Edmonton Artists

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.

Mel’s Big Art: Big Ideas, Big Vision and Big Ingenuity

by Monika Blichar

Mel’s Big Art is just that. It’s filled with big ideas, big vision and big ingenuity. Her work shows a dedication to a unique craft while also experimenting with pop culture and ideals. From skateboards to traditional wall art pieces, Melanie Schoenberger is definitely one artist to follow over the next few years. Her work is intriguing, interesting and definitely makes a great addition to any art collector’s home or office. I caught up with Mel today and here’s what she had to say about her work, the upcoming Art World Expo in Edmonton and what she would do with an unlimited bank account.

You participated in the Art World Expo Edmonton last year in our very first year in Alberta. What have you been up to since then artistically?

In the past year I have focused on participating in more Artisan Markets, Gallery showings, expanding my creativity thru different pieces. Branding myself more thru social media.

You work in a very unique and rare medium. What inspired you to start working in wood burning?

My background is painting and drawing, I made myself a bedframe and I wanted to decorate it, I wanted to do something completely different that I’ve never seen before so I decided to burn designs into it. I love working with all the flaws and flow of the grain. I have recently started to add colour into my pieces which has been really fun. Thu the year I have found that my love of art comes thru when working with this medium.

You are a very versatile artist when it comes to creating. What is your favourite subject matter?

I enjoy challenging myself with taking on a variety of subjects. I’ve been getting more comfortable with stretching my boundaries and experimenting with the use of colours. I’d have to say that my favourite subject is nature/sea life. I find that every project I work it becomes something more that I didn’t expect.

As an artist and business owner, what are some of your greatest goals for your career this year?

My biggest goal this year is to continue to get more exposure for my Art and business.

Will you have show specials or never before seen work at this year’s Art World Expo in Edmonton?

I’ll be selling limited edition prints and my newest works as I’m constantly working on new pieces. I will be possibly auctioning off one of my skateboards?

Just for fun! If you woke up tomorrow with access to an unlimited amount of money, what would you do?

So much…. Take care of my family, I would travel the world, put money towards environmental/animal causes. Live somewhere with an ocean view, have a big Art Studio and continue creating.

To support Mel’s Big Art, you can purchase tickets for Art World Expo Edmonton happening April 12 through her link here. You can also follow her work and journey by joining her on https://www.instagram.com/melsbigart/ or https://www.facebook.com/mschoenberger3

Aryn Effert Returns to Art World Expo Edmonton

by Monika Blichar

One of the best things about Art World Expo is creating relationships with the artists who participate. Each year, we have the great pleasure of working with and helping represent hundreds of vendors via our four (currently!) productions in three different cities. As an organizer, this has been the best part. I feel like each year, returning vendors offer something new to the show, they add a level of experience and expertise and they also up their game each year. It’s an interesting process to watch artists evolve and when I met Aryn last year via the Edmonton show, I was so excited I used her art on our flyer for our first annual event. I caught up with her to see what she’s been up to and what she will be bringing this year!

Aryn’s art work at the top of the flyer for our event in 2018.

You were part of the show in Edmonton and Vancouver in 2018. What have be you been up to creatively since last year?

More photography, playing more with chromatography in my works & discovering the beauty of new inks!

What inspires you as an artist?

Architecture, light and dogs – the solid rigidity of architecture combined with the curves of Art Deco and the loss of line control caused by my techniques are so much fun to explore!

If you could do anything with your art, what would that be?

Share my joy of the combination of science & art.

Will you have any show specials at Art World Expo Edmonton on April 12 at the Muttart this year?

Some photo prints will be available for sale & I’ll be bringing some of my older pieces at a discounted price! Including the fishes from last year!

What would you tell an aspiring artist about showing and selling art in today’s market?

Network, network, network! There isn’t a really great central focal point for us newbies to get to know each other; volunteer and visit shows to try to meet the right people to get your name out there!

About Aryn

A.Effert-Headshot - Aryn Effert.jpg

Born in Red Deer, trained at ACAD in Calgary and living in Edmonton; an Alberta girl through-and-through. Currently working as Project Coordinator for a small Construction
Management Company.

A dreamer, a geek, a painter, and a drafter; a dabbler in photography. A lover of stairs,
sunsets, and sunrises; not only for their ability to paint the sky, but for the promise of
change – whether it’s moving from one level to the next or transitioning to or from the
magical night. The works are an attempt to capture the feeling of the moment of its
conception, to revisit something often overlooked.

In 2018 had pieces displayed and sold at the Nina Gallery on 118 Avenue, Art World Expo Edmonton and Vancouver, 2017 at RAW Artists showing at the Warehouse and in 2012 self-promoted show at Blue Café. Graduated as an Architectural Technician in 2017, and in 2004/5 spent a year learning to expand in Calgary at the Alberta College of Art and
Design, learning plenty from experienced artists and inexperienced alike.

Follow Aryn: FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM

Be sure to catch her at the show on April 12, 2019!

ART WORLD EXPO-CALL FOR ARTISTS-VANCOUVER, TORONTO, & EDMONTON

CALL FOR ARTISTS!

We are excited for another installment of Art World Expo in our home base of Vancouver but also two events in Toronto and Edmonton in 2017 and 2018! We are looking for artists who want to be part of the action and showcase their work, products, services and talent!

vancouvertorontoedmonton