"Wonderland," 36" x 48"

Alcohol Ink and Goldleaf on Canvas.

“Art allows me to stay connected to nature--- to explore its beauty and complexity. From flowers in bloom to birth and death; the warmth of light, the mysteries of the dark, all of these elements inform my vision as an artist. When I’m working, I can go into a trance-like state. I let the ink guide my creative impulses and each piece becomes a kind of visual diary; a way to let beauty emerge and express whatever I am feeling in the moment. Sometimes, the forms manifest more organically, they seem real, touchable. Other times they can take on an invisible, hidden quality, and yet are still reminiscent of the world around us. The rich layers and tactile wonders of the natural world really inspire me. I am often fixated on the multi-dimensional aspects of light and shadow, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s imagined.”
-Mishel

Toronto-based abstract artist Mishel Schwartz's primary medium is alcohol ink — a medium she discovered by exploring the art scene on social media. Intrigued, she began experimenting with the inks and slowly developed a technique wherein layers of color are added and intricate details are then carved out of the layers, giving her work great depth and mystery.