2021 LOVE LOCAL MARKET – Art

Aimee is a young artist from the Toronto area who seeks inspiration each day for a new painting. Aimee pulls oil paintings from her imagination and observations. Her work delves into the relationship between the natural and the spiritual, and the mundane and sublime through visual storytelling.

Her piece “Tomorrow They Will Be Gone,” centering on two pink chairs makes you wonder about the couple that once occupied them. The way one chair is turned toward the other shows love and affection. Or are we reading into it too much?

Shawn Paul Thompson is an abstract contemporary painter who works with acrylic and mixed mediums. Shawn’s process begins with layered applications, which are peeled back to reveal a bigger story, feeling, or world. Shawn Paul prefers to use his palette knife and brush to build and reveal narratives in his work. Shawn Paul is always on the move and this is reflected in his art. 

Shawn Paul’s piece “Jubilee” is full of layers. A beautiful burst of pedals is how I would describe it, all coming together to form an angelic flower. Shawn Was inspired by the risque Jubilee Show in Las Vegas. This richly textured piece contests pink hues with a feather-light softness. The painting is bold, fresh, fun, and even a little cheeky. It would compliment any room in your home, and it’s the perfect gift for the abstract art lover in your family.  

Arwynn Davey is a graphic designer located in Toronto, Ontario. Some fun facts about Arwynn include Photoshopping all her photos; she’s actually seven feet tall with green hair. She kicks her printer, when no one is looking of course. In addition to love her other passion is working out, specifically marathons, she’s run a few. We’ve decided to feature her piece Winter, and if this doesn’t yell winter at you, I don’t know what does. The majestic snow white-haired woman standing with her pink bare skin in the harsh winter climate. I think she’s waiting for her valentine. It could very well be you.  

Blue Designs brings the world of faux design and interior painting to your home or commercial enterprise. Founder and owner Vicky Hare honed her design skills through travel and learning from some of the top designers around the globe. Vicky studied for six years in Italy, which became her inspiration. She was exposed to amazing paintings and architecture. Vicky practiced her knack for specialized and textured faux finishes in California, Florida, and Minneapolis. Toronto is now her home, where she designs handcrafted and painted paddles.

We’ve chosen to feature the Flower design paddle, which can be an elegant piece in any room in your home for Valentine’s Day and beyond.

Owner Ariel is a biracial Canadian artist who works part-time as an artist in Toronto. She has been selling artwork on Etsy since 2015! Canvas The Globe was created as a way for Ariel to express her passion for travel and art. Whenever she travels she falls in love with architecture and culture everywhere she goes. Her goal is to start a shop to remind others about their own experiences in their favourite cities.

Ethel is an Ontario based contemporary artist born in the Philippines. She moved to Canada with her family when she was only 9 years old. Her abstract paintings offer bold forms, layered colours, and interconnected strips of paint. Her paintings study her observations and reflections on life. She aims to capture struggle and strife surrounded by beauty. 

Ethel studied fine art at Centennial college and Design Foundations and Graphic design at Humber. She shows her work all over Ontario, including the Arta Gallery, Twist Gallery, and Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. 

Her gorgeous “Populate” piece is a warm gem with stark red and pink tones with a three dimensional feel sure to be the centerpiece of any room.