Posts

ART AND THE CITY

ART AND THE CITY: The Vancouver Art Gallery gets theatrical, thanks to Guo Pei.

I have been writing my Art and The City Files for a half decade now. In October, the Autumn colours in greater Vancouver are exuberant and vivid. The whole city is ablaze in crimson, saffron and golden yellow, with dramatic contrasts against glass and grey architecture and shifting skies. Autumn is sensual, vivacious and uplifting. If Autumn were a movie star it would be Marilyn Monroe. These dramatic contrasts are carried on inside through the current exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery; Couture Beyond.

I spent a full day at the Vancouver Art Gallery enjoying the whimsical and exquisite retrospective of Chinese couturier, Guo Pei. Guo Pei is a Chinese fashion designer. She is best known for designing dresses for Chinese celebrities, and in America for Rihanna’s trailing yellow gown at the 2015 Met Ball. Couture Beyond is the perfect title for this exhibit.

The first Canadian exhibition devoted to the work of Guo Pei, China’s preeminent couturière. This mid-career survey features more than forty complete looks from Guo Pei’s most iconic runways from 2006 to 2017.

art and the city

In her theatrical, extravagant creations, Guo Pei combines contemporary aesthetics, production methods and materials with ancient tradition, evoking Chinese history and mythology in her craft techniques, fabric selection and imagery.

The exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of her evolution as a designer as well as her contribution to global fashion culture. The exhibit includes works created for the Met Ball, the Metropolitan Museum of Art fashion fundraiser that happens annually in New York City. If you are in or near Vancouver, go see the show!

art and the city

Natural Affinities – Feeling A Kinship to the Work of Guo Pei

Many of the pieces in this show appealed to my surreal tendencies found throughout my paintings. In particular I see commonalities with my ‘Portraits of the Landscape’ series, new paintings I have been working on for the past couple years. With ‘Yin Rising’ (below) this portrait of a landscape expresses the human connection to nature and particularly the feminine in nature. At the center of the piece the beautiful Magnolia flowering, representing purity, nobility, perseverance, dignity and a love of nature. A shadowy figure that blends human and nature using tree symbolism. The painting expresses many things about our connection to nature and many elements and symbols are hidden within the painting. The abstract forms created by the colours of the background create many shapes, that add to the overall narrative of the piece. A painting that holds something new to discover each day, there are many layers to this piece, not unlike the beautiful couture creations of Guo Pei.

With Canadian Subconscious, again you can see strong symbolism, femininity and our relationships to nature in Canada. This painting features many of the provincial flowers of Canada, as well as the Blue Jay and the black-tailed deer stag. The relationship of ecosystems, mindful of our connection to nature and the natural world, with vivid palette and gold accents, it’s couture on the canvas.

art and the city

Whether the vivid colours and textures of nature, the intricate details of couture fashion or the symbolic narratives painted on canvas; it’s easy to see the natural attraction and rhythms of art, artists, nature, and beyond. Until next time ~ Sincerely Yours, Brandy Saturley

Packing and Shipping Art

,

Behind The Scenes: Packing and Shipping Fine Art

When it comes to packing and shipping fine Art, whether it be across town, across the country or shipping artwork overseas; the packaging of artwork is serious business. About a decade ago I invested time in searching out options for protecting and shipping my paintings. There are many options available, from reinforced cardboard shipping boxes to wooden crates and aluminum crates. I found my ideal solution for art shipping in VEVEX Crates. VEVEX makes crates for demanding cargos, and fine art is a specialty of theirs, which is why I confidently call on them anytime I need to ship my work across Canada, the United States or overseas to galleries in London. Last year they celebrated making their 10,000th crate and they have many more to build.

From antique Raven Totem Pole’s being repatriated to Haida Gwaii, monumental photographs by Jeff Wall to London, England or The Artwork of Brandy Saturley to galleries in Toronto; these crates are one-of-a-kind custom works themselves designed to protect the fine artworks stored within.

We recently popped into VEVEX crates to visit CEO and head engineer, Rod Russell. We were excited to see two monumental crates being built for an upcoming exhibit of Ian Wall’s photography in galleries in London and Australia. Here are a few photos inside the shop where Brandy Saturley’s art crates are made in Vancouver, BC.

Packing and Shipping Art

At VEVEX Vancouver – Jeff Wall crates for Canada House UK exhibition

Maximum protection for artwork from penetration, jarring, vibration, crushing, thermal changes and moisture.

Boxes have thick walls and additional framing, making for a very robust box that will stand up to repeating handling, storage and re-use. Providing the maximum in protection for customers that are highly risk-averse, such as fine artists and art museums.

Boxes have bolted lids and can be top loading, side loading and platform loads are accomplished through separate designs. Lids are provided with compression seals. Boxes are sealed with a satin outdoor wood finish, or painted. After receiving my crates, I paint the exterior with The Art of Brandy Saturley branding and logo, including signature colours of white, red, black and gold.

When you buy a painting from The Art of Brandy Saturley, you can feel comfort knowing your precious original piece of Canadian art, will be protected from weather, handling and transfers between couriers. Boxes are lined with 3/4″ thick expanded polystyrene foam. Lids are secured with Unidrive screws, accepting both Philips and Robertson drivers.

Packing and Shipping Art

CEO and Crate Maker, Rod Russell with client and artist, Brandy Saturley

Next time you find a new painting to collect, rest assured you will receive your artwork safely and securely inside a handsome crate that can be kept to store for future, or can be recycled into many uses. Find a beautiful new artwork to put in that crate, now.

Art Collector Homes

,

Art Collector Homes Part 2; Art in Oak Bay

Earlier this year I wrote a blog post about art collector homes on Canada’s west coast, Vancouver Island. I’m not sure if it is the hot real estate market in Victoria BC, or my artwork on the walls, but something is happening here in BC and I am pleased to have my work prominently on display in these stunning homes. Earlier this year one of my collectors put their Cordova Bay dream home on the market, minus the artwork, though the bidders were hoping to have the paintings included in the sale. This month another collector, this time in Oak Bay has their stunning custom home on the market, a beautiful three-storey stunner, with an Olympic Mountain view.

Last summer I installed a custom painted, commissioned work of art on their wall with a view. I take on very few commissions as it takes time away from my core work as a professional artist, however in this case I was happy to oblige as the scale of the work and the idea sounded like a fun detour for a month. These commissioned paintings offer me a chance to get inside someone else’s head for a while and allow me to mentally stretch as an artist. In some cases they challenge me in new subject material and open me up to expressing views outside of my core work on canvas. It is a collaborative experience where the client is expressing their creativity through me, the artist. After all, we are all creative, but we are not all artists, or painters. As an artist I have the patience to commit myself to a month long process of creating something custom tailored to suit the client’s creative aspirations and vision. I bring my expertise with colour, form, composition and style, creating the perfect painting for the couple who will forever own the piece and pass it down to the next generation of art lovers.

Breathtaking views of the Salish Sea from this incredible custom residence situated in Victoria’s oldest and most sought after address, on King George Terrace in Oak Bay. Built in 1999 to exacting standards, this home features impressive views, amazing sunsets and the ocean activity in the channel.

The final painting was designed to echo the view out the main window, with sunset colours and sailboats, as you watch them sail by all year round, and by the hundreds during Swiftsure yacht race. It is a view where you can enjoy a glass of champagne, your favorite wine or in this case a martini with raspberries.

Read more about commissioning a painting from The Art of Brandy Saturley here.

Art Reveal Magazine Cover

Canadian Artist on Art Reveal Magazine Cover, London UK

On the Cover: Art Reveal Magazine – Canadian Art and the UK go hand in hand, with many Canadian families with roots in the United Kingdom it is only fitting that there would be a keen interest in Canadian art overseas.  With the introduction of BC artist and icon, Emily Carr at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in late 2014, touted as ‘Canada’s Van Gogh’, the interest in Canadian Art overseas and specifically in London, has launched a new interest in what is happening in Canadian contemporary art.

In 2015 with the grand re-opening of Canada House, our high commission in the United Kingdom, interest in Canadian contemporary art is heightened. Many historical and contemporary Canadian artists are featured in the galleries in a collection of more than 200 pieces including; paintings by Gordon Smith and Emily Carr, photos by Edward Burtynsky and sculptures by Gathie Falk, among others. The exhibitions at Canada House have continued and have included numerous ‘pop-up’ sized exhibits including contemporary Canadian artists Marion Wagschal from Montreal. “I believe Canada House has the potential to promote a vibrant dialogue with the Canadian art scene abroad and also in within Canada,” said Daisy Desrosiers, director of Battat Contemporary, which collaborated on Wagschal’s exhibition with the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal. “It’s hard for galleries to give our artists as much visibility as they would need abroad. Doing art fairs is expensive and demands specific structures. I do believe we need those initiatives as they can be a way to export Canadian practices and see them engaging with the international art scene. The important thing is to make sure it’s done with care, knowledge and rigour.” Wagschal concurs: “Culture is the way that we can communicate about our country, what it’s like to be here and what we experience.”

Fast-forward to 2018, the art of Brandy Saturley begins to grab attention overseas, thanks in part to the artists’ activity on social media and through her engaging Instagram profile. Saturley’s ‘Pop Canadianisms’ were recently featured in Whitehot Magazine NYC and on the cover of the Society of Canadian Artists 50th Exhibition catalogue, the first exhibition for which the society has printed a catalogue in it’s 50 years of presenting the show in Toronto, Canada.

Featured on the cover and inside the UK magazine, Art Reveal, the artist shares her influences, challenges and future plans for her art career. ~ Leah Gordon, contributor The Art of Brandy Saturley

Interview with Whitehot Magazine NYC

,

Interview With Whitehot Magazine NYC: Confronting the Enormity of the Landscape, in Canadian Art

Typically the ‘art season’ runs September to June, typically my art season as an independent self-representing artist runs the whole year, minus a couple weeks around Christmas holidays. This year I decided to book a month on the Hawaiian Island of Maui in August, and re-connect with nature and nurture my artists’ senses. It was a great adventure and one that will bleed into my work, with many posts about my trip to follow. August was a busy month for me while most of the Art World lay dormant. I finished some paintings, sold some art, showed my work in a Toronto gallery, and spoke in an interview with Whitehot Magazine in New York City about my paintings of the last decade.

Whitehot Magazine is a one of the leading online art magazines in the world, based in NYC, with contributing arts writers and art historians from all over the world, interviewing artists worldwide. In August, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Andrea Bell, a NYC art historian, critic and writer. Based in New York City, Andrea teaches Art History and Criticism at Parsons School of Design. Bell is a contributing writer for Whitehot Magazine and we spoke about; mountains, Canadianisms, pop culture, and the People of Canada Portrait Project.

 

Interview with Whitehot Magazine

Excerpt from the article; “In her most recent work, Saturley has turned once again to the landscape, never really having left. Her new, visionary paintings collage different, unexpected elements of Canadiana rendered in her characteristic pop aesthetic. They oscillate between a graphic realism used for Canada’s famous mountain peaks or views of forest lakes, and the abstractness of the colorful, even psychedelic backgrounds. The sincerity of their celebration keeps them from tripping over into kitsch. Instead they are otherworldly and transportive, playful and humorous. Confronting the enormity of the landscape has become a crucial aspect in Canadian identity, and a thread that is woven throughout Saturley’s work. The “Canadianisms” series has already toured in both Edmonton and Calgary, and has garnered the artist notoriety as the voice of Canadian Pop Art.” read full article here.

 

50th SCA International Exhibition

On The Cover: The 50th SCA International Exhibition

The Society of Canadian Artists 50th Open International Exhibition welcomed Canadian Art lovers on July 26 at Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum. The show is an outstanding representation of Art in Canada. From realism to abstraction, and emerging to established; the variety of artwork from across Canada is a rare treat for art lovers and art collectors alike. Earlier in July, I shipped my new work to this exhibition, and am thrilled to see my painting, ‘Balance’ made the cover of the show catalogue. After 50 years of the show, this is the first year an exhibition catalogue was published. The SCA 50th International Open Juried Exhibition Catalogue, Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication ISBN / ISMN 978-1-7750038-3-0 is published by the Society of Canadian Artists, designed by DEL ART and printed by Nova Printing.

50th SCA International Exhibition

This is the first time the painting ‘Balance’ – depicting a polar bear balancing precariously on an iceberg, uplifted by a female hand, has been exhibited to the public. The painting is contemporary, timely, and highly detailed with realistic foreground imagery and more abstract shapes and colours occupying the background of the piece. The piece is part of a new series of paintings, re-imagining landscape painting in Canada. These ‘portraits of the landscape’ are filled with symbolism, and radiate joy with their saturated colour palettes. ‘Balance’ will be on view and available for purchase until August 19th.

50th SCA International Exhibition

Original story and show information here.

Inside the Artist’s Studio

Canadian artists studio Brandy Saturley

Behind the Scenes – Inside the Artist’s Studio

It has been said that inside the artist’s studio “is central to an artist’s myth and the way that we come to understand a work of art and its meaning in society”, though rarely do many have a chance to visit these creative havens where the artist works. They are places typically reserved for artists to create, serious art collectors to view the work privately, and curators to visit and consider works for future art exhibitions.

I recall watching a film, shot in 1949, showing Picasso working in his studio, always ahead of his time, this was the first time many of us had the chance to experience the Artist’s process of creation. In 1965, the next coming of Picasso, as channeled through the famous NYC art star, Andy Warhol, gave the public a peak inside his life and studio unlike any before, recording the most mundane parts of his life, becoming art himself.

Thanks to the Internet, and social media platforms like Instagram & Facebook, many artists have taken to posting photos and video showing behind the scenes snippets from their studios. Not unlike the ‘making of’ and behind the scenes footage from film sets, the fans are fascinated with learning how things are made, it’s a peek behind the velvet curtain, and I don’t think it is going to vanish anytime soon. These sneak peeks inside an artist’s process offer more information about how much work goes into making art. It is sometimes challenging to impart on viewers how much goes on in a professional artist’s studio. The studio contains tools, collected items, memories, materials, and things to set the tone such as music, photographs, books and even films. The studio contains all the materials collected on journeys, mental and physical. All experiences are filtered down to ideas here, and it’s true what they say, that once an Artist falls in love with you that you can never die. The experiences, words, gestures, relationships an Artist has, bleed their way into their art. Here are a few ‘behind the scenes’ photos and a snippet of video – welcome to my office, my haven, welcome to my world.

inside the artist's studio

Behind the scenes: inside the studio of Canadian artist Brandy Saturley

inside the artist's studio

behind the scenes the art studio of Brandy Saturley

inside the artist's studio

Follow along on Instagram @iconiccanuck

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl6cZQrgWfo/

Exhibition Papermill Gallery Toronto

Exhibition Papermill Gallery Toronto: Timely painting depicting a polar bear balancing on an iceberg on display

New artwork by Brandy Saturley will be unveiled by the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) at the 50th International Juried Art Exhibition at Papermill Gallery in Toronto, Ontario. The show runs July 24 – August 19, 2018 at Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills Museum, 69 Pottery Road in Toronto, Canada. The painting depicting a polar bear balancing at the peak of an iceberg, upheld by a human hand is a timely piece that speaks to global warming an the need to preserve what soon could be extinct. The painting is part of a new body of work that Saturley has been developing following her ‘Canadianisms’ exhibitions of 2017.  Join us July 26, 2018 Official Opening and Awards Presentation, Thursday evening 7:00 to 9:30pm.

The painting shows life in balance – the elevation of the spirit through the landscape, and in this case, the Northern landscapes, with icebergs, polar bears and aurora skies. Whether it be Alaska or Newfoundland, these icebergs are precious natural resources. A timely painting as climate change continues to erode the polar bear’s natural habitat.

Papermill Gallery Hours of Operation:
June, July and August: Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m./ Saturday and Sunday: 12 – 5 p.m.

Timely painting depicting a polar bear balancing on an iceberg on display 

UPDATE 2022: this painting is now being offered by Adele Campbel Fine Art in Whistler, BC – more here.

Painting Inspired by Vimy 100

Vimy Jam – A Serendipitous Painting Inspired by Vimy 100

Serendipity is defined as; the phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for, meaning something beautiful coming together, that was not forced or planned in advance that put smiles on the faces of all affected and in doing so alters future events. This is the story behind a painting inspired by Vimy 100 celebrations in France.

In the past few weeks, serendipity found it’s way into my art, through a portrait project I began over four years ago, thanks to a very enthusiastic Canadian.

The People of Canada Portrait Project is a crowd-sourced, collaborative art project, where I ask Canadians to send in photos of themselves and share a bit about their ‘Canadian’ perspective. Initially this project came with a very ambitious goal of completing 20-25 painted portraits for Canada 150. This could have happened had I not been called on to exhibit solo exhibitions in public galleries in Alberta for Canada150. As the project is completely self-funded, and with me being the only artist painting the portraits, I decided to extend my deadline and allow the project to unfold more authentically. I wanted to take my time to paint these portraits and honour the stories of the people who had taken the time to send me creative snapshots of themselves. A new plan emerged and I included one of the portraits in my travelling exhibitions in 2017, and used these shows as an opportunity to spread the word about the project.

Fast forward to June 2018, now ten portraits towards my goal. I had a window of time in my studio schedule, an opportunity to paint more People of Canada portraits. Feeling the energy of Canada Day coming around the corner I looked through the submitted photos and felt a good story, energy, and message emanating from one photo. Submitted by an enthusiastic piper hailing from Sherwood Park Alberta, RCMP Pipes & Drums ambassador Bridgette Hardy-Crytes. The photo features the piper caught by surprise by the brush of eagle feathers to the head by Jeff Ward, an Indigenous performer with the Sons of Membertou, from Cape Breton. The photo was taken at Vimy 100 celebrations in Vimy, France where the two were brought together by the events of the day and their musical talents.Painting Inspired by Vimy

I began to sketch out the painting and think about creating a unique background to capture the day and place. The painting began, I emailed Bridgette to let her know I was working on the piece and that I had some questions for her to answer, I also asked about the man in the photo and if I could contact him for his perspective on the day.

So, here comes the serendipity. Bridgette tracked down Jeff and spoke with him on the phone after not seeing him since Vimy. The call lead to Jeff sharing a video of the day that had been uploaded to YouTube, and Bridgette sharing this information with me, now I was able to enjoy the mood of the day and story behind the photo, as if I had been there myself. What happened that day the photo was taken was an impromptu ‘jam session’ while Indigenous performers and the RCMP Pipes & Drums band were waiting in the wings to perform. Vimy was a pivotal battle which saw Canada and the Allies, including Mi’kmaq soldiers, win an important battle of World War I. This video shows musical artists collaborating, it conveys the spirit of coming together. A coming together on what once was a battlefield, where many lost their lives. A coming together that symbolizes the spirit of reconciliation, likes and not differences, the spirit of love.

The tone of that day was the tone in my studio, and I listened to the ‘jam session’ on loop as I finished the painting. From my studio on Vancouver Island to Sherwood Park, to Cape Breton, to Vimy Ridge in France; thanks to the Internet and technology our miles apart were erased, allowing me to capture the emotion of the day on canvas.

There will be more to this serendipitous story as I work to compile the answers to my questions from both Bridgette and Jeff.

For now, you can enjoy the painting, a little video of my process in creating the painting.

and this fantastic video of the ‘jam session’ that inspired ‘Vimy Jam’.

It was a celebratory Canada 151 indeed! And a great contrast to my experiences painting Canada over the last decade. A new chapter in this serendipitous story influenced by my travels across Canada. For more about the People of Canada Portrait Project visit http://www.peopleofcanada.ca

Buying Art Online is Easy

Buying Art Online is Easy – Buy From The Heart

Choosing a piece of original art can be a daunting process, buying art online is easy and a relatively new experience, it is not painful or difficult. Whether you’re looking for a painting to suit a small or larger space here are some things to consider:

Create a budget. Establish your ‘ideal’ budget for a new artwork, and then add a little more for wiggle room. Why? You may find that next masterpiece is a tiny bit over your planned budget and if your budget is inflexible, you could always negotiate with the artist. There are many ways I accommodate my buyers requests, it may be free shipping, it could be a discount on multiple works, or it could be a financing plan to help assist you with buying the art you want, while paying for it over a time period that suits your budget. (Current pricing on artwork from Brandy Saturley)

Know your space. Knowing the dimensions of the intended wall space where your new artwork will hang, will help you narrow down your selection. If you have a theme, particular taste or colour palette, complement it. And by complement, we don’t mean matching the room perfectly — if your intention is to create a room that features bold, statement pieces, you might like to choose artworks that stand-out against the interior. If your intention is to buy a piece that reflects your personal style, tastes, and loves – selecting art becomes an extension of you, it is your way to be a collaborator in the creative process that reflects your personality – the art you choose becomes an extension of YOU. (Art Collector Homes – Inside A Contemporary West Coast Home)

Communicate with the artist. Our lives are a collection of memories, experiences and stories. You have your eye on an artwork, but would like to know the inspiration behind it, reaching out to the artist will help in painting a fuller picture of the piece and in turn develop your appreciation for the piece. Communicating with the artist will give you a whole new understanding of the piece, the intricacies of the creation, and the backstory of the work behind a piece of fine art. (A Day in The Life – documenting the creative process)

The only rule in buying art, buy what you love. Buying art is a very personal thing. If you connect with a certain painting, it will represent more than just a painting hanging on a wall; the art you choose is an expression of who you are. If you find an artwork that speaks to you, BUY IT. Fear of missing out can be an awful feeling.

Testimonials are another way to instill confidence that you are buying from a reputable gallery or independent artist, these references offer some idea of what your collecting experience will be like as a buyer. (Appreciation From Art Collectors)

If you LOVE it, if you ABSOLUTELY have to have it, then BUY it, you will never be disappointed when you buy something you LOVE.

All that is left to do now, is start shopping!  Happy art hunting.