the soon-to-be iconic representation of independent artists everywhere.
And he isn't a dunce, he is a creative soul who, because his work may not exactly be fit (or maybe just not READY) for the mainstream art world, has been marginalized and stuck in a corner, to ponder why the hell of all things he had to be good at and passionate about, why ART?
But what he doesn't know, or maybe knows but doesn't always 100% believe, is that he's AMAZING and one day he will be successful too.
This is the artist in his obscurity, the moment before the spotlight finds him, down but not defeated.
I am happy to say that Boutik Arts Dans Le Coin is now open for business.
The Boutik, owned and operated by the lovely Marie-Anne Ricci, sits on 5516 Sherbrooke St. Ouest, on the busy corner of Girouard, overlooking a peaceful NDG parc.
Walking into the store, you instantly feel right at home. The atmosphere is laid back, purposefully confronting and contrasting with the idea of your typical pretentious art gallery with its perfect white walls and elaborately framed ridiculously overpriced pieces. The walls are black, grey, and vibrant purple. Art pieces are suspended from chains, covering the walls from floor to ceiling-- a modern play on the "Victorian salon" style of gallery. The store carries everything from drawings and paintings to jewelry, clothing, and postcard sized prints.
Store in progress (top left). Yours truly posing in front of her
masterpieces, two Charlie's in the windows and the painted wall (bottom left). Storefront featuring my live painting setup
in the windows (above).
It isn't unusual to walk in and find one of the artists hanging out, chatting with the clientele, or even making art. It also isn't unusual to walk in and be confronted with a giant strip of paper rolled out onto the floor, covered in collaborative drawing and painting from the day.
(On that note, in addition to working on a new painting standing in the storefront windows, I drew some wicked flamingos. This loverly couple is totally going to be recreated as a painting. And yes, of course the umbrella too.)
And I feel like that is the best part about this store. It is a community space that not only allows, but encourages you to be yourself.
And at the same time, this place's primary focus is to support those people who don't come home from work and just watch TV, but instead they drink a coffee or throw back an energy drink, and they unpack the paints, the pencils, the tools, and they get to work. It supports the people who try their best to make it by doing what they love.
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| Moi, live painting in the windows for the world to see! |
I can't describe how it felt the first time I walked by and saw my painting on display in the storefront window.... or how I felt standing next to a couple as they admired and talked about another of my paintings, unbeknownst to them that the artist that created it was right there.
The store's grand opening bash will be sometime in the upcoming weeks, but please if you ever should find yourself in the area, stop by and see it for yourselves. Support starving artists-- I must add that the pieces in the store are very well priced.
STORE HOURS
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday-Friday: 10am-9pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am-6pm
My pieces currently available in the store (you know.. in case you were wondering...):
New Disaster, Good Morning! (sorry no official photo as of yet), Birth of Venus
Emotion Collage (matted and framed), Lennoxville Train Bridge
2 comments:
Is this store still open?
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