life with more cowbell

People like – and buy – art for a lot of reasons: they like to collect, it goes with their couch, they like the style, they like the artist or they just like a particular piece. For me, it’s about style and artist, and especially just liking the piece. It moves me, it draws me in, it takes me to another place. Use of colour is really important for me – and not because it goes with my couch. Though, hey, if that’s what you’re into – enjoy.

I like Blair Sharpe’s paintings a lot, so I was very happy to attend the opening of his latest Toronto exhibition Recent Paintings at the Fran Hill Gallery last night. When I arrived, the opening was in full swing, with folks enjoying beer, wine and snacks while chatting outside in front of the gallery. Inside, the viewer is treated to 12 vivid and colourful variations of “On Some Faraway Beach,” the fields of richly applied colour bringing to mind the multi-coloured wooden slats of Adirondack chairs, and the spaces where beach, treeline, water and sky meet. Looking at these paintings makes me long for the cottage and puts me there at the same time.

While I was there, I got to meet some of Blair’s family, who invited me to be in their family photograph (which I guess makes me an adopted Sharpe), as well as gallery owner Fran Hill, who I had a great chat about tattoos with.

Blair Sharpe: Recent Paintings is up at the Fran Hill Gallery until September 30. The gallery is located at 285 Rushton Rd., Toronto and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – or by appointment (416-363-1333) Thanks to Blair for the pics from the opening.

You can find Blair Sharpe at his website here: http://www.blairsharpe.com/Blair_Sharpe/Home.html

p.s. – As promised, I’ve added some production pics to yesterday’s post about Cabbagetown Theatre’s production of Cinderella…if the shoe fits! Thanks to playwright/director Kim Sprenger for the photos.