11/11: Who are your favourite local artists? Share some of their works!
Hey Guys!
This weeks homework has me incredibly excited! I have been really looking forward to getting into blogging more on here, and on my many social media platforms... but it takes some amount of head space and a reasonable level of emotional stability to blog or else your brain doesn't really think of anything interesting to say. It's more like one long ...... But, this topic has me rearing to type though!
I couldn't be MORE excited to share with my SG family some of my favourite local artists, as I happen to be in one of the most AMAZING PLACES IN THE WORLD for wicked artists. I would like to thank Ontario/Quebec for housing some of the most amazing artists within their boundaries, and for being so full of adventure and wonder that they draw others in so that we might be able to work with other such incredible talents. I absolutely cannot wait to hear who everyone else loves, please TAG me in your posts, I want to see them!
I LOVE ART, I grew up with art, I live art, I breathe art; I am empty without art. So it is beyond exciting that I get to write a list of people for you to check out THAT I KNOW!! So without further ado, let's start at home... in my new hometown, London, Ontario!
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#1. Jay Terry - Commercial/Art Photographer - London, Ontario
www.instagram.com/jayterryphotography/
www.facebook.com/jayterryphotography/
This is really starting at home, as Jay and I have recently found ourself in a new relationship with each other, through our love of art. We are both professional freelance artists, me a model and him, obviously, a photographer and although we fought like cats and dogs on our several mutual Facebook groups for well over a year something put us on each other's path's to shoot together. Not only does Jay create wicked pictures of me, but also of EVERYTHING else he shoots. There is nothing more incredible to me then human beings who see well beyond the realm of what's in front of them, to not only what lies beneath and behind, but also what can not usually be seen. He certainly has a way of making everyone feel impossibly empowered, beautiful and relevant.
#2. Stephanie Katherine - Visual Artist & Model - London, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/lolfannny/
https://www.instagram.com/shytrashhh/
Stephanie is one of the most interesting people that I know, she is extremely deep and has so many stories within her. You can see them every time you look into her eyes, her story is powerful and emotional and it changes those who hear it for ever. No matter what though, she keeps fighting and trying to find a positive way for herself in this life, it's incredibly inspiring! Checking out her art it is evident that she often uses her emotions, moods and feelings to influence her choices in colours, patterns and textures!
**Hint, she's also a model and the last photo that Jay took, is also a picture of Stephanie! <3 **
#3. Marc LePage - DJ - London, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/traxcity_music/
https://www.mixcloud.com/djghosteye/
How would I dance to great mixes without Marc? He is the genius behind my musical soundtrack for performing. He knows how to keep the crowd moving, or create sensual moments between people. His beats are inspiring and vivacious or calming and thought provoking. Although he has been taking a break from creating his own mixes until he releases his new one THIS WINTER, he never stops the beats, doing everything from DJing at weddings to bars or night clubs and keeping it real at drag and burlesque shows!
#4. William Riquelme - Fashion Photographer - Kitchener, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/williamriquelmephotography/
https://www.facebook.com/williamriquelmephotography/
If you want to look and feel like a high end fashion model, you go to Will! He has the team, the set up, the studio, and even for those of us who do this all the time, it feels like an experience. Shooting with Will includes getting your hair and make up done by a professional, making a mood board and having clothing styling all ready to go, it always makes me feel like I'm showing up to a movie set!! While his family has been welcoming their new arrival he has been taking a break from shooting but I can't wait to see him dive back in this winter with some new faces.
#5. Sapphyre Poison - Performer & Drag Queen - Guelph, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/sapphyrepoison/
MY FAVOURITE DRAG QUEEN OF ALL TIME, THE MISTRESS HERSELF, MISS SAPPHYRE POISON!!
I couldn't say enough nice things about this human being, from making me laugh to inspiring me to be the best performer possible, she always brightens the room, and every face in it. Ever met someone with an electric personality? That's Sapphyre. No other way to describe her ambiance, being in her presence makes me happy. I would put her on my list of most influential humans! I was so INSANELY proud to be able to say I knew someone in Crews & Tango's Drag Race in Toronto, especially Sapphyre, who not only was a contestant but made it to the finale!! I cannot wait to make an actual burlesque number with her, where we can make our glittery lesbian fantasies come to life, even if only for a moment of time a few nights of my life on stage! :P
#6. Rachel Jones - Hair & Make Up Artist - Guelph, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/rachelbprettymua/
https://www.facebook.com/BPrettytoday/
This woman is a magician, there is literally nothing else to say about how insane her skills are other then that she could make you into someone else if she wanted to... I'm sure of it. I've worked with Rachel a whole pile of times, she's made me up for photoshoots and I've seen her do many others as well, every single time the person walks away looking like an uplifted version of them self. She makes a foundation for YOU, she picks from her mystically kit of teeny boxes and little tubes before making you feel like a Disney Princess every time!
#7. The Cluttered Craft Closet - Artisan Bags & Quilts - Brampton, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/clutteredcraftcloset/
https://www.facebook.com/clutteredcraftcloset/
I have to put this here, as I couldn't not support my families little business. This is something that my Mum and I have been undertaking and are hoping to get fully operational during 2018. I couldn't be more proud of her, through hard work and determination my Mum managed to purchase herself a table top quilting machine... something she's wanted for a really long time. I know that this is a huge moment for her, as she will be able to now take on quilting other people's projects as well as still being able to find time for her own. Keep an eye out for us hitting some craft and artisan shows around Ontario next summer!!
#8. Severin Seven - Rigger - Toronto, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/se7enbondage/
https://www.facebook.com/se7enbondage/
Have you ever watched someone do an entire set of suspension? It's totally mesmerizing! I first met Severin at Oasis Aqualounge, the night of my very first public performance, EVER! I was so nervous, but his performance with his partner, Luna, was enveloping. I couldn't think of anything but what I was watching before my eyes. Every movement was different then the last, each motion felt dangerous, but with the swift gentle tug of a rope could entangle his victim in the most artfully pleasing and delightful ways.
#9. Vanessa Walsh - Visual Artist - Toronto, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/vanessa.walsh.artist/
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/VanessaWalshArtist/
Erotic water colour painting, need I say more? How do I describe her work, intriguing, stimulating and very much arousing. I first interacted with her work at The Everything to Do with Sex Show this year, and since then I notice it EVERYWHERE! It's always pretty epic to watch an artist expand across a city into so many different venues. Her manipulation of colour is delightful and it makes you want to sit and stay for a while, just to stare at the art and let your imagination wander.
#10. Patrica Ricardo - Boudoir Photographer - Toronto, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/torontoboudoir/
This woman makes me look so sexy it's not believable. I couldn't believe that she came into my life by absolute fluke at a workshop she attended with another photographer and I was a model there! Between the stimulating conversations that we have and her great eye for spotting the perfect sexy lighting and pose, this woman knows how to rock a boudoir session. As soon as I met her I knew that she would be a forced to be reckoned with!
#11. Dorrie Mack - Nude Art Model - Toronto, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/dorrie.mack/
https://www.patreon.com/dorriemack/
Holy, knows how to work her body!! This woman has curves for days and the poses to go with them, her lines are insane and the way she contorts herself goes right along with them. I often find myself staring at her art and loosing myself for a moment in it, like in the way her collarbone runs off the picture like a marker line drawn with intention or when her arms limbs float in positions just beyond the realm of natural. Throw in a touch of softness to her portraits and it's a recipe for art.
#12. Kalyna Rakel - Musican - Toronto, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/kalynarakel/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgJcIR1emuQZ5vuuKP3sPA
This summer I got the honour of being a part of one of Kalyna's music videos. It was one of the most awesome experiences of the year and I cannot stop watching the video, it's my favourite song! (It hasn't been released yet, stay tuned!) Although I haven't had the opportunity to see her live in person, I always check out her new work and am excited to hear her new sounds. With her dreamy voice and soft classic sounds mixed with the upbeat, it's magic to my ears.
#13. Jules Koun - Nude Art Model - Niagara Falls, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/jules_koun/
I have a thing for this red head, in particular. I can't seem to get away from the way her hair washes over her shoulders in every picture, how softly she speaks or how lovely she is to everyone. I am so glad that I get to call her a friend, or else I might be a creepy stalker! She works incredibly hard for her art, and is constantly growing, always finding new ways to impress me with her posing and gorgeous features. Quickly making her mark in our community, she's going somewhere for sure, with her next stop being London!
#14. Taylor Grant - Boudoir Photographer - Oakville, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/taylorgrantphoto/
Will trade for coffee and snacks, that's the rule, because nothing is ever free. That's what I told Taylor when we agreed to shoot, knowing full well that I'm always hungry and in need of a coffee. Being the absolute sweetheart that she is she obliged my saucy requests with a delicious cookie and coffee before we trekked out to our location. We definitely picked a location that was controversial so it was exciting that we were able to cross something off my bucket list this year, and I couldn't have asked for a better person to do it with! We shot another set later in the season and I can't wait to get those images back, but I also know that I haven't shown that many from the first set yet BECAUSE I CAN'T PICK!!
#15. Rhyan Stone - Male Performer - Hamilton, Ontario
https://www.instagram.com/rhyanstone85/
There are always splits, flips and handstands involved when this man performs. He boggles my mind, bringing some of the most incredible dancing and gymnastics together that I have ever seen, let alone being able to perform next to him and learn from him. I've seen him fly high from the ceiling on silks, he's keep me tense with handstands on the edge of the stage and he has wowed me with his sparkles, dazzle and flair. It's been a wicked experience being around a performer that I had already admired so much!
**PSA: It wouldn't have been possible to have my favourite Queen and Mr. Rhyan Stone without the Ringleader, Troyboy Parks! Check them all out together (and me!) in Troy's shows at https://www.instagram.com/troyboy_entertainment/ **
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Thank you so much for reading through my super long blog post, there was just too many people to highlight!! I really hope that you take the time to check them out and follow their work. They are all going to have you saying, "WOW", I know it!
@missy @rambo
Hugs & Love, Bu <3
