Happy Birthday Canada!

A couple of weeks ago I was at a Catholic School in Toronto, Our Lady Of Victory, where a very industrious teacher took on a project that would celebrate Canada's 150 Birthday, involve the entire school and include me! Her idea was to make a mosaic Canadian flag that everyone in the school would contribute to.

I arrived first thing in the morning and set up in the school's atrium. The project, a large Canadian flag, was ready and waiting for each class to come through, listen to a quick condensed version of my 'The Magic of Mosaics' presentation then add their small paper cross (one per student) to the project.

It was meant to go like clock work and thanks to that very industrious and uber organized teacher it did!

Doing the quick condensed version of my presentation ...

The flag before ...

The flag during ...

The day finished with a reading of Six Owls and A Party, for the primary students, with the aid of a big screen:)

Six Owls and A Party goes to Brampton!

I spent the last 2 days at Hewson PS, in Brampton, with seven of their JK/SK classes sharing my book, and Magic of Mosaics Workshop.

It's always a good thing spending time at a school that encourages literacy like this one clearly does! Their Library! WOW! Spoke volumes. 

I couldn't stop saying, "WOW! What a nice Library". 

In a perfect world every school would have a library like this one.

I really couldn't stop saying, "WOW!".

Six Owls and A Party goes to Aurora!

I spent today at Devins Drive Public School, in Aurora, doing my Magic of Mosaics Presentation with four different classes (ranging from grades 1-6:) 

My Portrait of Kate is always a big hit:)

Six Owls and A Party goes to Toronto!

Yesterday I spent the day, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders at Transfiguration of Our Lord CS in Toronto, sharing my Magic of Mosaics workshop + author reading.

They (1st, 2nd and 3rd graders) make you feel like a Superstar:)

"You're the best artist ever"

"Do you sell your stuff for a million bucks?"

"Is your mosaics in museums?"

2017 Reading for the Love to It conference

I had a table at the Reading for the Love of It conference, at The Toronto Sheraton Centre, Thursday and Friday. I was promoting/selling my mosaic workshop + author/artist visit to teachers and librarians from all over Ontario and Canada. They are a very  enthusiastic and passionate bunch! 

"definitely the friendliest trade show going" - a fellow exhibitor.

And when there was a lull in the traffic flow I worked on ideas for my next book:)

Six Owls and A Party goes to Cambridge!

Yesterday I was at Ryerson Public School in Cambridge with my Magic of Mosaics Presentation. 

I'm always amazed with their levels of creativity:)

This artist quietly worked away with such tiny little pieces! 

Hillary would be proud!

I spent this morning doing a mosaic workshop at Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, Ontario with 19 lovely, bright, enthusiastic grade 11 art students - "women of tomorrow".

Trafalgar Castle School is a warm and welcoming community with a history of educating girls and young women since 1874. We are a proud part of Whitby, and welcome students from across Durham Region, the Greater Toronto Area, and around the world.

Given today's date (the day after a very polarized American election) I was left thinking -

 "Hillary would be proud!"

Yeah! Another Author Visit + mosaic workshop

For this Author Visit I shared my passion for mosaics with three grade 1 classes and two grade 2 classes in Mississauga, Ontario. I read Six Owls and A Party, chatted about mosaics and sold some books. It was a good day made even better when the Librarian purchased a copy for the school's library:)

They were all ears while I explained my mosaic process.

They like to touch and they can:)

An Author Visit

I spent a lot of January on the road (so to speak:) with Six Owls and A Party. I've been going into Junior/Senior Kindergarten classes doing 'an author visit'. My visits include a reading of Six Owls and A Party, a short discussion about mosaics, followed by a mosaic project where the kids make their own mosaic owl.
The feed back from the teachers has been wonderful and the feedback from the kids has been better then wonderful (not sure if there's a word for that?).
It's been a while since I've spent any amount of time with such young kids (some are still 3!) - I'd forgotten how unfiltered, uneffected and cute they can be.
"You're really, really, really nice"
"WOW!!!, did you make that?"
"I love you"
"you look just like my grandmother"
"Author, can you help me"
"BYE Carol!"
Then there's one of my favourites - at the end of one of my visits the teacher asked if anyone had any questions before I left. A little girl put up her hand and asked, "what colour is your car?"
I smiled and answered her.

BTW, it's black:)

Sun.Sept.7@ Artscape Youngplace

Last Sunday was a beautiful day and perfect for an outdoor community celebration.
Mosaicworks was, one of many participants, at 180 Shaw Street celebrating Artscape Youngplace's Shaw Street School's 100th anniversary.
We loved being a part of the many cool activities going on and enjoyed sharing our passion for mosaics with those who stopped by to make a mosaic apple and/or mini chalk board.
Being photographed with the bull dogs at the Wild Little Hearts photo booth was definitely a must.

My next Mosaic Workshop - Sunday, Oct.19/14

You can sign up for my next workshop here.

Where is it: Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street, Queen West. Rm 109)

When is it: Sunday, October 19th, 10:00am-5:00pm.

You'll learn a little about the history of mosaics, the techniques used and create your own pique assiette mosaic mirror. Note: All of the necessary tools and materials will be supplied.

It's all about being inspired and getting creative.

Being a part of a centennial celebration!

Mark your calender:) Artscape Youngplace is celebrating the centennial of Toronto's Shaw Street School!
And Mosaicworks will be a part of their 'DROP-IN ART ACTIVITIES' where you can try your hand at a mini mosaic (apple or chalkboard).

Hope to see you there!

Paying the passion forward...

Photo: Mosaic in progress by Janine




My one day mosaic workshop, last Saturday, at Artscape Youngplace went really well. It was a fun day (10:00am-5:00pm) thanks to the three attendees. Seven hours wasn't enough time to complete the project that I'd prepared but that's not what it was all about. Hopefully everyone went away with a new found passion for mosaicing. I like to think that I paid my passion for mosaics forward:)
Thanks again Jean, Janine and Cesar for spending the day mosaicing with me.
Dates and times for my next workshop coming soon.

Want to learn how to Mosaic?

Sign up for my next workshop here

It's all about being inspired and getting creative.

Where: Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street, Queen West)
When: Saturday, June 14th, 10:00am-5:00pm.

You'll learn a little about the history of mosaics, the techniques used and create your own pique assiette mosaic mirror. Note: All of the necessary tools and materials will be supplied. 

Arts Market, this Thursday

I'll be at Artscape Youngplace, this Thursday night, in their Arts Market...

ARTSCAPE EQUINOX: A COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
March 20 @ 6pm-10pm, 180 Shaw Street
Join us at this family-friendly celebration of the spring, offering inspiration and temptation for our creative season ahead. Visit an open studio, watch or participate in a creative class, tour our gallery exhibitions, browse the arts market, learn about upcoming programs, and mix and mingle with artists and friends.
6 pm – drop-in programming begins; wander the building and explore an array of artistic offerings
6:30 pm – join exhibition curator Heather Nicol  for a special talk and tour of the Hallway Galleries
after 8 pm – join us in the Flex Studios for spring cocktails at our neighbourhood mixer (cash bar), featuring tunes, treats (including kid-friendly snacks) and creative delights

A Travelling Workshop

This was my workshop materials neatly packed into my car. And this was my workshop materials nicely unpacked at Artscape Youngplace. My first workshop at Artscape went well. I spent the weekend sharing what I love with a group of wonderful people.
Thanks again for coming out Shelley, Peter, Mary, Marg, Gilda, Kelly, Landon and Karen!

P.S. I took photos of their masterpieces but half of them were out of focus >:(
Note to self: always take 3 shots (a better chance that at least one of them will be sharp!)

Getting ready for my Workshop

I've been busy getting ready for my workshop. All the supplies are good to go and I'm looking forward to sharing my know-how:)

Where: 180 Shaw Street, Artscape Youngplace (Queen West), Room 107.
When: Saturday, February 22, 10:00am-3:30pm to Sunday, February 23, 10:00am- 12:00pm
Cost: $130 (includes supplies, use of tools, base board for project).
Note: Lunch is not included. You can brown bag it or take advantage of The Youngplace Coffee Pub (open every day from 8:00am-5:00pm, located on the mezzanine level). They offer locally- roasted coffee, artisanal soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods.
You can still book a spot here

Booth set up for IDS14

Today was set up day for The Interior Design Show. It went very well. We were in and out of The Toronto Convention Centre in a couple of hours! It was all done in 3 easy steps;) Load car with booth stuff. Unload booth stuff at convention centre. Load 5'x10' space with booth stuff. And now we're good to go with IDS14.
A Big thanks to John and Kevin Wiggers, Handy Man Dad, Marathon Man and Sue for helping make this set up go so well.

With my booth (#SN16) all set up I can now relax and enjoy the next 4 days. Hope to see you there.

Artscape Youngplace + Mosaicworks = Mosaic Workshop

EXCITING NEWS!
I am offering a Mosaic weekend workshop for beginners and novices. It's all about being inspired and getting creative.
Where: 180 Shaw Street, Artscape Youngplace (Queen West), Room 107.
When: Saturday, February 22, 10:00am-3:30pm to Sunday, February 23, 10:00am- 12:00pm
Cost: $130 (includes supplies, use of tools, base board for project).
Note: Lunch is not included. You can brown bag it or take advantage of The Youngplace Coffee Pub (open every day from 8:00am-5:00pm, located on the mezzanine level). They offer locally- roasted coffee, artisanal soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods.
To book your spot go here

PLUS

 = Weekend Mosaic Workshop

Here's a little background on how this came about...
While surfing the internet one day I discovered that Artscapse Youngplace offered artists pay-as-you-go access to creative workspaces. The perfect location for a workshop (thought I).
Artscape is a not-for-profit urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities. Founded in 1986, Artscape develops and manages a portfolio of dynamic community assets in Toronto and in the process has helped create some of the city’s most creative and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Artscape Youngplace is located at 180 Shaw Street. It is Queen West’s newest community cultural hub, and at 75,000 square feet the largest building in the Artscape portfolio. After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the century-old former school underwent a $17 million transformation to become the largest cultural institution on Queen Street West (west of Spadina Ave.). Today, it is home to production, rehearsal, exhibition and administrative space for more than 30 artists and organizations, a shared studio program, public gallery space and a café lounge.
Artscape Youngplace + Mosaicworks = Mosaic Workshop!