Summer Studio 2014: Here we go...

Finally the Summer Studio is set up and work has begun. I do have a goal of completing several paintings by Labour Day as I think setting a number helps me to keep the whip cracking. Last year I completed 18 paintings between July 1 and Oct. 25th. That number reflects paintings that were to my satisfaction and ended up on the walls of a Gallery. It does not include the half dozen or so that were scrapped at some point and faced the the electric sander. I have no plans of being so prolific this year in the Summer Studio, but will do my best to turn out a small collection.
 I prepped all the boards I hope to paint  at the beginning of the month, but a wave of heat prevented me from working further on them as the temps in my loft were quite unbearable no matter how high I powered my oscillating fan or how tight the blinds were pulled against the sun. A wall of windows over the work space, two on either side and two skylights behind me proved too much even when covered and threaten to cook me alive up there. So, darn, I had to go to the shore to swim instead. Poor me.
Temps have been cool in the evenings now and I'm back on the horse. Started a painting 2 days ago (no title yet) but will post the progression for fun. I started with a board which has been coated with gesso and it's been sanded and a transfer of an antique photograph has been applied. I have been altering the scene with acrylics. So far, so good.
 Take note: I have been asked repeatedly as to why I bother with using a transfer as I do demonstrate my skills as a painter and could paint from the photo. Allow me to explain. I do so because I'm in love with the photograph and I want to give that subject another 'life', as it were. The transfers are grainy and 'ghostly" -further motivation as I do like a bit of dark to come through in the work-, and they are used as an underpainting. Hardly a bit of the transfer escapes my brush, unless I feel it must stay as is...that's creative license. I paint on top and change (sometimes drastically, sometimes minutely) their expression, clothing, pose and even the twinkle in their eyes. Doing this is my 'schtick' at the present time. No doubt at some point I will paint portraiture of my own, and I do have the chops to achieve this, but right now, I wish to give these nameless faces an encore in a theatrical presentation painted by me. The guestbook at my last exhibit had a few direct and almost terse comments about my decision to work this way. A short response would be: because I want to.
A wordy post, to make up for lack of posts in some time. Here we go...

work by Teena Marie Fancey in progress #1

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #2

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #3

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #4

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #5

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #6

Altered Egos coming soon

I believe a teaser is in order. Should you wish to meet this bearded chap in person, he'll be appearing in Altered Egos at the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, NS from November 6th through Dec. 1st.
Until then...

the Comedian by Teena Marie Fancey
 

3 More Sleeps

Packing, making labels, and waiting for the paint to dry on just a few more little pieces for
Altered Egos!
Today I will share a wee piece called Boundless. Here's her before:

Below is her after, with added paper ( thanks David Crowe) and a found bead that I hand painted to look like EARTH! Lynn, this is off a bathing suit you once lent me--pack rat much?)
So, take 2  of what she's taking and call  me in the morning...
No, just stay tuned...I will be sharing some more new characters over the next 3 or 4 days.
Altered Egos opens November 6th at 7pm at the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, NS. If you're in Hfx, why not hop on the ferry, the Craig is conveniently located right in the same building!

Can you hear me roar, "I'm almost done!"?

Just finished the last bit of studio-time before Altered Egos opens at the Craig. Spent the last 4 days in my studio hard at it. The village was very quiet...only the few full time residents and me. The wind howled and the cloud-cover made it feel like the end of the day almost all day and there was even a wee bit of hail mixed in with the rain.
(Oh November! You're breathing down our necks)
And there was nothing to distract me from my task.

So...just a bit of finish work to be done now and some planning for the installation of the show. Phew!

I leave you with this detail pic of one of the portraits I worked on this week. A little teaser. Up-cycled fur (thank you Shari!) and some vintage curtain pins turned out to be just the thing.

Meet "Lion Heart".

Loose Lips Sink Ships

Cut out a vintage 1960's ad touting the benefits of feeding your children sugar, add inspiration from a WWII propaganda poster and some paint and what do you get?

Don't mess with Betty. She sports ink, knows how to keep a secret and holds a grudge.
She's sailing this fall to the Craig Gallery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  to appear in Altered Egos and she's bringing her crew.
Stay tuned.

 

 

Loose Lips Sink Ships
6"X12" acrylic on board, vintage ephemera

 

On Target

Lots of time to be in the studio = productivity! I vowed to myself that I would complete 8 paintings this summer and I'm feeling like I may just make it. As always, I have a number of paintings in progress so I can jump from one to the other as the ideas and will come.
This little painting, "You Missed" makes for 3 down, and 5 to go.

You Missed by Teena Marie Fancey
8"X10" mixed media on board

 

 

Better Late Than Never





Better Late Than Never by Teena Marie Fancey



While rumaging through a local secondhand store, I happened upon this 'pocket watch' frame in all it's plastic glory. Originally it housed a picture of the BVM (Blessed Virgin Mary), which I removed and saved, coz you never know when you might need such an item.

Inspired by the White Rabbit in the Adventures of Alice in Wonderland by C.S Lewis, I replaced the BVM with a mixed media portrait that I painted on heavy water colour paper and refinished the once shiny gold-coloured plastic frame (said frame is about the size of the palm of your hand).

"Better Late Than Never" is available for sale at the

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design.

 

 

I'm Late! I'm Late!

 

Until next time...

More of Home to Roost



Lady Love Bird (available at Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design)

mixed media painting by Teena Marie Fancey
Cage frame by Shari MacLeod

 Hi All,
A few more pics of some of the work exhibited in
"HOME TO ROOST". You can see this show at the
Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, 322 Charlotte St. Sydney, NS. Show runs until May 31st, 2012. I'll post more soon...
These pieces were created by me and Shari MacLeod. They are my "Domestic Birds", if you will. Note: the doors are open...they COULD chose to fly, if they wanted to.



Nightingayle (sold)
mixed media painting by Teena Marie Fancey
Cage by Shari Macleod



Home Sweet Home (sold)
mixed media painting by Teena Marie Fancey
Cage Frame by Shari MacLeod

Just Dessert

Just Dessert or

“Coffee?”
by Teena Marie Fancey

I’m just not good at ending it
I don’t want to break your heart
Or have you become mad at me
For wanting us to part

Even though I want it over
Istill want you sweet on me
There’s just no way around it, dear
This is how it has to be

I will demonstrate kind-heartedness
By showing you I care
I’ll make a special dinner
And I’ll gently tell you there

I’ll tell you I adore you,
But that I have a new pursuit
That someone’s caught my roving eye
A fact I can’t refute

I’ll smile and serve you seconds,
And I’ll be your just dessert
Then you’ll have a tummy-ache
That’s when you’ll know love hurts

Was the chicken your demise?
The parsley, or the thyme?
Or could it be the recipe
That took you in your prime

I will shed a tear for you
You were a great delight
And if I tire of my new love
I’ll whet his appetite

for more information  email me at tmfancey@gmail.com

Lumiere round up

 Lumiere 2011 was a huge success. Not bad for it's inaugural year, I must say. That was thanks to the fab organizers and artists who participated and made it so great. And for residents of CB and surrounding areas for coming out despite the rain!

Katherine Scott and I worked very hard on making our project happen and it really paid off. We had a very popular and well attended installation.
We transformed a squash court at the YMCA into an underwater world of plastics. We made jellyfish from plastic bottles and food containers and hung them on a fishing net, then projected their shadows on the walls of the court. Also projected was a message that started with a haiku and then listed the materials used in creating our underwater world. The list included plastic shotgun shells, plastic bottles, bottle caps, containers, and bait bags, lobster bands, nylon rope and other plastic refuse collected on local beaches. As well as a few startling facts about the peril of marine life and our planet's consumption and careless disposal of plastics.

The public was invited in to walk around the space which was filled with music that felt a bit funereal and evoked the sounds one might hear if submerged underwater. Then they could take their time and read the message and look at all the materials transformed to make creatures and corals.

We got a lot of positive comments from adults and kids alike. We hope all enjoyed and that we helped to not only pass on a message, but that we made art fun and approachable for all.

Thank you to all who supported us and came out to enjoy Lumiere 2011. Hope to see you next year!!!
*photographs by Robert Doublett from the album Lumiere on the CBC Cape Breton-Mainstreet Facebook site. Thanks also to CBC Cape Breton for your coverage and support! Cheers Wendy et al!

Lumiere 2011

Hi All,

There's a really cool FREE event taking place in downtown Sydney Nova Scotia this weekend. It's called LUMIERE. Watch this and read on...

It's a night time ART event. The main street will be closed to vehicular traffic and there will be performances of  music, theatre, dance and visual art in alley ways, parking lots, store windows, and other unconventional spaces. It starts at 6:59pm on October 1st and runs until 11:59pm. There is no admission...just come on downtown and walk about. Bars and restaurants will be open and some will be featuring special menus in honour of the occasion.
There will be information in Saturday's Cape Breton Post about some of the venues AND there will be volunteers in the streets with information too. ALSO check out http://www.lumiere2011.ca/ to see a PDF of the schedule and the artists involved.

I will be there...my fellow artist Katherine Scott (maker of handmade books and other delights) and I will be hunkered down at the beautiful new YMCA building. We will be taking over a squash court and will have it transformed into an underwater world made from refuse beach combed from local shores this past summer. Do drop by!

This is a new 'thing' for me. Although Katherine and I have worked on many installations of fine art and craft at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, installation of an art 'project' is new. We have been hard at work gathering and preparing but won't REALLY know what the end result will be until it is installed in the space. I promise to post pics after Saturday for your viewing pleasure/curiosity!

Stay tuned!

OUR LADY DELUXE

OUR LADY DELUXE speaks to our society’s current and over-the-top adoration of wealth and things as marks of status and importance. I have chosen to pose my Lady not unlike Mary’s typical depiction amidst roses. However, instead of adding images of angels or other religious iconography, I chose to have her appear to juggle items that reflect commercial decadence and luxury. Our Lady DeLuxe is a symbol of our devotion to ‘stuff’.

This piece was inspired by a 1920’a photograph of a showgirl, a vintage article of paper doll clothing, ephemera from magazines from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s as well as a found metal graphic (Thank you Donna Durland!), all from my collection of vintage and found objects. Mixing the pre and post war era with the ever-present modern desire to have.

For more information on OUR LADY DELUXE or sales inquiries, please feel free to contact me at tmfancey@gmail.com.

Cheers!

I've Taken a Fancy: La Bella Mona Lisa Gallery

If you are ever travelling around the famous Cabot Trail in the province of Nova Scotia and wish to visit a truly FABULOUS shop/gallery, do visit La Bella Mona Lisa Gallery in St. Joseph du Moine ( enroute between Margaree Harbour and Cheticamp NS). Artist extrodinaire Michel Williate-Battet owns and operates this gallery-shop and there you can see his enchanting work. I am honoured to now show some of my work at La Bella Mona Lisa Gallery and to be in such good company as the artisans and artists who show there too...in particular Michel himself. I have been an admirer of Michel's work for years as well as a patron of his gallery shop. Please do visit Michel's website to learn more about him and his work, and check out his microsite on the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design's website too, as he is also a member there.
Cheers!
( This piece pictured here is called "I've Taken a Fancy". It is a mixed media work on board with vintage Valentine making the claim. It measures 8"X8" and is available for sale at La Bella Mona Lisa Gallery on the Cabot Trail. For more info check the above links or email me at tmfancey@gmail.com)

Fun for One

Every time I go for a walk, I seem to find these wee cap gun rings and I can never resist picking them up and putting them in my pockets. Knowing that I have a thing for these little finds, friends even pick them up for me now. You know you  have good friends when they will stoop and collect trash for you (shout out to all of you who bring me treasures!)
"Fun for One" was inspired by these little fire crackers (anyone out there remember when caps were made on red paper tape and could be struck with a rock to ignite them and cause a nice 'crack' if no cap-gun was available?). Anyway, yes, this work was inspired by the caps and by this cheeky gal who proves that girls can 'reach new heights' all on their own.

Blast off!

"Fun for One" is a mixed media work on board ( almost all of my work is on cradled board and doesn't  require framing) and measures "12" x 16".
For sales inquiries or other information about my work, please feel free to email me at tmfancey@gmail.com

STRIKE!

Strike. Which definition do you think is the most fitting?
a) to hit sharply eg: with a hand, fist weapon...
b) to inflict ( a blow)
c) to damage or destroy through forceful contact
d) engage in a work stoppage
Whatever your choice...Strike while it's hot!

"Strike" (SOLD) is one of 20 pieces in my exhibit
 When She Was Bad (now showing at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design until July 22, 2011). "Strike" is mixed media work on board, and features a beach combed iron...yes, a real iron. The painting measures 16" w x 20" h. For more information visit the Centre's gallery or contact me at tmfancey@gmail.com.

Stay tuned...more work to come.

Sneak peek #3

As the lyric goes: Luck be a Lady tonight! Here's another sneak peak from my new exhibit When She Was Bad. This is a detail shot of a piece called Lady Luck (always a sure bet). I picked up a pair of novelty dice in a second hand shop on Prince Edward Island last year. They made me laugh and gave me the inspiration for this work. I'll post all the pieces in their entirety once the show opens...When She Was Bad runs from June 13th to July 22nd, 2011 at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, 322 Charlotte St. Sydney, Nova Scotia.                  

The News is Officially out!

The work of Cape Breton artist Teena Marie Fancey had been selected from among a number of other Cape Breton entries to be presented at the Kinsale Arts Festival in Ireland.



“I’m really proud and honoured that my work has been selected to represent Cape Breton at Kinsale and that it will be shared with an international audience,” exclaimed Fancey.



This year, the Kinsale Arts Festival is being held as part of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race events in the Cork and Kinsale region of Ireland.



“The festival asked all of the Clipper yacht sponsors to submit a work to represent their regions,” states Lauri Taylor, Cape Breton’s Clipper Project Coordinator with Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. “We saw this as a great opportunity to showcase another aspect of Cape Breton’s rich culture and we’re very proud of Teena Marie’s work.”



A competition of Cape Breton artists was conducted by the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design to select the representing entry for the island. A selection committee judged the process, ultimately selecting Fancey’s submission to be displayed in Ireland.



Fancey describes She Had That Sinking Feeling: “The piece has a gentleman and a lady who, although from different worlds, share an attraction. The gentleman is safe for now, in his little boat and the lady has been lured up to the surface by the promise of romance. One of them is going to have to leave their home or comfort zone if the pair wishes to be together.”



“In my latest work I use inspiration from collected photographs, found objects, and remembered poems, nursery rhymes and stories that left me full of wonder and fuelled my imagination. In this case, I’m marrying the old, a vintage photograph of my great-grandparents, and the modern, a found diving wheel component, to tell a timeless story of relationships.”

Fancey’s work will be displayed at the festival from Friday, July 2 to Tuesday, July 6 in Kinsale

C'mon out! And Thanks to...

At last, the final showing of Redux, Redux will open at the Craig Gallery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  Redux  was the brainchild of myself and artist Laura Moore and opened originally in March of 2009 at the Cape Breton University Art Gallery.  In the Summer of 2009, what with Laura busy with her new shop Finders Keepers, I travelled my Redux work to Ross Creek Centre for the Arts in Canning, Nova Scotia and called it Redux, Redux. So this is the last leg of the 'tour' and I hope that anyone in the Dartmouth/ Halifax area who wants to take a last gander will c'mon out for either opening night or will catch the show sometime before it's taken down on May 23rd.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank: Laura Moore--collaborator/artist/shopkeeper extrodinaire, David, Allison, and Lauren Saunders for their love and encouragement, and all my family and friends for their continuing support.  Cheers!

Alice at Finders Keepers

No Room! No Room! Welcome to the Mad Tea Party. The Hatter, The Hare and The Doormouse have welcomed Alice to the table after protesting that there was no room! Clearly this lot are frustrating poor Alice. She does look exasperated and a bit miffed. This is an 8" X 10" mixed media on cradled board. I've altered a photo from my collection and added ephemera from an very old encyclopedia and some vintage magazines, as well as adding a tea cup handle that I found while beachcombing here on Cape Breton. This and other Alice themed works by me as well as some great Alice-themed items are on display at Laura Moore's shop Finders Keepers in Bras D'or!

Mermaid Treasure #2

Ah...Mermaid #2 ( mixed media on cradled board 6"X 6") (SOLD) has been given a tail and a new tiara, adorned with a small turquoise gem, a little piece of sea glass found by me on a Cape Breton beach. She looks pretty happy in her coral garden.