March is behind us and so is much more organizing and planning for some BIG, exciting announcements I have in store. First off, in one month, on Mother’s Day Weekend (May 10th/May 11th) I will be participating in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Art Studio Tour. Since it lands on Mother’s Day, I will be offering a special deal of $50/portrait for portraits of mothers as gifts for the special day. If this already piques your interest, reach out at alex@alexanderneff.design to get yours! If you are looking for a custom portrait of someone else you are grateful for, please feel encouraged to connect with me at the tour and I will be happy to work with you at my standard $75/portrait rate. Know that I don’t often do commissions due to the nature of my work and gratitude practice, but any commission helps immensely in keeping me fed and spreading the gratitude. Did I mention you will be buying Canadian? *wink wink

Faune and I are nearly done setting up the studio for guests! We went on a plant shopping spree courtesy of my Uncle Glyn, Aunty Karli and their kids. It was a very generous and appreciated act of kindness. I also have buttons, stickers and pins ready to go. Next, I am getting some postcards, colouring sheets, and other freebie goodies ready for the big weekend.

Another exciting opportunity presented itself with this studio tour—I will be launching my first Sidedoor show on the night of May 10th with my friend, Buckman Coe! I am very excited to be working with him and sharing this platform. I will soon be making a dedicated post focussed on this show including details on how to get tickets! Keep your eyes out for an update!

There are two upcoming community collaborations that I am aching to share information about soon, but I am saving them both for the right upcoming moment once all the bows are tied and plans are free-flowing into action. For now, just know that the Studio Tour will be far from the last time my studio doors open.

Between all the planning and organizing happening for the artist residency, my work at The ACT, and preparations for the Studio Tour, it has been nice to take quiet pauses on my walks to and from work spaces and admire the energy and history of the convening spaces in Maple Ridge. This month, I decided to draw the Leisure Centre based off of an impression I had on a brisk 7AM walk to The ACT. I appreciate the contrast developing between the busy crowd illustrations and the contemplative architectural ones.

That is the update for now. If you are interested in checking out Buckman Coe’s music ahead of the Sidedoor show, check out the album I embedded below. It is my favourite of his!

With gratitude,

Alex

This illustration and accompanying blog post were created with love and gratitude on the unceeded territories of the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation.