artworldexpo

Bodhi Inscape Strives to be Enlightened Within at Art World Expo Edmonton

by Monika Blichar

Do creative people come from creative families? If our parents are creative, do we naturally become more creative? Bodhi Inscape is the brainchild of Tamara Konopelky whose family is full of artists and creators. I caught up with her today and I think coming from a family of creators, she might just be uber creative because of this. She is not only an artist but a meditation coach, and owns a construction and landscape company too. What can’t she do?

What inspired you to start making art?

Creativity runs in my family. My grandma was often creating various art projects with random materials. She once made a beautiful centerpiece with an old boot that my uncle left behind, some dried wild flowers, cattails & some pussywillows.

My mom does 3D wall art, repurposes old furniture and she dabbles in quilting.

My Dad makes furniture from antlers and tree branches, he welded a bouquet of flowers for my daughter using bolts and rebar and he gets pretty crafty with his antler Christmas trees with wrench and tool ornaments.

I suppose I’d have to say that I have always been exposed to people creating something extraordinary from something otherwise ordinary. Design and new ideas are in a way, ingrained deep into my mind.

Is there a special meaning behind your business name?

The name ‘Bodhi Inscape’ came from:

Bodhi: The name of tree that Buddha found enlightenment under.

Inscape: We all try to ‘escape’ from our lives, when what we really need is to Inscape.

I am also a meditation coach and I thought that name would be fitting for both art & meditation.

You produce a variety of works. What do you like to create the most?

I do tend to jump from art type to art type. It really depends on what inspires me at the time. I would have to say favorite is making the Grounding Lamps. My kids and I travel all over Canada gathering materials, driftwood & crystals. The amount of time, thought and the story behind each piece really make them very personal.

This is your first time in an Art World Expo event. What would you like guests to know most about you and your works?

That’s a tricky question. I’d have to say that when someone buys one of our pieces they can be sure that what they are buying is a story. Each one of our electricity burned peices and lamps are very unique. Our products cannot be reproduced or duplicated so the peice that you buy will literally be one of a kind.

About me? Well I’m a mom with 2 (usually) wonderful children, I own a landscape construction company; Green Thumb Landscaping Inc. I’m a meditation coach and an artist. I’m always looking for some kind of adventure and if you can’t find me…I’m usually in the trees somewhere exploring.

Will you have any show specials or never before seen work at this event?

Yes I will have a draw for a lightning burned peice of sorts. I haven’t quite decided on which peice just yet… let’s call it a show surprise. 😉

Just for fun. What is your favourite travel destination you have visited so far?

There are so many great places here in Canada that I would call my favorite because of the crystals we can find there. But my favorite ‘destination’ place would probably be Cuba. The people are so kind, the beaches are beautiful and there are tiny geckos running around everywhere. It was heaven!

View more of her work at the Art World Expo on April 12-get your tickets here! Be sure to check out the Etsy Store too!

Ma and Pa WoodArt in Edmonton’s Art World Expo!

by Monika Blichar

Being self taught and starting a business is never easy but there are many people who do this. One of those is Ma and Pa WoodArt who will be joining us at our show on April 12 at the Muttart. I caught up to the duo today and wanted to learn more about what inspires the duo to follow their passion and what they do.

What inspired you to start your business?

Terry is self taught from a young age and has always loved working with wood.

You make a variety of items. Do you have one in particular that is your personal favourite in your line?

Although Terry makes different items, his favourite is the scroll saw art.

Are you currently selling in any locations in Edmonton or beyond? Where can people purchase your works?

Ma and Pa WoodArt products can be found at the St. Albert Farmers Market and 124 Grand Market.

This is your first time in an Art World Expo event. What would you like guests to know most about you and your craft?

Terry creates items that are one of a kind and uses the natural beauty of the wood as a decorative item or for practical use.

Will you have any show specials or never before seen work at this event?

We have 5 unique scroll saw art items that are one of a kind and limited.

Just for fun! If you won the lottery tomorrow and was awarded a million dollars, what would you do?

If we won a million dollars, we would love to travel more!

Ma and Pa WoodArt was created to offer unique and innovative designs in cutting boards / serving platters / home decor. Experience a delicious and appetizing moment when presenting your edibles on these beautiful works of art. Our unique WoodArt is made to be a decorative item or for practical use. Display these items as art on the wall or use it as a serving tray or charcuterie board while entertaining.

To see more, visit their FACEBOOK PAGE or INSTGRAM! Be sure to get your tickets to the show today and find the owners of Ma and Pa WoodArt Corinne & Terry Olinek at the event! April 12, 2019 at the Muttart Conservatory.

Gilda Garza-Mexican Artist Shakes Up Art World

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www.gildagarza.com

Gilda Garza is a Mexican artist born in Sinaloa, Mexico. She started to paint as young as she can remember, a generational talent passed down to her from her grandmother.

Living in one of the most dangerous places in Mexico, Sinaloa, she was surrounded by war and kidnappings in her family. Her paintings show all of the raw emotions from these impactful events in her life.

She believes the best works of art happen when pain and suffering turn into inspiration and creativity.

Having gone through these experiences has only formed her into an even stronger woman who captivated what she was going through into beautiful pieces of art.

Every piece reflects a moment in the artist’s life.

Gilda’s Playboy painting was featured on the cover of Playboy Mexico’s February 2018 issue. She is the second painter to have art featured on the cover, behind Andy Warhol in January 1986. She is also the first artist to exhibit at the Omnia Nightclub in Las Vegas.

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Art World Expo-Artists in Cars with Judy Anne D. Gondales

by Monika Blichar

Judy came into our exhibitor roster just a few months ago but I feel like I’ve known her for centuries! Not only is she talented and a wonderful creative, but also an amazing humanitarian. She donates a portion of her sales to a High School in the Philippines to support a graduate towards their further education. I always love when artists use their platform to help others and definitely appreciate the effort Judy is making to help a young teen about to embark into post-secondary education.

I caught up with this bubbly artist in our next interview for our Artists in Cars series in this Genesis Richmond G-80 Sport courtesy of Genesis Richmond’s Jennifer Friesen. Thank you Project Her Inc. for supporting our community of artists! Enjoy the interview and be sure to stop by Judy’s exhibit at the 8th Annual Art World Expo on May 11, 2018. Get your tickets here!

Interview with Edmonton Artist Barbara Mitchell

by Monika Blichar

It’s always very exciting to meet artists who push boundaries and really go for it creatively. Barbara Mitchell is one of those kinds of artists. She mixes, changes, adds and alters things that we wouldn’t normally think of to create really wonderful and unique pieces of works. She is also an avid teacher and welcomes all kinds of people to take her workshops. I caught up with her today to learn more about her process and her work.

When did you start to make art?

I began doing acrylic mixed media in 2008. Never having done any form of artwork before that, I was surprised to find out that I loved the outpouring of the creative muse on the canvas, which was different than how I had expressed myself previously. Ever since quite young, I had always written articles and stories, but mainly poetry, and I was blessed in having been published many times. Writing was my expression.

But in 2005 my mom died and from then on, words became too heavy and so I was looking for a new way to say what needed saying. Art is a wonderful way to do this because one can disengage from emotion and just paint with feeling, whereas for writing, one must be involved fully, emotionally, so that the words can make it to the page in the manner we want them to be heard/read.

I went on from acrylic painting to encaustics to water-media to many forms of mixed media…alcohol inks on tile and yupo paper, shadowboxes, mix media ladies, altered bottles, jewelry…and it continues to this day, always changing things up. I create late into the night, and because I am retired, I paint all day too! How lucky can a gal be!!

You are teaching workshops – can you tell us about your programs and how people can sign up?

In my studio I hold many women’s classes focusing on art, techniques, demos, but we enjoy a lot of sharing and camaraderie also. I do instruct outside my studio too, and have been blessed to teach frequently at the Treasured Memories Scrapbook Store, Camrose Chuck MacLean Art Center, Central Lion’s Senior Center, North Edmonton Senior’s Association and Smeltzer House, along with visits to Calgary where I have taught also. Recently I enjoyed a day-partnership with Darlene Madden from Inspiro Mix Media Works, co-instructing with her in her own studio in St. Albert…I led the group in poetry, Darlene guided us making spirit boxes. We will be adventuring again, together in this, on March 10th.

You can contact me by email : brjn@shaw.ca

Or by phone/text – 780-289-2121

It is best when you just contact me with your interests and tell me what day or weekend works for you. I get back to everyone and send images by email of my workshops and what you can expect. I do a lot by word of mouth, or when I am at markets, shows, gallery showings or teaching, I hand out brochures.

I teach alchohol inks on tile (tile whimsy), vases, cupboard doors also “art in the round” where we take upcycled light fixtures and turn them into beautiful globes that come with a stand. They are decorative and usually displayed indoors, though I have found they can sit outside in a covered area if there is no direct sunlight. Alcohol inks though brilliant in color, will, like anything, fade quickly in hot direct sun.

I love teaching altered bottles, mix media ladies, encaustics, tissue painting and acrylic such as The Socerer’s Forest (shown above), and lately I am instructing alot of pour workshops where we utilize acrylics in our pours but mix it up with other yummy ingredients.

You say you are an experimental artist. Can you tell us what that means?

Experimental to me, means I am not bound or guided by rules. If it is suggested not to mix two ingredients together, then likely I will want to pursue it just to see what effects I can get. Most often I am very pleased. It might mean painting on cupboard doors instead of canvas, mirrors instead of wood, integrating leather and lace in a perhaps “conventional” painting, which then makes it more avante garde and not so conventional.

I guess in a tiny way, I am a rule breaker. I do follow some fundamentals of basic art principals, like using the right brush to create clouds, or the right watercolor brush for a certain watercolor affect, but generally I am happy “dancing in a pot of paint” creating my own adventures, that I then share with the public at markets and workshops.

Dancing in a Pot of Paint is my website name which I hold onto and pay for, but no longer have the actual website. After being severely hacked a couple of years ago, I just didn’t quite find the time to put myself back out there….so I guess I am also ‘experimenting’ with having no website and no social media. But the experience has shown me I am very busy by word of mouth and I email a lot with potential seekers of art and workshops, by just sending my photos and information through the one-on-one channel of communication.

For me, it works.

It would not be everyone’s way to go.

Will you have any show specials, promotions or exclusive offers for Art World Expo Edmonton attendees on March 16 at the Muttart?

I do have a draw at my table where I give away an art item I created. Please stop by, say hello, enjoy the art and put your name in!

I will be showcasing many of my tile art pieces and will have an “Art World Expo special” where anyone who purchases two tile art can have a third at half price.

I will also have many of my altered bottles on display as well as a few mix media ladies and my curved glass pieces.

Where would you like to see your art/business in 5 years?

In all honesty I am very happy where I am at now. I love to hold the classes while people wish for them and the interest is there. But I also love time for my kids and family and friends, travelling and enjoying my yard/garden. So I re-evaluate each six months or so, and change things up according to how I feel at the time.

Certainly in five years time I still want to be creating, enjoying color, and dancing with the muse!

Just for fun: If you could interview any artist living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I would wish to interview Rumi. He was a poet and sufi mystic, born 1207 and died 1273, whose treasures of wisdom and colorful insight offer me constant poetic uplifting. His poems make me think, ponder some more, want to change the way I live my life, embrace all things good and beautiful and find joy in the not so happy moments as well.

I would want to ask him….who did you love that you write of such joy…and such sorrow? Where did you walk that you know not only the beauty of the landscape but the inner landscape of emotion of the heart and soul as well? What pictures did you draw in your own mind that you can so readily impact me 870 years later, with your simple but profound language and make me paint beautiful and invigorating artwork, just by reading your words?

To learn more about Barbara Mitchell, send her an email or visit her at the show! You can’t find her online so you must be sure to get a ticket for the show on March 16, 2018! See you there!

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Monika Blichar is an Entrepreneur and Artist. She is owner of Monika’s Art Boutique-Studio & Gallery in North Vancouver and producer of Art World Expo and Painting Dreams International Art Tours. She is always pushing boundaries as an artist and creative entrepreneur. Her love of the arts has been a part of her life since childhood.

Interview with Edmonton artist Mel’s Big Art

by Monika Blichar

I always admire people who do different things. Mel’s Big Art is no exception to people who do different things and I was thrilled when her submission came in for Art World Expo Edmonton at the Muttart on March 16, 2018. Melanie Schoenberger does custom art and woodburning which we just don’t see a lot of in the Art World. She describes herself as a Canadian self taught Artist focusing on Woodburning Pyrography, Acrylic, Charcoal, Multimedia painting and drawing. I caught up with her to learn more about her work and what she will be bringing to our event this year.

1-When did you start making art?

I started making art at a very young age as my father was a self taught artist. So he was a huge influence.

2-What inspired you to pursue art as a career rather than keep it a personal interest?

I was doing some pieces as gifts for friends and family and then I was occasionally doing commissions for people with always positive feedback. So it became a goal of mine to eventually create it into a business.

3-Your work incorporates a lot of natural wood. Why did you choose this medium?

I work at mill work shop so it started with bringing home scrap pieces of wood and making simple wood boxes with hand draw pyrography designs or painting on them. It slowly progressed into drawing and painting on larger panels. I like the rawness and working with the flaws and flow of the wood grain.

4-What can people expect when they visit your exhibit at Art World Expo Edmonton? Will you have show specials or contests for guests?

This has been the biggest event I’ve been in to promote myself. I am going to do a draw box for a gift card.

5-If you had to explain the Edmonton Arts Scene to someone who hasn’t ever visited Edmonton, what would you tell them about? Where are the best places to find local art?

I’m new to Edmonton so I’m still discovering myself. Looks very promising though.

6-Where do you see your art business in the next five years?

The next 5 years is going to be exciting. I want to be an established artist and make it a full time career.

6-Just for fun: What is your favourite vacation destination?

Paris so far is my ideal vacation destination. I’ve had the opportunity to go there twice. It feeds my artist side with the history and museums. But I do love anywhere with beaches too.

To learn more about Mel’s Big Art visit her website and be sure to stop at her exhibit at the Art World Expo Edmonton on March 16, 2018 at the Muttart Conservatory. Limited tickets remain, get yours today before we are sold out!

Interview with Edmonton Artist Shane Baker-Baker Boyz Designs

by Monika Blichar

I love all kinds of art forms and appreciate creativity for what it is in all its relams. In today’s world, we can truly create so many different works of art and it’s amazing to see lots of variety within the art forms represented at our varied shows across Canada. I caught up with Shane Baker today and asked him a few questions about his work and what inspires him.

1-When did you start making art?

I have been drawing since I was able to hold a pencil. But went full time in the airbrush industry in 2003.

2-How has working with metal inspired your work? You have a shop where you also work on cars and motorcycles. Can you tell us about this side of your business and how it compliments your art?

Being in the auto body industry I have always loved the effect of ground metal . The way it moves and shifts with different direction of grinds. . Over the years of working on vehicles (Painting) I have also learned a lot about color and different effects that can be created by manipulating how they are applied.

3-You have hosted air brush nights with other artists in your shop. What inspired you to start this endeavor and how has creating this community with other airbrush artists inspired your art business?

When I first started airbrushing it was a very tight lipped community . Nobody was really open to helping anyone to start airbrushing. I felt that there needed to be a place for everyone to come in and enjoy this form of art as well as pinstriping allowing for everyone to feed off the energy and learn from everyone around them. Keeping the art form alive.

4-What kinds of work will you have at Art World Expo Edmonton? Will you have show specials or contests

I will have various ground metal panels as well as airbrushed paintings. I will be offering 20% off on all art at the show.

6-Where would you like to see your art in 5 years time?

In 5 years, I would like to be full time creating art and leave the auto body behind .

To learn more about Baker Boyz, visit their Facebook Page and be sure to get your ticket to the Edmonton Art World Expo! The event of the spring season in Edmonton!

Interview with Karen Newman-Studio Forty8

by Monika Blichar

There’s always been something really appealing to me about working with family. The appeal for me is that I get to work with someone I really love and care about and I get to spend more time with family doing something productive that helps all of us. It’s rare to find successful businesses that are family run these days but Karen Newman is making headway by working with her son at Studio Forty8. I caught up with her to learn more about her work and what guests can expect from her at this year’s Art World Expo Edmonton at Muttart Conservatory on March 16, 2018.

1-When did you start making art?

I have been making art my whole life. My Dad dabbled a little in painting when I was very young and started me early, to keep me busy I guess. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t doing something creative. I had hoped at one time it would be my full time career. I have a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from York University, but after graduating I didn’t feel that commercial work was for me. I traveled and worked for a bit and then life and family took over and a career in the arts got put on the back burner. Inspired by my teenage son Dylan, who has aspirations to be a professional artist himself, we started Studio Forty8 three years ago, and I am back creating art on a regular (although part time) basis.

2-What is your favourite medium and why?

INK-the blacker the better! I love the control and precision I have with fine liner pens like microns. I have recently started using claybord and am so thrilled with the ability to be able to ‘scratch’ in even finer lines and details than I could ever get with a pen.

3-You use a lot of black and white in your work. Is there meaning behind the choice to use this combination?

Black and white is my preference purely for aesthetic reasons. The high contrast and graphic quality of just using black and white really appeals to me. I am strongly influenced by print makers and by telling a story with only line. I had a client of mine sum it up perfectly as she admired on of my pieces at a show, she said “sometimes you just don’t need anything but black and white!”

4-What kinds of works will you have for show and sale at Art World Expo Edmonton? Will you have any show specials or contests?

I’m very excited about Art World Expo, the Muttart is a wonderful venue for my nature based work. I will have original ink drawings on paper and claybord inspired by my backyard (literally). I will be show casing my ‘Gilded Insect’ series which includes both originals and prints that have be hand tinted with metalic or irradescent inks. As well, I will have a small preview from the paper product line that I am currently designing. I hadn’t really thought about doing any promotions but I will certainly take it into consideration and see if I can come up with something fun!

5-Where do you want to see your business in five years?

It’s hard to imagine where this business will be in 5 years. It was started with my son to help him get a taste of what being a professional artist would be like. It has been a tremendous learning experience for both of us but in a few years he will be out on his own persuing his dreams and I will have to strike out on my own, too! This will be the first event I am doing without him (since he is under age) so I guess it will be a little taste of what things will be like in the future. I do really hope to be in a position where I can carry on doing this and reinvent myself as a one woman show…Studio Forty9 maybe?

6-Just for fun: What is your favourite childhood memory?

Wow! Hard to pick specific memory…I would have to say camping trips with my family. Always lots of adventures, laughs and learning new things!

To learn more about Studio Forty8, visit the Facebook Page and be sure to order your tickets to the Art World Expo Edmonton at the Muttart Conservatory!

Interview with Edmonton based artist Mr. Patrick Ennis

by Monika Blichar

Every once in a while, I come across an artist that is both proficient in marketing and creation. Let me tell you, this is not a common denominator in the Art World! When I do happen to find an artist who is steadfast about his or her career and is taking hold of all angles of business as much as he or she is creating, it gets me excited! One of the many things that we at Art World try to teach artists is that they need to be their own advocate for their art and really be their own brand ambassador. Mr. Patrick Ennis is doing just that and we are thrilled to have him be one of the artists in our Edmonton show on March 16.

Today, I caught up with Mr. Patrick Ennis whom I hear is a staple in the Edmonton art scene. Here’s what he had to say!

1-When did you start making art?

I have been painting 14 years and have made about 3000 paintings, had dozens of art shows across Canada as well as participated in a T.V show called “Painting with Pat”. I have worked with many people over the years, including being an artist in residence at the Lotus Art Galley and Isbe Domain Gallery . I received formal training from the last Poet Laureate of Ottawa the Honorable Patrick White.

2-You are working full time on your art. What kinds of things do you do daily to be able to turn your art into a full time career?

When I start my day doing work, I usually pre-paint the canvas and draw out the sketch. I try and get to work in the mornings, and spend the afternoon networking and advertising.

3-A lot of your work has reference to the universe. What draws you to painting this subject matter so often in your work?

I have always been fascinated with space, it’s kinda the Biggest thing in the universe, and the mother of life and creation. I also look for similarities in life, like patterns that replicate like the way trees grow like veins,or the universe existing on a microscopic level.

4-What kinds of pieces will you have at the Art World Expo Edmonton? Will you be offering any show specials or contests at your exhibition?

I am going to have a variety of paintings at the Edmonton Art Expo, from still life to surrealism, and landscapes. I find people take creativity more seriously if you can also paint realistic art.

5-What has been the most interesting thing about being an artist so far on your journey?

The most interesting thing about being an artist is it’s always different. Everyday the possibilities are endless. To quote Einstein “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited.”

6-If you could achieve anything with your work, what would be your dream within your art business?

I have always enjoyed the responses to my art the most. Having people have their minds blown by creating illusions of perspectives that can’t exist in the physical universe, but can be created using art. I often merge realities like people swimming in nebula. Art is very subjective to the person viewing it and the real mystery is that people can have different emotional responses to the same painting.

To learn more about Patrick, visit his Facebook page HERE. Get your tickets to the event today! Limited number remain!

Interview with Edmonton Artist Marty Johnson

By Monika Blichar

It’s exciting to expand Art World Expo. Our latest project in Edmonton is only adding fuel to the fire for making this event stand out from the crowd. Today, I caught up with Edmonton based artist Marty Johnson for MJ Designs to ask about his work and what we can expect from him at our March 16 event in Edmonton!

1-When did you start making art?

Art has always been a part of my life as a creative outlet and a way of procrastinating from things I should have been doing as a child. I chose a profession in massage therapy as I ventured into the ‘real world’ out of school. It wasn’t until a decade later that I felt I had learned what I needed in terms of self motivation to be able to create on a schedule. It was about that time when I started focusing on my art more. I had met some like minded people that wanted to create as well. This and with my training in massage therapy I started to put my creative abilities and comfortableness with bodies together. This was a challenge in the beginning. These open minded friends helped me venture into body painting. I now have such a wide variety of artistic mediums that I like to work with. Challenging myself to step out of my box has become a way of life with my art. And I love each new challenge as I succeed and fail because that is what growth is.

2-Your project for Canada’s 150th Birthday was amazing! What inspired you to use body paint in this project?

This project was a team effort between myself, a wonderful Photographer Christine Young and a creative Hair stylist Hollie George. Hollie first proposed the idea of a group body paint project. Us 3 met for a creative meeting about ideas and quickly developed into this amazing Canadian Body Paint artwork. As a team we narrowed down what aspects to show for each province. We know there are many beautiful and wonderful things each province has to show but we chose specific aspects that impacted us.

This was a 2 year long project and I specifically wanted to challenge myself more than I had in the past. I wanted artistic poses instead of painting just backs of people. I also decided to include a sunset, daylight and night scenes highlighting different aspects of Canada, like the beautiful aurora borealis in the northern provinces and territories. As you look at this piece keep in mind that we did not paint each province in sequence. For example BC was painted almost a year apart from AB.

We couldn’t have been happier to complete it on our Nation’s 150th birthday year.

3-What is your favourite medium to work with?

At present I have enjoyed acrylic paint the most but I have not ventured into oils or water colours. Sculpting I have enjoyed sand, snow, ice and foam.

I am a person that loves to try new mediums based on the creative job presented to me. If you ask me the same question next year it may be completely different and that’s what I love about art, we are our only limitation.

4-What kinds of work will you have at the Edmonton Art World Expo? Will you have any show specials?

I will be bringing three different series with me. The Canada Body Paint images of course. A must see! The other two, you’ll have to come check out for yourself. I’ll have originals, prints as well as some products with my art on them so there will be something for anyone.

5-Where would you like to see your business in 5 years?

Hmmmm…business and art, what an odd mix. At present I am guest curating a project with the art gallery in my home town. I continue to have doors open up to me that I never even knew existed. It will be a wonderful time these next five years. I love competing. I love creating custom artworks for people. And I love working on my own projects. I believe I am at a cusp of discovery within myself and the direction I am headed. My direction has been more custom work for individuals but I will be creating works of art based more on what moves me. I believe the next five years will have two paths; moving emotional artwork and products as well as competing in more renowned competitions.

6-What advice would you give to emerging artists?

Simply I suggest to try and fail, but try again. Creativity is always a learning process so don’t be afraid to fail. Some of my best lessons I have learned from not succeeding. Do not ever think you can’t learn more and from many professionals in different fields. Be open to any lesson that is being presented because they are everywhere.

Learn more about Marty on his website and make sure to get your tickets to the event! http://www.mjdesignsart.com/