Here’s What I’m Working on Right this Minute!

Posted on January 12, 2021 by choleena

Just a little post to show you what I just finished! 😀 The little nails/tacks in the ‘leather’ of the mask are from my late Grandfather’s shoe-making tools, and the screen in the mask filter is from a window that my dog tore out one day when frustrated that we had the audacity to leave the house without him! The artwork itself was inspired by “Son of Man” and other pieces of Belgian surrealist painter, René Magritte. To view my other artworks, I hope that you will visit my Etsy Shop. To have a custom theme/special-order artwork made just for you, get in touch anytime. It would be a pleasure to work with you on a piece.

Posted in Art Activities, Art Gallery | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Grape artwork commission

Posted on December 8, 2020 by choleena

Just finishing up this special order (commission) of a mosaic of a bunch of grapes. It contains about 525 tesserae (cut pieces). It is paper-based but I create a multi-layer, raised surface with heavy gloss to make it look like ceramic. It is easily dusted with a damp cloth. I have yet to frame and gloss it. This is a special order by a repeat client in Ottawa, Ontario!

The finished piece before framing/glossing.
An image to show the stage where I cut each tesserae.
This photo was taken at dusk so it’s dark/grainy but at least it shows scale.
The piece is about 13″x17″.

Posted in Art Activities, Custom order, News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Arts/COVID; COVID/Arts

Posted on April 7, 2020 by choleena

These tragic times are affecting us in so many ways. Some of us have lost loved-ones, some of us are in isolation, and some of us fear for our family, health, livelihood, and housing. It is difficult to keep hopeful and an eye on the horizon for when these days have passed.

But one thing that I have noticed is that people are turning to The Arts to keep creatively busy, ward off the effects of isolation, and for hope.

How The Arts are impacting this COVID-19 world

Conversely: How COVID-19 is impacting The Arts

  • The Arts are always a hard-sell so in times like this, the Art World is hit even harder. Prohibition on public gatherings means that art Openings are out. Plus, people are saving their money for more urgent things, and art is considered a non-essential. Here is an excellent article on the art market during a crisis.
  • Artists, here is a good resource/video on selling art in a pandemic.
Posted in Art Activities, News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Artful things to do while self-isolating at home

Posted on April 7, 2020 by choleena

Posted in Art Activities | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Winter Blues – finding colour inspiration in cold weather

Posted on February 14, 2020 by choleena

Curing the ‘winter blues’ with a new colour palette…

The reduced sunlight hours, and increased cold are enough to leave even this perkiest of persons a bit “blue” so I challenged myself to seek out the blue colour palette in this seemingly-white landscape. I was delighted to find the Blue Jay at its centre.

Last summer, our garden had a row of Giant Sunflowers. The Blue Jays loved the flowers so I’ve reproduced my memory of them there. Here is a Blue Jay weighing down a flower head as it perches to access the seeds of another flower. You can see the pond in the background, and the back-lit tree-line where the sun sets. We had two pair of these birds, and their clever and loud antics were entertaining and intriguing. They seem very social and work in a group. I imagine I’ll have to produce an artwork with more than one bird in it at some point but for now, I’ve focused on making a mosaic of the row of sunflowers…

I also produced two mini versions of the larger Sunflower/Jay artwork for smaller wall spaces. I make limited, numbered editions. No more than 25 in an edition. All the works  are tastefully framed and generally range from $130-400. I can also supply a quote on any custom size that you might be looking for.

Most of my repertoire is available on Etsy.

If you prefer to purchase an artwork through email, contact me anytime.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is mini-square-jay-sunflower-1024x768.jpg

A quick farm post… Wildlife abounds here at the farm where ArtByCholeena’s studio is, and I’m always at the ready with my camera. I photographed this strange thing leaving the tree top of a fir tree. Any guesses as to what it is? I am going to put this picture up on my Facebook page so please join in the fun and leave your guess. You can find it here on Facebook.

 I sure hope that the Winter Blues have blown past your home, and that this post has lifted your spirits. Warm waves of hello from the Winter Wonderland that is the farm,
 xo

P.S. If you like my art and posts, I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter where I announce new art, new shows, inspiring videos, and farm updates. Thank you. 🙂

Posted in News, The Farm | Leave a comment

Perth Autumn Studio Tour – THIS weekend!

Posted on October 5, 2017 by choleena

I hope to see you this weekend (Sat, Sun, Mon) at the Perth Autumn Studio Tour. I will be with four other artists at Studio#1.

The tour packs 21 artists into 7 studio locations (all within a few minutes drive of each other) against the autumn-coloured backdrop of meandering country roads. The Perth area is known for its high-quality craftspeople and artists. I am beyond proud to be considered one of them!

Perth Studio tour map-and-particpants-2014Where: Various studios in the countryside around Perth (about an hour West of Ottawa) along HWY 7. Map.

When: All three days of Thanksgiving long weekend. Oct. 7, 8, 9 ~~ 10AM-5PM each day.

BONUS: $200 draw for art! Entry forms at each studio.

Official Perth Autumn Studio Tour website.

Posted in Art Shows | Leave a comment

West-End Studio Tour – Sept 23-24

Posted on September 19, 2017 by choleena

Years ago, when I lived in Westboro, I was a part of the West-End Studio Tour. This year, I am back as a visiting artist. A “visiting artist” is one who lives outside the area but is deemed worthy to be part of the tour. I am thrilled to have that status. I have been graciously invited to share the studio of Paula Mitas Zoubek at 193 Daniel Ave, Ottawa. I hope you’ll join us. “WEST” is an annual studio tour celebrating Westboro-and-area artists of Ottawa, Ontario. Although generally two weekends, this year, we’ve compacted it into one weekend, but everything else is the same — a show and sale of art right in the artists’ studios.

Our Artists:

  • Andrew King
  • Alison Fowler
  • Choleena DiTullio
  • Claire Paulin
  • David W. Jones
  • Deidre Hierlihy
  • Lenka Cutler
  • Lynette Chubb
  • Manju Sah
  • Margaret Chwialkowska
  • Miriam Silburt
  • Paula Mitas Zoubek
  • Paul Wing
  • Sarah Marie Lacy
  • Tracy Armstrong
  • Find them all online here.

 

Posted in Art Shows | Leave a comment

Sundance Artisan Show, Sept 2-4, 2017 – Maberly, Ontario

Posted on July 28, 2017 by choleena

In its 11th year, the annual Sundance Artisan Show is a 40-artist outdoor art exhibit always held on Labour Day Weekend. This year, the dates are Sept 2-4, 2017. The show is held at 21980 HWY 7, Maberly, Ontario, behind our hosts, Fall River Restaurant.

Posted in Art Shows | Leave a comment

Now to Sept 28, 2017 — art show in Ottawa!

Posted on July 28, 2017 by choleena

I am thrilled to announce that I have 25 pieces hanging in the second-floor lobby of the beautiful “Adobe” building on Preston Street in Ottawa!Adobe Building. www.theadelaide.ca Copyright The Adelaide.

I would like to thank the Ottawa School of Art, Preston Square and Waterford Properties Group for the coordination and use of this space. Photo from The Adelaide.

  • Now to September 29th, 2017
  • 347 Preston St., second level, Ottawa, ON K1S3H8
Posted in Art Shows | Leave a comment

Classes with Art By Choleena!

Posted on December 23, 2016 by choleena

The Spring 2017 classes will be held on weekends in February and in March. Gift certificates never expire so if you miss an opportunity, just sign up for another class! 🙂

Learn how to make Wooden Photos (transfer images to wood) in just one class. $40, materials included. All skill levels welcome. Enjoy an artful afternoon (about 2 hrs) in the beautiful town of Perth, where we will create two images. Maximum 20 seats per class — classes offered throughout the year! The gift certificate does not expire; use it any time. For more information or to register for yourself or a loved-one, contact me! See sample of a photo transfer to wood, below. The gift certificate can be used for a class, art, or commissioned work.

Posted in Art Shows | Leave a comment