The Dream

This is a print of an original painting made in 2000, following a dream I had.

A male child came to me, he said he was ready to be born. I was going through a divorce at the time and knew I wouldn’t be giving birth. I told the child he was loved and wanted, but couldn’t come home. The dream was very peaceful. An acceptance of a sort.

Five years later I would become a surrogate mother figure to a rotation of boys who ended up living with me, while finding their footing. In total there were 13. Some stayed longer than others. My wish to be a mother fulfilled. I got many boys to love.
Purchase Print: ETSY SHOP

This is a print of an original painting that came together unexpectedly. About nine years ago I started a painting that I never finished. It looked bad; I didn’t like it, yet I couldn’t throw it out. There were a few elements I loved: The cello, the jeans, and the hands.

Originally the piece was going to be titled “Grace” as in graceful. A few months ago I had a thought… I should cut out what I like and toss the rest. So I did. Then I cut that section into pieces and glued it to a bigger canvas. I thought about adding some sheet music to create a theme. I thought maybe, “Amazing Grace.” As I went along painting, that song didn’t suit the flow and energy I got from the painting. When I gave it some thought, the first song that came to mind was: “Unloved,” by Jann Arden. I felt the moodiness and honesty of words and melody fit perfectly with the image.

I went about adding the sheet music for “Unloved.” When it was complete I liked it but there was still something missing. I sent a snap shot to my dear friend, Linda Woods, and said, “what’s missing?” She promptly replied by sending back the image with some of the song lyrics in place. I loved her choice of font, words, and placement; so with her blessing, I added them to finish the piece.

I love how image inspires word, which inspires sound, which inspires art. The fluid nature of creativity allows for an area of life where there truly are no rules. “UNLOVED” is a prime example of one art form giving birth to another.
Many have expressed interest in buying prints. Though flattered, I didn’t feel right listing the print as it contained copy written material. Because the requests continued, I decided to contact Jann and ask for her okay. The words and sheet music on this piece are the sole property of Jann Arden Richards and have been used with her permission. My sincere thanks to Jann for the inspiration and generosity!
To purchase a print, please visit my Etsy Shop: UNLOVED

During a recent trip to California Linda Woods, Karen Dinino, and I, finally had the opportunity to meet in person. Which is odd, considering we’ve been in constant contact for five years and also co-authored the book, “Meeting In The Ladies Room,” together (now available in Kindle format).

Linda & Karen are two very talented sisters who create with no boundaries and encourage others to do the same. They have two best selling “how-to” books about journaling and creating personal art: Visual Chronicles & Journal Revolution

While crashing with Linda and her fantastic husband, Dustin, we had some time to create a mixed-media canvas together. Though I’ve been painting since I was four-years-old, mixed media is still a tad scary for me. Different mediums and canvass: I have no trouble manipulating; add glue, paper, stamps, tissue, etc., to the equation is something else. I was lucky to have a mixed-media expert showing me her techniques and encouraging me to jump in.

A true collaboration, “FREEDOM,” is a piece represents our lives as well as the storms we all must travel through in order to arrive at our true selves. Freedom brings us home to ourselves when we learn to honour and trust our inner compass. From the moment we began applying paint, paper, and glue, we were on the same track. Creating art with friends is a gift. There’s a trust to take artistic risks and be honest about every element. I’m quickly becoming a big fan of artist collaborations!

For Linda’s take on our project: A Boat Called Freedom.

We’ve received so much feedback that we decided to make prints available in my Etsy Shop.

For those interested in mugs, t-shirts, hats, or bags you can visit HERE!

Images & Words Copyright 2010 Linda Woods & Pamela Detlor

Luminato, Toronto 2010 kicked off in high gear at Dundas Square, with a FREE Concert on Friday night!

Jully Black

Toronto’s own, JULLY BLACK got things started with her “touch the stratosphere” energy! Younge/Dundas Square was jammed to capacity, with row upon row of overflow filling the sidewalk in front of the Eaton Center. “I see you over there by H&M,” she assured the people across the street.

Her set was fun, mesmerizing, and inspiring. The theme of her performance was about spreading love, believing in self, and being good to each other. “Never listen to anyone tell you, ‘you can’t.’” Listening to Jully sing “Seven Day Fool” “Until I stay” “Queen” & “Running,” will get you moving, yet, seeing her perform these songs live is an experience everybody should have once in life.

Vocally her range is wide and flawless. The emotion behind every word is felt. Her sincerity and interaction with the crowd makes you forget you are in a sea of people. The band and back up vocalists were flawless. Jully was perfection as she brought her set to a close punching “through the Glass Ceiling,” while an estimated 1500 – 2000 people joined with fists in the air. “When I say peace, you say love…” “…Peace ~ Love” over and over, is the chant that filled the downtown core as Black surrendered the stage. Head over to http://www.jullyblack.com/ and get acquainted with this phenomenal performer!

SASS JORDAN

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it until I leave this earth: Sass Jordan delivers one of the best live rock shows on the planet! She’s been kickin’ ass and taking names for 30 years and is as spot on today as she was when I saw her for the first time 22 years ago. Jully Black is a tough act to follow. Sass didn’t just follow… she kept the energy of the night going and took it from pop, dance, R&B, to blow the doors off the hinges Rock~N~Roll!

There’s a reason Sass has shared the stage with, Kiss, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones etc and has sold a million records world wide. That reason: Her voice! She hits notes I didn’t even know existed. Forget the auto-tune pop-divas on the radio; Sass has pitch perfect vocals. She could out-sing those gals with her mouth duct taped shut!

Sass and the band played through some of her impressive roster of songs. Older hits and tracks from the new, classic 70’s rock inspired, “From Dusk Till Dawn.” Which includes the awesome track, “Do What Ya Want.” During “I Want To Believe” the audience sang along with every chorus (some of us to every word). With hits like, “So Hard,” and “Make You A Believer.” The place went ballistic! The band was airtight and bang on with every note. Sass was joined by: Colleen Allen and Carrie Chesnutt a.k.a. “The Sassettes” on sax and harmonies.

Be sure to pop in on Sass at http://www.sassjordan.com/ and buy a copy of “From Dusk Till Dawn.”

MELANIE FIONA

Toronto native Melanie Fiona rounded out the night with a return to some high voltage pop, R&B, dance music. Melanie is currently on tour with Alicia Keys but took a break to come home for the DIVA night!

She started the set with her hits “Bang Bang” and “Give It To Me Right.” She and her backup dancers/vocalists put on a performance reminiscent of the “Ike & Tina Review.” Those ladies were on fire! The band accompanying Melanie was as flawless as all the musicians on stage, before them.

The refreshing thing about Melanie: The GAL can actually sing! In this new generation of manufactured acts and tweaked sound, it is difficult to know WHO, of this new generation of performers, actually has the chops to play LIVE in front of a live audience. I didn’t know what to expect outside of the videos and radio but within 10 seconds of her first song, I was giving props! If you are not familiar with Melanie’s music, treat yourself right away: http://www.melaniefiona.com/

Luminato Festival Toronto 2010 runs until June 20th, there are still tickets available to many of the arts and creativity events, as well as more free events. For all the details head to the official Luminato site: http://www.luminato.com/2010/

What could be better than the marriage of friendship and art? When my dear friend, Glamma, suggested that we create a canvas together I jumped at the chance!

“Between Friends” is the name given to our painting. The piece was created over two days (taking: 18 man/woman hours, 2 chocolate eggs, coke, coke zero, tea, Subway sammiches) using 9 different mediums and a freestyle attitude.

We attacked the canvas and broke most of the “rules” for what NOT to blend together. Using: Acrylic, Oil, Pastel, Pigment, Ink, Quash, Charcoal, Graphite, and Conté Sticks. It was wonderful to watch some elements to repel other elements. Where ink hit pastel it was forced to re-route elsewhere. The results delighted us (art geeks). There was no preconceived plan. We simply agreed that the piece had to represent our spirits, our friendship, and us. To date ~ this is, without a doubt, my most cherished art project.

We started on the floor with every type of art supply dumped around us. I’m a more structured artist. Realism has always been where I’m comfortable. Glamma is great with structure/form and he is amazing with abstract too. In the early stages I was conforming to being rigid and sketched a stone Celtic cross that is representative of my strong spiritual connection. Glamma was just feeling the canvas and design was flowing from him without hesitation.

After 40 minutes I had to stop. We discussed my issue of feeling the need for accuracy. Glamma said I had to just let go and see what happened. I took a breath and went for it.

In the end my cross is still there ~ under layers of paint. The circle of the cross eventually morphed into a sun spiral. The image changed but the emotion didn’t. I was able to incorporate the sun and the spirit – both of which are important to me.

Glamma created the most beautiful girl; her hair flows into the piece and inspired other additions.

One of my favorite elements he added is the OM chant, which he painted out freehand. The words we chose are meaningful to us: Spirit, Zen, Beauty, Free, Growth, Shine. The masculine & feminine symbols represent us, and the Yin/Yang of the planet. We also added symbols for Summer (a season we love), Universal Peace, and three Trinities/Triads (Mind/Body/Spirit or Father/Son/Holy Ghost ~ witch ever suits your soul). There are colours that flow like water, blend like air, anchor like earth, and burn like fire.

Glamma encouraged me to use a pen tube to blow black ink into branches for the cherry blossom trees. I was nervous that I would screw up. They were an element added at near completion. I didn’t want to destroy some of the other things we both loved. But, again, he said, “If we hate it, we’ll cover it.” The branches and blossoms worked out great and I learned a new technique!

This project was a joy and a learning experience, for me. We’ve done plenty of photo shoots together. Glamma: doing makeup, styling, conception, shots. Me: doing lighting, staging, conception, shots. However, this is the first time we’ve ever created art together with paint and canvas. It won’t be the last!

Many have expressed interest in getting prints of this piece. We’ve sourced out shops that make high quality Giclee prints and will be ready to take orders soon!

If you want information on sizes/prices contact:
pameladetlor@thethoughtvox.com

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