2025-16 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Merry Merry

Or as my Grandma would say Hauska Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta. Which I’m sure you know by now is Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Finnish.

This year Fox and Theo wanted to make a gingerbread house. I have a new respect for those builders. Ours is a little wonky but we had a lot of fun. The boys were especially detailed oriented with the gingerbread boys and girls. Let your imaginations run freely.

As ever I thank you for your support in the past year and wish you the best holiday season with family and friends. We are blessed to have Ingrie and Joanna home with us.

Next year will start with some gel printing classes so keep your eyes open for a workshop on Jan 24.

ROCK ON,

Gail

Fox and Theo wish you a very happy Christmas.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-15 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Just a short gentle reminder

Fox and Theo have been busy making art for our Holiday Open Studio show on Sun Dec 7, noon to 5pm. They are super excited to share their art with you. I think you’ll be impressed. As well, the Labatt Studio artists will be open and the incomparable James Fowler will share his space.

I also have a new piece to debut. Theo named it ‘The Questionable Conversation’. Does that intrigue you? I hope so.

There will also be a little gift for you as well as sweet treats.

I hope you know how much I appreciate your support.

ROCK ON,

Gail

Come on out and meet the talent at 7 Labatt.

This is a free event and we’ll even have some cookies!

Fox is excited to show this one.

Theo drawings are fantastic!

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-14 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Short but sweet

This is a short reminder to make sure you’ve put the Holiday Open Studio on your calendar. We’re looking forward to showing off our latest creations. Fox and Theo are excited to share what they’ve been up to. Let’s celebrate the season with some sweet treats and fun times.

Til the next time, keep living artfully.

ROCK ON,

Gail

Come on out and meet the talent at 7 Labatt.

This is a free event and we’ll even have some cookies!

Don’t miss this one! So many cool gift ideas.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-13 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Tis the season.

Here we go! Tis the season to put on your running shoes and get ready for the marathon. I always find this time of year exciting and a little exhausting to be honest. The schedule gets packed with the dates of parties (who doesn’t like a party?) and get togethers. And making the decision of which holiday markets to go to and which can be missed (none, actually). So many people like online shopping and I’m not above browsing (AKA doom scrolling), but I’m the type of person who has to feel the fabric. I love meeting the makers and seeing what clever creatives have come up with. There’s always something new.

Here are a few of the events I’m going to. Of course I have to promote the Holiday Open Studio at 7 Labatt Ave on Sun Dec 7, noon to 5pm.

If you’ve been wanting to do a little creating yourself, I’m holding a FREEDROP IN ‘Make a card’ event in my studio on Friday Nov 28 and Sat Nov 29. There will be just a nominal charge for the supplies you use. I’ll be open 11 to 4. Please let me know your’e coming.

The creatives in my ‘Exploring Layers: Gel Prints and Collage’ are having a blast. You could gift certificate next year’s course for a loved one who longs to create but says they aren’t an ‘artist’ Gel printing is simple and so much fun. Let’s talk.

If you want to add to, or start, your Gail Williams collection, I’m working on getting my print shop open in time for the holidays.

Til the next time, keep living artfully.

ROCK ON,

Gail

Come on out and meet the talent at 7 Labatt.

This is a free event and we’ll even have some cookies!

https://riverdalehub.ca › riverdale-hub-gallery

While you’re there you can say hello to ‘Eddie’s Horses’ and ‘The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius’

You’ll always find something you just have to have! A very talented group of potters.

Don’t miss this one! So many cool gift ideas.

New faces in the studio. 10 x10 in mixed media on panel, $200.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-12 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Were you ready for this?!!

I sure wasn’t ready. The trees weren’t either. As I write this it is still snowing here in Toronto. Of course I hadn’t done any yard clean up or putting away the summer furniture. Let’s hope it all melts soon.

Last Thursday was Day One of my new course ‘Exploring Layers: GelPrints and Collage’ and we had such a fun time. I’ll be starting another course in the new year, so please keep it in mind. Perhaps as a gift for someone you know who loves to create.

If you’d like a fun time making your own holiday cards, I will teach gel printing on Fri Nov 28 and Sat Nov 29 in my studio. You’ll make 6 cards and learn the basics of this simple and fun way to share your creativity. Cost is $65.00 for 3 hours of play in my studio. Space is limited.

There are 5 horses galloping in the Riverdale Hub Gallery! David at the Hub has added ‘Eddie’s Horses’ to the cafe and my painting ‘TheDawning of the Age of Aquarius’ to the co-working space. This delightful gallery is full of light and innovation, located on Gerrard St E. near Greenwood Ave.
https://riverdalehub.ca › riverdale-hub-gallery

We’ve set the date for our Holiday Open Studio for Sun Dec 7, noon to 5pm. This year you’ll be able to visit the Labatt Studio Artists and the GWA studio artists. We are hoping that the other artists in the building will join too. There will also be artwork by the bros Fox and Theo.

You might know that I am a bibliomaniac as well as a logophile (not to be confused with a sesquipedalian). While I’m on this subject I also confess to pareidolia which is related to apophonia. I’m sure when you look up pareidolia you’ll get the connection to my art. I was very happy to learn that my ‘condition’ is incurable and will happily continue to create more weird art. All this to say that I read a wonderful book about Francis Picabia, an avant garde artist I’d never heard of who is associated with Dada. The book is ‘Gabriele’ written by Clare and Anne Berest. Let me know if you like it. And as usual, I’m always looking for your favourite new books.

Til the next time, keep living artfully.

ROCK ON,

Gail

Happy gel printers. Marion, Dorothy and Karen

Ready to start class.

Riverdale Hub Gallery, 1326 Gerrard St E.

‘Eddie’s Horses’, 10x10 mixed media on panel, $200 each

‘The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius’ 40 x 30 in, mixed media on canvas, $2500.00 at the Hub

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-11 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

BACK TO FUN!

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Almost 2 months of vacation had to end sometime. As usual, I spent almost all of August in Thunder Bay. Although I wouldn’t call it vacation really. We had a celebration of life for my dear sister Dianne who passed away in April. I miss her so much. We had a lot of wonderfully crazy times together as sisters and as families.

In Sept/Oct. I went on a lovely (and expensive) trip to London. This time we added a tour of Devon and Cornwall which was quite spectacular. I’ll send some photos of my concertina travel journal in the next newsletter.

Before I left, I had started a new series of small works which is called ‘Eddie’s Horses’, inspired by the iconic photographs of Eadweard Muybridge. He pioneered photographic studies of animals in motion. I first saw his horses at the Tate London years ago. I never know when past memories will surface. These are small (10x10 in) wood panels with papers collaged with my gel printed papers. I have so much fun doing the gel printing and as a result, I have a ton of papers. What to do with them? Collage with them of course.

Whenever I show my new collaged mixed media pieces, I get asked how to do it, so I created a course called ‘Exploring Layers : Gel Prints andCollage’. In this course you will have fun making spectacular gel print papers, learn how to prepare a wood panel and use your unique creations to collage a piece of art.

This will be a 5 week course. Each session will be from 10 am to 12:30pm, and we’ll start on Thursday, Nov. 6. The final class will be Thursday Dec 4. All supplies are included. Class size is limited to 4 participants in my studio at 7 Labatt Ave. Price is $240.00. No drawing skill is required (honest) First dibs to my loyal readers. That’s YOU

Below are 2 of ‘Eddie’s Horses’. In the course I will show you how you can create a lovely artwork to amaze your friends and family. Either respond to this email or send an email. Gail@gailwilliamsartist.com.

Til the next time, keep living artfully.

ROCK ON,

Gail

Eddie’s Horses, 30 x 24, mixed media on canvas

Eddie’s Horses - 1, 10 x 10, mixed media on wood panel

Eddie’s Horses - 2, 10 x 10 in, mixed media on wood panel

One of the many selfies Dorothy and I took. This was crossing the Waterloo Bridge after an Uber boat on the Thames. Almost got blown away, but at least the sky was blue.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-10 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

In the SUMMERTIME!!

In the summertime, when the weather is high.

You can stretch right up and touch the sky

I hope I’ve planted an earworm for you today. Summertime is probably the most anticipated season of the year. We’re a bit more relaxed. We make the time to get together with friends by the BBQ or on a patio. My summers have always been in northern Ontario with family but this year will be a poignant one. I recently lost a dear sister with whom I’d spent 75 summers. We sure had some crazy times together. I hope you create some crazy memories with your family too, this year.

In July I have one art show planned, having decided that the outdoor art events require more energy than I’m willing to expend. Please join me for the opening reception at the Neilson Park Creative Centre for IMPACT2025 on Thursday July 10, 7-9. RSVP to me as soon as you can if you are planning on attending.

Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1V7
416-622-5294
www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com

Reception and Awards:
Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Art Space Connect Gallery

Here’s ‘Homage to the Red Dress’ on the cover of the Taren White Gallery online magazine. Please check out the rest of this exciting feature.

https://online.fliphtml5.com/ndwru/hgjh/

COMING IN JULY…I am so honoured to have one of my paintings in IMPACT 2025, the 32nd annual juried exhibition at the Neilson Park Creative Centre July 8-July 26. ‘Prince’, features a bubble gum pink dog and an adorable youngster, also a prince, done in my Fauvist inspired style, which embraces bold hues in unexpected surroundings.

Prince

36 x 24 in, mixed media on canvas

IMPACT 2025 ,July 8-July26, Neilson Park Creative Centre

Last week we had a very fun time in the studio with a gelli print workshop featuring botanicals. Let me know if you’d like to be on the waitlist and your time preference. Weekend/weekday/evening or daytime.

If you want to have an Outdoor Home Party, I can bring all supplies. It’s a super fun and easy way to create something beautiful. No experience or talent required.

Thanks Anne, Joanne, Jacqueline and Felicity. We had a blast.

This will be my last ‘official’ newsletter until Sept. Although if something super exciting is happening you’ll be the first to know.

I am so grateful for your support,

ROCK ON,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-09 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

I’m a COVER GIRL!

Well…my art is. I am thrilled that my art was chosen to be on the cover of the Taren White Gallery online magazine spring 2025 issue. Taren put ‘Homage to the Red Dress’ on the cover in a stunningly sophisticated setting. Inside you’ll find 3 more recent paintings. I’ve attached one of the pages of the magazine below. It features one of my new ‘Crossroads’ series pieces. If you want to see these artworks in the flesh, I invite you to my studio. Here is the link to the magazine. Viewing is more enjoyable on a larger screen.

https://online.fliphtml5.com/ndwru/hgjh/

WELL THAT WAS FUN !

What a great time we had at Peg’s annual ART SHOW in her lovely home and garden. Tons of visitors and so many loyal clients came out to support local artists and Indspire, a non-profit that encourages indigenous youth.

I don’t think I’ve ever shown you one of my darling portraits from the series ‘She, He, They Said’ This one is ‘She Said She Was Shy’. It was taken from one of my life drawings that I had done at Central Connection, at Withrow Park Community Centre. It’s a drop in, no instruction class with live model every Monday. It’s always open to new members. https://centralconnection.ca ›

She’s such a sweetie. 16x20, acrylic on wood panel

Here’s Karen (kitchen manager, Mel ( jeweller) and I having fun at Peg’s on the WE. Karen also repaints Peg’s home after the show. I can hook you up. Mel of course is @justsparkleca.

Peg Graham, hostess with the mostest and talented artist Dahlia, @peg.graham.75 and @splashofdahlia

COMING IN JULY…I am so honoured to have one of my paintings in IMPACT 2025, the 32nd annual juried exhibition at the Neilson Park Creative Centre July 8-July 26. ‘Prince’, features a bubble gum pink dog and an adorable youngster, also a prince, done in my Fauvist inspired style, which embraces bold hues in unexpected surroundings.

Prince

36 x 24 in, mixed media on canvas

IMPACT 2025 ,July 8-July26, Neilson Park Creative Centre

Always grateful for your support,

ROCK ON,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-08 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Flip Flop

And I wish I was referring to footwear! Our Ontario weather is keeping us guessing, moving from winter to spring and back again. Is it teasing your inner gardener? I don’t do a lot of planting but I do love a bit of colour of course. Do you have any reliable shade favourites? I need some suggestions please.

SAVE THE DATE

Only a few more sleeps til THE ART SHOW. 16 excited and talented artists will be together at the art event of the season at Peg’s lovely home and garden. Peg has been holding this wonderful party for 13 years to feature her many artist friends, clients and as a fundraiser for various causes. I hope you’ll come out to support us and Indspire too next WE.

You’ll be able to see ‘The Conversation’ in the flesh. I’ll show you how I used the gelli printed papers to create this unique artwork.

I am so honoured to have one of my paintings in IMPACT 2025, the 32nd annual juried exhibition at the Neilson Park Creative Centre July 8-July 26. ‘Prince’, features a bubble gum pink dog and an adorable youngster, also a prince, done in my Fauvist inspired style, which embraces bold hues in unexpected surroundings.

Have you seen the current Taren White Gallery Magazine? It’s online and I am thrilled to be a feature artist in this issue. Taren is a super talented curator and gallerist who has moved her gallery online. As well she is a talented artist in her own right. I am so proud to be associated with her. You can find her @tarenwhitegallery on IG. Look for the launch on June 1.

Do you pay attention to what you pay attention to? That is one way YOU can live artfully. I’ve mentioned the inspiring book ‘The Art of Noticing’ by Rob Walker, before, but it is worth repeating. Especially in these times in which we are living. What grabs your eye? Pay attention or perhaps seek out those small bursts of whatever brings joy to your heart. The more you are aware, the more you will see and know that there is beauty all around.

Always grateful for your support,

ROCK ON,

Gail

The Conversation

36 x 24 in mixed media on canvas

The Art Show, May 31-June 1, 64A Queensbury Ave, Warden/Kingston Rd. 11 am - 6 pm

Prince

36 x 24 in, mixed media on canvas

IMPACT 2025 ,July 8-July26, Neilson Park Creative Centre

MAY CALENDAR

Currently..Chasing Light, the Jackalope Gallery, 1558 Queen St E

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

2025-07 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

The Urgency of Spring

Do you feel the same way? As soon as the calendar says it’s Spring, I think we should see the buds popping and the daffs nodding their bright yellow heads. I do know that’s not how it works here, but my Pollyanna keeps showing up. And I do actually like winter.

The busy spring/summer art season is gearing up but I have decided that the outdoor artfairs are no longer for me. I’ll be showing my work in less physically demanding venues. My studio door is always open for visitors and I love to share my current obsession with the gelli printing process. I also hope to be teaching at a local arts centre and my work will also be featured in an upcoming online gallery magazine. Details will be out soon.

Please save May 31 and/or June 1 to visit The Art Show at Peg’s home and garden gallery for her annual art show and fund raiser. Peg has collected an eclectic group of artists and loyal followers. We always have a great time.

One of my interests is following other artists on IG and recently I’ve discovered the delightful Anthony Eyton who is featured on his daughter’s posts. He is still painting at over 100 years old and seems to have all his marbles too. If your’e curious, check out Sarah Eyton on IG. I think I want to be him when I grow up.

This week I’ve attached the completed bird painting where I’ve incorporated some gelli printed papers. Look closely and you can see the delicate leaves that were used, as well as the vibrant feathers on the top bird. A good friend suggested the title. Reply to this letter if you’d like to see it in the flesh.

MAY CALENDAR

Currently..Chasing Light, the Jackalope Gallery, 1558 Queen St E

May 31/June 1..The Art Show, 64A Queensbury Ave

As always, I appreciate your support.

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

The Conversation. 40x30 in mixed media on canvas

The Moon Shone Brightly That Night

24 x 36 in, acrylic on canvas, see it at the Jackalope Gallery

2025-06 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

Feeling Grateful

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

The weather report last Sunday was dreadful…the prediction was for freezing rain and ice, but that didn’t stop my faithful supporters. It was absolutely brilliant that we had a full house. I can’t thank my constant cheerleaders enough, and some new friends who came by to see what was happening in GWA’s studio. Dorothy helped to create a lovely jewel box of a gallery. The place was glowing. The free swag bags and additional discount was a hit too.

My door is always open to visitors. Just send me a message and I’ll make it work for you.

Lately I’ve been changing things up on my website and my IG presence. This has required a deep dive into some soul searching and has resulted in discovering more about why and how I achieve my unorthodox art works. You might think that artists just create but there is much more to it than that. Especially as I do not do realism. One result has been that I see how I connect to the Fauvism movement and to the works of Henri Matisse. I’m also paying attention to why I choose certain colours and how the images that I think just pop up don’t really do that. There is a chain reaction that I’m noticing. For example, my favourite blue is a direct reflection of the clear blue skies and deep waters of my childhood growing up in Northern Ontario beside the immense Lake Superior.

On that note…on my easel these days are some works where birds are appearing. Who isn’t fascinated with birds? The gelli printed papers are collaged onto the canvas and then I’m glazing over them. This is where play comes into the act. I’d love to share this fun and simple mono printing technique with you in one of my classes. See below for details of the next workshop. No talent or experience is required. If you prefer a different day or time I’m open to suggestions.

You know I am addicted to reading and I’ve just discovered another Finnish writer who celebrates our shared heritage of dark humour. Check out Antii Tuomainen for some hilarious craziness. Somewhat like my art. Please share your current reading obsessions.

APRIL CALENDAR

Currently..Chasing Light, the Jackalope Gallery, 1558 Queen St E

Thurs April 24..noon-2:30..Gelli print workshop at GWA studio…7 Labatt Ave, $95.00, all supplies included, no experience requ’d email to register. gail@gailwilliamsartist.com

As always, I appreciate your support.

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Joseph, All Dressed Up

This is what’s on the easel right now.

2025-05 Living Artfully with Gail

Hello Dear Art Lover

SUNDAY SUNDAY

It’s party time for the first OPEN STUDIO show at GWA studio on Sunday Mar 30, noon to 4 at 7 Labatt Ave. (Labatt runs east off River St, between Queen and Dundas) I’ve got special deals and free swag for everyone as well as my signature unconventional artwork. There will be a trail of breadcrumbs to help you find your way. I’m on the second floor. If the door is locked please call me 416-271-3934 and I will come down. I’ll leave a note on the door too.

If you’re already a Gail Williams collector ( have bought an original) you get an additional 10% off your purchase of original artwork which means 20% for you. There will also be some of the atrium artists in their studios whom you might be able to visit.

As always, I appreciate your support.

Rock on,

Gail

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Joseph is waiting to say ‘Hi’