2024-06 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Rushing the Seasons

Do you do this? As soon as there’s a hint of warm weather..crocuses popping up, guys in shorts, birds singing and I start thinking it’s summer already and completely bypass Spring. Not that I don’t love Spring. I guess it’s partly because where I was brought up there was always snow on the ground til the end of April. What triggered me this year was a painting I did called ‘Watermelon Anyone?’ I can smell that sweet fragrance and feel those sticky juices as I spit the seeds out just looking at it. I’ve added it today to tempt you too. Enjoy. 

You know that I have been distracted from actual painting for a bit by my knee replacement which is healing slowly but surely and with my focus on the gallery that my friend Tracy and I have been busy setting up. 

The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery, 1558 Queen St E had an amazing opening and wonderful support. If you haven’t made it there yet, not to worry. We are creating more opportunities for your artistic pleasure. On Sun April 7, 1-3pm we are hosting our first ARTIST TALK where 10 of our 50 artists will share their creative genius and inspiration. It is a FREE EVENT and I invite you to come out and meet local artists. 

Next up is our first of many workshops to come. Rea Kelly will be teaching how to use alcohol inks on synthetic paper. It is a fun beginner friendly class learning how to use these non-toxic inks. All supplies are provided for the low introductory price of $95.00 +tax. Sign up easily @thejackalopegallery.ca website under workshops. Personally I can’t wait to try them.

If you really want to support the Jack in a low cost way, we also have Jack merch and a lay-a-way plan…just sayin’. And also of course, come for a visit and see our regularly changing collections.

We have just put out a call for our next show which is called JOY. Please consider how you experience joy and perhaps tell your artist friends about our delightful new space. We know it will be a joyful event.

Hoppin along with the Jackalope,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Watermelon Anyone?

Bring your questions please

Joy submissions are open

Visit @thejackalopegallery.ca to sign up

Merch is always fun at the Jack

Join Rea at the Jack to play along in the big room

Go to @thejackalopegallery.ca to sign up

YOU ARE INVITED…

• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, 18 Court St, Thunder Bay

  Ongoing..my art is in the window

• COURAGE (on til April 12)

  The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery

  1558 Queen St E, Just west of Coxwell Ave.

2024-05 Living Artfully with Gail

HELLO DEAR ART LOVER

AN AVANLANCHE OF ART

Hope you’ve been doing well. It looks like there are only a few weeks of possible snow days left. Maybe we’ll be really lucky and get away with it this year. I do love the snow but with having had my knee replacement, I am grateful I didn’t have to deal with ice. I had the staples removed today at Michael Garron Hospital by a very kind nurse, Martin. He only hurt me a little. They’ve got this program down to a fine art. I was in and out in under 10 minutes.

This past month and a half I have not put one bit to paint on a canvas and my fingers are itching to get them covered. I have a lovely new studio at the gallery with a huge window….at last. Somebody must like me.

As per the subject of this letter, we have had an avalanche of art from across the country come into the gallery. It is quite humbling that so many artists are entrusting us with their work.. Over 50 artists are showing at the Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery, 1558 Queen St. E, ( just west of Coxwell) Tracy and I have been working overtime to get the space ready for the big party next Sat Mar 16, 5-9. You are invited to join us to meet the artists, but if you can’t make it, the show runs til April 12. Our regular hours are Thurs- Sun, 12-5 or by appointment.

As always I am deeply grateful for your support. Pls let me know when you want to visit and I’ll make sure I’ll be there. Tracy and I will be sharing gallery open hours.

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Tracy and I are in the March 5th issue of Beach Metro News

Gallery Hours

Thurs - Sun , 12-5pm or by appointment

Someone needs to clean that door!

Our favourite handyman Gilbert makes sure the ramp is safe

Our handsome handyman installing our beautiful banner

YOU ARE INVITED…

• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, 18 Court St, Thunder Bay

Ongoing..my art is in the window

• The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery,

1558 Queen St E,

Grand Opening Sat Mar 16, 5-9pm

2024-04 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

5-4-3-2-1- BLAST OFF

We’re almost ready for BLAST OFF with the Jackalope Art Gallery.

The grand opening is Sat Mar 16, 5-9 pm at 1558 Queen St E. Just west of Coxwell in the distinctive ‘green house’ at the corner of Ashdale and Queen. The electricians have done their work and besides a little touching up with paint, we’re in pretty good shape.

Now the hard part of setting up the show starts. Our deadline for submissions is midnight on Mar 2 and we will have notified everyone by Mar 3 even if we have to stay up all night. We already have some awesome artists to show off and I think it will be pretty hard to make some decisions. But I guarantee you a wonderful celebration of local, national and international artists.

If you have any queries you can always ask.

On a personal note, I had my knee replacement last week at Michael Garron Hospital and have started the physio at Bridgepoint. I have nothing but good things to say about each facility from my doctor, Dr. Chang, all the way to porter Kirk who gave me a running commentary from the surgery to my room. I am already going up and down the stairs. After all, I do have a gala to be ready for. (lol) If you know of anyone who might be looking at a knee replacement, I would highly recommend the GLAD prehabilitaion program.

I’ll leave you with a few photos of the new space. I can’t wait to hang my new art there.

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

‘Coming Through’ is ready to jump onto the wall at 1558 Queen St E

‘Fall Down 7, Get Up 8’ the story of everyone who has ever tried, failed and tried again and again

We’re fancy at the Jackalope

YOU ARE INVITED…

• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, 18 Court St, Thunder Bay

  Ongoing..my art is in the window

• Focus Project Gallery, Melt Gallery

343 Count Rd 22, Barrack 3,

Picton, ON

Oct 10- Nov 3

• Grand Opening The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery

Sat Mar 16, 5-9pm

1558 Queen St E, Toronto, ON

2024-03 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

The beat goes on..and on and on

As you might guess, most of my time these days is getting The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery up and running and not much time is left for art making. Although I did manage to spend a few hours with Fox and Theo painting last WE. Theo was teaching me how to draw Dogman and Catkid. Theo has actually created more than 20 adventures with drawings and words. He was very good at showing me how to create Dogman.

I’ve often mentioned how much I need the help of friends and family. I am thrilled at how beautiful my newly renovated website looks. It is all down to my lovely niece Lise. Please take a look. The current gallery is up to date. And soon, I’ll be offering prints on paper and canvas and will have special deals on select artworks. I hope you’ll like this addition.

www.gailwilliamsartist.com

Please follow @thejackalopegallery on IG. It would be much appreciated if you would tell all your friends.

Our website is very close to completion and I must admit it’s pretty gorgeous. Of course Tracy and her talented daughter Caily were the builders. I just go along for the ride.

The Jackalope gala opening will be Sat March 16, 5pm- 9pm. It’s going to be a blast. I can hardly wait to welcome you.

On Feb 15, I’m getting a new knee so I’ll be whizzing around with a walker on opening night, although it might be challenging to navigate the masses. (lol)

Thanks ever so for your continues support. It means the world to me.

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Tracy and Gail strike a pose

The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery opening soon

Hanging out at the Jack

You’ll be able to view ‘Spirit Trees’ on Opening night

Sat Mar 16, 1558 Queen St E (west of Coxwell)

You’re Invited!

• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, 18 Court St, Thunder Bay

Ongoing..my art is in the window

• Focus Project, Melt Gallery

  Oct 10 - Nov 3

  343 County Rd 22.Barrack 3,

  Picton, ON

• Opening Gala …The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery,

1558 Queen St. E (west of Coxwell)

Sat March 16, 5pm - 9 pm

2024-02 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

At Laaassstt!!

Finally I get to let you in on the most excellent exciting project that I have been privileged to launch. 

WE’RE OPENING A GALLERY!!!

Yes you can believe your eyes. Right here in the east end of Toronto, a 5 minute drive from my home, on Queen St.

Two years ago I had the good fortune to meet a dynamic young woman, Tracy, a talented artist and former gallery owner. We have so much in common that it’s a little freaky sometimes. Please check out her awesome artwork.

www.tracydaviesart.ca

@tracydaviesart

We signed the lease Feb 1 and have this absolutely beautiful light filled space. It’s a mixed vibe of industrial and elegance. Huge windows and a funky atmosphere where all the artists we’ll attract will feel at home. A new place for visitors and art lovers to view up and coming and established contemporary and modern artists. We have a grand vision and can’t wait to send out the invitations to our opening gala in mid March.

What’s is called? you say? Introducing The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery. We chose this name because the jackalope fits our attitude. It’s memorable, unusual and a little quirky…just like us.

The Jackalope is a mythical North American hybrid animal, part jack rabbit and part antelope. They are stealthy, refined and can sing. Their weakness is whisky (no surprise) The Jackalope is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Please save March 16 for our debut.

The address is 1558 Queen St E, just west of Coxwell Ave. We hope you will visit often and enjoy the wonderful treasures that we plan on displaying or attend one of the events we will host. 

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Logo is a work in progress

But I think this says 1000 words

Introducing Tracy Davies and Gail Williams

Owners of The Jackalope Contemporary Art Gallery

1558 Queen St E, Toronto

Blue skies are shining on the Jackalope 

In the ‘green house’ at 1558 Queen St E

YOU ARE INVITED…

• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, 18 Court St, Thunder Bay

Ongoing..my art is in the window

• Focus Project Gallery, MELT Gallery,

Oct 10 - Nov 3,

343 County Rd 22, 

Barrack 3,

Picton, ON, K0K 2T0

2024-01 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Something’s Coming

Best wishes for a wonderfully happy and healthy 2024. Hope you were partying all night long. I was joining you in spirit even if I did hit the hay before midnight.

Have you guessed that I’m up to something? ‘Something’s coming, I don’t know what it is but it is going to be great. ‘Well, I actually do know what it is but I can’t let the cat out of the bag just yet. Do you know which song I’m thinking about? The first correct answer WINS AN ART CARD!

In the past I’ve mentioned Austin Kleon’s delightful books ‘Steal Like anArtist’ and so on. I love his newsletter and while I’m not as prolific as he is in his reading and music listening, I do find quite a bit of gold in his missives. A while ago he mentioned a wonderful book, ‘Drawing for Illustration’ by Martin Salisbury. I highly recommend it if you are at all interested in illustration and drawing. This week he highlights the work of Lynda Barry and Alison Bechdel, two artists who use the graphic novel so marvellously. If you go to Austin’s newsletter of Jan 19, you can find a link to a podcast you might find interesting. You’ll need to send him an email to subscribe. 

Austin Kleon<austinkleon@substack.com>

I recently met another amazing artist, a fellow Finnish Canadian, MinnaKoistinen who is a glass blower. She has built a significant career over several decades and very kindly allowed me to visit her studio. She holds workshops where you can create a masterpiece in just one visit. Her studio is conveniently located in mid Toronto and you can buy her work at Petroff Gallery.

https://playingwithfire.ca.

https://www.petroffgallery.com

Besides having something exciting in the near future, I was accepted to show my artwork in the Focus Gallery that is part of the Melt Studio in Prince Edward County in October of this year. It’s going to be a busy busy time and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

https://www.meltstudiogallery.com

Til next time, be warm and cozy. Thanks so much for reading and supporting me all last year. 

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Girls just wanna have fu-un!

The stunning work of Minna Koistinen

Minna and her state of the art kiln

Book your next hot date with Minna

Minna’s studio is mid Toronto..very conveniently located

YOU ARE INVITED…

Currently I’m with ….

• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, 18 Court St, Thunder Bay

  Ongoing..my art is in the window

  Coming up….

• October - Nov

  Focus Galley 

  Base 31, Barrack 3, 343 County Rd 22,

  Picton, ON