Carrie Chisholm

“I am a lonely painter, I live in a box of paints…”

Well, not quite, but I am certainly spending a lot more time in the studio these days, which suits me just fine.

One more reason to keep on creating, happily, is that I will be participating in the online edition of fair this summer!

To add to this excitement, they will be celebrating their 65th anniversary! That is quite an achievement, hats off to the Staff and Board for their pluck and perseverance in seeing this event sustain and thrive through many challenging years as of late. You are quite a team!

#65

It’s countdown to show opening! So excited to return to after almost 10 years. Time flies and it’s so easy to get caught up in the ebb and flow of life. I couldn’t be happier or more grateful that I’ve found my way back to sharing my work with my peers at this fantastic show!

I want to thank my wonderful friends and family who have supported me along the way, especially the following:

as my installation lead
for all printed matter
for promotional production assistance

I couldn’t have made it this far without you!

Come find me at booth #711. This is my home between now and end of day Sunday.

I’m pleased to share that I’ll be participating in 2026, taking place March 26–29 in Toronto.

The fair brings together more than 250 independent artists alongside collectors, curators, and cultural leaders.

What I love about this event is that it assembles all the aspects of the artworld that I care about most: creative practice, community, and the conversations that help the arts industry grow.

Events like this create space not only for discovering new work, but for dialogue and collaboration. It’s an opportunity for artists and audiences to meet directly, exchange ideas, and build relationships that sustain independent artistic practice.

If you plan to attend please swing by booth #711 where I will be situated. See the new series I have been working on this past year.

15% off Ticket Discount Code (for admission from March 27–29): JOINME2026 
Link to ticketing site: https://www.tix123.com/tickets/?code=TAP26

The event is an excellent opportunity to discover and connect with more than 250 independent artists. This year it takes place in Toronto at the Enercare Centre from March 26–29, 2026. Immerse yourself in an inspiring atmosphere where meaningful conversations with artists unfold and personal connections with art come naturally. Explore thousands of original works, encounter striking large-scale installations, join curator-led art tours, and perhaps find the piece that truly speaks to you.

Come visit me at Booth #711, towards the far left corner of the floorplan from the main entrance!

For details: https://theartistproject.com/home/
15% off Ticket Discount Code (for admission from March 27–29): JOINME2026

Materials of the trade and words to live by.

Another day in the studio, needing a respirator to save myself from the stench of Gorilla Glue. Oh, the hazards of being an artist!

Working on one of three new pieces that will be featured towards the end of March. Details to come!

I was lucky to catch the end of a lovely little portrait art exhibition nearby over the weekend, The National Portrait Gallery of Canada of Bloorcourt. The Gallery Directors filled a gaping hole in the national cultural scene where a portrait gallery should be. Their concept garnered great press, and piqued my curiosity with the inclusion of animal portraits. So happy to see works by and included! The positive community vibes made my week and I will be certain to return. Art on, .1065 !

STUDIO DAY

What better excuse to get back into gear in the studio with a new year upon us than a grey, wintery Sunday?

This new piece is one of two new smaller works I am creating to complement the larger work created during the artist residency, all of which began/begin as blind contour drawing with acrylic paint on black velvet/velveteen, with decorative ribbon appliqués and more paint. I am hoping to have these completed in short order, but no promises (to myself).

Happy art making to all the creative cats out there!

I have always loved James Sutherland’s mosaic mural at but it could use a little TLC,

I had the pleasure of attending the opening of ’s ‘Epoch’ exhibition last Thursday at Gallery. The work was magical—as always.

As a painter, I like to think I understand the all nuances of paint, but Dorian’s work reminds me that I really don’t.

What fascinates me most is how his paintings defy the medium itself. They don’t read as paintings—at least not in the traditional sense. His process gives the surface a quality that feels somewhere between high-resolution print and 3D relief, creating a transcendent experience that evolves upon approach. In an age of high fakery, when it’s prudent to question everything we see and hear, his work blurs the lines between the real and the believable.

Take the time to read his artist statement and visit the exhibition, on until December 6th—it’s well worth seeing in person.

Friends and art supports, you are all invited to attend a special evening Summer is winding down, as is my residency. Meanwhile, new exhibits have been installed at Gladstone House this month.

To celebrate, an open studio and exhibit openings have been scheduled to showcase the new shows plus the resident artists.

This will be an opportunity for friends, family, colleagues and members of the public to explore the hotel, check out the public space exhibitions and visit the Art Studio.

Please join us on Thursday, September 25th between 6:00-8:00pm, all ages are welcome. There will be a cash bar, and if there is sufficient interest, Curator Lee Petrie will conduct mini tours to show art in some of the guest rooms. 

You won’t want to miss it!

New Residency Announcement:
I am excited to share that I started a studio residency on July 21st. From now until September 30th I will be calling a corner of the 3-person studio home for all things art production!

I have started a new body of work, beginning with the usual blind contour base drawing (executed in acrylic paint via squeeze bottle). I am also experimenting with mixed media, including ribbon and textile appliqués on velvet, to be completed with acrylic paint techniques. This is all in anticipation of a future exhibition. On that, I will keep you posted!

If anyone is interested in swinging by and saying ‘hi’ please do. Just give me a head’s up beforehand. I am going to be there a couple of weeknights a week and 1 - 1 1/2 days on the weekend, if I can.

Fun times ahead!