Video: Gallery Stratford Exhibition:Fernweh

A BIG thank you to Gallery Stratford, and Powerline Films for creating a terrific video documenting my process and ideas for my exhibition: Fernweh.  If you would like to watch the video, please click on the title link below!

Shane Norrie: Fernweh

Japan Tour!

I just returned from a whirlwind two-week vacation in Japan, that took us from Nikko to Nara, with Stops in Mashiko, Kyoto and Tokyo. To say the least, it was an unforgettable experience, and I return home feeling inspired and excited about future projects.




One of the highlights of the tour, was an impromptu visit to the home and studio of master potter; Shiho Kanzaki. Amazing!




We also had an amazing visit to Shoji Hamada's studio and home. I'm sure that everyone in the ceramic world knows who Hamada is, and his importance in the field of ceramics. The tour was led by Shoji Hamada's grandson; potter Tomoo Hamada (pictured above) who gave us personal insight into his famous grandfather's life and work. We also toured Tomoo's studio, which is beside Shoji Hamada's home, studio and museum. The earthquake in Japan last year damaged much of the buildings and kilns at Shoji Hamada's studio, but they are being slowly rebuilt and repaired.

Japan is a beautiful, magical place, and I am positive that I will be back in the future...

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

I just came across this image of my piece that was in the TOAE Award Winners Exhibition at FCP Gallery awhile back. There is a great slideshow of images on the TOAE website, and I encourage you to have a look....there is some pretty amazing work.
Visit the website for more images.

On another note, I have had inquiries about whether or not I am participating in the TOAE show this year. I decided not to enter this year, as I am working on some interesting projects, and feel the need to concentrate on those. I will most likely be applying the following year and hopefully I will be accepted once again! ( Fingers crossed!!!)

A HUGE 'THANK YOU' to RAJATON!

There is an amazing group from Finland called 'RAJATON'. I have had the great fortune to meet them on a few occasions, and attend a couple of their concerts. From the first day I heard their music, it inspired me, and I often listen to their music while painting or throwing on the potter's wheel.

On October 6th of this year, Rajaton released a new album, and guess whose painting is on the album cover?....This is amazing for me, as their music has influenced a lot of my work (If you know their music, I am sure you will recognize the influence.)

A bit about Rajaton from their website:
'In their native Finland, Rajaton is a bona fide pop phenomenon, successfully bridging the gap that often exists between classical and mainstream convention. The group has released 11 different albums. In 2003, Rajaton rose to n:o 2 on the charts with their album Joulu ("Christmas") which has to date sold double platinum in Finland. Building on the momentum of this mainstream success, in 2006, the group recorded Rajaton sings ABBA with Lahti Symphony Orchestra, an album which topped the charts in Finland and sold platinum in a month.

In 2010 Rajaton celebrates 13 years of music-making with one double platinum, three platinum and eight gold records in Finland to their credit. Their latest album, Tarinoita, is yet another significant milestone in Rajaton's story, as it is their first fully self-produced album, released in October, 2010, by their own label Boundless Records.'


Be sure to visit their website: http://www.rajaton.net/en/frontpage/ to learn more about them. Also, join their facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/rajaton

On October 15th, 2010, Rajaton will make their New York City debut at 8:00PM - singing the music of ABBA with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall! If you happen to be in New York...you will not want to miss this!

Once again, a huge and sincere "THANK YOU" to Rajaton.... I know that when I am older and looking back on my career, this will be one of those moments that I will always remember!

Upcoming Exhibition - Art Gallery of Ontario

Hope to see you there!
Shane
( Please click on image to enlarge )

"Here In" Ingersoll Article....Thank you!

A big thank you to Katheryn Stewart-Bruni from Oxford Media Group for the great article that she wrote for "Here In" Ingersoll magazine. The support that I receive from the local community is always very much appreciated. It's great to live in a town that is full of such creative individuals and supporters of the arts.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Visit the online version of the publication at www.oxfordmediagroup.com

A big thank you & nice surprise!

After a terrific weekend at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (despite the rain on Friday during set-up!) I was very pleased to receive an Honourable Mention Award in Ceramics!
A big thank you to Tucker's Pottery Supplies for their very generous award!
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Tucker's Pottery Supplies
Photos Courtesy: Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

BURLINGTON ART CENTRE EXHIBITION

I was very pleased to be asked to exhibit at the Burlington Art Centre, from May 8, until August 1, 2010 alongside my good friend Shirley Clifford, who is also from Ingersoll. The exhibition was organized by Curator of the Collection; Jonathan Smith, M.F.A., who is one of Canada's foremost authorities on ceramics. Although the show is now open, the official opening and artists' tour and talk is on June 6th, from 2-4pm. I have posted a couple of images of the exhibition installation, but this is only a small portion of the work.

About the Burlington Art Centre: A multi-faceted facility nestled next to Lake Ontario in the heart of Burlington, Ontario. It is truly a centre for art, supporting artists, staging exhibitions, nurturing a nationally and internationally recognized ceramic collection, and serving the community.

Permanent Collection: From its early foundation, the BAC also expanded to become home to a permanent collection of ceramics, vigorously acquired since 1983. The BAC Permanent Collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics has achieved international recognition and is the largest such collection in Canada. It continues to grow in size and artistic depth. ( I was very pleased to find out that I have a few pieces included in this terrific collection!)

www.burlingtonartcentre.on.ca for more information

Tom Thompson Art Gallery-Owen Sound

Here are some great shots of the Masterworks Southwest touring exhibition that I was fortunate to have my work included in.
If you are in Owen Sound, be sure to drop into the gallery. It is a terrific exhibition. If you can't make it to Owen Sound, check out the Ontario Crafts Council website for the other galleries that this exhibition will be travelling to, until December 17, 2010!

Masterworks Southwest - Organized by the Ontario Crafts Council
Photo Images by: Kris Rosar

www.tomthomson.org

www.craft.on.ca

A great shot of some of my paintings

I thought I'd share a great photo, taken by photographer Kim Jeffery, of some of my paintings.
Interior designer Cameron MacNeil used them in a space that he was working on for a client. I love how he hung them as a vertical diptych, as opposed to the standard horizontal.
Be sure to Check out his website and blog:
www.cameronmacneil.com
www.cameronmacneil.blogspot.com

Masterworks Southwest-Touring Exhibition

I was pleased to be included in a travelling Exhibition organized by the Ontario Crafts Council.

About the exhibition...
Masterworks Southwest is a juried travelling exhibition of contemporary craft that will visit five galleries between March – December, 2010. This exhibit will showcase 39 pieces of contemporary craft from makers across Southwestern Ontario. The exhibition will be shown at the following locations:

Tom Thomson Art Gallery (Owen Sound)
Burdette Gallery (Orton)
Art Gallery of Windsor
Greenwood Quiltery & Gallery (Guelph)
Station Arts Centre (Tillsonburg)
Please join us for the opening reception on Sunday, March 28 at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery between 2-4pm.

visit: www.craft.on.ca for more information
To view an online version of the publication for the exhibition, visit:
http://www.craft.on.ca/OCC_News/Southwest_Update#Masterworks_Southwest

While surfing design blogs for inspiration...

While surfing design blogs for inspiration, I came across 'Poppyseed Creative Living', a blog by Jelena Pticek of Toronto. Jelena does a great job of reviving tired furniture into one-of-a-kind statement pieces.
The black and white vase used in one of the vignette shots caught my eye... it was a piece I made some time ago while I was living in Toronto. Seeing it again makes me want to revisit the specialized firing process.
The photos were taken by Toronto photographer Brian Reiser. Be sure to check out his website and blog as well...it's very cool. www.brianreiser.com
Photo by: Brian Reiser

Those paintings look familiar...

Last Monday evening, I was watching 'INCOME PROPERTY', one of my favourite HGTV programs ( I think I have about 10 favourites! ) when something caught my eye. I noticed two paintings hanging in the makeover space, and thought, " those paintings look very familiar...could it be?!? " After some investigating, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they were indeed my paintings...what a treat & terrific surprise!

Be sure to visit HGTV's website at: http://www.hgtv.ca/
http://www.canvasgallery.ca/

I was pleased to have been mentioned in a great new design, lifestyle and entertainment blog by Julia Black: JEWELS

Julia Black is on the market sourcing and discovering the beautiful, the fascinating, and all the exciting things that are happening around us. Whether she's researching, tracking, exploring or reporting, she is always on the front of the line of all things related to design, lifestyle and entertainment. As the design assistant on HGTV's Pure Design, Julia sources and sources some more. Her passions are fueled by her curiosities, and it's her curiosities that are the Jewels to be discovered.

Be sure to check out her blog often to keep up-to-date on all that is fresh, new and exciting!

A lovely surprise....thank you!
Here is a direct link to the post: Artisan Appreciation

FUSION MAGAZINE ARTICLE & COVER!

I was very pleased to have an article about me and my work included in the current issue of FUSION Magazine, and even more surprised to have my work used as the cover shot!
FUSION is the Ontario Clay and Glass Association, and they do a wonderful job of promoting current happenings in clay and glass in Canada and beyond. They are a not-for-profit organization, and host exhibitions, guest lectures and terrific visiting artist workshops. Early on, FUSION inspired me to keep working in clay, and I remember flipping through FUSION Magazine hoping to one day be included in it.
I urge any clay and glass artist in Canada and elsewhere to visit FUSION's website, become a member, and support this great organization. It is through them that Canadian clay and glass artists can continue to have a strong identity and voice.
FUSION Magazine is available at Chapters and Indigo, as well as select bookstores. Contact FUSION for a complete list of outlets for their publications.
Visit FUSION'S website at: www.clayandglass.on.ca/fusion

Photo by Brian Reiser: www.brianreiser.com

A LOVELY SURPRISE & A TERRIFIC BLOG POST!

I was pleasantly surprised today, to find a great blog post about my work. It was written by Canadian House and Home Magazine Style Editor: Stacey Smithers.

Be sure to check out www.houseandhome.com regularly, as it is continually updated with everything that is new in homes & design.

A big thank-you to Stacey Smithers from Canadian House & Home Magazine!

Check out the blog post at http://www.houseandhome.com/blogs/house-home-daily/local-talent

Thank you 'Your City' Magazine!

While shopping in London today, I came across a copy of the newly launched 'Your City' Magazine. ('Your City' is London's Multicultural magazine.)
Quite some time ago, I was interviewed for an article for the magazine, and upon reading it, I thought they did a wonderful job.
Please click the above photo for a larger image of the online article. (Please note that the image above is a condensed version of the online article)

Visit http://yourcity.yourmagazines.ca/ for further information and articles, as well as locations where the magazine is distributed.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE MAKEOVER EDITION OF CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE

Be sure to pick up the current issue of 'Canadian House and Home Magazine's MAKEOVER EDITION'. In it, check out my friends Cameron and Jason's gorgeous home. It's stunning!

I was very fortunate to have a painting and some new ceramic bowls appear in the article.

Photography by: Michael Graydon

http://www.houseandhome.com/

TV SEGMENT VIDEO-HGTV'S PURE DESIGN

Back in late October 2008, I was filmed for a segment on episode #1008 of HGTV's Pure Design, hosted by Samanth Pynn. I was commissioned to make a large wall piece for their makeover space. I must say that before the episode aired...I was a little nervous, but those nerves quickly faded once I saw what a great job they did! Thank you to all involved, and a special thank you to Samantha Pynn.

The posted video clip (above) is a condensed version of the episode, and not the entire episode. Please visit the show's website http://www.hgtv.ca/puredesign/default.aspx to access the entire episode & season, as well as find out all of the products that were used on the episode.

HGTV's Pure design airs on Tuesdays 8:00pm ET | 10:00 PT.

If you missed the show, pick up the January 2009 issue of Style at Home Magazine, as there is a wonderful article about the episode.

The pictured carved bronze piece is the one used in the makeover space.

Exhibition in China!

I was very honoured to be asked to participate in an International ceramics Exhibition in Jingdezhen, China, this coming October at Sanbao Ceramics Institute. The exhibition is a representation of Canadian ceramics including the likes of fellow Canadian Ceramic Artists:Bruce Cochrane, Eric Wong, Liz Willoughby, Scott Barnim, Sheila Clennell, Susan Low-Beer, Judith Graham and Ingrid Nicolai, to name just a few. What an honour! I'll post more details when I can.

Pots in Print

I was very pleased to find some of my pieces featured in the current Issue of 'Style at Home' magazine. This new collection is available at the Art Gallery of Ontario Shop and also the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art in Toronto
Thank you!

FUSION CONFERENCE & GARDINER MUSEUM EXHIBITION

The weekend of May 22nd-24th, I will be attending the Fusion Conference in Toronto. I was fortunate to be asked to participate in a retail exhibition at the Gardiner Museum that coincides with the Fusion Conference. I delivered some new sculpltural pieces for the show, and look forward to seeing the work of the other participants. The participating artists are: Thomas Aitken, Jay Burn, Susan Card, Shu-Chen Cheng, Aneela Dias D'Sousa, Kate Hyde, Shane Norrie, Gerri Orwin, Barbara Rose, Nancy Solway, Eric Wong and Miguel Deras Zapata.
Please visit www.gardinermuseum.on.ca for information, as well as details of what's happening during the Fusion conference.
For details on the Fusion coference, visit http://www.clayandglass.on.ca/

Oxford Studio Tour-London Free Press

Thank you to Kathy Rumleski from the London Free Press for the nice article on the upcoming Oxford Studio Tour!
Check it out...
http://www.lfpress.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=263878&x=articles&s=arts

Blogged! -- cameronmacneil.blogspot.com

A big thank-you to Cameron MacNeil, Design Editor at 'Canadian House & Home Magazine' for lovely post about my pottery on his blog: cameronmacneil.blogspot.com

Check it out, his blog is great!

SOME FUN TV NEWS!

I can't say much yet, but I just received word today that the above painting, from my current winter tree series was used on set in an upcoming TV drama pilot for CBS Paramount. The show is based in Manhattan & stars a former Grey's Anatomy intern!
I'll post more details when I can. How fun!

EXPERIMENTAL PAINTINGS!

As spring approaches, I always feel a need to refresh my house. I was tired of looking at the old painting in my bathroom, and thought I'd try something new and spontaneous, and I love the result! I think it suits my bathroom, as it reminds me of water and waves and the upcoming Spring thaw. I've included a couple of photos of it to share. (Along with my sidekick Oliver who appears very unimpressed!) I'm looking forward to experimenting some more with similar paintings, and thinking of incorporating encaustic for a richer, layered opaque effect.

(For those ceramic aficionados, I've listed below the makers and websites of the pieces in the display niches.)
Top to bottom
Winged vase -- Peter Powning
Teapot -- Robert Archambeau
Crow sculpture -- Mark Chatterley
White bowl -- Kayo O'Young
Vessel form -- Laurie Rolland
Ceramic sculpture (on floor) -- Marko Savard

CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE - APRIL 2009 issue!

Check out pages 62-64 & 186 of the April 2009 issue of Canadian House & Home Magazine. A nice selection of my ceramic pieces were used in the 'Makeover of the Month article: Tailor Made.
Thank you!
Produced by: Stacy Begg
Photography by: Michael Graydon
www.houseandhome.com

VIRTUAL MAGAZINE MENTION

I happened to stumble upon this nice write-up about Ingersoll, and was pleased to have been mentioned in the article. (The photo isn't bad either...at least I look happy! Those who know me know that I DREAD having my photo taken!)

The article is posted on this direct link (page 59) and continues to page 62

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/megram/55MarGTA/2009022001/59.html

Thank you to Sherri Telenko for the nice write-up!

A PREVIEW OF MY NEW COLLECTION

I have just finished the pieces for my new collection, which was inspired by a recent trip to the Caribbean...a special place that I have very fond memories of. :)
I love the look of this collection, and the random, spotted white surface reminds me of coral, and natural surfaces that have been encrusted by small barnacles and worn smooth over time.

Narrow-necked bottles, thinly-thrown bowls, and rounded vessels make up this collection.

My new collection will be available mid-March at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.


Photos by: Brian Reiser.