Pam Lostracco

Prambanan > Yogyakarta

2012-01-26T02:54:00.003-05:00

The towering Hindu temples in Prambanan are hidden within a park full of trees. Once revealed, you immediately realize the entire structure is covered in stone carvings. Our efforts to be at the park upon opening at 6 am, proved fruitful. We were the first to enter and had the temples to ourselves. Lucky for us, we missed the crowds yesterday, enjoying their day off for Chinese New Year. Enter the Dragon! The morning air was still cool and the clouds made better light for photographs. Some temples stood completed, with some obviously simpler, renovated blocks. Others had crumbled from age and earthquakes, a few doorway frames leading to piles of somewhat organized stones and columns.

Off to Yogya, we had just enough energy to visit the Kraton (palace). Built in the mid-1700's, this is still the residency of the current King, also governor of the city. He is loved by the people for his generosity with subsidies, low taxes and openly speaking with and making himself easily available to the public. He can be seen every Friday, freely riding his bicycle to Mosque! Much Dutch detailing in the architecture, as there is all over Java. The structures are 3 tiers, larger at the bottom (birth), to middle (life/struggle), and top (death) with a point on top directing to Heaven. Iron columns and white marble imported from Europe. Different colours painted representing Hindu (red), Buddhism (gold), and Muslim (black).

Now, the heat is making us sluggish, we are making the most of air con in the mall and cooling off in the pool :)

Solo in Solo

2012-01-24T05:16:00.003-05:00

Solo is the centre of batik, a process using wax and inks to make patterns in fabric. The traditional process is still used for sarongs and also for modern fashion on shirts and dresses. Batik patterns are found everywhere, even painted on lamp posts and becaks (bicycle-rickshaws)! After browsing endless aisles of shops at the market, I finally decided on a silk scarf, mixed with several intricate patterns, including one I mostly identify as Javanese.

The Istana Mangkunegaran was beautiful and Solo's Grand Mall was a fun escape from the rain. I finally had a real (not instant) coffee at O Solo Mio and the loud, spinning rides at the amusement park looked like they were made out of paper mache. But what was most amazing about Solo, were the people who lived there. Every street we walked down, every person we passed, gave a warm smile. The toddlers yelled out "Hello, hello" to get our attention. Some shook our hands, followed with a respectful touch to their cheek. Women laughed with sparkles in their eyes and men gently nodded "Pagi" (good morning). A boy showed me how to play his popsicle stick game and a man gave me a couple passion fruits from his garden. A girl glamorously curled her hair as I took her portrait and teenagers grouped around me to take photos on their cell phones.

Having time to wander on my own as Huy was feeling ill, I passed a few girls wearing blue headscarves. A couple more appeared and asked for my name. Within moments I was surrounded by at least 30 blue-scarfed girls from the nearby Islamic school! They shied away from a photo, so I stayed a while to chat. One girl translated all the questions from Indonesian to English, and then my answer from English to Indonesian, followed by a group giggle :) After at least 45 minutes of discussion, they accepted a group photo. As I began to leave, every single girl shook my hand with a pretty smile, and some a touch to the cheek. And an acknowledgement to Huy to tell him they hope he gets better soon. It was so lovely and heart-warming and unexpected and endearing that I cannot properly explain my emotions as looked back and saw them all waving back, saying goodbye.

Gunung Bromo

2012-01-22T05:01:00.003-05:00

Driving up the curling road to Gunung Bromo, the scenery eventually dissolved into white. Only early afternoon, the fog was dense and completely hid any clues to the massive crater surrounding us. The next morning, we slowly walked up to the viewpoint, capturing photos of people passing with loads of produce on their heads and vegetables planted on the steep slopes. Arriving at the top, the clouds had started rolling into the unusual landscape--several craters within an older, larger, 10 km crater and another erupting volcano in the distance beyond. Only a few minutes later the entire scene disappeared, making the walk down feel a bit eerie.

The next morning started at 3:30 am, into a 4x4 to make the same route up to the viewpoint at sunrise. Despite the clouds, we saw blinks of bright orange light and a surreal scene of mountains, volcanos, and craters illuminated around us. Clouds filled up the valleys and greens, browns, and blues emerged from the darkness. One traveler saw fire flaming for a few seconds from the active volcano! Back into the jeep, we headed down to the flat surface in the crater, filled with volcanic sand. It looked less flat than afar with rolling dunes and crevises. Steep stairs up to the rim left us breathless and a bit dizzy from the altitude. Then after the last step, surprise! On the rim of Mt. Bromo, the view of the crater was immediate and even deeper than our climb... the first thought being, don't fall in! A huge black hole filled with a blue-green liquid that looked like water, was actually hot lava.

Indonesia

2012-01-16T04:50:00.004-05:00

After two and a half days of travel, Huy and I's lives had been enriched with at least three movies, several games of battleship, a Hagaan-Dazs ice cream bar, and an admiration of Hong Kong's efficient transportation system. We landed on a wet tarmac in Denpasar, and only minutes later, the daily 3pm monsoon rain poured down. First purchase on my list is a poncho!

Despite the rain, we had a happy reunion with Aunty and had a relaxing first couple of days to get over jet lag in a beautiful home. There are many sunny breaks but my plan is to make use of the wet weather by integrating it into my photographs. Experiment No.1 was on the bus ride to Lovina. We crossed the island North-wise to the black sandy coast. Along the way, we ascended foggy mountains with cliff sides wallpapered in giant ferns and drove along roads that flowed like rivers. Drops of water on the windows became out-of-focus spots splashed across my drive-by photos.

Lovina is a lovely, fun beach town in the dry season. But dry season, it is not, so after a night we continued our journey West towards Gilimanuk. More drive-by shots, mostly of passing motos. Some with cute babies and children dressed in school uniforms. Men drove with piles of greenery taller then themselves, trays of folded banana leaves, a tv, and long tubes of bamboo balanced on one shoulder. Gradually the scenery became more mountainous and lush, until we arrived at the ferry to take us to Java, and then... it started to rain.

Onwards to the sulpher miners at Gunung Ijen, we met Fendy who told us it's erupting poisonous gas! It has been closed for the past 3 weeks and will not likely reopen for a couple more. So one night here in Banyuwangi, and we're on the road (train) again tomorrow. Wish us better luck at Mt. Bromo!

Daily Candy

2012-01-10T10:20:00.002-05:00

My "Red Sunset" has made it onto Daily Candy!! Scroll down to Photo Galleries where other calendars are featured too.

It's a perfect day to fly to Asia :)

Miracle Thieves

2012-01-09T21:56:00.003-05:00

Happy 2012!! It feels great to write that number :)

Miracle Thieves is a cute little store/studio space that is filled with one of a kind artistic things made by local artists. At the corner of Dundas and Crawford street, I'm proud to see them in my hood! Plus they have added my Mountain Calendars, Vintage Wallpaper Notebooks, and Gift Tags to their inventory, with much delight.

"Miracle Thieves is a colony of joyful rebels."

Win a mountain calendar!

2011-12-05T12:21:00.004-05:00

CONTEST: Today my 2012 Red Sunset Mountain Calendar is featured on Designwali, who is giving away a holiday gift each day of this week. Enter to win, check out the rest of her design treats and... GOOD LUCK!!

November News

2011-11-19T16:03:00.006-05:00

Wow, time is flying, here we are already in November! Christmas is approaching which has triggered a string of more Etsy calendar sales. Sea Green Mountains was featured yet again on another blog called Row House 14, thank you Heidi! My customers have all been super amazing and have left some beautiful comments that are more fulfilling to me than the money. I'd like to share a few more than a few:

"Congratulations on having the cutest calendar for 2012!" "Hello! What a beautiful calendar! Thanks for making something so beautiful and interesting!" "I absolutely love the concept of your calendar--so original!" "Thank you very much for the beauty and inspiration you give by your works!" "I have received it! Tis beautiful and makes me happy." "I'd like to hang it in my art studio on my inspiration wall." "This calendar is even more beautiful when you see it in real life, I absolutely love it!"

I have also been working on my new website that includes both my graphic design and artwork. I used the program 4ormat which is designed by friends of mine. I found it simple to use and it offers great templates for creative individuals who need to showcase portfolio-based websites.

Enjoy the rest of the month, filled with creme brulee lattes and merry shopping :)

Poppy Talk

2011-09-11T14:32:00.003-04:00

Woo-hoo and another post on Poppy Talk! I'm reading some motivating comments, thank you, they will keep me creating :)

Grassroots Modern

2011-09-06T20:34:00.002-04:00

Hey look! My mountain poster calendar has been very popular lately. 4 sells on Etsy in the last few days and one of my customers pointed out where she saw it posted on a cool design blog called Grassroots Modern.

Morning Glories

2011-09-02T10:48:00.003-04:00

Today I counted 94 morning glories on our patio. They are the most cheerful colour of blue--I wish they would last longer than only the morning! The first photo uses Lord Kelvin which makes a redder contrast in the bricks and adds a rough border. The second (Poprocket), is a close up of a bee finding some pollen, burrowed inside the glowing-yellow centre of the flower.

Fun with Instagram

2011-08-29T13:52:00.004-04:00

This is my favourite iphone app! Instagram crops your photo to a square format and then adds a filter which mimics similar colours and textures of old film. Here are my first few.

Huy Lam

2011-08-17T21:32:00.004-04:00

This post goes to my talented boyfriend, Huy. He makes portraits of celebrities made out of 4 point text which you can see more of on his blog. His art was just posted on laughing squid which led to this article written about his work on Politico. Possibly more to come! This is my favourite--a portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, what a GENIUS!

Square Foot Show 2011

2011-07-29T10:43:00.009-04:00

It's that time again for AWOL's annual Square Foot Show. This year I will have 2 pieces of art on display, including a new one called "I Wish..." Here is a square inch sample of my square foot--I dare you to find it among the hundreds of artworks!

The reception will be at Twist Gallery on Saturday August 6th at 7pm.

Show Dates: Saturday August 6th – August 21st, 2011
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12 – 7pm & Sunday 12 – 5 pm.
Location: Twist Gallery, 1100 Queen Street West (just West of Dovercourt)

Photo Transfer Magic

2011-07-04T23:03:00.005-04:00

I wish I could keep these patterns to use in my artwork! But they magically appear briefly for about 15 minutes before it dries away.

Transferring my photographs onto mylar is one of the first steps of my art process. This is done by applying a thin layer of a liquid polymer to the front side of a laser printout. Then it is flipped upside down and placed on top of the mylar. What you see here, is the back of the laser print. The polymer soaked through the paper in the white parts of the image more quickly than the coloured areas with ink. Eventually, the paper dries back to white and then I peel off the paper while the ink remains fixed to the mylar.

With the positive/negative shapes, I think they look similar to the effects of cyanotypes!

Etsy

2011-06-27T11:51:00.003-04:00

My Etsy shop is now up and going! Inspired by patterns old and new, I am selling notebooks made with vintage wallpaper and calendar posters using designs I have found in nature. New items will be added gradually so check in again!

Bookmarks

2011-06-08T14:56:00.003-04:00

Here is my bookmark promo that was just printed (full colour front and back with lamination). Lately I've been illustrating patterns for 2012 poster calendars and this one features my bamboo pattern. Check out my first item for sale on etsy!

Mexico Art

2011-04-22T20:21:00.004-04:00

Here are some sketches I made while having the chance to relax and truly absorb Mexican culture. Drawing was a good excuse to sit in a plaza, admire a fountain, or practice espanol.

Mexico City

2011-04-01T02:17:00.008-04:00

(click here for more photos of Mexico)
Here I am, back where I started. When I flew in 6 weeks ago, it was exciting to see the city from above, which looked like an explosion of bright colours in pixelated boxes. This time, watching through the bus window, I started to fear my preconceptions of this humongous capital of 26 million people. “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” I quickly learned that this was another Mexican city filled with kind, generous and helpful friends.

I met Eddna and Jim in Angangao, who arranged for me to stay with their artist friend Fer in trendy Condesa, who introduced me to another talented artist Danielle, who gave me her scarf from India and joined us at Marina's apartment, who plays the harmonium and travels the world and has a dog named Maya, who sat close and watched everyone drum, sing, drink mezcale, play on the swing, and watch all the dogs play tug of war. Adolfo paid for my tacos. Andrea pointed out new foods in the mercado. I ate sushi at a penthouse fiesta hosted by an art curator.

Filled with restaurants, live music, young people jogging and walking their dogs, yoga studios, art galleries, parks, and Jacaranda trees littering the streets with purple flowers, I felt right at home. The metro was safe, fast, and efficient and only about 25 cents a ride. I visited Centro Historico to see Diego's murals at Palacio Nacional, and the layers of pyramids build on top of each other at Templo Mayor. I walked to Roma for a delicious cafe and saw contemporary interior design. I saw Frida's Casa Azul in Coyoacan and found unique, handmade jewelry in an artisans market.

Mexico has so many places to see and activities to do that I need to go back! The traditional arts are beautiful and the contemporary culture is alive. People are friendly and quick to help. I felt as safe as I do in my own country (except crossing a few of the streets!) and never hesitated to take out my camera. I left with a huge smile. Hasta luego.

Oaxaca

2011-03-27T23:11:00.012-04:00

As I write, a guitar strums in the background. The air is warm and I am filled with bbq'd pollo and the best mint helado ever (with pieces of mint leaves!) The food has been amazing: chilies, pozole, guacamole, and tortillas in an incredible number of forms. Art galleries, mercados, and museos are around every corner. I have actually been meeting other travellers, and no longer feel like the only foreigner in town!

I met Grace at a cafe and we set out to the Sunday mercado in Tlacolula, about 30 minutes out of town. The aisles were pleasantly wide and endlessly long, filled with vendors selling modern tshirts, traditional woven fabrics, carved bowls, coconut-cinnamon juice, chocolate, coffee, vegetable seeds, frutas, grasshoppers spiced with salt and chili, honey, and the list goes on. Especially fun was sampling all the different kinds of mezcale (liquor made from the agave cactus)!

Cooking class with chef Alberto: Rachel and I learned how to make mole rojo (a red mole sauce), flores de calabaza sopa (squash-blossom soup), and stewed guavas. In Oaxaca, there are 7 different kinds of moles, each one a complicated mixture, traditionally made for special occasions. Chili peppers, sesame seeds, hazel nuts, plantain, onion, and of course chocolate are just a few of the ingredients. After frying everything together, we were sent on an excursion to follow one of the cooks carrying our bucket of mole. Completely clueless as to where we were going, (because the class was all in Espanol!), and still wearing our aprons, we end up at a shop with machines that blend it all into a smooth paste. It was fried again, thinned with broth and poured over chicken. Then we ate our 3-course creation.

Puebla

2011-03-25T00:04:00.007-04:00

Heading Eastbound, the plazas now seem to be called zocalos. Puebla's is muy grande, always filled with bands playing, couples kissing, and handfulls of bobbing balloons in the shapes of Bambi and Snow White's head. Most interesting, was a circlular, wooden, installation inside another circle. Made of wood and painted white, it was laser (or hand-cut?) in the shapes of tall, leafy trees like the real ones in the zocalo. So from one side, you can see buildings and people through 4 layers of organic holes.

The city is filled with many museos, zapato (shoe) stores, different types of mole (sauces made with chocolate, chili, and various spices), and ceramic tiles on almost every building. It's amazing how quickly the loud bustle from the streets disappear by only walking a few feet into the interior of a courtyard. Sometimes they contained a fountain, an art gallery, a restaurant, or the oldest biblioteca I've ever seen. More than 4000 libros from as early as the 1500s were arranged perfectly in their old, wooden shelves. No fotographias or touching of the books were allowed, so I tried to engrave in my memory, all the intricate patterns and beautiful calligraphy on the aging spines.

Taxco

2011-03-21T23:06:00.006-04:00

I'm in Magic Town! For the last half hour of the twisting bus ride, I jumped from one side of the bus to the other, trying to photograph the perfect view of Taxco. It just had to be around the next corner! Finally after a full day of various buses, the city of white casas emerged, glowing in the late afternoon light.

It is another old mining town which is now full of shiny, silver, jewelry shops. Just south of Mexico City, it is a trendy vacation spot on the weekends. Santa Prisca is a baroque-style iglisias which sits on top of a hill and is an excellent way-finder. The plaza is full of balloons, fireworks en la noche, and people eating ice cream and popcorn. There are bonita vistas everywhere but I have to leave before I buy too much plata!

Angangao

2011-03-21T00:32:00.009-04:00

One of my most amazing days ever! This tiny little town is the closest base to the El Rosario Reserve where the Monarch butterflies migrate each winter. Many have already started to fly back North, but I arrived just in time to see the tail-end of the 80 million mariposas that fill the sky, 4000 feet up in the fir trees.

First there was one, then a pair, then several monarchs fluttered around the sputtering bus as we slowly accended the steep, winding mountain. From the entrance, it was another 45 minutes to walk up (including photo breaks) until the trail opened up to a yellow grassy area full of flower bushes. Butterflies sat on the branches with the sun shinning through their orange wings. Above, the perfect blue sky glinted with bright flecks flying in every direction. They let the wind carry them, falling like leaves until it's necessary to use their own energy. It was as magical as sitting under cherry blossom trees when the white petals shower down.

Another 10 minutes up, and I truely felt like I was among the millions. Swarms flitted above my head and all of their shadows swept across the ground. Some barely missed my face, their soft flutters the most amazingly beautiful sound. Mating couples dropped infront of me. The remains of dried up wings covered the path. In the distance, a massive, orange wave descended from a tree--I couldn't believe how many I was seeing at one time!

Back in quiet Angangao, I had a lot of time to meet some of the locals. Last year, the town suffered a tragic flood that ran 4 feet deep along it´s main road down the mountain. It completely wiped out 2 villages and 20 people died. The sadness still lingers and is evident in every padlocked door and broken wall. Many people left to find work elsewhere, but the people who remain are working hard to rebuild the town. Francisco survived being pulled down the river and lives every day like it's his last. Him and others in the town are pushing to officially name Angangao Mexico´s 5th Magic Town. Muchos luck y wishes!

Patzcuaro

2011-03-16T20:38:00.008-04:00

The main attractions in this small, quiet town revolve around two large plazas. Each block is made up of one, long, continuous white building with rounded, clay roof tiles and wooden columns which to me, have a Japanese flavour. Instead of signs, the name of each store is hand painted on the walls, above old doorways. Considering how few people I´ve seen, there seems to be an unusually high amount of dentistas!

Patzcuaro is known for it's neive de pasta (cinnamon) ice cream and a large blue lake. The view from the temple at Tsinsonsan was muy bonita. Pero, my favourite moments were in the market and around the plazas where I was truely tested on my spanish skills. Most people don´t speak any English at all but I probably met the few who do. And many amazing interactions even with the ones who don´t.

Jasmine lived in California and made an excellent beet-carrot juice. While eating a heaping serving of steaming carrots and pollo, a seven-year old girl whispered to her mom and then slid across the bench to stare at me. I spoke some spanish, she spoke only spanish, we didn´t understand each other at all, but shared some laughs! Fernando cannot fix my computadora, but I make a new amigo and we eat helado by the statue. In the morning, I'm handed a forkful of carne and end up eating delicious steamed beef and drinking spicy meet juice for breakfast. The guy beside me pointed saying ´that is the cow's mouth´ (good thing for my neutral poker-face!)

Guanajuato

2011-03-16T20:07:00.005-04:00

The most colourful city I have ever seen, Guanajuato is a maze of old buildings and plazas stacked on steep hills. Sometimes the streets become so narrow, the buildings almost touch. The roads are the complete opposite to Toronto´s grid--street blocks are a jumble of odd triangles, aligning with nothing. Every time I made my way back to the casa, I got lost in nuevo adventure.

From the balcony of my hotel, we had the perfect vista of the cuidad, which looked like a three-dimentional mapa. I made an attempt to draw the complicated puzzle, until the sun went down and the lights turned on.

Amigos

2011-03-07T21:37:00.008-05:00

The past week has been full of amazing friendships. Even though they only lasted for a few hours or a single day, they are meaningful connections that I will cherish from San Miguel.

I bumped into a few people in a photography class, getting some shots of the evening sun in El Jardin. Explaining how I found it hard to capture both the dark shadows and the bright colours, they agreed. Their maestro (teacher) happened to be the same person having an exhibition that night, where I was making my way to! We slowly walked together, taking photos of each other and the shining cobblestones. (Above is Tom in the hat).

I met Christine and Edwardo in my pencion, and we all took the same class together. We watched each others pieces of silver evolve from a scrap of metal to a shiny piece of jewelry. We shared personal opinions of our hopes for the future. And walked back and forth several times trying to find the organic market, but enjoying the adventure along the way.

I spent every morning for the past 2 weeks learning Spanish with my maestro, Luis. His energy, encouragement, and sarcasm made the class absolutely enjoyable. I could laugh at myself everytime he translated my loco mistakes.

Saleta, the owner of the pencion, has been learning English. We talked every day, correcting eachother´s words and sentences during her home-cooked dinner, sitting in the courtyard, and our final breakfast at Buenos Dias. Thank you.

As well, Rae, the spiritual healer from London, good luck using your new art supplies! And the two little girls who asked for their fotographia. Geraldo Ruiz, the amazing sculptor and etcher, who showed me the process.

Todos los amigos, muchas gracias y muchas gusto!

Colours

2011-03-02T23:50:00.006-05:00

I take the most photographs between 5-6pm. All the colours become even more alive--brighter yellows, warmer oranges, and glowing reds. Dark shadows make strong contrasts compared to the strips of light that stream between buildings. The stone eaves carved into animals, jut out from the tops of buildings and create dramatic, angled shadows across walls. My new method (to get people shots) is wait patiently, with a perfect backdrop framed, and snap when gentes (people) "accidently" walk into my fotographias. Passing through the strips of light, little do they know how vibrantly their shirts glow in the low sunlight.

My first jewelry class revealed many more tones than what I expected from silver. After sautering 2 pieces together, there were layers of warm, flame textures. Then, after hammering some shell-patterned indentations, the soaking process revealed rosy pinks. As I continued to cut and file, it gradually transformed again, like it was coated in white. My hands (on the other hand) only turned black! Silversmithing is an exciting art form, we'll see how the pendant turns out tomorrow.

Flavours

2011-03-02T23:43:00.004-05:00

Hoy (today) is the dia I gave up on trying to eat at every recommended restaurant in San Miguel's Walking and Shopping Guide. Way too overly ambitious!

This morning I walked next door and ordered my warm breakfast through a window. A stroll around the corner, is a plaza surrounded by churches, outlined with benches, filled with locals, watching un nino (boy) run around a fountain, in the centre where pigeons bathed. I chose a bench where everyone else sat, on the sunny side. The chilly morning was offset when I unraveled the corn husk around a hot tomale de pollo (chicken tomale) and sipped a warm tasse de leche fresca (cup of strawberry milk). Simple and delicious and only 12 pecos! (Photo: Mr. Allende in the same plaza as the fountain)

At lunch, a woman grilling gorgitas caught my attention. A thicker style of tortilla, stuffed with garbanzo beans, a bit of queso y arroz (cheese and rice), and a side of chopped avocado y tomato. Fresh and satisfying and only 25 pecos!

At dinner I thought I had ordered soup, but ended up with a quarter chicken, arroz, y ensalada. mmm...

Mexico

2011-02-27T17:21:00.008-05:00

Here I am, warmed and relaxed in old, colonial, San Miguel de Allende! Mr. Allende (the city's martyr for Mexican independence from the Spanish) is actually just around the corner from my pencion, on a horse, cast in bronze. Mariachis tunes fills the air, bells chime each hour, and there is always a friendly person to chat with in the main plaza.

It has been a semana (week) already, wandering the cobblestone calles (streets), taking photos of 300-plus year old casas (buildings), and admiring the numerous galleries around town. The ciudad (city) is filled with expats who live here at least a couple months each year. Although I can get away with my very limited vocabulary, I'm looking forward to starting Espanol classes tomorrow. As the dias (days) go by, I hope to include more words! I've also signed up for a jewelry class at the Instituto Allende, one of the two art colleges (unfortunately Bellas Artes is closed for renovations).

Everything is so vibrant from the cloudless, azul cielo (blue sky) to the painted roja y amarillo (red and yellow) buildings. Rising light in the morning, casts shadows of potted plants onto walls. Setting light in the evening, brightens colourful, plaid blankets hanging to dry. Which reminds me, just in time to catch the sunset!

Buenos tardes.

Whodunit?

2011-02-02T13:46:00.006-05:00

Another successful year for OCAD's Whodunit? fundraising event. Here are my donations that sold in the auction this year.

“The Whodunit? Gala Preview is a rare opportunity to pick up incredible works by highly sought-after emerging artists,” explains Curatorial Committee Chair Wil Kucey, Director of LE Gallery in Toronto. “Those looking to start collecting art, or those looking to expand their collections with works by artists about to explode internationally should not miss this event.”

Propeller Salon V

2011-01-05T21:39:00.004-05:00

Stop by to join myself and other artists at the reception next week!

"In its 5th year, the Salon Show brings together people and art in a post holiday celebration. It is always a fun and an exceptionally well-attended event. This year, the Salon Show has been extended to a three week run so that art lovers may have a longer time to view the exhibition."

Show dates: January 12–30, 2011
Opening reception: Thursday January 13th, 2011, 7-10 pm

Propeller Centre for Visual Arts
984 Queen Street West, Toronto
Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat 12-6, Sun 12-5 or by appointment

Vintage Notebooks and Colouring Books

2010-12-18T17:58:00.003-05:00

Just in time for the Christmas season, these stylish notebooks and fishy colouring books are now on sale at Pixel Print and Shopgirls. Remember the vintage wallpaper I found a few months ago? Pixel Print suggested putting it to good use--they did all the printing and binding, I drew the illustrations and assembled the covers, and here is the exciting result!

All the covers were hand assembled, each unique depending on the cut of the wallpaper. The notebooks have a matching shiny ribbon that matches the metallic ink in the wallpaper. The inside pages are 100% recycled paper. They come in 2 sizes, 5"x7" and 3"x8".

The colouring books have 8 fun, activity-based illustrations, including "wave maze" and "connect the bubbles". The rest of the pages are blank to write or draw. The cover has an extra flap at the back, a bookmark to mark your page! They measure 6.5"x8".

Four Seasons Hotel

2010-09-19T11:05:00.003-04:00

My artwork has now travelled to California! These snow paintings were bought by the Four Seasons Hotel, to be displayed in the lobby of their spa in Palo Alto. A dream come true--the atmosphere and experiences at the spa are similar reflections of the process and concept behind my work.

Each of the three pieces are 22" x 22", framed in 1/2" acrylic. Once I have a photo of the work in the space, I'll post that too!

Greeting Cards

2010-08-31T21:38:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine has set up a beautiful printing shop just down the street. Located by Dundas and Dovercourt, Pixel Print offers a variety of services, including a window store front of greeting cards. Among the designs, are a set of three cards I illustrated a while back, patterns inspired by three of the natural elements—Earth, Fire, and Water. Stop by to have a look and see the rest of the store!

Here is a recent post by blogTO.

Square Foot Show 2010 - Sold!

2010-08-31T21:15:00.004-04:00

The Square Foot Show is here again! AWOL Gallery presents the 8th of it's kind, featuring hundreds of artists. Here is a glimpse of my piece (or look for "116 G" at the 100A location to see it up close :)

The artwork is up at 2 locations:
100A Ossington Avenue, 2nd floor, and
AWOL Gallery, 76 Ossington Avenue

Show runs from August 21 - September 5, 2010
Gallery hours are Thursday - Saturday 12-8 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm

Rememorations at Shopgirls

2010-08-01T11:15:00.008-04:00

My solo exhibition at Shopgirls is now up. Please join me on Thursday to say hi and have some light refreshments.

Opening Reception
Thursday August 5th, 7-10 pm
Shopgirls Gallery Boutique
1342 Queen Street West, Toronto

This will be Pam Lostracco's first exhibition with the gallery. Lostracco's mixed media work is created through a process that echoes the natural transformation of the urban environment through time, a transformation she sees as similar to the way that a visual impression evolves in the memory, continuously changing in terms of how it is remembered and how it is forgotten.

Rememorations runs August 1-31.

To see more photos of the opening, click here.

IX Gallery

2010-07-16T16:13:00.004-04:00

My newest painting (of unusual dimensions) will be featured this summer at IX Gallery. Hope to see you at the opening!

July 29th - September 11th 2010

Summer 2010: A cornucopia of emerging talent
Join us for the first exhibit in our new space, a diverse collective of images from seven photographers capturing the essence of the hottest season. Summer 2010 will feature shots abstract and straight up, manipulated and raw, digital and film.

Opening Reception: Thursday July 29th 7 - 9 PM
IX Gallery: 11 Davies Avenue, Toronto
Artists in Attendance

Sizes range from 16" x 24" to 30" x 40"
Edition print numbers from 1/9 to 1/25

Found Treasure

2010-07-03T17:13:00.004-04:00

Riding back from the grocery store, a shinny glimmer in a pile of yellow rolls caught my eye. Loaded with groceries, I kept going until a block later, when instinct made me turn back. The ripped and aged rolls turned out to be vintage wallpaper. Five rolls of beautifully, patterned paper. I felt like I had just struck gold!

Along the trim of one of the papers is printed "Made in Canada by CWM" (Canadian Wallpaper Manufacturer's Limited). Looks like it operated in Toronto (The Boxer Building at 222 Islington Ave) from 1927-1978 until they relocated to Brampton and became Sunworthy. Which means my paper is at least 32 years old. I've posted more photos of the paper here.

Bali Pics

2010-05-16T21:47:00.002-04:00

New photos of Bali 2--four years ago I celebrated my 30th birthday, and this time was for my mom's 60th! It was just as colourful as I remembered, intricate carvings and patterns everywhere. Had a much more thorough look around Ubud and took in views of volcanos in the North. Black sand and white sand, rain and shine, teas and coffees, monkeys and elephants, rice paddies and temples... an eventful 2 weeks.

Artist of the Day

2010-05-06T09:32:00.004-04:00

Today (Friday May 7) Zatista is featuring me as their artist of the day! Links to my store are posted on Facebook and Twitter. Visit Zatista to check out my work and other artists too!

Design on a Dime

2010-05-05T21:48:00.005-04:00

One of my pieces will be auctioned at the annual Design on a Dime fundraiser in New York City!

"Housing Works Thrift Shops sixth annual Design on a Dime fundraising event kicks off with the Opening Night Reception on Thursday, May 6th at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The sale is free and open to the public both Friday, May 7th and Saturday, May 8th. Shop spectacular rooms by the country’s top designers; featuring brand new housewares, furniture, and linens, all available at charitable prices.

All proceeds from Design on a Dime go to Housing Works, the nation’s largest grassroots AIDS service organization. Founded in 1990, Housing Works provides lifesaving services to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. Since 2005, Design on a Dime has raised more than $2 million in support of Housing Works."

Zatista

2010-03-23T15:57:00.003-04:00

I am now selling my artwork on Zatista!

Zatista is a user-friendly website that allows you to search for original artwork by your preference of style, medium, colour, or price range. Definitely lots of work to choose from!

"Zatista's mission is to create an online marketplace that effectively connects buyers and sellers of fine and contemporary original art. Our commitment is to provide an innovative, safe, and comfortable experience to discover and purchase high-quality original art, as well as increase exposure for our artists and galleries."

Panama

2010-03-03T21:52:00.004-05:00

I feel warmed up again after going through my pics from Panama! Huy and I went a couple months ago for a quick break just before Christmas. The hotel landscaping was beautiful and the meals were all absolutely delicious. Took a boat ride down (or should I say up?) the canal, passing humongous cargo ships. And explored the old town of Panama City, finding inspiring details, colour pallets and patterns.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-28T19:13:00.003-05:00

Here are the instructions to make this years ornament card!

JUMP Math

2009-11-30T15:41:00.003-05:00

The new edition of workbooks 1 and 2 are now finished! The redesign includes a cleaner layout which is easier to navigate, and a unique family of artwork which is consistent and recognizable. Check out the little people! The books were definitely a lot of fun to work on :)

Selected pages are posted here.

JUMP Math offers workbooks for grades 1 to 8 with each grade divided into parts 1 and 2. They include units on Number Sense, Patterns and Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Probability and Data Management.

"JUMP Math is a numeracy program started in 1998 by mathematician, author and award-winning playwright John Mighton. We are a federally registered charitable organization based in Toronto, Canada.

JUMP Math believes that all children can be led to think mathematically, and that with even a modest amount of attention every child will flourish. By demonstrating that even children who are failing math or who are labeled as slow learners can excel at math, we hope to dispel the myths that currently prevail. We offer educators and parents complete and balanced materials as well as training to help them reach all students."

Cyanotypes

2009-11-22T22:13:00.003-05:00

I tried out a second workshop to find out more about the Sunprints I made a couple months ago. The instructor was Sally Ayre who makes gorgeous cyanotypes on several layers of silk. We were able to use some of her negatives and our own materials. The images had considerable more detail and contrast than I had expected. Preparing your own paper is much more advantageous than buying the pre-made kits. The possibilities seemed endless and this technique felt really in-tune with how I like to work which also incorporates the natural objects I already use in my artwork.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/sets/72157622858110474/

Pinhole Camera

2009-11-22T21:24:00.003-05:00

Gallery 44 has some fun photography workshops. Last weekend I made my own pinhole camera to step back in time to learn the basic processes used when photography first began. It was rough, holding our tinfoil boxes still and making guestimates on the length of time the photo paper would be exposed for. It was also refreshing, using the sun instead of a button, going into the darkroom instead of on the computer, and waiting for the image to emerge magically instead of already knowing what it looks like! The unexpected inconsistencies of wide-angled distortion and textures were quite imperfect but very much welcomed.

The experiments:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/4126225655/in/set-72157622733622065/

Whodunit?

2009-11-22T14:52:00.003-05:00

I was invited to this year's gala as a participating artist in the evenings exclusive silent auction. The fabulous party included delicious catering, wine and a live auction, raising thousands to buy new equipment for the college. All the work can be previewed online.

"The Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale is OCAD's signature fundraising event. It’s an exhibition and sale of hundreds of pieces of original art donated by artists who are famous and not-yet-famous, including well-known and celebrity artists, OCAD faculty, alumni and students."

http://whodunit.ocad.ca/info.htm

Photos Off The Lot

2009-11-12T13:20:00.005-05:00

Thank you to all the supporters who came out last weekend! Photos from the show have been posted:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/sets/72157622664874417/

Art Off The Lot

2009-10-29T11:57:00.008-04:00

I will be part of a new art exhibition happening this November. One of my images is in the advertisement below :) The venue will take place inside the old Crysler Dealership, a bright place to see art while it gets colder outside. Please stop by to say hi at booth A20!

Here are the details:

Art Off The Lot
Canadian Art Exhibition

Located at the vacant Chrysler Dealership
1030 King Street West, Toronto (at Shaw Street)

November 5th: Opening Night 7-11pm
November 6th: 11am-8pm
November 7th: 11am-8pm
November 8th: 11am-6pm

"ART off the Lot is an artist represented exhibition bringing Canada's best and brightest talents to for everyone to experience. Join us for a weekend of amazing art. Whether you are an experienced collector, a first time buyer or just wish to take in a little culture or cappiccino at our onsite cafe - its a great way to spend an afternoon."

CRAFT off the Lot is the following weekend!

To see more information, please visit the website:
http://www.artoffthelot.com/

Artistry Cards

2009-10-04T14:39:00.003-04:00

Exciting news! I’ve been chosen to be one of the first artists to represent a great new line of ecological greeting cards, called Artistry Cards.

The company was formed to seek out talented new Canadian artists and publish their images on greeting cards, which are available at www.artistrycards.com. 5% of the sales of my card will go to Creative Works Studio, a charity which offers healing, and recovery through creative arts. Creative Works Studio provides an oasis from the daily rigors and challenges of life for people living with a mental illness. What’s more, the company uses all recycled and post-consumer stock and ecologically friendly printing methods.

Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, thank-you notes or really any occasion, Artistry Cards is a great way to give back to your community when giving greeting cards. I hope you’ll take the time out to visit the portfolio, where I’m featured with three other talented artists. Here’s the link:

http://www.artistrycards.com/ACOO3_Pam_Lostracco/ACOO3_Pam_Lostracco.html

Sunprints

2009-09-14T16:08:00.007-04:00

I spent Sunday afternoon in my backyard taking advantage of the sun to make these fun prints! I experimented with a Sunprint Kit... just place an object on cyan-coloured paper, expose for about 5 minutes, rinse in water, then the blue-on-white image slowly reverses into a white-on-blue image! I used dried and fresh flora with some interesting forms. The flat money plant seeds and pine needles worked best since they are opaque and press well against the paper. The shadows of orchids and basil obviously didn't produce the same contrast. Lots of fun, I want to do more!

The whole series is posted on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/sets/72157622369987490/

Cream The Urban Dairy

2009-09-06T21:19:00.004-04:00

Enjoyed a sunny bike ride over to Leslieville to visit my friend Danielle at her new ice cream shop. Also had to see my logo design in action, on the business cards, tshirts and window! More photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/3892365963/in/set-72157622276369080/

Cream offers a selection of homemade flavours that rotate every day. The store was busy and all the customers looked very happy :) I tried the avocado-brie-tomato-bacon crepe sandwich followed with a scoop of vanilla toffee chunk. It was so deliciously icy and creamy, I can't wait to go back and try more of the many selections!

To read a review:
http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/cream-urban-dairy

Square Foot Show 2009

2009-08-09T12:22:00.003-04:00

Another AWOL exhibit of hundreds of square feet! Show starts this Saturday, I'll have 3 up somewhere...

Join the facebook group:
AWOL Gallery Squarefoot Show

or get more info:
http://www.awolgallery.com/square_foot/

New Work

2009-07-27T23:04:00.004-04:00

Have a look at my most recent drawings:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/sets/72157621353093741/

and paintings:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/sets/72157613551969264/

TOAE 2009

2009-05-07T19:58:00.006-04:00

Great news--just found out I'll be at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition this summer! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info on this year's show. I'll be at booth number 323!

Nathan Phillips Square
Friday July 10th: 10:30am - 7:30pm
Saturday July 11th: 10:30am - 7:30pm
Sunday July 12th: 10:30am - 6:30pm

www.torontooutdoorart.org

Cell Art at the Rivoli

2009-05-07T19:32:00.004-04:00

Last fall, I made two pieces of art from photographs of heart stem cells. This Saturday, the images will be projected at the 2nd annual Grown-Up Science Fair!

The Rivoli
334 Queen Street West
Saturday May 9, 2009
Starts at 8pm and after-party in the back room with live DJs from 11:30 pm - close
Presented by the Treehouse Group

"Join us on May 9, as part of the city-wide event Science Rendezvous, to peruse science fair projects from a wide assortment of Toronto's best and brightest. Artists, government workers, teachers, lawyers, musicians, and maybe even some real scientists, will all try their hands at employing the scientific method to find answers to all manner of burning questions, big and small. Some great prizes will be given away, and it will be an excellent opportunity to see creative problem-solving in action."

More info at:
http://www.sciencerendezvous.ca/treehouse_group.html

T-shirt at Hardboiled

2009-05-07T19:20:00.004-04:00

Hardboiled Inc. is located in Kensington Market and silk screens the best looking T's in town! Come on by and find my "helicopter" design which is now selling at the store!

A cute quote from their site:
"Hardboiled Inc. is a collection of t-shirt designers and printers who find great joy in creating unique t-shirts with original designs. T-shirts that look good. T-shirts that feel good. T-shirts that make strangers stop you on the street and say "Hello. I like your t-shirt. Let's go see a movie.""
www.hardboiledinc.com

Culture Works at the Big on Bloor Festival

2009-05-03T12:57:00.004-04:00

My poster is up in store fronts on Bloor!

"On Saturday June 20, 2009 from Christie to Lansdowne along historic Bloor Street, The BIG Festival celebrates local business, community, arts and culture with a unique street fair featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions. Closed to traffic to celebrate summer in the city, Bloor hosts up to 600 tables that will be used for projects, commercial sales, garage sales, food and information.

Bloor Improvement Group is a dynamic volunteer coalition in Toronto, advancing the economic, physical, cultural and social life of the targeted local Bloor Street by creating opportunities and events that improve and celebrate the area."
www.bigonbloor.com

"Culture Works is a feature DIG IN event of the BIG Festival located on Bloor between Dufferin and Lansdowne."
www.digin.ca

Design Hope Toronto Auction

2009-01-24T20:24:00.004-05:00

Design Hope will be auctioning paintings based on the theme of SHELTER and one of my paintings will be up for bid! The event is open to the public on February 6th. I'm told the evening will be a lot of fun so feel free to come by and I hope to see you there!

See all of the 2009 artists here:
http://www.designhopetoronto.ca/2009_lostracco.html

"Design Hope Toronto is a volunteer initiative that raises funds and awareness for local organizations dedicated to helping the homeless.

The fourth annual Design Hope Toronto event will take place from 7-10 pm, on Friday, February 6, 2009. Venue this year is St. John's Parish Hall, 186 Cowan Avenue. Mark your calendars and be sure to come out to our annual auction in support of PARC/Edmond Place. This will again be a great evening of food and drink, a chance to socialize, and bid on unique artwork in support of a good cause."

Sold!

2008-12-06T15:23:00.005-05:00

Crystalized Spikes recently sold at Engine Gallery Distillery! Details: Crystalized Spikes No.3, Mixed Media on 1/2" Acrylic, 6" x 6", 2008.

SOLD at the PINK Benefit!

2008-11-25T16:29:00.008-05:00

The PINK show, a fundraiser for breast cancer, was hosted by Soho Myriad in Atlanta, Georgia. My piece (below: 2nd from top, 5th from the right) was exhibited for the auction... and... it sold!

Details from the press release:

"Soho Myriad owners Roger Caplan and Janie Stanfield are thinking pink once again. After successfully teaming up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Greater Atlanta Affiliate to host the first “Pink Show” at their Westside gallery space last summer, the gallery is ready to repeat the event’s achievement this fall. The “Pink Show” brings together art, charity and everyone’s favorite color for a feel-good cool-weather bash.

It’s an art sale, silent auction, and cocktail party benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation at Soho Myriad’s Westside location. The evening will feature pink-themed works of art accompanied by a silent art auction and plenty of pink cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Entrance donation as well as a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the art and all the funds raised through the silent auction will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation."

The Bookmark Project

2008-11-19T19:53:00.002-05:00

Two miniature pieces of art I submitted for The Bookmark Project 2008: Insert, organized by the Koffler Gallery.

Cell Art

2008-11-12T20:22:00.005-05:00

The Stem Cell Network hosted an art competition for artwork created from images of stem cells. Different but exciting! Celine Bauwens (my sister in-law) provided me with microscopic photographs she took for her lab experiments and showed me around U of T's bright and beautiful Cellular and Biomolecular building. These are my "experiments":

Nuit Blanche

2008-09-27T12:56:00.004-04:00

The free all-night contemporary art thing is soon approaching! On this eve of October 4th, my artwork will be at 2 locations:

1. 401 Richmond: Art in the Fall
Zone B, #16
In the book: Page 49
On the website: http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/iProjects.aspx?zone=B&rowID=0

&

2. Distillery District: Octopus Project
Zone B, #28
In the book: Page 52
On the website: http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/iProjects.aspx?zone=B&rowID=12

The map: http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/pdf/ZoneB_Map.pdf

Octopus Project V

2008-09-20T12:47:00.006-04:00

The theme "Secrets" will be interpreted by 105 artists of various disciplines for the night of Nuit Blanche in the halls of the Case Goods Warehouse, October 4, 6:52pm-sunrise. The exhibit will be in the Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St., Building 74.

Sold!

2008-09-11T11:17:00.005-04:00

"Snow Angel" was sold at this year's Square Foot Show! See flickr for photos of the reception:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/

Art in the Fall at 401

2008-09-02T23:09:00.006-04:00

This year I will have 5 pieces displayed at 401 Richmond! A selection of artists will showcase their artwork all over the building from September 11 to October 9th, including Nuit Blanche on October 4th. My work will be on the first floor in the hallway between the Roastery and the Courtyard. Map, guide and details:
http://www.401richmond.net/events/artinthefall.cfm

Square Foot Show

2008-07-28T19:08:00.003-04:00

The 2008 show is fast approaching! I hope to see you at the reception: Saturday August 16, 2008 at 7pm. Join the FB group: Squarefoot Show 2008

Small is Beautiful

2008-07-21T20:41:00.002-04:00

Ben Navaee Gallery presents this group show, including four of my (small) pieces.

1111 Queen Street East
July 28 - August 8, 2008
Reception: Saturday August 2, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Octopus Project IV

2008-07-17T22:55:00.006-04:00

"One Ride Only" is the theme for the next Octopus Project. Come out to see new artwork by 48 artists! More info at www.octopusproject.ca

July 19 – 20, 11am – 6pm
Opening reception July 19, 2-6pm.
Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St.
Case Goods Warehouse, Building 74, 4th floor

TTC Slideshow

2008-05-28T19:54:00.003-04:00

In case you missed it, here is a video of my slideshow!

It's Spring!

2008-05-14T19:45:00.004-04:00

New colours of life are sprouting up everywhere now. Here are some fresh photos of: reflected-red graffiti art, bright-greens up in the trees, wet-browns after a storm, and... the gorgeous-whiteness I've waited a whole year to see again... cherry blossoms in High Park. Visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/

Contacting Toronto

2008-04-27T13:39:00.003-04:00

Tuesday May 20th my story of photos, "Street Shadows" will be displayed in the TTC!

"Contacting Toronto is an annual, open-call photography exhibition on the Onestop network of over 200 TTC screens. It offers photographers an audience of 1.3 million people a day in over 45 stations. The 2008 theme is Memories for the City.

Thank-you to everyone who submitted to Contacting Toronto this year! We were very pleased to have received over 120 submissions, 62 of which have been selected by curator Sharon Switzer for the exhibition.

The work of two different photographers will play each day, cycling every 10 minutes. The Schedule tab on the website will take you to the list of photographers in the exhibition, organized by day."

www.contactingtoronto.ca

New Photos from February and March

2008-04-03T19:23:00.008-04:00

Just posted some new photos of the dino exhibit at the ROM, the aftermath of the Queen fire, and of course some more glimpses of our crazy winter! (Click on the title.)

Snow Paintings

2008-03-20T14:03:00.002-04:00

My paintings are now at Engine Gallery! This is all new art that I've been working on over the past few months. Click on this pic to view other pieces at the gallery. Or, see them in person:

Engine Gallery Distillery
55 Mill Street, Bldg. #55
Toronto, ON, M5A 3C4
647-430-7960
www.enginegallery.ca

Sketches from Asia

2008-02-16T13:57:00.007-05:00

Just posted some extra travel sketches from my trip.
Click on the photo to see more!

Thailand 4507
Originally uploaded by Pam Lostracco

White Snow Outside and White Light Inside

2008-02-05T23:19:00.004-05:00

ooo, I like to blurryize!

plants 4538
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Christmas Cards

2007-12-16T17:51:00.000-05:00

Continuing what has become my annual tradition of hand-making Christmas tree ornament cards. This year, I took advantage of all the colourful, blurry-light images taken down the street and turned them into minature, to-scale digital photos. Printed on recycled paper at Pixel Print.

Wayward Arts Magazine

2007-12-16T16:02:00.000-05:00

Flash Reproductions printed this magazine to create "… a home for errant creative."

"We love these artists. Not just because they are skilled impressionists of our retarded little world, not just because their talent fills our pages with colour and emotion. We love these artists because they get it, sweet holy Wednesday, they get it. When we pulled up to the visual arts drive-through and ordered a combo, these greasy little fry cooks filled our bag with Kangaroo, Snow Shark and some mystery meat we have yet to decipher."

20 artists were chosen for this issue. Here is my spread!

Christmas Time

2007-12-11T14:25:00.001-05:00

IMGP4225pl.jpg
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Christmas is here! See more blurry-light photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/

Pieces of Pine

2007-12-11T14:16:00.001-05:00

IMGP4426pl.jpg
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Even now that it's winter, l have found so much plant life. It must be either dead or dormant, but in both cases, nature still displays it's beauty.

Phnom Door

2007-12-03T21:02:00.001-05:00

Phnom Door
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

The 2nd out of 3 prints exhibited at the airport have been sold! Now who would like Sukau Tree?!

Edwards Gardens

2007-11-13T00:00:00.001-05:00

edwards3943.jpg
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Some fun photos from a little trip up to Edwards Gardens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/1993770356/in/set-72157600094838964/

Cinnamon Girls Exhibit

2007-11-12T23:56:00.001-05:00

cinnamon3848.jpg
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

The display at Cinnamon Girls is still up! Click here for more pics.

Burma's Blackout

2007-10-17T11:29:00.000-04:00

From travelling to Myanmar only a year and a half ago, I developed an attachment to this country unlike anywhere else I've ever been to.

The Burmese always displayed to me genuine honesty, gentleness and helpfulness. Including the monks who truely believed in their purpose. There was also a sense of intrigue to know more. It was obvious their borders didn't allow the global flow that is happening within most parts of Asia and the rest of the world. Cars and bikes decades old, limited choices of store supplies, highways made of pot-holed dirt roads, very few newspapers and programs. Not many people owned computers or telephones. To save on gas, local transport was more affordable to pack a small pick-up truck with 20 people. Information seemed to pass mostly through word of mouth.

Then, internet access was so limited I was hardly ever able to send an email. Now, since the peaceful protests a few weeks ago, the government has completely shut off internet all together. The Burmese are left (even more so then before) completely isolated and in danger if they say or do anything. All I can think of to do at the moment is to help spread the word of what is happening and show you the beautiful people and land of Burma. There is an organization called Avaaz who can tell you more:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/

"Last week, Burma went dark--the military shut down all internet, telephone and communication links with the rest of the world. They did it because it has been the pictures, blog posts, and emails--of monks brutally murdered, journalists shot--that have done the most to galvanize the entire world on Burma. Without that flow of information, the media is reporting dry diplomatic processes--and each day the danger grows that the press will move on."

Here are a couple of articles about the situation so far:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2186651,00.html
http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/EdOp/2007/Oct/02-Oct-07.html

Another site:
http://saffronrevolutionworldwide.blogspot.com/

A personal description on my previous blog:
http://pamlostracco.blogspot.com/2006/11/imgp7654p.html

Photographs from before the crackdown:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/sets/72157594337058285/

And artwork made since, from the photos (find "myanmar" in the description):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/sets/72157594337063188/detail/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/sets/72157602086121449/detail/

New Photos

2007-10-13T21:29:00.001-04:00

reflectionsIMGP3351.jpg
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Click here to see recently posted pics of Nuit Blanche, scapes and more window reflections...

Red Head Gallery

2007-10-13T21:26:00.001-04:00

nuitIMGP3384.jpg
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

My piece displayed for Red Head's Nuit Blanche "Insomnia". (top)

Cinnamon Girls Cafe

2007-10-13T21:18:00.000-04:00

For one month starting October 19th, my work will be displayed at this trendy cafe. Come on by! Located at 1170 Queen Street West.

Airport Update

2007-09-30T16:26:00.000-04:00

The exhibition at Toronto Pearson will remain up for an additional 10 days, as there was a request to have it open during the Thanksgiving long weekend. Up until October 10, 2007.

Nuit Blanche

2007-09-25T00:35:00.000-04:00

I wanted to be in Nuit Blanche so much this year and so I will! 1 painting displayed at Red Head Gallery who will be exhibiting work describing "Insomnia".

"We are continuing our successful Insomnia show for the second year in a row, and this time we are hoping to add even more new faces to the 100 artists that participated last year. The exhibition runs from September 26 to October 5, culminating in the night of September 29, when we will be offering all-night access to our venue for the viewing of this exhibition specially created for Nuit Blanche."

Red Head Gallery
401 Richmond St. W, Suite 115
www.redheadgallery.org

Lantau Buddha

2007-09-04T23:33:00.001-04:00

myartbuddha
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

SOLD! Sucess at AWOL's Square Foot show this year. An enormously inspirational display. See more photos of the evening at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97853875@N00/sets/72157601873158005/

Angkor Sunset

2007-09-04T22:48:00.001-04:00

sunsetAb0094b
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

SOLD! 1 of 3 prints currently displayed at the airport. I will be pursuing this new technique as it's had tremendous positive feedback. Purchased as a surprise 65th birthday gift. Thank you for all your encouraging support over the summer, you know who you are :)

The Square Foot Show

2007-07-19T20:21:00.001-04:00

awol_sqft.invite2007
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Another Square Foot show is coming up! For my 3rd year participating, I've submitted 3 pieces.

Reception: Friday August 10, 2007, 7pm
100A Ossington (a few doors North of AWOL Gallery)
The show runs from August 10th to September 2nd

See you then!

TOAE

2007-07-14T11:20:00.001-04:00

IMGP2238toae
Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello! Your attendance and amazing support during all the preparation will not be forgotton! Check yourselves out here... (Click on the photo, to Art Journey Photostream, to Artwork Set, to Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition).

Sukothai Hand

2007-07-14T11:11:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by Art Journey

Everyone had their eye on this piece until it was finally sold to a return customer, my largest art collector so far! Click here to see all sold artwork (to Art Journey Photostream, to Artwork Set, to SOLD!!!).

Angkor Sunset is Getting Around!

2007-07-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

Hey look—my painting was used in the Akimbo ad to represent the airport group exhibit, yay!!

Check it out:
http://www.akimbo.biz/exhibitions/index.php?id=7779

Countdown until the Outdoor Art Show:
5 days!!

Cherry Blossoms in High Park

2007-06-05T23:31:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by Art Journey

More of my art out in public! I have 1 piece in this show featuring cherry blossoms in High Park at 5pm. Our group exhibit revolved around the theme "24 Hours in the City" and each of us chose an hour of the day to base our painting. Also linked to the idea of light for LuminaTO.

Airspace Gallery

2007-06-05T23:23:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by Art Journey

My work is up at the airport! Here are some pics from the reception.

Combined with the theme of hybridity for the Contact Photography Festival, 6 artists each have 3 pieces of work describing "The Built Environment". Check it out at Toronto Pearson Airport: Terminal 1: Arrivals: 2nd Floor: Airspace Gallery. Until September 30, 2007.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

2007-05-24T19:08:00.000-04:00

The largest outdoor art exhibition in Canada!

Come take a look at hundreds of artists displaying their work. And remember to say hi at booth number 333!

July 6, 7 & 8, 2007
Nathan Phillips Square

Free Admission
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm