BETH FREY
Beth Frey has an interesting way of looking at story telling and the creation of visual narratives. During her spring stay at Spark Box Studio this multidisciplinary artist created a number of highly detailed works on paper.
To some Beth’s work may appear to be quirky illustrations full of humorous characters in exotic environments, however, coming from a performance and video art background it is not surprising that Beth’s core concept is the history of story telling.
The drawings she made while at Spark Box were for a show in Toronto at the Gladstone. The curator had given the artists a short story of a young boy who was traveling through an enchanted forest being tricked by several squirrels along his journey. Beth’s visual interpretations of this story were soft in palette but complex in imagery. The piece ended up being a triptych full of elements that walked the viewer through the narrative of the fairy tale.
For more information on Beth, including upcoming exhibits please visit her website www.bethfrey.com
RESIDENT: MIRANDA BOUCHARD
From Sault Ste. Marie, Miranda Bouchard, came to stay with us for a week under our residency award program. It has been wonderful getting to know Miranda on both an artistic level and personal level. She graduated from the university of Guelph and is now working full time in a marketing / communications position for a gallery in Sault Ste. Marie. As with many of our residents we get the opportunity to exchange and share our experiences of being emerging artists. Quite often the hardships of being freshly graduated, financially hindered, limited in space, and underemployed are met with sympathy. It may sound terrible but it is nice to meet others who are similar situations, especially in times of strained economical circumstances. Consistently what we gain and learn from our conversations with residents is that their resolve, determination, drive and ambition keep them positive, alive, moving forward towards accomplishing their artistic goals despite all the troubles young artists face.
Miranda was working with old found photographs and negatives from the early to mid 20th century. She was taking stacking images together to form interwoven new pictures from which she would translate into drawings. Here is a bit from her artist statement: “My works begin with technologically-mediated subjects: images captured by digital recording devices or from scanned, re-captured and manipulated photographs. The process of technological filtration – that is, the passage of an image through cameras, computers, printers, scanners and photocopiers – changes the source as it blurs, obscures, flattens, collapses, pixelizes and distorts it, creating a new image, offering a changed way of seeing something familiar.”
Check out www.mirandabouchard.com for more images of Miranda’s work, her full artist statement and CV.
RESIDENT: MISHI
We realize it has been some time since we updated the blog about our recent residents, of which we have had a few over the past months. The first since the last post was Toronto-based artist Agnieszka “Mishi” Foltyn. 22-year-old Mishi is a graduate of Concordia and one of the last to visit of our 2009 fall/winter award winners. Kyle and I were both in love with her confident figurative work and her grimy drawings of boots. With a big personality and a lot of spirit Mishi feverishly worked on a number of large-scale drawings during her time at the studio.
On one occasion she was bombarded by a group of interested Loyalist College students. We were holding an etching workshop for the Art & Design Foundations at the studio and students couldn’t help be sneak into the her studio space to see what she was up to. Being the open-minded individual she is Mishi had no issues answering questions and allowing the students to take a look at her works in progress.
Mishi’s work can be seen or purchased at Gallery 133 and Art Interiors.
PINHOLE CAMERAS
We are excited to announce that our recently developed and constructed pinhole cameras work and are producing photographs. Erin Topping (Kyle’s sister) who is studying photography at Georgian College, visited the studio for four days for the purpose of helping to develop and test the prototype pinhole cameras for an upcoming pinhole camera workshop offered at the studio.
The concept of a pinhole camera is quite simple. It is a camera with no lens and a very small aperture, a pinhole sized aperture to be specific. The pinhole is poked into one side of a light proof box or container and a shutter is made out of electrical tape. In the darkroom photo-paper or film is inserted into the camera. The typical exposures range from 4 seconds to an hour.
The cameras Erin and Kyle developed produce negative images because the cameras house photography paper rather than film. A negative image means that the colours are inverted, blacks are white and whites are black. The next camera to be developed will be one from a tin container that will house actual 35mm film, which will produce positive images when the film is used in the darkroom enlarger.
In April Spark Box Studio will be running a pinhole camera workshop if you’re interested in trying this exciting medium.
Pinhole Camera Workshop
In this exciting workshop participants will create their own pinhole camera. As a group we will go out and capture images of country landscapes which will be developed in black and white at the studio by participants. Everyone will bring home several mysterious black and white photographs.
April 9, 16 & 23 :
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$90 a person, max 6 people
materials included
You my sign up for this workshop online here: Workshop Sign up
RESIDENT: MANUELA JARRY
Quebec artist, Manuela Jarry came to the residency for two weeks. Her stay with us was super productive. Working as an artist full time she certainly knew how to get her self motivated. By the time we got into the studio each day she had already been working for several hours. Emerging artists should take note- dedication, drive and ambition are what it takes to make it as an artist. Also, creating deadlines and holding yourself accountable for making those deadlines.
While staying with us she had the opportunity to further investigate print making by producing a small black and white lino-cut and etching. She produced some very sweet prints and we were really pleased to see such good results.
By trade Manuela is a painter working for a decorative arts firm. She has had several of her decorative pieces published, however, she is moving her focus to create a body of work that better represents herself as an artist. Her time at the studio was spent developing a new body of work that she plans to show to galleries. It was exciting to see an artist turning a new page and being seriously committed to their process.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Manuela and hope to see her again in the future.
RESIDENT: SOFI QUIRNO
Our first international artist in residence was Sofi Quirno from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to her arriving we corresponded through email. Often artists ask questions about the residency, about us, the living situations, etc. In one email we were discussing the weather in Canada. Sofi, having never been to Canada, had read about Ontario’s -20 c and was rather concerned about how cold Canada actually was. We responded that January is quite cold and though the thermometer reads -20, the wind chill can make it -35. She prepared accordingly and brought a huge jacket, leggings, and snow pants. Strangely the entire time she was here it was mild and unseasonably warm for January and it stayed this way until the day after she left. She said that she was happy about not experiencing true Canadian winter.
It was a pleasure getting to know Sofi during her three weeks with us. In Argentina Sofi works as a galley assistant at a successful contemporary art galley. Naturally the three of us talked quite extensively about the similarities between the gallery Sofi works art and the gallery Chrissy had been working at. The conclusion we reached was that working at a gallery is hard work! In addition to art discussions we spent a lot of time talking about cultural similarities and differences.
It was really nice to hear about Sofi’s experience being an artist in Buenos Aires. Her art practice is supported by her peers who encourage each other to continue to grow and produce work. She told us that every month the group gets together and critiques one individual’s work and tries to offer guidance and constructive thoughts. We thought that this was a wonderful idea and has got the two of us thinking about how to incorporate something like this group critique into our own practices.
Sofi’s time at Spark Box Studio was spent exploring, developing, and working on a new series based on her experiences during her time in Canada. She worked in the studio, laboring over huge paintings for hours at a time. Generally this lasted until she’d crawl out from the studio and express that her knees hurt.
We also had the opportunity to introduce her to silkscreen as a plausible medium for her work. Upon watching her draw and paint for the first few days it became clear that her style would naturally transfer into silkscreen. We had a fantastic time showing her how silkscreen works and she really did enjoy her self and produced a small stack of prints.
You can visit Sofi’s blog at http://sofiquirno.blogspot.com.
RESIDENCY AWARD: JUSTIN STEINBURG
Our second recipient of our 2009 residency award was Justin Steinburg, fourth year BFA (bachelor of fine art) student at Queen’s University. Justin came to stay with us at Spark Box Studio for a weekend in mid January 2010. He arrived with a car full of waterless lithography plates and woodcuts ready to print. When attending a residency it is always best to try and maximize your time printing by preparing material ahead of the determined residency.
His first day of the residency was spent printing plates and printing a three color separation woodcut. Using little ink to a fair amount of transparent base Justin’s woodcut shows the potential for color change when using transparent inks. This woodcut is from his thesis year at Queen’s university which focuses on color theory.
The second day of Justin’s residency with us we experimented with powdered pigments that he had bought from a supplier in Ottawa. He brought with him a wide range of different pigment colors, everything from primary colors to metallic bronze, silver, gold and iridescent pearl white (which was comically named ‘super sparkle’). We spent the day mixing up pigments into transparent base and testing the results. The basic colors mixed and print really well and printed just like inks out of a can. The metallic colors were a different story. We tried to mix the bronze and everything seemed to go alright but when it was printed it ended up printing splotchy and transparent. The obvious result was to add more pigment and stiffen up the ink, this produced better results. Out of the metallic colors the ‘super sparkle’, iridescent pearl, worked the best, producing a tinted white that had a great shine was we considered a success.
MEET CAITLIN DEN BOER
Shorty after our grand opening Caitlin den Boer approached us to discuss renting one of the studio spaces and we are happy to announce she has moved in and is working in the studio on a regular basis. Caitlin is the owner of Adelita Rose Photography.
With over three years experience photographing weddings, Catilin has developed a great eye through the lens and operates a successful business. Visit her site, read her blog, check out her photos at Adelita Rose Photography.
STEVE NEWBERRY
Spark Box Studio had its first resident artist, Steve Newberry. Steve currently lives in Hamilton and came to focus on his next set of ideas and concepts. Steve primarily works in sculpture, installation and new media, but more recently he has become interested in printmaking. It was fantastic getting to know Steve over the course of his one week stay. In addition to focusing on his independant work, we taught Steve how to silkscreen. Steve had brought some old post cards of Belleville that he wanted to transfer into prints. We gave steve a complete crash course in silkscreen and talked about the posibilities for mixed medium work. In the end he decided to silkscreen onto plywood and will later integrate other elements such as woodcut, found objects, screws, paint and many other interesting processes.
Two of the images we printed are posted. It should be mentioned that when printing onto plywood one should consider that the surface is not 100% uniform. The wood has both divits and grain which will alter the final printed image, for better or worse.
Check out his website at–www.Steve Newberry.com.
FALL/WINTER ARTIST RESIDENCY AWARD 2010
Applications are being accepted until Sept. 30, 2010
Awards will be announced in early October, 2010
Beginning your career as an emerging artist can be tough, which is why Spark Box Studio is offering FREE RESIDENCIES to fine art students and emerging artists. This residency opportunity is a unique way for young and emerging artists to cultivate new ideas, access a rich library of arts resources, learn about career-building opportunities, and develop an understanding of the art world from a business perspective.
About the Award
Four emerging artists will receive a one-week residency, 10 will receive a two day residency and 30 will receive one day at our Open Studio in Prince Edward County. The selected applicants will be able to work in the studio using Spark Box Studio’s equipment and resources, and have access to career guidance from local community members.
Spark Box Studio has created these awards as a career building opportunity for young emerging artists.
Participating in a residency is of value to you as it builds on your artistic career, gives you time to focus on a project in a professional artist studio and allows you the opportunity to connect and learn from other artists.
Getting Started:
Below is what should be included in your application:
- A current Curriculum Vitae
- An Artist Statement – 1-2 paragraphs explaining your work
- Digital samples of your work – Please provide 10 images of your work. Please include with the images a list which includes the title, medium, dimension, year of each one.
- Images should be MAC compatible in JPG, TIFF or PSD file.
- Images should be no smaller than 200 DPI and should measure 8” x 8”. If sending through email please compress files.
- Writing samples should not exceed 12 pages and should be sent with cover page stating your name and title of work.
- $15.00 CAD application fee payable to Spark Box Studio.
Check out our Emerging Artist Guide for information to help you prepare these items.
Once these items are ready:
-Complete and submit the Application Form below
-Pay your Application Fee. You can mail a cheque, or PAY ONLINE. Note: you must pay your application fee in order for your application to be processed.
-Send you Application Package to us.
By email: email your package to us using the email subject line “Residency Application – your full name” to info@sparkboxstudio.com
By Snail Mail: Mail your package to: Spark Box Studio, P.O. Box 9002, #7 Bridge St., Picton, ON, K0K 2T0
Making your Application:
Once you have prepared the items above you are ready to fill out the application form below.
Please note that we will use the information you provide to process your application and will not share your information with any other companies.
