As of the end of  Toronto Parks & Recreation Winter Programming, Nola mayno longer be conducting adult and older adult watercolour and drawing classes at Toronto’s original purpose built studio space, East York’s  Stan Wadlow Clubhouse. But, wait for it , maybe she will. It’s pending

This part is not pending, it’s happened and affects 6000 program providers, those people you  meet every time you interact anywhere in Parks & Recreation at any site in our city, Toronto.

CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) requested Arbitration to Harmonize wages for City of Toronto Part Time Parks & Recreation Instructors. Arbitration means there are no appeals nor flexibility to the Arbitrator’s decisions. In his report the Arbitrator repeatedly refers to Adult Art Instructors as Tertiary, Temporary and Transient. He  decided a 30% reduction to a very small gross salary was in order.  The instructors were told to take it or leave it. The result has been a wholesale departure from the programs by long term successful  Adult and Older Adult Art instructors.

The classes have been source of inspiration and joy over the years. I will miss everyone. Well maybe I won’t miss everyone. Life is pending

For sure my private workshops Making Better Pictures  will continue.  Contact the studio

For information on these programs check out the workshop page

ABC Muskoka is hanging at the Morningside Library.

PROOF Studio Gallery’s “Year of the Dragon”  The Opening Reception is  next Saturday Saturday, January 28, 2012

Everyone is invited to this exciting exhibit of original prints from around the world.

HOT. Saturday January 5 at 1pm  at the S Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Avenue in East York.  “9 Artists” members of the Toronto Field Naturalists examine Toronto’s wild side and wild life. Nola will be exhibiting “T”, “F”, “N” (Three Trillium Types Tilt pver Toads Tiny Tadpoles. the Frog Finds Fickering Frollicking Fireflies in the Frilly Ferns and Fiddleheads. in the Night sky Night stars, North Star, North pole) Nola  will have all your  favourite ABC Muskoka original print images unframed at the opening.

HOT. Proof Studio Gallery’s “The Year of the Dragon” Saturday january 21 from 2 noon to 6 PM. The most fabulous array of wonderful wiggly dragons.

COLD. the weather.

COLDER Cutting the TPL Library budget. The Library, your Library, is the natural neighbourhood centre for the arts in everyone’s individual community.  It’s all very well to be cool, but likely your major support group doesn’t live in the heart of the cool arts district. Warm up put art back in everyone’s life by putting it close to where they live. Use the Libraries to connect with your local support group at your local cultural centre.

COLDEST, Bookkkeeping and upgrading the bookeeping program. BRRRR

Designing, Drawing, Cutting and Printing the lino blocks, then making individual tiny books introduced me to the wonders of Birch bark plus skills ancient bookmakers in Egypt. Having the little book printed and produced in Toronto, within walking distance of the studio, proved a very good idea. My lamentable typing skills were exposed, corrected, several times.

The print exhibit has already toured four different art galleries, with more on the way in 2012. Individual prints are installed in many private homes along with handmade art books.

Workshops, in libraries, schools and boathouses, spread the word that real books are special and don’t require batteries.

2012 will provide new arts adventures.

Just Horses is accepting participants for a January 2012 session. Check the workshops page for more info.

Stan Wadlow workshops start again on January 11 2012.

Questions? Please,

The branch is accessible by TTC Lawrence # 54A or 54E from the Lawrence East RT Station. Driving?, there is Free Parking.

Please join Nola and the Morningside Authors Group at the Branch Thursday December 15 from 6 to 8 pm. Discover why Nola chose to have ABC Muskoka exhibited in Scarborough at the Morningside Branch during her talk “Creating  ABC Muskoka”.

Questions?

ABC Muskoka items will include, both framed and unmounted original letter lino prints. Signed numbered rebound  books complete come complete with end tapes and bookmarks.

Nola has utilized arte papers, the magic of giclée printing, natural birch bark, museum board, cotton and silk to create tiny handmade books, from 2″ to under 6″ tall. These are also signed and numbered with colophon.

Visit the Moose Show’s home website       www.mooseshow.com for a sneak preview of what will be on offer.

At the Bracebridge Library patrons, aged ??? months and up) and staff joined Nola for a reading, bookbinding demonstration and to make their personal copy of ABC Muskoka. Fun for all.

The Gravenhurst Bookstore now has  4th printing first edition copies  of ABC Muskoka for you. Support one of our nicest independent booksellers. (By the way they also have a selection of rare books and nifty hand made books).

The Gravenhurst Bookstore, bookstore@muskoka.com 120 Muskoka Road South, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1T5, Canada, (705) 687-0555

All 27 original works for ABC Muskoka will be installed at the S Walter Stewart Library for the month of November. You are all invited to view the works at the S Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Avenue, East York. Darwin might be in the park.

November 17, 18, 19 Merrriweather along with ABC Muskoka will be part of the Moose Show in the Barbara Frum Atrium at the CBC.  The Moose Show features works by 45 of Canada’s finest artist craftspeople. Darwin is not allowed, too bad.  www.mooseshow.com

In Muskoka Magazine‘s October 2011 issue ABC Muskoka is  featured on page 37  in “Give a Muskoka Gift this Christmas” . www.muskokamagazine.com

Another update. Scott Sillcox’s Heritage Sports Art project is now installed at the Aurora Cultural Centre 22 Church St, Aurora, ON L4G 1G4, Canada. There are 225 works in this show, just a protion of the works produced for this enormous undertaking. Nola will be speaking at the Gala Reception Wednesday October 26, 2011.

www.heritagesportsart.com

Darwin will be traveling more in the future, to and from Muskoka and elsewhere. The white whippet really compliments the whole black, white and a touch of red colour theme.

Questions?

Since August the little book that can has found homes around the world. Copies have travelled to London, Leeds and York in England, Sydney Australia, Johannesburg South Africa, Dortmund Germany, Washington DC, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Fransisco. Multiple copies have gone to single owners,  destined as gifts to others.

In Muskoka Magazine‘s October 2011 issue ABC Muskoka is  featured on page 37  in “Give a Muskoka Gift this Christmas” . www.muskokamagazine.com

ABC Muskoka will be at The Moose Show on November 17, 18 & 19 in the CBC Atrium.      www.mooseshow.com

More questions or if you wish to purchase a copy

The CNE Horse Palace provides the perfect working space for artists drawing horses. It has wide aisles, studio space for standing models, fantastic lighting. No weather issues, it’s indoors. The TTC stops at the door, with the dash permit parking is free to Riding Academy client.

Just Horses participants are encouraged to touch the models to learn aspects of proportion, anatomy and coat. The exercise ring provides a close-up opportunity draw moving models. Participants work from the bleachers surrounding the ring for a variety of views. The Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit provides riders and horses when exercising.  After the Mounted unit leaves the ring our model horses provide a perfect opportunity to study and draw movement from life as loose horses move about.

Just Horses provides sound drawing for beginners, interpretive exploration for  intermediate artists yearning to express their horsey creative side. Professional critique is offered for advanced visual artists approaching horses for the first time.

Register at  Sunnybrook Stables (416) 444-4044 for the September session.

Do you need more info on the program, have other questions?

On to the 70s. At Retail Environments of Canada and later Display Arts of Toronto I created award winning with large format silk screen banners signs and props for local, national and international retailers, all with clear graphics and type.

On to the 80s. The Segwun commissioned the pen & ink image used for the crew uniform. I began to drive up Peninsula Rd to Stanley House Road to a cottage on Lake Joseph past the large Seguin Township sign, with its clear graphics and type.

Now in 2011. Prior ABC Muskoka I designed for silk screen, but never actively printed. I never cut relief blocks, never proof read electronic image files.  ABC Muskoka has renewed my acquaintance with printing and typesetting. Lino allows me to pursue my love of black & white with a letterpress proof press in the studio.  The importance of having a second set of eyes to proofread has been proved, four times.

The first printing of the book, previewed on June 1, 2011, found 3 spelling errors, poor proof reading.  The books were hand corrected, tagged and numbered. The first printing sold out. A second and third printing also sold out, all by August 26, 2011.

Then it , the fourth spelling mistake was found by two people, neither connected to the RMS Segwun.   I had spelt the name of the Muskoka icon wrong. The upcoming fourth printing includes a corrected RMS Segwun at S

n.b. The new book making model, short press runs, locally produced within walking distance of the studio, is better.

Questions? or to purchase your copy of ABC Muskoka,