Love As I've Seen It | Reception: Saturday March 22, 7pm-10pm

Currently on exhibit at 2592 Yonge Street | The Second Cup

The Salon I hosted was incredible! Guests were able to view my latest pieces, some in progress. We drank vino, munched on snacks while we talked about arts and culture. I received numerous ‘Thank-yous!’ A good time was had by all. This event is a great way to socialize in a comfortable atmosphere -- to connect with people.

What’s next?

More Salons and…

This.

I’m hosting a reception for my exhibition, ‘Love As I See it.’

The Second Cup

http://www.yelp.ca/search?find_desc=second+cup&find_loc=Yonge+and+Eglinton,+Toronto,+ON

2592 Yonge Street

(North of Briar Hill Road at the corner of Albertus Avenue)

(416) 487-7838

Saturday March 22, 2014 

7pm – 10pm

This show is a collection of works of art around love and relationships, (my favourite topic).

Here's the facebook event page! Please RSVP

https://www.facebook.com/events/218790988314756/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

I’m a woman who has spent most of her life single for various reasons. Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m delightful and great company. I tell myself that every day, but for some reason I put work before love, I think. Or maybe I’m ‘too much woman,’ as some pals have suggested. Okay, the real reason… I have only recently begun to make romantic love a priority.

I had a chat with the staff at a local furniture store about this. I surmise that some woman have a place for it. They say, ‘I need a great job, a car, a vacation once a year, a great husband, some kids and a lovely home.’

I say, ‘I need an iPad, a fold up bike, a Honda mini, a plentiful amount of mangoes, to see live jazz a few times a month, annual vacations, a nice home and a rewarding job.’

‘What about love?’ my late Mother used to ask.

‘It’ll come,’ I’d say.

I believed that in the midst of me working diligently at creating an incredible life some gorgeous man would see me, pursue me and we’d fall madly in love forever. Sounds possible, right?

This exhibit explores the ups and downs of such a strategy by honing in on single, universal moments when in love, hoping for love, receiving love. They make a great gift for someone you’re in love with. And if you love yourself enough, you can purchase one for you!

Join me at the reception at:

The Second Cup

http://www.yelp.ca/search?find_desc=second+cup&find_loc=Yonge+and+Eglinton,+Toronto,+ON

2592 Yonge Street

(North of Briar Hill Road at the corner of Albertus Avenue)

(416) 487-7838 

7pm – 10pm

Admission is free. Treat yourself to a beverage or a snack.

Light snacks will be provided!

Cheers,

Simone

International Women’s Day Open Studio!

OPEN STUDIO on International Women’s Day!

BlackHistory Month, this year, was a time of planning and preparation for new ventures.

This year, my creative goal is to exhibit more widely.

Current exhibitions:

A Tribute to Whiney Houston | Mojo Music | Oakville

Exploring Emotion and A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix | de Mello | Toronto

I have been exhibiting my work since 1991, well 1988 if you count the flea market in Mississauga where I rented a table and sold hand painted tee-shirts and accessories. It’s been a fun ride filled with ups and downs – challenges and pleasant surprises.

Open Studio on International Women’s Day

Late in the nineties, I opened my studio at Liberty Street, in the company of fellow artists. The building was full of creative talent. We simultaneously allowed the public to walk through our studio and see our work. It was so well received that I have decided to make it part of my practice.

What better day to begin opening my studio to the public once a month than on International Woman’s Day? That’s right, my friends, you will have the opportunity to view works in progress and completed pieces that you were hoping to see again and to make a purchase.

Original art ranges in price from $10 to $3000.

Purchases can be made by credit card, cash or cheque.

You can also now find my work on Saatchi. Search for simone4king or Simone Frank. This site has the most encouraging mission statement: that artist will be able to live off their work. I wish for the same.

I have many projects on the go and am excited by all of them. I look forward to your response to these pieces.

Join me:

Saturday March 8^th

11 - 5pm

115 Eglinton Avenue West,

unit 26, buzz 26

Toronto, Ontario Canada.

It’s a third floor walk up.

simone4king@gmail.com

416 432 9947

The studio is located across the street from DeSerres Art Supply

On the South Side of Eglinton, just West of Yonge Street.

Itis walking distance from Eglinton Subway.

I predict a warm Spring day! If I’m wrong, remember, a weatherman is the only job where one can be wrong all the time and never get fired! (Not my quote, but a good one!)

I look forward to seeing Saturday March 8th from 11-5pm!

Cheerio!

Simone

Good Tidings!!!

Hello - Ink on Paper - 11"x14" - 2014

At this time of year, it’s fun to read forecast for the year. Astrology it rarely tells me anything horrible. The mystics write of areas that will be good and tend to gloss over the struggles. It gives me hope.

Here's the ink to Astrology.com

In 2012 I made a friend who was obsessed with the predictions of 2012. He wondered what would come after the Mayan calendar ended. His first obsession was crop circles, then the Mayan calendar. Now it’s the core of the Earth where he is trying to convince me that certain beings reside. We don’t talk much anymore. Laugh.

But we spent many an evening talking about the supernatural over dinner. I read TheMystery of 2012, so that I was able to converse with him at his level. The end of the Mayan calendar had a lot of people dumbfounded. Did that mean the world was about to end… again…?

A quick google search didn't produce a book for this year. We're all still here. I guess we just keep going, right? The earth is still round. We still have to work on the environment so that we leave future generations with fresh water and soil rich enough to produce healthy food. We need to ensure that the air is clean enough to breathe and that people are good to each other. We still have to work to save up for our mansions, luxury cars and international travel. My dream vacation is to visit Antarctica, despite the amount of times tourists are rescued from that expanse of ice.

This year is supposed to be fruitful for me according to Astrology.com. I look forward to it. I think I’ve struggled for long enough. Speaking of struggle, I recently watched two films, which have stayed with me, 12 Years a Slave and Lee Daniel’s The Butler. I habitually see every slave and Holocaust film released. I remember the first year I found it important. I was seventeen years old. I went to Blockbuster Video, remember that place? And I rented several slave films. I watched them alone. I felt a need to know more about slavery. It inspired me and reminded me that it was important to ensure that history was not repeated. Then in my twenties, Holocaust films peaked my curiosity. I see every one released. These films help me to realize, in times of woe, that things could and have been a lot worse.

My pal, R, argued. ‘I don’t see those films,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to walk around all pent up after seeing something like that! Why would you want to do that to yourself?’ R is American. He spent his youth in libraries reading about his culture and knows it. I feel I still have much to learn. My friend, A, says that watching a comedy is better. The world is depressing enough, he says. He too knows his history better than I. I find it important to stay informed if not via the media, then via film. But it does make my world a bit more gray.

The one thing that stayed with me from my reading on 2012, is that we create our realities by our language, our actions, our choices. Nothing new, just underlined. So, although I won’t obsess over the realities of the past– of slavery and the Holocaust, various genocides – the images stay with me as I live and I produce art around it.

I recently read a book on Emotional Intelligence which included an exercise. It tells the reader to give themselves a point every time they laugh out loud, watch a comedy, smile or tell a joke. It won’t stop me from viewing twisted art films, another love of mine.

But enough about me, here’s what I wish for you.

I hope that you walk in beauty, love and joy!

I wish you great love!

I wish you great success!

I wish that you find the beauty in small things!

And that you share your God given gifts with the world!

"Every moment of your life is infinitely creative,

and the universe is endlessly beautiful.

Just put forth a clear enough request,

and everything your heart desires must come to you."

-Shakti Gawain

... oh, and dance with joy as often as possible!!

Here's a lovely, inspiring tune from Gladys Knight!

Good tidings!!

Simone

P.S.

Ongoing Exhibition at:

Mojo Music - 430 Speers Road in Oakville, ON, Canada

deMello Palheta Roastery and Specialty Coffee - 2489 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

The Shuttle to Love and FREE event this weekend! An Art Sale for Charity!

Ink on Mulberry - 4" x 6" - $10 each

Where were you? I missed you. I invited you to my fundraiser!

No pressure, no pressure...

So much happened around this time, so I guess that you had other plans. Nelson Mandella passed away. So many gathered in his honour. Perhaps you were there instead. I wasn’t able to make it, but I watched part of it online. I saw the crowds in the stadium dancing and celebrating his passing. I was really inspired by Obama’s speech, so I’ve posted it here so that you can view it if you so desire.

I wrote about Nelson Mandella in, A Soulful Seniors Moment, not about his triumphs, but he was mentioned and illustrated. I’m still putting the finishing touches on the graphic e book.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of the e book will go to Mid Toronto  Community Services, which brings me back to my fundraiser.

It will be thrown again this weekend:

Saturday, December 14^th from 12-5pm

Sunday, December 15^th from 12-5pm

115 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto, ON

http://goo.gl/cHrqrI

Across the street from De Serres art supply store just West of Yonge Street

Buzz 26 for unit 26

It’s a third floor walk up but worth it. The art covers the walls. Items for sale begin at $10. These are great gifts for people who want to add some beauty to their environments. Lots of original art of various mediums.

Come by yourself or bring a guest!

Refreshments served.

This is an open studio event. I hope to see you there!

Bring pals you love who love art!

Oh, and I posted another story on Smashwords. This one is about near misses. Have you ever felt like you have met your possible future husband, wife or partner and failed to act? Is there an opportunity at your door now that you hesitate to take? If you answered yes to any of the above question, you will enjoy reading, ‘The Shuttle to Love.’

Available on Smashwords.com

Here’s the link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/387597

I look forward to seeing you this weekend!!

Cheers,

Simone

Two Candles and a Holiday Sale

Two Candles by Simone Frank

The holiday season is here! Woo Hoo!

At this time of year, I look forward to snow the most. I love to see that white blanket cover the earth. (Can you tell that I rarely drive?) Snowfalls are so beautiful, at least at first. If you live in downtown Toronto, you know that it doesn’t take long for the white blanket of snow to resemble “iced cappuccino.” A pal of mine who had just moved to Canada called it that.

Snow fall or not, I hope to see you this weekend at my Holiday Art Sale and Fundraiser, designed to make a sizable donation to Mid Toronto Community Services. Last year, I raised $99. I look forward to seeing this event grow and to increase the donation amount!!

Holiday Sale and Fundraiser

Saturday December 7^th and Sunday December 8^th

12-5pm

115 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto, ON

Buzz 26

3^rd floor walk up

Refreshments served.

Guess What? What? 

I just finished a piece called TwoCandles­. It’s a short story about a cab ride in Toronto. I am in the process of sorting through my writing. I hesitated to post this story, as it will be part of an anthology in the near future. For now, it stands alone – a comedic short story about culture and romance. I hope you like it. 

You can find it by clicking here:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/383639

Once again, I look forward to seeing you on the weekend. May you have a wonderful shopping experience wherever you choose to go.

Stay safe and stay happy!

Simone

Holiday Sale and Fundraiser - FREE Event

The fun begins as we approach the Holidays or Holly Daze as I like to call it. My favourite part of the Holiday Season is socializing with pals. At this time of year, people make more of an effort to meet and mingle. Here’s an opportunity to purchase original works of art and some crafts at

The 2^nd Annual

Holiday Sale and Fundraiser

Saturday December 7th, 2013 | 12:00 - 5:00pm
Sunday December 8th, 2013 | 12:00 - 5:00pm

115 Eglinton Avenue West

http://goo.gl/PO8UdH
Buzz 26

3^rd floor walk up

Last year,I was able to raise a small amount for Mid Toronto Community Services. 

http://www.midtoronto.com/web/index.php

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of my works of art will be donated to this great organization. Mid Toronto is located in downtown Toronto. They advocate for and support the elderly in Toronto.

I was very close to my grandmother as a youngster and was raised to respect my elders. Think of all the wisdom, the stories that they have to tell, that you have to tell as you mature in age.

Support local artist who support local charities!!

Treats will be served.

See you on…

Saturday December 7th, 2013 | 12:00 - 5:00pm
Sunday December 8th, 2013 | 12:00 - 5:00pm

Cheers and Happy Holly Daze!!
Here's my latest theme song!

Simone