Art
Creating edible art: Home baker from Newfoundland challenging herself to create stunning masterpieces in her kitchen – TheChronicleHerald.ca
A self-described wife, mom, theatrical school graduate, hobby collector and Newfoundlander living away from home, Elizabeth Ezekiel can now add edible artist to her list of credentials.
A native of Corner Brook, NL, Ezekiel now lives in Mount Stewart, PEI.
The 40-year-old’s first baking project took place during her junior high school years when she and her classmates made cinnamon rolls in a home economics class.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago, when Ezekiel ditched boxed cake mixes and ready-made icing and started baking from scratch.
While she admits to having some “mishaps” early in her baking ventures, she stuck with it and has been teaching herself the tricks of the trade ever since, albeit still through a bit of trial and error.
“Now, I tend to steer myself towards more artistic baking rather than traditional things as a personal challenge,” she said.
Sometimes seasonal, sometimes festive, Ezekiel enjoys choosing a theme and seeing where it takes her.
“The further along I go in my journey, the more I realize I’m pretty inspired by nature. So a lot of my creations have that theme.”
Online community
A year into her baking journey, Ezekiel began posting her creations on her Twitter account @mama_ezekiel.
The initial idea was to store the photos for use in a recipe book she was compiling to celebrate her daughter Clara’s 11th birthday.
“I arranged it so it was the recipe I used, followed by pictures I’d taken of the food I’d made, and pictures of Clara eating the creations. I did it in my handwriting/printing rather than typed because I figured it would be a little more personal that way and, hopefully, something that she can pass on to her kids someday,” Ezekiel said.
Both of Ezekiel’s brothers are avid Twitter users – Bill Short is an artist while Jimmy Short sets up cameras to capture images of wildlife around Western Newfoundland.
When Bill gave her Twitter account a shout-out via his account, Ezekiel’s followers picked up. She now has 650 followers.
The community of support through Twitter has been incredible, she says, and is a way for her to connect with people, the majority of whom are from her home province.
“I haven’t been home for two years now and I’m missing that connection with people … But I’ve made a community of wonderful friends (via Twitter) who share the same interest in baking as I do and we like to bounce recipes and ideas off each other.”
Edible art
When asked if her theatre degree has assisted in her baking ventures, Ezekiel said it has certainly helped with improvisation and thinking on her feet.
“I tend to veer off track sometimes when I’m following a recipe, and it doesn’t always go as I plan, so the ability to problem-solve and think quickly really does help,” she said.
For Ezekiel, baking during COVID-19 has helped keep her mind off the pandemic.
“I’ve taken on more involved projects that, sometimes, take up to a week to complete so, for the entire duration of the creation process, that’s all my mind is thinking about. The longer this goes on, the more artistic my baking becomes,” she says.
Ezekiel’s daughter, who turns 12 in April, is also honing her skills in the kitchen, particularly the decorating process.
“Clara loves sculpting things out of polymer clay, so when I do projects that involve making my own modelling chocolate or sculpting with fondant, she loves to look on and see how she can apply the techniques I’m using to her own work.”
Challenging work
While it’s difficult to pinpoint her most challenging project, Ezekiel’s yule log cake had its share of hurdles.
Ezekiel limits her shopping to two-week intervals. While waiting to pick up supplies for her yule log, the project evolved into something quite different, she said.
“I had thought about it so long that it became a bit of an obsession. And, by the time it made it out of my brain and onto the plate, it was no longer a yule log.”
The creation was an eye-catching and likely palate-pleasing five-layer mini chocolate fudge cake with Nutella buttercream, marzipan mushrooms and acorns, almond-slice pinecones, dark chocolate bark dusted with cocoa and coconut, and graham cracker crumbs dyed green for moss.
For Ezekiel, seeing a project progress from scratch to a finished product is both satisfying and rewarding.
When it comes to taste-testing, she often turns to her daughter and husband Garrett. Her husband has been working from home this past year, she says, and appreciates her efforts.
“He gets an endless supply of treats and gets to be my taste-taster throughout the day.”
While her family is quick to indulge in her baking creations as soon as they are ready, Ezekiel said a recent project managed to stay in the fridge for two days as it was too beautiful to disturb. The project was a puffin painted completely out of chocolate and candy melts that was inspired by a photo posted on Twitter by well-known Bonavista, NL-based photographer, Mark Gray.
Other artistic projects
Whether painting and hiding rocks (Ezekiel started PEI Rock Art Facebook group in 2019), putting together miniature dollhouses, turning her hand at embroidery, or creating diamond art paintings, Ezekiel enjoys expressing herself through her artistic endeavours.
When asked what advice she’d give others who would like to hone their baking skills, she suggests starting with the basics.
“If you like chocolate chip cookies, look for a good recipe that works for you. Make it according to the recipe the first time you make them,” she says.
“Then, make little changes the next time. Maybe try adding some nuts, using brown sugar instead of white, butterscotch chips instead of chocolate. Don’t be worried if you make mistakes. That’s how you learn. And I guess my biggest piece of advice is to have fun.”
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Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
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