may 11

Interview with Caitey Gilchrist Creative

by Monika Blichar

As an artist, it can be hard to think about many areas of business. Lots of creatives are very talented in the actual making of art work, but many fall short in areas of marketing, business and branding. For some reason, it is the last thing that artists want to think about; their top priority as making art.

In reality, branding is one of the most important areas of business as this is what the public recognizes when they think of a company. Good branding means that people can spot your company just by looking at the logo-a symbol unique to that business. Bad branding leaves the consumer confused about what the company and often causes a lack of confidence in a business. Today, I caught up with Caitey Gilchrist Creative to ask her about her branding business as she will be at our event this year!

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1-What is Caitey Gilchrist Creative?

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Caitey Gilchrist Creative helps entrepreneurs live their passion and connect with their audience through their core message. Through branding, graphic design and online business resources, I help individuals translate who they are into a visual identity that speaks to their audience.

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2-When did you know you wanted to start your own business?

I’ve always had the entrepreneurial drive, and I started offering my services in 2011.

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3-What is your favourite part about helping creative people with their brands?

Knowing that I’m helping someone propel their practice forward is my favourite thing about what I do. I love translating their vision into something beautiful that serves a very practical purpose.

4-What will you be offering at Art World Expo? Any special promotions or products exclusively for AWE guests?

Yes! Until May 31, 2018, Art World Expo guests can receive 15% off any branding design package.

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

This is an exciting question! Branding is just one way that I’m currently helping creatives and entrepreneurs pursue their passions. The big focus for me is on providing education and tools for people who are ready to forge their own path. Over the next five years, I’ll be focusing on spreading these resources as far as possible through public speaking, training and online courses.

 6-Just for fun: What is your all-time favourite thing to do when you have free time?

I love standing in nature and experiencing the moment.

Caitey Gilchrist is a brand consultant, design geek, and creative for life. Through her company, Caitey Gilchrist Creative, she helps entrepreneurs connect to their audience through branding and visual communication. Caitey is set on creating new opportunities for small business brands through education, collaboration, and support. She works on this vision daily through her one-on-one services, branding courses, and through her involvement in local business groups in surrounding communities. To learn more about Caitey, visit www.caiteygilchrist.com To attend the 8th annual Art World Expo, order your tickets via this link! caitey2

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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 Celina Miller of MoonLight Studios

by Monika Blichar

I love seeing artists emerge in our community because it shows me that one more person is being courageous. Being an artist takes a lot of self confidence and risk not only because they don’t know when they will sell something or be commissioned, but also because they put work out there for the world to react to. Some people will fall in love with what they do, many won’t. Some people will support the arts, but many won’t know how to respond to creative works.

What I have noticed over the years is that many people don’t realize the hours and hours of work it takes to be an artist. From working on pieces in between jobs to spending each weekend at markets and shows promoting your own work. Being an artist not only takes courage, it also takes persistence, determination and motivation to continue despite fear, failure, or hard work. For these reasons, I am always so proud of emerging artists and creators. Today, I catch up with Celina Miller of MoonLight Studios whose work is often created in the moon light hours while her family is sleeping,  but who also prides herself sharing her passion with her family and now, with the art world.

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1-When did you start making art?
I started as soon as I was old enough to hold felts or crayons or a paint brush. I remember being a kid and painting my bedside table (I got in serious trouble) but I just needed to create, no matter what it was.
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2-What is your preferred medium to use?

Paint and canvas is my all time favourite and I gravitate towards that more then others but I have worked with many different mediums.

3-What inspires you to create?
Honestly, everything inspires me. The colour of the leaves, the waves of the ocean, the swimming of an orca, the wings of a bird flying, the blades of grass, the different colours of sand on a beach, my husband, my daughter, my dogs, I honestly find inspiration everywhere I look!
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4-Will you have any special promotions or new releases for AWE guests?

This is my first real art show so all the pieces I will be painting will be new releases for me.

5-Where would you like to see your art business in the next five years?
I would love to be doing this full time, having my own studio, my art in a gallery, my name out there in the art world. I’m excited for all the things to come for me!
6-Just for fun: Where would you go on vacation if you could go anywhere in the world?
My dream vacation would be Europe. Greece, Italy, France, the art, the culture, the food, I would love it all!
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For more information about Celina, visit her Facebook Page. Be sure to purchase your ticket to the 8th annual event and support Celina by using her affiliate link here.

monikaheadshot

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.

Matcha Matcha-Read All About It!

by Monika Blichar

I always love to incorporate new and interesting products and businesses into Art World Expo. With each year’s theme, there’s ample opportunity to reach out to community partners who are unique and different but who can add an element of interest to our show. This year, I am pleased to have Whisk Matcha at our event not only because the owner Kimmy is so kind and sweet, but also because her company offers a product that is both good for health and committed to organic matcha production. I caught up with her to learn more about her company today! Enjoy!

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1-When did you start Whisk Matcha?
​ Officially August 2016​

2-What is Matcha? ​
​ Matcha is shade-grown, finely ground Japanese green tea.​

3-What are the health benefits of drinking Matcha?
Matcha is possibly THE healthiest super food one can find.

Because of its meticulous production process, you’re consuming the entire tea leaves which contain full nutrients such as high concentration of green tea antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Besides, by drinking Matcha you can also ingest oil soluble constituents (Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, etc.), which are not extracted into water when brewed. Brewing tea in the traditional way is kind of like eating spinach by boiling it in a pot but throwing out the vegetable and just drinking spinach water, you end up chucking 80% of the nutritional value and benefits into the compost bin.

Matcha has an amino acid called L-Theanine; L-Theanine can improve mental focus and clarity in a slow-released way. It won’t give you the jittery feeling that coffee does to your body. Matcha tea leaves need to be covered from direct sunlight for 20 – 30 days before harvest. This shading process boosts the plants’ chlorophyll level; chlorophyll is a natural detoxifier that will cleanse the heavy metal and daily pollution out of your body. You’ll feel like a whole new you with every cup of good matcha.​

​One key antioxidant that matcha is loaded with is called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) Catechin. EGCG is proven for its benefits of treating cancers, and can also improve your immune system, stabilize blood sugar levels, promote fat burning, and boost metabolism.

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4-How is Matcha sourced? Are there any eco-friendly initiatives around harvesting matcha tea that help the environment?

​ Matcha is not created equally. Our matcha is directly from organic family tea farms in Kyoto Japan. ​Organic farming means a lot to me and our brand, because it’s good for people, eco system and our soil. Matcha plants cannot survive through the shading process (due to very limited energy from the sun) without an enriched soil, and we’re committed in sourcing matcha grown from NATRUALLY enriched soil, not by industrial strength fertilizers. Our tea farms/owners take incredibly good care and practices of the tea plants.

5-Will you have any show specials on products, matcha tea parties, or services exclusive to Art World Expo on May 11?
​Yes we will offer 10 – 15% discount on select products at Art World Expo.​

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6-Where do you see your business in 5 years time?
I’m hoping to open a matcha-focused tea tasting room in Vancouver​.

7-Just for fun: If you could time travel, where would you go?
​I’d like to go back to the 12th – 16th century​ in China. Love the culture, poetry and apparels.

monikaheadshot

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.

To learn more about Whisk Matcha, visit https://www.facebook.com/whiskmatcha https://www.instagram.com/whiskmatchayvr/ https://twitter.com/matchawhisker  Be sure to get your ticket to the 8th Annual Art World Expo at Science World. Our theme this year is Eco-Sustainability so be sure to dress in an Eco-Sustainable ensemble, create your own statement piece from plastic bags or make your voice heard for our environment. Tickets are available in limited quantities here.

Art World Expo-Artists in Cars with Sarah, Lynn, Aidan and Pampadour the Giraffe

by Monika Blichar

Interviewing people in the Genesis G-80 the last couple of weeks has been incredible. Not only did I have the opportunity to learn more about the people who are participating in Art World Expo more, I also enjoyed riding around in a sweet luxury ride for two weeks! Boy did heads turn-people just seem to love the look of this car and haven’t been afraid to ask questions about what it is! It’s been really great and not just because of the whole new luxury car thing, it’s been really special because of the relationships that these video interviews have nurtured.

Today I caught up with Sarah, Lynn and Aidan who have been painting in my studio for a few years. During the spring last year, Sarah brought in an image of Pampadour from the Vancouver Zoo. I investigated a little more and found the original article from The Province which is headlined “The Fight Against Animal Extinction”. Though the argument to have or not to have zoos has been a hot topic for many years, the article explains that habitat loss and population decline have placed giraffes as ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for the Conservation of the Nature’s (IUCN) official watch list.

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This year, our event theme is “Eco-Sustainability” is at the forefront of our efforts to raise awareness for our environment and nature through the arts. As mentioned earlier, Sarah has been painting in our space for a few years now and I have always known her to paint meaningful works. Animals have been mostly what she has worked on with us. Together, we are going to host a painting party in the summer hopefully at the zoo as well as sell some merchandise featuring Pampadour. Proceeds will not only support conservation efforts via the zoo but also support a local artist with a vision and message about supporting wildlife and animals. Check out the latest Artists in Cars video to hear more from her as well as Lynn and Aidan who also paint with us and who are as equally as talented and supportive of each other’s works.

To help support Pampadour, order a card featuring Sarah’s painting via our boutique website here. You can also order capris and a beanie too! To be placed on our Pampadour Painting Party wait list, please register to be notified here.

 

To learn more about the Greater Vancouver Conservation efforts visit their website. To learn more about the Genesis G-80, get in touch with our Genesis Experience Manager Jennifer Friesen. Thank you to Project Her for supporting this project. Tickets to the 8th annual Art World Expo are available here. Be sure to attend and dress in Eco-Friendly attire or makeyour own upcycled outfit!

Art World Expo: Artists in Cars-Brad from The Giggle Dam Theatre

by Monika Blichar

I always love meeting new artists from all kinds of backgrounds. In February, my family and I went to The Giggle Dam Theatre in Port Coquitlam for my father-in law’s birthday celebration. We all had a great time and as soon as I got home, I sent an email to Brad Lovell who works as a performer and the marketing manager there. I thought that somehow, the theatre could get involved with our organization in some way and bring even more light to artists pursuing their passions.

I caught up with Brad on Friday and had the pleasure of interviewing him in the Genesis G-80 from Genesis Richmond‘s Genesis Jenn. Here’s what he had to say about the theatre and following your passion!

Enter to win two tickets to an upcoming show with dinner by tagging two friends on our Facebook post below. Winner will be announced on April 6, 2018! Good luck!

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FArtWorldExpo%2Fposts%2F955978234564454&width=500.

Artists in Cars: Our Latest Interviews

I’ve been having a great time with these video interviews in this luxury Genesis G-80 over the last couple of weeks! Here are the latest interviews with Patrick Parenteau, photographer and Francoise Boise, body painter. Enjoy and be sure to get your tickets to our 8th annual Art World Expo today! Our event theme this year is “Eco Sustainability” and we are looking forward to seeing all your DIY, upcycled and recycled creations at the event! Tickets are available here. 

Want to learn more about Genesis Richmond? Contact Genesis Experience Manager Jennifer Friesen via her LinkedIn account.

Georgia Belle-Organic Soaps for the Organics Lover
It’s no secret that we are fans of handmade products! At Art World Expo, we also love to promote, use and refer products and services that are helpful and safe for people and the environment too. When I came across Georgia Belle in a Facebook group I belong to, I couldn’t help but become excited that she was interested in joining our Vancouver event in May 2018. I LOVE organic everything. From food to gardening, to organic body scrubs, shampoos and even household cleaners, I have become increasingly aware of what I am using and how that not only affects my body, but also my environment. I caught up with Sarah from Georgia Belle to ask her about what motivates and inspires her about her organic soap business!
 
1-What inspired you to start making soaps?

In 2002, I started learning about the chemicals, animal byproducts and other horrible things that were going into beauty products that I was using every day. Even the testing of products on animals was horrifying to me, as I have been a long time animal rights activist and couldn’t understand why these companies wouldn’t test on people, as we are the ones using them! It all started with deodorant, and then I kept on experimenting with all kinds of products from there! When I started making soaps, I was just in Heaven! I was able to make these great little soaps with extra butters to moisturize my skin, sugars and salts to exfoliate and even charcoal and clay to purify. I had not seen anything else like this anywhere, and I knew I had stumbled on to something great!

 

2-Your attention to the environment is an obvious factor into your decision into starting this business. Can you tell us about some of the ingredients in products that people should watch out for?

Yes, one big thing that I tell people to look out for in the summer months is any type of essential oil being used in things like bug sprays and sunscreens. Even in lotions you must be aware. Essential oils when applied directly to the skin can cause severe chemical burns, whether you are in the sun or a tanning booth. Other people can also develop skin discoloration that can last up to 8 weeks. We do not use any type of essential oils in these products for that reason. Also be aware of products that are made with regular zinc oxide. Our sunscreen for example is made with non-nano zinc oxide, whereas store bought sunscreens contain regular zinc oxide. A nano particle will enter the bloodstream, but a non-nano will not. Chemical sunscreens will enter the bloodstream and that is why DNA altering ingredients like oxybenzone have gotten such bad press lately.
 

3-What is your favorite ingredient to use?

I have a few that I love! Shea butter is very moisturizing, and I use organic fair trade Shea butter in a lot of products! Our soaps, bath candies and lotion bars all contain Shea butter. I use Vitamin E in every skin product for it’s skin repair effects and preservation. I also love charcoal! It purges and purifies pores, helps to remove toxins and metals and leaves your skin feeling very refreshed. It is also used in our Charcoal toothpaste for amazing teeth whitening from the very first time used! It’s just great!
 

4-How do you come up with so many ideas for products?

Over the last 15 years, I have come up with many ideas for skincare etc as it was something that I was needing at the time. If I needed a good toning shampoo, I made a recipe tried and perfected it. If my hair wasn’t growing fast, I researched and made a recipe. There are also so many things that I was coming up with that I had never seen anywhere else, such as sugar soaps and underarm detox for examples. I have several books of tried and tested recipes, and I thought if this is something that I need and use, there must be more people out there who need this too! Since my daughter Isabella (who by the way is ‘Georgia Belle’ 🙂 ) I have discovered that I could make all natural products for her too! She even helps me name some of our products! Frozen bath bombs for example, this is a custom scent that I made as per her request!
 

5-Are you going to have a special product for Art World attendees?

Yes we are! I will be making special soaps for the occasion, bath bombs, all natural mineral makeup and other goodies too! We will also have a great big gift basket that can be won through a product purchase draw.

6-Where would you like to see your business in 2-3 years?

I would like to see us with store fronts in and around Vancouver, and in Canada and the International market as well! I would love to see us grow and expand, have some of our products showcased in other boutiques and maybe some good health stores too.Our goal is to get people off of the chemical store bought products and help people transition to all natural ones. It is another reason why we keep our prices down too, is we want everyone to be able to afford Organic skincare and products for the home. For us it isn’t about making a sale, it is about raising awareness and forcing change to a market that is in desperate need of change. When my daughter is all grown up, I would like for her to live in a world where she and others are not bombarded with chemicals coming at them from every direction. I want them to live in a world where they can use truly great products that are helpful to them, not harmful. It is why I named the company after her! Isabella Georgia Grace has now also become Georgia Belle. This keeps me very hopeful for the future!

If you would like to attend the 8th Annual Art World Expo in Vancouver, please purchase your tickets here.