Artists’ Market on Bloor Street West

I mentioned in my previous post, that my friend Meghan and I explored an unfamiliar-to-us neighbourhood in Toronto last weekend — Bloordale, Bloor Street West between Dufferin and Landsdowne. While we were there we visited an Artists’ Market that was on at Orchard Bar at www Bloor (just west of Dufferin), details of which I promised to show you in a separate post.

These artists will be there again today, Saturday, December 17th between 11am and 4pm, so if you see something in these photos that interests you, pop on over to pick it up!

The market was organized by a representative of the Aangen Community Centre and all proceeds that she raised in putting it together, will benefit them.

Here are the artists and a sample of their work, with the order based on front of the market to the back.

Beautiful wildlife photography by Erica Squire, offering stunning prints and canvases. (I didn’t get a photo of the photographer because she was outside on the street ringing jingles bells, encouraging passers-bay to take a look.)

Lovely stained glass pieces by Reyan Naim (that is not the artist in the photo, but the person helping him with the booth.) The link is to his Etsy shop.

Painter Lauren Satok had some of her painting on display, and her original art printed on greeting cards.

Toronto street photography by talented Henry VanderSpek, aka CultureSnap, was offered on canvases, cushions and greeting cards.

Barb Williams, aka SituationArt, is a Metal Artist, and while she had a couple of her more valuable metal pieces with her, she was also showing some shadow-box sculptures to hang on the wall.

Gurbeen, the organizer of the market, has some maple syrup, spices, honey and books for sale.

Being a lover of yarn, I was absolutely taken by Karen Light’s, aka Kanybugs Design, original hooked rug wall hangings. She drew the images herself and then “painted” them with yarn. Beautiful. She also had some preserves, small knitted pieces and felt work.

Trevor Waurechen was showing some of this hand-done prints and paintings. He also had some wonderful hand-printed gift wrapping paper.

Illustrator Daniel Taylor had some excellent prints of his work for sale, at very reasonable prices. Reminiscent of Maurice Sendak’s drawings in Where the Wild Things Are, most of what he had would make wonderful art for a child’s room, with good representation of pieces that would appeal to boys (which, I find, are a challenge to find wall-art for.)

Afrodelik, aka Desiree Marshall, had tee-shirts, baby onesies, and cotton tote-bags, printed with her original drawings. Great stuff.

Photographer Michael Werner had some amazing photographs of wildlife on offer. I especially like his images with raccoons, and those of members of the Trinity Bellwoods’ Park white squirrel family. His work was offered as printed canvas, framed prints and greeting cards.

All in all, this market is a good place to get some original art, and to chat with the artists while you do.

Thanks for dropping by,
xo loulou

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