Colour and Form Society Juried Show

The Colour and Form Society has chosen and hung its Annual Juried Show at the Etobicoke Civic Centre (Burnhamthorpe and 427). I am fortunate to have one of my collagraph prints included in the show - "Rockin' Pear". The opening reception for the show is Thursday, November 8th, 7 - 9 p.m. at the Civic Centre. The show is open to the public during office hours, and on Saturdays through November.

'Rockin' Pear'

Original Collagraph Print

37 x 28" (Apologies for the foto - behind glass)

Between Heaven and Earth, NEW SHOW

October 24, 2007

NEWS RELEASE – Brampton, Ontario, October 22, 2007

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH, there is an abundance of beauty and wonder to stir awe in hearts and minds. This show, through a variety of media which includes paintings, hand made prints and sculptural forms, allows the two artists: Susan McCrae and Rose Marie Nicolucci to share their exploration of the beauty and wonder through recent works. Each is inspired by her own unique interpretation of natural phenomenon and fascination with universes, both real and imagined.

Rose Marie Nicolucci presents works which evoke beauty in small and peaceful vistas. Her larger paintings are awe-inspiring panoramas that she has sketched on-site, in her travels. She earned both University and College degrees in Fine Arts and has studied with notable Canadian artists Ronald Bloore and Gordon Rayner. Her work has been exhibited in solo shows and group shows throughout the GTA.

Susan McCrae shows work depicting imagined galaxies and exciting astral phenomenon, in paintings and original prints. Working with the same theme, she has crafted 3 dimensional wire mesh hangings which in fact are ‘single dimensional’ with one continuous edge = Möbius strips. These shapes have fascinated mathematicians for a century and a half. Susan’s interest in the strips is artistic and she will demonstrate how they are made at the opening. Visitors can amaze themselves, making their own of paper - to take away.

Paintings in mixed media, hanging sculptures and prints will be on display from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8, 2007 at Beaux-Arts Brampton’s Main Gallery, 70 Main St. N., Brampton; 905 454-5677 www.beaux-artsbrampton.com Gallery hours are noon to 6 pm Mon. to Fri., 9 am to 3 pm Sat. Come and meet the artists at opening reception 5 pm to 9 pm Thursday, Nov. 29th.


“Cascades” Rose Marie Nicolucci “Water Garden” Susan McCrae

Studio Tour Update

October 24 07

The Studios of Brampton Tour 2007, came and went, along with 80+ people who came through. Many stopped to make monoprints on small plates with water soluable crayons, which we ran through our big Praga Press. Great fun and a chance to expose more art lovers to original prints as an art form.

Thanks for coming to see us on a busy Thanks Giving Weekend!

Susan McCrae

STudio Tours Thanksgiving Weekend

October 3, 2007

An exciting weekend is in store this Thanksgiving, at the Studios of Brampton Tour 2007. This is my first year as part of this group of wonderful artists. I am showing as part of STudio 83, with my partner Tony 'Marinus' Vander Voet on Saturday and Sunday October 6th and 7th at the studios/gallery in our home at 83 Peelton Heights Rd. in Brampton. Please come and join us from 10a.m. - 5 p.m. - you can see our Praga Press and even 'make and take a print', while you visit our gallery.

Ingrid and Deborah's big Adventure

August 12 07 Deborah Trow and Ingrid Sesito

Getting into AWOL show.

AWOL Gallery Opening

August 12 07

Six participating artists- Barbara Ariss, Helen Duplassie, Rose Marie Nicolucci, Ingrid Sesito, Deborah Trow and me, from Beaux-Arts Brampton cooperative (http://www.beaux-artsbrampton.com/) trooped down to the spectacular opening of the "Square Foot Show" at the AWOL Gallery on Friday night. There was lots of buzz and excitement, with a 20 minute line-up just to get into the rented space at 100A Lansdowne Ave. With over 700 artists and 1100 paintings/creations - each one foot x one foot, the show was a spectacular display of the creativity which can be packed into one square foot. Here is a picture.

Ingrid contemplating.

And Here's the Picture

August 4th, 07

Here's the picture of me with the Minister, getting the certificate at the OPS Conserves show, John B. Aird Gallery.

Good News! Honourable Mention

August 2 07

At the opening last night, of the OPS Conserves show at the John B. Aird Gallery at 900 Bay Street, Toronto, I was honoured to receive an Honourable Mention for my painting 'Harvesting the Cool Deep'. The presentation was made by the Minister of Government Services, the Honourable Gerry Phillips. The painting is displayed below in the late July posting.

Susan McCrae

New Show at John B. Aird Gallery

July 31 07

OPS Conserves

This show is the third annual juried exhibition of artworks by OPS (Ontario Public Service) employees and family members - theme is Conservation. My entry is :

Harvesting the Cool Deep

40" x 30" Acrylic and collage

Susan McCrae
Energy conserving alternatives for cooling homes, buildings in summer include lake water drawn from the depths. In this painting, indigo describes the cool depths of the Great Lakes; the extended net – harvesting cool water, channeled through grids to heat-producing areas around the lakes; a city of glass and metal nestles near the cooled shore.

Paintings, Prints on Exhibit

July 1 07

Here are some of the pieces on display at various places around the GTA:

In the Rain, Monoprint at the Art Cove in Beaux-Arts Brampton, 70 Main Street North.

Water Garden

seen at Gallery Streetsville, until July 29th

354 Queen Street,

Mississauga

The Print Show, John B. Aird Gallery

July 1 07

I was fortunate to have a print juried into the Annual Juried Exhibition of Original Prints at the John B. Aird Gallery, 900 Bay Street, Toronto open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. The image accepted was from the "Red Dress Collection" Bridesmaid Time. The show runs until July 26th.

Other Current Exhibits are:
1. Coffee Culture - a new coffee house - great coffee- in downtown Brampton at 9 Queen Street W. (corner of Main) is displaying the artistry of Brampton Artists, through Beaux-Arts Brampton. My "Rockin' Pears" and "Red Dress Collection" Torch Time" are both hanging in the back corner.

2. Beaux-Arts Brampton in the Art Cove (small gallery) two small works
'Kneeling Figure' Collage and 'In the Rain' Monoprint are hanging as part of the Labour Works Show from July 3 - 29th.

Invitation to 'First Impressions' Show at Beaux-Arts Brampton

This is the invitation to the 'First Impressions' show at BAB, which is up in the Art Cove gallery. Opening reception will be held Thursday, June 7th, but the show will be on all month. Come and see some lovely small collagraphs.

'First Impressions' Collagraph Print Show at BAB

May 29 – June 30 First Impressions – The premier showing of “Imprint”, a new and enthusiastic group of print artists operating out of Beaux-Arts Brampton - in the new gallery The Art Cove at BAB. The prints were created from collographs individually inked and pressed so that no two are ever the same.
Artists showing are: Susan McCrae, Angela Priede, Rose Marie Niccolucci, Dawn Friesen, Gertrude Schweigl, Paulette Murphy, Muriel Davidson, Lynden Cowan.

The show is a charming collection of small original prints by these artists who participated in workshops with Susan McCrae and subsequently decided to launch the "Imprint" group of printmakers. Subjects range from abstracts to Wedding medallions, pears, mushrooms, to landscapes. Beaux-Arts Brampton is located at 70 Main Street, Brampton, Ontario. Check website www.beaux-artsbrampton.com for hours of operation. The Opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2007 from 6 p.m. - 9p.m. Please join us for a glass of wine and other refreshments.

ABOUT PEARS

Aside from being one of my favorite breakfast foods (with cottage cheese), I have always found pears to be a sensual fruit. Their many varieties and colours, succulent flavours, flowing curved shapes and sexually suggestive interiors contribute to that sensuality. Presenting them oversized in these prints proved irresistible.


PEAR 3/4 VIEW

This large view of an 'abate' shaped pear has a quarter cut out, showing mostly the interior down to seeds and stem, including the 'stone' cells peculiar to pear anatomy.

PEAR 3/4 VIEW
Collagraph Print, layered red, yellow, green inks (image 28" x 20" on 30 x 22" paper)


Rockin' PearB

Uses the same plate as Pear 3/4 View, printed three times, rockin' on its axis.

ROCKIN' PEAR

Collagraph Printed 3 times on an axis; (image 29" x 21" on 30 x 22" paper )

IT's A SLICE

A Bartlett Type Pear with a slice cut out and presented at the side. One print is a single pear on a painted blue and silver background; the other is a double printed image with shadow.

It's a Slice
Collagraph on painted Collagraph image with shadow

Blue & Silver background 30" x 22"

30" x 22"

Eggs Collection

About Eggs

Eggs are a natural shape - one of the strongest devised in nature - given size and material. Eggs protect and provide nutrition in some cases and develop life in other circumstances. Some eggs simply decorate. I have imagined eggs of different sizes, with different internal configurations to have a life of their own.



Egg Cycle Triptych

EGG CYCLE - BIRTH: Colourfully vibrant and dynamic, this 'double' egg image is printed on a painted background.


EGG CYCLE - BIRTH
Collagraph print on painted background - 20" x 16"


EGG CYCLE - MATURITY: A more subdued image of the egg (than BIRTH), mounted on a background of dried leaves.

EGG CYCLE: MATURITY
Collagraph print on paper, mounted on a background of dried leaves, 20" x 16"


EGG CYCLE - FOSSIL: The final stage - the fossilized egg - dipicted in silver on black, every detail captured, with hints of colour remaining.

EGG CYCLE: FOSSIL
Collagraph print on silver paper mounted on black paper 20" x 16"

Collagraph Prints: About Texture

Collagraph plates are the print maker's collage. The plates are hand made by building up textures on a firm flat surface (eg. illustration board). Different materials - papers, fabrics, straw, string, glues, are used to create texture and collage elements are fastened to the plate with gesso, glue or acrylic medium. Once the plate is 'sealed' (waterproofed) on both sides, it is finished with a layer of matte acrylic medium. Oil based inks (ususally) are applied, then wiped to remove excess before running the plate under pressure, covered with damp printing paper, through a hand operated press. The textured image from the plate is embossed into the paper, along with the colours of ink used, so special papers are needed to accept the embossing. The result is a Collagraph print.

"The Red Dress Collection" depicts particular female roles and parts of women's experience or significant moments in time, which, like the dresses can be discarded, leaving the woman intact. The series started over a year ago with "Prom Time" and expanded with "Holiday Ball Time" - the collection is a work in progress with more to come. All works for sale, please contact Artist.

"Torch Time" was inspired by fellow artist's paintings of their daughters - Ken Logue and Brian Smith. "Bridesmaid Time" is a tribute to the grace and poise of differently shaped bridesmaids wearing dresses they would never have chosen for themselves.

'Holiday Ball Time'

Collagraph print 5/20 (image 21" x 14" on paper 30 x 22")

In a Milton Avery like scene, this dress poses elegantly waiting for a partner, waiting for a turn around the floor.

'Bridesmaid Time' (detail)

Collagraph print (image 23" x 16" on paper 30 x 22 ")

The dress awkwardly descends the staircase, conspicuous but proud, waiting for its debut at the head of the Bride's wedding party.

'Torch Time'

Collagraph Print (image 23" x 14" on paper 30 x 22")

Sexy, slinky, confident, this dress is hyper-ready to belt out a Heart Wrencher. Sleeve is raised, microphone at the ready - waiting for the band to begin.