While, sadly, you won't find us at Art Basel rubbing elbows with Beyonce, we've made acquring an original artwork collection our high-brow New Year's resolution.

But how? We're starting by learning about people like Sheila Kernan, an Alberta College of Art & Design graduate and up-and-coming contemporary artist who creates paintings rich with sparkling layers and vivid colours, along plenty of graphic patterns. We love the piece ‘Turning Point’ ($1,190) -  the perfect snapshot into city life. Inspired by travel and the movement of cities, Kernan’s approachable artwork is a great place to begin a collection.

—Kait Kucy

Find Kernan's work at Gibson Fine Art, 102, 628 11th Ave SW, Calgary, http://gibsonfineart.ca

Abstract art lovers will want to take note of painter Janna Watson's new collection of work at the Beltline's Gibson Fine Art.

A recent graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, the Toronto-based artist creates images that "fuse categories of painterly and graphic, landscape and body, 2D and 3D, to blend tension and coherence as one."

Her beautiful, dynamic and sometimes chaotic works are selling like hotcakes across the country. Budding art collectors, get on it! —Kait Kucy

Janna Watson at Gibson Fine Art, 102-628 11th Ave. SW., www.gibsonfineart.ca

Dom Pérignon already has a rep as the champers of note, and now the famous champagne house has gone pop with the Andy Warhol tribute collection, a collaboration with the Design Laboratory at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design.

In celebration of the three reinterpreted bottles, 100 Wines by David Walker is hosting a Canadian release party, complete with food, live art, music and a bottle of Andy’s Dom. 

Like Warhol's take on fame, we don't expect these bottles to last more than 15 minutes.

Tickets $500 (includes a bottle), February 8 at 8 p.m., 100 Wines by David Walker, 1109 Olympic Way SE. Calgary, 403-452-8820, www.davidwalkerwines.com

We consider doodling one of our favourite pastimes, but the intricate black and white drawings by Tim Barnard put our hobby to shame.

The Deer Hunter, Barnard’s new show at The Gallery, includes a mural by the Montreal-based former Calgarian, in addition to illustrations and paintings. Barnard has worked for clients such as Aldo and Lifetime Collective so his work fits right into the gallery/fashion boutique. The mural will be a permanent fixture in the shop but take in the rest of the show before the end of the month.

Until August 31 at The Gallery, 1013 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-452-6511, www.gallerystyles.com

Whether the city kicked you to the curb or welcomed you with open arms, everyone has a memory of their inaugural visit to the Big Apple.

In My First New York: Early Adventures in the Big City (As Remembered by Actors, Artists, Athletes, Chefs, Comedians, Filmmakers, Mayors, Models, Moguls, Porn Stars, Rockers, Writers, and Others) ($19.85), 56 contributors share sometimes humorous, sometimes serious but always candid accounts of coming to New York for the first time. The collection started out as a magazine feature for New York but soon outgrew the mag’s pages. Arranged chronologically, starting from the 1933 arrival of David Dinkins, a former mayor, to last year’s move by an aspiring actress, the contributors also include Danny DeVito, Nora Ephron, Lorne Michaels and Rufus Wainwright.

Now cue Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.”

At Amazon.ca

For most of us, a hello in the elevator is rare, never mind borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbour, but for the residents of two Calgary buildings, neighbourly love is the norm. 

In her new book The Building Project, photographer Heather Saitz shot the residents and tight-knit creative community of the historical 13th Avenue Moxam and Congress apartment buildings. Nearly two years in the making, the project documents the lives and spaces of the artists, musicians, actors, writers and stylists who live and play in one of the 35 apartments, including Saitz herself.

Large-scale prints are on display at Gallery 101 until April 29; opening reception is Friday where signed books will be available ($45). www.davidwalkerwines.com/gallery101.html

If the wax sculptures at MadameTussauds make you a tad nervous that they’re about to come to life, wait till you see the work of Evan Penny.

The Toronto-based figurative sculptor, who studied at the Alberta College of Art and Design, is renowned for his detailed silicone renderings of the human body, complete with every wrinkle, hair, pore, crease and spot. Penny, along with sculptor Stephan Balkenhol, is showcasing his work until Saturday at the Trépanier Baer Gallery.

Just don’t get too close, you never know what might happen.

Runs until June 20, Trépanier Baer Gallery, 105-999 Eighth St. SW, Calgary, 403-244-2066, www.trepanierbaer.com

The well-edited wine display at 100 Wines by David Walker makes for more of a gallery ambiance than wine shop.

Tomorrow, the wine boutique launches an adjoining art space appropriately christened Gallery 101 that will house the non-grape varietal type of art.

First up are six local artists, including Amanda Meador (her piece pictured), who have created pieces interpreting the urban landscape.

Every six weeks a new show will focus on unsigned artists—it’s your chance to discover the next Basquiat at a steal.

Urban Landscapes opening, Thursday, May 28 (6-8 p.m.), Gallery 101, 1109 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, 403-452-8820, www.davidwalkerwines.com

When we heard that whimsical London socialite Fifi Lapin had a blog, we hopped right to it.

After all, Lapin is a uniquely stylish bunny and her list of runway must-haves and enviable wardrobe is a dangling closet carrot we love to chase. Plus, we just can’t resist the way she signs off all her posts with “bunny kisses.”

Most recently, Lapin teamed up with LeSportsac as its artist in residence to create a curious and playful collection, like this stylish compulsive shopper bag ($138, pictured).

She may be a silly little rabbit, but her shoe collection is to-die-for.

See more of Fifi at www.fifi-lapin.blogspot.com
Order LeSportsac online at www.lesportsac.com