edmonton art show

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.

Horse Jockey Turns Pro-Painter and Joins Art World Expo Edmonton!

by Monika

I grew up in Alberta and our friends had horses. I spent lots of weekends at their farm riding and just loved it. One of the great joys of my life has always been animals, one day I hope to have a horse of my own but until then, I will settle for admiring works like those of Craig Wonnacott Fine Art who has been painting only a short while professionally but whose work is magnetic and pays tribute so well to horses in particular. I caught up with him to learn a little about his inspiration and his background. To my surprise, he was a professional horse jockey for 15 years and he grew up in Zimbabwe! Artists like Craig have the most interesting stories! Enjoy his interview and be sure to come and meet him at the Art World Expo in Edmonton happening on April 12 at the Muttart Conservatory.

What inspired you to start painting?

Ever since I can remember I have been creative and artistic, I have been drawing and making things all my life. I only really started painting at the beginning of 2018 . I mostly paint with acrylic.

You paint a lot of horses. Do you have your own horses or animals that inspire your work?

When I was 15 years old I had the choice of an artistic career or to become a professional jockey , I chose the later and joined the Jockey Academy in Zimbabwe which is where I grew up. I never gave up on my art.

What do you like to paint the most?

I always said that when I retire from racing I would work as an artist. Horse racing took me around the world and for the next 35 years of racing I had time to really study the animal that would become my favorite topic to paint.

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

Although horses are my favourite things to paint I do a lot of portraits of pets and people.

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

I like painting abstracts when I need to loosen up a little, it gives me the freedom to just paint without rules.

Just for fun. If you woke up tomorrow with access to a plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Although I am from Zimbabwe, if I could fly anywhere in the world it would be Costa Rica. One day I’m going to move there and paint horses on the beach for as long can. I need to sell a lot paintings in order to do so.

If you would like to learn more about Craig, be sure to visit his website and be sure to get your ticket to the 2nd annual Art World Expo in Edmonton.

Interview with Edmonton Artist Emily Lozeron

by Monika Blichar

Nature is one of the most important things we have but often the one we appreciate the least. With all of our fancy technology and advances in transportation and industry, nature and the environment have long been suffering as a result.

One thing that I have come to value deeply in the arts is the ability aritsts have to give meaning and share important messages via their work. From pop songs to photography to paintings and poetry, artists of all sorts have been sharing important messages about our world for centuries. Today, I caught up with Emily Lozeron who stands for nature in her work. She is a member of Artists for Conservation and through her work is able to raise funds for conservation. Here’s what she has to say about being a full time artist and her inspiration.

1-When did you know that you wanted to be a professional artist?

I knew from a child that I wanted to be an artist. It seems that life sometimes creates detours and I pursued art as a hobby for several years as I became a nurse. But my passion for painting won out and I couldn’t ignore the fact that being a full time artist was what I truly wanted to do. I have been blessed to be able dedicate my time to painting for the past couple years.

2-Your work features a lot of Canadian animals. What inspires you to paint animals?

I grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta and spent a significant amount of time out with nature and animals. I feel the most at peace in nature. I love to hear the birds chirping and watching animals in nature. When hiking through the forest or camping, it seems like all stress and difficulties fade away. I can live in the moment and experience nature with my family. The sights, sounds and smells. It doesn’t get any better then that.

3-You are a member of Artists for Conservation. Can you tell us a little about the organization and also what your role is within the group?

Artists for Conservation is a worldwide organization that is dedicated to artists and conservation. Our world is fragile and takes effort to keep it as beautiful as it is now. I am a signature artist in AFC and donate a portion of sales of paintings to a conservation organization. It is a juried organization and every year has a juried show that includes artists from around the world. I am very honored to have been juried into the show several times, and the paintings tour around the United States and China.

4-What is the best part of being an artist? What would you say to an emerging artist?

The best part of being an artist is being able to do something I absolutely love. It takes a lot of work to get to the point of selling and being an artist, but worth it to do what you love. I was just talking with an artist and our conversation was “Just Paint!!! A lot!!!”. It takes effort to dedicate time to painting, but soon it turns into an obsession that is difficult to ignore. Plus the fact that I have set my studio up in the living room so that I am always surrounded by it. I’m always reminded that I am in the middle of a painting. I would also say to surround yourself with artists who are like minded and who are encouraging and keep you reminded of the end goal. Which, for me, is to continue painting what I love. Some of my artist friends have completely different mediums and styles. It keeps me striving for new ideas and pushes me to try new things.

5-What can guests expect from your exhibit at Art World Expo Edmonton? Will you have any show specials, contests or limited edition pieces for sale at this event?

People can expect to see paintings that represent what I love and experience. I hope to share with others what makes nature so special to me and encourage others to see nature in a new and beautiful way. All the paintings that I have at the show will be originals. I do plan to have a draw at the show for a small painting. Everyone who joins up on Facebook and/or Instagram will get a to have a ballot for the draw.

6-Where would you like your business to be in five years time?

I hope that my business continues to grow over the next couple of years. I plan to dedicate my time to increasing where I am showing my paintings.

7-Just for fun: What is your favourite travel destination and why?

Oh boy it would be easier to say where wouldn’t be my favorite destination. My husband always makes fun of me because everytime I hear of a place to go, I want to go there. I live in Northern Alberta so anywhere that is warmer then here is a desireable place to go.

EMILY LOZERON BIOGRAPHY

Emily lives near Grande Prairie, ab. She grew up on a farm in northern Alberta, where she first discovered her love for the outdoors and animals. She started drawing at an early age and loved to draw the horses and animals that lived on the farm. Eventually Emily ventured into watercolors and oils, but discovered that acrylic is the medium that gives her the flexibility and desired effect that she prefers. Emily’s main subject matter is wildlife and landscapes. Her goal is to achieve an accurate likeness and maintain the character of her subject while also giving an artistic effect to the painting. She does not look for the perfect or the beautifully manicured subject, but loves what makes the subject unique; the scar on the leaf, the rusted barbwire, the wrinkled face or the shedding of a winter coat of fur in the spring. Her inspiration is the beauty of nature and hopes that she can share what she sees to others, through her artwork.

Emily is a signature member of Artists for Conservation @ http://www.natureartists.com and her artwork has been juried into international shows in Vancouver with the organization. As well her painting has accepted into the international juried exhibit in Wausau Wisconsin in the “Birds in Art” at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
and also has been displayed at the Cloverdale Rodeo, Langley BC and at The Calgary Stampede. Emily is a member of Grande Prairie Guild of Artists. Her artwork can been seen online at www.emilylozeron.com or on Facebook at Emily Lozeron Painting.

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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.