Shawn Mackey – finding a way to go back to his favourite place through his art

WORDS BY MONA ROSE BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY WELZ

Painting His Way Back to the Big Island

Artist Shawn Mackey’s unique style frequently pays tribute to his great love of Hawaii, and recently he’s been able to focus wholeheartedly on that expression of love thanks to a big shift in his career

SHAWN Mackey is a world-renowned artist, with thousands of followers on social media and with paintings hanging in galleries in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Recently his title has gotten a bit longer: full-time, world-renowned artist.

Having split his time between teaching art over the past 11 years, 2022 is the first year of not having to work a full day, only to come home to work some more. Particularly in the past 5 or 6 years, he’s been doing the equivalent of two full-time jobs.

“Actually having the time to focus on the art has been amazing. I think I’ve been a lot more productive and a lot more creative. During those 11 years, I would come home after working all day, have a nap, and then spend another 3 or 4 hours in my studio. This is definitely a lot better,” Shawn explained.

This milestone comes thanks to finding enough of the right galleries for his art style, which means he can make the switch financially. His art has been triggering a response in people who want now, more than ever, to appreciate it in their own homes.

Shawn’s style isn’t stagnant. It took time to evolve to where it is and he foresees it continuing to evolve some more. In his earlier years as an artist, he was fascinated by abstract art and used the style heavily in his pieces.

“I fell in love with Jackson Pollock and Piccaso. My art had that vibe to it and I did that for a while. Once

I became a teacher, I was teaching the Renaissance era and started studying Michelangelo, da Vinci, these artists that did a lot of high realism. I started really studying their techniques and I spent 3 or 4 years just being a realism artist and not doing any abstract art at all.”

He continued to bounce between abstract and

realism - one for a few months and then the other, but neither felt like the perfect fit. The epiphany came when he decided to mix the two together. It wasn’t something that was finalized overnight, however. It began as realism with elements of abstract art introduced in the background in the way of various colours and textures. Then slowly, over a few years, the two seemingly opposite styles were married together on his canvases. “What really excites me and gets me motivated is the learning process and discovering new techniques and discovering new ways to combine these techniques. I don’t really know where [my style] is heading. It’s almost like a science lab! I’ll discover something new and then try to incorporate it.”

Shawn’s art is heavily inspired by the beauty of Hawaii and its many islands, with a prominent vintage feel. His art is shown in multiple galleries across the Hawaiian Islands and he will be doing several art shows there in 2023. During these shows, Shawn paints live for guests who mill about the gallery admiring his completed works. At the end of the night, the newly completed painting remains at the gallery.

“I took a trip with my wife to Hawaii a little over 10 years ago and totally fell in love with the island. So I started thinking about how I could get back to Hawaii, and through my art was the way to go.”

WWW.SHAWNMACKEY.COM

WORDS BY BRANDY BELITSKY PHOTOGRAPHY EMILY WELZ

Layering Up With CosaFina

Whether you are building a new home, looking to revamp a room, or are shopping for the perfect piece to complete a room, CosaFina will help you create a space you’ll love.

WWW.COSAFINA.CA

November is here, which means that the hustle and bustle of summer is now behind us. We are

beginning to spend more time in our homes wrapped up in cozy blankets, basking in the glow of our fireplaces with warm drinks cradled in our hands. When you live in a province where winters last for six months, having a cozy home is crucial to your well-being, and when we think cozy, we think CosaFina.

CosaFina, Italian for “Fine Thing”, is a local boutique where comfort and fine furnishings collide. The lovechild of Maria Brosch and her husband Tyrone was inspired by a passion for furniture and a yen to work in the retail industry. CosaFina opened its doors in November 2007, and 15 years later, it has become one of Edmonton’s favourite spots to find unique high-end furniture, gorgeous linens, tablewares, accents and more. When you walk through the doors at CosaFina, located on 109th street and 105th avenue in

downtown Edmonton, you will be greeted with a thoughtfully curated selection of luxury pieces. The overall vibe is modern traditional with a hint

of eclectic. Each piece is a breath of fresh air, adaptable and ultimately unique, ready to take your home in a beautiful new direction. Don’t be fooled

by the modest 3000 sq.ft. showroom, as many of the furniture pieces are available in different shapes and sizes with a large catalogue of fine fabrics to choose from.

Featuring brands like Verellen, Michel Ferrand, Libeco Belgian Linen, Oly and much more, CosaFina works closely with their favourite suppliers to bring you quality furniture. Some of their pieces are also sourced through showrooms, travels and have even been found on Instagram.

When it comes to furniture, Maria isn’t much of a trend follower. She is a firm believer that everyone should decorate the way they want with pieces that make them happy. If you’re not sure what makes you happy in the home design world, or if you do know and just need some help bringing your ideas to life, CosaFina also offers a wide range of interior design services. These services include in-home consultations, space planning, product and fabric selection, custom furniture options, window coverings, and re-upholstery. “Sometimes all it takes to find your style is a statement piece that you love, and then everything else falls into place,” Maria tells us. A statement piece could be any piece of furniture or decor that catches the eye.

Maria’s favourite room to decorate is the living room because it’s the room with the most layers and textures. It’s typically the room that everyone gathers in, so it’s important that it’s warm and inviting.

Maria's top three pieces that make for a cozy living space:

• Comfortable seating - Unique and cozy pieces with natural colours layered with brighter pops of colour.

• Great lighting adds ambiance

• A statement piece - Every room needs a statement piece, like a hand painted credenza or a wood chest, anything unique.

WORDS BY MONA ROSE BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY MEGAN ALBU

A Home for the Modern Nature Lover

Surrounded by the best nature the city has to offer, this home ties together all the modern touches of a luxury home, and the accessibility to trails, trees, and river scenes an outdoorsy family could want.

Surrounded by Edmonton’s natural beauty on 3 sides, the neighbourhood of Crestwood is the perfect home base for people who like to enjoy the outdoors. The home, which is located on a quiet street just off of the MacKenzie Ravine, is only a 10 minute walk away from magnificent river valley views, and only a 20 minute walk away from MacKinnon Ravine Park which connects you to River Valley Road, your easy link to downtown.

From the outside, the home is modern without being unwelcoming thanks to the wood detail and warm exterior lighting. Upon entering, you’re welcomed with a textbook example of what open-concept should be. The bright, expansive space is filled with luxurious finishes and unique touches. The kitchen is a home cook's dream: the quartz countertops, Bosch appliances, and soft-closing cabinets make hosting dinners, preparing lunches, or enjoying an informal Saturday morning breakfast a stress-free experience.

The hardwood floors tie the main floor together, making the transition from kitchen to living room seamless, where you’ll find two incredibly unique features: the fireplace and the sunroom. No need to worry about hanging anything in the living room, the fireplace itself could be considered a work of art. The various textures play well together, along with the wood-filled archway, making for a visually exciting wall. If you were to follow the fireplace to the end of the wall and past the built-in bookcase, you’ll find

the perfect spot to enjoy the sun all year round. The sunroom, which is incorporated into the entertaining space, is excellent for those who like to feel close to the outdoors. Listen to the rain fall on a cozy autumn day, relax with a book surrounded by a bright blanket of snow, or even easily supervise your kids as they jump through the sprinkler in the summer.

Moving upstairs, you’ll find a gorgeous exposed wood ceiling with skylights and 4 bedrooms; the masterpiece being the master suite. This luxurious oasis includes an 8-piece ensuite bathroom. The massive shower with double rain

shower heads and a soaker tub means you have options for how you’d like to unwind. Through the ensuite is your walk-in closet, with ample space to display your favourite wardrobe pieces, and store the ones you don’t need right now.

“The ideal lifestyle for a potential buyer would be someone who enjoys living in a safe, central, mature neighbourhood and who also has family members to share the large home with or likes to have extra space for guests when they come to visit,” explained Kevin Rakowski, Broker and Owner of Vice Realty.

With four bedrooms upstairs, you may be tempted to declare that that is plenty of room for a family and their guests. The home doesn’t stop there, however. The finished basement includes 2 more bedrooms, as well as a second laundry room, the first being on the main floor, a 3-piece bathroom, and plenty of storage space. The basement isn’t without its own unique touches either. You’ll find a vintage stone fireplace and an exposed brick wall in one of the bedrooms. The basement also includes

its own entrance, perfect for in-laws or other long-term guests, whom you’ll be hard pressed to encourage to leave after they enjoy the beauty and comfort your home has to offer.

WWW.VICEREALTY.CA