Saturday 25 October 2014

I ran across from old notes...


from the beginning of Satellite Studio with my friend Rachel Vandenassum... And I find these notes still vary relevant today. A brisk insight into the realm of an artist:

It has been a challenge as sometimes it's hard to draw the line between work and play when you're following a passion that you love and is such an ingrained part of your life.  If art is all you want to do, and you confuse that with work or "practice", you sometimes forget how to play -- enjoy and let go of the stress that can sometimes arise.  From following a high energy role to fill; with sometimes a lack of income from it -- but always is growth and fulfilment along the way.  It's always a balancing act of creating and siting to do the paperwork and writing involved with beginning a business.

It is great to have someone to excite you, motivate you, as well as to offer their expertise and ability -- sometimes this way you can achieve things one of you had never imagined; and quicker.  We are very grateful to have one another help carry the work load as well as have someone to share the moments with.  As an artist, it is not a constant in ones creative life to find someone who is willing to commit themselves in order to help one another get to where they dream.  And someone who just wants to be there to share the experience; to enjoy the ride...

That being said, just sending out a Thanks to people like Rachel who was there in the beginning of this St. Paul St. journey -  and to Roly who came by today to share his insights! I appreciated all of you involved with this creative life I live. And since these notes, I have the greatest support in my life: Kriev - who is out of his mind for Blacksmithing, and Me! So Lucky am I, as we get to hang onto one another for support throughout this adventure as we build Pike Lake Forge from the ground up. We couldn't do it without one another. Thanks Kriev!

Saturday 11 October 2014

PLF: Craft Show Display!


Mr. Greed







Hope to see you today or tomorrow at the Wynchwood Barns!


Thursday 9 October 2014

Pike Lake Forge: Keep an eye out for us in the Emerging Maker Court...

Pike Lake Forge: Keep an eye out for us in the Emerging Maker Court...: We've been busy producing a variety of items for the upcoming Craft Show! Giant Leaf Hook, by Kriev, Industrial Flower, by ...


The Craft Show 










Saturday 4 October 2014

Packing for Toronto!

Pike Lake Forge has been creating up a storm, preparing for the upcoming Craft Ontario Show in Toronto! http://www.craftontario.com/membership-programs/craft-show.html
Here's a sample of some of the artwork coming along for the ride:


Industrial Flower.                                                            Flora: Steel Mirror...

Bottle Openers.... we'll have Cork Screws too!


Fiddlehead: Steel mirror.

It'll be nice to bring  a couple of my Babies along with. I'd done these two so long ago, and are definite precursor to my diving into working primarily with metal. I would imitate metal surfaces using plaster, concrete, and acrylic paint and wood:

Rusting Rock, Plaster, acrylic paint and angle iron.


Rust Abstract, steel, concrete and acrylic on wood.

Pike Lake Forge creates many useful items for the home/cottage!



And last but not least, copper roses. I love making flowers.

I am a multidisciplinary artist with a strong focus on metalwork.  For years, I practiced the art of drawing and painting en-plein-air; recording the sun set and rise.  Now, as I manipulate steel using a torch or forge, I transform this element of light/sun I was once studying in my paintings and drawings into the actual tool I use to create my artwork. 

Wednesday 1 October 2014

The Adventure Continues!


Well, I haven't created the time to blog lately as it sure is a busy but exciting time! I've been chained to the forge, but at least now and again exciting things happen to bring in some new energy and enthusiasm... Firstly Kriev and I are lucky to receive a business starter grant from the CEDC  for Pike Lake Forge. Next week Pike Lake Forge is heading to Toronto to showcase our metalwork in the Craft Ontario show... http://www.craftontario.com/membership-programs/craft-show.html .....and when we return I get to drop off three artworks from the Preserving Harold Project at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, as they've been accepted into the 2014 Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition! ... Oh and we were accepted into the Artisans NW show at the Valhalla Inn -- so you can find us there this November.  We haven't found much time for play or celebrating, but you'll find us downtown for Defsup's Hunger, as Kriev is playing with Phineas Gauge - be sure to check it out!