Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Society of York Region Artists https://livinginaurora.ca Living In Aurora Ontario Canada Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:51:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 Photo Social And Photo Shooting During SOYRA Showcase 2013 https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/photo-social-and-photo-shooting-during-soyra-showcase-2013/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/photo-social-and-photo-shooting-during-soyra-showcase-2013/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:07:09 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=9847 SOYRA Showcase 2013 reception at the Aurora Cultural Centre. If you have not seen it yet, I already had my first post out few days ago. It was my photography from the show in black and white, something different.

So you know the show is still on until February the 2nd, 2013.

SOYRA Showcase 2013, 2nd Floor Aurora Cultural Centre


As mentioned before I have few more photos to share with you. However, I must admit that on that day I was actually chatting more than photo shooting the showcase. Well if you get to see your friends once a year, of course there is a lot to talk about. When I arrived home and processed my images I realized that I had a little less than expected. Well you will just have to visit the show for yourself and experience the moment.

Introduction by Nancy Newman, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


I was glad to meet again Nancy Newman, Shawna Patenaude, Zorica Miric and her husband, Jennifer Blacquiere and finally to meet Linda Welch in person.

This year was another interesting year for me especially because I realized that I am starting to recognize some of the artist’s work and their styles. I frequently drop by Nancy Newman’s website just to admire her floral paintings, and the more I stare at them – the harder it is to leave the site.

Red Wall, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


There is something about those floral paintings – not just the detail, or the flower’s architecture, but that fine line between the reality and painted world. If there were real flowers and you look behind them you find whatever there is, but in her paintings behind those flowers there is mystery and suspense, and our imagination filled with more flowers.

Linda Welch & Shawna Patenaude, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


Then there is Shawna Patenaude. She made a life time impression on us (especially Matthew) with her paintings of apples that were showcased at the Skylight Gallery at the Town Hall Aurora. This is when we met Shawna for the first time. She continues to paint these beautiful red and delicious apples and they were on the spotlight this year on the red wall at the Aurora Cultural Centre. I think we need Shawna’s reflection in one of those water drops.

More of Shawna’s work is exhibited at the Aurora Public Library until mid March, and there is more, not just apples – Capture the Light, Explorations in Oil by Shawna Patenaude.

Zorica Miric, Her Abstract Painting, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


And what can I say about Zorica Miric. We share same background – yes we are both engineers, and we share appreciation for art. The only difference is that she paints and I do not. However, we both do enjoy abstract art as well. Last year Zorica’s abstract painting was one of the first sold. This year she exhibited similar one, and when I arrived I recognized her work immediately.

Oh and there is more about us, if I am not mistaken, we are both married to engineers, but there is small difference, her husband paints and my husband does not.

So me and Zorica had abstract conversation, but that somehow changed and next we were standing in front of framed photos, category – nudity. When comes to this type of art, this is where my cheeks get painted red, naturally, no brush required.

Blue Wall, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


I continued to be impressed with Jennifer Blacquiere’s art. It is so realistic that sometimes I must admit I have doubts or I am not convinced that the painting is actually a painting, but on the end I do believe her. I frequently visit Jennifer’s website gallery and if you were standing close by my side, you be hearing many wow’s. Yes her paintings come with a ‘wow‘ factor.

Jennifer Blacquiere’s Art, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


Interesting enough when you meet an artist most of the time you don’t talk about their art, just life in general. So I met Linda Welch and I didn’t even ask if she paints. All I know that she does excellent organizing work for SOYRA. I corresponded with Linda occasionally via this blog, and it was finally nice to meet her in person.

Daisies by Hans Martin, SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


I almost forgot I had a nice chat with Hans Martin whom I met just before I left for home. We talked about art galleries and photographing art, and then we span off to talk about Ukrainians, fields, borders, the war, etc. See how easy it is to start talking about something else – very easy.

I must admit that last Saturday I had enjoyable, educational and social outing and I hope to see you all again next year.

SOYRA Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/photo-social-and-photo-shooting-during-soyra-showcase-2013/feed/ 6 Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013 at the Aurora Cultural Centre, A Teaser https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/society-of-york-region-artists-showcase-2013-at-the-aurora-cultural-centre-a-teaser/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/society-of-york-region-artists-showcase-2013-at-the-aurora-cultural-centre-a-teaser/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 03:08:50 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=9816 SOYRA Showcase on January 21st, 2013 at the Aurora Cultural Centre. I never been a very big fan of galleries, but I changed. I actually enjoy being there, but with my Canon camera friend on my side.

Yes, this is a teaser post, because there is lot more I have to show. Plus it will be in color. I always try, but the harder I try I am having technical difficulties ‘squeezing’ all the images into one post. I like to group them by theme or mood. So today my first theme is black and white and people photography.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


I used to take photos in color and then convert them into black and white, but this is not the case anymore. I take them in black and white setting when I need to. The results are stunning and I can be little more free with my camera, that is not worrying about the blur on the photos.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


The beauty about photography is that you are never done, just like with Internet, it is impossible to finish. The opportunities are endless.

Why is black and white so intriguing? I don’t know yet. I just started to experiment with it recently.

Jennifer Blacquiere, Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


I think next time I go to photograph the show, I will wear a T-shirt saying ‘don’t be sorry, don’t be worry, I like people passing in front of my camera‘. It is true, I don’t care if you cut me off. It makes my photography a lot more interesting.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


They were calling for overcast. Lucky me got lots of sun that illuminated the Aurora Cultural Centre rooms and hallways. Well, for some scenarios it wasn’t good because of the back-light, other times it created interesting shadows and effects.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


The show is still on until February 2nd, 2013 if you have not visited yet, and guarantee that you will enjoy it. I did and I did for another reason. I got to see few artists who I met at the show last year and during the year, got to know couple more.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


I think I have been convinced. May be I bring one or two pieces for the show next year and guess what the theme will be Living in Aurora.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre


Hopefully you enjoyed my black and white teaser post and the photo below is my favorite. Nancy Newman on the right.

Society of York Region Artists Showcase 2013, Aurora Cultural Centre

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/society-of-york-region-artists-showcase-2013-at-the-aurora-cultural-centre-a-teaser/feed/ 6 Magic On The Wall, More Of SOYRA Exhibition https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/magic-on-the-wall-more-of-soyra-exhibition/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/magic-on-the-wall-more-of-soyra-exhibition/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:13:06 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=5512 It was great experience to be at the show as the photographer and observer.

I never was a big critic of the art before and perhaps I am not now but photographing art helps me to zoom one piece at a time and see more, never mind to enjoy it for a longer period of time. I like to pay a lot attention to the backgrounds when I photograph. It really makes a big difference.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


When taking nature photos depending where you stand you can get different background effect. However, for something that hangs on the wall you don’t have lot of choices but to take angled photos in stead if you wish for different effects. Thus you need to rely on the person to place the art in the right place. Backdrops, wall textures, wall colors, and even light is essential for the effective presentation of the art.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


Shawna Patenaude was instrumental in the art presentation at the Aurora Cultural Centre. She was in charge of hanging 120 art pieces inside the all rooms. Different color walls, different wall layouts, locations and 120 unique art pieces, different sizes and shapes that is lot of variables to play with. I must say she did amazing job.

The first room to visit is the Red Room. Soon as you arrive you definitely will not miss the elephants. As I recall I pointed out soon as I arrived and I heard others do the same – oh elephants.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


Just beside on the left a stunning fire place painting resides. It is placed in the middle of the room and when you arrive gives you the sens of warmth and welcomed atmosphere.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


But something will draw you in more, it is the bright red in your peripheral vision. I never knew that red themed paintings can look so good on the red painted wall.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


I really thought that everything was paintings, but I was wrong. Look at this rustic object photo with painted background, I mistaken for painting. I was fooled – a set of interesting photographs that is.

Well I was fooled by Jennifer’s Isaac Petch House painting (so real bricks) and Shawna’s wet apple – green (so real water drops). Sometimes I just get mixed up what is real and what is not, and it takes a good artist to create that illusion.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


I really enjoyed the matching green to green and brown colors on the photographs with a dark, gold, metallic frames to separate the subject from the background. I have semi long hallway like that in my house and I may just copy this scheme.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


And there are blues, soothing, calming blues – the art on the blue wall.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


Opposite to the blue wall was the room with off white walls and subdued light. Purple is a very interesting color and now I can see how well it goes with lighter walls and less natural light.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


Never been a big fan of yellows, but just look at this setting. Keeps you open minded.

SOYRA Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre


So I have this artwork on the wall in my living room and now I know why it always feels like it was out of place.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/magic-on-the-wall-more-of-soyra-exhibition/feed/ 7