A Beautiful Celebration of Love: Wedding Open House At Twist Gallery

Our Wedding Open House on Saturday, February 21, was a truly special afternoon filled with inspiration, creativity, and meaningful connections. We were thrilled to welcome couples, families, and friends to our space to experience this curated event.

Bringing Wedding Visions to Life

The atmosphere was beautifully transformed with all stunning table floral designs follow by Poppin Petals led by Kim, alongside the extraordinary stationery by For Your Delight. As well as elegant floral installation for the ceremony space and bar from May Flowers. They added texture to our tables and space, helping couples imagine their own special day.

Music set the tone for the afternoon, with vibrant energy from DJ Flohback Productions and the timeless elegance of a live violin played by Ellen Daly. Together, they created an ambiance that felt both celebratory and intimate.

A Feast for the Senses

Guests enjoyed culinary offerings from JP Fine Foods, showcasing a meticulously prepared menu that ranged from inventive appetizers to a diverse main course, finished with a delicate dessert. Every dish was expertly cooked and delighted guests of all tastes.

As well as Encore Catering, featuring a collection of dishes paired with beautifully crafted cookies and wedding cakes. Each plate was a visual masterpiece, allowing the quality of the ingredients to speak for itself.

The sweet highlight of the day came from Fiona McKnight Cakes, who provided us with a variety of options for wedding cakes, featuring designs ranging from subtle textures to floral accents in a beautiful palette of colours.

The presentation was as impressive as the flavors, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who stopped by.

Personal Touches & Unique Details

From custom engraving and personalization by Exquisite Things, guests experienced the creative details that make weddings unforgettable.

Live artistry added an extra layer of charm, with watercolour illustrations, beautiful stationery, menu card and artwork from For Your Delight.

Completing the look, styling expertise from HairbyYosh showcased how the right finishing touches bring a bridal vision together.

Capturing Every Moment

Planning and coordination by Fay Events ensured that every detail flowed seamlessly throughout the event.

We were proud to work with photographer Gillian Foster, who provided all of the amazing photos in this blog, and talented visual storyteller Alyse Owsiacki, along with cinematic coverage from Future Film Photography and a photobooth by Snap n Sweet.

Events were thoughtfully represented by Zahra Bakhsh, also known as Zahra the Celebrant, who shared how personalized vows and meaningful storytelling can make each wedding unique.

Thank You for Joining Us!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our vendors, visitors and guests who joined us for this special day. Your enthusiasm, conversations, and support made the Open House a true success.

We hope you left feeling inspired, confident, and excited as you continue planning your wedding journey. We can’t wait to celebrate with you again soon.

SHUTTER SPACE: Exploring Inspiration, Process and Practice

From January to March, SHUTTER SPACE brings together photographic works that explore observation, memory and visual storytelling. Through a series of interviews, audiences are invited to get to know the artists and gain insight into their creative process and inspiration.

Meet the artists who brought this exhibit to life and get to know their stories.

1. You move between the energy of Toronto and the solitude of nature. How does living in an urban environment shape what you look for when you’re photographing the landscape?

Living in Toronto, I’m constantly immersed in what I call “visual noise”. By this I mean the fast pace, the congestion, and the relentless pulse of the city. I love the city’s energy but it creates a deep, physical need for the opposite. When I step into the landscapes of Quebec or Northern Ontario, I’m not just looking for an interesting composition. I’m in search of “visual silence” to balance out the city’s frantic energy.

Life in the city sharpens my eye for minimalism. Surrounded by the constant noise of billboards and advertising, I find myself seeking out single focal points and visual silence in nature. My photography is a way of capturing the stillness I crave. It allows me to bring a piece of my “happy place” back to those who also feel the weight of urban life.

2. You describe your images as studies of “quiet magic.” What aspects of natural wonder draw you in the most, and how do you translate that feeling into a photograph?

For me, “quiet magic” isn’t found in the loud, dramatic sunsets we often see on Instagram. It’s found in the undramatic moments that happen when you finally slow down enough to notice them. I’m drawn to the shimmer of mist lifting off a lake, the smell of pine trees after a rain, or the way golden light breaks through a heavy cloud layer after a storm.

To translate that into a photograph, I often focus on texture and rhythm rather than just scale. I want my images to act as a “visual meditation.” Where possible, I try to simplify my compositions to remove any clutter, allowing the viewer’s eyes and mind a place to rest.

My goal is for someone to stand in front of a print and feel a deep breath. I want them to experience a physical relaxation where their shoulders drop and they can briefly reconnect with the unconstructed world.

3. Your process involves deep immersion, hiking, observing, and waiting for moments of stillness. How do you recognize when a moment of stillness is the right one to capture?

It’s an instinctive feeling more than a technical one. I spend a lot of time alone while hiking, camping, and sitting in silence. Eventually, the energy of the city fades away and I reach a point where I stop feeling like a visitor and truly inhabit the landscape.

I recognize the right moment when the landscape stops feeling like a subject I am shooting and starts feeling like a place I am simply part of.

1. After retiring from the business world, photography became a new beginning for you. How did that life shift change the way you see the world and approach making images?

Retirement marked a deliberate shift from a highly structured, outcome-driven life to one guided by attention and curiosity. Photography became the framework for that change. Instead of moving quickly from one objective to the next, I now spend time noticing—how light settles across a familiar path, how a lone figure recedes into a landscape, or how mist and reflection briefly quiet a scene.

That change in pace has fundamentally altered how I approach image-making. I’m no longer chasing productivity or proof of progress. I’m allowing moments to reveal themselves, and photographing them when they feel complete. In many ways, the work reflects the transition itself: slower, more intentional, and grounded in presence.

2. As a self-taught photographer, how did you develop your visual style over time, and what lessons came from learning outside a formal classroom?

Learning photography later in life, without formal training, shaped both my process and perspective. I developed my style through repetition and reflection—by shooting often, paying attention to what stayed with me, and letting patterns emerge naturally. Over time, I noticed a consistent pull toward bold colour, simplified compositions, and images that feel calm but emotionally charged.

Being self-taught reinforced an important lesson: it’s acceptable to be a beginner again. Progress was gradual, and that required patience and humility. But that openness became an advantage. Without rigid expectations, I was free to explore, to trust instinct, and to let the work evolve at its own pace—something that mirrors the broader experience of starting a creative second chapter.

3. Colour plays a major role in your work. What draws you to bold, saturated colour and how do you decide when colour should lead an image?

Colour is often the emotional entry point for me. Bold, saturated hues have an immediate impact—they shape mood before the subject is fully understood. Whether it’s warm autumn light filtering through trees or the quiet intensity of colour rising through early mist, colour becomes a way to communicate feeling rather than simply describe a place.

I allow colour to lead when it deepens the emotional clarity of a moment. If it adds energy, warmth, or a sense of anticipation, I lean into it. If it distracts, I pull back. That balance is intuitive, but it’s always informed by one question: does this choice help the image feel more honest to the experience of being there?

4. You aim to reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary, using painterly techniques. How do you decide which moments to enhance in post-processing and which to leave more natural?

Post-processing is where interpretation enters the process. Some scenes already hold the emotion I felt in the moment—a still reflection, a quiet path, a pause in motion—and those images remain close to their original state. Others need subtle enhancement to express what initially drew my attention.

When I do lean into a more painterly treatment, it’s to emphasize atmosphere, colour, or light in service of feeling rather than accuracy. The goal isn’t to make the image more dramatic, but more impactful. It’s about helping the viewer sense why a seemingly ordinary moment was worth stopping for.

Darren’s Further Insights

Photography represents a meaningful second chapter in my life, not a casual pursuit. After decades in the business world, it provides a different kind of structure—one rooted in movement, observation, and intention. It gives purpose to slowing down, to walking without urgency, and to staying actively engaged with both my environment and myself. This body of work reflects that shift, not just in subject matter, but in pace and tone.

Toronto is central to that experience. It’s a city I live in and move through daily, which allows me to photograph it quietly and repeatedly. Familiarity creates space to notice subtle changes—seasonal colour, shifting light, overlooked viewpoints—and to return to the same places with fresh attention. Through this work, I’m exploring what happens when you stay long enough for the ordinary to reveal its depth.

1. Seeing Ansel Adams’ Moonrise, Hernandez was a turning point for you. How has that early experience shaped your approach to light and tonal range today?

Ansel Adams was originally on track to have a career as a concert pianist before he turning his attention to photography. I imagine he too also realized the parallel elements between photo composition and musical composition! 

In my landscape imagery, I prefer a more understated approach to light and tonal range which is why I tend to photograph in softer light during golden and blue hours (morning or evening) when colours are more muted with less contrast. When I’m photographing architecture, I will often head out in the middle of the day where the contrast between light and shadow is more pronounced and this is when I will sometimes opt for black and white with the range of tones (think Ansel Adam’s Zone system) that emphasize geometrical patterns.

2. You photograph both remote wilderness and Toronto’s urban architecture. What stays consistent in your vision across such different environments?

My main goal when planning an image is simplicity so that the viewer can easily discern the essence of the image - it’s main intent. Therefore I am purposeful in eliminating any distracting elements from the composition that aren’t central to guiding the viewer’s eyes through the frame to the main subject. The direction and quality of light also help in this regard since photography literally comes from the Greek words  “drawing with light!”

3. You’ve recently begun exploring abstract photography in the city. What draws you to abstraction, and how does it change the way you see familiar urban spaces?

Photography and indeed, all visual arts, include elements of line, pattern, texture and shape. Since my professional background is in music and music education, I have always been cognizant of the parallels between art and music -  melody, harmony, texture, tone colour and form. Architecture has both form and function so rather than just photographing a building or space, I prefer to isolate parts of a building and highlight some of the elements that create a more abstract view. I’m excited by both the very old architecture in Toronto and equally so by many of the more recent buildings and spaces that emphasize aesthetically interesting designs that lend themselves to abstract interpretations.

1. You’re drawn to stillness and minimal human presence. What does a successful “quiet” image look like to you?

A successful "quiet" image for me is an image that feels settling. It gives the viewer space to slow down, to notice small shifts in tone, light, or balance. I enjoy scenes that showcase minimal human presence that helps remove noise, so the image becomes more about atmosphere rather than an event. The image should feel complete in its stillness, not dependent on implied motion. 

2. Long exposures and reflective water are recurring elements in your work. What do these techniques allow you to express emotionally?

Long exposures slow the image down and remove specificity. Long exposures flatten movement and reduce detail, which makes the scene feel less tied to a particular time and adds more of an artistic flare to the image. Reflective water interrupts a direct view and adds ambiguity, so the image becomes more about structure, tone, and balance than subject.

3. This exhibition is your first formal gallery presentation—how did that shape your selection and presentation of images?

Knowing this was my first gallery presentation, I was more deliberate with the images I chose. Instead of choosing individual images that stood well on their own, I focused on the cohesion between each photograph. Specifically, how the photographs speak to each other in tone, pacing and emotional weight. I paid more attention to sequencing, letting the quieter images with softer tones outline my more dramatic work. The gallery context encouraged me to trust subtlety and to present the work as a sustained experience rather than a collection of highlights.

1. Memories can be sparked by sights, sounds, or smells. How do you translate those sensory experiences into your photography?

I translate these sensory experiences when I layer photographs and blend them to create luminosity or overlay using multiple images. Each layer allows the light to screen different parts of a photograph illuminating one area and darkening another. Elements in the photos are enlarged to highlight details that would evoke a sense of smell, for example an espresso machine or a worn leather chair. 

2. You explore historical structures, new builds, and the small details that often trigger memories. Are these spaces connected to your personal experiences, or do they reflect more collective memories?

Architecture in my photography is connected to both personal experiences as well as our collective memories. I think that these two can overlap since in public spaces we experience similar events. Often if it’s a historical structure we can collectively relate to past events that took place in the space, such as a wedding or perhaps a tour during a holiday. Meanwhile the personal experience is the details of the photographs, for example the tiles on the floor or the antique lamp which trigger a very specific memory, perhaps your grandmother's house or the room you stayed in while travelling Europe.

3. Your work uses a digital double-exposure process inspired by film. How does this method reflect the way memory works, especially when capturing the feeling of returning to familiar places after a long absence?

The photos have multiple exposures that capture a sense of nostalgia, a longing that sparks our memories. My memories feel like short reels or snapshots of a time and place, never quite formed but dreamlike and always layered with a feeling, maybe a sense of smell and a visual. Double exposure allows me to capture a few collected moments, stacked together, whether they are related or not, it’s how my mind processes all those feelings at once.

4. Through this collection, what do you hope viewers take away when they recognize a sense of familiarity in your images?

I hope the viewer connects with the photographs and while taking time to study the details experiences their own memory of an event or place. The photographs hopefully spark a sense of warmth, welcoming and positive remembering even if it’s just a flicker of something wonderful.

1. In this collection, you focus on European cityscapes. What differences or similarities stand out to you in how people inhabit public spaces across these cities?

Travelling through Europe has given me the opportunity to slow down and simply observe how people move through public space. Compared to North America, there is a noticeable sense of ease; people linger. Cafés and patios are filled with conversation and laughter, and time seems less hurried. Public spaces are treated as places to gather, not just pass through.

One striking similarity across cultures, however, is our shared reliance on technology. I repeatedly found myself photographing people absorbed in their phones on transit, in shopping districts, even while seated together at a table. These moments reveal a quiet contradiction: an increasing disconnection from our surroundings, even when those surroundings are extraordinarily beautiful.

2. Looking back on your journey—from capturing memories to building a social media presence and exhibiting professionally—what achievements or moments have been most meaningful to you?

Photography began as a personal interest, but during the pandemic I committed to developing my craft with intention and discipline. Setting clear goals allowed me to grow steadily, both creatively and professionally. Sharing my work daily on social media has helped me connect with a vibrant community of photographers and build meaningful relationships within the city.

Building M. Appel Creative has been especially rewarding. Through events, portraits, and personal milestones, I’ve been able to help others preserve moments that matter to them. Publishing my photobook, Walking Through the 6ix, was another pivotal achievement; seeing it enjoyed in homes and professional spaces alike continues to be deeply affirming.

Community has always been central to my work. Founding Ladies in the GTA created a supportive and safe space for women to connect, create, and explore photography together. Seeing that community flourish has been incredibly fulfilling. Having my work exhibited at Twist Gallery now brings this journey full circle, and I’m grateful for the support of my friends and family as I celebrate this milestone.

3. Your images often capture the interplay of light, the gestures of strangers, and the contrast between history and modern life. What draws you to these fleeting moments, and how do they reveal the character of a city?

Walking with a camera has trained me to be fully present. I’m drawn not only to iconic landmarks, but to moments that quietly tell a story: how light falls down a narrow street, how people interact with their environment, or how history and modern life coexist within a single frame.

These everyday moments reveal the true character of a city. Whether through architectural details, street art, or human gestures, they create a visual narrative that feels authentic and lived-in. I often choose to edit these images in black and white, allowing the absence of colour to emphasize mood, contrast, and emotion. At its core, my work is about storytelling, using photography to pause time and invite the viewer into a moment they might otherwise pass by.

1. You balance a demanding career as a paramedic with your photography. How does your work in emergency services influence the way you see and capture moments in your images?

I’ve been with Toronto Paramedic Services for 22 yrs and as a paramedic and a supervisor I’ve seen and experienced many things that do get buried deep into your soul, but it has also been a very rewarding career. It teaches you to embrace every day, cherish every moment and give yourself time to breath and be present with your journey. When I’m behind the lens capturing landscapes, nature or creating a treasured moment for a client, I feel liberated and free with my creative escape. The joy of making someone smile with my work whether it’s a piece from my collection, or a moment captured for them, that feeling is truly rewarding in a different way because you created it.

2. From film to digital, your photography practice has evolved significantly. How has post-editing opened up new creative possibilities for your work?

I have been in the photography business for over 30 yrs, so when I first went to school for photographic arts (in Thunder Bay) it was all film, chemicals and darkrooms which was its own learning curve. The digital world including post-editing has been a steeper learning curve. I’ve always popped my images with simple edits, but when you start doing night photography and astro work, you really need to invest time into learning Lightroom and Photoshop. The photography community is very supportive when you ask about techniques with edits. Learning from each other with different post edits like stacking or blending images for Milky Way shots. The possibilities are endless with AI out there now. I still need to sink my teeth into Photoshop. That is on my 2026 goal list!! (I give credit to Robin Knighton who has been my astro photography mentor).

3. Whether photographing landscapes or candid moments with families, what do you hope people feel when they see your images?

When I post an image on my social media or if it’s on a wall displayed, it gives me pleasure when something I see through my camera is replicated even better once I post it or process it in print. I am my own critic, so if I’m happy with the results, my goal is to make the viewer just as happy or curious or maybe even have awe with my results. When I work with clients, and families and I capture the essence of their personality or freeze the moment just as they remembered with love, that is the best reward!

1. You mentioned that your viewfinder is set to black and white. What does removing colour allow you to see in your photographs?

Setting my viewfinder to monochrome, allows me to really focus on my composition and the elements such as lighting and shadows of the photograph, rather than the colours themselves. 

2. Shutter Space is your first exhibition. What does it mean to you to share your work publicly, and what do you hope people feel or notice when they see your images?

Sharing my work publicly for the first time through Shutter Space is both exciting and nerve-wracking. It feels like a big step, because my photographs are personal ways of seeing the world, and exhibiting them means allowing others to see moments and perspectives that matter to me. It gives the work a sense of purpose beyond myself and turns it into something that can start a conversation. When people view my images, I hope they slow down and really look. I want them to notice the light, textures, and details that might usually be overlooked, and to feel a sense of mood or emotion within the photographs. More than anything, I hope the images invite viewers to see familiar subjects in a new way and to connect with the feeling or story behind each photograph. 

3. You began your artistic journey with drawing and sketching. How has that early way of seeing influenced how you frame and compose your photographs today?

Beginning with drawing and sketching trained me to really observe before creating. When I draw, I have to break a subject down into shapes, lines, tones, and proportions, and that way of seeing still guides how I approach photography. Instead of just reacting to a scene, I think about structure, balance, and where the eye will travel within the frame. Early practice has influenced how I compose photographs today by making me more aware of framing, negative space, and the relationship between light and form. I often approach a photograph as if I’m constructing a drawing, carefully considering edges, contrast, and composition, rather than relying on colour or chance. It’s helped me create images that feel more intentional and thoughtfully composed. 

Holy Decor: Check 2025 Christmas Decor Trends 🎅🏼✨

As we’re finally approaching the ✨most wonderful time of the year ✨, the Christmas Decor talk is here! This year’s Christmas Decor is all about sophistication, nostalgia, and comfort. If you're looking to refresh your festive style, here’s what’s defining Christmas décor this year: 

Resource: Google

✵ Keep it traditional, but make it better. 

Red and green remain THE Christmas classics, but this year they’re being reimagined in darker, moodier tones. Think jewel-inspired shades like deep red, burgundy, garnet, indigo green, maroon, navy, and even touches of black. Paired with warm neutrals, they create a sophisticated and modern palette for your Christmas celebration. 

✵ Guess who’s back (again)? PLAIDS! 

Plaid continues to reign as a holiday staple, but this season it's being incorporated in fresh ways, layered with throws, accent pillows, gift wrapping, and even ribbons. It's that cozy cabin-like charm that instantly warms up any space. 

✵ It's all about being chic and rich! Or at least look like it! 

Wool, satin, and velvet are stealing the spotlight this Christmas. Whether used in stockings, tree skirts, curtains, bows or table accents, these fabrics bring elegance and depth to your décor. Their tactile softness is the perfect complement to winter’s chilly evenings.  

Resource: Google

Resource: Google

✵ Feels empty? But a bow on it! 

Statement Bows are high this season! Simple yet stunning, small or oversized bows are one of the easiest ways to upgrade your décor. Use them on wreaths, stair railings, dining chairs, doors, cutlery, fireplace, on the Christmas tree, or even kitchen cabinets for an effortless festive touch. 

✵ Gold or Silver? Why not both! 

Forget choosing between gold and silver! This year, we’re combining both. Mixed metals add dimension and shine without tipping into flashy territory. They also pair beautifully with ornaments in any colour palette, from muted neutrals to bold hues. 

✵ Oversized ornaments are not an exaggeration; it is a fashion statement. 

Because if bigger is better, and better is bigger, we want it all for this season! Oversized ornaments placed on tables, mantels, or shelving add drama and charm with minimal effort.

Resource: Google

✵ Twin in tone, slay in style

Gift-wrapping goes refined with single-colour palettes. Using the same shade across ribbons, paper, and tags makes each gift feel intentional and elevated.

✵ Let it shine, but make it polished! 

This year’s décor favours subtle sheen over sparkly overload. The goal is a polished, classic glow, shiny ornaments, satin ribbons, metallic accents, but no glitter bombs in sight. 

✵ Intentionally tacky, and nostalgic too! 

Retro ornaments bring a nostalgic, playful element to your décor. Think vintage bells, felt characters, bright mid-century shapes, and kitschy figurines. It’s joyful, sentimental, and adds personality to your holiday style.

Resource: Google

It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas: a Holiday Guide for Joy and Fun.

As the winter season wraps the city in twinkling lights and festive cheer, there’s no shortage of activities to make your holidays magical. From holiday markets to pop-up bars, ice skating rinks, and dazzling light displays, the city is ready to enchant visitors of all ages. So here’s a small guide to the most famous and iconic spots around the city, so you don’t miss all the fun!

Distillery Winter Village 

One of the most famous Christmas spots in the city, the Distillery District invites you to wander its charming cobblestone streets, beautifully themed for the holiday season, with artisan stalls, festive treats, cozy restaurants, and luxurious gifts.

Canada’s Wonderland Winter Fest  

At Canada’s Wonderland, a park that closes for the winter, the holiday season brings it back to life, transforming itself into a holiday wonderland, where thrills meet holiday magic with sparkling lights, seasonal shows, and rides for the whole family. 

Yorkville Neighbourhood  

Immerse yourself in the charm of Yorkville,  the upscale district where holiday magic meets sophistication. Shop for unique gifts at boutique stores, stroll along beautifully decorated streets, and marvel at the stylish holiday window displays that light up the season. With elegant cafes and restaurants to pause at along the way, Yorkville offers the perfect blend of festive cheer, luxury, and a leisurely winter stroll that will leave you enchanted.

Reference: Google

Evergreen’s Winter Market 

a festive destination filled with the spirit of the season. Explore a curated selection of local vendors offering unique handmade gifts, discover cozy winter crafts perfect for holiday décor, and savor delicious seasonal bites that will delight your taste buds. With its welcoming atmosphere and festive cheer around every corner, Evergreen’s Winter Market is the perfect place to shop, snack, and soak in the magic of the holidays.

Eaton Center Three Lighting

Experience the magic of the holiday season at the Eaton Center Three Lighting, every hour from 1 PM to 8 PM daily. Each lighting display transforms the tree into a shimmering spectacle of colour and cheer, perfect for festive photos or simply soaking in the holiday magic. Whether you’re shopping, strolling, or just enjoying the seasonal atmosphere, this iconic tree is a must-see highlight of the city’s winter celebrations.

Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square Ice Skating Rink 

Step onto the ice at Nathan Phillips Square and experience the magic of the Cavalcade of Lights, where dazzling synchronized light displays dance to live music. Glide across the rink as the vibrant colours sparkle around you, creating an unforgettable holiday atmosphere that’s perfect for friends, family, or a romantic winter outing.

Reference: Google

Casa Loma Christmas Castle 

A real-life fairytale at Casa Loma, where grand holiday decorations transform the historic mansion into a magical winter wonderland. Wander through elaborately adorned rooms, marvel at sparkling lights, and enjoy special seasonal events that bring the spirit of the holidays to life for visitors of all ages.

The White Garden at Queen's Harbour 

Dine at The White Garden at Queen’s Harbour, a restaurant transformed into a mesmerizing winter wonderland filled with twinkling white lights and enchanting holiday décor. Whether you’re enjoying a cozy family meal, a romantic dinner, or simply taking in the seasonal ambiance, this beautifully lit space offers a serene and unforgettable holiday dining experience.

The Well Ice Skating Rink 

Glide across The Well Ice Skating Rink and skate beneath a canopy of twinkling holiday lights in a cozy, urban winter setting. Whether you’re enjoying a fun outing with friends, a family adventure, or a romantic skate, the festive atmosphere and sparkling lights make every moment magical.

Reference: Google

But if you’re a Queen Street Lover like us and all for the Christmas Bar, Restaurants and Pop-ups, here are a few options for fun and festive locations to go around our neighbourhood:

Aleria Greek Restaurant Christmas Decor 

Delight in traditional Greek flavours while surrounded by stunning holiday decorations. From sparkling lights to festive table settings, Aleria offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for a seasonal culinary experience.

Candy Cane Christmas Pop-up Bar 

Step into a whimsically decorated space and sip on festive seasonal cocktails. With candy-cane accents, twinkling lights, and cheerful music, this pop-up bar is the perfect spot to toast the holidays with friends.

Papi Chulos Christmas Pop-up 

A lively festive destination where holiday bites and drinks take center stage. Enjoy a cheerful ambiance, colourful décor, and seasonal treats that make every visit a joyful celebration.

Little Ese Christmas Pop-up 

Discover unique gifts, handmade items, and festive treats in a cozy, intimate pop-up setting. Perfect for finding special holiday treasures while soaking in a charming winter atmosphere.

Melody Holiday Christmas Pop-up

Shop for thoughtful gifts or enjoy seasonal refreshments in a beautifully decorated space. With twinkling lights and a festive atmosphere, Melody’s pop-up brings holiday magic to every visitor.

Papi and Rosita Christmas Pop-Up 

 Bright decorations, cheerful vibes, and holiday-themed goodies await at this festive pop-up. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the season, grab a gift, or simply enjoy the holiday cheer.

Twist Gallery 

If your interest is in hosting parties, we are the right place for you! Here at Twist Gallery, we book all kinds of events, including Holiday Events and parties! Don’t wait, book your holiday party with us and make this season truly memorable!"

And that’s a wrap on our holiday city guide! Of course, there’s so much more to explore this season, but these are some of our favourite spots and suggestions to get you started. Be sure to follow us on our socials (@twistgallery) for more festive inspiration, and from all of us, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season!

Material Memory: Unpacking the Stories Beneath the Surface

An exhibition where art and rememberance collide.

Our November-December exhibition, Material Memory, explores emotion, expression, and the sense of belonging through abstract and landscape works with sparks of colour and forms that will stay in the memory of anyone who appreciates it.

Meet the artists who brought this exhibit to life and get to know their stories.

1. Nature is very present in your work. Could you tell us a bit about how you discovered your passion for nature, and as you mentioned, “it's quiet strength,” and decided to incorporate it into your art?

Since the pandemic began, I started taking daily walks, something that became a quiet part of my life. At first, it was just a way to move and clear my mind, but over time, I began to notice the small details around me. I saw how trees, flowers, and mountains endure through rain, snow, and storms. They wait patiently, and then when the time comes, it bursts with a powerful, almost overwhelming energy. Watching this felt like witnessing a truth about life itself. It reminded me that we, too, endure, we flourish with full strength, and then we must return to stillness, ready for the next cycle. In my paintings, the flowers, trees, and mountains represent ourselves, and I try to capture that drive to live fully, the joy of blooming, and the quiet acceptance of returning to rest.

2. What is the main feeling you want to transmit through your work to its viewers? 

I hope my work conveys a calm but active energy. Even when it seems still, there is always movement, like light shifting or plants growing. When I paint, I use varied rhythms with dripping techniques, fast and slow brushstrokes, and scraping layers. Through these gestures, I try to show the life force that flows through nature and invite viewers to feel that energy within stillness.

3. Would you say that this exhibition’s name, “Material Memory,” fits with your art style?

Yes, it fits well. Each layer and texture shows traces of touch, time, and attention. Materials seem to remember the gestures and moments put into them. What appears still on the surface holds quiet movement and life, reflecting both the process and the energy behind the work. 

1. In your collection for this show, you can see that in a few pieces, you work evenly with abstract and landscape. How did you find this balance during your creative process? 

Currently, I am trying to give space to the inherent character and possibilities of the mediums and marks and tools so I can “draw” (groan) the best from them to express myself. In this way, almost all my paintings start out as pure abstracts. But as I discover the sections that I like and want to keep, they usually speak to me of organic textures and objects. Organic qualities feel akin to connection and appreciation, to depth, warm personal memory, and intrigue. And so, the painting forms, and quite often into an abstract landscape.

2. Do you believe that your previous work in the film industry helped you to trust even more in your artistic intuition for the creation of your pieces? 

You bet. I worked (and played) mostly in theatre, actually. I now realize that all my creative pursuits inform each other. The process of allowing yourself to go down through the layers of the expected and into spontaneous and authentic ideas, however crazy-seeming, is the same investigation. And you best accept that you can’t fully control what others see and interpret. That’s their part. An early lesson in this was a theatre exercise. One by one, we were to go on the stage, sit in a chair for 5 minutes, relax, and do nothing in particular. Then our classmates, the audience, could say afterwards what they saw, “the story” they started to imagine just looking at you. Lesson: you might as well relax, “be” you and, in your personal art, create what feels pleasingly right to you!

3. You mentioned that your artistic journey always starts with a “what if?” question. Could you explain to us the importance this has on your creative process? 

If I start a painting with “what if I tried this…” then I feel curious, kind of excited because I’m experimenting and letting the outcome be new, unknown. Then I don’t hinder the immediacy of what I’m creating. If I have an exact vision of what I “think” the painting should look like, I’m likely to be disappointed, because the painting will feel non dynamic, rigid. It can’t match the magic of what I think I see in my head! My painting must develop physically! Ideas and inspiration come from all over. I’m happiest playing, being in the moment and trusting my eye and intuition to guide me until that final phase where left brain discernment comes in more. The subject, or composition, emerges from this process and only then can I fine-tune it. Of course, I think that you’re happier surprising yourself when painting realistically also.

1. What/Who was your biggest inspiration when painting the artwork for this show?

My inspiration came from the rhythm of the seasons and the small wonders found within them—flowers in bloom, bees at work, dragonflies hovering, and songbirds that animate our Canadian landscapes. These paintings celebrate the harmony between flora and fauna, and the quiet magic of everyday nature. I’m drawn to capturing fleeting moments of beauty that remind us how interconnected and sustaining these small worlds truly are.

2. Did your previous job as an educator reflect in any way on your paintings?

Yes—indirectly, but profoundly. As a teacher and principal, I learned to look closely at each student’s individuality—their strengths, curiosities, and unique spirit. That same attentiveness now guides my painting. I approach each subject, whether a flower, bird, or landscape, with a sense of discovery and respect for its distinct character. Teaching taught me to see beyond the surface, and painting allows me to celebrate that beauty in visual form.

3. Do you think there’s a difference between when you connect with art at a young age from when you connect later in life, like in your case, when you reconnected with art after retirement?

Yes, absolutely. When I was young, drawing and painting was pure joy and escape—I would lose track of time, much as I do now. But returning to art later in life carries deeper meaning. My passion for creating has intensified; painting now feels essential, both grounding and fulfilling. It has become vital to my well-being.  I’m more aware of my “why”—to find peace, to learn endlessly, and to leave a small mark on the world through beauty and colour that might uplift others.

4. What’s the main feeling you want to convey through your artwork for this exhibition?

The world feels increasingly fast, demanding, and uncertain. Through my art, I hope to offer a quiet pause—a moment to breathe and reconnect with beauty. I want viewers to slow down, to notice the gentleness that still surrounds us in nature, and to feel joy, calm, and hope. My paintings are reminders that peace can be found in the simplest moments, if we allow ourselves the time to truly see.

1. What advice would you give to other painters who are learning how to paint by themselves, like you did?

When I first started painting seriously, I made as much work as I could across a wide range of sizes, just to see what my hands and heart were drawn to. Whenever a new technique caught my interest, I gave myself a period of focused exploration, 30 days, 100 days, not as a rigid rule but as a container for deepening. One of my most formative projects was meant to be 100 days of collage, but I ended up immersed in it for over 200. That kind of curiosity-led commitment taught me more than any structured course could. So my advice: follow the spark. And then stay long enough to let it become something meaningful. That’s how you build a practice with depth.

2. Give us an insight into the creation of your artwork for this exhibition. What were the challenges and struggles? What were the gains and compensations?

This series was initially inspired by Josef Albers and his colour interaction studies, but as I worked, it evolved into something much more personal. Each piece became a visual mosaic of identity, an exploration of how we carry all our experiences, passions, and quiet selves within us. The challenge was in the nuance: how much of a tonal shift would evoke emotion without overpowering the composition? When does a small variation speak louder than a saturated hue? The line work also asked me to let go. Early on, I wanted the edges to be clean and controlled, but as the series progressed, I began to see those imperfect lines as records of my own energy. Some were focused and calm, others scattered or quick. And that variation became essential, it mirrored the emotional landscape the work is meant to hold.

3. In your artist statement, you speak about having the concept of a “bird’s eye view” perspective on your paintings. Could you delve deeper into what this means to you? Which art of your collection from this exhibition would you say represents it better?

That aerial view invites us to see life as a layered whole, not just in fragments. So often we get caught in the immediacy of what’s not working, or what needs fixing, and we miss the wider arc of who we are becoming. The bird’s eye view reminds us that each experience, even the ones we set aside or never fully pursued, contributes to our perspective. In this collection, Unvisited Places captures that spirit best. It speaks to the parts of ourselves we’ve shelved or forgotten in the name of productivity. It asks: What beauty might return if we gave ourselves time to wander again? What ideas might surface if we stopped to sketch, to pause, to notice?

4. What comes to your mind when you think of the title of this exhibition, ‘Material Memory’, and how does it resonate with your showcased artwork?

To me, Material Memory is the recognition that every color, every mark, every surface holds a trace of something lived. My work often starts from the body, from emotion, and then moves into material form. In this series, the subtle shifts in hue and the repetition of imperfect lines feel like artifacts of that process. They hold the memory of who I was when I made them. Each piece in Borders Not Limits is both structure and feeling, precision and residue. They are built layer by layer, and each decision, even the ones that were painted over, still lives in the final work. That, to me, is material memory: not just what is visible, but what’s been felt, shaped, erased, and remembered.

1.  You mentioned that the series in this exhibit is a representation of your journey from South Africa to Canada. Could you give a little walkthrough on your process to create these pieces? 

Moving from South Africa to Canada had its challenges, but through this series, I've been able to reconnect with the positive memories found in nature. My creative process involves mixed media. I use acrylics and incorporate inks and markers. I typically block in my main subject before moving on to oils, which I use to refine and complete the piece. I love blending abstract elements with realism.

2. Did your previous experience in photography help you in any way to create your pieces? Could you give us a little background on your exchange from the cameras to the paintbrush? 

Photography captures real-world moments and perspectives that are definitely helpful in the artistic process. Both mediums explore light, form and composition to tell stories and convey meaning visually. Photography has itself evolved as an art form - blending technical skill with artistic vision. I find that Visual Art allows me to be more creative.  I will always use my camera though!

3. Given your experience now, what advice would you give to your younger self who used to illustrate her handwritten books?

Advice that I would give my younger self? Don't hesitate. Own your dreams and take responsibility for bringing them to life. Keep creating and stay true to your passion.

1. Your art in this show uses different types of materials. How was your process to find your art style? 

The pieces in this show began with the Audrey Hepburn piece which started out as a single medium acrylic painting. By chance at an estate sale I came across a collection of movie memorabilia from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The daughter of the original owner explained to me the meaning that the items had to her mother. This inspired me to include elements from that collection (images, script, set photos) into my piece.  This then lead me to include other media (oil pastel), images, and typography, to further develop the depth of the piece.

2. What did you learn from your other experiences that inspired you to create art? 

The greatest lesson that I’ve learned is that a piece is never finished. Even when it is hung in a gallery or in someone’s home, the meaning and story that people add to the piece continues to give the work life.

3. You mentioned that your passion for pop culture and vintage styles made you create one-of-a-kind artworks. Would you say that using these important figures in your art creates a certain ‘Material Memory’ for you?  

The subject of my current works are idols and the importance that we put on them in our lives. These images give the viewer an opportunity to pause and  remember when - when they heard a song, saw a movie, or viewed a piece of art - and in that way the art itself revives a memory in you. That memory carries with it intense feelings, something we hear, or see, or smell. The art becomes the material of your memory.

1. Would you say that the title, “Material Memory”, resonates with your art and painting style?

Yes, the title of this exhibit very much resonates with my artwork, as well as with my painting style. Most of the time, I will notice a beautiful nature scene that I would snap a picture of with my phone camera so that I can save it for later and perhaps paint a landscape piece inspired by my photo. The issue, however, would be that the phone cameras do not always capture what the human eye perceives in real time. I believe the human eye is so powerful that it is able to capture the look of reality and to attach a specific memory to that beauty it sees. For me, bright colours is how I view life all around me. Colors define the beauty of any moment in time that I experience or have kept in my many memories of life. You will see that I incorporate more saturation and vibrancy to my landscape paintings, trying my best to capture the real moment as best as I can on the canvas. I want to show others what beauty and brilliancy I have seen and experienced, that they may be inspired to live life, keeping their memories of adventures alive and bright as well.

2. Would you say that avoiding the use of a palette makes your experience of painting more interesting, as you have the uncertainty of the final result?

Absolutely! For me, the idea of ditching the palette arose first from the conclusion that I was wasting good paint. I have worked with acrylics, so by the time I continued painting a piece later on in the day or the next day, the paint I mixed together would already dry up. It became frustrating, and I wasn’t about to spend money and time on specific art materials or methods to keep the paint remaining wet. So I decided early in my painting journey to get rid of the palette, and to just apply paint right onto the canvas. Ever since I’ve made this change in my painting process, I have found that I not only save a lot of usable paint, but I also trained myself as an artist to learn what specific colour combinations I get from mixing different colors without the worry of messing up my canvas. That’s how I am as a person in general as well as in my art: make the best of what I have, and I learn to adapt and grow from my skills every time. Yes, there is most definitely the uncertainty of not knowing how my painting will turn out from using this method, but with every masterpiece I have created, my art has become even better than my initial vision of the painting.

3. What materials/methods do you use to create the contrast and details of your paintings? What’s the process?

I am inspired by the Dutch painter Rembrandt for his use of highlights that pop out of some of his darker works of art. I work in a similar way. I paint from dark to light, I paint with bright and fun colors, and then I will add the highlights towards the end to bring to life the subjects or focal points of my paintings. In terms of creating a realistic landscape painting, I work sections at a time, from the farthest point in a scenery painting to the closest point of perception. With each section I work on, it looks like I’m painting weirdly-colored lines and shapes, but once I take a step further back, I see the bigger picture. I see and understand how every little line and dot and shape pieced together to become a landscape painting brought to life! The other unique touch I add to some of my landscape paintings is a section of clouds where I will incorporate either a bright sun shining on the waters, or a silver lining behind the clouds – demonstrating a symbol of hope among a world that appears dark and depressing, but also colorful and alive if you look closer. I want to speak of that hope and comfort and that good news to people through my art, which is why I incorporate a lot of these methods into a masterpiece I have experienced in my life.

Come meet all these artists in person at our Opening Reception on November 13th, from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Visit Material Memory, from November 4th to December 16th, only at Twist Gallery.

Step into the memory.

You don’t wanna miss it!

Beyond Pumpkins: What’s Trending in Fall Decor This Year

Autumn arrived and decided it's time to shake things up! This year, fall is redefining the concept of cozy! Traditional pumpkins and plaid aren't totally gone, but they’re making room for unexpected colour pops, rich textures, and a healthy dose of vintage flair. The vibe is to create spaces that feel grounded, serene, and story-filled. Here’s everything you need to know to be on trend this season: 

Reference: Pinterest

Earthy Colours 

Say goodbye to bright orange and hello to sun-baked terracotta, forest green, chocolate browns and yellow pastels, softened with creamy stone and warm whites. These tones give you that breeze of fresh air, so you can slow down and savour this season. 

Decor tips: 

★ Terracotta and Cream: A traditional but sophisticated combo. 

★ Plum and Pastel Yellow:  A whimsical and elegant combo. 

★ Verdigris and Moss Green: A grounded and nature-connected combo.  

★ Violet and orange: A pop of the unexpected colour on opposite sides of the palette combo.

Reference: Pinterest

Vintage Maximalism

From new and modern to old and vintage, this fall leans into hand-painted furniture, velvet sofas, mantels, heirloom ceramics, and most importantly, thrifted vintage decor. The real trend is to tell stories through your furniture, make the house your own and no one else's. Bring that cozy nostalgia and tell a story in every corner. 

This is also the perfect time to turn decorating into a fun, creative moment with friends and family. Why not host a cozy candle painting or vase-painting hangout? Set the mood with warm drinks, fall playlists, and a spread of art supplies. Whether it’s glass, candle, or vase painting, pumpkin decorating, or personalizing thrifted finds, these DIY get-togethers are a charming way to connect, create, and celebrate the season.

Bonus: everyone leaves with a handmade piece of fall decor they’ll actually want to keep!! 

Reference: Pinterest

Moodscaping and Nature 

Natural decor isn’t just rustic, it’s quietly luxurious. Add  mossy centrepieces, lichen-covered branches in ceramic vases,  brass candleholders, or sprinkle small acorns into tablescapes and natural woven baskets for visual warmth, subtle texture and seasonal grounding. This look pairs beautifully with soft lighting and textural throws. 

Reference: Pinterest

Angular Minimalism 

Rather than overall minimal setups, go bold on the small details. Think layered art, stacked books, metallic finishes, geometric statement tiles, colourful artwork, and bold brass accents. This style keeps things visually striking without feeling overwhelming. 

In this context, here at Twist Gallery, you may find an artwork that matches your fall decor vibe! 

Reference: Pinterest and Twist Gallery

Fall 2025 decor is all about balance: bold yet grounded, vintage yet fresh, cozy yet dramatic. Whether you're updating a full room or just refreshing a shelf, embrace these trends to create a space that feels both timeless and on-trend.

📸 Be sure to follow us on social media at @TwistGallery and keep posted on the blog for more posts like this!

Inside the Minds of Chaos.Curated. : Meet the artists

An exhibit exploring disorder, emotion, and transformation.

What does chaos look like in the eyes of an artist? 

At Twist Gallery, Chaos. Curated. our September - October 2025 exhibition puts this question at its core. Blending fresh perspective and seasoned artists with their emotion and identity, transforming disorder into something meaningful with every brushstroke. 

Chaos.Curated opens this fall at Twist Gallery. Don’t miss it.

Art Meets Street: Twist Gallery x Ossington Fest

Toronto's Ossington Fest is bringing the heat for a one day event of music, food, art, market   and wrestling matches. Twist Gallery, steps away from the action, invites festival-goers to detour into a curated world of art. Pair your street fest adventure with an artsy stop! Make the most of your Ossington Fest weekend – gallery style:

First Stop: Twist Gallery

Before diving into the festival crowds, take a breath and start your day at Twist Gallery. Our current exhibition, Whispers of Nature (on view until August 30), offers a quick escape from the city buzz.

📍 Just a short walk from Ossington Ave. at 1100 Queen Street West

Then, Hit the Fest

After you've wandered the peaceful vibes of the exhibit, head over to the Ossington Fest for live music, dancing, wrestling, patio hopping, artisan vendors, and all kinds of local flavour. It’s the perfect contrast to the meditative tone of the gallery — a full day of culture, connection, and community.

📸 Don’t Forget to Tag Us!

Tag us in your stories at @twistgallery.

We’ll be sharing our favorite festival-day visitor moments all weekend long!

🎨One-Day Fun + Artsy Itinerary: Queen Street West, Toronto

Where murals, matcha, music & magic collide

Looking to spend a full day soaking up the best of Toronto’s creative energy? Head to Queen Street West, the city’s undisputed hub of art, fashion, and good vibes. Whether you're a tourist, local, or somewhere in between, this one-day itinerary blends cozy corners, bold color, and unexpected finds for a perfectly artsy adventure.

☕ 10:00 AM – Start with a Sip

Go-to Spot: Castle Coal or Jimmy’s Coffee
Fuel your day with a smooth latte or matcha. Sit near a sunny window and do a little people-watching — this street is full of personality.

11:00 AM – Immerse Yourself in Art

Must-Visit: Twist Gallery (1100 Queen St West)
Step into a quiet moment of reflection and creativity. Our current exhibit, Whispers of Nature, is all about calming tones and organic textures, the perfect reset before diving into the buzz of Queen West.

📸 Pro Tip: Snap a shot of your favorite piece and tag @twistgallery in Instagram.

12:00 PM – Mural Hunt & Photo Op 🎨

Wander east and let the city become your gallery. Queen West is famous for its murals and graffiti alleys, look for Graffiti Alley (just south of Queen St near Spadina) or stumble upon colorful surprises in tucked-away laneways.

1:00 PM – Lunch Break: Time to Eat!

Pick: Bar Poet
This dreamy hidden pizza-and-cocktail bar feels like a garden temple crossed with a disco. See the pink neon glow, stay for the truffle honey pizza and spritz.

2:00 PM – Vintage, Vinyl & Artsy Finds

Pop into:

• Public Butter for vintage fashion

• Hanji Gifts and Easy Tiger for artsy gifts

• Rotate This for classic vinyl gems

You never know what you’ll discover.

3:30 PM – Chill at Trinity Bellwoods Park

Grab a cold drink or ice cream and find your patch of shade under the trees. Perfect for reading, sketching, people-watching, or catching up with friends.

5:00 PM – Sweet Treat Stop

Head over to Bang Bang Ice Cream or Andrea’s cookies for a sugar fix that doubles as Instagram content.

6:30 PM – Wrap it Up with Music or More Art

Catch a live set at The Drake Underground or The Garrison, or swing back to Twist Gallery if there’s an opening reception or art event. The Queen West vibe never really stops and neither should you.

Make it Yours

Whether you're in the mood to reflect, shop, snack, or dance, Queen Street West offers the perfect day blend of playful creativity and big-city charm.

Ready to start with an art-filled day?
Plan your visit to Twist Gallery and let the rest unfold.

Toronto Wedding Photography Spots That Look Like Art Prints

Choosing the right location for your wedding or engagement session can transform your memories into sunning works of art. Toronto is full of natural beauty and striking architecture that can make your photos look like curated art prints. Whether you love soft, romantic light or bold, urban backdrops, here are some of the city’s most unforgettable spots for capturing timeless moments.

1.The ROM’s Crystal Facade

The Crystal Façade of the Royal Ontario Museum is a beautiful, modern structure with dramatic angles and reflective glass. It makes for a unique and contemporary atmosphere for couples wanting a bold shoot. The light plays beautifully in and around the structure with dynamic reflections and bold silhouettes, particularly during golden hour. 

Tip: Late afternoons provide the most advantageous natural light. Plus the lovely artistic staircases within the museum makes for some unique shots.

2. Scarborough Bluffs

If you're envisioning romantic and airy scenes in nature, the Scarborough Bluffs does not disappoint with tourism-style towering cliffs and good views of Lake Ontario. This picturesque location can provide soft glowing light in the early morning and at sunset, making it the perfect backdrop for peaceful fine art portraits. 

Tip: Always know the limitations of the cliff edges, and always check park regulations before your visit.

3. Allan Gardens Conservatory

Step into a vintage glasshouse with a lushness of green and bright polarising light, when you are surrounded by tropical foliage and original iron works, you have an enchanting timeless sense of intimacy anywhere for soft, elegant portraits.

Tip: Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds and get uninterrupted photo sessions.

4. Graffiti Alley

Graffiti Alley is a treasure trove of urban art, perfect for couples after some vivid, colorful energy. This street art gallery, in-fact ever-changing, screams colors and stunning backdrops teeming with character and attitude that will add depth to your photos.

Tip: Go in the day for the best colors, and early morning or weekdays will help you escape the crowds too. 

5. The Aga Khan Museum & Garden

The Aga Khan Museum provides a space that is both peaceful and also visually appealing with its minimalistic style and tranquil gardens. They have a wonderful light and shadow relationship on the white stone surfaces of the museum, making it a tasteful and artful experience.

Tip: As you photograph, take advantage of the garden paths and reflect/bring attention to the reflecting pools to provide depth and peace to your images.

6. The Distillery District

Toronto’s Distillery District is a photographer’s dream for wedding photos that feel like fine art prints. With its cobblestone streets, Victorian-era brick buildings, and rustic charm, this historic area offers a timeless backdrop that blends industrial elegance with romantic vibes. It creates a canvas that elevates every shot and makes it frame worthy.

Tip:  Schedule your shoot during the golden hour, right before sunset - for warm, glowing light that enhances the district’s rustic textures and turns your photos into ethereal masterpieces for a modern twist.

7. Harbourfront at Dusk

Harbourfront provides terrific lake views and Toronto city skyline lit in a gorgeous golden light. When dusk arrives and the city lights begin to glimmer, it adds a cinematic, romantic feel to your portraits.

Tip: Consider bringing a tripod or stabilizer for shooting in low-light situations and explore shooting spots in the area near Queens Quay that allow for unobstructed views.

8. Evergreen Brick Works

Evergreen Brick Works has a combination of reclaimed brick buildings along scenic, forested trails for couples that want both rustic industrial features and natural beauty. This is a great venue for photos in an editorial-style that focuses on rich textures. 

Tip: utilize both indoor market areas and outdoor trails so you can have many different backdrops.

9. TIFF Bell Lightbox Rooftop

The rooftop at TIFF Bell Lightbox boasts stunning views of the city skyline, providing a sleek and cinematic background for your photos. This space is a great option for couples who seek an iconic Toronto feel, with dramatic backdrop opportunities. 

Tip: Book rooftop access ahead of time and try to plan your shoot during sunset for the best light.

Final Thoughts

Toronto has so many different backdrops for couples looking for wedding and engagement images that feel like art. With the massive urban structures, cool streets, parks, nature reserves, and more, Toronto's iconic spots can frame your love story in many different moods and styles. 

Since you just wrapped your photo session, you should also think about creating fine art prints from your portrait collections. We recommend using local Toronto printers and framers to create wedding memories with quality integrity while also supporting and showcasing Toronto's creative community.

Have a favorite spot in Toronto to capture your photos? Or maybe you have questions regarding locations for portraits you have in mind? Leave a comment below — we would love to hear from you!

‘Whispers of Nature’ Get to know the artists

As we welcome you into our newest naturescape exhibit, Whispers of Nature, we invite you to connect with the artists whose work captures the subtle beauty and quiet strength of the natural world.

In this blog, you'll hear directly from the artists as they reflect on their inspirations, creative processes, and the delicate ways nature finds its voice through their art. Each response offers a window into their world and a deeper understanding of the whispers that shaped their work.

Joanne LaMantia

1. What part of nature do you return to again and again?

Whether I’m walking through a city, forest or around the lake, I’m endlessly drawn to the majestic presence of trees and water. In the play of light and colour, I sense a quiet movement that captivates me. The bark of a tree transforms into a kaleidoscope of texture and hues and water holds my gaze with its ever-shifting rhythm and flow. Both elements continually inspire my work.

2. Do you think of your art as a kind of landscape?

My art is rooted in representational landscapes, but I like to weave in a touch of whimsy through unexpected colour choices or texture that breathe life into each scene. It invites the viewer to experience the familiar in a new way. I aim to strike a balance between the real and the imagined, encouraging a deeper connection with the landscape that inspires me.

3. How does time shape your pieces?

My art seeks to transcend time, capturing the endless beauty of the Canadian landscape - a beauty that deepens over time, less marked by nature's fury, and more defined by its incredible resilience. These moments feel suspended, neither in the past or future, but fully present.

Leah Olsen-Kent

1. What natural element or moment sparked this body of work?

I am deeply inspired by the gorgeous skies of Ontario, especially sunsets from Northern Ontario, where the colours just feel that much more intense against the silhouetted landscape. This body of work is born from that inspiration and those memories that are rooted within.

2. Do you create in silence, or do certain sounds guide your process?

I love painting outdoors. I spend my summers camping and painting in my outdoor studio, so I embrace and enjoy the sounds of nature, it fills me with endless inspiration. When I am not painting outdoors, I do often create in silence, letting the memories of the places I am painting take hold.

3. What does “quiet” in nature look like to you and how do you express it?

“Quiet” in nature are the calm moments experienced while taking in the inspiration, the sunsets, the silhouetted trees and the moments that sometimes go unnoticed by many.

Brenda LaRose

1. What does working with natural materials teach you?

The natural materials I work with in my art practice are the scenes that I use as my muse. Painting scenes from the lake teaches me patience, presence and gratitude. Nature doesn’t rush. It changes slowly and deliberately, which means I need to wait for the right opportunities for photos. I need to be present, observe closely and listen intently so that when I am interpreting the scene in my studio I can translate the feeling of that moment onto the canvas. I try to capture the full complexity of the scene with my paints and palette knives; the sunlight dancing spritely on the rippling water, the trees swaying in the breeze, or simply the layered silence of a calm morning sunrise. With each landscape I paint, my heart fills with gratitude that I can express myself in this way.

2. Which sense; touch, smell, sound; influences you most in nature?

Sound definitely influences me most (next to sight!). The quiet lapping of the water along the shore or against my kayak, the rustle of the wind through the pines and birches, and the distant call of the loon anchor me deeply into the moment. My early morning kayak trips on the lake are especially calming, because of the stillness and because the only sounds I hear are that of nature. These trips on the water are like meditation. That meditation stills my mind and grounds me in the beauty of the scenes I experience and interpret with each stroke of my palette knife.

3. What emotion sits quietly behind your latest piece?

Behind my latest piece is a quiet sense of longing. It isn’t sadness, but just a gentle ache for still moments that pass too quickly. It’s like the feeling you get after a perfect paddle, or at the end of a wonderful day by the lake, when the sun dips low and all feels right with the world. That sense of longing stays with me while I paint. The art I create is my way of holding onto that fleeting beauty and offering it back to the viewer.

Charina Koraksic

1. Which landscape or place is hidden in your work?

The hidden places in my work draw equally from the landscapes of Nova Scotia and Ontario. From the fog-veiled fields of my childhood in rural Nova Scotia to the quiet, rugged expanses of Northern Ontario, I’m drawn to moments where the natural world speaks in whispers—through mist, shifting skies, and subtle changes in light. These are not places I depict literally, but spaces I return to intuitively—where memory, emotion, and atmosphere blur together. Whether shaped by past experience or fleeting seasonal changes, these landscapes emerge as layered reflections of where I’ve been and how I’ve felt.

2. How do you translate emotion into natural form or texture?

Emotion flows into my work through the physical act of layering and smudging oil pastels—a process that is both intuitive and meditative. The materials respond to pressure, rhythm, and gesture, allowing feeling to shape form. There’s a quiet ritual in the way I blend tones and build texture, and this act of creation brings a deep sense of calm that I hope transfers to the viewer. Soft edges may speak of reflection or stillness, while more defined marks can hold tension or movement. The surface becomes a kind of emotional topography—one that invites others to pause and feel, too.

3. What kind of energy from nature are you trying to preserve?

I aim to preserve the quiet, often unnoticed energy of nature—the gentle resilience found in stillness, the hush before dusk, the pulse beneath a breeze. It's the kind of energy that whispers rather than shouts, that asks us to slow down and listen. My work seeks to hold space for this subtler vitality, to remind us that beauty and meaning are often found in the softest, most ephemeral moments.

Amy Oh

1. What role does fragility play in your art?

Fragility shows up a lot in my work. I'm drawn to how something can be soft and delicate but still have strength-like wildflowers growing through cracks in the sidewalk. That quiet kind of resilience really speaks to me, and I try to capture that feeling in my paintings.

2. Is there a single detail from nature that changed how you create?

Definitely. The way light filters through leaves. I remember sitting under a tree one day and just watching the light move. It felt so peaceful and full of life. Since then, I've been more focused on bringing that kind of calm, glowing energy into my work.

3. What do you notice in nature that most people overlook?

I tend to notice the quiet little things- like moss on a rock, the space between branches, or how the air moves when everything else is still. Those in-between moments often feel the most alive to me, and they're what I love to paint.

Jocelyn Williams

1. What movement in nature do you try to capture; wind, water, growth?

I'm interested in how people try to impose order and utility on the natural world, forcing nature back and creating constructions, and how nature tries to deal with this by filling back in, " healing" the barren spaces, nature is always trying to fill back in, and in urban spaces this can be especially chaotic, I do find myself attracted to different types of weather as well, as an expressive element in the compositions, I try to stay true to what I see.

2. Is your process more guided by memory or observation?

Probably more observation, but they are also  defined by a childhood in a suburb that was transitioning from fairly rural to more urban. My play places were marginal spaces, hydro fields, construction sites, abandoned orchards. I've had a long-standing interest in the natural world and started gardening from a very young age, starting with the magic of seed growing and plant propagation and eventually grappling with the realty of our impact on the environment and concern with how our food is produced. 

3. How do you hope people feel when they stand in front of your work?

Any way people want to react to my paintings is up to them and must be based on their own personal experiences. I have found people seeing different parts of the world reflected in areas mostly in Toronto and GTA, and people will see in them the things that interest them, architecture, history, signs and symbols of the urban world. 

Jane Mikas

1. What patterns in nature inspire the shapes you create?

As a child, I often found myself creating linear spheres as a doodle when I was bored. One of my teachers said they were a primitive shape from the Celtic pre-Christian era. While on the phone, I would draw repeating lines row after row.  I loved the meditative calm that I felt drawing these forms.  I am currently painting the round shapes in nature, such as leaves, tree forms, round stones, etc. It gives me a comfy, cosy grounded feeling. 

2. Does repetition in your work reflect something personal or organic?

I am consciously creating differences in my work. Linear lines alongside roundness in all its various forms keep things interesting.  Leaf shapes and pod shapes are a recurring theme. I love the look of Birch trees with their light -coloured bark and all their spotted eyes. These forms represent my love for the organic and help me connect spiritually to nature.

3. What’s the softest thing about nature that you try to show?

The soft, subtle tertiary colours in nature inspire me to paint. Withered fallen leaves contrast with the grey softness of the cloudy skies.  The white, hazy mist is probably the softest element in nature.

Paulina Colours

1. How do colour and nature speak to each other in your work?

I’m fascinated by the way light reflects off of water and all the subtle colours that appear the longer you stare into nature in its purest form. To me it is an act of worship to stare at nature and observe its beauty, the longer you stare the more you fall in love and the more colours you start to see and therefore appreciate deeply.

2. Is your art more about observing nature or feeling it?

By observing nature I feel it, the way it moves it can be calming or it can be intense and its rhythm can be chaotic or patterned either way it’s all perfectly divine. The order of chaos and its intensity can be invigorating feeling its power and even arousing the play between gentle and rough or cold and hot.

3. If this series had a season, which one would it be?

If this series had a season it would be a season of growth and blooming. Perhaps spring, of rising from the darkness into something new bursting from the earth reaching for the clouds and beaming with light.

Visit our Whispers of Nature exhibit from June 3rd to August 30th, 2025. Meet all the artists in person at our opening reception for the exhibit on June 19th from 6-9 pm.

‘Untamed Things’ Get To Know The Artists

Friends of Temagami

At Friends of Temagami, our mission has always been about more than maps, trails, or portages, it’s about the people who embody the spirit of this land. One of those people is Alex Mathias, a respected elder of the Temagami First Nation and one of the last to live year-round on his ancestral territory at Obabika Lake. In this special feature, we invite you to get to know Alex, not just as a steward of the old-growth forest, but as a storyteller, teacher, and living bridge between generations. Through your support, whether by purchasing a map or making a donation, you’re helping Alex continue his quiet but powerful work on the land.

Since 1995, Friends of Temagami has been the pre-eminent voice for wilderness ecosystems, protected areas, and backcountry recreation in the Temagami area. We are a leading voice for the protection and restoration of wilderness values in Temagami and the leading source for backcountry sustainable recreation information. Friends of Temagami is instrumental in ensuring that canoe routes and related values (e.g. campsites, portages, lookouts, hiking trails) are properly recognized, located, restored, protected and maintained. Friends of Temagami is a non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteers. Our funding comes from map sales, donations, and memberships. By buying a map, becoming a Friend, or making a donation, you are directly supporting our work.

Image Credits: Gary McGuffin

Q1. Can you all describe a moment when a scene insisted on being captured—when it wouldn’t let any of you go?

Morning at the campsite on the western side of Chee-skon-abikong Lake where we were struck by the scene across the water of sunlit white pines standing out in sharp contrast to the shaded rock cliff behind.

Q2. Are there certain sounds, smells, or sensations that influence what ends up in your art as a group? How do your individual sensory experiences come together in your collective work?

As artists, we are all uniquely experiencing the sensations of the land but because we are all there together, we are still all hearing the lap of water against shore, a particular birdsong or, in Temagami particularly, the sound of wind through those ancient white pines. And we all have the same smells around us. Pine, cedar, spruce, earth etc. Whether consciously or subconsciously, these smells are influencing our creative work as well.

Image Credits: Gary McGuffin

Q3. Why is the idea of untamed important to all of you as artists? What draws you collectively to that theme?

The untamed places attract us all but also knowing they are under threat. That feeling that we can collectively raise awareness for these wild places through our art in places like Temagami is exciting.  Artists and their art forms play such an important role in protecting wild places!

‘Untamed’ has a double meaning. It speaks both to the landscapes, and to the individual artists themselves experiencing unique perspectives on an overall common experience we are having together. I am the only artist whose medium is photography. I am as interested in capturing the story of the artists working together in the landscape, as I am in capturing the landscape myself. I am so inspired by all the untamed spirit around me - on the land and in the artists at work.

Q4. After the hike, after the painting—when you all step back and look at your finished works—how do you know, as a group or individually, that a piece is truly complete?

Untamed Things collective enjoys the camaraderie of discussing the day’s creative efforts around the evening campfire. In Temagami, we had this amazing opportunity to spend time with Alex. To Alex, this place is N’dakimenan. He shared with us a profoundly deeper understanding of this place through a lifetime of stories and experiences through all seasons. These stories brought a whole other awareness and dimension to our own creative work.

Visit our Untamed Things exhibit from May 2nd to May 31st, 2025. Meet all the artists of Untamed Things in person at our opening reception for the exhibit on May 15th from 6-9pm.

Queen Street in Bloom: Your Perfect Spring Day Itinerary

Hey there, sunshine seekers! You’re strolling down Queen Street, the air is buzzing with that sweet spring energy, and you are thinking, “What magical adventure awaits me today?” Well, grab your cutest sunnies and get ready, because we’ve crafted the ultimate Queen Street spring day itinerary just for you. We’re talking flowers, unique finds, delicious treats, and inspiring art.

We’re kicking things off at the vibrant Toronto Flower Market. On May 10th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, head to 1001 Queen Street West to immerse yourself in a world of beautiful blooms. Imagine rows of colorful tulips, fragrant lilies, and unique arrangements. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a bouquet to brighten your home or just enjoy the springtime atmosphere. A little tip: arrive early to beat the crowds and snag the best selection of flowers. Don’t forget to bring a tote bag for your floral finds. 

Image Credits: Chloe Constance Pinterest

After enjoying the flower market, make your way to Good Friends Market. This local market is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind items from talented artisans. You’ll find everything from handcrafted jewelry and art to vintage clothing and home decor. It’s a great place to discover something special and support local creators. Expect a friendly, relaxed vibe and a wide variety of unique goods. 

By now, you’ll probably be ready for a break. Buno Cafe is the perfect spot to refuel with a delicious lunch or refreshing coffee. This cozy cafe offers a welcoming atmosphere and a menu filled with tasty treats. We recommend trying their seasonal specials or a classic latte with a pastry. 

Image Credits: JoinPadmasPalette Pinterest

To bring your delightful spring day on Queen Street to a truly inspiring close, step into the vibrant world of Twist Gallery. Wander through the exhibits, let the bold colors and innovative forms spark your imagination, and discover pieces that resonate with you on a whole new level. It’s the perfect way to end your day, leaving you feeling inspired and full of creative energy.

A friendly reminder to wear those comfy shoes as you’ll be exploring quite a bit of Queen Street magic. Get ready for a blooming, bustling, and beautifully artistic day!

Timeless Wedding Keepsakes: 7 Unique Favor Ideas for Toronto Couples

When it comes to wedding favors, the parting gift should echo the elegance of the celebration. Here are seven distinct ideas, each imbued with the sophisticated, contemporary flair you would expect from a venue that values artistic expression:

1. Seed Packets

Forget the standard seek packet. Envision sleek, minimalist envelopes, perhaps adorned with a delicate watercolor rendering of the flower within. This isn’t just a gift; it’s an invitation to grow, a symbol of new beginnings presented with artistic refinement. 

2. Custom Hand Fans

For a summer wedding in a light-filled space, consider custom hand fans. Commissioned with contemporary geometric patterns or crafted from sustainable, high-quality materials, they offer both comfort and a touch of sophisticated style. 

3. Pressed Flowers 

Transform delicate pressed flowers into wearable art or framed keepsakes. Envision slim, contemporary metal frames or delicate glass lockets, each capturing a fleeting moment of natural beauty with an artistic eye.

4. Mini Succulents in Modern Vessels

Present mini succulents in minimalist ceramic pots or geometric terrariums. These aren’t just plants; they’re living sculptures, adding a touch of verdant elegance to any space, a contemporary nod to nature’s artistry.

5. Artisanal Tin Jars

Fill tin jars with artisanal jams, infused honeys, or hand-blended spices. Adorned with minimalist labels and elegant ribbons, these gifts reflect a refined palate, a taste of curated delights.

6. Personalized Slate Coasters

Elevate the everyday with slate coasters, engraved with subtle, contemporary designs. Presented in sleek, minimalist boxes, they’re functional pieces of art, adding a touch of architectural sophistication to any home.

7. Luggage Tags

For the discerning traveler, design luggage tags with modern, abstract patterns or sleek metallic finishes. Crafted from high-quality leather or durable materials, they’re stylish companions for future adventures, a nod to journeys yet to come.

8. Caricature Illustrations 

Instead of a static favor, provide a live artistic experience. Hire a talented caricature artist to create personalized illustrations for your guests during the reception. This becomes an interactive and memorable souvenir. 

9. Elegant Matchboxes

Elevate the humble matchbox. Design custom matchboxes with elegant patterns, monograms, or a meaningful quote. These become stylish keepsakes, providing a spark of warmth and remembrance. 

10. Signature Scents

Create a unique, customized perfume together as a couple. This personalized scent can be bottled in elegant, minimalist vials, offering your guests a truly one-of-a-kind and intimate memento.

In a space that values artistry and refined experiences, these curated keepsakes are more than favors; they’re reflections of personal style, echoes of an elegant celebration. We invite you to explore how thoughtfully chosen details can transform your event into an unforgettable artistic experience.

Evolve Fashion Show 2025 at Twist Gallery

Toronto’s vibrant fashion scene witnessed a spectacular showcase of Canadian talent at the recent Evolve Showrooms 4th Annual fashion show, held on March 27th, 2025, at the chic Twist Gallery. Evolve Showrooms, renowned for championing Canadian-owned fashion designers, curated an unforgettable evening that celebrated creativity, innovation, and the unique spirit of homegrown style.

Image Credits - Twist Gallery

The evening, hosted by Katrina Turnbull, offered a beautifully curated selection of Canadian design collections, highlighting both established and emerging talents in the industry. This blog post provides a recap of the event and highlights some of the unique vendors who participated.

The gallery’s Queen West location, with its modern aesthetic and ample natural light, served as an elegant backdrop for the showcase. The venue’s open layout allowed for a seamless flow between the runway and the various vendor displays, creating an engaging experience for all attendees.

Image Credits - Twist Gallery

Evolve Showrooms, under the direction of Ivanna Mitchell and her team, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurturing Canadian talent. This year’s showcase was a testament to their dedication, featuring a diverse range of collections that reflected the creativity and craftsmanship of local designers

A unique highlight of the evening was Yaelly’s live art installation, where she created custom artwork on jackets, blending fashion with a captivating artistic experience. Attendees also enjoyed artisanal cookies from Cold Milk by Marta McDonald, adding a delightful touch to the event. The Denise Lester Dance Academy (DLDA) brought a dynamic performance to the runway, incorporating movement and artistry into the show. 

In addition to the runway highlights, vendors like Mave & Chez showcased their stylish slippers, offering a blend of comfort and chic design. Permanent Jewelry Toronto & GTA offered a unique and lasting accessory experience, while Mati Company presented a curated collection of handbags and jewelry, adding a touch of elegance to the event. Influencers like Tania Tonello and Lindsay Libman were in attendance, sharing their favorite looks and adding their own stylish flair to the evening.

Image Credits - Twist Gallery

Evolve Showrooms continues to connect Canadian designers with retailers, fostering growth and showcasing the best of Canadian style!

You Just got engaged, now what!

Congratulations! Getting engaged is one of the most exciting milestones in life. After the initial joy and celebration settle in, you might be wondering: what comes next? Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry- we’re here to help. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started!

1.  Celebrate!

Before diving into the logistics, take a moment to enjoy this special time with your fiancé call your family, share the good news with friends, and maybe even plan an engagement party!

2. Set a Vision for Your Wedding

Start discussing what kind of wedding you both envision. Do you see a grand ballroom affair, a rustic barn wedding, or an intimate garden ceremony? Think about the season, guest count, and overall aesthetic to help guide your choices. Take advantage of bridal shows, where you get access to many resources and special prices for different services.

3. Create a wedding Email account

It’s time to get organized and keep all your wedding-related matters in one place. It will save you lots of time!

4. Set a Budget

Determine your overall budget early on. This will influence nearly every decision you make, from the venue to the catering to the guest list. Be clear on what elements are most important to you and where you can be flexible.

 5. Choose a Wedding Venue

Choosing a venue and securing a wedding date is a priority in the wedding planning process. Twist Gallery on Queen street west is a beautiful venue for intimate weddings, overlooking the city with tons of natural light beaming in to give you the perfect lighting for photos and calming atmosphere.

 6.  Get a planner or a spreadsheet

Whether it’s a digital or physical planner, keeping track of your budget, tasks, and timeline is key to staying on top of things. A planner can help take the pressure off you by handling logistics, timelines, and vendor coordination. Planners can also help you and your fiancé bring your dream wedding vision to life!

9. Pick a Date

Once you find your dream venue, secure a date! Consider factors like weather, guest availability, and the best time of year for your preferred location.

10.  SECURING VENDORS

Get quotes from different services Florals, Decor, Entertainment. Check out Bloomberry Florals in Toronto, they provide a great floral service and can give you the wedding theme you envision.


If you’re looking for the perfect venue, we would love to be a part of your love story. Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration! Contact us today to schedule a tour and star planning the wedding of your dreams!

From Canvas to Cake: How Art Can Inspire Wedding Details

Art has the power to transform a space, evoke emotions, and create a lasting impression- making it the perfect source of inspiration for wedding details. From invitations to cakes, here’s how couples can weave artistic elements into their big day, ensuring every detail feels like a masterpiece.

Wedding Invitations as Works of Art

Your wedding invitations set the tone for the event, and incorporating art-inspired elements can make them truly unforgettable. 

• Watercolour Washes- soft, dreamy pastel backgrounds mimic watercolour paintings 

• Hand-Painted Calligraphy- Elegant lettering with brushstroke details adds a sophisticated touch 

• Custom Illustration- Commission an artist to create a sketch of the venue, a portrait of the couple, or a floral design reflecting the wedding theme

Live Painting & Interactive Art for Guests

• Live Wedding Painter- Hire an artist to capture the ceremony or reception in real time, creating a keepsake painting of the event 

• Guestbook as Art- Instead of a traditional guestbook, have guests add brushstrokes or messages to a large canvas, creating a collaborative piece of art 

• Polaroid Art Collage- Set up a Polaroid station where guest can snap pictures and pin them to a creative backdrop for an evolving art installation 

The Wedding Cake: Edible Art

One of the most striking ways to incorporate art into a wedding is through the cake.

• Hand-Painted Cakes- Cakes with intricate, hand painted details inspired by impressionist paintings or watercolour designs 

• Abstract or Modern Designs- geometric fondant designs or metallic brushstrokes for a contemporary feel 

• Marbled or Textured Cakes- Cakes that mimic the look of marble, canvas textures, or swirling oil paintings 

• Floral-Inspired Cakes- Edible pressed flowers or 3D sugar flowers that replicate famous botanical artwork 

Wedding Favours with an Artistic Touch

• Miniature Paintings or Prints- Give guests a small art print as a unique keepsake 

• DIY Paint Kits- Personalized watercolour sets for guests to create their own wedding memories 

• Handcrafted Ceramic or Painted Coasters- Inspired by famous artworks or the couple’s wedding theme 

Hosting a Wedding at an Art Gallery

For couples looking for a venue that is both sophisticated and artistic, an art gallery wedding is a perfect choice. Twist Gallery, located in the heart of West Queen West, we’re known for our stunning loft-style space with exposed wooden beams, large windows, and rotating art exhibits.Twist Gallery provides an elegant and creative setting for weddings. 

Why choose an art gallery wedding at Twist Gallery?

• Built-in decor- No need for extensive decorations when you have artwork adorning the walls 

• Bright, airy atmosphere- Whether you want a classic or modern wedding, the space can be transformed to fit your vision 

• Exclusive and intimate- art galleries provide a more private and personal feel compared to larger banquet halls 

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that blends elegance, creativity, and an unforgettable atmosphere, an art gallery is the perfect venue. Twist Gallery offers a stunning space in the heart of West Queen West, where art, romance, and celebration come together beautifully.

Book a tour today to see how this unique venue can bring your wedding vision to life. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate ceremony or a stylish reception, Twist Gallery provides the perfect canvas for your special day.

Email: booking@twistgallery.ca

Phone Number: (416) 588 - 2222

"WANDERING" GET TO KNOW THE ARTISTS

Twist Gallery is excited to present WANDERING, an engaging abstract exhibition featuring the works of eight local artists. Each artist offers a distinct perspective on movement, exploration, and the unknown. With bold colors, textures, and fluid shapes, the exhibit explores themes of curiosity, transformation, and the spirit of wandering beyond the material world. WANDERING invites viewers to dive into the art, uncovering emotional and imaginative layers with every piece.

adi zur

1. You use newspaper headlines in your paintings. What makes a headline stand out to you when choosing one for your work?

The newspaper headlines that I gravitate towards when making selections for my artwork are those that grab the attention of the heart rather than the mind. When there is a headline that is personal and emotional, as well as symbolic and metaphorical, it resonates with me and becomes a compelling candidate for my canvas. 

2. How do you feel your paintings bring a sense of calm in a world full of media and noise?

My artwork is often described as deeply layered — both literally and figuratively. In a similar vein, the sense of calm that my paintings bring to viewers is also layered. On the surface are, most often, calm colours, and the very act of touring the painting with one’s eyes is a meditative experience. Beyond that, the content and messages embedded in the artwork mirrors life itself and as such validates the observer’s own very human experience — leaving one with the calming and reassuring notion that they are not alone.

3. Your background in philosophy and teaching seems unique. How do those experiences influence your art today?

Having a background in both philosophy and teaching influences my art in my efforts to awaken reflexivity and thoughtful contemplation in the viewer — especially in the realm of the abstract. That said, even before I explored philosophy and teaching, I was rooted in expressing the intangible. Rather than choosing to pursue figurative or landscape art, abstract was what spoke to me — even as a child. In fact, when I was in art class in kindergarten a little classmate of mine was dumbfounded by my choice of artistic expression. I painted God, while the rest of my class chose flowers, and family, and pets.

4. You talk about a lost connection to ancient knowledge. How do you hope your art helps people reconnect to that?

Ancient knowledge is replete with those aspects of ourselves that evolved over hundreds of thousands of years: the instinctive, the emotional. Recently, in our modern times, we have moved away from developing those core features of self.  By gluing headlines to canvas my artwork grounds us in the contemporary and reminds us that we are severed from the connection to our ancient pasts.

robin potter

1. Where does your story stem from? Have you grown around art or did your passion start as you grow? Is there a certain age you knew for sure this is something you’d want to be doing for the rest of your life – possibly on its own or alongside other things?

I’ve always had a connection to art. It began with an avid interest in literature, dance, and the visual arts. When I was younger I learned classical ballet and pursued degrees in literature, with a strong focus on modernist and contemporary texts and theory. During this time, I also pursued a passion in painting and still have artwork I completed in my teens. Art has always informed my life and similarly my life has informed my artist practice. While I did take a hiatus from painting while pursuing my career and raising a family, I began devoting more time and attention to painting about seven years ago and am now exploring thematic streams.

2.You’ve mentioned that your art explores themes of gravity, organic transformation, and modern life. Why are these themes so central to your work? Is there a personal experience or event that sparked your interest in these concepts?

I was raised in semi-rural Quebec and had an intense connection with nature because that was all that was around me. At the same time, I had an awareness of the progress of civilizations and cultures which I gained early on through literature and more recently through news media. I began to explore the apparent disconnection between technologies and the experience of the natural world through my art by juxtaposing natural, organic forms that are in nascent stages against backgrounds representing constructed environments. Through these paintings I hope to express my deep concern or sense of gravity for the imminent perils brought about by our focus on technologies.

3.Your work often contrasts natural, organic forms with structured, geometric backgrounds. How do you approach this balance in your process, and what do you think it reveals about the intersection of nature and the human-made world?

Most of us work and play with technologies, which are constructs of our modern personal and work lives; they in fact consume much of our attention. When I paint, I feel released from the constraints of computer worlds, and feel that I enter a playground of sorts where I can create and recreate ecological spaces using a variety of materials— human-made and natural. The process of applying materials on the canvas, designing shapes, exploring the themes and currents of weight, sadness, consternation, balance, weightlessness, precariousness, and emergence helps me to feel that somehow I can the defy the gravity that surrounds us.

4.Your work has been showcased in diverse spaces—from the Ontario Legislature to the AGO. How does the setting or context of each exhibition influence the way you present your art and why Twist Gallery?

The setting of each exhibition offers opportunities to create resonances with the art pieces that augment their meanings and sometimes take their significance in different direction. Not only does the space affect how an artwork “glows” but every person who views the work brings with them their own rich interpretation and sentiment. Twist is a beautiful space set in Toronto’s urban landscape. It’s open space gives room for the artwork to breathe, and in the company of the work of other artists, it can create resonances that are at once coincidental and unexpected.

markus moos

1.Your art blends influences from pop-art, surrealism, and graffiti. How do you decide which elements to combine in your pieces?

This is very much an instinctive process. My art rarely starts with a specific plan. I begin by combining colours and shapes which then take me in a particular direction. I let the art guide me in terms of what seems to come together. Each piece has a unique story in terms of its evolution. I am guided by what seems to work visually. There is a lot of trial and error in my work. I think that's critical to the creative process, trying things out and seeing where they lead. I do often look for visual contrast and find ways in which I can use colours and shapes to create patterns that evoke interest by way of contrast.

2. You explore themes like mental illness, identity, and nature in your work. How do these personal experiences shape the way you create art?

My art is deeply personal, and always a reflection of me and my thought patterns, emotions, and so on. I also find the process of creating art very restorative and calming so it's helpful to make art in terms of grounding me during difficult times. Some of my art draws directly on personal experiences for inspiration, other pieces are more indirectly shaped by my own unique circumstances. I also hope my pieces instil a sense of hope through the use of colour and natural images. I live with OCD and social anxiety disorder, and part of the reason I make largely abstract and “messy” art is to overcome perfectionism that can come with these disorders. There is also a lot of emphasis on neurodiversity, non-binary ways of looking at the world, and the importance of rest and contemplation in my art. I like to convey a sense of hope through my work, hope that we are capable of working through difficult times and help each other feel like we all belong. Most of my pieces include many layers, and as such each piece conveys several parts of my own lived experience in some form.

3. How do you know when a piece of art is finished? Is there a specific moment or feeling that tells you it’s done?

There is definitely a feeling that tells me when a piece is done. It's difficult to describe. I can 'just tell' when a piece feels finished. When done, the colours, shapes, and overall composition come together in a way that instills a sense of completion. When a piece is complete, I feel a sense of joy about having brought shapes and colours together in a way that communicates something. My pieces never feel done until they communicate some sort of message that I can get behind. Some pieces are finished relatively quickly but most come about over a longer period of time, working on them in many sessions. Because I work with digital art, there is also flexibility to combine previously unfinished and finished pieces into new ones.

4. As a self-taught artist and urban planning professor, how do your two worlds influence each other? Does your background in planning impact how you approach your art?

The two worlds definitely shape each other. At first, it was my interest in visuals and communication in urban planning that brought out my art. Some of my art is directly shaped by academic research projects, for instance on the changing nature of cities, the importance of high-quality public space, and the role of high-rises in our communities. Art also shapes my academic work in that it has given me a greater appreciation for unstructured processes. I tend to be much more goal oriented in my academic work whereas I am more inclined to let my art evolve on its own. There is a healthy tension between these two worlds, I think, that continues to allow me to move forward and grow but not in an overly deterministic way. Ultimately urban planning is about how to shape our communities and my art tries to capture various parts of our natural and built forms in new ways.

Briggite Boulay

1.Your work draws inspiration from the idea of wandering through the forest and seeking a deeper connection with nature. What personal experiences or memories from your own life have influenced this theme?

I have always felt a deep connection with nature and animals. I was born sensitive to the environment around me and learned to seek peaceful places from a young age. The world can be a very noisy place! Nature and the arts have been consistent interests in my life, which help me stay grounded. Some notable experiences in nature include gardening with my grandmother, canoeing through Algonquin Park, swimming with turtles in the Caribbean, jumping off a cliff in Jamaica, and taking in all the colourful flowers and natural scenery during my travels in Europe & Canada.

2.You mention the powerful impact Chris McCandless’ story had on you, especially with Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack. How does music play a role in your creative process, and do you have other pieces that have been influenced by music in a similar way?

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Coming from a family of professional musicians, I've been exposed to a wide array of styles and instruments. When beautiful poetry is set to music, the words come alive, breathing into your soul and touching something deep inside. Being naturally sensitive, I feel the power of music profoundly. An artist's work, from their lyrics to the instruments they choose, creates something so special that it resonates within me, inspiring me to create in their honour. For instance, my piece entitled "Jeremy" was created for Jeremy Dutcher, a classically trained Canadian Indigenous tenor, composer, musicologist, performer and activist. He honored his people with his angelic voice and incredible compositions, transforming something sacred into an extraordinary musical experience.

3.In your artist statement, you talk about escaping to discover who you really are. How does creating art allow you to explore and express that deeper sense of self?

When you create, you are engaging in a deeply sensory experience. You must delve into not just the intricate details, but what inspired you to create. While knowing the artistic rules and guidelines is important, what truly makes art resonate is capturing that elusive feeling – that unique place only you know and have now shared with the world. It involves embracing what takes your breath away, both the good and the bad. Through art, I am communicating from my soul and discovering what drives my creative expressions. From the beauty of flowers and trees to activism and the continuous expansion of my artistic styles, I am growing and speaking to you through these experiences.

4.Your professional journey includes formal education, workshops, and private lessons. How have these different learning experiences shaped the way you approach your art today?

If you look closely, you’ll notice elements of folk art, palette knife techniques, brush work, fabric sculpting, paper arts, and more. As a little girl, my mother would take me along on her many artistic adventures. Since then, it's been a continuous journey of nurturing my artistic curiosity. I took my first painting classes with my mom when I was 11 years old. I believe that each piece I create embodies a part of everything I’ve learned, all stored in my creative reservoir.

Robert Ross

1.Your art is all about the movement and interaction of colours. Can you explain the process you use to create these effects and what draws you to this approach?

Executing this process requires careful control to keep the colours on the canvas. Achieving a thick, viscous consistency of paint is crucial to create elaborate lines and edges. Imagine the canvas laid flat, an arrangement of colours poised to mix, as the pigments move and converge by way of gravity, intricate details are created almost organically. The delicate threads of colour positioned side by side and other details make each piece impossible to replicate by hand. They will always remain genuinely unique. Additionally because these works are genuine abstractions that don’t represent any specific form, they can have lasting impact. Each day, a viewer may observe new details, keeping the experience of the artwork fresh and captivating for years to come.

2.You’ve been experimenting with your style since 1998. How has your work evolved over the years, and what keeps you inspired to refine your technique?

The pursuit of perfection is a significant motivating factor for me. I aim to create an iconic looking piece that resonates with viewers. My work has evolved through adding colours, experimenting with various colour combinations, and learning to maintain control of the free-moving paint.

3.One viewer described your artwork as "looking at God.” How do you feel when people have such deep, personal reactions to your work?

I believe these works can enhance any empty wall but I am always amazed and flattered when someone expresses interest in acquiring one.

4.Each piece has a unique title like "Requite" and "Myopia." Can you share the stories or ideas behind some of these names and how they relate to the artwork?

The titles are chosen based on the beauty of the arranged letters — not their meaning, but their visual appeal. Similarly, the paintings focus on the beauty of the paint itself, rather than trying to convey an impression of something else.

Roxana Bahrami

1.Your work focuses on the resilience and adaptability of natural ecosystems. How do you personally relate to these themes, and how do they shape the way you approach your art?

For me, resilience and flexibility are essential not just in nature but also in art and life. As a self-taught artist, I’ve learned to embrace challenges, adapt, and grow through experimentation. My journey with pointillism has been one of patience and persistence — building intricate dot by dot mirrors the steady resilience found in nature. Just as water carves its path over time or forests regenerate, my creative process requires trust, adaptability, and an openness to change. Fluidity reflects these values, reminding me that both in art and in life, we thrive when we allow ourselves to evolve with our surroundings.

2.Pointillism requires incredible patience and precision. What is it about the process of building an image one dot at a time that resonates with you, and how does it reflect your approach to life or mindfulness?

Pointillism has taught me patience, presence, and the beauty of intentional slow creation. Each dot requires focus, yet the full image only emerges over time — just like in life, where small, consistent actions lead to meaningful outcomes. This approach extends beyond my art; it shapes how I navigate challenges, embracing the process rather than rushing to the result. Mindfulness is at the heart of my practice, as placing each dot becomes a meditative act, grounding me in the present moment. Through my workshops, I encourage others to experience this mindful rhythm, using art as a tool for relaxation, self-expression, and inner balance."

3.In your "Fluidity" series, you explore the interconnectedness of environmental elements. Can you share how you translate the complex dynamics of nature into the textured, detailed style of pointillism?

I hope when viewers experience Fluidity and my dot painting pieces, they feel a sense of calm, curiosity, and connection. The intricate details and layered textures invite them to slow down, observe, and immerse themselves in the rhythm of the artwork — much like nature itself encourages us to pause and reflect. Through Fluidity’s movements I want to evoke a feeling of balance and harmony, reminding viewers of the quiet resilience and beauty found in natural ecosystems. Many have shared that my work brings them a meditative or even therapeutic experience, which resonates deeply with my belief that art can be a form of mindfulness. Ultimately, I hope my pieces inspire a greater appreciation for both art and the natural world, encouraging a moment of stillness in our fast-paced lives."

Kareen Hague

1. Your art mixes realism and impressionism. How do you decide when to use one style over the other?

I like to have the viewer look at the painting and imagine what they see. What they see will come from their life experiences. My hope is that the painting will remind them of a place that they have been or remind them of a feeling they had at some point in time. I want the paintings to have a realistic feel with an impressionistic blend of colour. When you get up close and really look at the marks of the painting, it is hard to imagine what it is until you step back and the image reveals itself.

2. Nature is a big inspiration for you. What is it about birch trees, lakes, and wildflowers that draws you in?

I love birch trees because they are a symbol of new beginnings and they have an amazing ability to renew. I started painting my signature birch trees at a time of new beginnings. They provide me with hope for the future.

The tree is known to carry ancient wisdom and yet appears forever young. I love this! I also love water and just sitting and listening and watching the sparkle. You can see so many colours. The water can be calm or raging waves, it is always peaceful. And wildflowers are just beautiful. I can sit and watch them sway in the wind for hours. I like to represent them abstractly in my landscape paintings or paint them so that the viewer feels that they are sitting right in the field.

3. You use a mix of tools in your work. Is there one tool or technique you love most for creating texture?

 I use many different items to add random marks and colour to the paintings. Scraps of plastic, cardboard, old worn out brushes, rollers, plastic bags. I find that the unusual marks really help to allow the under layers of colour to show through because of the textural background. My favourite might be adding marks with the side of an old worn out brush.

4. You talk about seeing beyond the surface in nature. What do you hope people notice when they look at your art?

Seeing beyond the surface really is what the viewer experiences from the painting. What field or view or time of their life does it remind them of, beyond the visual view of the painting. When I am walking in nature, I find you can look directly beside you or you can look through the foliage and imagine what is deep in the woods or far beyond the field in view. 

Shawn-Paul Thompson

1.Your journey from corporate life to pursuing art is inspiring. How did that transition unfold for you, and what challenges did you face in shifting from a structured environment to the freedom of creative expression?

The transition to a more art inspired focus is ongoing, as a balance a full-time role in Film Distribution, and pursue my art career. Since I work in the entertainment industry, there are creative components which compliment my work in art, and give me the skills I need to market, submit and present my art in a professional, yet creative and artistic way.

2.You describe your work as having a sense of movement and resilience. How do you translate those feelings of motion and transformation into your abstract pieces, and do they evolve as you work on them?

I use the words movement & resilience, because I am always building and removing components to find the abstract story.  I have the luxury of a home studio, so I can work on my art whenever I am inspired. There are lots of circles and movement in my pieces. I like a story that is moving towards my next adventure in life, and on the canvas.  I know when a painting is done; I feel it.  Sometimes the story reveals itself early, sometimes the process takes months.

3.As an artist who's embraced both solo shows and online platforms, how do you feel about the intersection of traditional gallery exhibitions and the digital art world? How has building an e-commerce platform influenced the way you connect with your audience?

My signature shows are solo ones, and in a non-traditional environment, that opens art to a larger audience. Making art approachable is key to expanding your buyer or client. E-commerce and digital platforms, magazines, and galleries expand your audience internationally. More eyes on your work, and your name. As an artist, I want to meet my client and for us to have a connection.  A part of me will be in their home or office, so it is nice to have a personal connection with the artist and their work.  As a marketing tool, digital arenas expand your reach, they can't duplicate a gallery, or a physical connection to the art.

Visit our WANDERING exhibit from February 1st - April 27th, 2025. Meet all of the above artists in person at our opening reception for the exhibit on Feb. 27th from 6-9pm.

Valentine’s Day in West Queen West: The Best Date Ideas & Local Hotspots

Love is in the air, and whether you’re planning the perfect date night, a fun outing with friends, or a little self-care celebration, there’s no better place to spend Valentine’s Day than right here in Dundas West. From Valentine’s Day markets to hidden gems, we’ve got the ultimate list of things to do that will make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable. 

Gift Ideas:

If you’re looking to shake up your Valentine’s Day with craft cocktails, Cocktail Emporium has everything you need. This Toronto-based shop is a paradise for cocktail lovers, offering a curated selection of bitters, syrups, glassware, and bar tools to help you mix the perfect drink at home. It will sure make your Valentine’s toast unforgettable. 

Looking for a luxurious and memorable gift this Valentine’s Day? Rugayya Oud Perfume specializes in rich, long-lasting fragrances inspired by the timeless art of Oud perfumery. With a collection of high quality, handcrafted scents, this brand offers the perfect way to add a touch of elegance and romance to any occasion. Perfume Oud ensures you’ll leave a lasting impression. 

For a Valentine’s Day gift that’s as special as your love, Melanie Auld Jewelry offers beautiful designs with a personal touch. Known for its timeless pieces, from dainty gold necklaces to meaningful birthstone charms, this Canadian brand creates jewelry that tells a story. Auld’s collection has the perfect piece to cherish forever.  

Flower Shops:

Nothing says romance like fresh, beautifully arranged flowers and Poppies, Plant of Joy is the perfect place to find a stunning bouquet for your Valentine. This boutique floral shop specializes in artful, hand-tied arrangements that bring joy and elegance to any occasion. 

For a truly breathtaking floral arrangement this Valentine’s Day, DeMarco Perpich Fine Flowers offers luxury blooms that make a lasting impression. Known for their exquisite designs and high-quality flowers, this boutique floral shop creates stunning bouquets that capture the beauty of love. 

For a floral gift that’s as unique as your love, Euclid Farms offers breathtaking, nature-inspired arrangements crafted with locally sourced and sustainably grown blooms. This boutique flower shop specializes in organic, garden-style bouquets that feel effortlessly romantic and beautifully wild. 

Date Ideas:

For an intimate and unforgettable Valentine’s Day experience, Henry’s Toronto offers a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for a romantic night out. This charming cafe and bar blends cozy elegance with a thoughtfully curated menu, featuring expertly crafted cocktails, fine wines, and delicious small plates. 

Fallen Feather is a new gem on Toronto’s Ossington Ave, offering a unique fusion of Asian and French flavours. The menu blends French techniques with Korean ingredients. The cozy, stylish interior sets the mood for an unforgettable evening. Pair your meal with a craft cocktail, soak in the warm ambiance, and celebrate love over a dining experience designed to impress.

For a Valentine’s date with a touch of mystery and charm, No Vacancy offers a hidden gem experience in the heart of Toronto. Inspired by vintage hotel bars, this speakeasy-style lounge features handcrafted cocktails, plush velvet seating, and an intimate ambiance perfect for a romantic night out. Alongside its expertly mixed drinks, the menu offers elevated comfort food, from gourmet sliders to indulgent shareable plates. No Vacancy sets the stage for a Valentine’s celebration filled with style and allure.

However you choose to celebrate, Valentine’s Day in Queen West offers endless ways to make the day special. Whether you’re indulging in a romantic dinner, finding the perfect gift, or exploring unique experiences, there’s something for everyone. For an extra touch of inspiration, stop by Twist Gallery, where stunning art and a dreamy atmosphere set the perfect scene of romance. However you spend the day, let it be filled with love, laughter, and a little magic!

"CAPTURE" GET TO KNOW THE ARTISTS

Step into a world of diverse landscapes at CAPTURE, a photography exhibition featuring the work of 8 talented local artists of the GTA.

This compelling showcase delves into a range of themes, from the peaceful serenity of nature to the vibrant energy of urban life, highlighting the beauty often hidden in everyday scenes. With striking stills of cityscapes, rural vistas, and even the vastness of outer space, CAPTURE offers a unique perspective on both our earthly surroundings and the cosmos beyond.

Raju Alexis

1.How did you land on Photography as a medium, how did your journey as an artist begin?

I bought my first point-and-shoot digital camera in 2003, marking the beginning of my journey into photography. Growing up, I used to indulge in drawing and painting, which perhaps played a role in shaping my understanding of composition, light, and colour. Photography, however, offered a unique advantage—the results were immediate unlike the long process of creating art on a canvas, and this instant gratification sparked a deep enthusiasm for the medium. Over the years, traveling and taking pictures became a way for me to connect with the world, and continue exploring my artistic vision.

2. Are there any challenges in capturing a sense of stillness in a world full of constant motion? How do you overcome them?

Capturing a sense of stillness in a world full of constant motion is one of the defining challenges of long exposure photography, but it’s also what makes the results so rewarding. Scouting the ideal location and a vantage point for the perfect composition is my primary goal. Using neutral density (ND) filters also helps to further extend exposure times, allowing the camera to smooth out chaotic elements. Tripod stability is critical, so I ensure it’s secured to prevent vibrations, even in windy conditions. Patience and flexibility is key and there is a lot of trial and error that goes into creating long exposure images. Post-processing also plays a role in enhancing the desired mood, where distractions are minimized to preserve the serenity I seek to capture.

3. What role does light and atmosphere play in shaping the mood of your photographs?

I shoot only during the blue and golden hours around sunset because they can transform nature into breathtaking compositions with soft, diffused light. The interplay of these natural light conditions not only enhances the textures and colours in my photographs but also allows me to experiment with mood and storytelling. 

4. What was your process in choosing these particular pieces for the capture exhibit?

I wanted to choose images that truly reflected my style of photography. Over time, I have found immense joy and fulfillment in creating long exposure waterscapes, where resulting images exude a sense of calmness and peacefulness. There's something almost meditative about the process - slowing down, and observing the subtle play of light and movement. 

Leanne Hay

1.Some of your work, like “The Sweet Spot” and “The Morning After,” explores unique lighting conditions. What draws you to blue hour and golden hour, and how do you use these moments to convey emotion? 

My favourite thing about this time of day is the anticipation and the surprise of not knowing what you’re greeted with when you get up early and head out in the dark. It can often be the calmest part of the day before the wind whips up and the birds and wildlife are more vocal. With the blues, pinks and mauves that are often present reflecting off the clouds, I like to slow it down and take a longer exposure which smooths out the clouds and water, enhances reflections and intensifies the colours creating a dreamy, serene surprise. I have always liked vibrant colours;from the turquoise of the ocean, to the colour of my car and the clothes I wear.

2. What's the most challenging part of taking photos in a time sensitive window?

The most challenging part of working in a time sensitive manner for me is to calm down and take in the scene. For example, during the various phases of a morning (nautical twilight, blue hour, golden hour, and sunrise) each phase only lasts about 15 minutes. When I see amazing colour starting in blue hour, I get too excited and want to be everywhere at once. I don’t do my best photography when I am running from one place to another. I like to be in the moment and peruse the scene and look for different compositions and perspectives. Are there awesome cloud formations and reflections that would benefit from a longer exposure or is it a pretty golden hour devoid of any clouds with wildlife action requiring a faster shutter speed. I was recently in Botswana during dusk shooting the full moon when a giraffe walked into the scene. I got so overwhelmed with what I was seeing. Before I realized my camera settings were off, he strode out. Most often you have another opportunity to try for the shot, not so with the giraffe.

3. What do you hope viewers experience when they see your work, particularly the pieces featured in CAPTURE?

I hope viewers will experience the awe and joy that I feel when I’m out in nature and be inspired to get out and explore the world for themselves; whether it’s in their own city or travelling further afield. There is so much beauty around us. Going for a walk, taking a weekend drive, or CAPTURING your own sunrise; be present in the moment as you never know what the future

Benjamin Gibson 

1.What does the word capture mean to you personally? Is it about freezing a moment, telling a story, or something else entirely?

Thinking about the word “capture” it’s only the first step in the process. The most important, but the first. To capture something is to secure it in place – a moment in time perhaps. To keep something is an entirely different scenario. Good hunters don’t just shoot to kill. They gather it, skin it, butcher it and treat the meat, they give it attention and make it into a part of their life. With photography the same can be said, there is a moment of capture, but then a time comes for choice, and care in the processing of the photo, which photo to print, what format and what size? How to frame it? There is a whole life around works of art as there is a wild animal in the woods. Instead of nourishing the body, the images nurture the soul. I’m a vegetarian for the record.

2. Your work explores the intersection of grit and beauty. What draws you to this duality, and how do you bring it to life in your urban landscapes and portraits?

The more I ventured into commercial photography and filmmaking the more I tried to fight the grit of reality. That’s a lot of what advertising does. The deeper you go into beauty the more you realize perfection is only an illusion that’s very shortly broken by reality. In this series in particular series authenticity of the photos was very important, so processing was kept to a minimal and no retouching was done. I like to keep the grit in the work because it makes it more real, more believable, and maybe not more palatable, but more closely aligned with our shared reality. Through this series of work I embraced the grit of real work, unfinished roads, large industrial ships, dirt and imperfections that despite being pre-conceived as unattractive are actually central to our world and a necessary and inevitable factor to life. And to Canada, the overall subject of the greater series.

3. Are there specific pieces in this exhibit that you feel best represent your artistic philosophy or style? Can you share their backstories?

Light & Lines (Photo taken in Calgary) does a pretty good job of representing the way I look at the world. It’s momentary. Often because moments pass so quickly. I’m often surprised I had the wherewithal to take a photo at all when life moves so fast. Maybe that’s part of why the concept of Capture is interesting Somethings are not looked at as beautiful until you see them in a new way. In this moment, the sun hitting the concrete was beautiful. A minimal and simple abstract painting happening in nature. This photo was part of a short timelapse, trying to capture the suns movements, but the single image represented what the moment was, more than the video in this case.

4. If there’s one takeaway you want people to have after experiencing your work, what would it be?

If people take anything away from my work, I’m grateful. If I could choose, I would want people to step outside of themselves for a moment when they look at my work. Get lost in a moment that looks at something in a unique perspective. They are now experiencing a thing it in a different way. I would like the viewer to take away the understanding that many perspectives exist and are valid. Be it through the eyes of someone else’s moment or a share moment in time. Moments that will never really exist again. I’d be more interested to learn more about any given viewer, their life, and their loves, than they might realize, for instance. And I of course would love it if they visited my website and followed me on Instagram to keep up with new work.

Anastasiia Khvostyk

1.Your work beautifully showcases bustling urban life and serene natural landscapes. What draws you to explore this duality, and how do you balance these contrasting worlds in your photography?

The duality of urban life and natural landscapes fascinates me because it reflects the diverse experiences that shape our world. Urban scenes offer vibrant energy and dynamic stories, while nature provides a sense of calm and timeless beauty. Balancing the two in my photography lets me explore both sides of life, highlighting the unique character of each—whether it’s the hustle and movement of city life or the tranquility of a quiet forest.

2. How do you adapt your techniques and style when transitioning between photographing urban environments and natural landscapes?

Photographing urban environments often means focusing on compelling angles, creative framing, and capturing fleeting human moments. Nature, on the other hand, is unpredictable—it’s shaped by shifting weather, light changes, and unique moods, like the drama of a sunrise or the softness of a cloudy day. This unpredictability makes every nature shot distinct and pushes me to be patient and adaptable, creating imagery that feels truly connected to the moment.

3. How has living in Toronto influenced your artistic perspective, and what unique opportunities has the city provided for your photography?

Living in Toronto has profoundly shaped my artistic vision, offering a vibrant mix of cultures, architecture, and green spaces to explore. The city has given me incredible opportunities, such as showcasing my work at exhibitions like “Capture” at Twist Gallery. These events not only allow me to share my art but also connect me with like-minded individuals who inspire and support my creative journey, helping me set and achieve new artistic goals.

Alex Christoforou

Image via Alex Chistoforou

1. Can you share more about the transition from your abstract work to architectural photography? How has that evolution influenced your artistic vision?

My past abstract work was largely made up of mirrored objects creating an abstract form.  Soon after I began applying this to architecture, I was inspired to focus solely on the buildings in their original form.  While I have largely moved away from abstract, the mirrored technique can still be found in my recent work including “escalate” which is part of this exhibition.  This gradual change has influenced the way I perceive architecture.  Abstract principles have always encouraged me to look beyond the surface and not take things at face value. 

2. How do you decide which architectural details to highlight in your work, and what draws you to a particular structure?

One of the many aspects I like to focus on is the directionality of lines and light.  I use these two variables in tandem to draw the viewers eye.  This influences my decisions as to what details to highlight.  I’m usually drawn to various forms of architecture including brutalism, neo-futurism, Georgian revival and gothic.  I usually am drawn to a subject for their architecture as well as their surroundings.  Since simplicity is the hallmark of my style, empty skies and buildings standing alone typically catch my attention.

3. What guided your decision in selecting these specific pieces for the Capture exhibit?

I wanted to display my signature style as well as some new concepts I’ve been working on.  As an artist I’m always trying to find new ways to expand my approach, adding more uniformed images to separate from my black collection.  All of the selected works fit my minimalistic style, while still highlighting the immense detail.  I also choose to use metallic paper for all my black images, bringing out more of the silver and gold, while also affecting how light interacts with the physical image.  

4. How do you hope viewers connect with your body  of work?

The balance and simplicity in my work creates an immersive experience, while also offering viewers the space to focus on smaller details in each structure.  There tends to be more scrutiny with minimalist works as the details tend to be emphasized.  My hope is that each person who views these works are able to pick up on how the isolation in each piece affects not only the buildings themselves but the entire composition. 

adam cohen

1. How do you decide which celestial subjects to focus on for your projects?

I decide which celestial subjects to focus on for my projects based on a combination of personal interest and current astronomical events. I keep an eye on planetary alignments, meteor showers, and significant space missions. I also consider the accessibility of certain celestial events from my location and the equipment I have available. Sometimes, inspiration comes from the stories and myths surrounding different celestial bodies, making them intriguing subjects to capture and explore.

2. Can you elaborate on how working with your mentee, an astrophysics graduate, has influenced your creative process?

Working with my mentee, an astrophysics graduate, has greatly influenced my creative process by introducing me to new scientific concepts and perspectives. Their deep understanding of astrophysics challenges me to think beyond the visual aspects and consider the scientific significance of what I am capturing. This collaboration enriches my projects, allowing me to create images that are not only visually striking but also scientifically informative. It's a dynamic exchange of ideas where science meets art, leading to a more comprehensive narrative in my work.

3. How do you think astrophotography contributes to a greater public appreciation for science and the universe?

Astrophotography plays a significant role in fostering public appreciation for science and the universe by making the cosmos more accessible and relatable. Through the lens of a camera, distant galaxies and nebulae become tangible, sparking curiosity and wonder. These images bridge the gap between complex scientific discoveries and the general public, inspiring a sense of connection to the universe. By showcasing the beauty and vastness of space, astrophotography encourages people to explore and learn more about the cosmos, ultimately enhancing public understanding and appreciation of science.

Varad Thalnerkar

1. What drew you to photography as a way to express yourself and connect with others?

As I ventured out to practice and experiment, photography became more than a hobby—it became a way to connect with others. Meeting people who shared my passion was inspiring, and the love and support from this creative community have kept me motivated to grow and bring my best to the table. Photography, for me, isn’t just about capturing images; it’s about building relationships, sharing stories, and expressing emotions that words often can’t convey.

2. How has exploring various types of photography enhanced your creativity and approach to storytelling?

Each genre has taught me something unique. Portraits taught me to capture the essence of a person; street photography honed my ability to find beauty in the everyday; and astrophotography deepened my patience and appreciation for the vastness of the universe. These experiences have not only expanded my creative horizons but also allowed me to use my camera gear to its fullest potential. By embracing diversity in my work, I’ve become a better storyteller, able to weave emotions, light, and perspective into a narrative that resonates with viewers.

3. What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are exploring different genres of photography?

Consistency is key. Keep capturing moments, experimenting, and learning from your mistakes. Remember, every photograph tells a story, so take the time to understand what you want to say through your work. And most importantly, enjoy the journey. Photography is as much about personal growth as it is about creating art.

Colin Shillingford

Image via Colin Shillingford

1. How did you select the pieces featured in the Capture exhibit, and what themes guided your choices?

I chose images that were all shot at locations along the Toronto waterfront, featuring picturesque views of the skyline. Each piece I’ve chosen communicates a sense of stillness and serenity which I experienced while capturing all of these unique moments in my daily life.

The collection as a whole is vibrant and full of colours that are deeply saturated and harmonious with each other, or complementary with the other selections. All of the compositions combine to create a snapshot of Toronto’s beauty and essence.

2. What kind of response do you hope to evoke in viewers through your body of work?

I hope that viewers feel compelled to meditate on the peaceful energy that exists within the images I create. The feedback I receive about my art often refers to the emotions and moods that are contained in my photographs. 

Blue is the colour that appears most in my photos and I love the way it resonates with others. I try to combine different tones and shades of blue in order to evoke an energy that people associate with tranquility, spirituality, nature, depression, love, sadness and other other similar meanings.

My overall wish is that those who observe my work are left feeling soothed and stimulated to contemplate whatever range of thoughts or feelings that are sparked by their own imaginations.

3. What is your favourite part of the creative process when it comes to capturing photographs, and what aspect of it brings you the most fulfillment?

I typically begin the process of creating my images by taking a camera with me outdoors in search of locations that offer me a combination of picturesque views as well as an opportunity to shoot in solitude. This is why my shots generally do not have crowds of people in them. 

Capturing photos of Toronto that communicate a feeling of ‘loneliness’ (even at times when there are people out and about in the places where I’m shooting) is something I have become more and more drawn to along my journey as a photographer. There’s an aura of mystery and enchantment that I feel when I look back at my images that fuels me to continue further down that path. 

Considering that millions of people live in the city and the downtown area is so densely populated, I feel like the work I do is a testament to the fact that peace and moments of seclusion can be found in urban environments if you make the effort to search for them.

My favourite activity apart from documenting beautiful sunsets (and sunrises) and learning different shooting techniques with my camera has to be the editing process. I get to relive each moment in front of my computer screen and breathe life back into the moment so that the moment can be experienced for an eternity by myself and others. It’s at this stage where I really get to pour my artistic instincts and sensibilities into each picture. Tweaking the colours and lighting, and finding the right balance of saturation and contrast until everything feels right is the most rewarding part of it for me.

To fully immerse yourself into the exhibit, visit Twist Gallery in person at 1100 Queen Street West, Toronto. The exhibit will run from Jan. 3rd to Jan. 27th, 2025. All artwork sizing and pricing is available on Twist’s art for sale page.