Opening Reception of my "True Beauty" Art Exhibition

On January 30th 2015 I opened my very First Solo Art Exhibition at Ben Navaee Gallery in Toronto! My new "True Beauty" series looked lovely and it was incredible to have a gallery filled with my work. That alone would have been satisfying, but the amount of people who walked through the show that night makes me burst with gratitude. Local friends surprised me, many from the art community had my back, family and friends traveled hours to make my day extra special, and new admirers stopped by. Well over a hundred people saw my art that night ... it boggles my mind! I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for making this one of the most amazing nights of my entire life. I am still overwhelmed. I could not have asked for more. :)

A special thank you to Alexandria Karakis of FotoFlares for capturing the night in an awesome video! Also thank you to Frank McKinney from SNAP for photographing and doing a piece on the event. :)

Watch the VIDEO

See ALL 221 PHOTOS

HERE

See the SNAP Coverage

HERE

Before the big night! Feeling very cute in my custom made Liliann Dress 

by LA Designer Letty Tenant of Queen of Heartz!

Myself with the beautiful Jenny Blackbird in the above "True Beauty" portrait.

These amazing people (My aunt and uncle, cousin and his wife (my muse)) traveled from London, Ontario to be there for my opening night! Love you guys! :) 

Darren said I'd cry when I saw these two and I definitely did! It was so awesome having our friends Carolyn and Freddy there. We hadn't seen them in a long while. :)

My beautiful muse for the center piece of my new series, Delena Providence, lives in Sudbury (my hometown) and though she had planned to attend, her Mom fell sick and she wasn't going to make it. I was so bummed. When she came in I was overwhelmed with emotions. She had driven four hours by herself in the dead of winter to make it to my show. I'm still so touched.

On top of the incredible surprise of seeing Delena, my "best" cousin Christiane SUPER surprised me all the way from Markstay, ON (4-5 hours away). I love all of my cousins but Christiane has been attached to me, and I her, since I was born. It was just the most amazing thing that could have happened. My heart is still bursting!

Christiane, her husband Calvin, and I! So so happy!

My support system, my loving family! 

Darren (my fiance), my Papa, and my Mom.

A little last minute touching up.

What a lovely crowd!

A lovely real estate agent I've been discussing custom work with, 

Angela Montgomery and her beautiful family.

A Lumaframe of my "Self Portrait" given to me as part of my prize for 

Technical Excellence at the ETA Awards this past November.

Just an amazing turn out! You guys rock!

Jenny Blackbird getting interviewed!

My parents and their amazingly supportive and kind friends. It was so nice to have them there.

Talented fellow artist Heather Cook and her beautiful daughter 

stopped in to see me too! Such a nice little visit. :)

My beautiful muse Tasha Rissling and I! :)

Speaking with SNAP Beaches. :)

Myself with my beautiful muse Vivian Bro!

Saying goodbye to these handsome men!

Group shot! It looks like I was almost in it! Haha :)

Darren and Tasha! Nice pic guys!

Danielle and I talking about how the piece is as tall as she is! Haha What a beauty!

Danielle and her beautiful friend Leah!

Being filmed and photographed at the same time ... so nerve racking! Haha 

Just a really amazing turn out! I'm so blessed to have so much support. Thank you all for coming!

My two beautiful muses! Actress/comedian Ashley Sirianni (with her portrait behind her) and Delena Providence!

Nici Shipway and I discussing my "True Beauty" portrait of her.

Love this pic! My Mom, Nici, and I!

My favourite abstract painter in the world, Katrina Schaman with her portrait behind her. 

It was such a pleasure capturing her beauty.

These two beautiful ladies are my old Secondary School students. Doris Cai 

was featured in one of my "True Beauty" artworks and Ingrid came to show her 

support and bring me that beautiful bottle of wine.

Another great surprise! Our friends Nadiya and Mark with Darren! 

Beautiful ladies! :)

My handsome Dad surrounded by beauty! Haha :)

My beautiful ex boss Tara Lupa! Thanks to her and my friend Katie I made my way to Toronto.

My cousin Jessica and her boyfriend Andrew who came all the way from Sudbury, ON!

My Mom, Patrick (Tara's husband), Tara, and Nici!

Gorgeous ladies! :D

Darren and I with our friends Adam and Andrea.

Holding hands and sharing in the love and excitement! 

Great group shot! The late night crowd! 

Delena and I being filmed!

HAHA! Love it! My Mom must have made them take a couple so they got silly! 

The beautiful Alexandria Karakis before her and Michael Darcy left for his gig!

Alexandria, Michael and I.

Super appreciate the support of these beautiful people! My "late night" crowd!

My muse, the stunningly gorgeous Danielle St-Laurent 

(see her modelling page here -> Severin Stargher)! 

Myself with my beautiful Muse, Tia Brazda! 

She is an incredible Jazz Singer - Check her out HERE!

I was so excited Nadiya and Mark came! Thanks guys!

Darren, Nadiya, Myself, my Dad, Mark, and my Mom. :) 

It was so cold outside, and there were so many warm people inside,
that the windows were completely fogged up!



What an incredible night!
A dream come true! :D