Art Life | Andrea Mai

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

I really liked the results of my last set of photographs I posted, so I decided to go back to Yorkville to create more. I love the way the cityscapes merge with the window displays along Bloor Street. There is something magical about it. Like being transported to a hyper-reality.

I studied art throughout high school at an arts school. Most of my reference points for art are from the mid-century modern period. I am very much inspired by the early works of David Hockney’s poolside painting and painters like Elizabeth Peyton. I like the colours in my photographs to look like that of a painting or illustration.

#Yorkville #windowdisplays #DavidsShoes #Dolce&Gabana #BloorStreet #hyperreality #Toronto #shoes #architecture #cityscapes #fashion #ManulifeCentre

CATCHING THE LIGHT IN YORKVILLE

There’s something really beautiful that happens at around 4pm along Bloor Street. This is when the sunlight is hitting the shop windows, casting a reflection of the city. The city starts to merge with the shop window displays. This latest set of photos captures what I am talking about.

My first job after university was working at Holt Renfrew as an assistant to the visual display department. I learned so much from this experience and it has given me a real appreciation for beautiful window designs.

#windows #HoltRenfrew #displaydesign #light #Yorkville #Toronto #Louis Vuitton #Gucci #style #fashion

A LITTLE BIT OF PARIS IN TORONTO

I met with my friend Victoria to do some head shot photos and and grab a coffee to catch up on what’s going on in life and business. We ended up in a beautiful little Parisian-style cafe just off of Spadina. We had croissants because we are both croissant obsessives (frankly when left to my own devices, I can consume a half-dozen of them by myself!). They serve a variety of teas and I had the mint-liquorice tea, which was very delicious.

#Paris #cafe #Toronto #coffee #tea #croissant #portrait #autumn

SELFIE-LOVE

Sometimes the hardest person to love is yourself. You know about every flaw you have, every mistake you’ve ever made. You can hide from the world, but you can’t hide from yourself.

To know yourself is to love yourself. To see yourself for who you are and to accept it, to even see your own beauty. This is true love. Most of us search to be loved by another because we need someone to assure us that we are lovable. But the truth is, who we are truly seeking to be loved by is one’s self.

What I love about photography is that it is not just about capturing what something looks like. It is capturing the energy, the soul. It is capturing what radiates from within. Which is why I find it so exciting to photograph portraits. I get to capture a rare glimpse of the beauty that one might not see within themselves. It is like getting to hold up a mirror to someone and showing them how beautiful they are.

Here is a series of self-portraits of myself I did on a lazy Sunday morning.

#selfies 3portrait #selflove #fan #light

BEAUTY IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

A few weeks ago, I was shooting portrait photos at Brookfield Place in the financial district of Toronto. There was a courtyard at the side of the building that I had never been to before. I noticed a little entrance way that is tucked behind an elevated platform of trees and plants. I walked up the steps and found a circular man made pond filled with lotus leaves and a single pink lotus flower. I was stunned that such a beautiful place was hidden amongst the city! You never know what you will find when you go explore…

#lotus #BrookfieldPlace #flower #leaves #nature #water

GOOD BYE, SUMMER

#CAMPAIGNFORWOOL AT HOLT RENFREW TORONTO

My first entrepreneurial venture was in the yarn trade. I imported alpaca yarns from Peru. I still love textiles made from natural fibres and I think it’s important for consumers to understand its true beauty. Line Knitwear and Holt Renfrew in Toronto teamed up to spread the awareness with its #CampaignForWool event where models demonstrated the fibre arts. A model was spinning magenta pink roving into yarn, while another was knitting while lounging on a giant knit chair. Wool fibres are warner than synthetics because they insulate heat while, as well as being breathable. They wash well and last a long time, making it worthwhile investment pieces.

By the way, I still sell my collection of luxury knitting yarns, Fable Handknit. Check them out here.

#HoltRenfrew #Line_TheLabel #WoolMark #WoolWeek #CampaignForWool