Workshops this summer

Last weekend was a blast!  Beginner's Acrylic at my studio with 6 eager students wanting to taste (not literally) acrylic painting!  The workshop introduces students to the wonderful diverse world of acrylics and the dynamic way you can manulate the paint to look like watercolour or oil masterpieces! Acrylics can adjust to you as the artist, whether you like to paint in thin layers, or abstractedly, in thick impasto like Van Gogh style or the impressionist style captured by the Group of Seven, acrylics work and I love it!!  

Students hard at work!  Layering, blending, glazing.... etc. etc. etc.... what FUN to play with colour!!

Not only do we enjoy painting, but at the end of every workshop, I too, am inspired. 

I hope each participant leaves the studio with fired up inspiration, 

satisfaction in productivity and

the enjoyment of learning something new!

Sweet Art Studio has more workshops in store this summer

.  Please visit, http://www.taopad.com/ for more information.  See you again soon!!

Marissa

Summertime

" Skies the Limit" group show at the Artscape Wychwood Barns last June 22nd blew the roof with rockin' friends coming out to support the art!  I am very proud of my Sweet Art Studio workshop artists who helped make the show such a success!  Thank you to all who came and brought the house down!!! 



L-R Betty and Mike McGowan, Marissa Sweet, Linda Gidora

I am very honoured to have won Second Best Painting in the Mixed Media category, at the Oshawa Art Juried show, held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery.  Out of 200 entries, 85 paintings and 4 sulptures where selected for the show.  This year was also the first time to include a 'Youth Category' to the awards.  I am glad this category was put in place and congratulations go to Betty McGowan who ran the show with so much organization and grace! http://www.mcgowanart.com/




Together with Ron Backwell, President OAA


NEWS FLASH>>>>!!!! I will be the featured artist at the Clarington Gallery,  Municipal Administrative Centre, in quaint and picturesque town Bowmanville, Ontario.  The show features 8 paintings from my "Chi, Life and Energy" series.  My paintings call the viewer to reflect on their surroundings and our interconnectivity with Mother Nature.  Show runs from July 3 to August 31, 2012.  Gallery hours are from 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m. M-F.




Clarington Gallery, Bowmanville Ontario



See you next time!!! Enjoy the summer!
Marissa

June Shows

Whhhhaaaaaa!  It's June and I have 2 shows coming up and really really soon!  Okay, not quite June yet, but it will be in 2 weeks! 

My first show is on June 2-3 weekend, Riverdale Art Walk on Queen Street East! This popular outdoor show, where 120+ artists will inspire, mezmerize and transport you to their creative wonder.  Hope you can come down for the day and let us colour your world!  I will be at #37 Booth.

June 21-24, a powerful 4-artist show called "SKIES THE LIMIT'!!

Together with artist friends, Betty and Mike McGowan and Linda Gidora, ' SKIES THE LIMIT" will be showing over 25 new original paintings at the Artscape Wychwood Barns Gallery in Toronto!  It will be a funky, artsy and gutsy show that shows our interpretation of this famous uplifting quote!

Please come out on our artists' reception night, on June 22nd from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.   It will be a party on Friday night!!!!!!!!!  See you all soon!

Hip Pip Hurray!

VAC Studio

I just completed my 4-session class at TheVisual Arts Centre in Clarington, "Abstraction without Fear" with a bang!  Everyone had a blast and are all inspired to work on new ideas and create new masterpieces.  I thoroughly enjoyed the studio space and my time with all the students.  Watch out for the Fall schedule.... as I hope to say.. 'i'll be back!""  Visual Arts Centre is a non-profit organization that provide quality exhibition and educational programming to the community.  Visit them at http://www.vac.ca/

Classes are currently being scheduled at Currys, Whitby store.  http://www.currys.com/.  Today was a wrap for "Beyond Abstraction" where students practised 3 different approaches in abstracting a landscape.  2-days of non-stop thinking, planning, conceptualizing, execution and painting.  The time just flew by!!!  Curry's students are resilient, even with a tight sqeeze in the classroom, everyone put out an effort to make it work.  Congratulations to all today, since we had to deal with a sudden power outtage!  Luckily, the power came back in no time to start painting again!!

New classes scheduled are; Beginners Acrylic - May 26-27 and Bold Floral, June 9-10!

NEW NEW NEW!!!! Want to learn Chinese Brush Painting?????  Yup yup, I am teaching this class on June 16th at The Whitby Station Gallery, Henry Street, Whitby.  This 1-day class will be a great way to learn how to manipulate bamboo brushes on rice paper, working away with delicate strokes and adding that zen flavor.  Register now! http://www.whitbystationgallery.com/ 

MORE MORE!!! The Whitby Station Gallery's annual favorite, "Drawing for ART" was such a huge HUGE success!!  I donated 1 painting for this good cause and hope it has now found a new home to live in!  Click on the website link to see the artwork images.

Till then my friends...

Happy Painting!

Marissa

Spring Workshops (Time to Bloom!!!)

I think spring came early this year and wowwajumba so with all my upcoming workshops! 

For those in the Abstract realm, I will be teaching "Abstraction Without Fear" at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington every Wednesday (11-2p.m.) for the whole month of April!!  This workshop focuses to different techniques and methods on how to start an abstract painting.  Discover different acrylic mediums that can change the volume and flow of your acrylic paints.  This course are for those who want to create paintings based on 'intuition' and artistic freedom! http://www.vac.ca/

"Beyond Abstraction" a new abstract workshop I developed will be at Currys Art Store in Whitby.  This abstract workshop (April 28-29) will start by exploring different ways of abstracting a landscape. Students will be working from their own photo as a reference material. Students will deconstruct, exaggerate, crop and edit injecting some humour and personality then reconstructing it again into a finished masterpiece!  No software required, just pure imagination!!!  On day two, students will be able to work on another photograph and choose which technique they liked best from the day before!  You can register by calling Currys at 905-728-2868!

For those who like BIG and Bold flowers!  Bold Floral is back at Curry's Art Store on April 14-15.  Learn to paint flowers up close and personal... feel their energy, their strength as you capture their beauty.  This acrylic class are for those who have already taken a beginner's acrylic class. 

I am back with Meta4 Contemporary Art Gallery in Port Perry, from April 24-May 29!  Every Tuesday from 12:30 - 3p.m., I am teaching "Vibrant Acrylic Painting"! This is for Beginners to Intermediate painters who want to continue learning different painting techniques, from underpainting, to glazing, perspective and composition!  It is a comprehensive course which will get you on your way to creating vibrant paintings!! http://www.meta4gallery.ca/

Last but not least, I am back with the Pickering Recreation Centre for their Beginners Acrylic class on their Spring leisure guide.  Registration begins March 19th.  https://onreg.city.pickering.on.ca/econnect/Start/Start.asp

I am excited to see you in any of my workshops to start painting!!


Cheers,
Marissa

Upcoming Shows

Together with friends Cathy and Allison



It's almost spring and with the change of season there are a few shows I will be participating in soon!  But first, I must congratulate an artist friend  (Cathy Mills) who was at The Artist Project last March 1-4 Exhibition Place, Toronto.  200 artists in one location was overwhelming and exciting!  It was nice to see what everyone has been up to and meet other friends who were exhibiting there as well.  I left the show, inspired and rejuvenated!



My first show this Spring is called " It's the Small Things", Cobalt Gallery, Kingston Road, Toronto from March 10-25.  Opening reception is on March 10th at 1p.m.  I will be among 20 artists who are making a statement that small things can challenge us and inspire us.  All pieces at the show will be no larger than 10" x 10"!!! Please visit, http://www.cobaltgallery.ca/ for more details!

Secondly, on March 19, I will be setting up a display of paintings at the McLean Community Centre, Ajax, Ontario together with Robert Hinves of PineRidge Arts Council.  15 original acrylic and mixed media paintings will be on display.  Show runs from March 19- April 7th.  Pictures on my next blog!

I am also pleased to say that Stuttering John's Bistro is continuing to display my paintings for the month of March, so check out his website

http://www.stutteringjohnsbistro.com/ 



Cobalt Gallery







Coming up on my next blog, new class schedules for spring, art studio time at my home studio, Drawing for Art Fundraiser!!!! See you again soon!












Art in Public Places

Lakeridge Dental Centre, Oshawa

Over the years, I have always participated in displaying my paintings in public places.  Partnerships with establishments such as restaurants, cafes, salons, spas, bistros and various enterprises has allowed me to reach a wider audience.  I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for providing me with a very unique gallery space!!! 





Ajax Council Town Hall



For the month of January 2012, 20 of my original paintings will be on display at the Ajax Town Council Chambers.  These are collections from 2009-2011.  Likewise, I am displaying 4 paintings for sale at Stuttering John's Bistro for the month of January.  This new resturant has just opened its doors last December 2011.  More information about Stuttering John's in my next blog!



Stuttering John's Bistro, Oshawa

In quaint Bowmanville, I have about 10 original paintings on display at famous Chanterelle Bistro, on Division Street.  I have mentioned this bistro a few times on my blog and rave about their delicioso cuisine!!!! To take a look at their sumptious menu, click on http://www.chanterellebistro.com/



Chanterelle Bistro


 

Spa Sedona



I worked on providing proper Feng Shui placement to Spa Sedona at the Pickering Village in Ajax.  It was transformed from a mere shell, to a relaxing and rejuvenating spa, consistently voted as Best Spa in Durham since it was lauched in 2005.  Book your next appointment with them to get your spirit restored!

Last but not least, my beautiful friend Michelle has consistently supported my work by displaying my paintings at her hair salon on Bond Street, Oshawa.  My-Ty Hair Design provides hair care design to suit your lifestyle.  You can call for an appointment at 905.718.6349.





Happy New Year!!!

It is the New Year and with it comes new goals to pursue and the hope that accompanies every beginning!   I will have a solo show and display of paintings at the Ajax City Town Hall, on Harwood Avenue South, Ajax, displaying a collection of 20 paintings from the last 3 years.  Hope you can come visit, http://www.townofajax.com/Page2089.aspx.  Show runs from January 5-February 2, 2012.

Tadah, 2012 brings a brand new solo show which will mark a milestone in my life., as I approach my 50th year!  For those of you who know when my birthday will be, just relax as the show will not be ready by then!!!  (That would freak me out!)  I am targeting the middle of this year for the opening and negotiations are underway as to where the venue will be!  I am very excited about this show as it will be very personal to me.

My art classes are reving up to run by mid January.  You can google schedules at the Currys Art Store in Whitby, The Pickering Recreation Centre, Visual Arts Clarington and at The Painted Tree. 

Sweet Art Studio nights every Thursdays will start January 19th.  This studio is limited to 6 participants so register as soon as possible.  You do not want to miss out!

To the right, please check out my latest painting which was a gift to my sister-in-law..." Life is Good". 

Wish you all a joyful, productive and creative year ahead!

Marissa