Friday Favourites

Caution: Objects in mirror are dirtier than they appear!

For most of us having a dirty windshield is an annoyance, but artist (dirty car artist as he likes to refer to himself) Scott Wade see's it as a blank canvas. That's right folks, these drawings are done on dirty car windows! Scott has experimented with a variety of tools to help him create different ways to create dimension to his work. Scott really does put a whole new twist on the whole "wash me" trend. Scott Wade lives on a very long dirt road- a blend of limestone dust, gravel and clay. Driving over this at even the slowest speed creates a very fine white dust that billows up and coats the rear window- and voila, Scott's canvas is primed and ready for creating! Some of Scott's images are replicas of master painters and others are his own ideas or portraits of popular celebrities. Scott likes the idea of creating something beautiful from something ugly and likes to challenge viewers perceptions of what beauty is. Scott also likes how the picture changes over time, whether it be due to wind, rain or little creatures that may creep over it, leaving their own markings behind. It's art like this that really gets your creative juices flowing or at least makes you not mind so much for having a dirty vehicle.

Scott Wade's dirty car windows have caught the attention of a lot of press and draws large crowds when he's creating. Usually we wouldn't post dirty pictures on our blog, but I think we can make an exception for this.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, sit back relax and don't worry if the car needs washing.

And like always, were here for all your gift giving needs!


*For more information, images and a great little video on Scott Wade go to dirtycarart 
*Images from dirtycarart.com

New- Coconut Carved Jewellery

Tree of Life- Autumn Tree Coconut Shell Necklace $32

Bird Coconut Shell Necklace $32

Butterfly Coconut Shell Necklace $32

Tree of Life- Spring Tree Coconut Shell Necklace $32

Other Designs Available, Adjustable Cord

Bird Coconut Wrap Bracelet $50

Tree of Life- Autumn Tree Coconut Wrap Bracelet $50

These beautiful new pieces of jewellery are by jeweller Walter Munoz of One Heart Designs. Walter, originally from Guatemala, grew up surrounded by the beautiful Guatemala outdoors. It's jungles, lakes, mountains and ancient Maya ruins, was a wonderful environment for the beginning of an artist’s life. Walter still uses inspiration from these landscapes when he creates his jewellery.

Walter makes his jewellery in the artisania tradition. Walter describes Artisania as "a collective art - the designs are not representative of any one country or culture, but rather embody influences that travelling artisanos pass amongst each other and the changing surroundings they experience as they travel and work".  Walter's love for travel and experiencing new cultures makes creating jewellery in the artisania tradition his perfect form of expression –  as creating his jewellery does not require any special tools or equipment beyond his own creativity and a pair of scissors, which can travel with him
wherever he goes.

The jewellery pieces that we carry are all hand carved out of coconut. Walter takes coconut shells, that would otherwise be thrown away, and dries them out. He then cuts them into workable pieces, carves out his desired design using a very fine blade on a scroll saw and then sands the coconut down until it is silky smooth.

The detail in these pieces is quite incredible, especially when you know that it was all done by hand. These necklaces and bracelets are the perfect accessory for anyone who has a soft spot for the environment (which we hope you all do) as they are carved out of 100% natural material. They are a very light weight and have an adjustable cord so you can wear it how you please. This jewellery really is a little piece of wearable art! Come see them in person, you're going to love 'em!

Mother's Day Cards

Mother's day is just around the corner and what better way to say 'thanks for everything mom' then a beautiful card. Designed by graphic designer Jim Paterson of NonStopDesigns. A variety of colours schemes are available for some of the designs, as well as jewel embellishments! Come in and pick out your mother's day card today! ($6 each)

If you really want to make her feel special, we have lots of great gift ideas we know she'll love....stay tuned for our 'Gift Guide' for mom!

Friday Favourites

'The Rachel's Wave' Inlaid maps on panel

'Patriarch' (original) Inlaid maps on panel

'Fiona's Wave' Inlaid maps on panel 

'Kara's Wave' Inlaid maps, acrylic, on panel

'Chasing the Dragon' Inlaid maps, acrylic, on panel

'Geronimo' Inlaid maps on panel

'Three Horses' Inlaid maps, acrylic, on panel

Today's favourite is by collage artist Matthew Cusick from New York. Cusick does a variety of other types of collages but his collection of artwork using maps is what really caught our eye. Using a creative material, such as maps, which for most of us would never think of using is one thing, but then cutting and pasting them to create textures and shadows is absolutely mind boggling. Cusick reorganized the entire network of roads, rivers and urban transportation systems to create intricate works of art that look like paintings and drawings if viewed from afar. The colours from the maps are gorgeous and the detail is brilliant, such a beautiful after life for these invalid maps that would of otherwise been thrown away
(or hopefully recycled).

With the ever growing popularity of GPS systems, maps seem to be harder to find, but we sure hope Cusick will be lucky enough to keep get his hands on more maps to keep creating these amazing pieces. At least he puts the annoyance of trying to fold them back up nicely again (and then getting extremely frustrated and just shoving it into the glove compartment....yes were all guilty) to good use. Next time your on navigation duty hold onto that map and picture the beautiful potential it has! (not that maps aren't an artwork in theme self....but that's a whole other post)

Have a lovely weekend! And if you hear a little birdie telling you to get on over to Artists Walk and check out all the great new products their carrying....you should probably listen, just sayin. 

*For larger images and a larger collection of these works check out Matthew's homepage http://www.mattcusick.com/paintings-collage/map-works 


*all images were taken from Matthew Cusick website.

NEW! Wood Home Decor

Top: Vertical Edge Mirror $425 bottom: Mitered Shelf $425 both pieces as a set $800

Two Coat hooks & Small Shelf $300

Close up of concrete screw castings

Our Frank De Jong Wood Collection! Middle: Sunset Mirror $600 

Cross Cut Mirrors (mirror is cut to replicate the shape of the wood) & Screw Coat hook $110 each or all 3 $250

Frank De Jong is an artist and custom furniture maker and we are happy to showcase some of his beautiful unique home decor pieces. Frank only uses reclaimed local wood, whether being cut down because it's too close to power lines or has fallen due to mother nature. In our collection all the wood used is walnut. Frank thinks mother nature does a wonderful job at making wood look beautiful, therefore Frank does not stain or dye any of the wood he uses in his creations, a linseed finish with a touch up of beeswax is all these beauties need to show of the wonderful lines, colours and texture of the tree.

To add a touch of modern elements to his work Frank cast's large scale replicas of a screw to use as a coat hook. The type of screw he uses as a model was invented in Canada and all materials used to cast the screw are also made in Canada. Pair those two elements with all Canadian and local wood and you've got yourself a one of kind 100% Canadian piece of home decor.....cool, eh!

You really have to come and see these pieces up close, the detail and colours in the wood is absolutely beautiful and the detail oriented craftsmanship Frank puts into the work is definitely evident.

Don't forget about our new installment plan...you can purchase these pieces with monetary installments that best suit your budget within a 3 month time frame.

Now come on in and check them out for yourself wood ya! (sorry we couldn't resist the pun)

NEW! Glass Jewellery

Teal Fairy Wing Pendant with 0.02 karat diamond $60

Lime Green Fairy Pendant with 0.01 karat diamond $49

Blue & Purple Fairy Wing Pendant with Opal $75

Orange, Yellow and white Fairy Wing Pendant with 0.025 karat diamond $65

Bibbys....beautiful, one of kind glass stud earrings $15

Glass artist Susan Leroux is the creator of these precious pieces of jewellery. Each fairy wing has either a diamond or gemstone embedded into the glass.

The glass colours are hand pulled in Murano Italy and then remixed in the studio by Susan to produce one of a kind colour combination's. The shape of the pendant is specially made to enhance the look and size of the diamonds, often making very small diamonds look much larger as they become the sparkling focal point of the pendant. We are happy to be carrying Susan's newest design, the fairy wing pendant. These necklaces give off just the right amount of whimsy and who doesn't love a little bit of diamond in their accessory's. No two wings are the same, so you won't ever see the same one on any body else!

The stud earrings, which Susan has named 'Bippys' are the perfect accessory to any outfit and we have dozens of other colour combos to choose from.....you could probably find a pair to match every outfit you own, and at a price like that, why not?

Calling all brides to be....looking for that perfect gift for your bridesmaids? Well Susan would be happy to make fairy wing pendants and/or matching Bippys to match your wedding colours! 

Come check out our collection of Susan's glass jewellery. We have so many more colour combinations and they are even more beautiful in person, we think these little Bippys will be all the rage this spring/summer....come get 'em and get the trend going!!

Great new offers!

*NEW- Installment Plan!

Sultry Day by Julia Harris SOLD

We understand that an amazing piece of fine art can come at a hefty price and that's why we are now offering an installment plan. That's right, you now can have up to 3months to pay off any fine art piece over $300! Come into the shop to pick out your art piece today and to learn more about this great offer!


Send us your photos!!

Silk Screen Loop Scarf by Natalie Eldershaw (prints&needles) SOLD 

If you have made an Artists Walk purchase in the past we'd like to see it! Take a picture of your artists Walk purchase and post it on our facebook page or email it to us at artistswalk@gmail.com and your name will be entered into a monthly draw. We want to see our artists art hung in your house, wearing our artisans jewellery or even a card you received from the shop!

Don't forget were here until 8pm tonight (and every Thursday)
We are closed tomorrow (Good Friday), open Saturday 11-5:30 and Closed Easter Sunday

We hope you all have a hoppy Easter and a relaxing chocolate filled long weekend!

Easter Gift Guide: For the kids

Your little one will love finding these adorable owl pillows/toys in their Easter basket! Made from upcycled materials and vintage buttons by mabel&gwen $32 (other colours available)

How about putting on a little Easter puppet show for the kids. Also the perfect prop to help them pick up their chocolatey treats! Hand Puppets and Cone puppets (pop up) by Open Door Designs $14-35 (assorted characters and fabrics available)

Stuffed 'Animal Dreamers', for the little one with a big imagination. Theses soft organic cotton toys are designed to build and feed imaginations in creative and interactive play.  Long limbs for little or big hands to hold by Fidoodle $30 (assorted creatures available, unique fabric designs on reverse side)

Little feet need some Easter loving too! Children's slippers, with non slip bottoms (perfect while their running around the house searching for every last Easter treat) by L'il Grassroots $30-40 (assorted fabrics/materials and sizes, no two pairs are the same!)

Chocolate can be gone in a second, but a little piece of art can last a long forever. How about balancing out all the sugary sweets with a cute miniature painting by Ben Percic $30(large assortment of paintings to choose from)

Beautiful Easter Cards, perfect for the young and old, far left by Ginger Rose Photography  $5 middle and far right by Non Stop Designs $6

Who knew that Artists Walk is the Easter Bunnies favourite place to shop, but with all this great stuff, can you blame him? We hope this little gift guide is helpful and hopefully with these little gifts you can control the sugar high of all your little bunnies!

We are closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday, so hop into the shop today and tomorrow 11-5:30pm Thursday 11-8pm and Saturday 11-5:30pm!