Time to Celebrate! by Kim Blair


'Unearthed'
(4'x5' acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas)

It's the time of year when many of us celebrate our accomplishments while reflecting on the past twelve months of life and/or work.  The large abstract commission I painted this past summer was definitely one of the highlights of 2016 for me!  My clients informed me yesterday that they have decided on a name for their new acquisition... 'Unearthed'

They said they chose this name because they feel the painting depicts bold movement and speaks to the transformation of their kitchen/family room while complementing and incorporating their new colour scheme.

I'll drink to that...

(Thanks L. & M.)

All the best for a wonderful New Years!


Billboard Treasure Hunt... with Kim Blair

A Fresh Canvas... always a thrill!


Speaking of thrills....  I am very pleased to announce that I am one of the artists chosen to have my art displayed on a billboard, here in Edmonton, the event is called #YEGCanvas.

Below is the information regarding the exhibition:

Mark your calendars and join the Edmonton Arts Council and Pattison Outdoor Advertising as we launch the 2016/2017 version of #YEGCanvas!

  This wildly popular urban billboard & transit poster exhibition features artworks by Edmonton's Indigenous, multicultural, and emerging artists. Look for art along the LRT line, and along the city's roads and highways from November 1, 2016 - April 30, 2017.



#YEGCanvas 2016 offers a fantastic opportunity to put yourself in the picture with selfies, social media posts, blogs and shares.

The artworks change every eight weeks - 10 different billboard images will be displayed each time, and 15 posters will move along the Capital and Metro LRT lines. 



Please join the EAC and artists on November 7, 2016, from 4:00-6:00pm in the Willow Room at Boyle Street Plaza - 9538 103A Ave. There is parking, or, if you are taking public transit, the nearest bus stops are #1247 (northbound) or #1463 (southbound) on the #5 route.  

There will be a short program, a chance to mingle with the artists, and light refreshments.



*Click here to view the map/location of the billboard and poster locations throughout the city.  

(My art will be in the second or third phase of the exhibition... I will post each new map as it is released.)

I's one giant treasure hunt... and promises to be a fun way to discover some new art!
Enjoy!

Large Abstract, needs a name... (already has a good home) by Kim Blair


 snippet from large abstract
 snippet from large abstract
 preparing to hang painting
 Abstract installed
Abstract, 48"x 60", acrylic on gallery profile canvas

Yesterday we delivered and installed the large abstract painting commission, 48"x 60" acrylic on canvas.  It looks fantastic in the space!  I thought you might like to see the wall space before and after the painting was hung... along with some close-up 'snippets' in order to get a better overall 'feel' for the piece.

*The painting has not been named yet.

As part of this commission I thought it might be fun to give my clients the opportunity to participate in the naming of their painting.   While contemplating some titles last night we all thought it would be fun to ask my subscribers to offer suggestions too... so please let your creative juices flow and brainstorm some title suggestions for this large abstract painting.

The colour palette in this painting consists of various tints, tones and shades of grey, black, brown, rust, purple, teal/aqua along with a few tiny hints of orange. (Too bad the title "Fifty Shades of Grey" is already taken!)

A glass of wine by the cozy fireplace (off to the right of the painting) will help the ideas to flow this fall/winter, but my clients liked the idea of asking my subscribers to offer title suggestions... the more ideas to choose from the better!

Anytime you come up with a title for this painting just pop it into an email to me.  Once a name has been chosen I will let you know in a future blog.

We are looking forward to your creative title suggestions...











Painting Tools, by Kim Blair

(Selection of Abstract Painting Tools)

Creating an abstract painting is a liberating experience.  Applying the thick buttery paint to the canvas utilizing an array of tools (see photo) to manipulate the medium is rewarding as well as intellectually stimulating. The creative process allows collaboration between my subconscious and conscious brain giving me access to a visual language that feels both primitive and contemporary.

It is this magical collaboration that keeps me returning to the studio.

(At the moment I am working on a large abstract commission...photos will be posted once it is completed and installed.)


Graduation Day, Kim Blair

At the Jubilee Theatre just before Graduation Ceremony




At Home, Graduation Day, June 10, 2016

It was a beautiful day to Graduate 'with distinction' from the Visual Arts Program at the University of Alberta, Edmonton.  We continued the celebrations with a lovely dinner...

Oxbow, by Kim Blair


Oxbow
36"x36"
acrylic on canvas

Earthy hues applied with cardboard and brush...carved with twigs and palette knives creating the feel of ancient topography. 

The oxbow shape of a meandering river... named after the wooden yoke used to harness oxen.  

NFS

Prana, abstract painting by Kim Blair


Prana
36"x36" acrylic on canvas

The inspiration for my abstract work comes from a number of sources... nature, architecture, archaeology, machinery, life experiences, travel... they all influence the work.

One colour that evokes happy memories of childhood for me is this pinky orange tone.  Perhaps it was the wall colour at a friends home, or the upholstery fabric on a piece of furniture at a relative's cottage.  Whatever the source, it is a colour I absorbed into my visual memory, incubating all these years... waiting for the right moment to be expressed.

Portal, abstract painting by Kim Blair


Portal
36"x36" acrylic on canvas

As mentioned in a previous post you can expect to see abstract work on my blog and website rather than the painterly realism of previous years.  My abstract muse has arrived and she will be staying for the foreseeable future.

If you click on the above image for a closer look you will notice thick passages of paint excavated to reveal deeper layers of colour and texture.  The primitive imperfect marks I am able to create by scratching the surface with twigs, palette knives and cardboard along with wielding my brush taped to a stick giving me a 24" handle (so that I cannot fiddle with tight brush strokes) gives the piece its character, it's 'Wabi Sabi'...

'The beauty of imperfection'...


Living Large needs a home, by Kim Blair



Living Large
mixed media
framed dimensions: 39.5 "x 31"

This painting called 'Living Large' is sitting in my studio waiting to go to a good home...

A good home for this framed painting would be in the office/public reception area of a non-profit organization, or a hospital ward/hallway were the general public would enjoy viewing it.

Please contact me if you know of an organization that fits the above description within the Edmonton area that would have room for this piece of art in their collection.  I am considering donating this piece to a non-profit organization that feels like the right fit.  All suggestions will be considered, please have the person responsible for such acquisitions contact me.

Sincerely
Kim

Endings are New Beginnings, by Kim Blair


'Formative to Informative'
Taking down my Exhibition


Today I took down my exhibition, 'Formative to Informative' after being on display for two months at the Faculty of Extension Gallery at the University of Alberta.  Packing up my art was definitely a bitter sweet experience with lots of reminiscing about the artistic process that led to the creation of this body of work.  The pieces that sold are now in the hands of the collectors while the rest of the work is safely stored in my studio.

My thoughts have moved on to creating new work for my next show, which makes me a firm believer that endings are new beginnings...