The Artist Project: An Art Enthusiast’s Dream

By VITA Daily

Back for its 10th year, the Artist Project , February 23 to 27 in Toronto, is an exhilarating experience for art buffs. Visitors to this annual event can connect with collectors, curators, gallerists and designers to discover works of art from more than 250 top contemporary artists from Canada and abroad. Best of all, attendees can purchase pieces directly from the designer—an opportunity we’ll be taking to delve deeper into the story behind the art. Whether you’re able to attend the event in the Big Smoke or not, here’s a teaser of some of the masterpieces included and the from-across-Canada artists behind them. —Nicole Chiu

• CHAPLIN by EVAN SHARMA

  By VITA Daily

  Known as "the boy genius," this 13-year old artist from Ontario is inspired by the works of Picasso, Matisse and Basquiat. Evan’s fauvism art exploded onto the scene last year, and media swooned at his style, use of bold expressive colours and skill at such a young age. We were still playing video games at 13!

• RIVERTREES by HELEN UTSAL

  By VITA Daily

  This Montreal-born, Vancouver Island artist is inspired by the energy and majesty of the West Coast. Nature is Helen’s muse; Vancouver Island’s ancient trees, the dramatic light and energy of the ocean inspire her colourful impressionistic paintings.  

• SEPTEMBER CRUSH by ERIN BREKKE CONN

  By VITA Daily

  From Alberta, Erin is best known for her vibrant and stunning paintings of wildlife and unique landscapes. Her most dazzling works employ the application of pointillism, where thousands upon thousands of raised dots adorn the canvas.  

• LAUNDRY LINES by NATASHA MILLER

  By VITA Daily

  Self-taught New Brunswick artist Natasha uses a unique painting technique she created herself. Using homemade maple charcoal, she creates ghostly seascapes and compliments her pieces with bold, colourful silhouettes    

• HOT AND COLD by JONATHAN O’DEA

  By VITA Daily

  Jonathan is Newfie artist that takes simple "everyday objects" and gives them new life through interesting angles and contrast of bright and central figures. Chalk pastels are his medium of choice.

• PHENOMENON NO. 3 by ANNE-MARIE GROULX

  By VITA Daily

  Quebec City artist Anne-Marie uses her weavings to document and archive current pop culture. Each piece is full of personality—some will even give you the giggles, or a warm-fuzzy feeling inside. They also feel fuzzy!

• THE METAL MASTERMIND—JOEL SULLIVAN

  By VITA Daily

  Joel is a metal artist and fabricator from Novia Scotia who began expressing himself through metal. Built from sheet metal and up-cycled materials, many of his pieces are motivated by his fascination for anatomy.