An artist profile of Dani Nash.

Describe your process of creating a new piece. What materials do you normally work in?

Well I found this old box of family photos that are pretty hilarious actually and I wanted to do something with them. A lot of them are about drinking beer, riding buggies around, hunting. I was raised up north so most of my imagery is relative to that culture. My process is very direct and I work quickly. I am currently using a wood burner on stained plywood to illustrate these old family photographs, it smells good.

What projects are you working on? What do you have coming up in terms of shows?

I am an OCAD student in the drawing and painting thesis program and right now I'm working on an installation for my final critique. This will also be shown at the grad show in May. I will be mounting my wood burned paintings on vinyl wallpaper. There will be life-size cut outs of men chopping wood, wolf-skins, a fake fire-place. If I can pull it off she’s gonna be beautiful...
I also have a Group show coming up at the Whipper Snapper Gallery called "Flydentity". The opening is Thursday March the 19th. 

What are some of your favorite spots in the city? 

Ronnies Local in kensington market has always been a favourite of mine. My country band The Sure Things play at a lot of local bars in Toronto, The Cock & Tail, Dakota Tavern, Salvador Darling, so I am there quite often. One of the greatest things about being in a band is the free drinks. My favourite place to eat is Stampede Bison Grill at Queen and Brock in Parkdale. Best burgers in town. Well, I work there so I get to eat there too. Free beer, free burgers, doesn’t take much to please me.

When are you most productive?

To be honest I am most productive when I have somebody to please or I am producing work for somebody else. I find that if I'm creating a piece for myself I might not finish it.

When did creating art become something important in your life?

I am a collector of sorts. My grandfather owns a thrift store in Coe-Hill Ontario and I think that's where I discovered my interest in collecting. Paintings by local artists, antlers, raccoon hats, driftwood, a lot of the folk art up north inspires me because it is so naive yet there is something about them that I cherish. I became inspired to transgress the imagery I adore into my own artistic language. 

What's your current obsession? Artists, films, blogs?

I love Alan Jackson. I don't know why!!! Guilty pleasure I guess. He sings about the simple things in life, trucks, beer, four-wheel drive. I'm also really into Bonnie Raitt, Tanya Tucker, Lucinda Williams. Music inspires me to do everything that I do. And being a country musician I am so lucky to be exposed to so many great local bluegrass/country music. Plus I get to play great music with my best friends at least twice a week. I'm a lucky girl.

What are your thoughts on the Toronto art scene compared to everywhere else you've experienced?

I think the Toronto art scene is a competitive scene, but a talented one. There are so many amazing Toronto artists that I've met, and want to meet. I think it’s important for us to support each other, because it's easy to get lost. I think it's a lot of pressure to do it on your own.

What is your favorite cheap eats? You know, survival food for the starving artist?

Grilled peanut butter sandwiches. Cheese is too expensive. You can buy peanut butter really cheap and a loaf of bread is no more than $1.50. It tastes just like grilled cheese when you fry it in the pan. I'm telling you....either that or rice. It's all about the fiber.

Any last words?

Get er' done.