Well, it is time again for me to get it together and plan another show at the Studio. I'm looking at a date in mid-November and for any who are interested in participating or in coming to see what goes up on the walls you can either check here, or contact me at elfworks@sympatico.ca
Since the last post I've had a booth at the Scotiabank AIDS walk marketplace, made a number of new pieces, (masks, lanterns and jewellery), and been down to Troy, Ohio for that wonderful gathering of Smiths and Goods - Quadstate. This year was a great year for tools! There were more anvils and handcrank blowers and post vices than I ever thought I'd see gathered in one place. I managed to get a couple of great deals which will be a welcome addition to the shop, many thanks to my talented friend David Robertson.
For those of you who are interested in Smithing, David runs a fantastic subscription service - he sends out monthly newsletters full of information, tips and tricks. Check out his website at www.artistblacksmith.com for more details. As a subscriber there are also some discounts to be had on some fantastic things...even if you are not a smith, his site is worth a look - he has some incredible pieces that he has created to awe and inspire.
The gallery at this year's Quadstate was both inspiring and a little intimidating. The quality of the work was extremely high and some of the work was really thought provoking. Not only the high standard of craftsmanship, but the way in which things were put together and the ways in which metal were used shows a real renaissance in this art form. It is really amazing what can be done by hammer and by hand with a medium that seems like it should be so much more unforgiving.
Not only were there wonderful pieces by artists I had not seen before, but there were some great pieces by old friend which showed a fresh new direction and perspective. One such artist that comes to mind is Dan Nickels of Blackrock Forge in Michigan. It was great to see Dan again, but it was really inspiring to see how his work is changing and to see how much he has grown, yet again.
As always it was great fun to see so many friends, old & new. It always makes me laugh that almost the only time I manage to see most of my Ontario blacksmithing friends we are all at some gathering in the U.S. Of course, this is my own fault. Ontario is a big province, and as comprehensive as the TTC may be, it certainly isn't going to take me to the nooks and crannies of the province.
If time permits over the next few weeks I hope to get into a bit more detail on some of the various things I've done and seen over the past months, as well as some of the things which are coming up. You can always look for updates on our Facebook page if you find yourself trolling that social network, and remember if you have any questions you can reach us via email at any time.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Back Again
Hello friends
I'm back again after a long absence. It has been a long full year with many ups and downs which have kept me away from my computer.
The art show last September at the Mango Lounge was a great success. The space looked fantastic and the art was incredible. Many thanks to all those who made it possible, especially my fantastic team of Kelly Anne, Chandra-Li and Corey. And thanks to all those who volunteered their time and efforts...too many to name, but some of note being the Orangutan, James and David.
The Grave Goods show at the Woodstock Museum had so much fantastic work in it, many thanks to Darrell for the honour of my participation and for putting it all together and making it happen.
Since the Not Just A One Trick Pony show it has, admittedly been a bit of a quiet time on the public front for Elfworks. But it has been a busy time in the background. The smith-y is built, there is some new equipment, lots of new direction and knowledge to build on.
May saw another wonderful conference in Buffalo as the New York State Designer Blacksmiths hosted another Great Lakes International Ironfest. Some really fantastic presenters and lots of great people made it another fun and informative gathering....always worthwhile!
In June I was a proud participant in the Toronto Nautical Festival, as the blacksmith demonstrating down at Harbourfront. Rick and the gang put on a great festival full of everything from swashbuckling pirates juggling wicked looking blades to masterful artisans demonstrating their craft, like Adam Smith's incredible leatherwork and Len Heidebrecht demonstrating the craft of the cooper.
As the blacksmith I was especially pleased to meet some of the crew of the Empire Sandy and glad to make them some hooks to haul in their anchor chain with. The Empire Sandy is a gorgeous tallship with beautiful lines and a fantastic crew that sails out of the Toronto Harbour - for those of you who like the water and the fantastic vessels that glide through and over it you should keep your eyes open for next year's Nautical Festival - it promises to be even bigger and better than this year!
July is proving to be a full and busy month, and August promises to be the same. I look forward to keeping up with updates on our upcoming shows and ventures. This is going to be a big year for Elfworks, and I hope that it will be as big and as fantastic a year for all of you! Enjoy the summer!
I'm back again after a long absence. It has been a long full year with many ups and downs which have kept me away from my computer.
The art show last September at the Mango Lounge was a great success. The space looked fantastic and the art was incredible. Many thanks to all those who made it possible, especially my fantastic team of Kelly Anne, Chandra-Li and Corey. And thanks to all those who volunteered their time and efforts...too many to name, but some of note being the Orangutan, James and David.
The Grave Goods show at the Woodstock Museum had so much fantastic work in it, many thanks to Darrell for the honour of my participation and for putting it all together and making it happen.
Since the Not Just A One Trick Pony show it has, admittedly been a bit of a quiet time on the public front for Elfworks. But it has been a busy time in the background. The smith-y is built, there is some new equipment, lots of new direction and knowledge to build on.
May saw another wonderful conference in Buffalo as the New York State Designer Blacksmiths hosted another Great Lakes International Ironfest. Some really fantastic presenters and lots of great people made it another fun and informative gathering....always worthwhile!
In June I was a proud participant in the Toronto Nautical Festival, as the blacksmith demonstrating down at Harbourfront. Rick and the gang put on a great festival full of everything from swashbuckling pirates juggling wicked looking blades to masterful artisans demonstrating their craft, like Adam Smith's incredible leatherwork and Len Heidebrecht demonstrating the craft of the cooper.
As the blacksmith I was especially pleased to meet some of the crew of the Empire Sandy and glad to make them some hooks to haul in their anchor chain with. The Empire Sandy is a gorgeous tallship with beautiful lines and a fantastic crew that sails out of the Toronto Harbour - for those of you who like the water and the fantastic vessels that glide through and over it you should keep your eyes open for next year's Nautical Festival - it promises to be even bigger and better than this year!
July is proving to be a full and busy month, and August promises to be the same. I look forward to keeping up with updates on our upcoming shows and ventures. This is going to be a big year for Elfworks, and I hope that it will be as big and as fantastic a year for all of you! Enjoy the summer!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tough Decisions
With so much happening this summer and with two big upcoming shows I've had to make some very tough decisions about what I want to do vs. what is realistic. Sadly, I've had to come to the decision that it is just not possible for me to do a summer show from the studio. However, September looms closer every day, so there will be plenty to show in September, and then it will only be a couple of months to the Christmas show. Scary to think how fast time is flying by!
Things for Not Just A One Trick Pony are coming together, and we are all working hard toward that end. We are in discussions about the possibility of creating a catalogue for the show, and things are looking positive so far. The hope is that we will be doing an online auction in August, but truth be told that is still up in the air...mostly because it is something I know nothing about...if anyone feels up to sharing information on that front, I'd love to hear from you! If that goes off, I'll also be contacting all the artists I know in hopes that they'll want to be involved, so be prepared to be hounded! Our ink cartridge recycling efforts are not doing too badly, though we could always use more, so don't hesitate to drop a line so that I can arrange to collect from you. And of course, if anyone is interested in helping out with the show in any capacity - anything from postering and publicity to gallery sitting shifts - let me know as I'm assembling and growing teams to help with everything.
The http://www.notjustaonetrickpony.com website is up in a slightly happier format, though it is still very much a work in progress. It is encouraging to see that it is actually beginning to gain some traffic, and we hope that the word will continue to spread. As we gain more information and more things are nailed down we will be posting updated information there for easy access. We are also pleased at the growth of the mailing list and the positive responses we get as we spread the word about the show. I'd like to remind everyone that you can all help our endeavours by telling people you know about the show, if you like the idea, please talk about it! Tell people to email us at notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com or to go to the website and check out info on the show. Suggestions and comments are welcome because more brains are better than my tired overworked brain chugging along on its own. For those of you who have contributed to the efforts so far either by telling your friends about it or by giving me suggestions about the show THANK YOU. Of course, it also goes without saying that that THANK YOU also goes out to everyone who has come to our fundraisers and events.
Moving back to the other efforts underway, GRAVE GOODS is sounding more and more exciting as it comes together under the efforts of Darrell Markewitz and the Woodstock Museum, as well as all the other participating artists. It promises to be a really exciting show with fare that runs from stunning to bizarre to stunningly bizarre!
And then of course there is the day to day...building databases and mailing lists, enjoying the new shelter, especially with all this rain! Speaking of which, I ought to get back to the work at hand, because there is a lot of it!!
All the best, and hoping you are all having a great summer!
Things for Not Just A One Trick Pony are coming together, and we are all working hard toward that end. We are in discussions about the possibility of creating a catalogue for the show, and things are looking positive so far. The hope is that we will be doing an online auction in August, but truth be told that is still up in the air...mostly because it is something I know nothing about...if anyone feels up to sharing information on that front, I'd love to hear from you! If that goes off, I'll also be contacting all the artists I know in hopes that they'll want to be involved, so be prepared to be hounded! Our ink cartridge recycling efforts are not doing too badly, though we could always use more, so don't hesitate to drop a line so that I can arrange to collect from you. And of course, if anyone is interested in helping out with the show in any capacity - anything from postering and publicity to gallery sitting shifts - let me know as I'm assembling and growing teams to help with everything.
The http://www.notjustaonetrickpony.com website is up in a slightly happier format, though it is still very much a work in progress. It is encouraging to see that it is actually beginning to gain some traffic, and we hope that the word will continue to spread. As we gain more information and more things are nailed down we will be posting updated information there for easy access. We are also pleased at the growth of the mailing list and the positive responses we get as we spread the word about the show. I'd like to remind everyone that you can all help our endeavours by telling people you know about the show, if you like the idea, please talk about it! Tell people to email us at notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com or to go to the website and check out info on the show. Suggestions and comments are welcome because more brains are better than my tired overworked brain chugging along on its own. For those of you who have contributed to the efforts so far either by telling your friends about it or by giving me suggestions about the show THANK YOU. Of course, it also goes without saying that that THANK YOU also goes out to everyone who has come to our fundraisers and events.
Moving back to the other efforts underway, GRAVE GOODS is sounding more and more exciting as it comes together under the efforts of Darrell Markewitz and the Woodstock Museum, as well as all the other participating artists. It promises to be a really exciting show with fare that runs from stunning to bizarre to stunningly bizarre!
And then of course there is the day to day...building databases and mailing lists, enjoying the new shelter, especially with all this rain! Speaking of which, I ought to get back to the work at hand, because there is a lot of it!!
All the best, and hoping you are all having a great summer!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Moving Along...
Well!
The last month has been as busy as the weather has been crazy! Elfworks finally has a roof to work under...well, a tarp, but it is on a sturdy frame that will develop into a beautiful home for the forge. And although the original design changed a bit and it is a heavier construction than was originally imagined, it is a fantastic workspace that can break down to be setup as a booth if the length of the show warranted it...Thanks so much to Colin for all his help, skill and HEIGHT - which is my biggest challenge as we all know!
Within the next week the dates for the summer show will be posted. There is a lot to work around, so I'm not as set on them as I'd like to be, but the show will be great...it always is.
The barest of bones of a site for Not Just A One Trick Pony is up and running and will be updated and recreated as time goes by. Our list of artists is very inspiring and still growing and changing...it will be an exciting show! Remember to mark your calendars for September and come check it out!
Elfworks is also looking at hosting an online art auction to raise funds for Not Just A One Trick Pony, as well as a "pick-a-prize" auction at the Elfworks Summer Show. If you are interested in contributing goods to the online auction (you can specify a minimum bid and the proceeds will be 50% to the contributing artist, 50% to the art show) or know someone who is interested please contact Kelly at elfworks@sympatico.ca. Anyone interested in being involved in the show or looking for more details should also drop me a line. Thanks to Darrell for the fantastic idea and to David for nudging me in the direction of auctions while we were at GLII.
Gearing up for the Grave Goods show is also underway...the objects being contributed by Elfworks are going to be a big focus of the next two months, and the list of contributors to that show is incredible. For anyone who didn't make it to Out of the Firey Furnace, I seriously suggest going to the Wareham Forge site and taking a look at the objects that were part of Firey Furnace. Some of the most incredible pieces, really. And a number of the artists from Firey Furnace are taking part in Grave Goods...it promises to be an amazing show. Again, mark your calendars for September and take a daytrip out to Woodstock to check out the show!
If all that is outlined above isn't enough to get you excited about what's up and coming, keep checking back for info as things start to gel. Be sure to drop a line to notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com to get on the mailing list for that show and check out our websites regularly, or find us on facebook under Elfworks Studios or Not Just A One Trick Pony.
Enjoy the sunshine and revel in the rain! Happy summer all.
The last month has been as busy as the weather has been crazy! Elfworks finally has a roof to work under...well, a tarp, but it is on a sturdy frame that will develop into a beautiful home for the forge. And although the original design changed a bit and it is a heavier construction than was originally imagined, it is a fantastic workspace that can break down to be setup as a booth if the length of the show warranted it...Thanks so much to Colin for all his help, skill and HEIGHT - which is my biggest challenge as we all know!
Within the next week the dates for the summer show will be posted. There is a lot to work around, so I'm not as set on them as I'd like to be, but the show will be great...it always is.
The barest of bones of a site for Not Just A One Trick Pony is up and running and will be updated and recreated as time goes by. Our list of artists is very inspiring and still growing and changing...it will be an exciting show! Remember to mark your calendars for September and come check it out!
Elfworks is also looking at hosting an online art auction to raise funds for Not Just A One Trick Pony, as well as a "pick-a-prize" auction at the Elfworks Summer Show. If you are interested in contributing goods to the online auction (you can specify a minimum bid and the proceeds will be 50% to the contributing artist, 50% to the art show) or know someone who is interested please contact Kelly at elfworks@sympatico.ca. Anyone interested in being involved in the show or looking for more details should also drop me a line. Thanks to Darrell for the fantastic idea and to David for nudging me in the direction of auctions while we were at GLII.
Gearing up for the Grave Goods show is also underway...the objects being contributed by Elfworks are going to be a big focus of the next two months, and the list of contributors to that show is incredible. For anyone who didn't make it to Out of the Firey Furnace, I seriously suggest going to the Wareham Forge site and taking a look at the objects that were part of Firey Furnace. Some of the most incredible pieces, really. And a number of the artists from Firey Furnace are taking part in Grave Goods...it promises to be an amazing show. Again, mark your calendars for September and take a daytrip out to Woodstock to check out the show!
If all that is outlined above isn't enough to get you excited about what's up and coming, keep checking back for info as things start to gel. Be sure to drop a line to notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com to get on the mailing list for that show and check out our websites regularly, or find us on facebook under Elfworks Studios or Not Just A One Trick Pony.
Enjoy the sunshine and revel in the rain! Happy summer all.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Gearing Up for a Busy Summer
Hello all,
Freshly back from the GLII (Great Lakes International Ironfest) in Buffalo, and primed with loads of inspiration and ideas. Down in Buffalo we saw a number of our good friends from the North - who, strangely we see most often south of the border...as well as meeting a whole host of new and inspiring Smiths. Several new hammers just itching to be worked, as soon as the rain stops and the shed gets built to allow for working in all weather conditions!
While still working hard on preparations for Not Just A One Trick Pony - Behind the Curtain, we are also gearing up for our own summer show. The show dates will be announced soon, and we will be featuring our garden wares - most specifically our hand punched tin lanterns - for this show. We are, of course also working toward producing some new and fantastic pieces as our contribution to Not Just A One Trick Pony, as well as the Grave Goods show that we will participating in this fall.
On another note, for those of you who work in or know people who work in a support capacity in theatre, film or television, there is still some room for artists to apply as we have secured the beautiful and spacious 3 floor venue of the Mango Lounge on Queen Street East for Not Just A One Trick Pony. Those who are interested should contact us at notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com.
Work on the website is coming along, with some beautiful new artwork additions being contributed by a great artist to spice it up a bit...
For those of you on Facebook you will find that we have finally added an Elfworks Studios group for your perusal pleasure....
As time moves forward, so do we...with many changes in the works, as well as many works in the works.
Please take the time to give us your opinions on the polls we will have up regarding fundraising events for Not Just A One Trick Pony, and feel free to contact us at notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com with your suggestions.
All the best!
Freshly back from the GLII (Great Lakes International Ironfest) in Buffalo, and primed with loads of inspiration and ideas. Down in Buffalo we saw a number of our good friends from the North - who, strangely we see most often south of the border...as well as meeting a whole host of new and inspiring Smiths. Several new hammers just itching to be worked, as soon as the rain stops and the shed gets built to allow for working in all weather conditions!
While still working hard on preparations for Not Just A One Trick Pony - Behind the Curtain, we are also gearing up for our own summer show. The show dates will be announced soon, and we will be featuring our garden wares - most specifically our hand punched tin lanterns - for this show. We are, of course also working toward producing some new and fantastic pieces as our contribution to Not Just A One Trick Pony, as well as the Grave Goods show that we will participating in this fall.
On another note, for those of you who work in or know people who work in a support capacity in theatre, film or television, there is still some room for artists to apply as we have secured the beautiful and spacious 3 floor venue of the Mango Lounge on Queen Street East for Not Just A One Trick Pony. Those who are interested should contact us at notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com.
Work on the website is coming along, with some beautiful new artwork additions being contributed by a great artist to spice it up a bit...
For those of you on Facebook you will find that we have finally added an Elfworks Studios group for your perusal pleasure....
As time moves forward, so do we...with many changes in the works, as well as many works in the works.
Please take the time to give us your opinions on the polls we will have up regarding fundraising events for Not Just A One Trick Pony, and feel free to contact us at notjustaonetrickpony@gmail.com with your suggestions.
All the best!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Not Just A One Trick Pony – “Behind the Curtain”
Not Just A One Trick Pony – “Behind the Curtain” is the first in what will become a series of art shows which explore the often hidden talent of the artists who can’t afford to indulge their passion full time. It is a celebration of artists who need to work a “regular job”, whether it is a 9-5 or the less traditional hours of most of our Behind the Curtain participants. Future shows in the series hope to feature the hidden artists from such professions as city workers, office employees, management personnel, computer specialists, teachers, finance personnel and anyone else that we – or you – can suggest.
“Behind the Curtain” will expose the alter egos of the hardworking unsung men & women who work the support roles behind the scenes in film, television and theatre. The target date for our show is early May 2008, in a yet-to-be-specified venue in downtown Toronto.
Please get on our mailing list...
“Behind the Curtain” will expose the alter egos of the hardworking unsung men & women who work the support roles behind the scenes in film, television and theatre. The target date for our show is early May 2008, in a yet-to-be-specified venue in downtown Toronto.
Please get on our mailing list...
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