Monthly Archives: March 2023

BLITZ GALLERY IN TORONTO LAUNCHES LATEST SHOW

FLY recently dropped in to Toronto’s Blitz Art Gallery located at 101 Richmond St East (south side, just W of Jarvis) for the launch of their latest group show “Being and Belonging”.  Artist and friend Morgan Sheardown, famous for his “Raining Cows”, has a couple of canvases in this new group show (thanks for allowing FLY borrow this photo, Morgan).The space itself has lots of great wall space for hanging artwork and the lighting is perfect. Most of the artists are unknown to FLY however several were happy to share their stories, such as Heather Gentleman (below) whose work on show featured portraits of Indigenous women warriors of Britain during the Roman invasions. These women are Celts, Druids, Picts, Gauls and Britons. The working name of Heather’s series is Parallax. The meaning of the word is the effect whereby the position or direction of an object appears to differ when viewed from different positions. Congrats, Heather, FLY loved this tease of your upcoming full series show. FLY was also pleased to meet the award-winning Canadian artist, Susan N. Stewart (below) who’s known for hip and exciting contemporary art that transforms spaces. She’s also the founder of Flick the Switch Artists’ Collective in Toronto.
Marina Doukas was busy posing for photos (below)…her work is vibrant and full of energy.Portraits, cloudscapes, landscapes and cool photographic works are all part of the show… FLY would like to thank Angela Kim and gallery owner Hui An for their hospitality and for supporting Canadian artists.

Website: www.blitzartgallery.com (currently undergoing upgrade)

OCTOGENARIAN ARTIST DONNA WISE KEEPS UP FAST-PACED CREATIVITE OUTPUT!

FLY is in awe of Toronto-based artist DONNA WISE who came to contemporary abstract painting late in life but whose output exceeds that of so many younger artists.   www.artbydonnawise.comDuring Covid lock-down, Donna retreated to her studio and created gorgeous, lush acrylic-on-canvas masterworks as well as experimented using paper as a medium. And the results were a series of extraordinary artworks – Road to the Moon (60″x60″) – full size & close-up-images and From the Sea (48″x48″)-full size & close-up detail plus Shadow Play (40″x40″) – full size & close-up detail …and her paintings on paper were equally as exciting…here’s Triumphant (below)and this red one is called Celebration.FLY is thrilled to share the news that Donna has been selected to showcase her work (below – “Chantilly Lace” and “Numbers of Music & Poetry”) at next month’s ArtBox Project showcase in New York City, so Donna is hoping to attract collectors in the Big Apple (her work is already in private & corporate collections in Miami and San Francisco).

FLY wishes Donna much success with her stunning paintings in New York and here in Toronto. You can check out 2 of her canvases in person at the Westmount Art Gallery in Etobicoke, and watch for news of upcoming exhibitions during the summer months on her Fcbk & Instagram (linked via her website).

 

 

COLLECTIVE 131 PRESENTS “PERFECT 10” GROUP SHOW THRU MONTH OF MARCH

Another great opening for FLY to buzz around….the artists known as Collective 131 launched their group show for the month of March titled “Perfect 10” in their fab gallery underneath Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor West in downtown Toronto. With double window frontage into the mall, the paintings on display attracted many walk-ins as well as friends, family and collectors to wish all the artists well with this special show of “smalls” that hangs alongside the large canvases of the Collective’s members.
Lisa Litowitz was happy to pose for friends in front of her colourful abstract landscapes (she’s pictured below right)…and I was immediately drawn to my friend Mark J. Gleberzon‘s fun “Barbie booth” where some of his gorgeous Barbie portraits hangMorgan Jones has a similar forest-themed booth showcasing his unique creations…There are so many talented emerging artists participating in the “Perfect 10” show… ...including a young artist whose work FLY was immediately drawn to – Dinesh Subramanian. His impressionist style street scenes of Toronto were beautiful – see below And FLY also loved the soft palette used by Meaghen Burdick in this view of a country road (below)There were paintings for every size of wall and wallet – check these out… FLY bumped into Collective member Morgan Jones flanked below by two friends who obviously know a good work of art when they spy it! FLY is a big fan of J&J Photos – that big horned cow skull would look lovely over FLY’s mantle…hmmm.So much to see, something for every taste. Easy to find the gallery in the lower mall underneath Holt Renfrew on Bloor…and you can follow them on Instagram:  @collective_131_toronto
The show continues throughout the month of March. Tell them Fly On the Gallery Wall sent you.