Chili Thom

Arts is Important

Chili Thom — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:21:00 GMT

After being on the Board of Directors for the Whistler Arts Council I have learned a lot about how the game works when you are a Non Profit Society. My eyes have been opened to the abilities and limitations of the organization and this has redirected my dedication to Arts in this community. On April 4th I worked with the Arts Council and helped to Co-ordinate an artists meeting to help gather all the artists of various disciplines to brainstorm about how WE, as the Arts Council, can serve the artistic community better and help to create more opportunities in the community and attract more people from around the globe to our amazingly talented community.

Here is a link to the article they wrote in the Pique as a follow up:

http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/artist-meeting-draws-like-minded-crowd/Content?oid=2295495&fb_source=message

Fundraising for the Arts

Chili Thom — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:35:00 GMT

ARTISTS IN WONDERLAND FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN’S

ARTS PROGRAMMING

Whistler, B.C. The Whistler Arts Council is proud to present the inaugural Artists in Wonderland Fundraiser. Everyone is invited to fall into another world on Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and immerse themselves in a true arts and cultural experience.

The après tea party will be full of intrigue and discovery showcasing live art, eclectic teacups, musical entertainment and live and silent auctions. Culinary creations will be complete with David’s Tea, Whistler Cooks Catering, Sugar Mamma Pastries, Delish, Pure Bread, Nonna Pia’s balsamic reduction, and Nesters Market, paired with wine by Sumac Ridge and samples

by Pemberton Distilleries.

The event will include pieces donated by local artists, featuring unique artwork, pottery and jewellery. Vincent Massey, Laurie MacCallum, Kathleen Tennock and Kay Austen will have their pottery for sale during the afternoon.

The Artists in Wonderland themed fundraiser is in support of Whistler Arts Council’s events and programs with special focus on the children and youth programming, including Whistler Children’s Art Festival, and workshops and performances at Millennium Place. The fundraiser also aims to highlight Whistler Arts Council’s 30^th anniversary as an umbrella for arts and culture in Whistler.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to come out and mingle with like-minded art enthusiasts and support your local arts scene” said Joan Richoz, Chair of the Whistler Arts Council “Our goal is to raise $10,000 with proceeds to support annual events and programs put on by WAC, focusing on youth programming”.

Save the date and don’t be late for a delightful afternoon sure to captivate all of your senses.

WHAT: Artists in Wonderland Fundraiser

WHEN: Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

TICKETS: $55 per person (includes snacks and refreshments)

Tickets are available at artswhistler.com or at Millennium Place

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About the Whistler Arts Council

The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) has been integrating the arts into the daily life of Canada’s premier resort community since 1982. A respected community stakeholder, WAC is a registered charity that leverages strategic government and business partnerships to increase cultural tourism and community engagement by producing unique arts initiatives that foster audience, artist and economic opportunities.

WAC produces dynamic events year-round while operating Millennium Place, Whistler’s home for arts and culture featuring a 250-seat theatre, gallery and meeting space.

Gearing up for an adventure

Chili Thom — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:10:00 GMT

This summer has in store for me some really exciting things. From maximum culture to maximum nature and everything in between.
This May I am traveling to Europe to suck in as much culture as I can handle. On my hit list is Dracula's Castle in Transylvania (I'm a horror film nut) Prague, Berlin, Paris, Morocco and the UK. I have been feeling the pull to head over there for some time now and it just feels that that time is now. While I am over there I am planning on doing a number of little paintings in areas that inspire me. I will be posting pics online of the pieces and the main intent is to sell them while I am on the road to help fund the next stage of my adventure. It will be pretty cool for the buyer as well who will get the piece mailed from where it was painted with a little story about the area. I will most likely just be posting on Facebook because it's the easiest way to reach the masses. You can follow my fanpage HERE so you can see what I produce on the road.

Shortly after returning from that adventure I am doing a 10 canoe trip down the Yukon River to fully absorb the natural beauty of an area of Canada I have never seen and gain inspiration for a number of new pieces. Then the day I get back from that trip I am off again to sail the proposed Tanker route along the Great Bear Rainforest. I am joing a group of artists who are dedicated to saving the Rainforest from near certain destruction if the pipeline goes through. We are putting together a nice coffee table book, calendars etc and a traveling art show to raise awareness and funds to help protect our magnificent planet. More details on that project will be coming soon as well as other ways you can help.

I have always said the best time to by art is when an artist needs money for a project..well...that time is now for me! Until April 14th I am offering 35% off of my prints. just enter the code :

spring_bling_2012

to receive the discount at check out. And in other exciting news...for the first real time I am offering 20% off any original I have in stock...which, if you are interested in the 'Green Giant"...you save $3000. If you are interested any an original please email me directly at info@chilithom.com

I hope your spring is going well

In Celebration of Spring

Chili Thom — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:28:00 GMT

Well today is the first day of Spring. The days are longer and the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom down in Vancouver. I love this time of year. It's the start of something new, a time of hope and it means we will soon be running around in the sunshine in the great outdoors. It's a time of great inspiration for me and I tend to be really productive. This spring I have a tonne of art projects on the go that I am really looking forward to.

Art workshops

Chili Thom — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:21:00 GMT

This summer I will be teaching a 3 day art class on the creative process and how to refine your own unique style. Follow the link below for more info:
http://www.artswhistler.com/events-a-programs/whistler-art-workshops-on-the-lake

Art workshops

Chili Thom — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:22:00 GMT

I am going to be doing an art workshop up in Whistler in mid June. It's going to be all about the creative process and I will be teaching a series of steps to grab inspiration out of thin air and turn it into a masterpiece. Below is a little info sent to me by the Whistler Arts Council.

DISCOVER YOUR HIDDEN TALENTS WITH WHISTLER ART WORKSHOPS ON THE LAKE!

For immediate release: Thursday, March 8, 2012

Whistler, B.C. – Whistler Arts Council is expanding the Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake summer program with more chances to explore and discover hidden skills and talents.

This season features one to four day visual art workshops taught in various Whistler locations by well-known B.C. instructors.

Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake runs from May through the end of August featuring 17 talented instructors offering their expertise in an intimate class setting around Whistler. This summer’s session features an impressive line-up of returning instructors as well as new educators with classes catered toward a multitude of skill levels and areas of interest.

Back by popular demand are Suzanne Northcott and Chili Thom offering new workshops. Northcott with “Sketchbook Journaling” and Thom with a “Creative Process” workshop.

Other returning favourites include: Janice Robertson with a two-day workshop on “Intermediate Acrylic Painting”; and Lori Goldberg with an “Acrylics for Beginners” class. Both acrylic workshops focus on students’ skills and techniques taught through exploration of colour and brushworks. Additionally David McEown’s traditionally sold out “Intermediate/Advanced Watercolour” and Gaye Adams’ “The Daily Painting Experience” workshops also return this summer.

To keep up with the demand on this popular program, Whistler Art Council is introducing new mediums, including a one-day “Basket Weaving” workshop with local artist Cheryl Massey and “The Human Canvas: An Introduction to Body Painting” with Nina Moore. Anastasia Chomlack will return to instruct a photography workshop, with photographer Jeffrey Boyce offering a beginners class, Vivienne McMaster will teach a self-portrait photography workshop and a renowned world photographer Glenn Bartley will teach nature photography on location on Whistler Mountain and other locations around Whistler.

Additionally, Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake is expanding its creative horizons by adding workshops catered to youth (ages 14 -19). “Action Photography” will be taught by local photographer Adam Taber and will take place on-location during various Whistler events including Crankworx in August. Spray Painting and Graffiti” taught by Kris Kupskay will teach youth about the etiquette and process to graffiti as well as safety and precautions of spray paint in addition to exploring creativity on the shores of the Alta Lake Station House.

Registration opens on Friday, March 16^th at artswhistler.com and is based on a first come first serve basis; classes are limited to size so register early. For more information, full schedule of workshops and their availability, instructor bios, member discounts, and Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake fundraiser at Millennium Place please visit artswhistler.com under Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake.

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About the Whistler Arts Council

Painting for Parks Canada

Chili Thom — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:59:00 GMT

Last summer I had the amazing fortune of being contacted by Parks Canada and asked to do a couple of paintings for the 125th Anniversary of Glacier National Park. The Park is located outside of Revelstoke BC, smack dab in the middle of Rogers Pass. If you have ever driven through the Pass, especially in the winter, you are familiar with the epic mountain vistas you see throughout the Park and if you haven't it's well worth the visit. Here is a link for more information on this park
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit.aspx

The piece I decided to do for the winter scene is that of Swiss Peaks. It's one of the prominent peaks you see as you are approaching the newly renovated Visitors Center in the middle of the Park. It is a popular area in the winter for ski touring and has some great hiking in the summer as well. As for the summer piece I am still to do...I haven't quite decided yet which view I wish to capture. I am leaning toward Sir Donald though.

In September I was asked to come to the Park to Present my painting to Parks and the Chief of the Canadian armed forces. Why the military you ask?? for the past 50 years an Artillery regiment of the Canadian Army has been doing avalanche control and keeping the highway safe. For the celebration I got to witness the military band play the 1812 Overture with LIVE artillery rounds for the cannons... it was definitely loud and impressive!

I am truly grateful for this opportunity with Parks and I look forward to creating my next piece for them as well as a new piece in a couple of years for Revelstoke National Park's 125th Anniversary. I have had the great fortune of being included in Park brochure and my paintings will be hung in the Visitors Center. If you are passing through on a summer road trip or going for a winter tour, stop in and check out the piece in person...it's one of my best!

Interesting article

Chili Thom — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:09:00 GMT

Here is a link to an article about me in the Pique written by talented Whistler writer Michel Beaudry. The second part is coming out in next weeks paper. there might be a little snippet of information you didn't know about me in there!

Enjoy

http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/chili-thom-creative-mind-in-outgoing-body/Content?oid=2264759

Christmas SALE!!

Chili Thom — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:20:00 GMT

Well it's almost that time of year again! It seems to sneak up faster and faster every year and we all know Christmas can be an expensive time of year... so I'm going to do what I can to hep that out.
For the next week (until the 22nd of Nov) I am offering 20% off my paper and giclee prints. In addition to that any purchase made over the next week gets a free art card with their order...still not good enough??? any purchase over $250 gets a free print of "Right place Right time" as a bonus! Sounds like a total 'As seen on TV' offer I know, but heck, you've helped me to live my dreams and create all the fabulous art that you love so I need to do something for you as a thanks.

The coupon codes for the sale are here. Just enter them in at checkout on my site:

Giclee Prints:
happy_HoHo_2011

Paper prints:
happy-Ho-Ho-2011

Feel free to share these codes with friends and family!

A lot of the prints available on my site are made to order so please allow 3 weeks for shipping. Timing should work just fine to get your gifts before Christmas with no stress.

Wishing you all a fabulous fall and for those of you who ski and snowboard...OPENING DAY soon...get out and shred!!!!

In your Dreams

Chili Thom — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:05:00 GMT

Coming up on Nov 17th in Whistler is an art opening of some really cool art by Sea-to-Sky artists. The show is called "In Your Dreams" and is focusing on a little more of the surrealist side of the art world. I have a couple of my resin pieces in the show that I had created last year based on some sketches I had done in Australia about 9 years ago. It's always cool to have completion on an idea as an artist. I can't tell you the amount of ideas I have jotted down on napkins, cardboard boxes or in my multitude of sketch books.

Not only will I have some art at the event but I will be DJing the night as well. I think I'm gonna stick on the swing tip for musical selection during the event. After that I am off to go DJ a fundraiser party for "Movember" at Tommy Africas in Whistler. That'll turn into a fun night for a great cause.

Here is the show flyer with info for anyone who might be in the area and wants to check out some amazing art and have a nice mingle with the who's who in the Sea to Sky art world...Hope to see you there!

Tales of the B-Grade

Chili Thom — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:55:00 GMT

10 years ago, while making pom poms for a Doctor Suess party with my best friend Feet Banks and partner KLC, an idea was sprung. We were listening to a Fat Boy Slim album and there was a track called Green Jesus...jokingly I said to Feet "he would make a great superhero!". we babbled on about making a movie about him and came up with a script idea. The problem then was why would we make the movie and who would we show it to???? "Let's start a film festival!" I said to Feet. There were so many talented ski and Snowboard film makers in town that sat around with Idle hands during the slow season and it was a perfect event to get the community involved and creative. That was the birth of the Heavy Hitting B-Grade Horrorfest

We started off with only a handful of films in the first year and it was a real hack operation. We had a projector balanced on a ladder in the middle of the Garibaldi Lift Company bar and showed the films played directly off the cameras. Over the years we slowly evolved and then changed venues to Millenium Place in Whistler. This venue would repeatedly sell out every year...the fastest sell out was 5 minutes after the tickets were released. After this had gone on for several more years we decided that we had created a monster and we were ready for the big time. So we got together with some more friends, Stu MacKay Smith (artistic and computer genius), Stu Andrews (Whistler Creek Productions) and Travis Tetreault (Heavy Hitting Films Founder) and made the move to The Chateau Whistler hotel where we could host 1100 people, which was a big up in size from the 250 we had had in years past.

Now 10 years later we have created the largest Horror Film Festival this side of Montreal and possibly the most savage event in all of Canada!! (we are currently looking for sponsors for next years event...if anyone can help out??!! )

This year I teamed up with friend Miles Wilkinson to create a Conan style EPIC with sword fighting and lots of skin. The idea for this one sprung up as a child, but recently when I started to take Western and Japanese style sword fighting classes, I was hooked on the idea. IN October we spent nearly 500hrs each, working day and night on the film. Hiking 35 km to exotic locations for a 3 second shot, breaking fingers sword fighting on top of the chief, calling in favors and organizing plane and heli-cam fly-by's to get some amazing shots...this film definitely is an epic. The Humor is a little twisted, but so is the event so it was a perfect fit. WE split our film in 2 parts for the festival and made the cuts super fast paced with non stop action, comedy and blood. After spending so much money and time on our film we are stoked up with costumes and props. So... over the next year we intend to shoot a bunch more scenes and piece together a solid hour long film out of our little idea. I have never been so committed and worked so hard on a project in my life... I hope you enjoy!!

There is a link to the film on my last Blog post as well as on my Facebook Fan Page

B-Grade Horrorificness

Chili Thom — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:25:00 GMT

Here is the first half of the film I did with my friend Miles Wilkinson for this year Heavy Hitting B-Grade Horrorfest. An event i started with my best friend feet Banks which has grown into the largest horror film fest this side of MOntreal...WOW.
I'll have some more stodies about ths hooting soon... gotta run to the city now.
Enjoy the flick!
http://vimeo.com/31815803

In your Dream Exhibit

Chili Thom — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:37:00 GMT

IN YOUR DREAMS EXHIBIT AT SCOTIA CREEK GALLERY

For immediate release: Friday, October 28, 2011

Whistler, B.C. – The Whistler Arts Council presents the In Your Dreams surrealist exhibit at Scotia Creek Gallery from Monday, November 7 to Thursday, December 15with an ART NIGHT slated for Thursday, November 17.

Like many great projects, this one began with a dream. The dream was to encourage local artists to create artwork for a joint show themed – In Your Dreams – anything goes.
Participating artists come from greatly differing art disciplines, encompassing painting, sculpture, drift wood creations, glass blown jelly fish and a sky of clouds all transforming Millennium Place for the one night event to evoke a feeling of being caught inside a surrealist dream world.

The Whistler Arts Council received dozens of applications and chose the following artists’ work for the exhibit: Alexie Villaseca, Amber Butler, Andy Anissimoff, Chantelle Pellerin, Chili Thom Dave Petko, Jocelyn Harris, Julie Edwards, Kevin Su, Kris Kupskay, Lani Imre, Larissa Blokhuis, Laurel Terlesky, Lisa Geddes, Luke Pollard, Michelle Chatham, Taka Sudo, Vanessa Stark and Wayne and Miyuki.

On, Thursday, November 17^th during ART NIGHT at the revolutionized Millennium Place, guests will have the opportunity to have their picture taken in a colouring book style display where they themselves are the colour and can improvise with a variety of black and white props. A separate display entitled “Colour Outside the Lines” offers party goers the chance to colour in large scale drawings on canvas of local artists and community members. Additionally, Paintertainment will wow party goers with their walking works of art and Stab Me Pretty will creatively pierce her clients’ back over 20 times to emulate the appearance of the lace binding found on the high fashion 1920’s corset. These live art displays encourage attendees to get involved and help bring solitary art to the masses.

ART NIGHT will also feature music by the infamous local D.J and Artist Chili Thom weaving electronic funk, eclectic and uplifting beats in ways guaranteed to move your body and soul.

Entry to ART NIGHT is by donation and includes a complimentary beverage with all proceeds supporting local artists and the community through the Whistler Arts Council’s exhibitions and community programming. Entry to view the month long exhibit at the Scotia Creek Gallery is free of charge.

For more information please visit artswhistler.com or call 604.935.8410

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About the Whistler Arts Council

WAC produces dynamic events year-round while operating Millennium Place, Whistler’s home for arts and culture featuring a 250-seat theatre, gallery and meeting space.

Haida Gwaii

Chili Thom — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:51:00 GMT

Back in August I had the great pleasure of accompanying a family who is commissioning me for a painting on a 7 day sailing trip up in Haida Gwaii and I must say it was a trip of a lifetime!
We had one day on land where we had a great tour of lots of the native cultural sites, a museum as well as the spot where the Golden Spruce was cut down.

The next day we hopped on board of MAPLE LEAF, a 92 foot wooden Tall Ship. This beautiful vessel is over 100 years old and an absolute pleasure to be aboard. On the trip south from port we were witness to the immense amount of logging that happened in the recent past as the logging companies, who knew the end was in sight of logging in Haida Gwaii, went on a rampage to collect the massive trees that inhabit the islands up there. One of the coolest moments on the trip was passing in to Park boundaries. Immediately I could feel the ancient forests untouched by man and see nature in it's finest form...pure.

Over the 7 days of the trip we were witness to a multitude of old native village sites which are protected within the Park and manned by the Watchmen, Haida Natives who act as greeters and teachers to all those that visit the sites. We bore witness to countless poles in various states of disrepair. It is a tradition to allow the poles to fall to the ground and return to the earth and not attempt to prop them up or alter them in anyway other than what mother nature wants to do...that's a pretty cool philosophy I must say. It was really amazing to see the very same poles that Emily Carr painted and immortalized so many years ago. It was truly inspiring!

One day when the winds were in our favor we set sail heading back up North and to our amazement, after searching for whales the whole trip, were greeted and followed by at least 20 Humpback whales and 3 Fin whales for nearly an hour an a half. They surrounded the boat and played with us until they became bored and the wind picked up and carried us off at a faster pace. At moments every direction you looked we were greeted with spouts from their blow holes or flukes in the air. It was so amazing I actually had a tear in my eye. To look a creature of that size in the eye and know they see you and are connecting with you is a pretty powerful moment.

On the second to last day we woke early in the morning to a bit of sunshine and after breakfast we hopped in the Zodiaks and headed to Burnaby Narrows. An absolutely amazing tidal narrows that boasts some of the richest intertidal life in the world. This was the area for which I was being commissioned to paint. I dawned my wetsuit and plopped into the FREEZING cold water and snorkeled around snapping as many photos of all the marine life I could. There were Bat stars, sun stars, sea urchin, cauliflower anemones, moon snails, bull kelp, octopus...you name it, we saw it. Not to mention there was a huge jellyfish bloom and there were lions mane jellys almost every 10 feet...this made it a little treacherous to snorkel I must say! I remained in the water until I began to shiver and my memory card was full on my camera FULL of inspiration.

If you have not been up that way I would highly recommend it! Especially soon because the poles will not be standing forever.
You can sea kayak around the park or charter a boat, either way is amazing! I have done both and they both offer a much different experience. The boat is a great way to go if you have the money and don't like camping in the rain (it rains a lot up there). My experience aboard the Maple Leaf was amazing. The crew was fantastic, the vessel was stunning and the food was fabulous. You can get more info on Maple Leaf HERE

I had such a great time on this trip and became so inspired that I am thinking about doing a week long sailing art class aboard the ship. If anyone is interested in partaking on such an adventure please let me know as I would love to share some experiences up there in one of the most spectacular places on earth...and teach you what I know about art at the same time!

here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip:

Etsy site discount

Chili Thom — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:22:00 GMT

hi all,

I'mOffering up a 25% discount on all items on my Etsy site for the next week. Feel free to share the code: summerof69
http://www.etsy.com/people/ChiliThom?ref=si_pr

Summertime Happenings

Chili Thom — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:43:00 GMT

I hope summer is going well for all of you so far...that is what summer there has been! Up in the mountains here in Whistler it has been mighty cold and it is still snowing on the mountain tops on occasion...yikes! All the excess snow will prolong my trip back to Glacier National Park to get the images I need to create my next piece for Parks Canada. I have been commissioned to do one summer and one winter piece for them to be displayed in the Visitor's Center at Rogers Pass and I am really excited about that. The Park is absolutely gorgeous in both the winter and the summer. I have lucked out and have permission to stay in one of the Ranger/Research huts in the alpine during the summer for several days so I can explore the Park and get the images I need to create my next piece which will be of the amazing alpine flowers up high with a view of Swiss Peaks. I should hopefully have the piece finished around late September.

Another really exciting thing coming down the line for me is an 8 day sailing trip in Haida Gwaii. I have been commissioned by a great patron in Whistler to paint a few pieces of Burnaby Narrows in Haida Gwaii and to get me inspired so that I am really connected to the area when I paint the piece he is taking me on a sailing trip up there to get me inspired. My whole life I have felt blessed and incredibly lucky when it comes to opportunities like this. From my years as a wilderness guide to my TV show "Wild at Heart" it seems as if I am meant to have these great experiences in the outdoors so that I can share the experiences through my art in an attempt to help others reconnect with their natural surroundings and treat Mother Nature with the respect that she deserves. The piece I am doing for Lennox, the patron, will be of the tidal shallows rich in sea life that are so abundant in the Charlotte's. I had attempted to do a piece many years ago with anemones and star fish in it, but it was before I had taught myself better colour and brush techniques. I finally feel that now I finally have the skills to pull it off.

Speaking of skills, the last three pieces I have created have, in my eyes, been totally next level. It feels as if I have reached the 10,000 hour mark(Malcom Gladwells theory laid out in his book "The Outliers") in my painting career. My hand seems to have steadied and my eye for colour has been refined yet again. I feel the detail and the mood I have created in the last three pieces have helped me to realize a new level for which to take my art. In an artists career this realization or new level of achievement is one of the most exciting things that can happen to you...aside from getting a show in the National Gallery (which will hopefully come soon). It marks the stage where I can now turn ideas into reality. All the years of concepts and sketches laid down in my sketch book can now finally come to fruition. It feels as if now I am ready to get the grants I am seeking and the recognition I have been striving for.

Coming up in a few weeks I will be doing a live art piece at the Basscoast Music Festival in Squamish. I have had an idea for several years to play with the idea of perspective and space to create art pieces. I have received a small grant from the festival to put something together this year. It wouldn't make much sense in a short amount of words so i will just say keep your eyes peeled for a video of it on my site after I finish it at the end of the month. This will be a test piece for the even better ideas I have for the future and will hopefully be a great example of my idea to include in my future grant proposals.

I really appreciate all the support you have given me over the years and I hope I can keep adding colour to your lives and hopefully inspire you to be creative and to reconnect with nature on a regular basis. If you are interested in how you really connect with nature check out on youtube or anywhere on line Dr. Masaru Emoto's experiments on water. Some of you might have seen the film "What the Bleep do we know" that had a short section about Dr. Emoto's work... if you haven't seen it check it out...it's mind opening!

Whistler's Artwalk

Chili Thom — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:40:00 GMT

Coming up on June 30th from 630-9pm is Whistler's annual Artwalk.
With over 17 venues within Whistler Village there will be a whole slough of amazing art and artists out that night for a fun meet and greet journey along the village stroll. I will be having a few new hand touched giclee prints in there. The ones of "Across the Valley" will have loads of high lights and extra color added and there will only be 12 of them in the edition so they will be hot ticket items!

I hope to see you there

Hot off the press

Chili Thom — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:14:00 GMT

A few exciting new things in the world of art. I have been in hibernation/creation mode for the past month and have created some amazing new works and limited edition T-shirt as well.
For the past 5 years I have had a certain painting on my list of to-do's and for one reason or another it has been moved from list to list to list for years. It has been one of those things that has always been looming over my shoulder giving me a little poke every time I was painting saying "paint me now...paint me now". Finally I listened to what it said and created this piece. I still haven't decided on a title for it yet, but it will be soon to come. The piece is 24"x48" image of an alpine meadow at sunrise looking across the Whistler Valley. It took a long long time due to all the detail, but it was well worth the wait. There will be a very small limited edition run of Giclee prints of this one and I will be posting info for that soon.

Another piece that I just finished was a commission by Parks Canada for Glacier National Parks 125th anniversary. The piece is of Swiss Peaks. One of the prominent peaks you see while driving through Rogers Pass. The piece will be displayed at the Visitors Center in the Park. Another painting is coming during the summer and it will be of the same peak, but in summertime with a field of alpine flowers in the foreground. I totally lucked out with this arrangement with Parks and I will be selling prints out of the visitors center...AMAZING!!! I'm hoping to team up with Parks Canada and do paintings of various Parks across the country, fingers crossed on that one.

I also have just released a limited edition run of T-shirts featuring my painting "Basscoast Beauty". they are available for one month and can be purchased or ordered from Studiotique at 617 Kingsway in Vancouver. The phone number is 604 736 5651. I don't have a link yet for online ordering, but I should have it soon. I've attached an image of what the shirts will look like. There aren't very many out there so grab one today and be one of the lucky ones.

Whistler Art Workshops on the Lake are rapidly approaching. I am teaching a 3 day beginer acrylics class and I think there is still one slot left. I will be going over everything you need to know to get started as a painter as well as tips to make you a better painter. This will be my third year of teaching and I have had great feedback from all my classes. You can book online HERE

Another cool thing on my plate is some design work. I am doing a series of paintings to be used for packaging and marketing for an organic fertilizer company caller Rainworks. It's was a bit of a weird opportunity, but a really neat one as well. the more ways to get creative the better I always say.

Keep your eyes peeled for weekly specials on my Twitter and get the scoop in the inpsiration behind my paintings on my facebook FANPAGE

Live Streams

Chili Thom — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:37:00 GMT

Well yesterday I tried out the live painting stream on the net while I was in the studio last night. It went pretty well... I didnt have any feedback so I wasn't even sure if the audio was working so I wasn't really talking that much. It did however draw 51 viewers so I'm really stoked with that on my first go. Definitely keep your eyes peeled on the site, twitter and facebook to see when I'll be doing it again (maybe even tonight) I'll be putting up random promotions in front of the screen that you can get if you are watching. Last night I offered up 50% off of paper prints, pretty good deal if I do say so myself....

Live Painting Stream from the Studio

Chili Thom — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:48:00 GMT

I'm going to be trying to work out the kinks with the online broadcast stuff through ustream.com so that whenever I am in the studio painting I will be broadcasting. That way you can see what I am up to in the studio...should be kind of cool. Eventually once all the kinks are worked out I will be doing some video blogs as well that will be teaching more technique specific things...

State of the Art

Chili Thom — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:25:00 GMT

For the next 10 days Whistler is a hot spot for arts, culture and sports. The World Ski and Snowboard festival is in full swing now and the weather has been great to help things along the way.
I have been working hard on a number of new pieces that are featured in the State of the Art show. It's a very high profile show with some big names in art gracing the walls with their works. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with it again this year and I have done some cool new pieces for it. They are all in a more graphical style than my usual landscapes and I REALLY like what I have created. All the pieces have been coated with a super smooth and glossy acrylic resin and the colours really pop!
I have attached a photo of my wall at the show. The background was painted black and white to match the style of the pieces and it seems to add a lot to the overall effect.

In other news, I am working on a couple pieces for Parks Canada for the 125th anniversary of Glacier National Park at Rogers pass. I will be doing a summer and a winter piece of some of the epic views you get in the park. I am really excited for this as the pieces will be displayed in the visitors center and prints will be available there...REALLY COOL! so if you are passing through Rogers Pass during the summer stop in at the visitors center and have a gander at what I have created.

I'm off to enjoy the festival right now! More updates to come

New piece for sale

Chili Thom — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:41:00 GMT

Hey all,
just a quick note. I just put my piece "Sunrise on a new idea" up for sale and I have a new river rocks water piece that I just finished that will be available soon!
Have a great night!

Bringing art on my road trip

Chili Thom — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:37:00 GMT

Just a quick heads up that I am doing a ski town DJ tour starting this Saturday. I will be spending 4 days in Revelstoke starting this weekend. I am Djing with my good friend Kori K on the mountain at the RMR lodge in the afternoon and then again at the Regent Hotel saturday night. I will be in town until Tuesday and I was planning on bringing a good selection of prints with me. After that I am planning on a day in Canmore and then we are off to DJ the Hi Fi club in Calgary on Thursday night. Followed up by a great night on Saturday the 26th at the Spirit Bar in Nelson. Anyone in those areas that might want some at a bit of a discounted rate and a change to meet me can contact me at 604 698 5060 and we can try to arrange a time to meet up... or just come on out and shake your tail feathers to some good music!

I'm teaching another class

Chili Thom — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:20:00 GMT

This summer I will again be teaching a beginners acrylics class for the Whistler Arts Council. If you are an aspiring painter, or even if you have some experience, i am teaching a 3 day acrylics class to help you get the foundations for greatness in your paintings.
Registration has opened now and I guarantee it'll be worth it.
Please see the attached jpeg for more info on how to register...hope to see you there!

On to something new

Chili Thom — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:57:00 GMT

For the past while I have been trying to figure out a good way to do some really cool pieces using lots of texture. I have tried many times and in my eyes, not always succeeded...until now.
I just finished this piece a week and a bit ago and I feel that I finally hit the nail on the head with it!
The textured pieces have been really fun for me to play with and I look forward to doing some really large sized ones in the near future.
The really cool thing I like about these pieces is that they all came about from me spreading waste paint while I am working on other pieces onto a spare canvas. i always felt bad about wasting an excess paint I mixed and I try to be as green as possible when I paint. By recycling my paint I get to save the planet a little bit more and create some cool texture on my canvases at the same time. And I dont have to spend a whack load of money on special texture compounds from the paint manufacturers!! Bonus!!

This piece is called "Sunrise on a new idea" and I love it!. Really stoked to do some more pieces like it.

Chili Thom

Arts is Important

Fundraising for the Arts

Gearing up for an adventure

spring_bling_2012

In Celebration of Spring

Art workshops

Art workshops

Painting for Parks Canada

Interesting article

Christmas SALE!!

In your Dreams

Tales of the B-Grade

B-Grade Horrorificness

In your Dream Exhibit

Haida Gwaii

Etsy site discount

hi all,

I'mOffering up a 25% discount on all items on my Etsy site for the next week. Feel free to share the code: summerof69 http://www.etsy.com/people/Chi​liThom?ref=si_pr

Summertime Happenings

Whistler's Artwalk

Hot off the press

Live Streams

Live Painting Stream from the Studio

State of the Art

New piece for sale

Bringing art on my road trip

I'm teaching another class

On to something new

I'mOffering up a 25% discount on all items on my Etsy site for the next week. Feel free to share the code: summerof69
http://www.etsy.com/people/ChiliThom?ref=si_pr