The Month of the Flâneur

So the big news is: due to a pseudo-career-change-a-roo, I have a month off to be a tourist in my own city -- to experience Toronto from new eyes --  to be a flâneur.

In other words, I quit my job doing television PR in the burbs to work in the wonderful world of interior design here in the city. I'll still be doing PR, but instead of writing about TV shows with meerkats and murderers, I'll be working with sconces and setees.

I start this exciting new adventure in August, so until then, there will be plenty of posts on Toronto's treasures to look forward to!

Time Moves Slow at 12:59

Is your Monday going slowly so far? Wishing for a peaceful weekend nap?

Press play.

Weekend Cocktail #10: Rouge Passion

Red is the best. 

It is fitting then that Alizé Red Passion liqueur is also tasty -- just don't make the mistake I recently made and drink half of a bottle on its own (unless you want to spend quality time on your bathroom floor)

Rouge Passion is a crisp yet sweet cocktail that is perfectly refreshing on a summer evening. Light and fruity, it's perfect for a romantic occasion or simply for a sweet indulgence.

Rouge Passion

• 2 oz Alizé Red Passion
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz passion fruit juice
• ginger ale

1. Pour the vodka, Alizé and passion fruit juice over ice.
2. Top with ginger ale
3. Garnish with red fruit, such as a raspberry or strawberry, if desired.

Have a great weekend and I'll have big news to share on Monday so stay tuned!!

Artist Spotlight: Thrush Holmes Empire

Thrush Holmes Empire has caused quite a stir in Toronto's art scene. Based in the hipster hood of queen and ossington, his expansive studio will be one of the stops on the gallery crawl I'm working on this July and I'm so thrilled Thrush is helping us out!

With fans including Halle Berry and Sir Elton John, Holmes has also garnered criticism for his open relationship with consumerism and ambition. Either way I think his work is fabulous. If only it was in my price range...

UNTITLED
mixed media with transparency slats on panel, 24 x 24 inches, 2007

LOVE ME TILL I'M ME AGAIN
ACRYLICS SUSPENDED IN RESIN WITH NEON LIGHTS ON PANEL, 72 x 60 inches, 2008

CASH COW
mixed media with resin on panel, 40 x 40 inches, 2007

DIM-LIT GLEAMING UNIVERSE OF BUDDING LEAVES, BLOWN BY OVERWHELMING NIGHT BREEZE
mixed media with neon lights on panel, 84 x 144 inches, 2008

FUCK ME, EMPIRE
mixed media with plexi slats on panel, 96 x 60 inches, 2007

L'ARGENT EST BIEN (IN LIGHTS)
mixed media with acids on metal lightbox, 24 x 72 inches, 2007

PARRY SOUND
OILS + EMBROIDERY ON LINEN, 48 X 36 INCHES, 2008

Artist Spotlight: Dana Cowie

Last month I was scouting out local art galleries for an upcoming event, when I met a lovely artist named Dana Cowie who was showing a solo exhibition at the Great Hall Gallery.

As a stylist for Holt Renfrew, Dana's passion for fashion is not only her artful inspiration -- it's her day job! Upon meeting she immediately commented on my Marc Jacobs stam bag and I was extremely jealous  to hear that a day's work means designing the display windows and styling the mannequins at Canada's sole designer department store.

As an artists, Cowie seems to be enamoured with striking bright colours, couture and retro imagery. Her bio states, 

"I pasted pages from Elle and Vogue magazines in my bedroom, dreaming of a life of glamour. My work is a way of remembering the past and connecting it to the present."

Naturally her large collection of watercolours, illustrations and sketches largely centre on a fashion theme, compete with sketches ripped from the runaway and illustrations fit for a designer's portfolio.

My favourite pieces in Cowie's exhibit are highly-stylized images painted over vintage textiles with embroidery.

 

Check out Dana Cowie's website to see more of her work and support Toronto's local arts community.