Art / Design

Welcome to Astral Plane

The OCAD U Student Gallery was transformed into an interior landscape last night during Nicolas Robins and Christopher Benjamin Speck’s first collaboration, ASTRAL PLANE. The clean space was juxtaposed against the clusterfuck happening just outside, with dust kicking up from the rubble making McCaul Street look like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. But a new order was open for exploration; one populated by shapes, colours and fashionable art lovers. Dressed in matching yet contrasting outfits (Robins in white and Speck in black) …

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Frames Per Second

Thursday night was the opening reception for Frames Per Second at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery.  The show featured work by Charlie Bierk (who was featured in last issue’s “A Genuine Moment”) accompanied by Peter Horvath & Chris Soos as well as Renie Spoelstra. The gallery showcased four of Bierk’s large black and white photo realistic paintings of his close friends and family: Ben, David, Martha and Spencer.  While seeing the paintings online is impressive, it can’t kind prepare you for …

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Breaking Bad

With the start of Breaking Bad’s 5th and final season this past Sunday, illustrator Nik Dudukovic (past Guest Blogger & Issue 10 feature) has launched his limited print edition portrait of Heisenberg in full force. Referencing Pablo Escobar’s infamous nickname, “el magico”, the print will be available for purchase for the duration of Season 5. For more details about the print, please visit Nik’s website. A portion of all print sales will be donated to a charity of Margaret Atwood’s …

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Catch Up: Rachael Meckling

Fashion illustrator, Rachael Meckling was in the third issue of OTMzine and has been an extremely busy artist since then. Graduating from Ryerson, taking on the wrong job and moving back home all lead Rachael to focus on her inspiration for illustration. Our favourite qualities about her illustrations? The fact that they are wildly feminine and intricate, two qualities that combine to create a definite style that sets her apart from other illustrators. Catch up with Rachael by reading our …

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Re:Creative Launch

When we heard about it a few weeks ago, we jumped at the opportunity to visit Renee Elliott‘s new craft space that is nestled in right behind the ShopGirls Boutique off Queen St W. A beautifully converted garage now houses Re:Creative, a new company started to add hand-made details to a whole spectrum of events and spaces around the city. In her new space, Renee is looking forward to hosting D.I.Y workshops (like her custom stationary one tomorrow), furniture refurbishing …

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MASON: Show Off

I sat down with the owners of MASON, Ashley Rumsey & Stanley Sun, and creators of the first-annual Show Off street party in Toronto’s Junction neigbourhood – running October 18 – 30, 2011 – to discuss everything art, design, architecture and street party fun as a precursor to our Winter 2011 feature. What is the Show Off event? Show Off 2011 [first annual] is an event where local designers and artists were allowed to let their creative juices flow by …

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