Monika Blichar

Interview with P Delafresh-Toronto Artist
 by Monika Blichar
I meet new artists all the time! There is no shortage of creative people out there, but when you meet really enthusiastic artists who want to grow their careers and expand their crafts, that is what makes me super excited to work with new people. Today, we registered another new artist to the Art World Expo 2017 Toronto event; P Delafresh. I caught up with her and asked her a few questions about her work.
 
 1-What inspired you to start painting?
I was going through a rough patch and someone told me to find a hobby to keep me distracted. I was at Michael’s one day and decided to try out painting. I painted a version of an image I found  on google that I liked and was surprised on how it turned out. I posted it for fun and got some great feedback, so I continued with it. I found myself in another world when I was painting and it helped me escape the realities I was facing at that point in my life. I have always been artistic and been told to showcase my talents but I guess I lacked the confidence at the time. Now I find great pleasure in painting and want to share it with the world. I guess I was inspired by the roller coaster of life.
2-You paint using a relaxed abstract approach and your subject matter covers women. What inspires you to paint this way and also to paint the woman’s form?
I can’t draw actually, I paint abstract because it gives me freedom. No detail or definition just a flow, anyone can look at it and create a story for it. I am also a bit of a feminist, I’m an independent and strong minded individual. I believe that a women is power in all things and should be praised. The women’s body symbolizes strength and power in my eyes.
3-Have you been experimenting with other art forms or mediums like oils, water colour or mixed media?
I have been experimenting with water colours but am still learning and trying things out. Once I have mastered the style I do now, I will defiantly look in to learning more styles and using different techniques. I have no formal schooling or taken any classes for what I currently do, I’m self taught but I will be looking into some classes just to strengthen what I do currently.
4-Do you have artists that you admire or who inspire you?
To be honest, No I don’t. I admire and find beauty in all arts forms. From no named street artist to the great Henri Matisse. I admire art and find inspiration in almost everything I see.
5-Will you have a show special at Art World Expo Toronto?
For this expo no I probably won’t. I still have a lot to learn and will just be selling originals at this time.
6-What would you like to see happen with your art in the next couple of years?
I would love to see myself develop into a favored artist. Hopefully spend my days listening to Bach and painting away. I don’t see many artist out there that have the same style as me. I do hope my unique style gets me somewhere, if not I will still paint away and enjoy every moment of it. I do not paint for the money, I paint because it brings me peace and takes me away to another world.
To see P Delafresh at the event purchase your ticket HERE

Tarnia Loewen-Emerging Artist
by Monika Blichar
tarnia
Tarnia Loewen has been one woman who has played several roles in my professional and personal lives over the years. When I first moved to Vancouver, I bought a condo downtown and she worked in the building. Not only was she always happy and bright, she shared her dreams and goals of working as an artist. I’m always eager to hear about art dreams and loved hearing about what she was doing. Even after I sold the condo and years later, we remained friends and business associates. She started to share more of her works with me and invited me to show my art, host an event when she held a Halloween Pop Up Shop in North Vancouver and referred our company for make up work. The more I got to know her, the more I encouraged her to share her work and eventually enticed her to participate in Art World Expo three years in a row.
A talent who has made works for years and is now emerging into her arts career, we caught up with her to share some of her thoughts about art.
tarnia2
1-What inspires you to create paintings?
What inspires me to paint and create is vibrancy in colour and movement around us.
2-Do you have a favourite artist?
I have several favourite artists, Michelangelo, Salvador Dali, and Jack Shadbolt.
3-What is your favourite subject matter to paint?
My favourite subject to paint seems to be anything outdoors, I am surprised by this as I love still life flowers in vases, inanimate objects and abstract but outdoor scenery seems to keep rising to the surface. So for now I am going with it. There is something about Trees!
tarnia3
4-What kinds of work are you currently working on?
Currently I am expanding myself into more abstract and have a river/ water series I am working on.  Also going larger.
5-If you could make anything happen with your art and career, what would you like to see happen?
I want to definitely develop more depth and skill, much more flavor, more variety and to provide a peacefulness into a purchasers environment wherever they would choose to put a work of mine.
6-Will you have special offers for Art World Expo guests this year?
Special offers at Art World I am working on bringing more pieces, larger pieces, and some surprises!
To learn more about Tarnia, visit her Facebook Page. 

Logo on Our Luggage-Painting Dreams International Art Tours

by Monika Blichar

Each year, we are fortunate enough to take several trips related to arts and culture locally and internationally. In 2017, we have several trips planned including workshops in Toronto, REO Rafting in North Bend, British Columbia, Wroclaw, Poland in Europe and Las Vegas, USA. Maybe more, who knows! We love to travel, see and make new art while participating or leading workshops and conferences related to the arts and culture sector.

As I’m sitting at the Vancouver International Airport waiting to board my flight to Toronto for a world languages workshop I’m attending this week, I wanted to introduce our current and past sponsors for our annual Logo on our Luggage Program. In what began as an unconventional way to advertise local businesses in Vancouver, has now become one of my favourite accents to our annual travels. Not only do I look forward to traveling and seeing new things, meeting new people and enjoying new cultures, I also enjoy sharing passionate companies with my network via these experiences! It is a win win for everyone!

Our Logo on Our Luggage Sponsors past and present include: 

Twin Peaks Construction www.twinpeaksconstruction.com 

Art by Edy https://www.facebook.com/artbyedy/ 

Personal Travel Management-Robyn Freels https://personaltravel.ca/travel-agents/robyn-freels/ 

Carolyn Bruce Designs www.carolynbrucedesigns.com 

Coastal Storm Gallery

http://www.coastalstormgallery.com

Daddy Blogger http://daddyblogger.com

Jirehstone Vancouver www.jirehstone.com

Daughter for a Day Senior’s Care http://daughterforaday.ca/ 

MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery www.mabartstudio.com 

Make and Break Arts Foundation https://www.facebook.com/Make-and-Break-Arts-Foundation-154109301295870/

Painting Dreams International Art Tours https://www.facebook.com/Painting-Dreams-International-Art-Tours-968374583192403/ 

Art World Expo www.theartworldexpo.com 

World of Hydration

http://www.worldofhydration.com

Please connect with us and these great companies online! They each have something unique to share including construction, travel, senior’s care, art, jewellery and more! We will be posting regularly on our feeds about what makes these companies unique so stay tuned!

In exchange for a minimal advertising rate of $100, these companies not only contribute to our travel expenses, workshop fees or program development, they receive some excelelnt exposure via our numerous networks including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our YouTube videos. I’m excited to share the works of these companies and invite you to have a look at the advertising program HERE We have only 7 spots left for the rest of the 2017 season!

Thank you to our past and ongoing sponsors and affiliates! We appreciate all your support for BC Arts and Culture! 

Founder Monika Blichar-Solo Show June 30, 2017

All artists have their thing.
Picasso had his funny people. Dali had his crazy ideas. Monet had his garden.

soloshowmonika

Monika Blichar has many things and not just one. A leader on the Vancouver Art Scene since 2009, she has been working with vigor to create community through art by way of events, classes, workshops, art tours and her own work.

Since 2009, she has produced Art World Expo successfuly seven times at Science World in Vancouver and Hard Rock in Toronto. She has taught thousands of students via MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery including adults and kids. For kids who haven’t been able to pay, she also set up a foundation where funds are raised to help give opportunities to kids who wouldn’t normally be able to join in. The foundation also supports Art World Expo and hundreds of artists annually gain a platform to show and sell work, auction off their pieces and for artists in need, the foundation pulls together resources to support them during times of difficulty. She has also founded local and international art retreats in British Columbia and Europe and has taken amateur and experienced artists to places like Paris, Bergerac, the Dordogne River, Amsterdam, Wroclaw, Gdansk and Warsaw. In addition to all of this, she creates her own work. 

On Friday, June 30, you are cordially invited to step into the world of Monika Blichar. Attendees can view and purchase paintings, prints, photography, jewellery and accessories by Monika. (Prices range from $10-$5,000.00) This will be Monika’s first official Solo Show where she will share works created over the last 20 years-some never before seen pencil drawings, sketches, and paintings. Further, the solo show will kick off a year long exhibition nationally and abroad at partner locations. If you’ve always wanted a Blichar piece or are looking for unique gift ideas, be sure to swing by on Friday evening.

In addition to Monika’s work, guests will also have the opporutnity to purchase works from local artisans featured at Art World Expo and at the gallery on an ongoing basis including Art by Edy, Carolyn Bruce Designs, West Coast Hatters, Coastal Storm Gallery, Deanna ArtForms, Danielle Rondeau, K-OME, Chelsea Sinclare, Art by Elizabeth Hill, Mojan Nejati, Bellessence Cosmetics, The Copper Kat, OddMint Designs, and Slate Jewelry.

For more information and to see a preview of the works avaialable, be sure to visit the Facebook Event Page HERE

Top Three Tips for Summer Painting

SUMMER STUDIES: Top Three Tips for Summer Painting
by Monika Blichar

Summer is just around the corner and with sun and light to inspire you, it is the perfect time to paint in studio! Here are our top three tips for painting in studio this summer!

Choose Your Subject Matter-If you don’t have a target, how will you know where to shoot? 

When you are choosing something to paint this summer, try to choose something you haven’t ever tried before. Think of places you have visited or will visit this summer and take photographs then add these to your collection of what you want to paint. Recently, I went to Saltspring Island with students and captured an array of beautiful images that I would like to paint this summer.

     

Here are two photos. On the left is the original photo at Cafe Talia on Saltspring Island. On the right is an edited photo in the SuperPhoto App which helps me see the painting before I create it. 

 

Get Outside!

Make sure to take advantage of good weather and go outside to look at colour, shadow, perspective and light. With every season, there are new aspects to observe when it comes to nature and our surroundings. If you are painting cityscapes, be sure to go wander around and look at buildings and how the sunset or morning glow affects light and shadows. If you love nature, try walking in the forest at different times of the day to see the colour differences in leaves or trees during different times of the day. Think about how to create these colours and also how to capture the movement of a forest in your painting.

Challenge Yourself

Painting new subject matter can be a challenge but can also be immensely rewarding. Challenge yourself by trying new subject matter or experimenting with using new materials. We recommend getting new pastes or resin sands and trying them out in your next pieces. If you haven’t tried yet, here is a product we recommend by GOLDEN

As usual, we invite you to join us in studio and paint with other beginner and experienced artists. Our studio special this month is $17 art classes (reg. $40) which you can find Here! All proceeds from this promotion help us meet our summer fundraising goals with proceeds to summer arts programs, Art World Expo production and support for artists in our community.

Interview with Angie Balbon-Body Painting Artist and Competitor

by Monika Blichar

Our friend, volunteer and long time supporter David Torok had his face painted last year for our event by a lady named Angie Balbon. After some convincing, Angie decided that she would indeed participate after David encouraged her. We are very lucky that we have people like David in the community to support artists and make sure they are encouraged and go for their dreams.

We caught up to Angie for an interview. Be like Angie and Dave. Believe in your dreams and go for it!

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1-Why are you intrigued by body painting?
Body painting is a beautiful and unique art form unlike any other. The artist has the opportunity to get very intimate with a  living breathing canvas. Working with the natural curves of the body creates a breathtaking masterpiece far from two dimensional.
2-When did you know you wanted to work in the creative arts industry?
I have been enamored with the arts since I was a child. Art class was one of  my favourite classes throughout my school life as a youth. When I was a young teen I discovered makeup and the beauty of it’s trans formative qualities. MANY years later I decided to combine the two loves and attend the well reputed Blanche MacDonald Centre in 2012 for Professional Makeup Artistry, a perfect fit. Since then I have dabbled in the makeup career as a Freelance Artist.
3-You attended Blanche MacDonald in 2012. What is the most interesting thing you learned in their make up program?
That the possibilities are ENDLESS, and the world is your oyster! Always maintain professionalism, a positive upbeat attitude, network and keep learning. Knowledge is power!
 
4-In 2013, you competed and won 2nd place at the IMATS. What inspired your character design for that competition?
The theme that year was Oz, in honor of the movie being released that year. I chose to do my own version of a Winkie Guard (Wicked Witch’s soldiers), but updated with a backstory. He is the offspring of a Winkie Guard and a Munchkin post the Wicked Witch’s demise, choosing to continue to serve for the Emerald Castle. I also have an affinity for green people, ha ha.
My model, Scott, was the perfect candidate for the role.

Below are links to the article written by Blanche for my win as well as Youtube links to the video of the competition:
5-Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Creating music (fronting/vocals for a touring festival music project) and making body art masterpieces Freelance while I instruct at my own yoga studio. Shoot for the stars!!!
6-Can you give us any hints regarding your body painting work for the 2017 Art World Expo Body Painting Competition? 
As life and the universe connects us all and the wonders of the world, so does my beautiful expecting muse.

Interview with Mary Kay Representative Claudia Cruz

by Monika Blichar

Well, there are two reasons we love that Claudia is in our event this year! One is that we have a lot of make up artists involved in our event each and every year and Claudia is part of a huge business selling and promoting make up products. The second is that Mary Kay facilitates an income for make up artists. We love to support local business owners, but also help them become successful while participating in our shows. I met Claudia over the holidays in 2016. I encouraged her to participate in another fair that I was volunteering for and thought that she should be at the Expo to come share the other side of make up with guests this year!

 

1-When did you decide to become a Mary Kay representative?
I became a Mary Kay Consultant in 2014 and became a Director December 2016.
2-What fascinates you about make up and skin care products?
I love empowering women. I believe in women power with or without make up or skin care, but unfortunately we are our biggest critics. Sometimes our self esteem has to do with how we look not how others see us. It can be that we have acne, dull skin, sun damage or luck of knowledge on how to care for our skin. I have met with women that have literally had tears rolling down their cheeks after doing a guided facial with me as you can see the difference right away. Those are the moments that fill my heart. I know that it sounds drastic but I know I am changing women’s lives.  They continue to use our skin care products without having to deal with their beauty/skin care problems ever again. You see, as women we can face any problems, issues and obstacles no problem, all as long as we are content with ourselves. If  we are not satisfied with ourselves, we don’t function to our full potential. A woman is worth everything but a woman with confidence is just priceless and unstoppable.
3-Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?
I am currently on a mission of recruiting women who are willing to work towards their dreams. I need women of all ages, sizes, colour, ethnicity to join my team. I will work with them and guide them through the process all as long as they willing to work. This business is about you writing your own pay check, you decide how much you want to earn and work for it. In 5 years I see myself with a strong team of a minimum of 25 ladies who will be in a place they can’t even imagine right now!
4-Will you have any specials or promotions for guests of Art World Expo this year?
Yes, I will have a draw for a Satin hands set, (value of $57) and Every entry whether you win or not will get a Complimentary guided facial.
Mary Kay offers a wide variety of customizable skin care products for men, women and teens. We have 5 lines of skin care solutions for anti-aging, sensitive skin and acne, as well as a line of colour cosmetics.
Our products are 100% guaranteed and have thousands of hours of research and testing in each one. A leader in ethical skin care in North America, Mary Kay does not cause or conduct animal testing, so you can feel good about the products you love.
In addition, many of our products have been independently tested and have received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
Mary Kay employs over 3.5 million consultants in 35 markets, representing one of largest female workforce in the world.
Mary Kay has been the official beauty sponsor of Project Runway, the Country Music Awards and regularly supports the local Adopt a Grandparent program.
Through our Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, we have donated almost $2 million to women’s shelters and programs addressing domestic abuse and helped thousands of women going through cancer treatment.
Mary Kay consultants are independent and each purchase supports a local entrepreneur.

Your Independent Mary Kay Sales Director

Claudia Cruz

778 862-1663

Contact me to request your complimentary guided facial which includes a microdermabrasion treatment. I guarantee you will get healthier looking ski instantly.

Learn how to care for your skin, prevent or get rid of any aging signs, sun spots, black heads, acne and so much more!

www.marykay.ca/claudiacruz

Interview with MJ Patterson-West Coast Hatters

by Monika Blichar

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1-When did you know you wanted to be a designer?

I never knew I wanted to be a designer, I always thought I wasn’t very creative until the passion for millinery entered my life. When I came to Vancouver from the UK eight years ago I started working for the hat store on Granville Island and felt shy selling hats as it was my first retail job. So I started cleaning and repairing hats as a way to keep in the background and fell in love with classic men’s hats, they are definitely my biggest passion. The lines, shapes and history sparked my interest and I undertook a short course to learn how to block hats traditionally.

2-What inspired you to become a hat designer?

After the millinery intro course I started looking at different styles and moved into free form hat making, this is more organic than blocking because its just me manipulating the felt or straw to create shapes, it’s like there is a hat inside the material waiting to come out. From here I started doing custom work and mixing free hand and traditional blocking techniques, I always custom free hand the crowns of the men’s hats I make. I also restore hats for people who have a well loved piece that needs cleaning and fixing up, I like the thought that I’m keeping a piece of history alive. I enjoy experimenting with new materials and pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally made using them. The feeling of completing a free-form crown that could never be made on a traditional block or draping fabrics to create organic headpieces that no-one else is making, that’s when I feel the buzz of actually creating something new. As an artisinal craft, millinery is little known and I love the idea that I am keeping a tradition alive.

3-What is your favourite material to work with?

Most definitely Abaca silk as its amazing to sculpt with, it’s a blend of silk and abaca fibre, which is banana palm fibre, you’ll see some pieces in my show.  I enjoy all of the mediums I work with and I like to try out new things (I knitted a top hat out of copper wire for a show a couple of years ago, I remember someone saying you couldn’t so I decided I would go ahead and give it a go!)

4-You have done quite a few shows and made hats and fascinators for events and galas. What would you tell an up and coming designer about the fashion industry and how to get noticed?

This is still quite new for me and I’m still working on trying to make people take notice, there’s always a lot of people who want something for nothing so you need to filter out what you want your business stance to be. Always wear a piece of your own work, I’m always wearing one of my hats, actually my husband is generally wearing one too! Its a hard industry to be noticed in, small designers generally don’t have a huge budget for marketing and events so it really is about getting out and being seen putting yourself out there. And don’t give up, your passion should always drive you, eventually if you shout loud enough people will hear.

5-Where do you see yourself in 5 years.

I want to have a store/ design studio in which people can have a hat made while they wait, it will also be a space to teach more people the craft. Eventually I want to have my hats sold all over Canada and America and have a reputation for excellence and innovation. I want to do more shows and become known as a Vancouver hat maker that makes amazing men’s hats and cool fascinators for hat connoisseurs.

6-This year, you are doing a hat show at the annual Art World Expo and you have been making pieces especially for this event. Can you describe a little of what guests can expect this year?

Expect to see a mixture of traditional pieces and free form sculptural head wear, some bold statement pieces and some more classic hats. You’ll have wait to see what the material wants to be.

About MJ

MJ immigrated from England nearly 8 years ago and found herself working in a hat store on Granville Island. She had no idea how to sell, so started watching how hats were cleaned and repaired. She caught the bug and started to research the whole process at home learning traditional techniques. She started making hats about 5 years ago again using traditional techniques. Her business has grown from there! She now has a studio on Commercial Drive and makes custom hats on original wooden blocks and also repairs vintage hats. She feels lucky enough to be one of those people who love their jobs! Visit her Facebook or Website

Interview with Beatrice Lucia Grimoldi

by Monika Blichar

Beatrice Lucia Grimoldi came across our radar because of our good friend Yves Decary and Cynthia Skabar at Future Hair Training Centre in Vancouver. I catch up with her today and ask her a few questions about her art, Italian background and aspirations for the future.

1-What inspired you to start make up?
Since I can remember, I’ve always been a creative! I’ve always loved colouring, shaping, and creating beauty for the eye. I started to get into the art of makeup as a teenager. At that time, I was mostly driven to making women feel as confident and as beautiful as they could be. I’ve always been a firm believer that beauty is in everyone, and I just really wanted to help out the ones who had difficulties in seeing it for themselves.

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2-How did you get into body painting?
Once I decided that makeup would be my future, I enrolled with the best makeup school in Milan. I needed validation, I had to show my very traditional Italian family that artistic creativity was a gainful and admirable pursuit. I needed to show them that I was worth it. My time at my makeup school was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I felt like I was all of a sudden back to life. Like the magic of spring when existence comes alive with colors and perfumes after a long grey winter. My imagination, inspiration and creativity awaken, I took a course on body painting and special effects. This is the moment when my zest for beauty collided with my untamed imagination! I’d found it!! Body painting is my freedom. I consider body painting as an awakening of character, color and vitality.
3-Do you have a make up artist that you idolize?

Alex Box. Innovative, unbelievable creative skills aside, she understands the deep emotional attachment and the connection created with a person when becoming a canvas. I look up to her as an artist and as a human being.

4-You do different projects as seen on your instagram. What kinds of projects you like working on the most?

I do love photography the most. It gives you such creative freedom. One of the best parts is brainstorming with the other creative minds on the set. The photographer, assistant, stylist, makeup artist and hairstylist coming together with more and more ideas being generated. Everyone offers their best to achieve the same goal. Watching the magic happening and the ideas coming to life, such a thrilling feeling!!

5-Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
Having just recently moved to Canada, I’m in the process of rebuilding my future and my career here. So if I close my eyes now and daydream about my future, I see myself working with photography, doing editorials as well as private clients that ask me to make them feel as beautiful as they really are.
6-Can you give us any hints about your design for this year’s Art World Expo body painting competition?

Mmmmh…I don’t know if I can do that! 🙂 Just kidding! 🙂 Let’s just say I’m looking at the 7 Wonders of the World in their primitive, natural form!

Interview with Shannon Ruth Dionne Photography
by Monika Blichar

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1-When did you start taking photos?

I have been fascinated with photography and cataloguing family photos since I was about 13.  I started taking and then also developing my own photos in the dark room when I was about 16.  Digital photography came around for me when at 23, and I’ve been wearing out my cameras every since.

2-Have you experimented with other mediums?

Absolutely, I am a Mixed Media & Multimedia Visual Artist.

3-What inspires you the most about being a photographer?

Immortally encapsulating fleeting moments that not only caught your eye and heart, but also captures a glimpse into the complicated soul of your subject.

4-What are your long term goals for your art career?

My long term art career goals balance creating, promoting, recharging and education.  Essentially sustainably expanding on my current body of work and continuing towards establishing myself as a Canadian Artist with longevity and a rounded, breadth of work in Fine Art and Photography.

5-What will you being showing and selling at Art World Expo this year?

I am currently exhibiting a retrospective.  A diverse collection of select works from my portfolio, reflecting on the past few years of continuous work.

 

Learn more about Shannon Ruth Dionne Photography on her website https://www.shannonruthdionne.com and be sure to connect with her on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook