Issue #48: Winter Works and Wanderings

Winter is My Time to Reflect and Prepare

After reviewing 2018, my work summed up to 11 murals and 6 design projects. This was enough to keep me very busy and resulted in the most amount of time I've held a paintbrush in 1 year!

Now in the middle of hibernation, I'm back to graphic designing and sending in submissions and quotes in hopes of receiving more amazing murals and clients to work with this year. Among snow falls and design events, I've also been venturing into some mysterious, monochromatic winter-scapes and have been inspired by other artists, designers and ecologists.

Explore below to find snow-covered trees, collections of sepia-toned plant silhouettes, and projects in the works. And I'll leave you with a few links to people doing great things in both art and nature: By Nature's living walls, the new MOCA Toronto and the Eco Design Symposium.

Enjoy the snow, Spring will soon be here!

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Thank you for hearting art,
Pam ❤

Issue #40: Medicinal Plant Paint

The Evergreen Brick Works

Trees were starting to turn into Autumn colours as spiritual leader Philip Cote from First Story led us along a waterlily-filled pond. We paused at a cedar tree as he explained the process of making tea from the leaves to prevent pneumonia. I tasted cedar for the very first time—then sumac seeds which also makes a medicinal tea. Funny—I had drawn and made paint from sumac leaves only a few days before!

At the top of the hill, we gathered in a circle while Philip drummed. We passed along burning sweetgrass, smudging ourselves to open up to learn. While I continue to draw and learn about plants, I'm discovering a deeper respect for nature. Nature is all around, offering materials to create art and remedies to keep us healthy. More than ever before, it's important to love nature as much as she loves us.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." ~Frank Lloyd Wright

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Thank you for hearting art!
❤ Pam

Art Letter #31: Playing Around

"I believed then—in a deep, easy way that is impossible for me as an adult—that there was more to this world than meets the eye. Trees had spirits; the wind spoke. If you followed a toad or a raven deep into the heart of the forest, they were sure to lead you to something magical." –Jennifer McMahon

The Enchanted Playroom

A little girl and her mom... are so excited to spend time in this room! Two trees fill the walls, wrapping around every corner and angled ceiling. A slight breeze sweeps willow branches to the right, towards an oak tree in the opposite corner. A squirrel playfully peeks from behind a trunk while another nibbles at acorns. The girl's favourite, a cardinal, sits upon a light switch while she sings and dances in a beautiful princess dress. Custom designed murals at pamlostracco.com... The Future of Colour Colour Trends seminar at the Interior Design Show... a talk about colours for 2017 and how they're predicted. Science, politics, architecture, economy—pretty much anything that happens in the world, affects our lives and our relationship with colour. Trending topics about artificial life will inspire reflective and smooth materials. Adapting to constant and faster change will invite more transparency, like buildings made of glass walls. I expected to hear about only colour, then left feeling the need to experiment with new materials! Follow along with me on Instagram... Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day and a month full of love and friendship! The iheart is a monthly Art Letter. Read the full issue here or become a member to get it sent directly to your inbox—it's free!

The iheart Art Letter: 2017... Here We Come!

The 30th issue and the 2017th year...

December 2016, The Finale: Quotes on walls in the Graduate Studies offices at Ryerson University.

The geometric pattern in the letters reflects the mural painted in the hallway.

While snow wisped about outside my windows, I snuggled into a wrap twirled several times around me. I sipped hot tea and felt warmed by the fiery orange glow from the heat dish. With the Year Compass in hand, I imagined up a list of new hopes and reoccurring dreams. Goals to reach my desired life that's well-balanced between work and play, health and wealth, learning and experiences.

January 2017, Up Next: Design for a playroom mural of a willow and oak tree with squirrels and a cardinal!

It's quite the list but I do believe the process of writing makes ideas more likely to happen. Even if only a few come true, there's still good reason to look forward to 2017! 

I'd love to hear, how do you turn your wishes into accomplishments?

The Year Ahead: I've been working on creating the perfect calendar planner. 

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." –Tony Robbins

The iheart is a monthly Art Letter. Read the full issue or subscribe for free to get it sent directly to your inbox. 

A Mountain Mural at Grouse Mountain

Best job yet! Painting + traveling is my dream combination and it actually came true at Grouse Mountain Resort.

Here's the day-by-day progress of my latest mural adventure:

Day 1: Had a beautiful, sunny flight. Warmly picked up at the ferry and up the tram to my amazing cabin. Shown the chalet's wall and introduced to staff. Sorted out a few logistics then visited my grizzly mountain mates:

Flying to Vancouver, I saw the mountains from a higher perspective. 

Airport to train, to ferry, to car, to tram, to... my very own cabin!

Meeting some of the mountain wildlife.

Day 2: Thanks to jet lag, I was up before the café even opened! Started taping up the wall at 7:30am and had all the paint mixed by noon. Layer 1 complete:

Measuring and taping up the wall. 

Mixing the paints to create an even gradient in tones.

Day 3: A steady stream of visitors were coming through after hiking up The Grind. Some commented while others named out the mountains they recognized. Met one of the staff members who had life stories to tell. Layer 2 complete:

Admiring all the people coming through the chalet.

Met Willie, one of the staff standing in front of The Lions,
also known as The Sisters. 

Lots of progress today, only 1 more layer for tomorrow!

Day 4: Finished up the last layer of pine trees and Grouse Mountain's identifier. Patched a couple holes, painted the baseboard and final touch ups. It's finished!

This added detail is called The Cut, indicating Grouse Mountain.

Captured at work from above. (Photo by Ainslie Fincham)

Day 5: Since the mural was painted on time as planned, I spent a day in Vancouver. Sushi in Kitsilano, walk on the beach, saki tasting on Granville Island, boat taxi and the best gluten free pizza I've ever had at Bella Gelateria! Arrived "home" late to catch the last (empty) tram up the mountain:

Enjoyed a perfect day off in Vancouver with my friend Jacqueline.

Without any visitors on board, the tram ride back up the mountain
was eerily dark and silent, while the wind whistled through. 

Day 6: A slow morning to watch my surroundings deeply in a sketch. One last look at the real mountains and then the mountain mural, before I headed off back to the airport:

Savouring one last look at this spectacular view. 

Taking final photos of the completed mural. 

It was so much fun, I want to go back! If you're in BC and would like a mural for your home or business, email me here. Let's make it happen!

Let's make more murals!

Etsy

My Etsy shop is now up and going! Inspired by patterns old and new, I am selling notebooks made with vintage wallpaper and calendar posters using designs I have found in nature. New items will be added gradually so check in again!

Bookmarks

Here is my bookmark promo that was just printed (full colour front and back with lamination). Lately I've been illustrating patterns for 2012 poster calendars and this one features my bamboo pattern. Check out my first item for sale on etsy!

Vintage Notebooks and Colouring Books

Just in time for the Christmas season, these stylish notebooks and fishy colouring books are now on sale at Pixel Print and Shopgirls. Remember the vintage wallpaper I found a few months ago? Pixel Print suggested putting it to good use--they did all the printing and binding, I drew the illustrations and assembled the covers, and here is the exciting result!

All the covers were hand assembled, each unique depending on the cut of the wallpaper. The notebooks have a matching shiny ribbon that matches the metallic ink in the wallpaper. The inside pages are 100% recycled paper. They come in 2 sizes, 5"x7" and 3"x8".

The colouring books have 8 fun, activity-based illustrations, including "wave maze" and "connect the bubbles". The rest of the pages are blank to write or draw. The cover has an extra flap at the back, a bookmark to mark your page! They measure 6.5"x8".

Greeting Cards

A friend of mine has set up a beautiful printing shop just down the street. Located by Dundas and Dovercourt, Pixel Print offers a variety of services, including a window store front of greeting cards. Among the designs, are a set of three cards I illustrated a while back, patterns inspired by three of the natural elements—Earth, Fire, and Water. Stop by to have a look and see the rest of the store!

Here is a recent post by blogTO.

Happy New Year!

Here are the instructions to make this years ornament card!

JUMP Math

The new edition of workbooks 1 and 2 are now finished! The redesign includes a cleaner layout which is easier to navigate, and a unique family of artwork which is consistent and recognizable. Check out the little people! The books were definitely a lot of fun to work on :)

Selected pages are posted here.

JUMP Math offers workbooks for grades 1 to 8 with each grade divided into parts 1 and 2. They include units on Number Sense, Patterns and Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Probability and Data Management.

"JUMP Math is a numeracy program started in 1998 by mathematician, author and award-winning playwright John Mighton. We are a federally registered charitable organization based in Toronto, Canada.

JUMP Math believes that all children can be led to think mathematically, and that with even a modest amount of attention every child will flourish. By demonstrating that even children who are failing math or who are labeled as slow learners can excel at math, we hope to dispel the myths that currently prevail. We offer educators and parents complete and balanced materials as well as training to help them reach all students."

Artistry Cards

Exciting news! I’ve been chosen to be one of the first artists to represent a great new line of ecological greeting cards, called Artistry Cards.

The company was formed to seek out talented new Canadian artists and publish their images on greeting cards, which are available at www.artistrycards.com. 5% of the sales of my card will go to Creative Works Studio, a charity which offers healing, and recovery through creative arts. Creative Works Studio provides an oasis from the daily rigors and challenges of life for people living with a mental illness. What’s more, the company uses all recycled and post-consumer stock and ecologically friendly printing methods.

Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, thank-you notes or really any occasion, Artistry Cards is a great way to give back to your community when giving greeting cards. I hope you’ll take the time out to visit the portfolio, where I’m featured with three other talented artists. Here’s the link:

http://www.artistrycards.com/ACOO3_Pam_Lostracco/ACOO3_Pam_Lostracco.html

Cream The Urban Dairy

Enjoyed a sunny bike ride over to Leslieville to visit my friend Danielle at her new ice cream shop. Also had to see my logo design in action, on the business cards, tshirts and window! More photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamlostracco/3892365963/in/set-72157622276369080/

Cream offers a selection of homemade flavours that rotate every day. The store was busy and all the customers looked very happy :) I tried the avocado-brie-tomato-bacon crepe sandwich followed with a scoop of vanilla toffee chunk. It was so deliciously icy and creamy, I can't wait to go back and try more of the many selections!

To read a review:
http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/cream-urban-dairy

Culture Works at the Big on Bloor Festival

My poster is up in store fronts on Bloor!

"On Saturday June 20, 2009 from Christie to Lansdowne along historic Bloor Street, The BIG Festival celebrates local business, community, arts and culture with a unique street fair featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions. Closed to traffic to celebrate summer in the city, Bloor hosts up to 600 tables that will be used for projects, commercial sales, garage sales, food and information.

Bloor Improvement Group is a dynamic volunteer coalition in Toronto, advancing the economic, physical, cultural and social life of the targeted local Bloor Street by creating opportunities and events that improve and celebrate the area."
www.bigonbloor.com

"Culture Works is a feature DIG IN event of the BIG Festival located on Bloor between Dufferin and Lansdowne."
www.digin.ca

Christmas Cards

Continuing what has become my annual tradition of hand-making Christmas tree ornament cards. This year, I took advantage of all the colourful, blurry-light images taken down the street and turned them into minature, to-scale digital photos. Printed on recycled paper at Pixel Print.