Meet Lisandra Pellegrini!

November 14, 2019

Born and raised in Toronto and an OCAD grad, her main focus as an artist is to make people feel like they want to touch the work.

What inspires your art?

Inspiration can be something hidden in anything for me. It could be a dream, or a moment. Driving behind a slow truck or going for a walk. It doesn’t discriminate when it will show up or go away. Mainly, it’s that moment when the light bulb goes on.

What medium and technique do you use?

The medium I use mostly is acrylic paints. I have mixed paints with oil, water, sand. Experimenting with different techniques is important for me. I don’t want to stay in a box and my style is constantly changing.

Walk us through a process of creating your art?

Usually it comes with an idea. A colour or colours I want to use. Starting off with a base of what colours to use, the piece usually evolves from there. Commission work used to feel daunting, but I enjoy getting the customers vision. I enjoy working off a commissions energy.

*The Creation of Simone, 48” by 24”, $420*

Is there a specific piece that stands out to you?

I love ‘The Creation of Simone.’ it’s colours, vibrancy, structure.

*Appropriate Thoughts, 36” by 24”, $300*

How did you start out as an artist?

Really young I decided I wanted to be really good at drawing. I wasn’t. So I practiced a lot to get better. My only goal for a long time being young was to be an artist. Be good at making people feel something from something I made. I moved through so many mediums before I found abstract art.

Do you use bold colours for a specific reason?

Go big. Use big colours. Colours that will make the viewer feel something. A memory. A taste. It’s important for some work to even make people feel uncomfortable. It may not work in a bedroom or living space, but why not? Sometimes what’s in the background should be bigger than what’s in front of your face. Colour is magical.

Meet Tanmay Upadhyaya!

August 14, 2019 in Artists

Who is Tanmay Upadhyaya?

“I'm a Toronto based marketer, passionately in love with colours. My venture into the joys of merging colours with canvas only began very recently. I look forward to seeing where this new voice for expression will lead. I enjoy creating abstract art - using acrylics primarily - and try to evoke a sense of beauty and inspiration through the interactions between colours as they find their place on the canvas. I endeavour to create pieces that produce the same passion for colours in others that I have always felt.”

What are you passionate about?

**“54 Shades of Happiness”, acrylic on canvas (32 x 48”), $600**

“I LOVE LOVE LOVE colours. They make me happy, energize me and inspire me. My lifelong love for colours started quite early in my childhood. I grew up in a culture that is very colour-centric and that affected my sensibilities in the most positive way. My work on display at Twist Gallery screams COLOUR. I have employed bold, vibrant colours in a congrous manner, laid on the canvas using non-traditional painting tools. All my pieces also explore order in chaos. There is a sense of controlled randomness.”

What does ‘Energy’ mean to you?

**“And a Very Good Evening to You Too Mr. Rothko”, acrylic on canvas (32 x 48”), $600**

“Energy, to me, is the invigorating power of colours. Colours have immense transformative powers and are capable of affecting our moods and general well being. I hope that my work is able to channel this energy and help people feel the joy.”

Energy at Twist

Don’t miss this fantastic exhibition! Be sure to visit us at 1100 Queen Street West and check out our newest artists featured. Our doors are open every Tuesday to Saturday from 11am till 6pm.

You can call us at (416) 588 - 2222 or email your questions and inquiries to info@twistgallery.ca.

And since you’re here, why not browse the Twist Artist Showcase? CLICK HERE.

To see what’s Upcoming at Twist Gallery CLICK HERE.

Meet Courtney Senior!

August 07, 2019 in Artists

Meet Courtney Senior!

A Bit About Me

“I am a self-taught abstract artist located in Toronto, Canada.

“Ever since I was little I would immerse myself in creative activities - from colouring and drawing to painting and writing. Despite my passion for the arts, as I got older it took a backseat to sports.

“While I was in university, I experienced several years of severe anxiety, which led me back to art. It seemed to be the only thing that would ease my angst and bring my mind back to serenity.

“As my anxiety subsided and as I pursued my career in marketing, painting was pushed to the sidelines again; that is until my late-20’s when I lost my father in a sudden accident and went through very difficult life changes. From that moment on, I spent every free minute I had painting. I used it as an opportunity to put all of the emotions I couldn't express verbally into a form that helped my grieve and ultimately helped me heal.

“I created so many pieces of artwork that my condo quickly became a studio. At first, selling my work did not seem like an option. I didn't know where to start, it seemed like a scary road of trying to figure out where to sell, how to market myself, pricing, shipping, packaging etc.

*“Whatever Comes Next” acrylic on canvas (48”x 36”) $1,475*

“And I wasn't in it for the money. I loved creating and loved sharing it with people. So, I thought why not just give it away? But as a marketer, I knew I should come up with something that made more of an impact, had some longevity could be tracked.

“I initiated a social project called #ArtandFound. I would neatly package up my work with a note on the outside that read: Hello, I'm an original abstract painting in need of a loving home. FREE ART #ArtandFound.

“I would also leave a note on the inside saying who I was, what the painting was about and contact information for anyone who wanted to follow up with me. I would leave them around different neighbourhoods in the city and hope that someone would pick them up. The response was so incredible that eventually it gave me the confidence to open an Etsy shop.

“The first day I posted my work, someone purchased a painting! I was overwhelmed with excitement and I haven't looked back since. That was 5 years ago and I still spend every spare minute I have painting and building my business.”

Courtney Senior

*“Where the Magic Happens” acrylic on canvas (48”x 48”) $2,000*

“What seems like serendipitous movement is actually a reflection of life – it’s the journey of making bold decisions, connecting with your inner renegade and embracing the highs and the lows and everything in between.”
Courtney

“Forget About the Pretty Things”

“This collection looks beyond first sight. It’s not about the beautiful colours or about matching trendy decor. It’s my introspection of life. Through the lens of synesthesia, I use movement to capture experiences, relationships and moments no matter how profound or mundane. This is my interpretation of life and trying to find beauty, meaning and mindfulness in both the simplicities and complexities of daily life.

*“Cosmic Horizon – 03” acrylic on canvas (36”x 48”) $1,475*

Thoughts on Energy?

“Energy is the essence of all of my work. The energy I embody from daily experiences, musings, encounters etc. is exactly what I am trying to convey through movement on canvas, no matter what the source.”

Courtney Senior

Energy at Twist

Don’t miss this wonderful exhibition!

Be sure to visit us at 1100 Queen Street West and check out our newest artists featured. Our doors are open every Tuesday to Saturday from 11am till 6pm.

You can call us at (416) 588 - 2222 or email your questions and inquiries to info@twistgallery.ca.

And since you’re here, why not browse the Twist Artist Showcase? CLICK HERE.

To see what’s Upcoming at Twist Gallery CLICK HERE.

Meet Elena Dinissuk!

July 23, 2019 in Artists

Elena Dinissuk is a painter who works out of her home studio in Mississauga, ON. Elena has always felt like an artistic soul; she took to painting later in life, and is constantly working on perfecting her technique. Elena’s main medium is acrylic. She likes acrylic due to its vibrancy and versatility. She started by painting landscapes inspired by Ontario’s outdoors, and has since branched out to abstract works. This has taken her to a new direction.

*“Sunlight Through a Foggy Forest” acrylic on wood, (12”x 16”) $220*

Elena uses acrylic gels and modeling paste to add opaque and transparent layers, as well as texture, to her work. Her style is distinct and memorable, with paintings containing movement, flow and positive energy. Elena enjoys painting by palette knife (pictured below), and teaches her technique to art schools when invited.

Elena is proud to say that she’s been participating in art shows and exhibits since 2017. Both her landscapes and abstract works have been featured in juried exhibitions. Elena has twice participated in the prestigious Paint Ontario, at the Lambton Heritage Museum. She later went on to be included in the Impact 2018 Juried Show and Overzealous 2018, both at Neilson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke. Elena has also been included in group gallery shows in Propeller Gallery, and Artusiasm Gallery. She has also participated in art shows in Mississauga, and in Riverdale Artwalk 2019.

Elena with her work. You can follow her @lenadv_art and #lenadv_art

Elena strives to promote joy and peace through her work, while making people think and feel.

Dinissuk’s latest collection at Twist!

It highlights air, water, and earth elemental energy! The earth energy is warm and grounding, the water energy is rejuvenating, and the air energy is clean and fresh.

“My paintings are inspired by landscapes. Sometimes I incorporate all three of these elements, sometimes I concentrate on only one.”

-Elena Dinissuk

Energy at Twist

You can call us at (416) 588 - 2222 or email your questions and inquiries to info@twistgallery.ca.

And since you’re here, why not browse the Twist Artist Showcase? CLICK HERE.

To see what’s Upcoming at Twist Gallery CLICK HERE.