King Edward

One of my favorite photography projects is finding old signs to shoot. During a business trip to Calgary this weekend, I discovered this amazing gem. 

Call for Artists: In the Red: creation from deficit, Edmonton

I'm excited to share the "Call for Artist for In the Red". This will be the first show I've curated and I really want it to be a good one. Please share this call with any current or former Alberta artist working in any fine craft medium.

Call for Artists:: In the Red: creation from deficit

Submission Deadline: February 11, 2011
Exhibition location: Alberta Craft Council's Feature Gallery
Exhibition dates: TBA


"In the Red" is a budgetary term originating from the traditional practice of showing negative numbers in red ink.


In 2010 five million dollars was cut from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts budget and we must now ask ourselves how these cuts will affect the cultural voice of Alberta. In the Red will explore the impact of these cuts on an artist's ability to create; in essence how do you craft something out of nothing?


Questions for reflection on the theme:
-How does the concept of creation from deficit manifest in contemporary craft?
-How do these cuts affect your studio practice? Your exhibitions? Your community?
-How would you interpret Alberta's new brand "Freedom to create, spirit to achieve"?


This call is open to all current & former Alberta artists working in all fine craft mediums.


Your submission should include:
- a brief statement on how your piece(s) relates to the theme of the exhibition
- up-to-date cv, artist statement & bio
- good quality digital images of your work (4x6 -300 dpi jpg)
- image list that includes; title, medium and techniques used, date created, dimensions and image credit.

This submission can be sent via email or mail.
Email: laura[at]albertacraft.ab.ca
Mail: Alberta Craft Council 10186-106 St. Edmonton, AB T5J 1H4


For more information on this call please email laura[at]albertacraft.ab.ca or call (780) 488-6611 ext 231

Edmonton's 2nd Timeraiser and the trails of moving an artist

Edmonton's 2nd Timeraiser 

The Timeraiser supports emerging and mid-career artists like few other community events do: artists are paid fair market value for their work instead of being asked to donate their creativity. The art is then auctioned off at the Timeraiser to raise volunteer hours for the community. To date, the Timeraiser has invested over $310,000 in the careers of more than 450 artists across the country.

At last year's Timeraiser I was able to see my artwork directly contributing to make my community a better place. It was one of the most positive experiences of my artistic career to date. So I'm very honoured to say that my work has been chosen again this year.

Click here to view the Timeraiser's website, where you can see a gallery of the artwork and read up on the charities involved.

Moving

While moving is rarely easy for anyone, I can't help but feel that moving is especially hard for artists. Not only do you have to move everyday life things such as your bed and couch. You need to carefully pack your finished pieces, the tools of your particular medium and all of the things an artist collects because you might be able to use it for something one day. Even after making an effort to let go of things, my boxes overflowed with scraps of paper and interesting objects. The good news is that I've moved from a studio apartment to a new artist live/work space with a bedroom and office... so now I have more room to spread out my various collections.

link to interview on Global Morning

Click here to view the video of me chatting with Lorraine Mansbridge on Global Morning about the kaleido festival.

15 seconds of local fame thanks to the Kaleido festival

I'm happy to report that I will be featured on Global Morning with Lorraine Mansbridge this Thursday. Lorraine will be chatting with a few of the artists involved with the Kaleido festival. So if you happen to be awake in the early hours tomorrow keep an eye out for me!

new obsession - sewing patterns

One of the recurring themes in my work is directional lines and arrows. I have an ongoing series, using both photo-illustrations & photography, on signs. Always looking for new inspiration, I found these old clothing patterns in my parents basement. I'm currently working on a photo-illustration called Seam Allowances which may turn into a series of pieces featuring these deliciously graphic patterns.

news article about the VAAA: Open Photo 2010 exhibition

I was pleased to see that my name and piece was included in the Edmonton Journal's article on the VAAA: Open Photo 2010 exhibition.

Click here to view the full article

upcoming show & sale: Kaleido Festival 2010

I

I have a few pieces in the upcoming "NO-TIE GALA" at this years Kaleido festival. Kaleido celebrates artist and audience with music, dance, film, theatre, visual & literary arts on historic Alberta Avenue. I'm particularly excited to have work in this festival, because I will be moving to the area this October. I plan on attending the party on Friday and hope to see you there!
Click here for a full listing of all the events.

"NO-TIE GALA" Art show & sale
Friday, September 11th @ 6pm
View works of art for sale from over 50 visual artists in a multitude of mediums and styles. The art gallery located within the Old Cycle Building opens at 6 pm with a beer, wine and cheese reception, catered by Creative Quality Catering and Bistro and live performance by Edmonton’s very own Lionel Rault. Find the perfect handmade gift or painting at the Artisan Village located on 118th Avenue, as the party spills into the street with the Friday night Blues Party featuring Dr. Blu and the Kevin Cook Band.

vintage clown noggins

I found these vintage clown cake toppers at a local party supply shop. For those that know me and my fear of clowns; you understand that these may be the creepiest photos I've ever taken. On sale for $1.25, I couldn't help but bring them home for possible use in a future project. 

Open Photo 2010 -honourable mention!

Patterned Disposition -laura o'connor 2010

Just came back from the opening night party for the Visual Arts Alberta's Open Photo 2010 exhibition. I am very pleased to report that I was one of the artists given an honourable mention for my photo-illustration "Patterned Disposition". I would like to thank Visual Arts Alberta for putting such a terrific show and guest juror Thomas Willock from willock & sax gallery.

visual arts alberta: http://visualartsalberta.com/blog/
willock & sax gallery: http://www.willockandsaxgallery.com/

Open Photo opening party: August, 12th from 6-8pm

Online portfolio

To view some examples of my work check out my online portfolio at  http://laurao.carbonmade.com

Sweet Home: redux   -laura o'connor 2009

upcoming exhibition

Just a quick note to let you know about a group exhibition, I have a piece in, this week. The Visual Artists of Alberta Asso­ci­a­tion is host­ing a juried art show at the Kaasa Gallery at the Jubilee Audi­to­rium (11455—87 ave) from Aug 12 to Sep­t 23. The open­ing recep­tion is on Aug 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.