“It Takes Guts to Be This Happy” 2023 SOLO Exhibition
Artspace Warehouse 7358 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION – “It Takes Guts to Be This Happy”, showcases a vibrant collection of artworks aimed at evoking positive emotions. Her unique approach involves pouring thick pools of paint into curvilinear shapes that are known to elicit feelings of happiness and wholeness. By adding playful colours in repetitive patterns, the artist builds a sense of trust and familiarity with her viewers, allowing them to connect with the artwork and feel joy.
Beyond uplifting viewers’ moods, the exhibition intends to spark conversations about mental health, highlighting the importance of reflecting on our own worthiness and the need to welcome happiness into our lives. Blackstock acknowledges that creating a collection of “happy paintings” can be challenging in a world where such a personal endeavor can prompt anxieties of inadequacy or seriousness. However, she hopes to promote transparency and candor by sharing her experiences and fostering authentic connections with her viewers by encouraging recognition of our inherent value within a society that often dictates our sense of self-worth.
The body of work featured in “It Takes Guts to Be This Happy” is inspired by Blackstock’s struggles with mental health and her daughter’s battle with anorexia. The artist deliberately chooses to create art that uplifts and helps to maintain a positive mindset during difficult times for herself and those around her. For Blackstock, art serves as a tool for personal growth and well-being, providing an escape and a source of strength. Through this exhibition, she aims to offer a message of hope and resilience by encouraging discussions about mental health and showcasing the transformative power of art to bring people together.
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
VANCOUVER Canada
Art Works Gallery 1536 Venables Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
Ph 1.604.688.3301
LOS ANGELES United States
Artspace Warehouse 7358 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Ph 323.936.7020
PUBLICATIONS
“MAGZOID MAGAZINE” Featured Artist “Innovating Western Canadian Art with Playful Paint Explorations” Aug 2023
“UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration” Volume 10 – PUBLICATION FEATURE Released June 2022
“CREATE! Magazine” ISSUE #27, 2021 – CURATED PUBLICATION FEATURE, Artists Selected by Guest Curators TAX Collection
“OH WEST CANADA – Contemporary Artists from Western Canada” – Luciano Benetton Collection
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS/PUBLIC EVENTS
2023
“HONOURING THE PAST EMBRACING THE FUTURE – 25TH ANNIVERSARY” GROUP Exhibition
Aug-Sept – POMOARTS, Port Moody, BC
“IT TAKES GUTS TO BE THIS HAPPY” SOLO Exhibition June – Artspace Warehouse 7358 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles
“37TH ANNIVERSARY – CELEBRATING CANADIAN ARTISTS” GROUP Exhibition June – Art Works Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2022
“PATHS ACROSS SHAPES” Group Exhibition August 6 – September 2, 2022 Artspace Warehouse 7358 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
“ARTISTS FOR UKRAINE” – Group Exhibition Art Works Gallery – Vancouver BC, April 3-17 Donations and partial proceeds from sales go to Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund
A.A.F. INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION Metropolitan Pavilion, New York NY. March 23-27, 2022
2021
“INTERPLAY” – Group Exhibition Artspace Warehouse Los Angeles June 19 – July 23, 2021
“RENT IT, BUY IT, LOVE IT” – Group Exhibition Cityscape Community ArtSpace North Vancouver
335 Lonsdale Avenue January 22 – February 20, 2021
2020
“GRAVITY” Grit Studio, Port Moody Sept-Dec 2020 2419 Clarke Street, Port Moody
“JULY ARTISTS” Online Gallery Via The Union House Vancouver – Artist Residence and Gallery
FLORAL REVELATIONS – Group Exhibition Via NVAC North Van Arts July – August 3 Online Exhibition
CREATIVITY LIVES HERE – Instructor’s Exhibition Via POMOArts Centre – July 16 Online Exhibition
“THE ARTIST SESSIONS” Episode 2 – A live discussion with BLACKSTOCK, LACHEUR & RONALD moderated by PoMoArts Gallery Manager, Janice Cotter April 23 2020
2019
“PRECIOUS” Group Exhibit Silk Art Gallery Port Moody Sept 28 – Nov 11 2019, 2419 Clarke Street Port Moody
“SALON-STYLE EXHIBITION” Group Exhibit Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver Sept 20-Oct 5, 2019
2018
#WE5WOMEN ArtWorks Gallery Vancouver Oct 12 – Nov 12
ORGANIC REACTION (2-Person Show ) ELLERY & BLACKSTOCK Sept 15 – Dec 31, Centennial Theatre N. Vancouver
FLORIBUNDA Group Exhibit Silk Art Gallery Port Moody June 21 – Fall 2018
BLACKSTOCK, TEODOROWICZ & VISHNEVSKY, Glumac’s Community Office Port Moody June 22 – Sept 10
2018 INSTRUCTOR’S EXHIBITION The Port Moody Arts Centre August 16 – September 13
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS Kariton Art Gallery August 11- September 12, Abbotsford
PAINTING ON THE EDGE Federation of Canadian Artist online Exhibition July 9-29
ART SHUFFLE Port Moody June 22, 2018
INSTRUCTOR’S SHOWCASE Appleyard Parlour April 18 – May 31
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE The Port Moody Arts Centre May 3-31
HOP INTO SPRING Group Exhibit ArtWorks Gallery Vancouver April 20 – May 11
SPRING ART CAMP EXHIBITION Blackstock’s – Student/Children’s Exhibition, The Port Moody Arts Centre March 28-April 23
SALON-STYLE EXHIBITION Art Rental Group Exhibit Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver February 14 2019
ARTIST TALK with Kimberly Blackstock “ENGAGING CHILDREN’S CREATIVITY” January 7 2018
ARTIST SERIES at OPUS Coquitlam
2017
WINTER TREASURES Artisan Sale, Nov 9 – Dec 21, 2017 Port Moody Arts Centre
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST DAY ANONYMOUS SHOW Group Exhibition
GALA OPENING 7pm-10pm, October 25, 2017 – 100 Braid St Studios, New Westminster, B.C.
ARTIST TALK with Kimberly Blackstock “GO WITH THE FLOW” September 16, 2017
ARTIST SERIES at OPUS Langley
GREAT AND NORTH Group Exhibition, August 29 – October 29, 2017
Palazzo Loredan, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Venice Italy
IMAGO MUNDI – Great and North, Press Conference. Hosted by Alessandro Ruggera, Director of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 496 Huron St., Toronto, July 6, 2017
BUDDING ARTISTS Blackstock’s – Student/Children’s Exhibition, The Port Moody Arts Centre April 6-May 4
ARTIST TALK with Kimberly Blackstock “GO WITH THE FLOW” April 9, 2017 ARTIST SERIES at OPUS Coquitlam
THE LIVING PALETTE Exhibition/Collaboration – Blackstock & Quan, The Port Moody Arts Centre March 2-30
2016
ANONYMOUS ART SHOW – NVAC, Cityscape Community Art Space North Vancouver Nov 18 – Dec 17
ARTWORKS 30th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION – Group Exhibition, ArtWorks Gallery Vancouver Oct- Nov
BUDDING ARTISTS – Blackstock’s Student/Children’s Exhibition, The Port Moody Arts Centre Aug 18- Sept 22
THE IMAGO MUNDI PROJECT – Curated by Jennifer Karch Verzè – Invited Western Canadian participant
BRUSH & BOTTLE – SOLO EXHIBIT, Vancity, Port Moody March 11 – July 19
HOMESICK – Group Exhibition, Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver April 22 – May 21
MY FIRST EXHIBITION – Blackstock’s Student/Children’s Exhibition, The Port Moody Arts Centre March 24 – April 21
HEROES with HeART in conjunction with Port Moody YOUTH ArtsFest – 1 0f 10 Artists paired to paint the portraits of Port Moody’s Youth nominated Heroes
Blackstock’s Student/Children’s Exhibition, The Port Moody Arts Centre May 5 – July 7
INSPIRING CREATIVITY – PMAC Instructor’s Exhibition, Port Moody Jan 14 – Feb11
2015
DOUBLE LIFE – Pentimenti Group Show The Port Moody Arts Centre July 23 – Aug 20
TEACHERS/STUDENTS EXHIBIT – Port Moody Library, June – August
LAB ART SHOW VI – 181 Roundhouse Mews April 11
EMERGENCE – Group Exhibition ArtWorks Gallery, Feb 20 – March 25
CERULEAN – Group Exhibition CityScape Community Art Space Jan 30 – Feb 28 2014
BACCHANAL – Group Exhibition ArtWorks Gallery, Oct 4 – Nov 18
ART4LIFE – Group Exhibition, Port Moody Arts Centre, Oct 16 – Nov 13
BLACKSTOCK- SOLO EXHIBIT, Port Moody Arts Centre/Appleyard Parlour, Sept 6 – 27,
2014
MERCURY RISING – Group Exhibition, ArtWorks Gallery July 10 – Aug 21
LET ART GROW – Group Exhibition ArtWorks Gallery April 8- May 24
KABOOM PARTICIPANT, The Port Moody Art Explosion – April 5
FORM – Group Exhibition ArtWorks Gallery, Vancouver, Jan – Feb 2014
PMAC Instructor’s Exhibition, 2425 St. Johns Street Port Moody. Jan 16 – Feb 13
2013
9th ANNUAL ANONYMOUS ART SHOW – CityScape Community Art Space, Nov 22 – Dec 21
RISING STARS – Group Exhibition ArtWorks Gallery, Vancouver, Oct 3 – Nov 14
RESINATE – Group Exhibition ArtWorks Gallery, Vancouver, April 11 – May 23
U8 – Group Exhibition, SOPA FINE ARTS, Kelowna April 4 – April 14
2012
SANS BRUSH – Group Exhibition, CityScape Community Art Space, North Vancouver, Sept 28 – Oct 20
GLAM – Group Exhibition, ArtWorks Gallery, Vancouver, June 30 – Aug 10