Re-found

My parents and I stumbled upon a little street sale last weekend in a gorgeous neighbourhood just north of The Beaches and I found this lovely old 4"x 5" painting that I purchased for $5.  The top photo has been filtered to amplify the colours, but in actuality the colours are soft, aged and "moody" as my boyfriend says.  I fell for its aged look and pretty scenic panorama.  I was ultimately willing to accept the challenge of finding an antique frame for it, but it turned out to be no challenge at all because I found one the next day for $15 at the St. Lawrence Sunday Antique Market!  I couldn't believe it was the exact size I needed...  I love how the dramatic frame anchors the picture.  Now I can't help but wonder if the gentleman who sold it would want to keep it, if he saw it framed on my wall - re-found and re-loved.  

J xx

In Pursuit of Art

I went to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on 'free admission Wednesdays' and had a blast looking at all the paintings.  I took the above pic of a painting by Clarence Gagnon and I've fallen madly in love with this piece of art. Oddly, I couldn't find any information about this painting at the gallery (nor the internet!) so I'm left wondering what it was titled and where on earth I can find a print of it.  If anyone knows - please tell me!  But not all was lost because I enjoyed other great works by Lawren Harris and Arthur Lismer of the Group of Seven, and French master of impressionist painting - Claude Monet.  I was shocked to learn that photography is now permitted in Canadian art galleries, but pleased nonetheless (I'm anti-flash for the record!).  This way, I get to enjoy Gagnon's painting which for now shall remain nameless!

J xx

'A Clear Winter' by Arthur Lismer

A close up photo of 'Vétheuil in Summer' by Claude Monet

'Winter Woods' by Lawren Harris

My boyfriend took this photo and made me promise I'd give him credit.  He's very proud of himself!

Mon Oncle

My Hands Made This

I love this French movie poster illustrated by Pierre Étaix for Mon Oncle film director Jacques Tati.  I first noticed this poster featured in Cameron Diaz's fictional home in The Holiday.  I love it for the happy orange colour, sweet graphics and perky little dachshund.  I actually haven't seen Mon Oncle, but I'm almost afraid to see it for fear that it could change my feelings about the poster.  In any case, I'm seriously thinking about hanging this print in my living room.  The only downside is incurring the cost of getting it professionally framed.  Hmm...what to do.  

J xx

Pinterest

Watercolour Fashion Prints

I love these watercolour fashion prints by silverridgestudio on Etsy. Lately I've been thinking about redecorating my bathroom and making it top to bottom white. White walls, white towels, white cabinets, and glass accessories (i.e. apothecary jars). These prints displayed in floating glass frames would make a lovely focal point for the room. Hmm... I feel a project coming on!

J xx

Bathroom Character

Source: Country Living

A collection of old sports team photos hang on the walls of a cottage bathroom on Fire Island, New York. Every so often I visit Toronto's St. Lawrence Antique Market and enjoy browsing through old salvaged photographs. I love the idea of finding a new home for lost photos; it's a little celebration of past lives and the character they embodied. I think I'm going to copy this idea for my bathroom. Nothing gets me excited quite like a new decorating project!

J xx

Emily Filler

Beautiful isn't it?  This is a painting by Emily Filler, an Ottawa, Ontario native who is currently living in Toronto and painting full-time out of her studio in the city's historic Distillery District.  Emily is known for painting floral landscapes. She explains, "by blending colors and patterns into dreamlike images, my goal is to convey the impressions that flowers and nature leave behind in memory."

I first met Emily while studying at Queen's University through a mutual friend who is kind enough to give me random updates on Emily's professional and personal life adventures. Emily graduated with a degree in Fine Arts, and her work has since been featured in House & Home Magazine, and comes personally recommended by Sarah Richardson of Design Inc. and HGTV's Sarah's House.

If you're in Ottawa be sure to stop by the Terence Robert Gallery for Emily's 2nd exhibition open May 22 - June 9.  I am the proud owner of a modest 6"x6" Emily Filler original, and every time I look at it I am reminded of good friends and dreams fulfilled.

J xx