The air felt electric, the buzz of excitement poured out of every corner of the venue.
This was my fourth time exhibiting at Artist Project but I had never experienced it quite like this before.
It felt a little awkward at first, so many people all together in one space! We’re all still figuring out how to interact with each other in person again.
But I guess peopling is like riding a bike because it soon felt almost like normal again!
Yes, the masks made it a little difficult to recognize people which lead to some awkward re-introductions. But everyone was just so incredibly happy to be out and to be surrounded by real humans and beautiful art that it hardly mattered.
I had been looking forward to coming back to Artist Project since my return to Canada in July 2020. I flew in from Japan to do the show back in February 2020 and was blown away by the warm welcome I received after having been away for 3 years.
Artists and collectors alike welcomed me back with open arms, it felt like stepping into a warm bath. So of course I was excited to return to the show in 2021. Of course, the universe had other ideas and we all had to wait just a little while longer but that made the return even sweeter.
Like all of the artists at the show, I had spent most of 2021 in my studio, painting away. Normally, when I finish a painting it will go out into the world relatively quickly after it is finished. I’ll bring it to a show or a gallery where it can be enjoyed by the public. But in 2020 and 2021 everything just stayed at my studio.
There were some online releases and some alternative shows but, to be honest, nothing beats seeing your work all together on those white walls. And knowing all those people coming through had been deprived of experiencing art in person for two years made it all feel extra special.
Of course, as with all awesome things, it went by way too fast. Here I am, a week after the show and it already feels like a lifetime ago that we were waiting for the doors to open on that opening night. I can’t wait for next year!
But in the meantime, I have some other exciting things coming up!
My van is called ‘Bubbles’ 😂
In July we’ll load ‘Bubbles’ for another trip to Toronto and it’s another good one because the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is returning to Nathan Phillips Square at full capacity! Last year we had a small feature show at Stackt, which was great. But nothing compares to the energy that comes with 400+ artists showing their art in the heart of the city.
The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair will be held from July 15 - 17. We’ll be on Nathan Phillips Square in Downtown Toronto on the following days:
Friday, July 15, 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturday, July 16, 10 AM - 7 PM
Sunday, July 17, 10 AM - 5 PM
I cannot wait to be back in Nathan Phillips Square! I am sure the electric buzz of excitement in the air will be amplified by the 400+ artists participating. Will we see you there?
ARTIST • EXPAT • TRAVELER
“I hate saying goodbye but I did it anyway. 🥲 Fueled by farewells, I paint places I miss so I can hold on to them forever”
