I was sent along a link to the work of illustrator Alexey Kurbatov by a friend. At first I was confused, was this digital or watercolour? Hand-rendered or careful digital tracings?
I'm left with the answer that it doesn't really matter how an illustration this stunning is created. If it is successful, it is successful and I am trying not to question it much more than that. I have to leave my technical questions behind, and what remains is stunning work from this young Russian artist.

please click to enlarge as always

He has a gift for mixing bold areas of black with thin lines in a way that is balanced. Tone and shadow become dimensional. The portraits he creates are stunning. I love how areas of the works fade into nothingness, like watercolours washed out into the paper. Beautiful technique.

I love the image of Frida Khalo (below right) because the artist herself painted so many self portraits, yet this image still seems like a fresh interpretation of her. In particular her head is turned to the side, giving the viewer a fresh perspective but still the familiar images we are used to seeing alongside her are there, the flowers, the brows. I like the pensive expression as well.





The artist is Moscow-based and works as a graphic designer, illustrator, photographer and fine artist.
His work has appeared in the Russian publication Snob magazine, among others. A public gallery that shows experimental work had an exhibition of his illustrations last year.

My new column in the paper is about the creative class and some upcoming events related to momentum-building in that area. Today I emailed it to some of the people at the Art of Transition group and they were so kind as to forward it onwards to Richard Florida. I received an email back that he had read it and liked it. I feel so happy. Almost as happy as when I sent and received an email with Douglas Coupland. Maybe more happy. Either way, it has been an awesome day.  I was slaying design dragons all day today. I met with someone from the Ottawa Art Gallery to share ideas for communication. 100% good stuff today.

After work I went to visit my high school art teacher and we chatted for three hours and came up with some super-cool ideas. It was inspiring and weird all at the same time because I'm not really the type to go back to my school after graduation. In fact after graduating college I didn't even go to graduation itself to pick up my diploma, I had them mail it to me. It just isn't my style to go backwards.

In any case it was fun to see my old haunt and see how crazy the art program has gotten there since I left. It's specialized  now and you have to apply to get in. It was always pretty intense compared to most schools but now it's like the Fame of fine art. I felt a little jealous of all the advanced classes that are offered but I had more than enough high school when I was there so not jealous in any sort of wistful way. Mostly I felt jealous when he said students have gone on to the Parsons School of Design and the Chicago Art Institute. But really that's awesome cool beans and it's great that a program like that exists in high school these days. Those students are lucky!

Alas jealousy is a waste of time. Life is about creating new opportunity and forging ahead and doing your best work. Today I'm inspired. Again, today is a day I'd rather not sleep and work the night through. Unfortunately I also want to work (and need to work) tomorrow so now I'll sign off and paste in my new article.

Creative class means creative thinkers

By Jacquie Severs/Art Columnist The term “creative class,” coined by economic intellectual Richard Florida, refers to workers who inhabit fields that require them to be creative thinkers. This isn’t limited to the creative types that might spring to mind right away; artists, writers and musicians. It also includes creative thinkers who you might not consider at first; scientists, computer programmers, small business operators, teachers and so on. Our local economy has historically been based in manufacturing. As a result, our community is familiar with the struggles come with the downturn in manufacturing jobs. While the change is certainly not going to happen overnight, in order to survive and thrive in the future, growing our economic diversity will be a key to our prosperity. In turn a prosperous local economy benefits all members of a community. A forum has been created by the Region of Durham in support of this economic process of change, called The Art of Transition. The Art of Transition offers an invitation to all members of the community to connect, share and innovate. The hope is that in doing so new partnerships and opportunities will arise, new jobs will be created, a vibrant arts scene can continue to foster and creative class workers will seek homes here in the Region. The result can be new economic drivers that in turn improve our quality of life, revive our historic buildings and encourage new investments by industries of all types. A quarterly publication called Transitions which highlights local entrepreneurs, creative thinkers and events supports the efforts of this evolutionary concept. The newest issue will celebrate its launch on Friday, March 4 at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) during their First Fridays event. The March First Fridays event features live music by Forest City Lovers, who were founded in 2006 by Whitby-born Kat Burns. The band were recently nominated for an Independent Music Award and are making this stop in Oshawa en-route to Austin, Texas where they will be performing at the well-known South by Southwest music festival. This is a unique evening, presenting a live band performing alongside the launch of a locally-produced magazine, in the setting of an art gallery. A place to kick-start your weekend immersed in culture, First Fridays is free to attend for all members of the community. The partnership is well-timed as The Art of Transition is set to launch their Culture Fund later in the month of March. The fund is a permanent endowment for charitable initiatives that help culture thrive in our community. The fund launches at the Regent Theatre March 25 paired with a performance by the Ontario Philharmonic. Richard Florida highlights that purpose and meaning can be found in the new creative economy. In his estimation purpose and meaning are created by three things; meaningful work, social relationships and community. The artists, entrepreneurs, partnerships and events that create the content of Transitions magazine are comprised of these three components. The feeling that places exist in our community that we love, that we feel free and creatively inspired in, are keys to creating a livable, lovable city. That is what the RMG seeks to capture in this event series. Creative thinkers of all stripes are encouraged to attend, connect, celebrate and enjoy.

image source

Just a quick note tonight to let you know my new blog post over at The Bump & Hustle is up! This time it's a Valentine's lingerie post focused on items suited to new moms and moms-to-be. Check it out by clicking here!

Kat from The Bump & Hustle and I went to college together and caught up in person for the first time in ages on the weekend!





Modern life is funny, I feel like not a day has gone by since the last time we spoke in person since we've kept in touch by twitter and facebook. She's a real sweetie and I think The B&H is going to lead to great things. I'm excited to be part of it.

Tomorrow for Valentine's Day I'm going to a fundraiser for Art With a Heart. They were kind enough to offer me a seat at the organization's table. I'm a little nervous to go on my own but I'm sure a glass of wine and some conversation will help me shake that off. Art With a Heart is a new organization doing some great work with youth using art as the medium. You know I'm totally behind that so I'm looking forward to attending and learning more about the organization and the people behind it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Last week I was honoured to receive a Stylish Blogger Award from the lovely Alessia at The Vintage Ramble! Thank you Alessia!

Yay! Such a fun idea, I always enjoy looking at other blogs for inspiration, motivation and joy. The Vintage Ramble chronicles Alessia's business bringing vintage fashion to the home party concept. She will literally bring her awesome-filled vintage closet to your house while you throw a party for your gal-pals and shop to your heart's content. I love the concept so much! Her blog is adorable too, and is chock-full of fun vintage fashion ideas, which you know I love!

Alessia also operates an Etsy Shop for the Ramble and sells handcrafted goods under the banner Six Dollar Goods. Such cute stuff, go check it out.





There are a few rules to the awards:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us seven things about you.
3. Award seven recently discovered new bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award.

So here are my 7 Things:

1. I added going to a soccer match in England to my bucket list today. My entire family on my father's side lives in England and I've  never been. I need to go soon! I decided today I will start saving now. It will make a good blog post too.

2. I make mean chicken fingers. It's a simple meal that I always think isn't very special but when I have cooked them for other people they rave about them endlessly and for years afterwards. I pair them with chipolte mayo and dijonaise.

3. I'm going to use a Feng Shui expert to help me layout my condo. It is a little out of character for me to believe in things some people might call hocus-pocus but I've been following some of his tips and they have worked in a way that I actually find a little eerie. I don't care if it is the power of positive thinking, I'm just going to go for it anyhow. I'll blog about it, of course.

4. I love mustard. I recently cleaned out my fridge and discovered I had 6 different kinds: regular, dijon, seeded, horseradish, deli-style and hot. I don't like honey mustard though.

5. I'm hard of hearing. I say 'pardon' a lot and try to look people in the face when they are talking to me so I can see their lips move. I apologize for not hearing people properly all the time and really hate any situation involving speakerphone. I watch movies with the subtitles all the time.

6. My sense of humour is a combination of Archie Comics and Benny Hill episodes.

7. I've been to Detroit on vacation a number of times. It's not high on people's lists of places to go on vacation but I have (well, actually had, they moved to LA!) friends there. The art gallery is great and that city has a lot of character.

And now, for my seven stylish bloggers!

Just Beachy
Inside the Makeup Case
The Bump & Hustle
Hungry Hammered & Home
RuralUrbanist
The Make Den
Pink Blackbird

kellie's peacock theme wedding

I'm a floral designer. I learned the trade mostly by doing, as I was lucky enough to apprentice to a talented designer when I was in high school.

It's a great trade to have because it is somewhat like riding a bicycle. Once you have the technical skills you keep them for a long time and from there staying up-to-date is related to staying aware of trends, colour themes and new techniques.

It's a communicative process, much like all design really, because getting to know what your client wants style-wise is related to listening, interpreting and providing a result that fulfills their needs.

I don't really advertise the services I offer and find that word-of-mouth gets me more-than-enough work every year. I've never even really blogged about it but I thought I would today for fun because I got some great pics from a bride I've been wanting to share for a while.

a rainbow of peacock-inspired hues

I really enjoy the work and am passionate about offering one-of-a-kind service and upscale design. I don't do it on a full-time basis, because I'm not interested in being an assembly-line designer turning out project-after-project with the same look.

I love a challenging client like Kellie - she had a real vision for her wedding. Upscale, trendy, glamourous, pretty and with a peacock theme that had to match a variety of blues, browns and rich golds, this wedding was a real design challenge, but a real treat to work on.

Emily's Aubergine & Kawasaki Green Polka-dot Wedding

The wedding industry is a tough one to be in. For one, you work every weekend of the summer, which I'm not willing to do. Most summers I consider it and have come close to pursuing this full time many times. But I haven't done that yet. In spite of this statement, I've decided to open up a little bit and put it out there that I do offer these services. I limit myself to about four clients per summer so if you are interested, or know someone who is, please feel free to contact me - leave a comment or use the 'contact me' tab on the blog to find me.

table centre piece for natural theme wedding

What I offer that makes me unique is a level of personalized service that you can't get from a flower shop. I'll come to your house, sit with you for hours if need be, working through your options and working to find something that will completely express your idea. I help with everything from colours to hall decor to accessories in order to create a dynamic story to be told on the wedding day. From there, I think I will let two recent thank you letters from clients speak for me, along with the pictures in this post.

graphic/bold for summer 2010

Jacquie, I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thanks for the wonderful floral services that you provided to us on our wedding day. We had a real blast and all of our guests did too! Everyone we've talked to has given us great feedback about the flowers, decor and appearance of the hall itself, and just how it was such a wonderful wedding! Colin and I felt like a prince and princess that day. The flowers played a huge part in this. We're so happy to have chosen you to do our flowers and centrepieces. Thank you for working so diligently to help make this day so special for both of us. We will certainly be recommending you to anyone we meet in the future who is looking for a florist for their wedding day!
- Kellie & Colin

lipstick, yellow and a blast of romantic pink blended with burgundy...

Jacquie, The flowers you did for our wedding were truly amazing. You went way above and beyond what we could have hoped for! Everyone commented on how spectacular the flowers were. Thank you for everything, including all of the questions you answered and advice you gave.. - Emily & Mike

iris honoured the place where the bride & groom were engaged, new orleans