10th Annual Art in Action Burlington Studio Tour

Donna Grandin at her easel, in studio #10

view of studio #10 during studio tour

Jessica Gneth, and proud collector of one of her wire sculptures

Art in Action 2012 Artists Cheryl Laakes, Donna Grandin, Sarah Carter

Thanks to everyone who came out to the 10th Annual Art in Action Studio Tour in Burlington, Ontario, on Nov 3 & 4, 2012! www.artinaction.ca 

Donna was pleased to host Cheryl Laakes, fibre artist & jeweller of www.cheryllaakes.com, Sarah Carter, watercolourist of www.watercolorartbysarah.com, and Art in Action scholarship winner - and current Sheridan College art student - Jessica Gneth, in her home studio for this event. 

Thanks to online newspaper Our Burlington for great coverage of the tour, and for including a profile of Donna & her art at http://ourburlington.org/?p=15620. And to SNAP Burlington photographer Teresa Baerg for coming out to cover the event. www.snapburlington.com

Donna's acrylic paintings of tropical plants were also featured in lots of promotion for the tour, including the brochures, and newspaper ads. 

Special thanks to Teresa Seaton of www.teresaseaton.ca, who steers the ship that is Art in Action! And what a well-oiled machine it is (hope I'm not mixing metaphors here!).

For more photos from studio #10, go to www.facebook.com/artbydonnagrandin

For e-vites to exhibitions, and to view new art, join Donna's Mailing List at donna@bluerootsartstudio.com

Donna's Dragonfly Miniatures at 337 Sketch Gallery, Hamilton (Oct 11-29).

"Dragonfly days", "Waiting", "Watching". These paintings are all 4"x5" acrylic on canvas, Donna Grandin, 2012.

 This summer, I camped at Long Point Provincial Park, Ontario with my family, and one morning while everyone else was fishing off a dock, I roamed along the banks of the inlet with my camera. The area was teaming with life, in between the lily pads and moss, there were frogs, dragonflies and here and there a snapping turtle would raise its head, or swim away if startled.

I've always wanted to paint dragonflies, there's something so attractive about their body proportions, the double set of wings counterbalancing the long narrow body. They're like miniature aeroplanes, zooming around on some crazy flight plan. After a while of observing, and taking photographs, it occurred to me how much more I see, understand, and appreciate about Nature because of my art.

"Dragonfly days" is sold, but the other two paintings are in an upcoming group exhibition of miniatures,  337 Sketch Gallery, 337 Ottawa St., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Regular gallery hours are Thurs - Sat 11-6pm, Sun 12-5pm.

"56 artist's are participating in the Miniature Show. 150 paintings are being hung on the walls.
Opening Night is Oct. 11 from 7-9 pm. The Show dates are Oct 12-29th." 

337sketch@gmail.com

"Floravision", solo exhibition by Donna Grandin at The Inner Gallery in St. Lucia

From top to bottom: Donna Grandin with her parents Richard and Nancy Gomez. Stephen Shingleton-Smith, Peter Walcott, Rachael Du Boulay (curator of The Inner Gallery), Sir Derek Walcott (Nobel laureate) and his wife Sigrid. Richard and Nancy Gomez. Donna with Rachael Du Boulay and Sir Dunstan St. Omer (Donna's former art teacher). Donna with Sir Dunstan St. Omer. All photos courtesy of Terry Wedge and The Inner Gallery.


Donna Grandin's solo exhibition, "Floravision", opened on Feb 2nd at The Inner Gallery, Bois D' Orange, St. Lucia. The Cocktail Reception was very well attended. Donna's former art teacher (at the St. Joseph's Convent Girls' Secondary School in St. Lucia), Sir Dunstan St. Omer was present with his wife and son. He was also present at Donna's first ever solo exhibition, "Aquavisions" in St. Lucia in 1996!

Donna was also pleased that St. Lucia's Nobel Laureate, poet Sir Derek Walcott was able to attend with his wife and son. Rachael Du Boulay, curator of The Inner Gallery presented Walcott with a belated birthday gift of a few canvases. He and his son, Peter Walcott, are also visual artists represented by the gallery. Some of the other Gallery Artists present included Christopher Cox, Janet Lang, Arnold Toulon and Alcina Nolley. Jonathan Gladding and Daniel Jean-Baptiste had both just left the island but wished Donna well on her first solo show with the gallery.

"Floravision" includes 24 acrylic paintings of tropical flowers, fruit and foliage, specifically hibiscus, banana, frangipani, flamboyant and croton. An online preview is available on the Gallery website.

The exhibition runs until Feb 27th. Regular gallery hours are Mon-Fri 9-4:30pm.

We apologize to those of you who received your invites late, or not at all, as we experienced some technical glitches. If you haven't done so yet, please join Donna's mailing list to see new art and be invited to events. You can also like her Fb page.

Donna would like to thank Rachael Du Boulay and the Inner Gallery staff, her parents Richard & Nancy Gomez, her husband Brent Grandin and their sons, the press (Radio St. Lucia, Helen Television Service, Calabash TV, The Voice newspaper, Choice TV), and everyone who attended the exhibition, collected her art and referred their friends.

Donna Grandin - Strata Gallery online store

Frangipani Beauty, Donna Grandin, acrylic, 12"x12", 2011. Strata Gallery.


Donna is pleased to announce that some of her smaller paintings are now available through the Strata Gallery online store.

Strata Gallery is located in the small, charming town of Elora, Ontario, about 90min north-west of Burlington. It's a wonderful place for a day-trip with the beautiful natural scenery along the Grand River, the historic stone houses and lots of small, unique local shops and cafes to check out.

For those of you who are too far to visit, the paintings may be purchased online and shipped world-wide for a small fee.

Miniature Show at 337 Sketch Gallery, Hamilton ... ends Nov 13th!

Opening night of Miniature Show, 337 Sketch Gallery in Hamilton, Fri Oct 25th, 2011.

Almost 130 miniature paintings are on display in the gallery, located at 337 Ottawa St. N, Hamilton, ON. The show has been extended till Nov 13th, regular gallery hours are 11-6pm Thurs-Sun, but it will be open a little later on Fri Nov 11th because the Art Bus will be making a stop there as part of the Art Crawl.

The trio of 4"x5" miniatures I painted for this exhibition were inspired by photos I took of some bees buzzing around a patch of flowers outside a store in Midland Ontario this summer. That night while I sat on the couch at my friend's cottage, sorting through the pics on my laptop, zooming in and cropping the centers of the flowers where the bees were doing their thing ... an amazing and unexpected fireworks display began on the other side of the lake. So "Fireworks" was my way of commemorating that wonderful weekend retreat with my fellow artist. And the other paintings just fell in to place.

Donna Grandin


"Fireworks" and "Friendship" are already hanging in a collector's home, but "Frenzy" is still available. View them on the FB page: www.facebook.com/artbydonnagrandin in the Wall Photos album.

For more info on the show, and the gallery, take a look at the FB page: 337 Sketch Gallery

Upcoming exhibition at The Inner Gallery

The Inner Gallery, located on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia


Donna is pleased to announce that the Opening for her 2012 exhibition at The Inner Gallery will be held on Thurs Feb 2nd!

In fact, Donna has just returned from a short visit to St. Lucia where she soaked up the inspiration, and gathered more reference material on local tropical flowers and foliage in preparation for this exhibition.

Visit: The Inner Gallery, Bois D'Orange (1-758-457-8728), to view a new selection of Donna Grandin original acrylic paintings on canvas. The artwork hasn't been added to the gallery website yet, so you'll be one of the first to get a sneak peek!

Join: Donna's Mailing List to receive e-vites to exhibitions, and Donna's monthly/bi-monthly newsletter with new art and upcoming events.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/artbydonnagrandin

Email: donna@bluerootsartstudio.com for a pricelist of paintings currently available through Blue Roots Art Studio in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Paintings may be rolled to ship world-wide, and mastercard and visa are accepted.

Donna at AWOL's Square Foot Show '11 in Toronto

Gala Opening of the 9th Annual Square Foot Show, 5th Aug '11, Twist Gallery.

AWOL's Square foot show is being held at the Twist Gallery in Toronto this year. Twist is located at 1100 Queen St. W. The exhibition and sale continues till Sun Aug 21st. Hours are Wed-Sat 12-7pm, Sun 12-5pm.

Each artist (500 max) submitted up to 3 pieces, each had to be 12"x12", but could be in any media, any subject. It's wall-to-wall paintings, each time you return to a wall, you'll see things you missed the last time you looked! With such a wide variety of styles etc, there's sure to be something for everyone!

Donna has 2 new Frangipani paintings in this exhibition ... let us know if you've spotted them!

Or, find them on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/artbydonnagrandin

For details of the exhibition:
www.awolgallery.com/square_foot/

2-Person Exhibition at 337 Sketch Gallery

Views of the exhibition from outside of 337 Sketch Gallery, located at 337 Ottawa St. N, Hamilton, ON.

The acrylic paintings of Donna Grandin, and the glass art of Stephen Zawadowski are currently on exhibition at 337 Sketch Gallery until Sun July 17th.

Donna Grandin, a visual artist whose acrylic paintings, while realistic, explore the abstract rhythms and organic shapes of nature in vibrant colours. Donna received the gold award in visual arts in the M&C Fine Arts Awards in St Lucia in 2000 and has an Hons. B.A. in Art from McMaster University.

Stephen Zawadowski, a glass artist and graduate of Sheridan College has been written up in the Remote Stylist. His work is a fusion of clear crystal glass and copper.

Meet the Artists:
Donna will be painting in the gallery on Sat, and Stephen will be in the gallery on Sun.

337 Sketch Gallery is located near Barton & Ottawa St. N
Hours: Thurs to Sun 11-6 pm

Anne Becker: 337sketch@gmail.com
Donna Grandin: donna@bluerootsartstudio.com

LIKE Donna Grandin. Blue Roots Art Studio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Donna-Grandin-Blue-Roots-Art-Studio/201582283198326?sk=wall

For e-vites & newsletter: http://bluerootsartstudio.com/contact.php

Donna Grandin at Toronto Art Expo 2011

Donna with some of her acrylic paintings on canvas in her booth at the Toronto Art Expo 2011.

Last weekend, April 14-17, Donna exhibited her artwork with almost 200 other independent artists and galleries in the Toronto Art Expo 2011. Till the end of the year, you can still view her profile at http://www.torontoartexpo.com/2011/virtualgallerypages11/grandin.html.

The event was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and is in its ninth year. Attendence was lower than expected this year, not sure if the weather had something to do with it ... it was a grey, rainy weekend, and at one point there was even some snow!!! Very unusual for this time of year.

However, sales were made, new connections formed, and much experience gained. Thank you so much to those on Donna's e-mail list who made it to the Expo, especially to those who live outside of Toronto. And a big thank-you to Donna's new collectors, and potential collectors.

To see more pics from the TAE, please go to Facebook and "like" Donna's fan page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Donna-Grandin-Blue-Roots-Art-Studio/201582283198326.

For a pricelist of available paintings, please e-mail donna@bluerootsartstudio.com. Delivery and payment details can be worked out on an individual basis, depending on your location etc.

Art donated to L.A. fundraiser for St. Lucia

Artwork donated by Donna Grandin, on display at Chapman University, Orange, California. Donna's art auctioned at " Poetry, Music, Art: a Celebration to Benefit St. Lucia", April 5, 2011.

The following is from a blogpost from online literary journal dirtcakes.org, which included an image of one of Donna's recent paintings:

"Did you know that the West Indies island of St. Lucia has more Nobel laureates per capita than any other nation and one of those - Derek Walcott - is a poet?Come celebrate Caribbean poetry, music, and art in a hot, hot, hot event on Tuesday, April 5, as dirtcakes sponsors an event to support Red Cross disaster relief for St. Lucia, an island devastated by last year’s Hurricane Tomas.

Join us in the Malloy Performance Portico at Chapman University’s Leatherby Libraries where Los Angeles poet Lynne Thompson, author of Beg No Pardon, will read work inspired by stories of her Caribbean ancestors, while Francis Lynch, from Trinidad and Tobago, adds a gentle steel pan cadence. Yes, you read that correctly, we’ll have a drummer in the library. And food. And art. Donna Grandin, an artist originally from St. Lucia, has donated two paintings for silent auction. Work from notable St. Lucian poets, including Derek Walcott, will be read and then, drum roll, Lynne Thompson will announce the winner of the dirtcakes First Annual Benefit Poetry Contest."

There was a slide show projected on a screen behind the poets as they were doing their readings, which included images of Donna's Hibiscus 'n Bananas series. Donna was invited to participate in this event by organizor Natalie D'Auvergne, whose blogpost http://aphroditeares.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/poetry-music-art-a-celebration-to-benefit-st-lucia/ could almost have been written by Donna herself. Both the artist and the writer get inspiration from their Caribbean background, both observed how Hurricane Tomas devastated St. Lucia and her people last year, through the safety of Facebook, and felt compelled to help somehow. Proceeds from the event on Tues went to the St. Lucia Red Cross.

"St.Lucian ART 2011" at The Inner Gallery, St. Lucia

From the core, acrylics on canvas, 2009, 16x13 inch, Donna Grandin.

This painting, and two others by Donna, will be part of "St. Lucian ART 2011: a selection of new and recent work by established, unknown and emerging artists from St. Lucia". The group show opens Tues 25 January and runs till 5 February, 2011 at The Inner Gallery, Bois d'orange, St. Lucia.

For more details, and to preview artwork go to http://www.theinnergallery.com/. Click on "paintings", go to "all manufacturers" then scroll for "Donna Grandin (nee Gomez)" and click to see the paintings available.

Thank you for looking!
Donna

Burlington Art Center Christmas Sale

As a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Association, Donna is participating in the group exhibition of member paintings in the AIC gallery space located in the Burlington Art Center, Nov 25-28. There is also artwork on display from members of all the other guilds, live demonstrations, and the annual Soup Bowl event. For more information, go to http://www.thebac.ca/get-involved/events1/christmas

Art Gallery of Hamilton Fall Art Sale

"Just Peachy", acrylics on canvas, 24"x30", 2010. One of 5 paintings Donna has available at the AGH fall art sale, Style & Space.


For more information on the exhibition, visit Art Gallery of Hamilton Fall Art Sale.

Also, Donna's magnolia painting "Change is in the air", acrylics on canvas, 13"x16" is featured in this video clip promoting the event on CH Morning Live.

Donna attended the preview on Wed night and was proud to have been chosen as part of the group of 65 area artists, because it was a very strong show with quality work in a variety of media, styles & subjects.

Tomorrow is the last day to go see the art yourself, Sun 12-5pm.

34th Parallel literary magazine - interview and cover

Detail of The Lullaby, 36"x24", acrylic painting by Donna Grandin, featured on the cover of 34th Parallel magazine, issue 12. Oct 2010. Donna is proud to announce that her art was chosen for the cover of Issue 12 of the quarterly literary magazine, 34th Parallel, which came out today.

A few more of her hibiscus paintings are also featured in the article Create or Die, which is based on Donna's blog interview by fellow St. Lucian, writer Natalie D'Auvergne, in July.

Special thanks to Natalie D'Auvergne, and magazine editors Martin Chipperfield and Trace Sheridan Swan.

Juried in to Art Gallery of Hamilton Fall Art Sale!

"A fresh start", acrylics on canvas, 24x24", 2010, Donna Grandin. Sold.

Five paintings have been accepted into the
Art Gallery of Hamilton Fall Art Sale, Nov 4-7, 2010.

The Square Foot Show at the AWOL Gallery in Toronto, Aug 21-Sept 5, is now over, but it is an annual group show, so if you did not get a chance to see it this year, look out for it next year.

Juried in to Toronto Art Expo '11!

Donna has been accepted into the Toronto Art Expo, April 14-17 2011. This year, 15,000 art lovers from all over attended the annual event at the Metro Convention Center, downtown Toronto.

"Toronto’s premier art and cultural event that opens the spring season, celebrating the value of fine art in our lives. With over 200 distinguished, established Canadian and International artists and galleries represented from 12 countries, it has become a destination for selective art connoisseurs and many other art business professionals--and they have come from all over North America and Europe for this weekend of Art. With thousands of works to choose from, the Toronto Art Expo is the Art Fair for all budgets, from the first time buyer to the seasoned investment collector, both personal and corporate, featuring rare pieces from International art styles and traditions representing leading world trends in contemporary art." www.torontoartexpo.com

To receive a postcard reminder featuring one of Donna's new works a few weeks before the event, e-mail donna@bluerootsartstudio.com to sign up for her mailing list. Your contact information will not be shared.

Donna is Interviewed by Natalie D'Auvergne

Natalie D'Auvergne is a St. Lucian writer living in L.A. She featured Donna recently on AphroditeAres' Blog, "The Creative Process as a Path to Self-Discovery: An Interview with Donna Grandin".
www.aphroditearesblog.wordpress.com

Hibiscus 'n Bananas

Donna Grandin in front of "The would-be twins" 48"x36".


The new series of acrylic paintings by Donna Grandin, "Hibiscus 'n Bananas" was introduced at Blue Roots Art Studio, Donna's home studio, on Wednesday, 16th June. The Opening was from 6-9pm on Wed, but the exhibition stays up till June 23rd. It was also the official launch of her website, www.bluerootsartstudio.com.

400 McCowan Mural

On Thurs, there was an unveiling ceremony at 400 McCowan, for the mural Donna was commissioned to paint by the City of Toronto. The rope was pulled by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker and some of the tenants. The community had held a contest, and the winning images were incorporated into the mural, so that it would portray the spirit of the community.

Name change - Gomez to Grandin

Donna in St. Lucia at her first solo exhibition, in 1996.

Some time in 2009, Donna started using her married name, Donna Grandin, on her paintings. Art created previous to this would have been signed with her maiden name, Donna Gomez.