Happy Holidays!! :)

Hello All and Happy Holidays!!

It has been a while since we've talked, I thought I would give a little "Holiday Art Update".  

Sara Abu Dhabi

This December 15th I will be exhibiting my series "Portrait of a Woman" at the Hague Gallery in Regina. The Series I created in France  in CAMAC's Art Centre is a combination of mixed media female portraits and figurative work. I based the portrait series on a sequence of interviews that I had between Canadian women as well as women that I met in France. I investigated in France why women live where they live, how they got to be there and their family info structures. I studied their female relationships with friends, family and how they communicate with one another. I then went on to form a portrait from each individual interview. The interviews paired with each portrait as extremely captivating, I combined the audio interview media with the visual art in the finished piece for exhibition.

Self Canada

I have work on some grant proposals with the Saskatchewan Arts Board for this new series that I will hopefully get funding for so I create it this spring :). My subject matter for a new series is literary works.  The project that I have in mind, and will be working on through the coming spring and summer, is based on the poetry and short stories of Edgar Allen Poe as a means of paying homage to his creativity in writing.  The series is based on the evocative world that Poe creates, and in turn creating my own visual interpretation of his work.  I plan to expand my own psychological limits through this new project in the hopes that the viewer might experience the same extension of psyche, as I myself will attempt in achieving. The series will be entitled The Aesthetics of Murder – Based on the writings of Edgar Allen Poe.     

Kristal Canada



 I wish everyone holiday cheer!! And have a wonderful time with your families!

Wish me luck on my upcoming show!!

Love,
Brandi

Pentales Project at CAMAC in France

"PenTales was created in New York City by two childhood friends who've always loved to swap tales. We're now a community of thousands around the world who share our perspectives in person and online in photography, writing, and video on topics that unite us all. We have live events in 26 cities around the world and a growing online user base. As our global network expands, we are building a true encyclopedia of stories - a catalogue of the human experience, one perspective at a time. Starting with YOURS. Why share stories? Because we believe there’s no better way for people to get to know one another. Stories awaken our imaginations and inspire an awareness of shared values that reaches beyond languages and borders. "

Pentales is a publication produced in New York that encourages gatherings of artists around the world to come together and investigate a topic area given to them.  Our group of artists that participated in the Pentales "Dream" topic were all living at CAMAC in Marnay Sur Seine France in September 2011.  The creative minds participating were as follows: Vishwa Shroff, Nick Atkins, Ronnie Rae, Aliona Solomadima, Diego Gomez Pickering, Viviana Goelkle, Sara Al-aquili, and myself Brandi Hofer www.pentales.com 

Mixed Media on Wall 6x4ft

                    

Brandi Hofer Submission for Pen Tales 2011

Subject: Dream

CAMAC Group

Temporary Painting

My submissions subject matter is based on “the temporary” and its relation to the temporariness of a dream. My thought process revolves around the subconscious, it is a temporary moment passing, it is a movement, an action, it is a reaction, and a voluntary or involuntary occurrence. My reaction to the dream subject was to take my artistic processes and relate it to the passing moment of a dream and how dreams lye in the subconscious mind. To create my painting and ensure its duration was transitory, I decided to paint it on the wall of the room in which I currently reside. I am an artist in residence in CAMAC in Marnay Sur Seine France and am in the full understanding that in my departure this painting will be made the same white as the rest of the walls. I created a temporary work of art that requires a reaction to the Dream Project proposed. I related a moment in time as an immediacy of the past with a brush stroke of color, drip, or painting act. I attempted to paint with an unrestricted mind in the hope his might create a subconscious conclusion to the project.

https://www.facebook.com/pentales

I have some new projects and shows on the go so I will keep everyone updated!!

Love,

Brandi

Back to Prairie Life

Pllllfffff

Well I have arrived back home to Lloydminster Saskatchewan/Alberta (I like to think of myself a resident of both...I grew up in Alberta but now live in Saskatchewan from where I was born, unfortunately we are made to choose sides as I  cannot reside in both, I SHALL build a house on HWY 17!!) ANYWAY... I felt absolutely nostalgic coming home to the slow moving prairies, which I longed to see after the noise of many European cities. As I drove home I observed the beauty of cows grazing, geese flying south, the sun gleamed wild grasses, and the never ending sun setting in the sky.  

Wild Rose in Saskatchwan

Dads Sunflowers

Louvre

Lock Up Your Love in Paris!

Light Up Your Love in Paris

Good Bye Streets of Paris!!

I had a wonderful time living the slow life of Marnay Sur Seine France, to hopping trains in Italy, and hob nobbing with the Parisians! Now I am happy to be home!! 

I am now busy getting my new series a home in some galleries!! I have been chosen as the Inaugural Artist of the Month by The NAC in Regina for November.  I am setting up a new larger studio and am excited to start creating once again!! I wish everyone well and urge them to create in anyway they know how, it is key, to a happy life!!

Love,

Brandi

An International Art Diary

Bonjour Everyone!!

I have landed back in Paris after quite the Marnay Sur Seine Residency and adventures through Italy with my Father and Lori. I will now take you through my travels...

Carousal in Paris

 The photo here was my first day in Paris waiting for my Dad the next day, the weather has been awesome! I Have been able to run and walk everyday seeing the sights and overeating pastry. I have had the opportunity to see art works that I have only studied in school. I am traveling in the land of inspiration, living here is one big indulgence for artists.  I have been offered to come back to Marnay and don't think I can pass up the opportunity. 

Pyramids

Doumo





The Doumo in Milan. Oh goodness Dad, Lori and I had a wonderful time here, actually we had a wonderful time everywhere, come to think of it. In Milan we had one of our best meals, I had a classic Spaghetti Pomodoro, Dad had the Seafood Spaghetti, and Lori had Zucchini with Calamari, simple, but done perfectly.  Then we walked back the Doumo to experience it at night. For any of you who have been to Italy you will know what I am talking about when I say they sell these little lights that they shoot up in the air (I was calling them fire works). Anyway these little light shooter things were sold throughout the square we were in Lori purchased some for her grandchildren and then we sat on the steps of the Doumo with some lightly chilled beer. Being asked countless times to be sold "Fireworks" and not trying to be rude and trying to be left alone my father made the best of the situation. He finally said to 2 gentleman that whoever shot there light into the air and landed in his hand they would get 5 euros. Well long story short we had every "Firework" sales man in the square surrounding us, it made for a fun night!! Thanks Dad :)

Verona

Then Verona, Oh Verona! I loved Verona for anyone who digs traveling be sure to hit this little gem when coming to Italy. Verona is reasonable for eating, accommodation and a fun place to bar hop in the night, the streets are alive!! We overindulged in Verona, hung food and drink babies!  Also I learned patience in venice, we were taking a night stroll to Juliettes Balcony that the hotel front desk told me it would take 15 min. Dream on my dad captured a window shot of every display on the way there. I believe I mentioned in an earlier blog that I took his camera away and he pulled a new one out of his cargo pants. So I wanted to name a blog specifically after "what comes out of my dads cargo pants" however I wanted to title it in a way that it would not sound creepy... Here were some of Carly (my partner) suggestions:



Carly Classem:The mysterious love for cargo pants, and the objects they behold.


Carly Classen: "rob and the cargo pants" band


Carly Classen: Rob and his cargo pants/the deep abyss


Carly Classen: Rob and his deep abyss


Carly Classen: Rob*


Carly Classen: Magic cargo pants.


Carly Classen: You know, like one day he'll pull a piano out of those things and it wouldn't surprise anyone.



This made me laugh so hard!!!

Venice

Classic Venice Shot

Show in Venice

Moving on to two nights in Venice. We unfortunately hit a water taxi strike, my arms are all the stronger! If in Venice I would not advise walking but taking the water transport (if available lol). Lovely place to be in Italy, the smells of the water and fish all around and the reflection of all the historic buildings on the water is breath taking!

Nightlife

Self Portrait

Ending in the rolling hills of Tuscany at "The Old Stone House".  A needed break from all of the fast paised city life of the Metro, people, and trains we moved to the country side.  We stayed at an exquisite BnB, beautiful decor and a little private pool surrounded by olive trees to view the sunset. The other guests at the house were a treat as well, two american girls who knew how important travel was for life experience and some fellow Canadian couples traveling as friends. So I decided that I should cook dinner while everyone went to Florence and Pisa. I needed a rest from the stresses of navigation and travel I took the day by the pool and started preparing dinner at about 4 to dine at 830. We had a charming night with some wonderful people. 

Dinner In Tuscany

Edible Art By Brandi Hofer

Me Attempting to Go Singing in the Rain in Paris Easier Said Than Done

Nightlife

Louvre 

Travel Buddy

Dad and Lori flew home yesterday and today I awate the arrival of my Mom and Philp. I have one week left in this exquisite life journey. I have learned that  Europe is beautiful and full of old and new life, I would however like to remind everyone how great it is to be Canadian. I have lived across Canada and have traveled through parts of the world (not yet enough) but enough to grasp how fortunate we are as a people and country. We have a vast amazing landscape and I have to say one of the most kind peoples. I will be back to Europe, but I will always be grounded in Canada I am a Canadian through and through.

Bye for now!!

Love,

Brandi

Romeo Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo!!

My Favourite Picture from my Trip in Venice

How Fortunate to begin my journey through Europe with a series of sun kissed days. My father his friend Lori and I caught the night train from Paris on Friday night. We had the pleasure of sharing the sleeping car with our new acquaintance Yoanne from Paris (his ambition was to be a doctor in North America). 

We then landed in Milan at 5:30 in the morning and then chilled at a cafe for breakfast until the sun came up, dropped the bags at our Hotel Staizone (I would recommend this hotel is had a modern decor and a reasonable stay).  We had a wonderful time catching the metro through the city to see all of the sites. The nightlife in Milan was vibrant, we dined, drank, and walked the streets. 

Milan

In the morning we caught the train to Verona the Vallipolicella region. Being a Sunday the city was quiet and still when we arrived.  In my mind I was expecting a relaxing sunday evening if we were lucky enough to find a place open. To our and my great suprise as we headed out for dinner and around the corner low and behold, lit up bridges, castle ways, cafes, tapas bars, people, and shopping. Lori and I picked out some authentic italian leather pieces while dad stopped for beer (I make this sound short but really it was a good hour and a half (I guess dad had many beer).  We then hit the alive streets of Verona to get to the ever famous Balcony of Juliette (If you touch her breast it is said to be good luck).

Verona the Hidden Jem of Italy in my Opinion

Juliette's Balcony

\

Juliette Boob Grab

 In Verona one of the main reasons I came was to see Juliet's Balcony and on this night I was on a mission, which the lady at the hotel described as a 15 min walk (yes with any other person but my dad, I will explain).  So here I am walking.... you know peering into the shop windows with a passive interest, well, no it was a big waiting game, a test of the patients one could say, (a real understatement) I tell you! So, a supposed 15 walk has now proceeded to turn into about and hour and ten minutes, Dad insisted on taking a photo of every shop window, every shop window, yes. Finally,  even Lori had had enough, so I say ,"Dad please can I see your camera", I throw it in my purse and Lori and I start walking forward down the street like we had conquered a great hurdle. I turn around to see if my Dad was following. To my utter amazement and not really surprise  he had pulled ANOTHER spare camera out of his cargo pants (only my immediate family can fully understand and appreciate this story of travelling with my father, although I hope everyone can find some comical relief).

Venice

After we had taken a photo of every crack in the street  we finally sat to eat (not that we needed more food or drink, there has been no lack). The first place we had drinks and a homemade Mushroom Ravioli in truffle butter with flat leave parsley mmm mmm. We then made it to our reservation, I had a Amaron Risotto (the wine of the region) and Pumpkin flowers Au Gratin with Cherry Tomatoes, Lori had a mushroom Gnocchi, Dad had Stewed Donkey on Polenta, this Meal was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!  I had the biggest food baby anyone has ever seen. 

Now settled in Venice we arrived to a water bus and taxi strike (for anyone who knows Venice knows that the best and most efficient way to get around is on water) so, to our painful delight we did eventually work off our dinner from the night before.

Anyhoo I miss everyone! Chao Chao!

Love,

Brandi

One Thing Leads to Another

Bonjour,

This month I completed my full body of work:  Brandi Hofer Artist Statement September 2011

 My work and contemporary process is the by-product of my life experiences. My thought process revolves around color, composition and the process of making the art.  Art making for me is dependent upon the immediacy of the moment. My process describes my mood and perception of self. As a result the work that I am creating is the outcome of my subconscious environment.

Female portraits have been the focus of my artistic practice for many years. Female portraiture I feel evoke a certain emotion that the viewer connects with.

 My primary mediums have consisted of acrylics oils, and mixed media, and now I have been combining all my mediums with encaustic waxes. Currently my process in France is a mixed media of Intaglio prints and highly pigmented chalk pastel on paper.

Studio

Earlier this year after I had spent a month residency at Red Deer College in Red Deer Alberta, someone there suggest I apply to CAMAC a residency in Marnay Sur-Seine in France. At this residency I have the opportunity to spend time with painters, writers, video artists, photographers, and people of the creative trade. I now have the time where their “life” does not interfere with my craft.  This residency is also a place where I can be influence or inspired by other artists and vise versa.

The body of work that I proposed to CAMAC and am now creating is a combination of mixed media female portraits and figurative work. I am basing my portraits on a series of interviews that I have had between Canadian women as well as women that I meet in France. Now in France I will look into why women live where they live, how they got to be here and their family info structures. I am also studying their female relationships with friends, family and how they communicate with one another. I then go on to form a portrait from each individual interview. So far my interviews have been extremely captivating, I am combining the audio interview media with the visual art into a final piece for exhibition.

The Dream Team

CAMAC

Finally this my time here has come to an end here at CAMAC in Marnay Sur Seine France.  How I am going to miss it here. Life has been so pleasant, just the fact the I am in constant company with creative minded friends has been a true pleasure.  I will miss the ease of waking up in the morning to a run through the french country side. To end my run I do yoga by the Seine River on the clover patch, how I will miss the soft feel of them between my toes. I will miss walking barefoot outside, the sun rays on my face, watching the river run slowly from my terrace with a cup of tea. I will miss taking a bike ride to the closest town Nogent to get a fresh baguette with cheese and wine. I will miss painting everyday, to have the release of selfexpression is so important to my daily routine, I did not know I needed it so much.  And most of all I will miss the people and our dinners together every night highlighted with constant conversation and laughter. 

Love and Miss you all,

Brandi

View from my Window