#walnutstudios

How does working in a communal artist space like Walnut benefit your creative production?

My studio mate Flo Leung and I recently celebrated our first year at Walnut. —a tradition we hope will continue!  From the very first time I came to tour the space and meet Artistic Director Ilene Sova -- the light, the creaky old floors, and the location all spoke to me.  And I love the short bike ride from my home in Little Portugal.

At Walnut, the spontaneous opportunities to engage with talented, generous hardworking artists are a gift. Each day I arrive I see someone or something that gives me pause. It could be running into Teresa Serafina, Ursula McDonell, Anand Jaggernauth, or Rob Crawford for a quick hello. It could be a glimpse of someone’s work in progress that excites and informs my own practice of abstract mono printing and working with live and found objects. Our space is also, while rustic, a respectful and inspiring place in which to work.

What has been your most rewarding experience as a creative person? Why?

The best way to share my most rewarding creative experience to date is to tell a story. Five summers ago, to get over what I thought was a case of temporary writers block, I flipped through a colourful pile of old magazines in hopes of finding the inspiration to finish a languishing short story. Instead what began to emerge from that day and the ones that have followed was collage-making, exploration into papermaking and abstract mono printing and now painting. That same year I also found a creative outlet as a volunteer at the Artscape Gibraltar Point's vegetable garden.  The AGP garden, as well as my own small but mighty City side plot, feed another side of my soul — as I am also a trained cook.  I began to explore how visual and culinary could coexist, or pardon the pun, feed each other.

To combine these interests and shape them to share them with other like-minded artist, cooks and makers has been a most rewarding creative experience.

That shape has quickly grown into Alchemy -- a 10-day artist residency devoted to exploring the synergy between artistic practice and the cooking and sharing of locally cultivated food. Participating artists in a variety of mediums (visual arts, sculpture, photography, performance art, writing or video) are inspired by their surroundings and share food, work and ideas in a communal and creative space. In 2017, we are moving further afield to take advantage Prince Edward County’s lush summer season.  Our home this year is Chef Jamie Kennedy’s farm as well as two adjourning properties.  One of the original 2015 alchemists -Tonia di Riso a visual artist from Red Head Gallery is my co conspirator and co facilitator.  Creating this residency is satisfying and enriching on so many levels –meeting artists from the US, Asia and other parts of Canada and seeing their interest and knowledge about this topic to sharing kick ass dinners and conversation.

What are your personal artistic professional goals over the next year? What are you hoping to accomplish?

Goal One.  My personal artistic goal is to create abstract pieces on canvas, painting with acrylics.  I have worked primarily with paper and think that canvas and wood are the next mediums for me to learn how to work with. I am self-taught for the most part and want to now explore more formal training – either through classes or bartering.

Goal Two: I would like to explore sponsorship /scholarship for Alchemy so that we can offer it more than once a year and offer it to artists principally emerging ones who may not have the funds to participate.  Alchemy is a labour of love — it costs money to house and feed everyone and offer stipends to those who contribute programming. By exploring other ways to finance our hard costs, we could offer more artist/ chefs the ability to participate. I know the interest is there. I know it a unique residency and I know there is more qualified and interested participants then we can accommodate.

By find new ways to share Alchemy I hope to also find a way to contribute to growing body of creative knowledge in Canada and beyond about the intersection of food and art.

How do other artists inform your work? Who do you look at and how are they inspiring you?

I am really drawn to artists like Gustav Klimt, Piet Mondrian and other painters who have a graphic quality to their works. I am also drawn to the energy of movement and motion that is found in the likes of Van Gogh, Tim Bavington, and Victor Vasarely to name a few. I love the concept of juxtaposition within a piece of art. In my own work this can be seen in the play between the organic nature of a manipulated photographic image and  the energy of painted vertical stripes. I am also using the digital tools that have become a part of art making, to enter into these design elements as well. By manipulating my photographic images in a digital light room,​​ I am able to add to the interplay of movement and design.

How is working in a communal artist space like Walnut going to benefit your creative production?

Before arriving at Walnut I shared a studio space with another artist. I loved the quiet atmosphere of the space and the  artistic relationship that developed with a fellow artist. Unfortunately, the other artist was moving to Richmond Hill and we needed to give up our studio space. I was confronted with the prospect of carrying rent that would have been too much to handle by myself and I did not want to go through a search for another artist to come into the space. I was directed to look at Walnut Studio and found during my tour of the space, that there was a great energy about the common space. Sharing the studio with so many other artists has resulted in immense growth for myself. To watch other artists engaged in their creative processes and celebrate their small and large victories is so rewarding. Having the feedback from such a diverse group of artists working in a myriad of artistic expressions, has helped me to express my artistic direction and to gain confidence in where I am going with my art. There is something powerful about being surrounded by other creative people who are working through this journey as an artist.

Where do your ideas come from for your projects?

Having lived in Toronto’s urban environment for most of my life, I was constantly surrounded by the sounds and sights of a changing and emerging city.  As a photographer, I was acutely aware that each image captured was a time capsule of that urban moment. Each image was never to be experienced again. Much like the concept that the macro universe continues to expand outward, so does the micro city I have chosen to live in. My mixed media pieces, play with this expansion. Iconic symbols that represent this city can frequently be found in my work. While people who ride the streetcars every day can point out the downsides of this form of public transport, there is no denying the sounds and the images of streetcars with the city. My images are sometimes clearly connected to clarity of the object or space, but have an enhanced persona to them. At other times the images are mere suggestions of a time and place within the scope of the city. I never leave home without a camera in my backpack. If I ever did I know that I would miss a great photographic image that I could work with. And those missed images will never repeat themselves in the same way.

How is working in a communal space like Walnut benefiting your work?

I used to do sculpture/installation. My shared space at Walnut Studios is just right for me now as I am working small with collage and painting and have no plans to promote myself or show my work publicly. It is very liberating not to have to worry constantly about making it in the art world. I enjoy Walnut Studios because I am surrounded by signs of creative chaos and energy and at the same time find it a quiet and contemplative place to concentrate on my work. Seeing the work of other artists at Walnut motivates me to improve my own efforts.

Where do your ideas come from for your current projects?

My experiments with collage and painting are abstract because I haven't found a subject I am passionate about. I am using letterforms and various shapes as a way to learn colour, composition, line and form, matters which I didn't focus on as much when doing installation, and hope to move away from a design approach to a more painterly approach. 

What artists are inspiring to you right now? How do they inform your work? There are so many different artists and so many styles to see nowadays, either in galleries, magazines or on-line, that I don't follow or try to emulate anyone in particular. I look at other artists' work in order to assess and critique my own, to overcome my limited imagination. I feel I am constantly trying to keep up with other artists, to learn from them and apply the aesthetic values that are popular in the postmodern art world. At the same time, I feel more attracted to early modernism than postmodernism.

What is your favourite piece of art that you have ever produced? Why do you feel this piece was successful?

My favourite piece of art was my most recent, Rebirth (2015). It’s 4ft x 4ft and was a corporate commissioned piece. This was the first piece of the start of a huge opportunity I was thrilled to be selected for – Resident Artist for the NEO Exchange, Canada’s new national stock exchange. Rebirth represented my interpretation of the company’s culture and presence in the Canadian market. I was so happy they loved it, and it’s now displayed in their lobby. My next piece is due at the end of March. It involves a lot of research and I can’t wait to get started! To see a video click here: https://aequitasneoexchange.com

Where do your ideas come from for your projects? How and when do you feel the most creative? 

It’s been just over a year since I decided to resign from a successful Science career to pursue my passion for art full time. A year ago, I had so many ideas but what occurred was a natural unfolding process as I begun to find my voice as an artist. I started off with a pastel coloured series which had more of a calming and meditative feel. Recently, I’ve unintentionally shifted my focus to merge my Science background with Art – allowing various types of medium to react and play on canvas. I think it’s important to trust yourself, work hard and not always control what you want to create. The times I feel most creative is in my space at my studio with my art shoes on!

What are your personal artistic professional goals over the next year? What are you hoping to accomplish?

I’m truly humbled and thrilled at the opportunities I’ve had within the last year and can barely wait for 2016. I kick off the year in February at The Artist Project and then look forward to being a part of other shows in Toronto throughout the year. I want to go into 2017 as an accomplished and recognized Toronto Emerging Artist. I’m also a member of VIBE Arts for Children and Youth and look forward to being a part of their 2016 art programs and events.

To see more of Anand Jaggernauth’s work - visit: 

https://www.anandsart.com

What are you more passionate about in your creative practice? What are you hoping to communicate? I struggled to find my own distinct voice and style  as an artist through university. It’s hard when you’re inspired by so many different people and art forms — I found myself dabbling in many areas but was unable to find my true passion. It wasn’t until after I graduated and stopped trying to force myself to have this "perfect unique style" that one began to emerge. Years later, I'm still learning and growing as an artist but I'm very happy with the style I've developed. I paint semi-abstract Canadian landscapes, with a emphasis on creating movement and flow, using a mix of acrylic paint, graphite, prints and paper. I don't want people to look at my work and just see a painting of a tree or forest — I want them to actually feel the wind in their hair and the rocks at their feet. I want my work to live up to our whimsical imaginings of how we want our world to look. I want to paint the scene's we know with a little extra magic :)

How is working in a communal artist space like Walnut going to benefit your creative production?

Joining Walnut Studios was definitely one of the best things I've done for my career so far. Before this, in an effort to save money, I would always just work from home, which I found negatively effected both my creativity and general happiness. Loneliness aside, when you roll out of bed in the same place you work it's quite difficult to stick to a routine and far too easy to get distracted. I come into the studio most days during the week and it's so amazing to have my own dedicated work space as well as having other artists to talk to thoughout the day. Also, Walnut is actually a lot more affordable than I initially assumed a downtown studio would be.

I do have one regret - I wish I'd looked into studio options sooner and joined years ago!

What has been your most rewarding experience as a creative person? Why?

One of the most rewarding experiences as an artist is talking to people who immediately understand my work and what I'm trying to say through my paintings. I've had people I've never met before come to me and essentially quote my artist statement back to me without ever having seen it which is amazing! Much like most artists, I think it's important to create your work for yourself and not cater to what you think other people want you to paint. I think this is why it's such a great feeling when other people are on the same page as you. It's like — I made this painting for myself, based on how I was feeling and it speaks to this random stranger the same way it speaks to me. When this happens I feel a connection with that person and it is such a rewarding, hard to describe feeling!

How is working in a communal artist space like Walnut going to benefit your creative production?

Working in a communal artist space like Walnut provides focus and motivation towards a similar or parallel goal as I become immersed within a creative bubble.

What is your favorite piece of art that you have ever produced? Why do you feel this piece was successful?

My favorite piece of art that I have ever produced is the Egyptian inspired broad collar bib necklace.  This statement piece created with imported freshwater pearls and silver is luxurious, whimsical with an understated elegance to the necklace.  I feel the success is on the versatility of this piece and its classic charm making the design timeless.

How is working in a communal artist space like Walnut going to benefit your creative production?

Working in a communal artist space like Walnut provides focus and motivation towards a similar or parallel goal as I become immersed within a creative bubble.

Website: www.angelfung.com

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How is working in a communal artist space like Walnut going to benefit your creative production?

For the last 5 months I have been working in a bubble relying heavily on digital inspiration or the things in my little space. One of the most inspiring and creative periods in my life happened in my final year at art school. There was a large communal working space with around 15 other artists. Just walking in the room gave you access to new techniques, styles, mediums, supports, sounds, etc. I am looking forward to that level of inspiration to push my creative production even further!

What is your favourite piece of art that you have ever produced? Why do you feel this piece was successful?

I am not sure it is/was successful but to me it stands for pushing myself out of the artist box I created for myself. I forced myself to work on detail, every brushstroke and creating a realistic representation of this creature. This piece is my motivation to explore the medium and subject further in my future work.

What are your personal artistic professional goals over the next year? What are you hoping to accomplish?