A TERRIFIC DESIGN BLOG

Back in November, my friend; Designer Cameron MacNeil wrote a nice post about my work on his blog; CAMERON MACNEIL. I just remembered today that I was planning on writing about it, and it's already been 3 months....time sure does fly!

The direct link to the post is:
http://cameronmacneil.blogspot.com/2008/11/artist-friend-shane-norrie.html

His blog is terrific, and he is always at the forefront of everything related to design. He has great style! Be sure to check it out, and check back often, as he always keeps it updated.
Enjoy!
http://www.cameronmacneil.blogspot.com/

A LOVELY SURPRISE!

When I returned home from my winter vacation, I was please to find this post by STYLE AT HOME MAGAZINE'S Associate Design Editor, Brett Walther on his blog: Style Sleuth.
Check out the link below for his post:
http://www.styleathome.com/blogs/stylesleuth/2009/02/12/lovely-people-making-lovely-things-shane-norrie/

Be sure to visit his entire blog at:
http://www.styleathome.com/blogs/stylesleuth/

Thank you, Thank you!

IMAGE IS EVERYTHING!

Whenever I have an exhibition, or my photos are used in the media, people always compliment me on the image quality. I have always felt that it is extremely important to represent your work as professionally as possible. I am very lucky to have a great friend, Brian Reiser who is a top-notch photographer in Toronto. He always shoots my ceramic pieces for me and continually captures exactly what I have envisioned.
He shoots for some pretty amazing clients, and I am always flattered that he is still willing to shoot for me!
I've posted a few of his images, but visit his website to see his portfolio.
www.brianreiser.com

GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART -- TORONTO

I was pleased once again to have a piece of my work used for the Gardiner Museum outdoor signage. (Turquoise bowl in the lower portion of the sign). I must thank the staff at the museum for all of their support. They always display my work beautifully. While I was visiting Toronto yesterday, I snapped (on my phone!) a vignette shot of my work inside the museum.
Be sure to visit the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art...it's amazing.
http://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/

THE INFLUENCE OF A COLD CANADIAN WINTER!

This winter has been extremely cold, and record amounts of snow in Ontario. Although I generally don't enjoy the cold, I do appreciate how inspiring it is for me as a artist. My new paintings seem to echo the cold Canadian landscape. I love the tactile feel of these paintings and am looking forward to experimenting further.
(OK...the crowd painting isn't winter, but I like it!)
Enjoy!

NEW YORK OR BUST!

I'm off to New York very very early on Boxing Day morning...hopefully!
With the crazy weather, airport delays and the incredible amounts of snow lately, I am still determined to get there!
While I am there, I am very much looking forward to some R&R, great food, and fun with friends. I am also planning on taking as many photos as I can. I have been experimenting with some new mixed media paintings in preparation for the new year, and can't wait to use my trip to New York in winter as inspiration for my new body of work! I'll post some new images when they are completed.
This will be my last post until 2009! It's been a great year!
Happy Holidays,
Shane

SOFA CHICAGO & CANADIAN ARTIST PETER POWNING!

This past November, I once again flew to Chicago to visit the SOFA Expo (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair). I realize that I write frequently about this, but I feel that is the best around, and it is the premier expo of Sculptural Objects & Functional Art. If you want to see the best ceramics, sculpture and glass... it is very much worth the trip. (Besides...who would pass up a trip to Chicago?!?!)

While I was there, I was looking at the Lafrenière & Pai Gallery booth, which is one of the galleries which represents the work of my all-time favourite ceramic and mixed media artist; fellow Canadian Peter Powning. From my beginnings in working with clay, Peter Powning has been the artist whom I most admire, and has reached a level in his career which I hope to one day achieve. He unknowingly has had the biggest impact on me as an artist.
I was chatting with the gallery owner about Mr. Powning's work, and she informed me he was at the show. She then introduced me to him...that was the highlight of the show for me and made this trip to SOFA the best yet. Upon speaking with him, I found out that he had purchased a piece of mine for his collection from the Gardiner Museum in Toronto. That was the icing on the cake!

The image above was one of my favourites from his recent exhibition at the Sandra Ainsley Gallery in Toronto. ( A stunning Gallery...not to be missed!)

To view Peter Powning's amazing work, visit his website: www.powning.com
Sandra Ainsley Gallery: http://www.sandraainsleygallery.com
Lafrenière & Pai Gallery: http://www.lapaigallery.com/

Art Gallery of Ontario -- Grand Re-Opening!

I can't wait to visit the AGO When it re-opens!
Starting November 14, 2008 the AGO will reopen its doors to the public and unveil its transformed design, interactive galleries and inspirational art, beginning with three days of free admission:

Friday, November 14, 4 pm to 12 midnight
Saturday, November 15, 10 am to 12 midnight
Sunday, November 16, 10 am to 5:30 pm

I recently delivered a large shipment of new pieces to the AGO shop...from teacups to large wall pieces.
About the new shop: Designed by world-renowed architect Frank Gehry, the new AGO shop will be home to some of the most unique merchandise in Canada. Spanning some 7,000 square feet, the store’s floor-to-ceiling windows infuse natural light over an array of products.
Don't miss it!
visit http://www.ago.net for more info.

SOFA CHICAGO -- NOVEMBER 2008

Once again, I am flying to Chicago for the weekend (Nov 7-9) to visit the SOFA Expo. I look forward to it every year, and can't wait to see what's new!
http://www.sofaexpo.com/ for more info

I am also looking forward to visiting Lillstreet Art Centre in Chicago to see a group exhibition, which is showing one of my all-time favourite ceramic artists: Maren Kloppmann!

See below for further info:
Lillstreet Art Centre - DISTINCTIVE LINES
November 5- 27, 2008
Opening reception: Sat, Nov. 8, 4-9pm

Distinctive Lines is an exhibition shown in conjunction with the annual SOFA Chicago show. The exhibition brings together the work of five nationally known potters who all share a connection to celebrated potter Warren Mackenzie. The invited artists are Mazin Adam, Sam Chung, Marc Digeros, Maren Kloppmann, and Mark Pharis.
http://www.lillstreet.com for more info


Above Photo:Dale Chihuly
Sapphire and Goldleaf Chandelier
glass
67 x 46 x 46"
Represented by Holsten Galleries, Stockbridge, MA

CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE - October 2008 issue!

Be sure to check out the October 2008 issue of CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE! Design Editor Cameron MacNeil featured my large wheel-thrown lava and bronze bowl in his 'Ask a Designer' column. Many thanks to Cameron MacNeil!
The Art Gallery of Ontario's grand re-opening gala on October 2, 2008 will feature similar pieces in their newly-renovated shop, as well as some new long-necked bottles and delicately thrown celadon porcelain bowls and teabowls.
• www.houseandhome.com (Canadian House & Home)
• www.ago.net (Art Gallery of Ontario)

SOME NEW SCULPTURAL PIECES

I recently brought some of my new handbuilt vessels to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, and was pleased with all of the incredible feedback and also very pleased that many of them found homes in prominent collections. I thought I'd share a few images of them, along with my new acorn bottles.

THANK YOU OXFORD COUNTY!

Thank you to the County of Oxford for purchasing a large painting and a large pillar sculpture for the lobby of the newly-built County Administration Building! The support and encouragement from the local community is always wonderful!

GALLERY SHOTS-PAINTINGS

I recently visited on of my galleries to take some reference photos of my paintings, and loved how they were displayed alongside the ceramic pieces of other Canadian Ceramic Artists
I love how the bird painting looks paired with Sarah Link's sculptural eggs.
The second painting is paired with a figurative sculpture by Reid Weir of Newfoundland.
I love the third painting (and am thinking of keeping it for myself!) The large ceramic sculptural shoe is by well-known British Columbia ceramic artist Kinichi Shigeno.

2008 TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION

I am very pleased to once again be participating in the TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION this July. This is my favourite show, and one not to be missed. The quality of the art is always top-notch.
I will be showing some new boat forms and some new porcelain work this year. Perhaps a large sculpture or two, as well.
My booth number is 376...located in the green section.
Check out their website for dates and information.
See you in July!
http://www.torontooutdoorart.org/

SHOWROOM SEASON

Spring cleanup! With the summer approaching, I decided it was time to freshen up my showroom! Oliver; my bulldog ( who follows me EVERYWHERE I go ) matches perfectly!
My new porcelain celadon teapots and tea bowls have been quite popular. So simple and classic! My showroom is open by appointment only from mid-May until December 31st. Details are available through my website: www.shanenorrie.com

SOFA EXPO-MAY 2008

I can't wait to head back to New York the 29th of May to see the SOFA EXPO! I enjoyed it so much in Chicago this past November, that I couldn't miss the New York show. Check out their website to preview who is going to be there. It's going to be amazing!
http://www.sofaexpo.com/

The photo above is:
Hervé Wahlen
Bis, 2006
Hammered copper with gold leaf, 15"h x 16.5"w x 12.5/8 d (38.1 x 41.9 x 32.1 cm)
Represented by Barry Friedman, Ltd., New York, NY

Gallery Feature: Circle Arts-Tobermory

As the warm weather approaches, Circle Arts Gallery in Tobermory is preparing to open for its season. (May 17- October 13) If you are in the area, be sure to visit this gallery. I Love working with the owners; Simon, Glenda and Arlene. Their enthusiasm and support is wonderful.

Below is a great description of my current work, from the owners of Circle Arts...

"Shane Norrie joined Circle Arts three years ago when the business
partnership of Glenda Burrell, Arlene Kennedy and Simon White
first acquired the 39 year old summer art gallery at Tobermory in 2006.

We are excited with Shane's work as he concentrates more on an artistic
focus this season and proud to offer these innovative works for our
collectors and over 35,000 seasonal visitors.

Circle Arts is all about presenting the creative energies of artists
like Shane who are exploring new horizons and expanding our awareness of
new possibilities for the interpretation of our world. "


Be sure to visit their website to look at their roster of artists
http://www.circlearts.com/

Thank you to Circle Arts for the kind words!
Shane

NEW PAINTINGS!

I have just completed a series of new canvases & am loving the white-on-white paintings. I suppose it is the influence of a long a Canadian winter! Here are a few of my favourites.
( The yellow and last painting with the black frame are actually ones that I borrowed back from private collections to have photographed, but are probably my all-time favourite paintings.)

CHECK IT OUT!-- Style at Home Magazine

Thank you so much to the people at Style at Home Magazine, for featuring me and my work in their Spring Issue. (May 2008, page 38) What a great way to Welcome Spring! Yay!
www.styleathome.com

PAINTING - SEPTEMBER 2008 EXHIBITION

I just recently completed this large painting for my solo show in September 2008. This is the first piece I finished for the exhibition, and am working on sculptural pieces to be displayed with my paintings . These new sculptural pieces will be much different than previous work, but I am looking forward to developing them into a cohesive body...I am finding it so interesting to see how my painting and ceramics feed off of one another in both process and product. I am looking forward to seeing how they relate together in a gallery setting when they are completed and hung.
Can't wait for September!
Shane

JOHN CHALKE EXHIBITION

One of my all-time favourite ceramic artists recently had an exhibition at Willock & Sax Gallery in Alberta. Although I didn't get to see the exhibition in person, there are quite a few images on their web site. Have a look: http://www.willockandsaxgallery.com/
You can see why I am a fan of his work...his textural glazes are incredible!

Sculptural Vessels

I have been creating these hand built vessels, and am loving the results! I posted some previously, but here are some more that weren't yet completed.
I am very proud of these pieces, and I feel a renewed sense of excitement when I go in to the studio to work on them!
Let me know what you think!
Shane