The Blog
We're psyched that the The Jail Bird Residency Series is onto its fourth Artist in Residence! Presenting the Jail Bird Art Show 4: Kate Csak!
Kate Csak is a full time artist/illustrator who specializes in photo-realistic work in a range of subjects and mediums. Born in Calgary, Alberta, she lived and grew up always creating images, drawing her surroundings- people, animals, and still life. She is self taught, always experimenting with different mediums and techniques to achieve different results. Much of her inspiration comes from simple objects and things in nature.
"Art is my therapy. The drawing process and practice is a constant discovery, providing a place to explore and process my emotions and thoughts that arise from past, and present experiences. I choose to draw mostly people and animals because I experience life as one and can therefore connect intimately to my work. Their physical beauty symbolises the beauty and depth of emotion the souls on earth are capable of. After 10 years of part time practice, I now made the move to full time art making starting my artist career in 2013."
Nikki had a moment to chat with Kate about her inspirations and experiences:
What drew you to start creating art?
The enthusiasm started when my Mom first gave me a crayon. Drawing my favourite Disney characters was more important than math homework. My passion for visual exploration has motivated me to nurture my skills through consistent practice. I create art because...It feels good!
Did you grow up around Artists?
My Dad was creative, but my Mom wasn't No one ever taught me to draw and it was never encouraged, so when I drew, it just sorta happened. My parents deserve credit for where I am now, but I believe the inherent creative right brain is only part of it. It was my obsession with drawing and drive to practice that led me to improve over time.
Which artists have inspired you or which would you say are your personal favourite?
Surrealist artist Vladimir Kush
Fantasy artists Jim Warren and Josephine Wall
Realism artist Robert bateman
Why did you move to Kelowna?
I felt an intuitive nudge to step out of comfort zone and explore a new place and new people.
Mountains, lake, vegetables, fruit, sun, wine, art... I find Kelowna inspiring! So I moved here :)
What is your favourite drink?
Vanilla stoli and water splash of ginger ale
Grey goose and coconut water
Summerhill Boch
You work with a variety of mediums - which are the hardest to work with and why?
They all have their challenges, but since oil paintings requires very specific techniques, preparation process, and has an extremely slow drying time, there is no way to get a painting done in few days, making this medium quite challenging. Also, it's very smelly, messy, stains and is hard to clean up...but with its flexibility, texture, and prestige value, is well work it!
How does your artwork make you feel?
Doing art rejuvenates and energizes my system as a whole, bringing me total satisfaction. incorporating my emotions into my drawings and paintings allows me to express what's true. Creating art work from photographs brings a new degree of life to the subject, through richness and depth of colour overlooked by our minds eye. I feel like I'm attending to people and animals when I draw them, understanding them deeply more and more as I continue to draw them so up close and detailed.
What do you want others to feel when they view your artwork?
Since I like expressing emotions, I want others to feel what it is I'm feeling- appreciation, admiration and curiosity for all living walks of life. Combining realism with dynamic uses of colour I want to convey deeper emotions but in a way that resonates with the audience as being imaginative and truthful at the same time.
Kate Csak is a full time artist/illustrator who specializes in photo-realistic work in a range of subjects and mediums. Born in Calgary, Alberta, she lived and grew up always creating images, drawing her surroundings- people, animals, and still life. She is self taught, always experimenting with different mediums and techniques to achieve different results. Much of her inspiration comes from simple objects and things in nature.
"Art is my therapy. The drawing process and practice is a constant discovery, providing a place to explore and process my emotions and thoughts that arise from past, and present experiences. I choose to draw mostly people and animals because I experience life as one and can therefore connect intimately to my work. Their physical beauty symbolises the beauty and depth of emotion the souls on earth are capable of. After 10 years of part time practice, I now made the move to full time art making starting my artist career in 2013."
Nikki had a moment to chat with Kate about her inspirations and experiences:
What drew you to start creating art?
The enthusiasm started when my Mom first gave me a crayon. Drawing my favourite Disney characters was more important than math homework. My passion for visual exploration has motivated me to nurture my skills through consistent practice. I create art because...It feels good!
Did you grow up around Artists?
My Dad was creative, but my Mom wasn't No one ever taught me to draw and it was never encouraged, so when I drew, it just sorta happened. My parents deserve credit for where I am now, but I believe the inherent creative right brain is only part of it. It was my obsession with drawing and drive to practice that led me to improve over time.
Which artists have inspired you or which would you say are your personal favourite?
Surrealist artist Vladimir Kush
Fantasy artists Jim Warren and Josephine Wall
Realism artist Robert bateman
Why did you move to Kelowna?
I felt an intuitive nudge to step out of comfort zone and explore a new place and new people.
Mountains, lake, vegetables, fruit, sun, wine, art... I find Kelowna inspiring! So I moved here :)
What is your favourite drink?
Vanilla stoli and water splash of ginger ale
Grey goose and coconut water
Summerhill Boch
You work with a variety of mediums - which are the hardest to work with and why?
They all have their challenges, but since oil paintings requires very specific techniques, preparation process, and has an extremely slow drying time, there is no way to get a painting done in few days, making this medium quite challenging. Also, it's very smelly, messy, stains and is hard to clean up...but with its flexibility, texture, and prestige value, is well work it!
How does your artwork make you feel?
Doing art rejuvenates and energizes my system as a whole, bringing me total satisfaction. incorporating my emotions into my drawings and paintings allows me to express what's true. Creating art work from photographs brings a new degree of life to the subject, through richness and depth of colour overlooked by our minds eye. I feel like I'm attending to people and animals when I draw them, understanding them deeply more and more as I continue to draw them so up close and detailed.
What do you want others to feel when they view your artwork?
Since I like expressing emotions, I want others to feel what it is I'm feeling- appreciation, admiration and curiosity for all living walks of life. Combining realism with dynamic uses of colour I want to convey deeper emotions but in a way that resonates with the audience as being imaginative and truthful at the same time.
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 04/30/2013
As per LAHF's fb page:
www.fb.com/
"Sorry Canada. We spent all day, even hired a lawyer trying to gain entry and save this tour. Unfortunately the folks who work at particular crossing decided that we are not welcome and do not deserve to perform for you at this time. We're exhausted, defeated, crushed, and further in the hole. We put up the biggest fight of our career and we are not done by a long shot. We'll begin the process again for July next week."
You will be reimbursed for your ticket purchases. If you bought a physical ticket, please email tickets@thehabitat.ca
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 03/16/2013
Our regular Salsa night just got a whole lot of flavour. Major Mambo is the Okanagan Valley’s premier Latin ensemble. They play ideal dance music for your Caribbean theme night. Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Bossa Nova, Samba, Latin Jazz. Hot sounds from Havana, Puerto Rico, New York and Brazil. They have performed throughout the Okanagan Valley at The Okanagan Jazz Festival, DJ's, Kelowna Parks Alive, Kelowna Community Theater, The Rotary Arts Center, Hotel Eldorado, Coast Capri Hotel and The Delta Grand Hotel. Instrumentation of the band includes piano, bass and Latin percussion.
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 02/6/2013
Wow! We're announcing Habitat's third Artist in Residence for The Jail Bird Residency Series 3 and March's Jail Bird Art Show 3: Alexandra Tremblay!
Alexandra is a mixed media artist who has been living in Kelowna for the past 2 years. Originally from the prairies, she had been living in the Ouest for many years where she pursued a Diploma in Fiber Arts from the Kootenay School of the Arts, having graduated with honours in 2010. The Fibre Arts program consisted of the study of : felting, dye technology, patern drafting, weaving, silver smithing, design, and drawing.
For everyone that submitted, thank you so much! Your work is truly incredible and has shown us the wide variety of talent in our local pool.
Look forward to Alexandra turning Habitat into her private art studio over the next few weeks as she brings her love of felting (and a limitless variety of other materials) to Habitat's walls. Come to the Jail Bird: Project Reveal on February 7th, 2013 will give you a chance to see the beginning of Tremblay's residency and what to look forward to for the Jail Bird Art Show 3 on March 16th to see her completed work!
Here is a sample of Tremblay's body of work:
Alexandra is a mixed media artist who has been living in Kelowna for the past 2 years. Originally from the prairies, she had been living in the Ouest for many years where she pursued a Diploma in Fiber Arts from the Kootenay School of the Arts, having graduated with honours in 2010. The Fibre Arts program consisted of the study of : felting, dye technology, patern drafting, weaving, silver smithing, design, and drawing.
For everyone that submitted, thank you so much! Your work is truly incredible and has shown us the wide variety of talent in our local pool.
Look forward to Alexandra turning Habitat into her private art studio over the next few weeks as she brings her love of felting (and a limitless variety of other materials) to Habitat's walls. Come to the Jail Bird: Project Reveal on February 7th, 2013 will give you a chance to see the beginning of Tremblay's residency and what to look forward to for the Jail Bird Art Show 3 on March 16th to see her completed work!
Here is a sample of Tremblay's body of work:
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 01/8/2013
Watch the video for Kim's song "Seasons Grind," the first single off "Detail of Distance".
Kim performs on December 19th, 2012
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 12/5/2012
Benjamin Francis Leftwich’s upcoming North American tour has been postponed due to a family matter. The tour was set to begin tomorrow night in San Francisco, California, and dates are currently being rescheduled for February 2013. Once new dates are announced all tickets will be honored at future dates and refunds will be available at point of purchase for any canceled dates. Please check for further updates on benjaminfrancisleftwich.com.
A fast rising British singer-songwriter, Benjamin will release a new EP, In The Open on November 20th on Vagrant. In The Open features Ben’s ethereal vocals gliding over a wistful lament which proves that Ben was not just one of the most compelling new artists of last year, but is an enduring songwriting force. There is a haunting beauty to his vocal that is unmistakable and uniquely his own. Many can sing, few have a voice – and the latter is true for Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
Any tickets you have already purchased will be accepted at the make-up date early next year.
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 11/7/2012
I just got wind of a few music videos by The Royalty, this one in particular was only posted 26 days ago and is only about 2,600 views from breaking 100,000. More importantly, it gets our feet taping!
See The Royalty with Bend Sinister on November 3rd.- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 10/30/2012
Awesome Okanagan presents in collaboration with Loyal Hair Therapy "Wild Heart" the 2012 F/W Fashion Show/Fundraiser with heart, raising money for H.O.P.E. Outreach!
The A-OK/LHT teams put together this exciting promotional video for the event. Wild Heart takes place November 16th at 8pm, right after the Jail Bird Art Show 2 launch!
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 10/20/2012
We're very excited to be able to announce Habitat's second Artist in Residence for The Jail Bird Residency Series 2 and November's Jail Bird Art Show 2: M. Klasen!
We're constantly blown away by the quality of submissions we receive and Matt's use of colour and shapes in a modern graffiti style excites us greatly!
For everyone that submitted, thank you so much! Your work is truly incredible and has shown us the wide variety of talent in our local pool. We're excited to feature support for Matt in three entrants from the The Jail Bird Residency Series 1 & 2 because you're all so talented!
Look forward to M. Klasen turning Habitat into his private art studio over the next 4 weeks as he brings his flavor to the interior. Don't forget to come to the official Jail Bird Art Show 2 to see his completed work!
Here is a sample of Klasen's body of work:
We're constantly blown away by the quality of submissions we receive and Matt's use of colour and shapes in a modern graffiti style excites us greatly!
For everyone that submitted, thank you so much! Your work is truly incredible and has shown us the wide variety of talent in our local pool. We're excited to feature support for Matt in three entrants from the The Jail Bird Residency Series 1 & 2 because you're all so talented!
Look forward to M. Klasen turning Habitat into his private art studio over the next 4 weeks as he brings his flavor to the interior. Don't forget to come to the official Jail Bird Art Show 2 to see his completed work!
Here is a sample of Klasen's body of work:
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 10/2/2012
I am so thrilled that Mike Edel's music video for "The Country Where I Came From" is finally officially out. I had the opportunity to watch it synced to his live performance at RockRidge Canyon as part of the PEAK Performance Project back in late August/early September. There was something about the time of the week (complete lack of sleep too I suppose), his performance and the stirring visual quality of the video that hit me. I was very much emotionally affected by the whole experience.
I was responsible for the video portion of his performance so I actually had the mp4 of the video, I kept it (sorry Mike!) and loaded it into iTunes so I could watch it at home on AppleTV at the end of that week. He asked that it not get shown anywhere outside of camp since it wasn't being officially released until today, so keep in mind I've had this gorgeous beast in my possession for an entire month already and haven't been able to share it, until now! Watch this video. Then watch it again.
See Mike with Jordan Klassen and Joshua Smith on October 25th.
- By Brandon W. Fletcher
- | Published 10/2/2012