not an artist

A larger selection of photos from the shoot at St-Gabe’s last May. Visiting this church is a wonderful experience even for a non-believer like myself. Both the grounds and interior space beautifully weave together elements of traditional catholic faith with environmentally sound principles and practice, something I never thought to see. The unique architecture (also LEED gold certified) is a truly inspiring space.

Here is the original print for sale.

Another photo uploaded for sale as a print. I love this shot of...

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:48:00 -0400

Another photo uploaded for sale as a print. I love this shot of King St on a wintry Sunday morning; it was shot on my way to work for a special event and followed an enormous and dramatic blizzard that had occurred the night before. King West was eerily silent and unusually beautiful that day while I waited for the streetcar.

This image is available as a print, greeting card or poster on redbubble.com

Click here to view and customize size, mat and framing options for this photograph.

About the (not an) Artist

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 13:22:00 -0400

My official bio is on the sidebar and lists important things that I’ve done and my “artistic goals” and stuff like that. That bio is accurate and impersonal. Don’t read any further if you prefer to keep thinking of me that way ;)

For all those comments of “Oh but you ARE an artist”

I’ve never really thought of myself as an artist. I’ve always loved to make things and I’ve always been naturally creative, but I’ve never really considered what I produce to be “art”. I come from a long line of handy, crafty people — my Mom went through an enormous range of different craft obsessions in her lifetime; my Grandmother was a consummate knitter, crocheter, quilter and sewer; both my Dad and my Grandfather built things around the house and continually puttered around in their workshops; my various uncles customize their houses, cars, motorcycles and lawnmowers and design & build their own furniture. We are a crafty people, my family, but I’ve never once heard any of them refer to themselves as an artist. We just like to make stuff.

So when my family started calling me the artist I just didn’t get it. To me, what I was doing was just a different kind of making: sure, I dabbled in painting, print-making and line drawings, but it didn’t feel any different to me than the other stuff like knitting, sewing or the various building and construction projects I was always also working on. It didn’t help that when I finally stopped dropping out of life and went back to school I picked a place called The Ontario College of Art and Design. I went there to study Industrial Design though, and I still didn’t see myself as an aspiring artist — I was an aspiring designer! My friends and family still insisted in introducing me as the artist though, and because I’m a stubborn, obstinate person my default response became “…I am not an artist”.

My first ever print for sale! I’ve added this amazing shot...

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:58:00 -0400

My first ever print for sale! I’ve added this amazing shot of the interior of St-Gabriel’s church, an amazingly beautiful and modern LEED-accredited structure that was designed by my friend Roberto Chiotti. More photos from this beautiful site are viewable in this flickr set.

This image is available as a print, greeting card or poster on redbubble.com

Click here to view and customize size, mat and framing options for this photograph.

Institute without Boundaries: Discovering Lota

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:19:00 -0400

Institute without Boundaries: Discovering Lota:

institutewithoutboundaries:

Part of the 2011 CONTACT Photography Festival

A Photography Exhibit by Michelle Hotchin

Please join us for the Opening Night Party
7-10pm Friday, May 6, 2011

Exhibit runs from May 6-31, 2011 at the Dominion Modern Gallery, School of Design, George Brown College, 230 Richmond St E.

Lota…

My new favourite photo - thanks to Nadia @madhatressTO for the...

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:35:00 -0400

My new favourite photo - thanks to Nadia @madhatressTO for the great shot of what is quite possibly my best hair-day ever.

My very first photography show! Part of the 2011 CONTACT...

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:19:00 -0400

My very first photography show!

Part of the 2011 CONTACT Photography Festival

A Photography Exhibit by Michelle Hotchin

Please join us for the Opening Night Party
7-10pm Friday, May 6, 2011

Exhibit runs from May 6-31, 2011 at the Dominion Modern Gallery, School of Design, George Brown College, 230 Richmond St E.

Lota is a small city in central Chile where, despite recent tragedy, vibrant colours, resilient people and incredible natural beauty dominate. These photos attempt to capture the little details that demonstrate the spirit of this place and to enable others to discover Lota for themselves.

NautieOne-DONE3.jpg on Flickr. This was my test first...

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:52:00 -0400

NautieOne-DONE3.jpg on Flickr.

This was my test first post… and I can’t bring myself to delete him quite yet! His name is Karl and he is one of the cutest things I’ve ever knit.