Toronto Artist Tries to Think of New Ways to Pay the Rent

Sustainable Living Artist Style

As sustainable living ideas and concerns increase people are thinking second before throw anything out.  As an Artist I am constantly sorting through things with the hopes that I can find discarded material a new life.  Living and working in an old warehouse building offers the opportunity and space to keep various materials and use them in creations.  Having a collection of material leads to adding another step to the creative process of  an  inventory management  so that things don’t get out of control and you have an excess of clutter of materials that can take on the appearance of  garbage.   I’ve had an excess of unusable computers given to me from an insurance company.    These computers were all intact and ready for my dissection.

Closet Space Devoted to Donations

I had to clear a lot out of my closet space for the computer and devoted a lot of time with tools to finding the beauty within.  I still have electronic donations given to me and have to turn them down from time to time for fear that I don’t have enough time to give them the attention that they need.  I try to use as many items inside as possible , but it takes a lot of imagination.

Electronic Reed Switches and Lunch Containers

The biggest challenge is finding time for all the ideas that come to mind.   Including the  reed switches, gadgets, keypads and other components can leave a feeling of transformational empowerment.   This is one of the reasons why I work with recycled items.  I can take the feeling of being broken and transform it into a rebirth.    I’ve even found a few abandoned small batman  lunch containers at post garage sale street sites and used them to keep some of my materials in.

Ikea Table Top Transformed

The reinvention of the old into the new is a theme that is becoming more common as concerns for our planet grow.   This piece was created with a discarded table top, plaster relief and computer components and electric devices inside.  There is a switch on the side that allows you turn a small light on inside to reveal the what is hidden beneath the relief sculpture of the torso.

Steel Bending Architectural Renovations

Architectural Explorations

My love of art and architecture follows me where ever I go.  Even on my walks.  I’ve always had a fascination from afar with architecture.  It  is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction.   I like exploring communities that surround me and seeing what works, in the material form of buildings.   I notice how some buildings surpass others, while many get transformed with many generations.   Some keep their architectural integrity while being renovated to fit contemporary times.  As as I  walk or bike ride in different neighbourhoods to explore the city I notice the various structures and materials.   I am constantly comparing and admiring.  Each unique community I have seen has homes that have gone through some incredible transformations.   I notice that are a few in need of some extra TLC.   I gather ideas for renovations in my mind sometimes when I see this.  I especially notice an abandoned church in my area.    It catches my eye and I get such a thrill to think of it’s possibilities.    I would love to have the finances to purchase and restructure while keeping it’s architectural integrity.  Many times the historical integrity is gone after renovations to meet the needs of today.   Some areas such as the Distillery District has learned to keep the importance of historical heritage within structures which can be a costly affair.

Distillery District Historical Integrity

Being a lover of the arts I enjoy architecture as well and one of my favourite places is the Distillery District.   It’s mostly because of the historical integrity  that was kept with the redevelopment of the building structures.   Everywhere you go in the Distillery you see signs of the old and the new.  I also love stumbling across buildings and unusual structures in other areas of Toronto. There is one particular cube like building located off of Eastern Ave that seems to be the home to a few people. This cube like structure located just off of the DVP is really interesting. It leaves me amazed and curious about the structural quality of the building. However, it’s been there for a while. It makes me think of the old warehouse building I’m living in now, in which was once a perfume factory and an old cleaners at one point. Most of all it makes me think of an abandoned old water tower I used to drive by everyday. I often wondered if it could be transformed into a cool building to accommodate people to live in.

Curvilinear Clever Structures

Most people are not aware it is possible to build such unusual paradigm shift buildings.   Especially because the round structure have a need for bending steel pipe in order to utilize space and have proper plumbing and firm structures.  But like aircraft in the sky houses can be built with curves too.  I did not think this was possible until I was introduced to a company located in California. I wonder if Yurts buildings and other clever structures take advantage of this power to bend steel and other metals. I am curious about how many powerful services out there are available.  It really does seem to be limitless.  Architects most enjoy the freedom with the  types of possibilities for clever structures.     I’m sure there is a high price tag involved with the extra amount of creative freedom.   However,  I like to imagine a street of curvilinear buildings lining a street with it’s, think outside  of the box, style.

Online Photo Contests for Artists Portfolios and Bank Accounts

Professional Photography in the Warehouse

Solarsoft has supported online photo contests a few times.   Just check out the Lenzr blog to see.   This time they are looking for a photography license agreement with the owners of the best photos for the Warehouse Stockpiles  photo contest.   They want to use some awesome warehouse stockpiles photos for their  production planning online page.   This is a good chance for the serious minded photography lovers.  This is a chance  to gain some recognition and exposure.  Even piles of merchandise can be captured  in an interesting way.  Capture boxes stacked in warehouses, trucks or department stores.   This contest you can add to your portfolio.  The judges want to use the winning photos professionally for cash.   $250 for each photo license agreement will be awarded.  The company is looking for photos to put on their new web pages.   Artists should be given more money for all their hard work.  So upload your photos for free on the website.

Cash or Candy with a Homemade Halloween Costume

Everyone loves this festival time of year.  It gives people the chance to live out their fantasies with the costume apparel.   In North America you will see  ghosts, dragons, sexy police, Harry Potter, cats and more walking the streets begging for candy at people’s doors.  This trick or treat season could be a real payoff with 250 dollars of cash or candy.  Those with a sweet tooth will pick the candy.  Homemade HALLOWEEN Costumes is a festive photo contest for all photography lovers.  Dress up your freinds, family and pets too.    The judges will determine the winner of the $250 in cash or candy thanks to the social media contests who like to be imaginative and fun.

Enjoy Property Maintenance

Many people like to enjoy their property and spend lots of energy and money to keep it lush are alive.   The loving care placed into landscaping and lawn care for many homes is great.  Green  healthy looking grass gives us the desire to take off our shoes and enjoy life.  You see this in movies often. If you  already have photos of green grass and colourful flowers in beautiful landscaped lawns enter them for free on the Lenzr website. The Landscaping and Lawn Care photo contest judges want to see your great photos and are willing to make it worth your time and effort.  Thanks to a green thinking  property maintenance company there is a valuable contest prize.   If you are chosen by the judges you can enjoy your prize of your choice  next spring.  It would make a great gift too, being $250 worth of garden tools.

Try a Professional Bread-maker with Organic Ingredients

Bread is served in many types of restaurants such as Italian, Indian, and Greek.   Most people love the fresh flavour straight out of the oven.    The traditional food  comes in many different forms including raisens, whole wheats and olive.  The judges of this  photo contest involving one of the oldest foods is looking for great photos where bread is somehow involved.  I’m sure their will be many imaginative shots entered.    An organic ingredients company is helping out Lenzr and they are offering a professional Breadman breadmaker machine to winner. Use your camera when your loved ones are enjoying their toast.  Or take some shots of sandwiches in the lunch room at work.   Use your creativity to find someone interesting,  eating bread, making it, or sharing it. Write a fun description too to go with your photo.  Your imagination is the best tool.    This substance has a rich history and many memories.  Show Lenzr what it means to you.

House for Renovation?

If you like turning the rundown and old into the new this photo challenge may be for you.  The House For Renovation photo contest with Lenzr is great if you are a photographer going through a home reno.  You may have a couple homes on your street in need of a little repair.  Capture it’s true beauty digitally and perhaps you will win an Apple iPad2.    Look for those rundown houses and capture their fragile states.   This photo contest offers all photographers of different levels a chance to win an Apple iPad 2.    The judges will determine the best photo and give the iPad2 thanks to Toronto mortgage broker who take goals seriously, financial and photography related.  The photo contest winner will be announced on New Years day.  The best House for renovation picture will get an Apple iPad2 for the year 2012.