Calligraphy, Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Restaurant, Toronto, Work |

November 2, 2012

John & Sons Oyster House – BEFORE AND AFTER chalkboards

When I was asked to re-do the boards at John & Sons, the new Oyster bar on Yonge Street, at Balmoral, gold leaf somehow popped into my head and I decided to take on a new venture – gilding the chalkboards. This was a bit of a tricky task, but the finished results were stunning. Applying the sizing, then the gold leaf and finally filling all the gold borders in with chalk – BEFORE AND AFTER:

BEFORE

AFTER

APPLYING THE GILDING SIZE (GLUE)

BRUSHING OFF THE EXCESS GOLD LEAF

Art Buyers, Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Toronto, Work |

October 3, 2012

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Kraft Foods Canada

Getting Krafty on the new chalk-wall that was painted at the headquarters of Kraft Foods Canada. I took a break and had some K-D for lunch.

Calligraphy, Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Restaurant, Toronto, Work |

August 20, 2012

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Moving up the ladder….at Weslodge – Before and After

By far the trickiest chalkboard yet – 16 feet high, a bar in the way, leaning precariously over expensive glass light fixtures. Before, during, and after at Weslodge, 480 King Street West.

Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Toronto, Work |

August 14, 2012

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Sanagan’s Meat Locker

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker!

Sanagan’s Meat Locker is moving to a bigger location in Kensington Market – still on Baldwin Street. They needed some chalkboard help…

Before and after:

Calligraphy, Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Restaurant, Toronto, Work |

July 30, 2012

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Le Gourmand

The new chalk walls I just completed at Le Gourmand – 152 Spadina Avenue.

The images are French agricultural woodcuts from the mid 1800s – A farmer with his scythe, a woman with a bundle of wheat on her back, and a milkmaid…

Calligraphy, For fun, Rajiv Surendra, Toronto |

July 28, 2012

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A Birthday Dinner

I threw a little birthday dinner for myself, at home, for 18 friends last week and it turned out to be a magical evening! Having friends over for dinner on a weekday always brightens up a lack-luster week, and taking the time to add formality to the table with place cards, menus (or dipping your own beeswax candles!) etcetera, really changes the whole mood of the evening.

All the guests were artists in some shape or form, and everyone contributed to the evening with their presence, or their craft. The amazing girls from the Cake Opera Co. brought over show-stopping cupcakes that were featured on my collection of pressed-glass cake stands that date to the late 1800s. My classically-trained musician friends grouped together with their instruments (including a harp!) to put on an intimate, after-dinner session and I made 18 little programs that detailed the music played, complete with was seals on each one.

Everyone had a wonderful time, and we mutually wondered the next day if it had all been a dream…

Photos: Christian Humphrey

Calligraphy, press, Rajiv Surendra, Toronto, Weddings, Work |

July 1, 2012

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Wedluxe Spread!

Check out my work in the latest issue of Wedluxe magazine – calligraphy on plexiglass and glass. The giant seating chart is actually a large sheet of glass on which I wrote in reverse script (on the back).

Calligraphy, Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Restaurant, Toronto, Work |

June 28, 2012

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The Sovereign

The Sovereign is a great new cafe that recently opened its doors on Davenport Road at Dufferin. They needed a little chalkboard rescuing:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Calligraphy, Chalk, Rajiv Surendra, Restaurant, Toronto |

June 28, 2012

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The Harbord Room

Before and After at The Harbord Room:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Calligraphy, press, Rajiv Surendra, Toronto, Weddings, Work |

June 27, 2012

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Published! Inked work in the current issue of Wedluxe Magazine!

Brides-t0-be, wanna-be-brides, and guys who love wedding magazines, check out the latest issue of Wedluxe Magazine – in both Toronto and Vancouver – which features my work! (the pink place cards at bottom left are mine)