“Queen of Cake”, is how people in this city know this dessert place. Norman Felix has had the pleasure of having Dufflet supporting our events before, as they are good to their neighbours! They do everything from a retail café, catering, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and cakes for any occasion! They are known for premium natural ingredients, and sweet flavours!

This year for Contact 2013, you will see their delicious treats lingering about, so make sure to grab something sweet!

http://www.dufflet.com/

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

Michael is a fantastic photographer that is new to Norman Felix. He was accepted into TUPF (Toronto Urban Photography Festival), and this is how we fell in love with his work!

Make sure to read his Artist Statement, its not only well written, but explains what his photography is after.

“I am fascinated by forsaken spaces: structures whose longevity has defied their purpose;

sites reclaimed by nature, time, and the boundaries of ruin. I discover and photograph

these places in reverence of their former significance, and to uncover the beauty that

remains beneath the decay”.

“I seek locations with historical value, lost to the vagaries of passing trends and time.

Unconventional aesthetics draw my focus: aged, broken, corroded, and desolate

constructs. Recurring themes within my images are the contrasts of

transience/permanence, deterioration/renewal, and abandonment/reclamation.

I employ a practice akin to found art, appropriating found places in a similar manner. I

strive to capture the scenes faithfully and undisturbed; my technique favors wide-angle

perspectives and natural lighting to convey vicarious presence. Utilizing the scale of the

final prints, my hope is to evoke a sense of distressed grandeur and intimate emptiness.

Any image manipulation is done with intent and obvious effect to communicate a particular

visual statement”.

“Ultimately, I endeavor to document spaces that were once purposefully occupied by

multitudes, but now only serve to occupy the imagination of the observer. Perhaps my

own struggles with mortality are partially appeased by demonstrating artistry in dereliction

and purpose in obsolescence”.

Title: Bloxom

http://normanfelix.com/sobi2/all-artists/michael-pietrocarlo.html

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here. ]]> http://normanfelix.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/brad-walsh/ Fri, 03 May 2013 20:28:16 +0000 NormanFelix http://normanfelix.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/brad-walsh/ Walsh is new to Norman Felix, and we are happy to have him ! He is a talented new photographer, and looking at his incredible photos, you will see photography differently.

“My photographs allow the viewer into my world through my lens. It is my goal to capture these moments in time, to elicit emotion and persuade the viewer to not only think about the image, but imagine the unseen world outside of the photograph. My camera becomes an extension of myself, which combines and focuses my heart, mind and my eyes to show that behind the photograph there is an untold story which is open to the interpretation of the viewer. These are the things which are instrumental to my process for framing and capturing both image and imagination”.

Société Perrier has been a long time supporter of Norman Felix, as they are in the art community all over.  Global enthusiast’s of the best in art among several other pleasures in life, “Société Perrier is the trusted arbiter of what’s hot around the world. When you see the Société Perrier seal, you know you are in the right place”.

This year, as throughout the year, you will see the Société Perrier label in the space, and in your goft bags you will find your very own bottle to enjoy!

http://societeperrier.com/toronto

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

“Sweet. Natural. Sinfully delicious desserts”. Norman Felix’s Café Arts is a proud retailer for Sweets From the Earth. We carry a selection of their gluten free treats, and they sure are popular with the neighbourhood. They are known for all natural, vegan, dairy free (the list goes on), overall health conscious ingredients.

In your gift bags, you will find a wrapped up treat just for you from the generous people at Sweets From the Earth!

http://www.sweetsfromtheearth.com/

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here. ]]> http://normanfelix.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/jolanta-lukus/ Thu, 02 May 2013 21:51:14 +0000 NormanFelix http://normanfelix.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/jolanta-lukus/ Wise words from the Artist…

“When your life has a platform of creativity and is constantly surrounded by art, style, and unique design elements it is hard not to see the beauty in all things…”

“I find that through photography, I am able to express how I see the world and what I find fascinating and beautiful. My work becomes very personal and unique and though some might not see the worlds beauty in the same way as I do, to me it captivates me… it makes me stop, look, observe, and appreciate all that surrounds me…”

Title: Make a Wish

http://normanfelix.com/sobi2/all-artists/jolanta-lukus.html

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

Isaiah Trickey is a Toronto based Photographer born to American ex-patriot civil rights activists. Trickey was home-schooled and began experimenting with photography at an early age.  At Toronto’s Word Magazine he became one of the first photographers to document all genres in the emerging urban culture scene. This experience ultimately led him to receive highly sought after positions such as staff photographer for the Toronto International Film Festival and as a contributor to Getty Images photo agency.

A sneak peak of his work…

Title: Divine Captivation

http://normanfelix.com/sobi2/all-artists/isaiah-trickey.html

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

“Photography is the art of trying to capture the ephemeral dance of light and colour at play in the world and transform it into something eternal.  The result is a distillation of a single moment, a piece of the essence of a place, building or thing at a specific time.  Though moment vanishes, the image of that moment can still inspire a sense of awe and wonder.  Water stone and sky, particularly in the desolate or abandoned places, are the subjects to which I most frequently gravitate.  Enduring yet changeable, the beauty of these places, whether ice-bound shorelines or ruined medieval churches, is rich in interest and full of wonder”.

Title: Dawn Light Through Icicles

http://normanfelix.com/sobi2/all-artists/bill-hornbostel.html

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

“Do one thing really, really well”, is their famous motto for the one kind of brew that is loved by many. They are notorious for their efforts in environmental stability; their green bottles can be used up to 45 times, and paperless labels reinforce their efforts.

Steam Whistle brewery has been a sponsor of Norman Felix since the beginning in 2006, and for Contact this year, Steam Whistle is supplying us with their famous brew.

http://www.steamwhistle.ca/

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

“Professional. Classic. Sexy. Feminine. Any Direct Flight is your destination for easy to wear, feminine clothes and accessories. Our fashions are a delicious blend of contemporary and retro styling”.

The retail store, full of fabulous fashion is not the only reason to stop by, they also have a great cafe, and Norman Felix artwork hanging on the walls! A new Art-Stop we couldn’t be happier to have.

Any Direct Flight has generously donated a fantastic raffle prize for Contact 2013!

http://www.anydirectflight.com/

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

“There is something for the viewer to experience on close examination and from a distance, which speaks to them in how nature is imagined. Be it locational, elemental or emotion it would appear everyone has a different picture of nature.”

Below is a little sneak peak of what Bryan will have on display at Contact 2013 Norman Felix Field of Vision

Title: The Innocent

http://normanfelix.com/sobi2/all-artists/bryan-belanger.html

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

And, a little sneak peak of his work below…

Title: Lucidity

http://normanfelix.com/sobi2/all-artists/michael-auger.html

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact 2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

Amsterdam Brewery 

“We speak craft beer!”. Amsterdam is known for their flavour, and ability to craft a great tasting beer. You can see on summer patios all season long that Amsterdam is being enjoyed by Torontonians, and have been 1986!

Amsterdam Brewery has been a supporter of Norman Felix for years, and for Contact 2013 they have put together some free brewery tours, and Amsterdam Brewery swag!

http://amsterdambeer.com/

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

Norman Felix Gallery proudly presents an eclectic array of contemporary Canadian photographers who push the craft beyond representation. Their work will bring the audience into a realm of introspection, exploration of alternatives to traditional presentation (bringing to light the ways in which the use of various mediums in conjunction with photography augments visual storytelling), and examination of the people and places that make the modern world what it is. Truth is only a construct based on individual experience and perception–our collection of photographers will illustrate this.

Join us at Norman Felix Gallery for Contact2013, Friday May 10th!

Please click this link to RSVP and guarantee admission to the event.

Should the link not work, please RSVP by emailing art@normanfelix.com

See Facebook event here.

We are also posting our lovely sponsors, and some hints to raffle prizes, and what is inside your Norman Felix sponsor swag bag!

We love our sponsors ! xo

This Artist has a unique style that is both lovable, and easy to hang on any wall.

Norman Felix’s April Carreira was in California and had a sneak peak of the Artist’s pieces, “I have always loved Pete’s work, but these pieces are astonishing, and I wish I could have stayed for the show”.

So, if you’re in LA, and you like Chocolate and Art, this is how to occupy your time this weekend!

Located at : KGB Studios

1640 N. Spring St. Los, Angeles, CA. 90012 – Friday, April 26-27 – 7pm – 2am , event is 21 +

https://www.facebook.com/ChristianoDeAraujoJunior?ref=ts&fref=ts

(like his Facebook page!)

And , make sure to check out his video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ddf9kcS2yds

And, visit the website, http://www.anydirectflight.com/ , and check out this amazing place.

What?  A juried contemporary art fair

http://www.theartistprojecttoronto.com/

Where? Better Living Centre – Exhibition Place – Toronto

When? 4 days – Thursday, February 21 – Sunday 24, 2013

Two Norman Felix artists will have a booth at the event

Jeff Turner, booth #608 – His piece is the Queen street subway, and he also has his piece “Edinburgh” is featured on the poster for the event! Go Jeff!

Sandra Di Leo, booth #903 – Sandra’s piece is the abstract piece, called “Beach” What a beauty!

We will be there tonight for the opening, see you there!

Later we found more of our artists were involved in The Artist Project! A final congratulations goes to Sandra Di Leo, Jeff Turner, Rhiana Sneyd, Clement Cheng, and Laura Culic !

Norman Felix was warming up with Florida Citrus, welcoming everyone to come and participate in summer activities, and yummy treats. It was a great activity for families, the event was mentioned as a great Toronto event by yoyomama.com, a website helping parents find something to do with their children. Check out their website - http://www.yoyomama.ca/2013/02/torontoevents/

Florida for a day!

As January moves into February we could all use a little sunshine in our day-to-day life. Whether you are playing a round of mini golf or getting a silly photo taken, the Florida Citrus Sunroom will give you that taste of warmth you have been craving. Other activities a supervised kid’s play area, a nail painting area, delicious treats and fun games. Come out and relax – Florida style: www.facebook.com

Two of our very own talented artists have pieces being hung in the Big Brother Canada house! Congrats to Vitali Zelinski and Paul Brandejs !

On May 24th 2012, Springhill Suites provided Norman Felix and the McMichael Volunteer Committee with an opportunity to co-curate a vibrantly eclectic show for the hotel’s first annual ArtNight. Each year, 250 of the Marriott’s hotels across North America host an ArtNight with the intention of stimulating interest in local talent.

A wide range of artists at various stages of notoriety were showcased. Emerging talent shone just as brightly as established professionals at the peak of their careers. Norman Felix’s own Tongson Chen, an OCAD student who is making waves in the art community, exhibited his stylistically sophisticated yet grungy mixed-media depictions of broken-down urban settings.

Tongson Chen, Dundas (top) and Augusta (bottom)

One of McMichael Gallery’s stars, Doris Pontieri, is soon to show at the Louvre in France as one of twelve hand-picked Canadian artists. She was a treat to meet in person, and delivered some lovely eye candy to boot.

Although three hours was hardly enough time to absorb the beauty and diversity on display, we definitely came away from ArtNight with lasting impressions. We especially loved the masterful and unique landscape renderings by Michael Zarowsky and Jeremy Browne, whose work resonated with depth and meaning. 

Zarowky’s watercolor work  is a vibrant, hyper-saturated blend of realism and impressionism. He has mastered contrast and tonality, rendering light and shadow so convincingly that the viewer feels transported into the scene. You can almost sense the time of day, and the invigorating taste of the winter air.

Colours of Sunlit Silence After the Snowfall by Michael Zarowsky

Appalachian Valley by Jeremy Browne

Jeremy Browne explores the relationship between light and landscape with photo-realistic scenes of solitary farm houses set in immense, desolate landscapes. His work is peaceful and melancholy, communicating a respect for the wilderness of the North country, but also capturing the comfort of home with at least one lit window in each of his farmhouses.

Rogers Television interviewing Doris Pontieri

Doris Pontieri’s innovative use of charcoal on canvas mixed with acrylic and watercolour paints  elevates the landscape subject matter to a level where the medium speaks to the message of the artwork. Pontieri’s Northern Birch Trees paintings allude to a personal story of resilience in the face of struggle. She had to invent her own methodology for using charcoal on canvas to create these pieces, as charcoal rubs off easily and is difficult to keep intact long enough to render a drawing. We were so enchanted by her work that we’re currently writing a separate post just about Doris!

Many of our Norman Felix artists travelled to Vaughan from downtown Toronto and beyond in order to attend the reception. Bryan Belanger, Pete Kasprzak, Abigail Bedwell, Johanna Meharg, Jeff Turner, Saira de Goede, Dave Rheaume, and Melanie Day made it out for the event. Tongson Chen couldn’t stay for the opening, however he spent the entire day assisting with the curation and set-up for the event.

The night featured some of Norman Felix Gallery‘s newest work, including several mixed media-based paintings by Saira de Goede, who produces large-scale figurative pieces depicting beautiful but sinister women. Her striking art attracted a lot of interest with its juxtaposition of beauty and violence.

Bryan Belanger wowed viewers with the debut of his formidably-scaled paintings. Whitsundays feels like a walk on the beach to look upon with its thick and glossy layers of aquamarine paint, while The Balance of Mount Olympus explores female relationships in a style that is part myth, part free association, and part calculated madness.

Whitsundays by Bryan Belanger

Melanie Day’s soothing, subdued paintings of abstracted stormy island shores were a peaceful escape from reality. On a scorching hot day, just looking at them was enough to feel awash with relief from the blazing sun!

Snake Island by Melanie Day (left) and Ingrid’s Eye Glint by Saira de Goede (right)

The new works by Pete Kasprzak (as seen in our CONTACT 2012 show), turned photography on its head with the use of an experimental and unique approach to photography involving black-on-black, with carved latex prints mounted on board.

Erin Bittschwan (Director of Norman Felix Gallery) at the podium

Jeff Turner, another of our photographers, delivered some small and striking resin-coated prints on panel just in time for the show. The provocative image of a woman in an illuminated bathtub was a major conversation piece, especially as it differs so much from his usual travel photography.

Two very different aesthetics seamlessly blended together at ArtNight. The highly detailed, realistic, and traditional work selected by the McMichael Volunteer Committee provided the perfect counterbalance to Norman Felix’s urban-meets-contemporary aesthetic. This thematic divide was a reminder that there is no single correct approach to creating art. A successful piece is one that can enchant its audience, regardless of how varied their life experiences and perspectives may be.

Norman Felix Gallery is proud to be participating in Contact 2012 with our Electric Landscapes exhibit, which runs from May 1st to 31st. The show features an array of photographers who have drawn from diverse sources of inspiration to create a fascinating intellectual and visual “landscape”.

David Nardi, White Birch Trees, Giclée on Canvas

David Nardi photographs luscious landscapes and slivers of nature that we see every day, using light and camera techniques to produce vibrant images that are as close to reality as possible, without making any digital modifications.

Matthew Marigold, The First Flower After the Flood, Mixed media photography with resin

Matthew Marigold brings his ethereal, gothic floral photography to life with the incorporation of actual dried flowers in his resin-coated pieces. Large, shining, and decadently framed, his photographic pieces could also be considered sculptures.

Sarah Tacoma, The Guardian, Pigment print & resin on panel

Sarah Tacoma takes you into a dream world with her muted landscape photography. Her remote and otherworldly wilderness shots are mounted upon rustic birchwood panel, and coated in resin. She was the featured artist in our 2011 Contact show Fragile Ground, which you can read more about here.

Joel Black-Beatty, Pride Church, Giclée on canvas

Using skillful digital manipulation, Joel Black-Beatty transforms familiar Toronto cityscapes into vibrantly psychedelic amalgamations which create a surreal and mind-bending experience for viewers.

Jeff Turner, Marrakech Door, Photography

Jeff Turner travels the world seeking out uniquely beautiful perspectives on landscapes and architecture. He captures each shot in such a way that its shapes, textures, patterns, and colours work together in delicately balanced harmony. The results are powerful enough to make the scents, emotions, and excitement conveyed by his work almost physically palpable.

Pete Kasprzak, Behind the Scenes, Photography and oil paint on canvas

Pete Kasprzak photographs the fast city nightlife, painting upon his canvas-printed photographs to enhance the movement and electricity of the moment. His latest “blackout” pieces feature layered flat and reflective vinyl cut-outs of famous San Francisco street corners.

Soumen Karmakar, Reflection Over Alaska, Giclée print on archival paper

Soumen Karmakar captures remote and panoramic landscapes, gravitating towards waterscapes, glaciers, and deserts as his preferred subject matter. His skillful use of lighting dramatically accentuates textures and shapes within each piece, which are further enhanced by his delicate use of muted colouring.

Isaiah Trickey, Divine Captivation, Photography

Isaiah Trickey’s work embodies the innocence, freedom, and nostalgia of childhood past. Trickey’s younger siblings star in these photographs, which experiment with silhouettes, backlighting, and simplified colour schemes.

Andre Fortier, Alterna-Pop, Vector print

Andre Fortier transforms his photographs digitally to create colourful and playful images.

Richard Bornemann, Slice Stair, Giclée digital

Richard Bornemann is an expert of powerful simplicity, creating geometric and fascinatingly mysterious dreamscapes. His work exemplifies a unique intersection between the futuristic digital world and convincing realism.

Roger Guetta, La Grande Dame, Framed in lisco cut film holder

Roger Guetta uses an Iphone to capture his images, which possess a distinctly avant-garde feel and have strong elements of surrealism.  His recent work is framed within old film casings.

Michael Auger, Lucidity, Photography

Michael Auger‘s photographs of the landscapes which surround him feature gorgeously bright colours and careful composition, lending an aspect of fairy-tale magic to his work.

Girl + the Machine, Hong Tu Building, Polaroid Digital Print

Girl + the Machine takes digital Polaroid photographs and creates compositions that transport you back in time with the use of muted colours and rough textures.

Opening reception for Delight 2011 at Norman Felix Gallery

Thursday May 3^rd is the opening night for Electric Landscapes at Norman Felix Gallery. The reception will run from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, and features three floors of artwork. Artists will be in attendance for this event, and we encourage you to stop by to enjoy the evening! You can RSVP here.
This eclectic exhibit pulls together photographers from all walks of life, and is sure to delight the imagination and ignite inspiration in all who attend.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Erin and Erol, building walls.

Norman Felix Gallery is renovating!

We are giving Six20Seven a facelift, adding amenities, building our muscles, and putting up a new sign outside.

Real men chop wood.

The best part is that we are putting in a coffee & juice bar component, because we aim to satisfy not only your eyes and hearts, but also your tummies and caffeine addictions!

A dancing Mojo!

We will be back up and rolling in time for Spring Fever on March 16^th, so here’s a small taste of what is to come:

Vitali Zelinski, Flowers 24

Herry Arifin, Eastern Ave

Abigail Bedwell, Birch (Love Makes Time Pass)

Caitlyn Chisamore, Residue

The Norman Felix "Red Carpet"

Welcome to Norman Felix Gallery’s brand new blog!

We are a Toronto-based art gallery and management agency, as well as a creative haven for artists and art lovers alike. We are located at 627 Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. The beginning of 2012 has been an exciting time of growth, evolution, and expansion for the gallery, and we want to share our journey with you!

Norman Felix's new space at Six20Seven Queen Street West

Norman Felix is a space run by people who are truly passionate about art, and understand the creative process (two of whom are artists themselves!) We believe in supporting emerging as well as established talent, and have dedicated ourselves to promoting Canadian artists. This is a competitive field, so we aim to help our artists master the business side of the art industry, in order to make the most of their talent and creativity.

The gallery maintains a hand-picked collection of original Canadian artwork, which ranges from elegant abstract paintings to breathtaking photography and skillfully rendered contemporary illustrations. We are a juried gallery, but we encourage ambitious and dedicated artists to submit their work to us because we are always on the lookout for new talent!

Norman Felix Gallery was first established by Erin Bittschwan, a business whiz from an artistic family whose love for art and penchant for business fuelled the creation of Norman Felix Gallery in 2006. Initially operating out of a 300 sq foot room on Spadina that would later become the gallery’s storage area, Erin began by managing her sister Nyoka’s artwork. Other artists started requesting Erin’s services, and eventually the first Norman Felix gallery showroom opened at 192 Spadina Avenue.

Erin Bittschwan, Gallery Director

Since then, the gallery continued to gain momentum, and recently outgrew its Spadina location. In autumn of 2011, we moved to a beautiful new storefront location on Queen Street West (at Bathurst). In collaboration with Gallery C-C, Creatures Creating, Footage Entertainment, and BodyBeautyMind, Norman Felix has established a multi-faceted creative space where local talent thrives. This collective is called Six20Seven. Our first opening reception at Six20Seven took place in December, for our annual Holiday show Delight 2011. It was a resounding success, and a promising beacon of many exciting events yet to come.

Delight 2011 Opening Reception @ Norman Felix Gallery

Our vision for the future is simple: we aim to continue to showcase amazing artists, put on fabulous shows, and deliver a powerful viewing experience to a diverse variety of tastes. This blog will document our progress, sources of inspiration, and reflections upon notable events and achievements in the Toronto arts community. Check back often for updates!

Until the next time,
NF

Come visit us in person!