Last week, this Jane Goodall quote was trending on Instagram and LinkedIn: “It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are so many of us.” Meet Paraskeva Clark, a Canadian painter with a Russian purr whose portraits dared you to blink first. Paraskeva’s self-portrait was chosen for the […]
Her name was Paraskeva
Originally published in October 2021 in Blog, Canadian Art, Toronto Illustrators
Uninvited
Originally published in October 2021 in Blog, Toronto Illustrators
If my mother had commissioned Pegi Nicol MacLeod to paint her, I imagine the artist would have given her ruby stained lips, ropey strands of hair, watery dancing eyes, and real presence. I drew this after seeing Uninvited, the McMichael Gallery’s game-changing exhibition showcasing the breadth of female talent (settler and Indigenous) working in Canada in […]
Pencil Crayon Nomenclature
Originally published in September 2021 in Blog, Toronto Art Teachers, Toronto Illustrators
Photo: Wikipedia, “Crayola Renamed.” Photo: Erick’s Laurentian Pencil Blog Photo of June Handler and Ed Welter. Handler’s caption reads: “From Flesh to Peach it’s good! – June Moss Handler” From Welter’s blog, Crayon Collecting. September 30: This is our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Live with art
Originally published in September 2021 in Blog, Procreate drawing, Toronto Illustrators
The pooch
Originally published in September 2021 in Blog, Comic, Toronto Illustrators
Control of the Ball
Originally published in September 2021 in Blog, Toronto Illustrators
Paris in Muskoka
Originally published in August 2021 in Blog, Toronto Illustrators
Last week, we had the most delicious croissants, crêpes, and coffee from the food truck, Frenchie’s Bakery and Crêperie. You can find their truck parked on the sparkling shoreline of Huntsville inner harbour. You don’t go to Muskoka to leave it, but while the food was on our plates we WERE IN PARIS! We dedicate this drawing of the […]
A Stroll Through Allen Gardens
Originally published in August 2021 in Blog, Illustration, Toronto Illustrators
Tea at The Carlyle
Originally published in July 2021 in Blog, Illustration, Toronto Illustrators
The 1955 murals by costume designer Marcel Vertès at the Café Carlyle in New York wrap the room like a diaphanous silk scarf. To me, they are a mashup of Chagall, Schiaparelli and Moulin Rouge (1952, not 2001). I saw them come to life last night in the documentary, Always At The Carlyle. Today’s drawing […]
How I Drew This
Originally published in July 2021 in Blog, How to Draw, Illustration, Toronto Illustrators
Process Porn: I drew this landscape in the @Procreate app using the “Peppermint” pencil ✏️ (in the Brush Library under “Sketching”). Paul Cézanne was my guide. His angled brushstrokes had a consistent rhythm. They look like the wind blew them all in the same direction. I prefer Procreate’s pencil tools to it’s oil brushes (at […]