NEWS!

I would like to refer you to my website for future updates! Yes it's true I have a website now!!!
Paul purchased 3 years of webspace for me as a gift, it is the kindest thing a man has ever done for me, giving me a space to write and post and create online. He's a keeper.
Keep shining friends. Take care

www.herwholeheart.com
Check it out!

- Erin

The Gorilla House Projects - A Love Letter to Gorilla House

Dear Gorilla House,
Thank you for changing my perspective, for changing my work, and for giving me the ass kicking I needed.
You have changed the way I work, and the reasons behind it, you have re-connected me with art making in a way I can't explain. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the kind of place that brings me back for more, that invites people in and shows them what the art world is really made of, and that is artists working themselves in to the ground, and giving of their souls. Thank you for giving me a space to make art in. Thank for the inspiration in it's endlessness. Thank you for the awesome conversations and chilled out evenings. Thank you for being exactly the right kind of place in the right time, for all the right reasons. I love you Gorilla House.

Love Always,
Erin

Check out Gorilla House - it will change your life, or at least the way you look at art. :)
Live Art Battles on Wednesdays @7pm
Live Nudes Thursdays @7pm

10 Things I LOVE About Gorilla House
1. The people, the wonderfully interesting, creative, happy, lovely, and sometimes crazy people.
2. The atmosphere, easygoing, and yet energetic.
3. The always welcoming OPEN sign
4. The inviting spaces, the painted floors, the art, the chairs, the room to create.
5. The challenge of creating a piece in 2 hours.
6. The inspiration around every corner
7. The way it feels after the crowd has cleared
8. The terrifying feeling you get when your piece is up for auction..
9. The kiddos of all ages that show and teach the adults a thing or two about making art.
10.The hardworking, and tireless, and awe inspiring, and amazing, lovely people that run the place and pay to keep it open so that we can all come and enjoy it. You know who you are!

Rich Theroux's Work with a sign on it! 

"I Wished on a Star for You" 2013 Erin Myers 

"She Wanted to Dance" Work in progress. 2013 Erin Myers 

"Untitled" 2013 Erin Myers 

"Untitled" 2013 Erin Myers 

" Amidst a Sea of Forgiveness" 2013 Erin Myers 

" Lowbrow Dance" 2013 Erin Myers 

This is What I Call The Update Dance - Update update updated.. cha cha cha!

Hi Friends, Family and Art Lovers.

It's update time! Ta da! 

This summer has brought inspiration in a big way, the artist's block is a thing of the past, I'm grateful for that, I was up against a brick wall for a while.Inspiration has come in the beautiful weather and not so beautiful, the banding together of so many people, new friends, and the most puzzling and random places (the garden, a ball of string, a plethora of scarves at the mall, wooden crates etc etc.) 

Embrace the inspiration Erin, while it's still here!!! 

I've had time to paint and create to my hearts content. Painting, drawing for the first time in over a year, and making all kinds of nonsense and jewelery of the mixed media variety. I have made a ridiculous mess of the basement "loft" twice, and cleaned up half a dozen times... and I still have project piles on both desks.. yes both. 

Beyond the mess there has been a re-connect. With myself. With the people around me, and with the force behind my work. I always feel a little silly calling what I do "my work", but it is just that, I put my entire heart and soul in to it, no matter how small or silly the project. This summer I am on hiatus from work ( the day job), a long break if you will. The break has given me a lot of time to think and make. I have been making things as an outlet, to sort myself out, but also as a time filler. In the process I've found a little piece of myself I thought missing, my absolute boundless love of making things..! I had forgotten the bliss of painting a day away, or fiddling with collages. I missed you. I missed paint covered hands and clothes, and the mess! I love making a mess! If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now, art making of any kind is a wonderful outlet for emotional energy, anger, anxiety, happiness, whatever it is you're feeling, let it fuel your work, it is the best way to work things out, writing too! If I can't make something, I will write. 

There was a time in May when things were particularly bleak, and I was feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed and well.. just done. Right around this time, something fell in to my lap, like a sparkly shiny sign saying "Erin snap out of it, if you don't do this you will always wish you had" and so I did, and it was the best decision I have made all year. This shiny thing was brought to me by my lovely and oh so talented, creative and all around wonderful friend Edina Antoinette. If you don't know her, you need to, she's lovely. 

She also happens to be the mastermind and founder behind UNIT.E Advanced Living, an amazing group of people that offer a diverse range of services all geared towards filling your soul and bettering your beautiful life. To find out more you will really have to check out the page here: http://unit-e.ca/philosophy.html

She sent me an email that day in May asking if perhaps I might like to show case some of my art work at her event, Yoga Nights in Kensington, an evening of Yoga (1hr) followed by tea, snacks, art and vendors.. 

She explained in detail how it would go down, and without hesitation I said YES to this shiny and sparkly chance. I wasn't sure how I would do it, but I needed to pick myself and do this, for my own soul filling reasons and because I honestly believe if you give of yourself to others, you will get so much love back..

 So I would give my art to the community and see what came of it. I showcased two Tuesdays in a row, and what I took away was an astounding feeling of love, and support, and just a completely different perspective. I will be show casing for the rest of the summer in whatever way needed. I am so thrilled I said yes, and so honored to be a part of UNIT.E. 

Come check it out!The atmosphere is relaxed and easy going, the people are great, the yoga teachers guest teach so it's usually someone different each time and it's awesome, and the vendors and snacks are not to be missed. 

If you haven't heard of the event, or had the chance to check it out here's a link: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/321270508004412/

http://unit-e.ca/philosophy.html

Every Tuesday! See you there! 

UNIT.E IS LOOKING FOR MORE ARTISTS & VENDORS FOR THESE EVENTS, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER, CONTACT EDINA AT THE LINK ABOVE.. Announcement over.. 

Another way to connect...I have found a beautiful place that embodies this word. LMP Like Minded People is a community studio space that opened just this May, the owner and founder Millie Skipper is an old friend, and the force behind this beautiful space. Picture dim lighting, hardwood floors, and linen panelled walls, drums and artwork, and music..  it is a space you have to see. But it's what goes on inside those four walls that has captured me. The space IS the community, every month LMP hosts: Yoga of every kind, Meditation, Drum Circles, Goddess Circles, Art Workshops, Parties, Core Connexion Dance, Singing Bowls and so much more. I have connected with so many amazing people, and made a few new friends. I have learned the art of meditation, danced my heart out, sang,  laughed, cried a lot... , and taken some amazing yoga classes too!

Check it out, I guarantee you will love it. Here's the website: http://www.lmp-likeminded.com/

Millie is open to hosting and facilitating events of any kind, so if you have something in mind contact her!

Ps. I'll be running some art workshops sometime this fall, TBA. I'll keep you posted. 

It has been an interesting summer so far, full of connections. 

I wouldn't change it for anything. 

Now back to my cocoon of movies and making things. 

Cheers and Much love. 

Erin 

Ps. Here's some photos from the UNIT.E showcase!  and some current projects.. 

UNIT.E Yoga Nights in Kensington - Showcase 

Random Projects Summer 2013 

                                   
                                                                     
                                                                      "The Mess"

                                             

The Gorilla House

I love The Gorilla House.  

I have stumbled upon a gem in our fair city. 

A lovely tattoo artist by the name of Erica Cyr told me about it and all about the wonderful things that go on there. 

I had driven past it many times, curious about what went on behind the doors. The Gorilla House is a live art venue. 

When the words "live art" came to mind, I pictured performance artists and installations, things that I knew nothing of and felt intimidated by,still ever curious. 

I had thought about inviting a friend along to help me brave the crowd. Instead I picked a day, it happened to fall on Figure Drawing Thursday - a figure drawing class for $10.00. I took my hatbox full of supplies and just walked in the door, unsure of what I was getting myself in to. Walking in the doors of The Gorilla House is like walking in to a secret club, the tree house of your childhood dreams. I felt immediately nervous, and at the same time thrilled. 

Here it was, this beautiful pocket of creative energy, new and interesting, always friendly and open people. 

I don't think I met a single face that night that wasn't smiling, for the pure and simple fact that we were all happy to be there. 

I was welcomed by three of these friendly faces, Jessica was one of them, she gave me the run down and explained how and where to set up etc. I was also informed of the Art Battles on Wednesday nights! Art Battles! I could tell then, this was going to be my new favorite place. 

After everyone was settled and set up, the stereo system was qued up with some happy music, and the figure drawing began. Katherine was our model, a gorgeous woman with curly hair and beautiful curves. She was so confident in her movement and I have to admire a woman that can stand nude in front of a room full of people. We had the chance to chat briefly afterward, and she told of how she had always wanted to be a dancer and complimented the artists work, such a lovely lady! 

We warmed up with short 30 second, 1 minute, 2 minute and 5 minute drawings, and then moved in to longer 10 and 20 minute poses. I did as I always do with figures, found a pose I loved and went straight to canvas, and worked off the model's poses for specific shapes and shadows. I am quite happy with the canvas, while still a work in progress it will soon be thick with paint. 

By the end of the class, I was sleepy, and ready to go home, but creatively I felt rejuvenated, full of ideas and a longing for more of that energy. The energy that comes with a crowd, a room full of people creating something, ideas bouncing off one another and shared moments. I felt like I had found something secret, I felt like I shouldn't talk about it, like a monk in a monastery, but it wasn't something so serious. The Gorilla House is something different, it is a gallery, a meeting of minds, a community hub, a place to meet new people, a creative oasis, and a beautiful place to end up. You can't help but smile. The walls are adorned with works of all kinds, and the hardwood floors are covered in paint and the marks made by many, the corners of every room worked in, and the house even caters to a few artists rented studio spaces. I was in love. 

A few weeks later I returned for one of the beloved Art Battles. The Art Battles run every Wednesday, with no admission cost and happy hour drink prices available across the street. Three to four topics or themes are chosen from the spinning of the wheel, you have 2 hours to complete a piece of art in any form and then the live auction opens up at the end, pieces are auctioned to the highest bidder and 50% profits go to the artist, 50% to the The Gorilla House to support the gallery. Meanwhile a crowd of onlookers, friends and the general public pace the gallery chatting and admiring artists work.  

I considered coming as a spectator first, before dipping my toes in the pool. But like everything in life, you can't let fear get in your way! So I packed up all my stuff and entered another unknown. Believing I was very late, I rushed in flustered and dropped my stuff in the first open corner I spotted, right near the front window on the floor, then scrambled around looking for an easel. A friendly gentleman poked fun at me from across the room when I mistook an old ironing board frame for an easel shouting " Are you going to paint on an ironing board?" I laughed and responded " I could try, but I'm not sure how well it will stand". Then I rushed back to my spot and set up, asked around about the themes, no one knew yet. To my surprise the battle had not officially started, still time. I brought two decent sized canvases, a bit over ambitious, but I love to paint under pressure, so why not? A throng of eager onlookers piled through the doors(even with the snow falling outside) and then it began. Rich Theroux the Owner and Founder of the Gorilla House, and one of his partners got the show started, with a few announcements and dun dun dun.. the wheel was spun. The ideas I recall were kids in super hero costumes, water, graffiti memorial walls, and something about tasting like vanilla.. A good mix, I latched on to kids in costumes and memorial walls and went to work. I was surrounded by other artists hard at work, a great source of immediate inspiration and energy. 

In the midst of a flurry of brushes and paint and puddles of paint water, a few bloggers and photographers walked around chatting up the artists and snapping photos. I am afraid to Google that specific battle for fear of finding unflattering photos posted to someones blog somewhere, in the same regard it would be really neat to find my work somewhere.. I chatted with a photographer, and a few patrons, I'm terrible with names so my apologies to any I've forgotten. 

I had the pleasure of chatting with a lovely girl named Edina, who seemed quite smitten with the piece I was working on, in the end she won the auction for my paintings and I couldn't be happier.They went to a good home. It was awesome to meet you Edina. 

I think that may be one of my favorite parts is the people,the connections you make and the people you meet in a few short hours. Art brings out a certain energy in people, it can go one of two ways. Either one of an exclusivity, a sort of club full of insiders or an open honest and inviting environment. 
The Gorilla House has open and inviting written all over it. I am admittedly not the most comfortable in crowds, but here, I felt instantly at home. I was motivated by the time limit and I nearly forgot the crowd was there at all. I was able to lose myself in a painting for a while, and had the pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful people. 

Thank you Rich Theroux for The Gorilla House, for creating such a haven, and for fostering such a laid back inviting atmosphere, the world needs more minds like yours. 

Ps. I love love love the stories you have posted on the Facebook page about how it all came to be :) 

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out the page here it is: https://www.facebook.com/GorillaHouseLiveArt?fref=ts

Come check out the live art either as a Spectator or an Artist. 

I promise you won't be disappointed! 

I apologize for the lack of photos taken, but you will just have to go check out the venue for yourself! 

"She Wanted to Dance" 

Acrylic on canvas 2013 - Work in progress.

Figure Class at Gorilla House Live Art

"I Wished on a Star for You" 

Acrylic on Canvas - series - 2013

2 Hour Art Battle at the Gorilla House - inspiration - kids in super hero costumes and a graffiti memorial wall - in this case a fence..

I have been feeling illustrative lately and decided to tell a story with this one. 

The Ebb and Flow

Evening lovelies. 

I have been sitting on the couch for some time, staring at the wall. I have been thinking about my current to do list, and the many projects on the go. The list is a little overwhelming, but in a happy way, the feeling of bliss that comes with a constant flow of ideas. As an artist, I search for this feeling for days at times. I am happy the ideas are flowing. 

I find myself sitting here in a stunned daze, tired from a long day. I want to start something, even just a simple drawing. 

My room is a mess, no , I will not be cleaning it. 

I am just enjoying the quiet calm. 

It is the first time in a long time that I have been able to truly soak up a quiet moment. 

Paul and Reznor - our sweet little cat both moved in this week, and things are beginning to feel settled. 

Life is taking root again. For a while I felt like it was a constant dance, a rushed shuffling between two houses, his and mine. It's nice to come to the same house again, even if circumstances are not what we imagined for ourselves a few months ago. Long story short, we broke up and moved apart a few years ago, and through a complicated series of events I came to live at home again, with my darling parents. 

Paul and I are now happily reunited and living in unwedded bliss, hint hint to Paul, a ring might look nice on this finger..this one here.. I digress.  

This week Paul moved in with us, and I find a huge sense of relief in that. Relief in finding a routine again, and settling in and in sorting out the direction we're headed in. 

We are blessed with family that we can count on both sides,and we are both very very fortunate to have supportive loving parents.

So here we are living with my parents. I am happy to have Paul at home with me, my other half. I am also happy to spend more time with my parents, I genuinely enjoy their company. xoxo That's just a little piece of my story.. 

In finding this new sense of calm and quiet I have had time for pursuits that I had otherwise given up on. 

For one, reading, I know .. who doesn't have time to read?, but it was honestly less about time and more about the attention it took to read. I could not sit still and idle long enough to read even half a cheap magazine. Now I am diving back in to my book collection, last night I flipped through a book about art inspiration,tonight I have plans to read a little of another. 

In other news, I have my usual list of projects on the go. 

The latest is another gorgeous and rather large canvas that my only student Di and I are working on.(Sometimes I teach art)

I set the subject matter out, a large portrait of the elephant goddess Ganesh. We started on Sunday and I'm very much looking forward to seeing it transform! 

This time I'm going to try and step back entirely, and just watch Di paint. I'm trying to be a less hands on teacher, I just can't help but want to paint along side her. 

 Di, thank you for your patience with me, you are amazing, a true artist, heart and soul. 

Next month I will be potentially teaching some more art classes at a local art centre. I am beyond thrilled for the opportunity. Jade Powers ,MA CCC, Founder, CEO, and Program Director opened Mandala Art Centre,as an inclusive centre catering to people of all ages and abilities, as well as special needs. The centre offers visual arts classes, movement classes, music classes, yoga, dance and more! Please check out the classes and calendar! www.mandalaartcentre.com  

Check back later for more about Mandala Art Centre.. 

Other projects on the go,a few paintings for friends are in the works,the illustration project is still on the down low until I know more about it, and settle the details with the author. I'll keep you posted, my lovely tiny following of readers. 

Something else that I have been turning around in my head is a little project of my own, little doesn't really describe it, it's going to be an under taking, but it's something I have wanted to do for a while. The project is all about confidence, and beauty, inside and out, and the feminine figure, using my friends and family as subject matter, and some burlesque dancing ladies as well, for inspiration and subject matter, a series, which is currently untitled.. but I hope to have off the ground soon. More than likely when the weather warms up, for optimal photo taking opportunities! More to follow... 

Time to return to my couch oasis, a blanket and a book. 

Goodnight and all my love. 

Ganesh - Work in progress - Di's Painting