iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

It's #nationalampersandday today! The ampersand is my favourite character. You can find this one hanging at Black Canary coffee in Kingston Road.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Another piece from my new series: "I can fit in that packaging". #oversizedpackaging #buycanadian #shoplocal

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

It's never too late to submit to one of our art calls.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Here's the painting of sorrel cells based on the microscope photo I showed you recently. "Sorrel" 12" diameter acrylic and graphite on birch panel magnification x170 stain: orange

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

These sorrel cells have an ethereal look, cells floating in a golden glow. Using a potato peeler means thicker samples, leading to interesting effects. They can curl instead of lying flat. I could only focus on a few lines of cells at a time, the others blurry from being closer or further away.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

I'm proud to be taking part in the Dignam Gallery's 4th Annual Uptown Pride show. My painting will be there alongside work by Charles Pachter, and studio mate @robcroxford.bsky.social Unfortunately I'll miss this weekend's opening, but I'm looking forward to visiting next week.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Wow, what a weekend! Thanks to everyone who came out to see my new work, and were just as excited about playing with microscopes as I am. I'm humbled that so many of you chose to take one of my pieces home with you. This is my 19th time at this show, but this never gets old ❤️ #riverdaleartwalk

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Celebrating my 19th Riverdale ArtWalk this weekend! I'll be at booth 91 in Jimmie Simpson Park. If you missed out on playing with microscopes at Doors Open, don't worry, you'll have another chance this weekend. Riverdale ArtWalk Jimmie Simpson Park Saturday May 31, 11-6 Sunday June 1, 10-5

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I love @robcroxford.bsky.social 's entry for our "Through the Looking Glass" challenge. Want to join in? Make and post a photo looking through glass and tag @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

My solo show is part of Doors Open Toronto this weekend! How cool is that? It's in a beautiful historic building in Yorkville, home to the Dignam & the Ruth Upjohn galleries. There's a full schedule of fun programming and tours. I'll be there 1-4pm each day with microscopes you can play with.

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Now it's your turn (check out our last post)! Show us what you can do with a photograph of some glass, the theme is "Through the Looking Glass". Tag @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social so we can see what you make.

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

You don't need special materials to make art, you just need imagination. The materials for these "Through the Looking Glass" photos are: - a pretty second-hand glass from a vintage market - a nice bottle of red wine from Tawse - an episode of The Graham Norton Show K❤️

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

These two monotypes are based on microscope slides of leeks from my garden. You can see them both at my current solo show: Ruth Upjohn Gallery Yorkville. 23 Prince Arthur Avenue May 14 - 27 #monotypes #microscopeart

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Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Canada, the UK, and France warned that they will take action if Israel does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions. The three countries have given Israel an opportunity to stop. "We will not hesitate to take action, including targeted sanctions."

Canada, Britain, France threaten action if Israel does not stop military offensive and lift aid restrictions
Israel to 'control all parts' of Gaza, Netanyahu says as aid trucks wait to enter territory

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

For my Cultivated series, I had originally planned to create linocut prints. The results looked too heavy. The microscope slides that I work from are translucent and need a lighter touch. I'd played around with monotypes before but hadn't found a use for them. Now I have!

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

I've been creating monotypes since last summer. For the first time, you can see them in person. They are on exhibition along with paintings from the same series at the Ruth Upjohn Gallery in Yorkville. The gallery is housed in the same historic building as the Dignam Gallery.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

What’s a monotype? It’s a special, one-off print. No two are the same. Each one is hand-crafted, layer by layer, on a special surface. Then everything is lifted off onto paper. This one of red chard cells has 5 layers. #monotype #microscopeart #abstractartist #abstractart #contemporaryart

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

We both LOVE coloured lights, we each have a ton of them. In addition to the strings and strings of lights, I made gels with cellophane and glass paints to fit over white lights. -K

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

The lighting in our installation had to do some pretty heavy lifting. All good Christmas windows have movement. We did that with continually changing light, which also provided all the colour; we painted with light.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Spent today in Yorkville, hanging my solo show! When I started experimenting with my old microscope, I had no idea it would turn into a new series. I've shown some of this new work in some exhibitions recently. This is the first time I've seen it all together in one space. I love how it looks.

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Just like I promised: Watch @karentaylorart & me set up our “12 Days of Christmas” installation—at a highly unrealistic speed!😜 In real time, this took several hours, some mild chaos, and a strong commitment to festive drama. #12DaysOfChristmas #installation

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

This installation (aside from giving people something joyful during lockdown life) was to build black & white 3D line drawings and “colour” them with lighting! Say tuned for a behind-the-scenes video of us putting the whole thing together! #installation #12daysofchristmas

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Normally cells are difficult to see at the magnification I use. Their walls are really fine and delicate. I often have to resort to using stains when I prep microscope slides to help them show up. Not these cells. Maybe it's because leeks are so hardy, they're made of stronger stuff. #microscope

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

There are still a few days left to see the Ontario Society Show. It closes Sunday. You can see my tomato cells (pictured) in person: The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture The Ontario Society of Artists' Members' Exhibition of Selected Works 149 High St, Sutton West Until April 27

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Looking back at our first installation together. During COVID we wanted to create something fun to brighten the dark nights. Thanks to everyone who came to see our "12 Days of Christmas" window. @robcroxford.bsky.social #christmaswindow #installation

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

The first in a series of prompts using the things we often have around our homes. This isn't just for artists. It's for anyone who likes making things. Playing is for everyone.

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Tod Maffin 🇨🇦 @todmaffin.com · 02/04/2025

We heard anecdotally that Canadians weren’t visiting the states, now we have the data. A massive, shocking drop.

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Laura @greenbirdo.bsky.social · 12/10/2024

Such a helpful graph when scientists say every little bit helps. Every degree matters. Not a fade. #climate #nzpol

A rainbow graph going from dark red to dark green. It gives a brief description of what +1 degree of warning means, what +1.5 degrees of warming means. Finishing at what + 5 degrees of warming means.
📷 Earthly Education Instagram

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Another #microscope pic of #purplekale from my garden. If you look closely you can see a reddish dot in each cell. That's the nucleus. #microscopeart #microscopeartist #abstractart #abstractartist #microscapes

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

My latest #painting, based on the #microscope photo from my last post. I love the interplay between the purple stain and the naturally coloured veins. Kale never looked so pretty. "Purple Kale" 22" diameter acrylic & graphite on birch panel magnification x560 stain: purple

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SquirrelKiosk @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Ever feel like you're being judged for how you look? Maybe you are, maybe you aren't. Or maybe, Judgy McJudgerson over there can mind their own business. "Fashion Police", collage Another offering from our Cosmetic Surgery project. -K #fashionmagazines #fashionpolice #selfcare #selfimage #collage

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Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney promises 'free trade by Canada Day' between provinces and territories PM Mark Carney says he and Canada's premiers have agreed to develop a national trade strategy and promised a slew of support for workers and businesses. /1 (thread) www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

cbc.ca

Carney promises 'free trade by Canada Day' between provinces and territories | CBC News

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he and Canada's premiers have agreed to develop a national trade strategy and promised a slew of support for workers and businesses.

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Gintas Karalius @gintaskaralius.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Danish MP Rasmus Jarlov:

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Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Roses are redde Violettes are blue Tesla doth make truckes Wyth inadequate glue

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Paul Witcover @paulwitcover.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Remembering for some reason how surprised everyone was at how quickly and comprehensively the USSR disintegrated, like it had already rotted from the inside and all that was left was a facade that seemed impressive and enduring but was hollow as papier-mache.

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Tod Maffin 🇨🇦 @todmaffin.com · 20/03/2025

Checking out my stuff? Watch my best video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M58F...

youtube.com

The Secret Code for Buying Canadian

YouTube video by Tod Maffin

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Here's the source material for my latest work! It's red kale from my garden. When I looked at it under the microscope, I used a purple stain to help the cell walls stand out. The violet streaks come from the plant, the bluer purple comes from the stain. It looks more like a planet than like kale.

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Green Party of Canada | Parti Vert du Canada @canadiangreens.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan unfolds, Israel’s actions—blocking humanitarian aid and carrying out airstrikes—blatantly violate the ceasefire and continues the genocide of Palestinians. Canada must call for Palestinian statehood and implement a strong two-way arms embargo.

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Jason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

US politicians commonly claim that the US has been a "beacon of democracy" for the past 250 years, at home and abroad. Let's have a look a the evidence. 🧵 Links at the end.

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Jason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

NEW UN REPORT: “The evidence reveals a deplorable increase in sexual and gender-based violence [since October 2023]... There is no escape from the conclusion that Israel has employed sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians to terrorise them." www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

ohchr.org

“More than a human can bear”: Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since October 2023

GENEVA - Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination ...

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Shouldn't Bob Rae be taking these threats of annexation to the UN?

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Because they're funded by the same companies that fund the Republicans. Democrats were never going to do anything. It's up to the public to stand up.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Our @squirrelkiosk.bsky.social group has been making artwork from magazines as an experiment.

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Karen Taylor @karentaylorart.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

This my creative partner @robcroxford.bsky.social , and this is our new group. It's all about playing and making art with what we find lying around us.

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