IDS Opening Night Party

Now, I know what you're asking. "What would posses a nerdy animation designer to attend the opening night party of Toronto's Interior Design Show? That has nothing to do with cartoons!" To which I answer, "Hogwash! IDS has EVERYTHING to do with cartoons!" And by cartoons I mean characters. Lots and lots of characters.


There was this girl I kept seeing at various points in the evening sitting by herself in a colourful clubby ensemble. Every time I passed her she had this vacant expression like she had been stood up. Then her friend came, and they continued to sit there moping like whiney Eeyores for the duration of the evening! It's so hard being tall, young and gorgeous. I speak from experience, obviously.


This guy was from one of the decorating magazines and he kept trying to grab designers to interview for their website. Most were scared and ran away, but this lady gave in and let him quiz her about hot spring trends.



Then the spontaneous krumping broke out. I can't say for sure, but there was something about these dancers that felt very choreographed. Like they were a hired flashmob or something. Tragically, it will forever remain a mystery.


Man reads the paper while he waits for his date. I was 70% sure that he knew I was drawing him.


Girlfriend came over and he pointed at me. Then they started to pose. At this point, I was 124% sure that they knew I was drawing them.


At the Design by Reach Lounge I sat at a table with these other women (because I'm gutsy like that!) and started to draw the scene. This lady in particular felt very Bond-esque with her mod glasses and long brown hair. They were having an interesting discussion about amateur photographers who tote $2000 SLRs and only shoot with the Auto setting. A bit of an epidemic these days.


Two ladies chatting, one holding a chinese food takeout container filled with a fresh pretzel. I know this because I later consumed said pretzel.


Sat at the booth of Interior Designers of Canada. I walked by and noticed the repeating patterns of the desk lamps and wanted to draw it. Later I chatted with them and they were super nice!


This fancy-pants group was very stylish. As I walked around with feet snuggley-warm in red Polish combat boots, I wondered how these ladies felt in their stilettos after 5 hours of standing.


Lots of people talked to me at the after party in The Thompson Hotel. She wanted me to draw her sipping her drink!


The place was packed and all the bartenders were flipping out. I would never be able to work in the service industry because I'd just melt to a giant puddle of goo in everyone's beverage. That wouldn't taste delicious.


A bunch of guys in suits were sitting next to me and when they noticed I was drawing them I called back, "Sure am! And you're okay with it, right??" Too funny!


Time to restock! All the IDS people drank up the whole place!

Parts and Labour

Last night I finally checked out Parts and Labour, a hardware store turned restaurant in Parkdale. It was like stepping into the pages of Eye Weekly where all the girls are super-fashionable and all the men wear toques, plaid shirts and beards. The bar staff graciously let me sit for 5+ hours to draw while sipping coffee and mint tea. I promise that next time I visit I'll actually eat something! So here are the pics:


If you eat here you can get your wine poured by a real life urban lumberjack!


I recognized the girl with the ponytail as this Toronto lifestyle blogger named Raymi. Except the only reason that I know about her is from an article in the newspaper. I think that makes me kind of a grandma.


Why does everyone here have a beard?? It's totally wigging me out!



This couple was super cute.


From the back the hostess looked like a dancer. She had really great posture for someone seated in a chair with no back support!


These two were awesome-cute as well. The girl had super long blonde hair and her date was rocking the nerd-chic glasses.


I love when women do that casually propped-up thing with their hands and wrist. The funnest thing ever to draw.


Some guy telling the bartender a story.


Two cooks came out after service had wrapped.


Slightly inebriated woman stares off into space.


This is the nice bartender who watched over my sketchbook when I took washroom breaks. Here he is making someone a drink!


Cheque, please!

Countdown To Hell (AKA 'Licious)

In Toronto we have this perverse biannual prix-fixe phenomenon known as 'Licious in which the masses assault the city’s dining establishments in search of a good deal. And it’s not even that great a deal anymore. Originally conceived to boost the suffering hospitality industry post-SARS, the concept has now mutated into a spring fling for selfish, badly behaved diners.

I send this out as a peace offering. Dear reader, if you feel inclined to participate in Winterlicious 2011, heed my advice. No, the kitchen won't remake the entire menu to accommodate your vegan diet. And no, you can't haul out a 2 liter bottle of pop from your purse and feed it to your children. And for godsake, leave a tip!

Tabitha Dates Drawing - Show Hours

Opening night was a success! Thanks to everyone who came out despite the cold snap in Toronto! Thought I might give everyone an update as to the hours for the show.


As you can see, I will be sitting the gallery every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 pm. So if you weren't able to make it to the show, you have until February 6th to drop by. Also, if you would like to make an appointment for the week let me know. Don't be shy, I like planning! The show runs until February 8th. It's accessible through easy-access TTC or paid lot parking. If you find free street parking, you've pretty much won the lottery. Here is the location!


In other news, I did a mini interview for Canadian Animation Resources blog before the show, so you can read it here. Anthropomorphic punk rock dog-people like mollusks for dinner, right? Cuz I sure do!

Next week we will be back to our regularly scheduled program with drawing nonsense from my life in Toronto. Except now it's snowing like a mofo so maybe I'll just post a white page. TTFN!

Art Show Sneak Peek

Reminding everyone that my art show, "Tabitha Dates Drawing: An Exhibition of Sketchbook Love", is opening THIS FRIDAY! Stop by between 7-11pm for a good time! I've had to neglect my blog this week because I've been rushing around for the show. To make up for it, here's a pic that will be featured in the exhibition. In total there will be 35 colour prints on display, plus a few copies of "Tabitha Draws Paris" on hand for sale. If you can't make it to the opening, that's okay too! It runs until February 8th and is accessible by appointment. For directions and more info, visit my main site.

Hope to see you there!

Dark Horse Espresso Bar: Now with 1% More Nerd

I was waiting to pick up some printing around Queen street and thought I'd hop into Dark Horse Espresso Bar for a drink-n-draw. It's a fairly hip place, so when I overheard this comment from my neighbour...


Yes, he's a LARPer. Be very afraid.

Dungeon Masters aside, I also did some drawing of regular coffee-drinking folk. Most were working on their laptops or fiddling with iPads. One man in particular had a nervous breakdown because he missed out on a gig... likely from spending too much time at the coffee shop. Anyhow, so here they are:


No idea how this woman managed through the snow in those shoes. Maybe she keeps some Sorels in her Bag of Holding. (Epic LOLZ)


I drew these three in the middle of an important meeting. They noticed but didn't seem to mind.


This is the nervous breakdown man. Oh yes, right now he seems happy. But just wait till the guy on the other end tells him they lost the contract. Lolz ensue.


Working hard, or hardly working? Oh, snap.


Harry and Hermionie Facebook-stalk Ron after his girly horcrux-induced temper tantrum.


Muffin... or cake? That is the question.

C'est What Social

I brought my sketchbook along to meet some friends at Toronto brewpub C'est What, home to a great selection of craft brews on tap plus whiskies and Ontario wines. Also I discovered they have tasty dijon chicken fingers, a throwback to my Janes-obsessed youth. Here are a selection of drawings from the night.



Sipping and chatting with a killer 'stache. It's how he rollz!



She tackles the lamburger.






What was the name of that song again? The one from Band class?





A beer float?? Say WHAT?!




Then the rainbows and unicorns took over...