Into the Deep: Artist Profile – FRANCISCO CASTRO LOSTALO

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Geysers - acrylic and resin - F Castro Lostalo (1)

Geysers by FRANCISCO CASTRO LOSTALO

I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean and what lies beneath. My rational/irrational fear (depending on what news you’re reading and how realistic you want to be about your chances of being killed due to cell-phone-related negligence/vehicular manslaughter/radiation) has always been sharks. But there is something so beautiful about sea life. I am especially drawn to the many legged creatures or ones with tendrils, like jelly fish, octopi and the like.

At the One of a Kind Show (2015), artist Francisco Castro Lostalo explored the depths of this inspiration with his larger than life (I hope) paintings.

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Diva (S)

The colours of this octopus make such a statement. I never get tired of looking. Big impact. 

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Scaled down, but no less beautiful – the whales.

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I snapped a photo at his OOAK booth to make sure I didn’t forget his name!

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The glossy enamel is a sleek way to finish this piece and keep it looking bold. I can’t wait to see what he has in store next year.

From Garbage to Great Buns: OOAK Artist Profiles

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This is me … looking into the Cinderella Garbage display case (upside down) of  … transfixed.

Cinderella Garbage.

Cinderella Garbage stones fused with gemstones.

Cinderella Garbage makes jewelery out of trash.

Cinderella Garbage makes beautiful pieces of wearable art out of trash.

You’ve heard of rags to riches and ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’ Well, the artists behind Cinderella Garbage have literally  turned garbage into gems with their line of gorgeous jewels.

To be honest, I don’t entirely understand how it works, but the idea of taking waste and making it into something new and shiny appeals to me on so many levels. This graphic helps shed some light on the process (assuming you speak French – which I do).

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This graphic helps shed some light on the process.

I was fascinated to see the truly brilliant items at this year’s show, some of the most conversation-worthy pieces I’ve ever seen. Engagement ring anyone? Rat necklace?

For details on her process and more about her line of jewelery, visit:  http://www.cinderellagarbage.com/CG_2_O5KT.html

Now for something completely different: Kiriki Press’ embroidery, by Michelle Galletta. Based in Toronto, Kiriki Press has a line of totally adorable embroidery starter kits and ready made embroidered items. Eeep, they sure are cute.

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Little Fox – Kiriki Press.

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Owl by Kiriki Press.

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The whole gang.

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DIY kits.

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Feeling crafty?

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Not much needs to be said – the products speak for themselves. They are too cute and if you’re looking for a new hobby, stitch away!

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Check out their full range of products on Etsy at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kirikipress?ref=l2-shop-info-avatar

Visit them on the web at http://www.kirikipress.com/index.html

Still in the textiles department, Paula Gonzalez’s textile and home decor line – Phaulet. 

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I want to bury myself in a pile of tropical pillows and pretend I’m in Tahiti.

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The colours were just incredible and the large floral prints and oversized flora and fauna made me giddy. 

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Imagine one of these gorgeous pillows on a crisp while quilted bedspread.

Her online shop http://www.phaulet.com/ features some of the following, very cool items:

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Throw pillow by Phaulet

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Textiles by Phaulet

OOAK describes her work as, “old illustrations… mixed to create very unique and unconventional art-pieces to wear and decorate spaces.” I’m definitely going to be looking to add some of her work to my house next show!

A cool clutch is definitely within reach at Heather Scott’s booth for Rock & Roll Romantic. Here the reversible handbags, in a variety of colours, were hard to choose from. With so many finishes and colour combos, picking just one was a hard decision!

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Get your hands on the handbags from Rock & Roll Romantic!

Splattered effect.

Splattered effect.

Pretty painted pouches!

Pretty painted pouches!

For more details, check out https://www.facebook.com/ROCKANDROLLROMANTIC

Last, butttttt certainly not least, get your behind into some of these supremely stylish leggings and ‘sweats’. At Skinny Sweats, the motto “Lazy, Sexy, Cool” makes perfect sense and who can’t get behind a line of crazy comfortable pants that make your buns look fantastic?

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Amazing printed and solid pants.

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Get into these hot pants.

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Double take: these bottoms come in two styles, both will make your legs look ready to party.

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Lazy as you can get.

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A cheeky motto, to be sure, but I’m liking their vibe!

Check out all their collections and consider how good you’d look in all of them! http://www.skinnysweats.com/FW12-Collection-Page-4.html

The artist profiles will keep on coming for the foreseeable future. Support local and show these artists some love!

The Sweetest Thing: Cara Carmina – OOAK Artist Profile

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I was smitten with the bubbly, sweet personality and equally adorable artwork of Norma Andreu – the creator of Cara Carmina. I was first pulled in by her beautiful greeting cards, which featured illustrations that were vivid, imaginative and cute, with just the right amount of strangeness.

As the Cara Carmina website (http://www.caracarmina.com/#!portfolio) describes in the artist’s statement, the influences of Mexico’s culture and art, as well as a background in children’s illustration really bring together a playful set of circumstances in the work – and the results are just magical. Check out the website for pages and pages of portfolio proof – and you’ll fall for her work, too, I dare you not to.

I would love a set of the Frida dolls for my little one’s room (or my own, let’s be honest). They are so much cooler than the plastic, cookie cutter dolls mass-marketed to our young folks.

If dolls aren’t your thing, clothing, dioramas, cards, textiles and paper dolls are also on offer and available in her online shop, as well as on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Caracarmina).

Cell phone cases (definitely something I am planning to get for myself!)

Cell phone cases (definitely something I am planning to get for myself!)

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Textiles in full effect: cushion covers with a sense of humour.

Sweet wall decals.

Sweet wall decals.

Dress to impress.

Dress to impress.

I heart this.

I heart this.

Norma was absolutely lovely in person and so humble about her talents. More and more people seem to be clued in to the fact that her work is a hot commodity. According to her Etsy page, she has back orders and a waiting list for some of her designs, so … get on it! Supporting artists by taking a piece of their imagination and heart home with you is the perfect way to breathe life into your own little nest. Definitely check out her work and look for her at future One Of A Kind Shows.

Cara Carmina’s Blog: http://caracarmina-atelier.blogspot.ca/

All images culled from the web, or taken at the show.