A Spark of Inspiration!

Last September, we had the opportunity to visit Spain.  In one word, " Magnifico!!"  It was what I expected and more.  Travelling to nearby villages, walking through medieval towns and simply being immersed in the culture, the food, the people.  Our stay was too too short, but with it, I carry with me over 1600 pictures of great memories, a reconnection with my grade school friends, laughter and fun shared with my hubby! 

October 23rd, I was awarded Best in Mixed Media for my painting, " La Reina y Princesa" by the Visual Arts Centre, in Bowmanville.  Thrilled and tickled pink.... 

La Reina y Princesa

Now it is November and even with the time change, I still can't complain about the weather. It has been mild. A beautiful summer and a colourful fall.    And oh boy am I inspired!

Now let's get ready to face that canvas and find my voice!



Falling for Workshops!

In as much as we love our summertime, our love affair ends with the beginning of Fall.  As the colours of nature begin to unfold with its golden ochre, sunsets and quiet crimsons come the coolness of each day and the onset of getting back into the swing of things.

I am happy to share, that I will be in a few new areas this fall with brand new workshops.  Out in Cobourg, with "'The Painted Tree", I will be introducing a new workshop called Painting your Garden with Acrylics. http://www.thepaintedtree.ca/  This one-day workshop, (Sept. 17th) will teach students to simplify garden composition.

VAC Abstraction class June 2011

The next workshop on Sept. 28th is at the Visual Arts Clarington.  A 4-session, every Wednesday Abstract class!  Now how cool is that!!!?? http://www.vac.ca/  This is all very exciting, because I will be pushing students out of their 'safe-zone' into a brand new looser approach!

My Fall classes at Curry's Artist Materials is already in the Currys website http://www.currys.com/, with Northern Landscapes and so much more!

In October, I am returning back to the Pickering Recreation Centre with Beginner's Acrylic.  And last but not least, 'SweetArt Studio nights' will move from Tuesday to Thursday evenings, where the interaction with fellow artists, great music and love for painting make every evening of painting go by so fast!

And so as the summer closes, take comfort in the sizzle of fall courses to discover!

See you soon!

Marissa

Be Cre8TV

Guess what? I have a TV show coming up in the fall! Yup!

Last July, was a whirlwind of designing, painting of the set and the taping of 6 episodes for a fall show which is lined up to air at Rogers TV Durham in September. I, together with co-producer and host, Sharon Lindsay will be appearing together in a show called Be Cre8TV. This show is about being creative in our lives!

There are 3 segments in each episode, the first; a Feng Shui segment where I provide valuable information about the practise of Classical Feng Shui. As a certified practitioner with the Feng Shui Research Center and past board member of the Feng Shui Association of Canada, I will be talking about the very basics of Feng Shui and how it can enhance our lives! The second segment; will be with various guests and the third; will be a craft segment - where we will be creating interesting elements for your home!! It was so much fun and I met alot of interesting and creative people. I can't wait to see the show myself! Right now, it is in post production.

I am truly excited about this show and hope that it receives well. Stay tuned to find out when it will be on the air! Or in YouTube?

HUgs,

Marissa

Oshawa Art Juried Show 2011

The Oshawa Art Juried Show is on-going from June 16-July 3rd at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 72 Queen Street, Oshawa. Out of 130 entries, 80 works were selected for the show. I had 2 entries selected and both won awards! The first for 3rd Best Acylic for "Fiesta", and Honorable Mention for Mixed Media, "Stand by Me". Jurors this year are Gabrielle Peacock, Chief Executive Officer of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, and Greg Murphy - Dean, School of Media, Art & Design, Durham College. Hope you can catch the show! Thrilled, Marissa

I'm Published!

Am thrilled to be among 287 international emerging and established artists featured in the second volume of "The International Contemporary Artists". Published by ICA publishing a collaboration with New York and Athens editors and art curators. To order a copy, go to our website at http://www.msbaassociates.com/, then click on Our Store, then go to the Amazon.com links!

Hurray!!!

Love,

Marissa

Riverdale Art Walk... Aaarrryyyaaa comin?

After three years, I have sailed back to Toronto to join a juried group show; The Riverdale Art Walk! This 2-day show, (June 4-5) features 120 national and emerging artists right downtown on Queen Street East! Time of show is from 11a.m.- 6p.m.

I will be in booth #88. This is a link to see the map of the park.

www.artistnetwork.ca/raw or www.artistnetwork.ca/node/289

So mark your calendars and look forward to sunny weather!! (if not, I will shiver me timbers!)

See you there!

Marissa

Painting this June!

It is still the middle of May, let's tune in to upcoming June warmer summer weather! With the change from mild rainy days to warmer weather, comes more art news from my studio!

I am thoroughly enjoying the Tuesday painting nights at the Sweet Art Studios and will continue until end of June. "Sweet Art Studio Night" is open to all acrylic painters, who want to work on their specific projects and want to have a forum to mingle with other painters. It is such a great opportunity to work, learn, observe and get inspired by others. I will be painting together with you, so if you hit a 'wall' or need some painting advise, help is on its way!! An informal, fun, creative atmosphere, come and register for " Sweet Art Studio Nights" by emailing me directly, marissa.sweet@rogers.com . June 7, 14,21 and 28th at 6:30-9:00p.m. Cost is $20.00/session.

If you are opting to push yourself out of the ordinary, check out Visual Arts Clarington on June 11-12 as I faciliate "ABSTRACTION WITHOUT FEAR". It is a workshop which will open creative boundaries and introduce you to acrylic mediums and explore non representational paintings inspired by your imagination. Likewise, if you are at the east side of Oshawa, I will be at The Painted Tree in Cobourg, on June 18th for a MIXED MEDIA one-day class! Visit, both http://www.vac.ca/ and http://www.thepaintedtree.ca/ to register.

"Art enables us to find ourselves, and lose ourselves at the same time." Thomas Merton

Adventures in May!

Creative poeple are curious, flexible, independent, with a tremenous spirit of adventure and love of play. Join me in May to develop your creative spirit and jump in!!

Here are two invitations for painting adventures this May! The first; a creative weekend workshop at my home studio "Awaken your Creativity"! Join me for 2 days (May 14-15) finding new creative ideas to spark your abstract art! We shall start the morning with a 45 minute gentle yoga, (with my yogi friend Wendy Melville) to get us all relaxed and rejuvenated!! The rest of the day will be filled with hands-on exercises for developing new material and different means of expression in art. For more information; visit my website at http://www.taopad.com/

The second adventure; is "Sweet Art Studio Night", which is a 5-day open studio time for acrylic painters who want to paint their own specific projects, but want to have a forum to mingle with other painters. I will be painting with you guys, so if you have a question or need help, I can assist you right away! Isn't that cool?? Our date would be every Tuesday night, from either 6:30-9:00p.m. or 7:00-9:30p.m. Maximum is 4 so reserve your spot before April 29th, by emailing me at marissa.sweet@rogers.com. Cost is $20/session.

So don't hesitate! Art can transform your life, but be patient and take it one step at a time!!

Marissa

Ring the bells of Spring!

Hello again and welcome to my blog! Spring has sprung and so too, with the new buds we see on our ravine backyard! Even our residential beavers have begun to work away at the little creek behind our home, which has now become quite a lovely stream with matching rock waterfall!!!

I am busy gearing up for 2 big art shows!! The 1st (May 6-7-8) at the Pelham Art Festival, where over 65 artists show their original art work over Mother's Day weekend. The 2nd show (June 4-5), Toronto for the Riverdale Art Walk, on Queen Street East. Both shows are juried, so it is an honour to have been selected to join them.

Aside from shows, new art workshops are scheduled, both at my home studio and at two new locations! The first location will be at The Painted Tree, Cobourg, for a Mixed Media workshop on April 16, the second at the Visual Arts Clarington, Bowmanville, for "Abstraction without Fear", on June 11-12. Visit their respective websites to register!

"Awaken your Creativity", an abstract painting workshop ispired by yoga will be offered again in my home studio!!! Kick off your shoes and paint to your hearts desire!!! We start the class with a 45 minute yoga to get everyone rejuvenated and inspired. Workshop is on May 14-15. Visit http://www.taopad.com/ to find out more!

Lots of good stuff, inspiring workshops and shows... hope to see you this spring!!

Springtime!

It's been rainning last night and all day today... ya'think we are now changing seasons??? Hope so! New beginnings, everythings fresh and bright, feeling warmer temperatures. Looking forward to it.

With the new season, comes new and exciting news from The Art of Placement and Design! I have 2 groups shows coming up in Toronto. The first, with Cobalt Gallery by the Beaches, called "its the small things". Show starts March 9th and runs until the 27th. As the show title suggests, all art work are no larger than 10" x 10"! What a challenge! Artists reception on March 12 from 1-4p.m. and I will be there!

The next show is called "ECO Art Exhibition 2011", starts March 16th and runs until March 27th. This will be held at Gallery 1313, Queen Street West, Toronto. Artist reception is on March 17th, at 7:00p.m. This show explores issues and concerns of the environment. My work "Metropolis" an abstract painting inspired by Metro Manila, Philippines was included in this juried show! I am thrilled!!! If you are downtown, please drop by. Glenn and I will attend the opening!

I also want to take this opportunity to mention that I will be teaching in new locations this year. The first, is with the Visual Arts Clarington Gallery in Bowmanville, and the second, with The Painted Tree, in Cobourg, Ontario. More about new classes in the next blog. Stay tuned!

Hugs,

Marissa

Bistro Chanterelle, Bowmanville

If you are looking for a great way to celebrate a special occasion or you are looking to go for lunch with a friend, it is worth the drive to Bowmanville. Bistro Chantelle is a quaint restaurant in the heart of Bowmanville, managed and owned by two amazing entrepreneurs Derek Leung and Marita Aguete.

Their restaurant is warm, cozy-casual, and friendly. Just celebrated my birthday there and it was such a nice treat!

You can also see some of my original paintings on display at the Bistro, together with another talented artist, Anastasia Tiller. Hope to see you there!

Year of the Golden Rabbit

Hello friends and welcome to the year of the Golden Rabbit!

This year they predict will be a calmer year in terms of much needed peace and tranquility! Last year, was the year of the Tiger and with it came a roller coaster ride of global conflict and uneasiness.

The Year of the Rabbit will be a time for peacemakers to shine, from time to time some aggressiveness may materialise, but it would only be for a short while. This year will be a year of taking it easy, of moving at a slower pace, a time to smell the roses.

With the coming of the Chinese New Year, on Feb. 4th comes in 8 new annual stars into your home. They can interact with the innate energies already in your space, so we have to identify and provide them with the support they will need for the whole year.

To be able to prepare your home for the year and to identify what 2011 has in store for you, I can work on your Annual Flying Stars evaluation, so that you can avoid the pitfalls and enhance areas where good energy can linger. Please email me at marissa.sweet@rogers.com to set up an appointment.

Happy New Year!


Marissa

Happy New Year

Another year over and another year begins! It has indeed been a year of new friendships, good memories and learning opportunities both in my personal life and professional work! All these are just some of the many... many blessings received this year... all of which I am truly grateful, humbled and proud to share.

Top 10 (Professional Highlights)

10) Went back as a student to Toronto School of Art
9) Represented by Tangerine Gecko, Markham
8) Solo Show in Westport, Influence of Colour at The Gallery on Main
7) Won 2nd Best Mixed Media, Oshawa Art Juried show
6) My painting was on the cover of Transitions Magazine
5) Accepted to the Pelham Arts Festival in Fonthill, Ontario
4) Accepted to PineRidge Arts Juried show
3) Accepted to The Station Gallery Juried show
2) Had a group show at Gallery Ouest, Montreal "The Little Gems Show"
1) Sold my biggest painting yet!

On the Personal front!
Top 10 Highlights

10) Visited alot of galleries this year
9) Had my first ever Tarot card read
8) Drove by myself to Hamilton and Pelham (401highway!)
7) Cottage vacation in the summer and Glenn's broken foot smooth recovery
6) Lots of quality time with Dad
5) Bible study at St. Therese Church
4) Learning to say 'no'
3) Getting a nice groove on my paintings
2) Turned 80 finally in the World of Warcraft
1) 10th year anniversary cruise in the Caribbean