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Child Labour Exhibition

Unlicensed, Uninsured and Unprotected; Joyful Art; Denise GraciasAn Exploration of Child Labour Through Visual Arts Exhibit and Public Lecture

Blood Bangles at Bond Hotel
Blood Bangles by Denise Gracias on display at the Bond Hotel, Toronto, ON

 

Place: Bond Hotel, Toronto, ON  Bond Hotel – Toronto

Date:  20-21/Sep/19

 

As part of its 30th Anniversary Celebrations, the School of Child & Youth Care at Ryerson University, in partnership with Pakistani-Canadian artist Sabahat Anis, and the John C. Eaton Chair of Social Innovation in the Faculty of Community Services at Ryerson University presents:

An Exploration of Child Labour Through Visual Arts  Exhibit and Public Lecture

 

 

This event features an exhibit of visual art exploring child labour through various lenses. The art is curated from artists representing many countries around the world and provides for humanist, political, cultural and social perspectives on the global issue of child labour. A public lecture by one of the most prolific child rights scholars and activists, Dr. Tara Collins from the School of Child & Youth Care, will provide context for the exhibit.

 

It was truly fulfilling to participate in this exhibition. I worked all summer on two paintings that were displayed in the exhibition. 

“Blood Bangles” was inspired by watching documentaries on the little children in India who work every day for several hours in inadequate conditions, on jewelry, etc. They do intricate, tedious work with sharp instruments, cutting their little fingers, and their eyes becoming tired.  Please think about where those cheap trinkets come from before purchasing.

“Unlicensed, Uninsured and Unprotected” was the fruit of research in child labour in Europe.  Apparently, the minimum age to work has dropped, making it permissible to hire teenagers who may be given the most uninteresting, tedious work. They are also often exploited as they don’t know their rights.

If you would like more information on these paintings or others by this artist, please go to 

Morning Meseta -Exhibition Finalist

Joyful art; original painting; Denise Gracias
Morning Meseta by Denise Gracias – Finalist in “Skies” Sep/19 Exhibition by FusionArt

Morning Meseta is a Finalist in the 3rd Annual Skies Exhibition by FusionArt

I am pleased to say that “Morning Meseta” was a Finalist in the 3rd Annual Skies Exhibition by FusionArt Gallery.

This painting was inspired by a photo I took in the El Camino. I was in awe at the separation between sky and land in the horizon. 

 

See the Youtube video with all the finalists.  Find the “Skies” Exhibition – September 2019 and watch the Youtube video.  (Morning Meseta is at the 4:32 minute mark). However, all the paintings are quite magnificent (in my opinion)).

Fusionarts – Archives

To learn more about this painting or other similar paintings by this artist, go to Gallery

Still Waters Wins Award of Merit

“Still Waters” Wins Crystal Award of Merit in “Waterscapes” Online Exhibition by Gallery RingCrystal Award of Merit; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias

This painting was inspired by the el Camino, an ancient 800km walk across Spain. St. James, the Apostle of Christ, walked this as he spread the Gospel. During the heat of July with little shade, the long stretches of fields grew monotonous. However, as I approached the the town of Fromista, a stream greeted me, offering refreshment and rest. This painting was a pleasure to paint and to reminisce. I am grateful to  Gallery Ring for the honour.

 

“He Leads Me to Still Waters” Psalm 23

 

To learn more about this painting and others by this artist, go to Spiritual Landscapes

Still Water Info; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias

Highways and Byways

Almost There; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Almost There by Denise Gracias
Into the Morning Light; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Into the Morning Light by Denise Gracias

Three Landscape Paintings Finalists in the Highways and Byways Quarterly Art Exhibition by FusionArt

These three spiritual landscapes were inspired by my travels.  See Fusionarts – Archives

To me, roads are both exciting and intimidating.  Have you ever had that dread of taking a wrong turn and knowing you are off track somewhere in the middle of nowhere?  On the other hand, have you ever taken a walk or drive in new territory…yet felt safe…knowing that God Is Watching over you? 

For more information on these paintings or other similar paintings by this artist, go to Gallery

 

Joyful art; original painting; Denise Gracias
Early Start by Denise Gracias

Waterscapes

End of Summer Blues; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
End of Summer Blues by Denise Gracias

“Still Waters” and “End of Summer Blues” Are Finalists in the 4th Annual Waterscape Online Exhibition by FusionArt.

Still Waters; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Still Waters by Denise Gracias

These paintings were inspired by refreshing waters in Canada and in Spain. I am grateful to  Fusionarts – Archives for including both in their Online Exhibition. 

 

For more information on these paintings or others by this artist, go to Spiritual Landscapes

Honourable Mention – The Yearning

joyful art; original painting; Denise Gracias
The Yearning by Denise Gracias

“The Yearning” Awarded Honorable Mention in Oakton Foundation Visual Arts Competition 2019

This painting was submitted to the Oakton Foundation.   I was so grateful to hear that it was the first Honourable Mention in 2019.  Sadly, Oakton no longer holds these competitions for Christian artists. However, all the winners over the years are featured in here.

Enjoy all the paintings, and you will see “The Yearning” sitting proudly among them. This spiritual landscape was inspired by a walk down a lane in the countryside of southern Ontario. There were dead trees along the path. Apparently, they were diseased. Out of pity, I felt inspired to create this painting.  This dead branch seemed to be reaching up and out to the white clouds above, as if longing to be part of the life around it.  Deep down inside, we all have a deep yearning for something more…something not of this world. We long for God, Our Creator.  Only He Has the ability to recreate or resurrect us, restoring us to life. There is always hope.

 

If you would like to know more about this painting or others by this artist, go to Gallery

Toronto Public Library – Agincourt

Agincourt - TPL2; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Spiritual Landscapes by Denise Gracias

 

Agincourt - TPL3; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Spiritual Landscapes by Denise Gracias

Toronto Public Library – Agincourt – July 2019

I will be having a solo exhibition of my landscapes at the Toronto Public Library at Agincourt during the month of July 2019.

Dates: July/2019

Place: Toronto Public Library – Agincourt, 155 Bonis Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario

Toronto Public Library – Agincourt

 

For more information on this artist’s paintings go to Spiritual Landscapes

 

Agincourt -TPL; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Spiritual Landscapes by Denise Gracias
Agincourt -TPL5; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Spiritual Landscapes by Denise Gracias

           

Honourable Mention-Arthur Show

Send Out Your Light O Lord by Denise Gracias

Send Out Your Light O Lord won First Honourable Mention at the Arthur Show 2019

This painting received the first honourable mention at the Arthur Show 2019 run by the Art Guild of Scarborough. The reception was held on 23/Jun/19 at Cedar Ridge Creative Arts Centre. There were numerous amazing paintings, which made this even more of a surprise…a happy one for sure!  The show ends Friday, 28/Jun/19.

 

Check out the Art Guild of Scarborough – Arthur Show website.  

For more information on this painting or others by this artist go to Gallery

 

Scarborough General Hospital Artist Walkway

Scarborough General Hospital Artist Walkway

Scarborough General Hospital Artist Walkway; Joyful Art; Denise Gracias
Spiritual Landscapes by Denise Gracias on display at Scarborough General Hospital

 

Three landscapes are on display right now at the Scarborough General Hospital Artist Walkway as part of Birkdale Artfest Exhibition.  Please drop by and have a look. It is on the main floor.  

Date: 11/May to 15/Jun/19

I will be one of many artists participating in the Birkdale Artfest on 22/Jun/19 from 10-4 pm. Come and have  delightful walk in the lovely park and see what local artists (like me) have to offer.

For more information go to Birkdale Arts

To see more paintings by this artist go to Gallery

 

 

Arthur Show 2019

Arthur Show – Presented by Art Guild of Scarborough

 

Send Out Your Light O Lord by Denise Gracias

One of my landscapes, “Send Out Your Light O Lord”, was one of 35 paintings chosen for the “Arthur Show”.

Please see details below:

 

Dates: 17-27/Jun/19

Place: Cedar Ridge Creative Arts Centre, 225 Confederation Drive, Ontario Cedar Ridge Creative Arts Centre

Reception: Sunday, 23/Jun/19 from 1-3 pm.

 

For more information on this painting or others by this artist go to Gallery

Bible Inspired Art