Check out these awesome Canadian products and services. Purchasing from local business people means so much. As a Canadian artist, I know! Thank you to all who have supported my art practice over the years. I’m so grateful to do this work that I love.

I will continue to add more products, services and places to this list as often as as I can. Come back soon to see new recommendations! We got this, Canada!

1. Plenty + Spare Naturals
   Plenty + Spare Naturals sell soaps and shampoo bars last longer than other brands. The products use simple, healthy ingredients that smell great and are gentle on skin. These items make great gifts. I love that there is less plastic to dispose of. I started buying here 8 years ago when they invited me to have an art show, sale and opening reception in their East Vancouver shop!
2. Skipper Otto
   I have been a member of Skipper Otto for seven years. Skipper Otto is a Canadian food cooperative that connects seafood enthusiasts directly with fishing families. They sell the freshest, highest-quality seafood while supporting small-scale, independent fishers who are committed to sustainable practices.
   Locally Sourced & Traceable: Every piece of seafood is wild-caught and fully traceable, so you know exactly where it comes from and how it was harvested.
   Sustainably Caught: With a focus on eco-friendly fishing methods, Skipper Otto is dedicated to protecting our oceans for future generations.
   Support for Fishing Families: By purchasing directly from fishers through the coop, you’re helping independent Canadian fishing families earn a fair income and sustain their way of life.
   Local Pickup!
    Sign up with Promo Code 1R1XAQSV — we’ll both get a $20 credit!
3. The Georgian Court Hotel
   Wether you’re a Metro Vancouverite on a staycation or travelling to Vancouver, Canada, from beyond, you’ll be glad to know you can support the Canadian economy by staying in a luxurious, locally owned hotel. The Georgian Court is owned by Mayfair Hotels & Resorts. I’ve had the good fortune to stay here and had a wonderful experience. They have BC, AB and WA, USA staycation package you should definitely check out if you’re coming from these areas. Squeeze in your fitness routine in fully furnished gym, hot tub your time away, or explore the many, convenient activities nearby. There’s much to choose from in the centre of Vancouver’s entertainment district such as the Queen Elizabeth Theatre or Frankies Jazz Club.
4. To come…

Do you have a product suggestion for my blog? Have you tried any of these suggestions? Let me know. Leave a comment below!

Last updated: Tuesday, March 6, 2025

The post Canadian Things Jo Recommends appeared first on Joanne Probyn Art.

97.5% satisfying and useful! 🙂

I volunteered at this event and it was such fun. Everyone had a unique painting. Plus Joanne took time to share techniques and do quite a bit of on the spot teaching. I highly recommend you take one of her art classes. Everyone was so highly engaged and came away with some beautiful and mindful masterpieces. Well done !

Natalie Wai

Vancouver School Board Special Education, English Language Arts and Ell; Summer School Administrator, Secondary Completion and Skills Development; Community Schools Teacher; and Ell Department Head – International Student Advisor – Vsta Representative

On Sunday, April 30, 2023, I launched Create with Joanne!, a series of art workshops. The first class was Amazing Squeegee Paint Nite held at my studio in Eastside Atelier in East Vancouver.

I love teaching. With over eight years guiding therapeutic art classes, private consulting and many more years of professional experience, I’m once again ready and excited to share my knowledge. It will be wonderful to see how these lessons will enhance people’s creative skills, well-being and, of course, their walls, graced with their own unique, beautiful art!

It was such a delightful day! The workshop ran from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. I was so grateful Natalie Wai was there to help me with all the last minute details. There were a lot of preparations, both on the same day and weeks before.

I bought new three new tables, table cloths, paints, squeegees and spray bottles. Students were introduced to the historical context of squeegee art and guided in the painting process. I developed a nine page document with step-by-step instructions. Finished paintings were created and referenced for examples.

Great workshop! It was fun and I’m very excited to hang my piece ☺️

Anonymous Student

Amazing Squeegee Paint Nite

The event was sold out! There were eight students and each person was provided their own table setting of art supplies including an 11 x 14 inch canvas, an additional sized, cold-press, acid-free, watercolor board and all the tools they needed to create abstract art, including a variety of squeegees, brushes, scrapers and over 50 paints to choose from.

We began with a brief mindfulness exercise to soothe and ready ourselves. I completed an 8 week mindfulness program based off of Jon Kabat Zinn’s world-renowned University of Massachusetts program. It was meaningful to weave awareness into the programming. Abstract art feels most rewarding and produces the best results when deeply connected to ourselves while creating.

Each student chose their color palette. I provided painting demonstrations and one-on-one instruction at various points throughout the day, including advice on paint types, composition, layering, focal points, movement, texture, depth and line and contrast.

Thanks so much. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. You did a great job of creating a safe and comfortable space for a novice.

Anonymous attendee

Amazing Squeegee Paint Nite

There was one snag. We blew the fuse. Going forward we’ll dry paintings in hallway and kitchen area. After all, it was a happy accident, as Bob Ross would say. The sink hallway area is the best location as it will keep the working area quieter.

Natalie Wai was an all-star, volunteer assistant providing student guidance and cleaning support. I’m very grateful. Students were able to focus on creating and I was able to guide students as much a possible. The success was in large part to Natalie’s graceful help.

Many of the students were new to art entirely; all were new to squeegee painting. I was delighted with how unique and beautiful their masterpieces were. Congrats to all attendees for their great work!

Save the date! My next workshop is on Sunday, June 11th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

If you would like to volunteer for an art workshop, please contact me for more information.

This workshop was a great introduction for non-artists. Joanne was informative and patient throughout the workshop, giving helpful tips and encouragement. Highly recommend this small-size class!

Anonymous “Happy Participant”

Amazing Squeegee Paint Nite

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Artsy began in 2009 and has become the most prestigious online art marketplace. With over one million artworks for sale by over 4,000 galleries they offer a huge selection of work. Despite the large numbers, this US-based, global platform is exclusive.

Artsy carved out a spot a the top implementing layers of qualification. Individual artists are not accepted; artists need gallery representation. This means, there’s pre-qualifying going on at the back end. Galleries also apply to be accepted.

It’s a beautiful show that I’m honoured to be part of. I hope you’ll check out the online exhibition.

Let me know what you think!

Taking Shape: Abstraction to Figuration

by Jen Tough Gallery’s Artist Alliance

March 15 – June 15, 2023

* Source

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Some of my achievements over the past year include:

• Establishing an outreach calendar resulting in a new committee role
• Implementing a new advertising strategy including negotiations that lead to a new, multi-year agreement with high profile arts publication, Preview Magazine!
• Launched a new program in spring 2022 allowing artists to practice their public speaking at Creative Mornings held in SFU Woodward’s. This resulted in Creative Mornings offering First Saturday partner status in January 2023! We are in good company with organizations like Mailchimp, Capilano University, Slack and others.
• Onboarded volunteer, Christina Peressini, who made an awesome A-Frame sign for Eastside Atelier’s First Saturday
• Created a new live music series attracting new attendees to Eastside Atelier while building awareness of First Saturday throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond
• Onboarded and art directed resident photographer, Paul Newton, in creating new photos of First Saturday at Eastside Atelier

Year-Over-Year Results

Attendance and membership have been the committee’s primary goals.

• First Saturday attendance was up 900% for some studios
• Membership is up 33% year-over-year, despite a new fee structure that increased dues

Hip hip hurray! 🙂

What’s next?

I plan to continue helping with First Saturday. Through managing Creative Morning speakers and continuing the music series I will focus on highest impact activities that support First Saturday. Hope to see you at one of the events!

Learn more!

• First Saturday
• Live music at my art studio durning First Saturday FAQ

Have you been to First Saturday? How did you hear about it? Do you enjoy the event? Any suggestions, questions or comments? Share your thoughts below! Thank you.

The post Celebrating One Year at First Saturday! appeared first on Joanne Probyn Art.

My art studio is located among dozens of others in a warehouse that’s about 100 years old. The unremarkable, grey building is shaped like a U; it was once a sewing factory. For the last 30 years it has been an incubator for creativity, filled with painters, ceramicists and photographers to name a few. For a long time, there was a couple who used to sublet from the owners. They rented some of the space to artists. After many years, the couple left in 2020 and the owners built out a new artist’s wing on the east side. If you follow the yellow line, it leads you to my studio. This transition point was during the pandemic; it was awkward to say the least (there’s a long story). By some good luck and hard work the studios are still here. The original wood floors hold stories in their miscellany between the cracks and in their splashes and dents. And now I’ve left my mark. One of my favorite relics is the old clawfoot tub. I’ve brought an old carpet that has more history than I know. It was a given to me secondhand from my sister years ago and lugged it around since; it’s a perfect floor covering for a painter. I’ve grown to love the vintage, industrial, 4-drawer, filing cabinet. Most of my furniture has some kind of history, which makes the room eclectic and comfortable. I spend a lot of time there and enjoy hosting; so, cozy and welcoming is a must.

Tamami Maitland, singer/songwriter/pianist and Ian Wijesinghe, bass guitar, arrived 45 minutes before the show to set up. I hurried to light fake candles and angle spot lights as I had planned out days before. I was delighted the two were so happy with how I was setting the stage, including the disco light. I set the red dots to move at slowly like sunlit leaves floating on gentle stream. These spots traveled across black light that breathed new life into my neon paintings.

Soon guests arrived, taking in their surroundings and finding their way to a spot where they could settle. John Gojevic, a friend through Glen Brauer and Meaningful Discussions, kindly stepped in to emcee the event; he gave a wonderful introduction. The duo kicked off their first 45 minute set promptly at 2:30pm and their show was wonderful! It was a full house with little room left to sit. Tamami’s songs illuminated the east wing of Eastside Atelier. She took us on a gentle flight on the wings of love and positivity, lifted by the textures and colors of nature. I kept running to other art studios to borrow more chairs! Following the duo’s first set, there was a 15 minute break planned. The musicians talked warmly amongst the guests. Light refreshments were served. Some attendees lingered and stayed for a second set as room allowed. The second show started at 3:38pm. At the end, everyone clapped for an encore and they played one more song. The event ended at 4:40pm. Some people lingered to chat and help while others left to explore the open art studios at Eastside Atelier.

My hope is that this series holds space for soothing the soul and deeply appreciating music and art while celebrating community, culture and collaboration. I also hope to introduce new people to Eastside Atelier and First Saturday.

The concerts are inspired by my life in New York. I attended a jazz concert during my two years living in Harlem. One Sunday, I journeyed to the private residence of Marjorie Eliot. I was welcomed into her apartment and invited to sit and enjoy an intimate concert for free. We were served juice boxes and a granola bar. No alcohol. No filming. I sat by a sheer curtain that blue away from window in the summer wind. That moment locked in. I wish I could remember everyone who performed that day; for certain, Marjorie played the piano. She and her son, Rudel Drears have been hosting intimate jazz concerts there over over 20 years. They now attract an audience from around the world. I encourage you to watch this YouTube video about Parlor Entertainment in Harlem. Thanks Ms. Eliot and Mr. Rudel for the experience, for that was the slow-growing seed that would eventually become this project miles away in Vancouver. I would probably not have undertaken this series without the encouragement and guidance of Mike Ferraro, my guitar teacher. Not to mention, all the special friends who have supported this in so many ways from arranging furniture and art, emcee’ing, musician coordination, video production, dishwashing and so much more. Thanks to the artists at Eastside Atelier who supported this event. I’m grateful the help of John Gojevic, Lily Eskandari, Victoria Mitchell, Andres Salaz, Leah Hoeve and Danny for offering volunteer support. Shout out to Glen Brauer for his new friend-connecting platform, buddytree. Last but not least, thanks to the wonderful, attentive audience of about 50 people who attended over two 45 minute shows, including a handful of listeners from the hallway. Guests represented two distinct groups of friends and a handful of entirely new people. The room was bright with well-wishers! Many people said they had never had an experience like this. I found it uplifting, heart-warming and unforgettable! Exactly what I hoped for.

Tamami Maitland hails from Osaka, Japan and has lived in Vancouver for over ten years. She trained at Berklee and Capilano University. Tamami was invited to play for five festival concerts in 2022 and was recently featured in Burnaby Now. Tamami will be travelling to Japan this year, embarking on first-ever Japanese concert tour.

I’m so grateful for all who donated or have collected my art! Your generosity helps me continue bringing inspiring art and music to you. For those of you who hoped to attend her concert but couldn’t… you’re in luck! Thanks to Danny for putting this great video together showcasing Tamami’s concert and First Saturday. Enjoy!

Photos below are captured on January 14, 2019. Images are by and shared with permission from Alessandro Fasce who is based in Genova, Italy. He hopes to come to Vancouver to see one of my concerts one day.

Join us on Saturday, February 4th for the next concert. I’m so thrilled announce Zach Kleisinger will be performing! We are so lucky! I hope to see you there. Learn more.

Marjorie Eliot’s Parlor Entertainment Harlem
555 Edgecombe Avenue Suite 3F (Buzzer, #107, New York, NY 10032, United States
3:00pm – 5:30pm Sundays

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