queen west
This Monday February 14th is Valentine’s Day and whether you’re spending it with your significant other, your friends, or your family, Queen Street West provides you with a whole day of fun local places to explore.
Read MoreMeet Courtney Senior!
Source: Courtneyseniorart.com
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.
Follow us @Twistgalleryand @TwistGallery!
Our exhibit, Energy, has a special place in Ela’s heart, quite literally. She started painting late last year after suffering a heart attack at 48 years old. This event jolted her onto a new life trajectory that includes a special focus on art.
Ela’s Heart
She bravely took fear from this traumatic experience and used it to facilitate a new love and appreciation for life. For her, energy translates to life. While inspiration sometimes comes to her in dreams, her paintings always exude pure, raw emotion.
“Catharsis” acrylic on canvas (30”x 40”) $750
While she hates talking about herself, her art does the speaking for her. Her piece, “Catharsis” illustrates a purge from repressed emotions and the subsequent relief created through this expression. The deep yet bright red oscillating lines seem to call to the lines created on a heart rate monitor. This new heartbeat is painted over the dark background, representing the new life created out of trauma. The thick textures create dimension, making the piece come to life, much like she did. It hangs on the wall with her other works seemingly radiating from it and creates a storyboard on the gallery wall for her experiences.
“Energy to me is life. All my paintings are driven by pure emotion. Some have come to me in dreams. I really don’t know how else to explain it. It’s raw emotion.”
- Elizabeth “Ela” Szymczak
Energy at Twist
Don’t miss this rest of this amazing collection! Be sure to visit Twist at 1100 Queen Street West and check out our newest exhibits. 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.
Follow us @Twistgalleryand @TwistGallery!
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.
A palette knife (source: Pexels)
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
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.
Follow us @Twistgalleryand @TwistGallery!
So, you’ve just fallen in love with a piece of art you’ve seen in your local art gallery. You know that it would be the PERFECT addition to your home, so you pass through and buy it. The gallery director puts a little red sticker on it, signifying that this particular piece is spoken for; its dance card is full. Now comes the hard part: waiting for the exhibition to be over, so you can proudly display your new cherished treasure. But how should one display art? There must be rules to follow or a guideline? Sort of. Below are Twist Gallery’s 3 Tips for Hanging a Painting. Enjoy!
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3 TIPS FOR HANGING A PAINTING
🎨 Hang a painting by its focal point.
Every piece of art is exceptional and different. Art tells unique stories, boasts diverse triumphs and impacts viewers individually. Therefore, it’s your job; nay your duty, scratch that; your privilege to decide where the art’s focal point is located. Essentially, the focal point, is where the viewer’s eye is naturally drawn. Often times, this is the centre of the painting, however many artists play with asymmetry in space and varying scale. So, what does that mean? It’s up to you! You fell in love with this painting for a reason. Where does your eye naturally fall on the canvas? This part of the painting should be hung level with your eye.
For instance, check out this vivid piece by Sandra Di Leo below.
Figure 1 “Rebel” by Sandra Di Leo; 30 X 40 acrylic on canvas; $2,100
At Twist, we’ve been debating where one’s eye instinctively falls on Di Leo’s work. Some follow the curves of the powerful black lines reaching rest inside the circular shapes. However, other eyes tend to focus on the bright colours, especially the electrifying greens and glowing pinks. Wherever you decide the focal point is located, it should be hung close to eye level.
🎨 Carefully think about lighting the artwork.
Lighting can be tricky, especially if you don’t have track mounted lights at your home. You want to avoid direct sunlight because it can be very damaging to surfaces. Try to mount the art in a room with lots of natural indirect light. Also, you’ll want to give your artwork even light. This is why many gallery’s mount works on walls with numerous light sources to ensure an even amount of light bathing the canvas. Lastly, consider the type of light (if not natural light). Fluorescent light is awful for dramatic art. You’d be wise to stick with bulbs and light sources that replicate soft daylight. For example, take a glance at Courtney Senior’s “Where the Magic Happens”.
Figure 2 “Where the Magic Happens” by Courtney Senior; 48 x 48 acrylic on canvas; $2,000
As the bright colours shatter and splinter apart revealing the strong dark tones of the background, Senior’s expression is fully realized. A robust piece such as this requires a room full of indirect light. Any direct sunshine or incandescent light would overwhelm the already strong colour pallet presented.
🎨 Group pieces of art together for dramatic effect.
When you are decorating a space, consider how several paintings can work together. Perhaps the canvas’ were created by the same artist and represent similar thematic elements or feelings? Conversely, this can work when the paintings are dissimilar. Imagine the contrast and complication to viewers by pairing pieces that clash or challenge each other. Can you think of a time when artistic elements clashed so strongly that the effect was incredibly profound and memorable? After all, art is about expression and creativity. Ultimately, it's up to you. Consider the work of Elena Dinissuk featured next.
Figure 3 “Beach Tranquility” by Elena Dinissuk; 24 x 24 acrylic on wood; $500
Figure 4 “Flying Over the Ocean” by Elena Dinissuk; 24 x 24 acrylic on wood; $500
These two pieces compliment and accent each other. The wild and energetic ocean waters of the first painting is referenced by the same blue hues in the second. Furthermore, viewers regard the land and sky embodied with oranges and pale blues in the second painting. This only highlights the lack of land in the first painting. As viewers begin to consider both paintings simultaneously, they see elements that are repeated and elements that exists individually. Dinissuk’s work instigates an exciting story of the majestic mighty ocean and our beautiful planet.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our 3 tips for hanging a painting. And if you think we’ve missed anything, please comment below and let us know your tips. We’d also love to hear from anyone who has purchased from Twist Gallery in the past. How did you hang your art? Share a picture on Instagram and remember to tag us! @twistgalley
And since you’re here, why not check out the other artists in our Artist Showcase? CLICK HERE.
To see what’s Upcoming at Twist Gallery CLICK HERE.
Keep us in your focal point by following us @Twistgallery and @TwistGallery!
