Sounds of Summer - VIDEO

Ambient sound is the single most important element in any film ... It is the backdrop for all dialogue and action. Get it right, and the 'texture' goes unnoticed, get it wrong and the entire film can be jeopardized. Be sure, when on location, to record the ESSENTIAL sounds of place ...Offered here on my two channels: canadada on VIMEO & MLH Productions on YouTube. It is the same video. - Which format do you prefer?  (UPDATE: Consensus is in. VIMEO for better quality, but YouTube for efficiency & better public reach ... )

Ping Pong and Poetry with MLH - CULTURE DAYS CANADA - Burlington, Ontario

 Join Golden Horseshoe Artist, Poet & Filmmaker

Margaret Lindsay Holton

for a bit of 'round robin' fun ...

Saturday, September 26th, 2-4pm - (ONE DAY ONLY) 

'PING PONG & POETRY with MLH'

@ Halton Hive (NB: formerly called 'Burlington Hive' ) 
901 Guelph Line, Burlington

LINK to EVENT here

 From Guelph Line & Fairview intersection, 

go UNDER the bridge towards Lowville, take 1st RIGHT IMMEDIATELY  

Fun to be showcased under the 

Ontario Activites - for CULTURE DAYS CANADA
and then again, on the Culture Days BLOG

'Peach Bounty'

Sometimes the unexpected beauty of the simplest things just catches your eye and takes your breath away. I had pulled some fresh peaches, put them in a bowl in the sink, was boiling the water ready to skin them, and just stood and LOOKED ... Then, went and got my camera ...Enjoy.

'Peach Bounty' by mlholton, 2015

Actor Jens Hansen as Canadian poet, Robert W. Service

Robert W. Service, Courtesy of Wikipedia CC.

Local actor Jens Hansen performs a spell-binding rendition of Robert Sevice's 'The Cremation of Sam McGee' ~ in the persona of the poet. This short film below has been made as a video embed for a review that I'm doing of the poet's life & major works for Brick Books of Canada: 'In Celebration of Canadian Poetry'. To be published in October, 2015.

UPDATE: October 29th, 2015 - NOW UP on Brick Books of Canada, in 'Celebration of Canadian Poetry'. 

Hamilton Music & Film Festival, Sept 25th-27th - Yeah! I'm IN!

Thrilled that my 14 minute documentary short - 

'Harold Dickert: Burlington Luthier' - will be presented at this festival. 

Soon nice to see my film-making efforts finally come to fruition ...

Harold makes the most beautiful stringed instruments 

in exotic and local woods that have great tonal resonance and sound clarity. 

Showing at THE SPICE FACTORY at 
121 Hughson St North, Hamilton, ON

Check for schedule & tickets HERE.

Launch of The Frozen Goose - Part 2

\

I've just picked up the promo cards for the IndieGoGo campaign. 

Lookin' good people!

----- Press Release ----- 

 

A new independent Canadian film production is underway in the GHA!

The Frozen Goose, based on a published short story of the same name by award-winning Golden Horseshoe artist & author, Margaret Lindsay Holton, is being made into a short film.

First published in the critically acclaimed cross-country World War One anthology, 'Engraved: Canadian Stories of World War One' ,The Frozen Goose follows a rural farming Canadian family as they cope in the aftermath of The Great War ...Their lives have been shattered. There has been Great Loss. And then - a horrific incident occurs that tests the very last shreds of their Survival Capabilities ...

Directed by Holton, cinematography will be handled by local photographic all-star, Kien Tran. Principal Photography is set to shoot in the first week of February, 2016.

A superb cast includes two veterans of the local stage, Leslie Gray, co-founder of Koogle Theatre Inc, and the ever affable Rod McTaggart - known for his recent performances at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Newcomers to the set include Cameron Brindle and the brilliant young starlet, Hannah Ralph - of Hamilton.

A novel aspect of this film production is that the Director, MLH, has committed to give a percentage of the net revenues to support The Red Cross of Canada. As MLH says, "Without The Red Cross, Life would be very bleak for many throughout the world. Thanks are to be given for their outstanding work for the young and old alike - all across Canada - and beyond."

- - - - - - - - -

See seductive teaser trailers for The Frozen Goose on YouTube, under MLH Productions. Beguiling and thought-provoking imagery is accompanied by the toe-tapping fiddling of the ever popular Golden Horseshoe fiddler, David Clarence MacLean.

Teaser Trailer 1.
  Teaser Trailer  2.

Keep up with the The Frozen Goose production via their fan page on Facebook.

Or, via Twitter @TheFrozenGoose.

For additional media updates and/or press queries, contact -

Margaret Lindsay Holton -

Writer/Producer/Director

Phone (redacted for internet)

Email: mlhpro (at) hotmail (dot) com 

UPDATE Aug 14th: Our First Bit of Press!  in the BURLINGTON GAZETTE 
UPDATE Aug 25th: Our Second Bit of Press! in The Hamilton Spectator & Flamborough Review. 

Launch of The Frozen Goose - Part 1

As some of you know, I've been involved with filmmaking over the past few decades ...

I am delighted to announce a new project, The Frozen Goose. Releasing in the Fall of 2016.
Please 'like' and 'follow' our production over on Facebook.

Exhibit 18 - 'Art in the Workplace', McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton

'Dory', acrylic on canvas - by mlholton - 2015

'Art in the Workplace' 

 Exhibition Opening 

Date: Thursday, August 6th, Time: 7-9 pm. 

Place: McMaster Innovation Park, Atrium

Live music, free horsey d-overs, 

cash bar - and of course, LOTS of fabulous art!* 

EXHIBIT RUNS FOR THE SUMMER.

Don't Miss It!

'SAIL PAST' by mlholton -  2015

* Note. The painting that I will have in this above show is 'Woodland Deer'. I've posted that around the 'web' a couple of times, so rather then 'repeat', I'm posting two newer works. If interested in either, please contact the artist for sizes & prices. nb: 'Dory' has NOT been stretched or framed yet.

McMaster Innovation Park

Address: 175 Longwood Road South, Hamilton, ON

Phone:(905) 667-5500

UPDATE:  Great Opening. Lots of Fabulous Work. Here are a few shots of what caught my eye (sorry, didn't take note of artists on route. Plus one shot of yours truly beside my work - eyes closed - NATURALLY. Ha!) 

MIP August to November, 2015 

 

Atrium of MIP - MLH with her piece, 'Woodland Deer'

 

MIP artworks  - with crowd shot of those in attendence

Winona Escarpment View

Winona Escarpment View by mlholton - Acrylic on Canvas 

Thank you for your on-going support and interest in my work! 
Copies of TRILLIUM will be shipped out in the first week of December.
To return to the fall 2018 mailer - link here.

WORLDS SMALLEST FILM FESTIVAL at NIFF, June 18th-21st

The 'Worlds Smallest Film Festival' challenge was to shoot an ultra short film ( less then 3 minutes) using a smart-phone or tablet. My ultra short 'stop motion' film, (52 seconds) was shot on an iPod in the spring of 2015. - The 'theme challenge' this year was WATER. So, guess what I did??

***PLEASE***

WATCH & 'LIKE' - my light-hearted mini film - 

 > SUGARING OFF!<

Sugaring Off -Video Still  by M.L.Holton

NIFF FESTIVAL DATES: : June 18-21, 2015. 
Expect a unique culinary & film adventure with exquisite food, phenomenal films, and stellar wines all in the heart of Niagara. The Niagara Integrated Film Festival (NIFF) is an unforgettable adventure in great food and phenomenal film taking place at all the top wineries in breathtaking Niagara Region.

Consider one of the four event 'packages': -

GALA - Experience a Hollywood premiere-style affair. The Opening Night Gala will take place at Peller Estates with a seasonally designed plated dinner and delightfully paired wines to kick off your NIFF experience. Fri-Sun night Galas will take place at Jackson-Triggs Winery with spectacular chef-attended food stations spanning the property. We'll have red carpets and talent to introduce the films and provide an interactive audience Q&A. Finish the night off at the complimentary after-party with a glass of wine!

FILMALICIOUS - It's dinner and a movie at its finest! Hosted at some of the most splendid wineries across Niagara-on-the-Lake and Twenty Valley, during this sensory experience guests will enjoy a sumptuous dinner paired with award-winning Niagara wines selected specially by the winemaker.

FILM FEAST - Film Feast shines the spotlight on the very best of food, film, and wine -- all combined to create a unique afternoon in the vineyards. Leave the tour behind and take a guided bus tour to some of Niagara's remarkable wineries. At each winery, guests sample a flight of vintages accompanied by exquisitely prepared hors d'oeuvres. What makes Film Feast unlike anything else is that at each winery you will enjoy the amazing short films selected from Canada's Not Short on Talent, a program imported express from the Cannes Film Festival.

SPOTLIGHT SERIES - Spotlight Series takes place at the Pen Centre in St Catharines and at the historic Seneca Queen Theatre in downtown Niagara Falls. The Spotlight Series Weekend Pass is your best bet to see as many films as you can from Thursday to Sunday for one low price!
 

For TICKETS & MORE INFO - 

Phone 289-438-1695
http://www.niagarafilmfest.com/

Learn more about NIFF: 
Bill Marshall (Founder & Chair Emeritus of TIFF) & Sar Ruda (Producer at Corsair Entertainment Corp) head up the Founders & Board of Directors -  https://niagarafilmfest.com/about-us/#founders

Individual Tickets - Schedule of Galas & Special Events - https://niagarafilmfest.com/buy-tickets/

Line up of the Main Festival 2015 FILMS - https://niagarafilmfest.com/2015-films/ 

OFFA-Oakville Festivals of Film & Art: June 26-28th

   June 26th -28th

WITH a PHOTO FOCUS    

--- See: UP COMING  FILM LIST.

And, JOIN US at the GALA - Saturday, June 27 at 8pm

Photo Art Fête is an exclusive celebration for VIP OFFA supporters to meet, hear, and celebrate the works of curated local and international photographers. This portion of OFFA 2015 is what sets us apart from any other film festival in the region. But more importantly it follows OFFA’s mission to “Breath new life into the Oakville Community.”

Photo Art Fête begins Saturday June 27th at 8pm with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The night continues with live art, live music and live performances throughout before a riveting discussion with a few of the 16 featured artists - including yours truly :)  I will speak about my evolving photo-collages, and about a new MLH film project in the works .... 

Finally, the first ever Oakville Festivals of Film & Art’s People Choice Award: Best Photograph will be presented preceding a great night of socializing and fêting. The event will be hosted by SavvyArt Market, one of Oakville’s leading art distributors.

If you are on Instagram, you can vote, if you like, (and I would appreciate it if you did!) for either one of my two favourite photos collages in the exhibit: 'Wolf Eye' - here, or  'Apple Sleeping' here

PHOTO ART Fête 2015 will take place at Aroma Espresso Cafe in Downtown Oakville,

 at 321 Lakeshore Road E, (Lakeshore and Reynolds, one East of Trafalgar.) and remain 'up' throughout the month of June.

Join the Photo Art Fête! 

See you there! - 8pm, Saturday, June 27th.

Update: A great occasion - albeit the weather was TERRIBLE. Kudos to all who braved the elements!

New Paintings: Spring 2015

Tulips in the Garden - Acrylic on canvas by M.L.Holton

 A loooong winter has passed, and a delightful, 

albeit flitting, spring is upon us. Summer beckons ...

Zoom into Summer - Acrylic on board by M.L.Holton

I'm shifting into a 'Canadada' kind of mood ... 

For sizes and pricing, please contact the artist.

Re-post: The Scenic Journey of Edgar Payne (1883-1947)

InCollect has done a great profile of Edgar Payne, the man and his works, aptly entitled, 'The Scenic Journey' (2013). When I discovered it, I loved it. So, I'm reposting that direct LINK .

I mean, really, LOOK at THIS. ....  It's bleedin' FANTASTIC! 

'From Heart to Hand', Holcim Gallery, Milton, Ontario, Canada

A number of escarpment-based artists from North Burlington (myself included) will be 

exhibiting at the annual Fine Art Society of Milton's - 

 'From Heart to Hand'

Show & Sale at the Holcim Gallery

in the Milton Centre for the Arts, Milton, Ontario

Exhibition Reception - Thursday, May 21st, 6:30-8:30pm, 

 - runs until June 6th, 2015

Hours: M&F, 11:30-5pm, T&R, 11:30-9pm, Sat. 9:30-5pm.

Always a great variety of subject matter, technique, perspective - and diverse talent.  

Holcim Gallery at Milton Art Centre, 1010 Main St East, Milton, Ontario, Canada

 Come on UP to Escarpment Country!

'Spring Revelry' Niagara Escarpment, North Burlington, Ontario - Photo Credit: MLHolton

Shooting at the moment ...

Cocks on the Mantel - B&W, & Sepai, Digital - by M.L.Holton

Legacy Mural at Velodrome in Milton, Ontario

This past weekend's unveiling of the LEGACY MURAL at the new Pan/Am Mattamy Cycling Centre in Milton did not disappoint. Eighty local artists spent months participated in this 'one-of-kind' wall mural project where each artist created ONE signature panel (12" x 12") to be incorporated into the larger line-drawing whole. Each panel had a basic colour code. Otherwise, artists were free to do what they wanted.

I wanted to do something very simple that would appeal to adults and children alike. 

I ended up using 'dollar store' rhinestones and butterflies to give it that whimsical twist ...
I was assigned block 'A8'....

Pieced altogether, here's the FINAL effect. 

Impressive, no? Can you find my contribution on the top there ?

 This mural is now 'publicly visible' on the THIRD floor of the The Mattamy National Cycling Centre. (it may not stay there permanently, but that's where it's at now.) This grand cycling venue provides a much needed 'cyclists home' in Southern Ontario, Canada, for amateurs and professional cyclists alike. Truly a legacy project for the larger community (unlike the CIty of Burlington's goofed-up money-grabbing 'legacy project' of installing tons of plastic grass into the nationally revered UNESCO Biosphere at City View Park.)

The Cycling Center is located at 2015 Pan Am Blvd, (At the Tremaine Road & Louis St.Laurent Blvd roundabout, circle around WEST to Pan Am Blvd ... South of Derry, North of Britannia.) Click on prior link for more info.

Also, a commemorative book about the LEGACY MURAL (including artists profiles) is soon available, HERE.

LOTSA SERIOUS FUN!

 (Justin, photog for Metroland, upper left, is such a photogenic cutie!)  CHCH TV was there too.

Fantastic launch - and equally impressive view of Rattlesnake Point from west side of Velodrome.

UPDATE: Nice bit of press, July 8th, The Hamilton Spectator, in a Special PanAm Edition ... 
Plus, a nice plug on CHCH News. 
 

Update, August 2015 - President of the Fine Arts Society of Milton, Ursula McDermid, selling souvenirs from this event ... Ursula McDermid, FASM President, selling Pan Am memorabilia ... Photo by m.l.holton

YUM!!!

DONE.

Woodland Deer - Painting

It's a kind of mini-miracle, when walking in the woods, to suddenly see a group of shy quiet deer. The sunlight shimmers through their translucent ears before their inevitable quick-bounce exit off into the dark cover of the trees.

Woodland Deer my M.L.Holton - Acrylic on canvas.

 ... I like this IDEA, and have run with it, zapping it a la mlh. 

If interested in purchase, please contact the artist for trim size &  price. .... Enjoy.

MLH Spring 2015 Newsletter & 'Early Bird' INVITATION

Dammit .... lousy weather still .... But, ***SPRiNG*** is coming ...

In mock defiance - and with Great Joy - I bring you the link to my latest Newsletter - 

MLH SPRING 2015 Newsletter & 'Early Bird' INViTATiON

Will post other 'new works' soon ...

Spring Walk - North Burlington

Brick Books Celebrates 40 Years of Canadian Poetry

The esteemed Brick Books (of London Ontario) is celebrating 40 years of poetry publications. (No easy feat in Canada's publishing climate...). To commemorate this noteworthy event they have developed a retrospective overview of living (and dead) poets who have been re-interpreted by keen readers - and listeners - of poetry.

I am delighted to say I've been profiled in Week 13 of this wonderful project. The ever-gracious Dr. Carol Soucek King, a former fine furniture design colleague, and friend, has profiled several of my earlier poems in her engaging and flattering tribute. 

Sample words by Carol follows: 'I had written some decades ago about the expertly crafted warmth, charm and wit that Lindsay brought into her award-winning furniture designs. These qualities are so deeply inherent in her Self that it should be expected that they would be cornerstones for everything else she does, especially those items produced by her writing hand.'

It is an honor - and a privilege - to be represented amongst such august poetic Canadians.