Thursday, January 05, 2017

F@&K THE MOST COMMON NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!!!


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While my photo may surprise some folks, the fact that the most common New Years resolution is to “loose weight” probably doesn’t surprise anyone. Lately there has been TONS of posts going around about the holidays making us all fat. It’s a common thing but it drives me nuts. Lately I’ve also seen lots of very young ladies (teens) fretting over their very teeny tiny bodies expressing how they’ve let themselves go … it kills me. It’s been years now since I’ve grown to truly love and accept my body exactly as it is in whatever state it’s in. I tend to fluctuate between 155lbs and 180lbs; I’m at my highest here in the photo. The only reason I even know my weight is because I weigh myself to tell how much my artwork packages weigh for shipping. LOL I honestly do not care one little bit what the number on the scale tells me and while I’ve gotten used to that idea, the holiday season and all those terrible posts remind me of how painful it was to hate my body and constantly want to shrink and change it. Back then, even if I was doing really well and loosing lots of weight, it was never ever enough. There was always something that wasn’t perfect. I no longer believe in “perfect”. I believe in the power of unique beauty. We are all unique creatures with unique bodies and those bodies are doing the best they can to keep us alive and house our beautiful souls. There is no way we should be hating on something so precious. I want everyone to remember that everyone sees beauty in different ways. If you’re judging yourself based on the unrealistic demands and expectations of our society then for goodness sake STOP. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Stop comparing yourself to others or what you see in the media. Just focus on you, focus on the things you love about yourself, realize you’re a unique human being, not some photoshopped version of flawless perfection. NO MATTER WHAT SIZE YOU ARE, you are beautiful! :D

Now I can just hear people crowding to say, “But health! But health”! DON’T. Size isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of human health. It’s a factor, yes, but not EVERYTHING. Personally, I think being happy mentally, enjoying your body and enjoying your life without shame or dissatisfaction, is WAY MORE healthy than being small and trim. If your New Years resolution is to live a healthier lifestyle that is 100% awesomesauce! Honestly, following through with that would be life changing! But if deep down inside you’re doing it to be thin and stereotypically attractive then I would say, please don’t feel that pressure. Getting healthier is great but you don’t need to be thin to be beautiful. You are beautiful exactly the way you are. I would also say, I have totally been there, man. I have had countless “I’m going to get thin before summer” New Years resolutions. I either failed, which made me feel shitty about myself, or I became unhealthily determined and ate 400cals a day, exercised like a fiend, lost tons of weight, and still felt there were things I needed to improve on. SO NOT WORTH IT. And definitely not healthy! TRULY caring more about health, not even considering your looks because you already love the way you look, will put you in a much better frame of mind to create a realistic health regime that you can stick too and progress at a natural rate. :D

How did this post come about? I have my hair tied in a braid everyday so I didn’t realize how long my hair was getting and I excitedly wanted to show off my “princess hair” with a photo. I started off with closer shots of my belly and hips (where my hair length ends) and found myself (something that hasn’t happened to me in a long while) feeling embarrassed by my underwear lines, surgical scars, and my tummy. It felt SO awful! It reminded me of how painful it is to be hard on your body. I figure the numerous posts I’ve been seeing may have had me feeling a little uneasy and with the posts continuing, “all I got for Christmas was fat”, over and over, I felt I might make a post of my own showing most of my body. Because I love my body. I truly do. Underwear lines and stretch marks, PAH! Everyone has those! A tummy? I love my fertile looking tummy. I’m a soft woman and I like that! I’m an Elven Fairy Princess Mermaid gosh damn it! LOLThen I was concerned about other peoples judgments, not about me being thick or thin, I couldn’t care less, but about me posting a nude in general. I actually deleted the photo but it kept nagging at me. I’ve lived YEARS without caring what people think, why would I start now? I ended up discussing it with my amazing husband and he encouraged me to see that the potential to help people love themselves is important to me and that it’s worth braving the naysayers. How lucky am I to have someone so supportive; someone who truly gets me?! :D

TO ANYONE WHO FEELS OFFENDED, NEGATIVE, OR SEXUAL - KEEP SCROLLING. This post isn’t for you. I don’t care if the naked body offends you. I personally think nudity is beautiful. Besides, draw a line on either side of my hips and between my breasts and you can pretend I’m wearing a bikini. LOL If you plan on being negative about my body you can save your fingers the typing because I DO NOT care about your opinion. I love my body. My husband loves my body. Your opinion means absolutely nothing to me and if you do leave an unkind comment it will be removed immediately so that your negativity doesn’t infect my kindhearted followers who are working towards loving their bodies as they are. Lastly, if you think this is in any way a sexy post you are 100% wrong. This has nothing to with sex; I am not posing in a sexual way or discussing anything sexual, so if you see it that way it sure says a lot about your mind and the respect you have for me (or lack thereof). Wishing you all happiness and positivity in your life! Be kind and be well. :D



Monday, November 28, 2016

Malinda Prud'homme @ BOLD Expressions

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BOLD Expressions
Super Wonder Gallery
November 4th and 5th 2016

A couple of weeks before my solo exhibition, "Beauty is Varied", I had the pleasure of exhibiting three of my beauty portraits at Super Wonder Gallery in the BOLD Expressions group show. The show boasted hundreds of artworks in a variety of mediums and capturing a variety of subjects. The curators Tanzina Amin and Carlos Sa Rodrigues did a fabulous job arranging the artworks in a beautiful and meaningful way. I feel so honoured to have been a part of it and to have my work hung alongside that of such talented artists! Not to mention, Super Wonder Gallery is among my favourite galleries in Toronto.  It was truly a great night!

Continue scrolling to see photos of the event!


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Got a little creative with my outfit! LOL

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Had some fun with my hair! :)

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Super Wonder Gallery on Bloor.

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The first Opening Night had a great turn out!

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My beautiful 12" x 12" piece in the top left corner of the wall, "True Beauty - Dana McCool".

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Close up look!

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Me with my two larger pieces "True Beauty - Jerica Wentzell" and "True Beauty - Danielle St Laurent".

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Artist Unknown was playing their amazing videos in the back room!

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There's mine! Too cool! :D

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And the lovely Alexandria Karakis creator and runner of the ETA Awards tending the bar!







Monday, November 14, 2016

Postering For My Upcoming SOLO Art Show!


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You'll find my Solo Art Exhibition "Beauty Is Varied" at Gallery 50, 
off Queen Street West, between RBC Bank and the Gladstone Hotel, on Gladstone Ave.

Exhibition runs from November 16th to 20th 2016

CLOSING PARTY
Saturday November 19th 2016
7PM - 10PM


If you're in WEST TORONTO you might have seen some of my flyers and cards hanging around! Yesterday my husband Darren and I walked up and down Queen West, King West, and Dundas from Strachan Ave. to Roncesvalles Ave. Check out the message boards and TTC stops for a poster and be sure to take a pic of it (or with it)! Feel free to post it online with the hash tags #MalindaPrudhomme #BeautyIsVaried OR you can post it in my Facebook Event Page HERE. Either way I'd love it if you spread the word about my show! I invested so much into this event; time, money, energy, love, not too mention my hopes and dreams; so I can use all the support I can get. Hope to see you there! :D


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Putting up a poster in one of our favourites, The Queen Star Restaurant!

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Posting on a Queen West Message Board!

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Watch out folks! She's got a staple gun! LOL

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Posting in front of the Trinity-Bellwoods Park!

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It was a gorgeous day yesterday! Perfect for walking the streets of West Toronto.

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We even met up with the FAMOUS white squirrel of Trinity-Bellwoods! :D

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A poster in front of the Lockhart, a popular Harry Potter themed bar/restaurant!

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And HERE IS GALLERY 50 on Gladstone Avenue!

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I'm standing at the corner of Queen West and Gladstone Ave. (see the signs?) and there in the distance is our home! That's part of what makes this show so SPECIAL to me! It's right in my backyard and right in Toronto's Art & Design District! :) 




Thursday, October 27, 2016

Judging The 2016 ETA Awards!


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2016 ETA Awards
Lead Judge Technical Excellence Category
Friday October 21 2016
District 28



I had an AWESOME night last Friday! Not only was I incredibly honoured to be chosen as the lead judge for the Technical Excellence category, I also had the opportunity to meet and hand out awards with some incredibly talented and successful artists; all of which I have been admiring for a long time. To be up there with the likes of Alex Garant, Richert Ahnert, and Lee Howard is beyond gratifying. And the cherry on top? I got to dress up like XENA! My all time favourite kick ass female warrior princess hero! The theme of the event was "Gala Of Heroes" and we were invited to dress up. You don't have to tell me twice! (lol) It really couldn't have been any better! A big huge congratulations to all the emerging artists who placed and won awards! You guys have got major skills! For those who didn't, don't fret because you were all incredibly talented and with hard work and dedication you will continue to be Thriving Artists! :D 


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Xena in her Art Studio! LOL

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Me with my lovely friends!

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My very supportive husband Darren and I!

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Beautiful venue at District 28

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The stage

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Gorgeous ladies! Myself, Vera Malitskaya, Amanda Maccagnan, and Suzette Castro!

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Let's announce some winners! With Alexandria Karakis.

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And here it is! The 1st Place Award for Technical Excellence!

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YAY! All of my amazingly talented friends won awards! 
Michelle Dinelle, Andres Silvera,Vera Malitskaya, and Amanda Maccagnan!

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My very lovely and talented friend Andres Silvera got a 2nd Place in Character! Well deserved! :)





Friday, October 21, 2016

I'm Looking For An Artist Protégé!


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I'm Looking For An Artist Protégé!

Hi! I'm Malinda! I've been working as an artist professionally for the past six years. The first two years were part-time while working other jobs and the last four years have been full-time. My career began with me experimenting with styles and mediums and doing the usual craft and outdoor shows. But by the time I was ready to take the leap into a full-time art career I had become an established portrait artist being sought after for commissions. The last four years have been a whirlwind of unbelievable experiences and really hard battles. While I was being awarded for the Technical Excellence of my work, exhibiting my artwork overseas, and gaining clients from all over the world; I was also getting sicker and sicker from an unknown illness that had my doctors stumped. This past Spring I finally received a diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis (an auto-immune disease) and though I still suffer on a daily basis I am glad to say my life is beginning to get back on track. At this stage in my career, and with this disease slowing me down, I need someone to help me with the smaller stuff so I can get back to what's most important in my business; creating my beautiful artwork. I'm ready to take this incredible career of mine even further and I'm looking for someone to join me on that journey while at the same time fostering the beginnings of their amazing career! If you're an Emerging Artist who thinks working with a Mid-Career Artist would be a valuable learning experience you've come to the right place! :) 


Description

- Unpaid Protégé Position
While I wish I could pay you I simply don't have the means. Only apply if you feel you'll benefit from the experience.

- 3-4 Hours A Week 
(1 Day A Week)
If you feel you're really benefiting from it we can discuss doing a bit more. 

- Office Assistant
You would be required to help me with ...

- Social Media
- E-Mails
- Website
- Photo Editing
- Promo Exhibitions
- Promo Art Items

- Studio Assistant
You would be required to help me with ...

- Prepping artwork surfaces
- Basic painting on backgrounds
- Basic painting on base layers
- Help with Solo Exhibitions

- Help with an occasional Outdoor Show

What's In It For YOU?

- Learn the ins and outs of a successful art business and career.

- Refine your painting skills, learn new techniques, and work with new materials.

- You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and bring in your work for help or critique. 

- Gain more knowledge about Online Marketing. 

- Delve into the Toronto art scene with Malinda at your side. Get a sense of what galleries or venues might be right for you. 

- Learn how to properly photograph your work and edit it using Photoshop. 

- See the process of what comes AFTER you're done your painting.

- Experience what it takes to prepare and put on a Solo Exhibition.

- Learn how to keep up with the accounting side of your business.

- And I'm sure there will be more! :)

Requirements

- Must have experience using social media. (ex. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

- If your art career has a focus on portraiture that would be a plus but it is certainly not necessary.

- Your artistic style must be very clean.

- Knowledge of colour theory and ability to match and mix colours is important. 

- Must be able to paint precisely and stay within drawn lines. You will not be asked to blend or do details. 

- You may be asked to help with mundane artistic tasks such as adhering hundreds of gems or painting in base layers of hair one strand at a time.

- Availability from Monday to Friday, between 8AM-6PM would be highly preferred however all are encouraged to apply.

- You must be a non-judgmental person. You'd be working in our cozy little home and I'm a quirky gal. :) 

- You cannot be against or adverse to cannabis. This is my legal medicine for my disease and it will be used while I work.

- You cannot be allergic or unfriendly to pets as we have a big 20 pound cat named Maverick and you'd be working along side him in HIS home. <3 nbsp="" span="">

- I would love a person who is kind, easy-going, and generally upbeat; BUT you must also be a hard worker who is determined to help and learn. 

- Ideally my Protégé would know me a little so if you aren't familiar with my personality, artwork, or career, you may want to check me out before submitting your application. Visit my social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube.


SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION