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tinku tales

William Oldacre opening at tinku galleryYesterday

If you are in Toronto, please come by Thursday December 4th from 6-9 pm to raise a glass of holiday cheer together and to meet William Oldacre at the opening of his exhibition of limited edition photographs at tinku gallery.

Humming Quietly, William Oldacre
18" x 24"

The city is a complex environment of discordant sight and sound. Each element competes with its neighbour for our attention. Despite this clash, there is a subtle river of connection. This work is part of my quest to connect with beauty in the urban world.

I am driven to find harmony within my surroundings. Music is part of my process; the rhythms subconsciously influence my work. By blurring the scene, an underlying harmonic form and colour are revealed. Coloured City simplifies the rhythm and pattern of our urban existence.

--William Oldacre

Carlo Van de Roer portraitsDecember 2

Image: Carlo Van de Roer as published in the New York Times

I saw these beautiful photographs in the New York Times art blog today. Photographer Carlo Van de Roer creates portraits that supposedly capture people's auras. Whether you believe in that sort of thing or not is besides the point. I like how the portraits are slightly out of focus and uncertain, and people are layered under colours that evoke particular emotional states.

Right now, my aura is blazing orange and scarlet...How about yours?

Art and FashionNovember 30

*Illustration by Danielle Meder

Art and fashion have been intertwined for centuries, if you consider the embroidered shawls of the Indian subcontinent and the more recent collaborations of contemporary artists with fashion houses like Louis Vuitton.  W magazine and Vogue are two fashion publications that regularly feature art in their pages and designers like Shernett Swaby create couture dresses that are a work of art in their own right.

I have been a fashion nut since I was a child.  It was never something that was frivolous or superficial to me -- quite the opposite, it was a way for me to play and express myself using textiles, makeup, jewelry.  I designed a line of tunics for a short period while I was living in Boston and I used my embroidery palette like an artist uses paint.  

Part of my regular web reading includes some g

tinku's drawers - Mike BadourNovember 28

Every Friday I pull out a piece from our drawers to show you what we have beyond the current exhibition.  This week I have a drawing on paper from Toronto artist Mike Badour, called Our Rings.  I love the simplicity of Mike's drawings and if you look closely you will notice that the rings emanate from the heart of the figures.  A subtle touch that makes the drawing much more poignant, in my opinion.  

Our Rings, Mike Badour, 2008

Felt tip marker on archival paper, 30" x 22"

$700

Come by some time to peek in our drawers for yourself, lots more goodies in stock!  Our works on paper are a great way to pick up something without breaking the bank, and we can help you choose a frame to suit your style and budget.  

Just a reminder that our gallery hours are Fri-Sat 12-6 pm and Sundays 12-5 pm, as well as by appointment or by chance.  More information and directions can be found at w

Filling Your Plate: Ceramic ArtNovember 27

One thing I love about living in Toronto is that I have a wonderful community of friends here who are like a surrogate family to me.  At least twice a week I am at a friend's house for a meal, either cooking together or being spoiled as a guest, or doing the cooking for a friend who needs to get off her feet.  

Not only do I love cooking, but I also enjoy the ritual of setting a nice table with flowers and candles, even if just for a simple lunch or tea.  Part of that ritual includes eating on nice dishes, and when that tableware is handmade by an artisan it is a nice everyday way to enjoy art and it reminds me to be thankful for the food I have and the friends I have to share it with.  Here are a few of my favourite ceramic artists:

Mary Anne Davis

I met Mary Anne earlier this summer at a conference about podcasting, video, etc... and she is full of energy and passion about art and sustainable living.  She makes lovely tableware in a studio in upstate New York, and was the one who inspired me to create my gift registry for art, modeled after her