The Beacher Café, which regularly hangs works from local artists, currently features 20 works from Beach artist Grady Hollis. The colourful, free-flowing abstract paintings are bright pieces on wood panel, painted without the aid of brushes – Grady prefers to pour paint onto the panels, or squirt it from ketchup bottles filled with paint.
What makes this show different from the average abstract painting show is that Grady, 15, is in Grade 10 at Malvern Collegiate, where his art teacher may not even know there is a showing artist in class.
Hollis first began experimenting with abstract art after his aunt, painter Shari Lee Hollis, showed him footage of Jackson Pollock at work. She set him loose in her studio, and there was no turning back.
“I realized I wanted to do more of it,” said Grady.
Shari Lee said she is always impressed to see her nephew at work, as he jumps right in without any advance planning, letting each work evolve through the process.
“I find it amazing, because I ponder my own work a lot,” she said.
Grady also draws what he says could be classified as fantasy artwork, similar to the art found in graphic novels and comics. The exacting style of that work is almost the polar opposite of the abstract works at the Beacher, but part of the joy of being a young artist is the freedom to experiment.
Grady, who is thankful to Shari Lee and his parents, said he isn’t quite sure what to expect from his debut as an exhibiting artist, but no matter what happens, he’s sure to learn a great deal from the experience.
“I don’t really mind if I don’t sell anything, the show is a great experience for me,” he said.
Grady Hollis’ abstract works are on display at the Beacher Café, 2162 Queen St. E. at MacLean, until the end of October.
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This month sees the UK Isles Show take over Artisans At Work. Focusing on “all things UK,” the show is a mix of work related to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The community art space’s First Fridays opening featured Ceviche Bar’s fancy response to a call for fish and chips: fish ceviche with quinoa and kale Asian pesto, served by the spoon. The Sidewalkers provided live music as well.
November will see a celebration for Day of the Dead as well. Rodrigo Esponda, Director of the Mexico Board of Tourism for North America, will host the event on Nov. 2, but workshops for building an heirloom artwork for the window altar are planned for October. Check the website for more details on contributing to the altar and workshop details.
There will also be an indoor farmers’ market, running Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m., from Oct. 24 until the end of next May. The weekly market will be hosted in the 1,000 square foot community room.
Artisans At Work is at 2071 Danforth Ave., just west of Woodbine Avenue. Check the website for hours of operation.
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The Printmaking Show is on now until Oct. 20 at Gerrard Art Space, 1390 Gerrard St. E., between Coxwell and Greenwood. This group show features six artist including Robert Quance, Liane Odze-Silver, Lynda Hattin, Noreen Mallory, Linda DeLuca and Emily Pennacchio. The gallery is open from 1 to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. For more information visit gerrardartspace.com and gerrardartspace.blogspot.com.
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