art and a park

Saturday my handsome manfriend Derek and I went to a yearly art festival in our neighbourhood called the New Art Festival.

Every year I sooooo look forward to it! I always feel lighter and happier despite a ridiculously harried workweek. There's something magical about being in a natural space surrounded by beautiful, handmade awesomeness. Plus it always makes me want to dig out my paints and brushes and make all the things. ALL of them.

When I woke up on Saturday (far too early due to SUPER EXCITEMENT!) I heard the tell-tale noise I had been dreading since the weatherman's icky report - rain. My stomach dropped to my feet. I felt so nervous - which is so silly... not even my art! - and so worried that the day would turn out to be a bust. I couldn't sleep, so I laced up my running shoes and ventured out.

Running along the canal, I couldn't resist veering down a side street, edging closer and closer to the venue. I rounded the corner and there! yay! A sea of white tents was popping up between the trees and damp grass. As I ran home I felt a sense of relief...kind of like when  you wake up after having a bad haircut dream and ah! its still there! 

I don't know why I had been so worried. I mean, people pay to be in festivals and they would've been in town anyhow... I think that's just the crazy worrier in me (thank you genetics... thanks a bunch). But it was there, just as it was supposed to be, and despite being soaked through, I was all smiley.

We had a WONDERFUL time at the festival. It was a great day full of bagels and coffee and lovely, lovely, arty goodness! Every year I wish I could thank all of the artists for coming and just making my day. How creepy would that be? I'd totally pull a typical smask and just whisper it a little too quietly or say something completely backward resulting in awkwardness. I guess I just need to embrace that. 

Anyhow, here are a few of our favourites from this year's festival and years past. Un gros merci to all the amazingly artistic folks who make our apartment so happy each year! <3

Wave and Cloud - Jacob Rolfe

Jacob Rolfe

Jacob Rolfe is a graphic print artist from Toronto, Ontario. His art is amazingly detailed and so super whimsical. The teacher in me falls in love with the stories that his pieces tell. Also, the colours are awesome and the characters are rad! Derek is in love with one called Fire Juggler and all things bears. I like one of his pieces called Elephants the most. Also - yay for supporting local (Ontario!) art!

The Foxtrot - Ryan MacDonald

Ryan MacDonald

Ryan MacDonald is another Canadian artist. I'm pretty sure he's from Ontario as well - yay! He works in acrylic ink and the vibrant colour and soft detail of his work is lovely. He uses a lot of fantasy elements, which I am clearly very into. Last year we bought two of his prints and a ton of fun buttons - yay buttons! they're for everyone! - but this year we didn't see him. Come back Ryan MacDonald! We have the super swanky Foxtrot hanging by our fireplace (in a super classy gold and brown frame, of course) and He Started It just above - love! He inspired me to try out acrylic ink and I doubt I will ever go back.

There were sooooo many others but my hands and brain need sunshine now. 

So I'll end this by praising art: yay art! woot!

<3 S

p.s.: top photo "birds" by jacob rolfe.