineage of strong women. My mother used to tell me stories, which now, as an adult, I have come to realize were fabrications about my grandmother, a woman I never had the privilege of knowing. According to Mom, my granny was one of those suffragettes who chained herself to the fences of the Houses Of Parliament, in England, to help women get the vote. Mom used to tell me another family yarn about her great aunt, who had been the last woman in Wales accused of witchcraft. With that as an example of female empowerment, how could I not be fascinated with strong women? My mother was certainly a strong woman, as well as an unrepentant teller of tall tales. I too have a certain reputation for strength of character. My husband calls it stubbornness. So do my daughters. The apple’s not falling far from the tree. I think my mother, in her own way, was trying to give her sickly daughter positive strong female role models. She succeeded.

For me, some of the best characters in ancient tales, are those of women: King Leer’s daughter Cordelia, Titania the Queen of the Faeries, Queen Guinevere, Mother Holly, and Queen Mauve of the ancient Irish…they’re inspiring women ! Having said that, all of my subjects are character-driven creations whether they are women, men or Mr. Bunny Rabbit Esquire. Character, I hope, gives them believability and makes them more engaging and thought-provoking.

What is your favourite medium for creating art?

I love egg tempera made with pigments I have ground or concocted myself according to medieval recipes and used on real vellum. Labour intensive? You bet!

How does your family – in particular, your husband’s job as a landscape architect and Fantasy Author – affect you and your work?

Family and friends often end up modelling for me. Bless their cotton socks!

My darling husband and I often bounce ideas off of each other. He will read me a little taste of his latest story and I will ask him if he thinks that a figure in my latest drawing is positioned well. He will tell me if that is not how a long sword is held, take up his long sword and assume the correct position. He is a bit of a Western Marshall Arts aficionado. I get going with my pencil and correct the drawing. Then I will tell him that the woman in his story would never react that way, and explain how I would react if I was set upon by barrel-shaped aliens in a Victorian steam punk world. He then considers my statements and sets to typing. In short, we trust each other and care about helping to facilitate each other’s success. We share a passion for history, myth, and fantasy and have the same love of nature.

You will be helping AWE design their flyer this year. What are you hoping to incorporate into this design?

Any depictions of Faerie should be alluring and somewhat familiar, like putting on a comfy old sweater. They should also be just a little bit uncomfortable, like those moments when you awaken from a deep dream and can not quite tell if the dream is done. A flyer should bring that out in the public. It must be engaging, informative, memorable and an accurate depiction of the event you are creating.

I hear that you love hats. Do you have a favourite one?

I could cheat out on this question and say the hat that I am wearing . . . Ta-da! But that would be fudging. In truth, my favourite is an old rumpled hat. It was, when new, a work of craft and art, made of soft wool felt in Italy. It is a wide-brimmed, black Fedora and it was my mother’s.

The Artistic Switch-An Interview with Jordy Johnson

by Alyssa Laube

About: Jordy Johnson is “rough around the edges, but with a heart of gold.” While recovering from a brain injury, Jordy found his passion in creating West Coast Fusion Art.

You’ve self titled your work “West Coast Fusion Art”. What is it a fusion of?

West coast fusion art is a mix of West Coast Art and Asian art (old Japanese).

Explain how living on the West Coast has impacted you as an artist.

The different cultures, all of the mountains, and the ocean has impacted me and my art. In a lot of my pieces you will find something to do with the mountains or water. It has been a big part of my life.

You say that you became interested in art after an “accident”. What was that experience like for you?

The accident I had was a brain injury accident. I couldn’t draw a running stick man before I got hurt. Vancouver’s top Nero doctors have said, “Yes, Jordy, we do believe a switch has been flipped on inside your head.” The artistic switch! I could go on and on about the facts, but it’s better to leave it at that! The experience has been a long recovery. I am still recovering, but to say the least, I am happy and love to draw/paint.

Before you became involved in art, what did you want to do professionally?

I started roofing at a early age when I quit school, then moved on to iron working, and back to roofing as I started my own company. I was happy doing what I was doing with my company, but I also wanted to be a rock star! Who wouldn’t?

How did creating art help you recover?

Creating art sure has helped me recover well! I can sit at my art table and create something for hours upon hours. I love to listen to music while drawing. It is my place. It is the one thing I own that no one can take away. I guess you could say that it’s my bliss!

Are you glad that you became an artist? Why/why not?

I’m not too sure that I consider myself to be an artist. Who even really knows what a artist is? All I can say is that I am very happy. I have found my place. I am learning new things every time I sit down. Without learning, I think life would be pretty boring! Yes, i’m happy with what I do, but not all of the time! Some pieces I finish get stuffed deep into the back of a closet, only to be seen again when i’m gone!

There are also themes of nature in almost every piece, especially pandas and bamboo. What is it about animals and plants that inspires you to create art?

I’m not really sure, maybe animals in my view are peaceful, maybe i’m listening to mellow music when drawing those pieces. I have led a pretty wild life until my accident, maybe it is just my mind saying that I am now in peace!

Please list some of your biggest inspirations, be it people, things, or ideas.

Cliff Burton, my mother, my sister, my son and all my loved ones.

What is it about Japanese culture that fascinates you?

The temples, the samurai warriors, the culture, and I must not forget the beautiful geisha girls.

Were you raised around Japanese culture growing up?

No I was not, but my grandfather had a lot of cool Asian artifacts around his house such as masks and dragons…He had all sorts of stuff! I also love the traditional Japanese tattoos.

What was your experience at the Art World Expo last year like?

Last year’s Art World Expo was fantastic! I’m not really into talking about my art with people (I guess i’m kind of shy) but Monika (the founder) has been great. She lifted my spirits when it came to my art. She motivated me, and told me to be proud of my art, not so humble. I think that the Art World Expo is a great place for any new or old artist to display their art.

How do you experiment with colour and shape?

If a colour works with my art, I keep it. If it doesn’t, I paint over it with a different colour! As for shapes, I just go with the flow.

Do you have any words of wisdom for your audience or fellow artists?

Follow your dreams, and the more you practice the better you will get! Do what feels right for yourself, not for others.

To see some of Jordy’s work, go to https://www.facebook.com/WestCoastFusionArt

Bringing New Meaning to “Language Arts”

An Interview with Cristina Petersen

by Alyssa Laube

About: After returning to her home town of Vancouver after 14 years, Cristina Petersen now works as a painter and ESL instructor at the University of British Columbia. She is new to showing her work, and looks forward to developing and improving as an artist.

As a newcomer to the Art World Expo, what are you expecting?

I am expecting to talk and connect with a lot of like-minded people, and to have fun being involved in such a great and vibrant event! I hope to sell some work, but I think that just being there is a step towards even considering myself as a real artist.

You are new to showing your art. How did you decide to do that, and what was your experience like?

I was encouraged by Monika to do more art and to get it out there, but also met a local artist in my neighbourhood named Marty Andaluz. I worked with him to have my first art show, along with two of my friends, who are also new to art. We had fun organizing it together at a local café, Room for Cream on Kingsway. It also helped to have encouragement from my fiancé, Tom, as well as family and friends who support this new adventure of mine.

You’re juggling two jobs – as an artist, of course, but also as an instructor at UBC! What is that like for you?

It’s very difficult to find time sometimes to paint, as teaching is a very demanding job. I love teaching and it is my priority of course, but I try to paint on weekends or when I feel inspired.

You’ve mentioned that you love to write. What do you enjoy writing? Have you ever considered this as a career?

I like to write blogs sometimes for my work. They are about teaching. Writing is just a fun way to express myself about things I’m passionate about. I have toyed with the idea of going into editing as I have a keen eye for errors, having taught ESL for about 13 years now. But ultimately, I am very social and think that being a writer might be too isolated for me…perhaps something later in life! I am always open to trying new things.

Do you think being in Ecuador will be an artistic inspiration for you?

Yes of course, traveling is always an inspiration. New experiences are what keep things fresh.

How has working as an artist affected your work as an instructor, and vice versa?

I am not sure that it has affected my work as an instructor, but sometimes I feel like teaching language is a very creative job. When I am in the classroom, I can create a mood or focus on certain things, much like painting. Although with my job, there are administrative duties that sometimes zap my creative side and make me wish I were just able to paint!

What subject(s) do you teach?

I teach English as an additional language. I teach in different programs all the time, so sometimes I teach in the Intensive English Program, (IEP) or the English for Academic Purposes (EAP), the English for the Global Citizen (EGC) or Explore (with French Canadians). I teach all the skills, but if teaching IEP or EAP I usually try to pick the Speaking and Listening classes or writing courses. I like teaching Speaking because I like to facilitate discussions, teach presentation skills etc. Writing essays is a bit of an art form too. I have always loved to write as well.

You work in acrylics. What makes you choose it?

Mostly because they are forgiving and easy to clean, as I usually paint in my apartment, so I have to set up everything and take it all down at the end. Cleaning brushes etc. is way easier. I also like to add water or Gesso, sometimes crackle paste for variety as they mix well. I can add oil on top if I want more texture later.

What are the most important things in your life?

Things or people? *laughs* My fiancé, my family, my friends, my dog… but aside from that, being a given, I love horseback riding and skiing; those are the two hobbies that I am passionate about. I try to stay healthy by exercising and eating healthy, delicious food. I enjoy a good glass of red wine, living a simple life, and travelling when I can to explore the world – particularly foreign places where I don’t speak the language. I’ve been studying Spanish off an on for about 10 years.

Do you have any significant goals for the future?

Well, I am getting married next June, so my fiancé and I are planning our wedding. We are saving money right now and also hoping to take our honeymoon in Ecuador. Hopefully sell more art to help fundraise.

Can you think of a particular moment or person that inspired you to become an artist?

My half-sister Dana loves to paint and is really quite talented. I think she will surpass my skills! I bought her a painting lesson almost 3 years ago with Monika and went with her. This was my first painting lesson too, and ever since then, with Monika’s encouragement, I have kept painting. I have always loved art and art galleries too. I think it was always in me, but it was a matter of being in the right head space to pull it out. And to have that initial “ah ha!” moment, like “Wow, that was really fun, I want to do more of that!” Now I am older and have found my path as an instructor, so I feel like expanding my horizons and trying new things. Learn new skills. Be creative. Always grow as a person.

Do you find that, on a bad day, painting can make you feel better?

Yes, of course. It is very calming and therapeutic. You can lose yourself in the art and not worry about anything else. Although I have to tell myself sometimes not to be a perfectionist. I like to paint with bigger brush strokes and more abstract style on days where I need a release.

Is there a specific technique that you like to use or find interesting?

I love work by Dali, it’s so weird and crazy, as well as work by the Group of Seven. I really like abstract scenery and more free flowing brush strokes. Not really schooled in art, so not sure of any specific techniques, but I know I am still experimenting and learning a lot.

How do you hope to improve as an artist?

I hope to improve my ability to draw or paint specific features like eyes, noses and mouths. I also hope to let go of my own criticism of my own work. I have to accept that not all pieces turn out quite how I envision them, but sometimes that is the beauty of it.

Unexpected Beauty

An Interview with Robyn Marshall

By Alyssa Laube

About: Robyn Marshall is a multi-talented artist who’s goal is “to bring beauty to the disturbing and awareness to the misunderstood.” She was raised in Ottawa, Ontario and now lives with her family in Chilliwack, British Columbia. As a full-time artist and stay-at-home mom, her life’s focus is on her children and business, Robyn Byrd Design.

You seem to like to focus on darker subjects and to give them exposure. What about the “unusual, hidden, and forgotten” interests you and inspires you to create art?

I’ve always preferred and been drawn the the unusual, darker things in life. I was an inner city missionary for over 3 years. I think you have to have a heart for the hidden and forgotten in order to help the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes etc.

It’s that same heart that I use to create my art. To create things out of the normal, not cookie-cutter, but things that take you a second to think. It’s similar to how I so wished people would take a second to think and care about the homeless.

These words also evoke thoughts of political and social issues. Is that something you

involve yourself in as an artist?

As a missionary I was extremely involved. It’s what drove me to try and get people to be more aware and help the helpless. As an artist, I’ve donated paintings and help raise money for charities.

If you wanted to dig even deeper, you could say that my “PS-Portraits and Silhouettes” collection is a derivative of this. Where some of the paintings have no faces, or a majority of their eyes are closed. I think I was so drawn to paint this series because it best reflects society’s response to the homeless and helpless. The face is what draws you in and helps you read people, so if a person in a painting has no face or it’s just their silhouette, are they still a person? These are some of the questions I hope people have when viewing this series.

Are there any political/social events that have had an impact on you recently, creatively or otherwise?

The 2010 Olympics had a big impact on me. It broke my heart to see our province pour so much time and money into the event when I know how all of that money could help the less fortunate.

I find, as a whole society, we have forgotten about the people next door to us. It’s easier to have empathy for the orphan babies of Africa or the survivors of major natural disasters as apposed to the people on Main and Hastings Street. We have a prejudice which leads us to believe that, because they are homeless, they somehow chose to be; That they are accepting this lifestyle and don’t want it to change.

Are you with any philanthropic foundations or companies?

I was a missionary with YWAM “Youth With A Mission” and I served with them here in Vancouver, Tijuana, and Atalanta, Georgia.

You aim to “takes society’s conventions and turn(s) them upside down.” Do you do this simply to cause controversy, to cause the audience to question themselves, etc.?

I do it to challenge people; To cause people to think for themselves and to question the everyday status quo.

How do you go about doing the above?

I think that I accomplish that simply by being a young, female artist who prefers to paint skulls instead of pretty landscapes.

Are the ideas conveyed by your artwork necessarily and consistently your own individual opinion, or do you like to expand on foreign opinions and concepts?

I think it’s a bit of both. My opinions and outlooks on life have been majorly moulded and formed by worldly concepts. I try not to live by “western” ideals and concepts where it’s every man for himself and to do anything for the all-mighty dollar. I’ve learned and been exposed to too much about the world as a whole to remain sheltered and naive. I hope my art reflects that.

How have your experiences in life formed your identity as an artist today?

My life has been so diverse in itself. From being a hairdresser in Ottawa, to a missionary in Atlanta and now a full-time artist in British Columbia, I’ve never settled on one way of living. This is directly represented in my art. Not one style is the same. Not one medium is the same. My collection of work varies just like my life has.

What began your interest with medical texts? How did you indulge that interest?

I was obsessed with Leonardo DaVinci growing up. My earliest memories are of reading about how he would rob graves and use the cadavers as references for his drawings. He drastically changed medicine of that day by being able to provide illustrations of how the human body works.

Because of this, at age of 8 or 9, all I wanted to do when I grew up was illustrate medical textbooks. So, as an adult, I decided to live a form of this dream by drawing oversized medical illustrations.

How long does it take you to complete an average “medical” piece?

This all depends on my children. Being a stay-at-home mom and artist means finding a balance between drawing and raising my children. Ideally, each one takes about a week – about 20-25 hours of work total.

I draw them on pieces of paper hung on my kitchen wall. My days are often spent drawing while my children play with Play-Doh at the kitchen table.

Now that you are creating them, what do you find is your favourite thing about it?

I love everything about them. The sheer fact that I am living an almost 20 year-old dream from when I was a little girl is amazing. That, and the size. I love working in these large scales. I’ve had to develop different techniques and I love every second of it.

Each type of art you do must be drastically different. How do you use these forms to create different feelings? Which is your favourite right now?

Yes they are all quite different. I love the soft tones and values of watercolour. They provide a sense of vulnerability that I find appealing. My large scale medical illustrations are bold and “in your face”. They call for your attention. They force you to address them.These two rotate between my favourite styles, depending on my feelings that day.

You were raised in Ottowa, Ontario. How did the culture there affect your development, personally and artistically?

I think that growing up in such a culturally diverse city helped shape my outlook on the world as well as my art. I was exposed to so many amazing varieties of arts and cultures, it’s hard to not have it affect you.

Could you tell the story of how you began working with large-scale acrylics?

It was a high school art project. I built, stretched and painted my first 5 foot painting and I fell in love. I continued with them for many years. I liked how it involved my whole body, how it was therapeutic to be able to whirl my arms around freely.

There is a reoccurring appearance of skulls and bone in your work. What is the meaning behind them to you, and why do focus on it in your work?

I’ve always been drawn to skulls and things that are macabre. I like the reminder that death is close, so live for the day. Fulfill your dreams today and don’t wait. We don’t know how long we have and tomorrow may never come. It’s a reminder to live without regret and to seize the day.

What is your goal as an artist, in the present and future?

My goal is just to continue to draw and paint and put my art out there. By doing so, I have since been published in a collaborative art book, and now i’m able to be featured in this event. If people like what I do and it resonates with them, great! I don’t make art for other people or with the thought of “will this sell?”. I paint what moves me in that time and stay true to myself.

To learn more about Robyn and Robyn Byrd Design, visit http://www.robynbyrddesign.com/

The Pioneering Spirit-An Interview with West Coast Artist, Susan Galick

The Pioneering Spirit

An Interview with West Coast Artist, Susan Galick

By Alyssa Laube

About: Susan Galick describes herself as a fun-loving lady with a passion for life, family and friends. She aims to live each and every day to it’s fullest and is happily devoted to the things she loves to do most – painting, music, art, and all things creative!

How long have you been involved in art?

I have been involved in some sort of art my entire life from sewing, knitting, needlecraft, tole painting, fashion design, stained glass, wood burning, chocolate making, cake decorating, handcrafts of all types, soap making – anything and everything creative. I could never watch television.

How has your life changed since you’ve become a professional artist?

At this point in my life I am now able to spend more time creating art. Being able to paint every day is the biggest change for me.

Many of your paintings seem to be set in B.C. What is it about our province that inspires you?

B.C. is gorgeous and I think that we take it for granted just how beautiful our province is from the coast to the Okanagan to the Kootenays and to northern B.C. I spent 9 years living in the caribou where my husband and I raised our 2 sons on a pristine lake. For me, I always need to be near the water, whether it be a lake or the ocean. Although I prefer the ocean as it is forever changing. I have been blessed to have lived by the water for pretty much my entire life from the ocean, to rivers to lakes. Water inspires me.

Which area of Vancouver has been your favourite to paint?

Gastown.

Have you ever painted scenes from a different province or country?

Yes, I have painted the U.S., Mexico and Europe. I hope to travel more in the future as my duties as a Mom and Grandmother are reduced as the kids get older. My life revolves around my family.

What is your favourite thing/place to paint?

“Working boats’, street scenes, character buildings and vehicles.

What is your biggest challenge as an artist?

My biggest challenge is trusting myself and my own style and retaining that loose, unique style. I do not wish to become a ‘tight painter’.

Do you think your personality is shown through your work? How so?

Yes, I believe it does. In fact I was just told this last night by a very established, famous local artist. I look at life with a positive outlook, no matter which trials we have to go through, and I have had my share…I strive to be happy and paint happy paintings.

Some of your paintings seem to be “blurred”. Could you explain what draws you to this technique?

I love loose, painterly strokes. My favourite artists are those than can portray what they are trying to say in as few strokes as possible along with light being a focus. Ken Auster is one of my favourite artists. I strive to create a focal point and add more tight detail in that area then blur out the background with loose strokes.

What is it about painting boats that you enjoy?

I just love the lines of boats, especially ‘working’ boats with character. I grew up on the water fishing with my father and have spent a great deal of my life near the ocean.

How do you know when you’ve found something you would like to paint?

When I get really excited and I cannot get it out of my head, I know i’d like to paint it. No words can describe the scene and I want to share it by painting whatever it may be that excites me at the time.

How do you stay inspired?

That is a difficult question. “Stuff” happens in everyday life which interferes with my ability to get inspired. When that happens I go to my “Beach Box” – my wonderful home on the ocean in Sooke. It sits on Juan de Fuca Strait. Here is the link and I think you will understand as the photos will explain more than my words.

http://www.beachboxstudio.com/

Are there any other artists who have played a significant role in your development as a painter? If so, who?

Yes, after I lost my husband of 39 years to cancer I forced myself to go to an art school “open house.” I had always wanted to paint and it was the local, talented Carmel Clare that I first met. She is the main reason that I am where I am. She is now my mentor, one of my best friends and my inspiration.

Do you sell every piece you finish?

I’m not sure how to answer that. In general, yes, I suppose I eventually do. Some take longer than others but some I give away to friends or family. For me it’s not about the money but for the enjoyment of painting. If someone gets excited when they see one of my paintings and just has to have it, that’s what is the most enjoyable for me. My favourite painting, personally, was my one of my Gastown paintings. It sold quickly so I felt like I did not get to enjoy it for long in my own gallery.

What was your first piece?

My first piece was an abstract water drop painting. I had it hanging in our bathroom while we put our home up for sale in White Rock. Sarah Daniels used to be the traffic/weather lady for BCTV and a realtor. She fell in love with my painting and phoned me up to ask if I would sell it. That was my first painting and my first sale.

What is it like to have your own studio?

It’s a dream come true for me. I can go downstairs and paint any time of the day or night that I want and I am my own boss which is very important to me.

How has owning your own studio changed how you personally, creatively, and professionally?

Owning my own studio forces me to take my art seriously. Previously, I used to think that I had to take care of my family, house, many gardens, etc. before I could settle down and paint. I felt that painting was secondary to the rest of my work. Owning my own studio makes me realize that this is my job now and I can paint anytime of day, get it done and the rest can be secondary.

How to you hope to grow as an artist?

Last night I joined a local art group with their goal being to form a West Coast Guild. I hope to learn from these accomplished artists and to be able to contribute my expertise as well, whether it be my ability to bring joy and happiness to others or to help mentor young people. I have 5 grand kids who mean the world to me and I try to be an inspiration to them as well.

What are you hoping to accomplish at this year’s art expo?

I am hoping to meet new people outside of my world, expose myself to new experiences, hopefully sell a few pieces, and network with others.

Do you have a motto, or any advice you’d like to give budding artists?

I have been through a lot in the past few years. My perfect, idyllic life that my husband and I worked so hard to obtain was literally turned upside down when my husband got cancer and consequently passed aways 14 months later. My family and I were devastated. My favourite quote is, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today a gift”. That is how I try to live my life. I have always tried to live each and every day to its fullest. I have a strong faith that has taken me through so much and blessed me with so much. My advice to my kids and others is that if you really want something, we are blessed to lived in a country where anything is possible if you have the passion, drive, and ambition to get what you want. It’s true!

To learn more about Susan and her work, you can visit http://www.susangalick.com/

She can be contacted at (778)-879-7273 or susan.k.galick@gmail.com

FREE Art World Expo tickets for you!

We are so excited about our show this year, after all, it IS our 5th Anniversary! In honor of this momentous occasion, we want you all to be sure to have your tickets ready long before the event in May and have a special promotion for you until September 8!

This month, our founder and CEO Monika Blichar, is participating in a pop up gallery “Acts of Random occupaTion” in Deep Cove along with 7 other talented local artists and designers, some of whom are also part of AWE 2015! As part of her mission to bring everyone out to the Expo for the Fairy Tale Inspired 5th anniversary event, with every purchase made on any of pieces by Monika Blichar from the gallery, clients will receive two free tickets to Art World Expo!

A fabulous deal for those who would like to collect Monika’s work as well as join us at our event on May 1, 2015!

As an added special bonus, if you show this coupon upon purchase, either printed or on your Smart Phone, you will also be eligible for 10% off any of Monika’s pieces on top of claiming your complimentary Art World Expo tickets! Tickets to the Expo are currently $40/each.

Monika is exhibiting 20 pieces for sale at the exhibition running until September 8, 2014. Ranging from hand painted and mixed media tiles, to paintings, signed limited edition prints and one hand sewn custom collarette. Pieces range in price from $60-$2500.

Each week, participating artists will also be doing live demonstrations free for the general public. Monika will be live painting August 21 & 22, September 5 and Face Painting by donation to support AWE 2015 Toronto Expansion on August 24 for Deep Cove Days.

For more information on the gallery hours and a full list of exhibitors, please visit the Acts of Random Occupation event page on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/666266263458563/

ART WORLD EXPO 2015 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Can you believe that our 5th anniversary is coming up in just 10 short months?

We are so excited about the event and we cannot wait until our special edition event on May 1, 2015!

As always, we are looking for amazing artist exhibitors, body painting competitors, fashion designers, and entertainers to join our event! Applications for artists, body painters, and arts related business exhibitors are ready and can be downloaded at the application on our site: Exhibitor Information

New Image College of Fine Arts Sponsors Art World Expo!

A visit to New Image College of Fine Arts discussing the upcoming installment of Art World Expo at Telus World of Science! New Image College has been instrumental to the success of our fourth exhibit and we are pleased to be working with such an amazing school based in downtown Vancouver.
Art World Expo support local artists and strive to give them the best opportunities to show and sell their work. We also love to engage the general public with opportunities to interact with artists of all sorts at this one of a kind event and annual showcase.
All proceeds from this event support Make and Break Arts Foundation.