Michael Mardus - Photography

I remember wanting a camera for Christmas when I was about 12 and being disappointed to get one of those cheap tinny "no control over anything" jobs. Where was my Hasselblad (in those days the Rolls-Royce of cameras)?

Well, I never did get a Hasselblad - for the same reason I never got a Rolls-Royce.

Although I have been taking pictures for over 50 years and have done my time in the darkroom, it was my discovery of Photoshop that got my creative juices flowing.

When taking pictures I often have no destination in mind, physical or otherwise,  though I gravitate towards flowers, trees, and other things that don't require a release form. Sometimes I don't know what I've got until I see it on my monitor and my creative Muse kicks in and finds something that neither I or my camera saw. Sometimes it's a ho-hum picture until it meets up with its complementary partner or two and something new and interesting makes its appearance.

One never knows what my Muse will find.

http://moratorian.deviantart.com/gallery/

Gary Paiva

Illustrator and artist, Gary Paiva, was born and raised into a vibrant, artistic and culturally diverse Portuguese household in Toronto, Canada. His father was a landscape architect and his mother is a culinary master, who's artistry with exquisite Portuguese dishes inspired much of Gary's passion.

Being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the early age of two and a half, Gary, years later having found his purpose, gravitated towards art. In 2001 Gary attended the Toronto School of Art to enrich his skills, focusing in illustration, and was fortunate to begin mentoring under well known illustrators such as Joe Fleming and Harvey Chan. Gary Paiva, was also honoured with the inclusion into the Scarborough Arts Big Art Book – published in 2012.

Gary also devotes a portion of his time to graphic design, assisting as creative and sales director for a local marketing firm, and freelance illustrator / artist from his home studio in Mississauga, Canada.

Known for his unique and surreal Canadian-themed Christmas cards, Gary has now begun taking on a new venture as an urban fashion designer, and is currently creating a collection of baby and children's apparel. Designs will launch summer 2016 exclusively under the Francisco & Joseph brand.

Available for consultation of freelance illustration or marketing work, Gary would love to hear about your project.

Rahul Jain - Pen & Ink Drawings

Rahul Jain is Ontario based pen and ink artist who does detailed drawings using pen and black ink. All the shading and tones are achieved using very fine black lines only. The expressive power of lines comes alive in the fine details and textures of his drawings. As the construct of colour is stripped away, the organic dynamic vitality of lines imparts an expressive and powerful feel to his drawings that lets you immediately connect with their subjects. The permanent non erasable aspect of ink makes his drawings an evolutionary process and gives them an energetic spirited feel in which the drawings reflect the thought, mood and whim of the artist at the time of drawing as there is no erasing and turning back once an ink line is put. You instantly connect and feel with the art and the artist and feel the intimacy with his work.

You can see the full repertoire of his work at his website www.pendrawings.me and also connect with him at his facebook page at www.facebook.com/pendrawings.me

Giancarlo Piccin - ICONS

Born in Toronto, Canada, May 29, 1959, to Italian immigrants Basilio and Lidia. He is the middle child of three.

"I've always had a soft spot for the Italian High Renaissance.  It may be the fact that I'm a Canadian of Italian heritage that draws me toward this period or because I find the impeccable craftsmanship and aesthetic quality of their work appealing. My influences also include artists such as Rauschenberg, Johns, Dali, Hopper, Richter and Kiefer, primarily for how we see the world through their vision."

"The challenge for any contemporary artist is to see the world through new eyes.  It is important to me that an artist’s work reflects his time.  Whether it is through the use of contemporary themes, techniques and/or mediums. The challenge is to present your generation with a new vision. I try to gain a good understanding of the past and present art scene to try and meet this challenge in an effort to represent my generation."

An internationally collected artist, Piccin resides in the beautiful Heart Lake area of Brampton with his wife Marion and son, also named Giancarlo.

To view more of Giancarlo's work, visit his website at: http://www.giancarlopiccin.com/Home.html

The Art of Four Friends

This month Artway Invitational gallery presents The Art of Four Friends -- An exhibit of different styles and skill levels featuring:

Linda, a landscape photographer, Maureen, a watercolour enthusiast, Erin, new to the art scene, and Colleen, jack of all art.

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