last night I went to my first art battle in Toronto… I didn’t know what to expect (though I have to admit, I was hoping for paint brush stabbings and paint covered wrestlers), but I walked in, handed the lovely gentleman at the front door my $15, and he gave me my ballots.
turns out, I was behind the rest of the crowd – as they were on art battle 24.
the idea is pretty simple (and I kicked myself for never having thought of something like this for theme birthdays): 16 competitors, who each get 20 minutes to prepare the best piece of art they can. Round 1 and 2 displays 10 painters each round (8 who enter, as well as 2 people whose names are drawn from the audience – and I don’t think I need to tell you, this made me excited about the possibility…. So of course, next time, my name will be in that can). They have 20 minutes to paint anything they want, while the crowd watches, mulls around, and gets to essentially participate in the process. Once time is up, everyone in the crowd uses their voting ballots (labeled for rounds 1, 2 and 3), to determine which of the paintings will enter the final round. the top two painters from the first two rounds then proceed to the finals.
the winner of the finals is determined in the same method, and receives a cash prize. Then all the paintings are put up for silent auction, so anyone can take them home.
I would never ever call myself an artist. I paint, and use many mediums to create art – but I have become comfortable with the fact that I will never ever be a famous painter. The things that these people did in 20 minutes was fantastic and amazing. I can really let the photos speak for themselves, because no matter what I comment on in regards to each person’s brush strokes or technique, there’s nothing that can replace watching each of these artists create something from nothing in a matter of minutes. Things like that heighten your appreciation of art so much – you walk away in awe.
turns out, I was behind the rest of the crowd – as they were on art battle 24.
the idea is pretty simple (and I kicked myself for never having thought of something like this for theme birthdays): 16 competitors, who each get 20 minutes to prepare the best piece of art they can. Round 1 and 2 displays 10 painters each round (8 who enter, as well as 2 people whose names are drawn from the audience – and I don’t think I need to tell you, this made me excited about the possibility…. So of course, next time, my name will be in that can). They have 20 minutes to paint anything they want, while the crowd watches, mulls around, and gets to essentially participate in the process. Once time is up, everyone in the crowd uses their voting ballots (labeled for rounds 1, 2 and 3), to determine which of the paintings will enter the final round. the top two painters from the first two rounds then proceed to the finals.
the winner of the finals is determined in the same method, and receives a cash prize. Then all the paintings are put up for silent auction, so anyone can take them home.
I would never ever call myself an artist. I paint, and use many mediums to create art – but I have become comfortable with the fact that I will never ever be a famous painter. The things that these people did in 20 minutes was fantastic and amazing. I can really let the photos speak for themselves, because no matter what I comment on in regards to each person’s brush strokes or technique, there’s nothing that can replace watching each of these artists create something from nothing in a matter of minutes. Things like that heighten your appreciation of art so much – you walk away in awe.
I was invited by alex, whose sister in law Cat, was competing. Cat is an unbelievable artist, and made it to the finals. A few of my other favourites from the night:
From top to bottom: Cat Reyto (round 2); Ira lipkin (round 1); yang cao (round 1); rob jolicoeur (round 2); rob jolicoeur and cat’s pieces completed (round 2); all the artists (round 3 - finals); Cat Reyto (round 3 -finals); alex jones (round 3 - finals); yang cao (round 3); winning painting
check out the artist's websites - next time around, I’ll be posting on my twitter when the time is nigh for another battle. This even sends ideas of jewelry battles, and art battle parties through my head… too. Much. Exciting. Stuff. to do.
