WW177: MAD MAX, CARPOOL DEVILLE, and A NEW HUE

5 things I want you to love this week……because I LOVE them!

1.) Thank you Canada. (That is what the USA is saying because of this AMAZING invention) I invite you, dear readers to enjoy….The Carpool DeVille…..

Yes…….the "world's fastest hot tub" built by two Canadians is at full steam to break a speed-racing record. Um… yes…..it's a fully functioning and mobile hot tub built into a 1969 Cadillac Coupe DeVille!! Duncan Forster, left, and Phil Weicker, came up with the idea of a tub on wheels while they were engineering students at McMaster University in Hamilton and now they have raised $11,251 on the Kickstarter!

Its creators hope to use the money to bring their brainchild to Speed Week, an annual racing event at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, in August. If Carpool DeVille successfully makes its debut at the race, it would be recognized as the world’s fastest hot tub.

Here's a vid:

(link for iPhone-ers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCM8K3-rKBM )

“Always do sober what you say you’d do drunk, that’s the only way you’ll learn”

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right?

2.) THIS…….

Mad Max: Fury Road……2015……….
If you like dirty filthy people and/or Albino nipples….this one is most-def for you!!!!

(For iPhone peeps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akX3Is3qBpw )

OMG. Am I right???????

3.) You know how I love paper things…..well THIS is lovely! "A New Hue"
from George Rigby

This is a graduate film made at Bournemouth University's NCCA by George Rigby, Jennifer Hardy and Stephen Tucker. Check this out: facebook.com/anewhuefilm

A New Hue from George Rigby on Vimeo.

(or go HERE!)

COOL HUH????

4.) It's almost lunch when I write this…..and thanks to Recipe Girl  I am dreaming of this:

Spinach salad with chicken, avocado and goat cheese!!!!

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 min
Ingredients:

SALAD:
8 cups chopped spinach (1 bag)
1 cup halved cherry or pear tomatoes
1/2 cup corn (frozen, canned, or cut off the cob)
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 large avocado, sliced
1/3 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

DRESSING:
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:

1. Place spinach in a large salad bowl. add remaining salad ingredients.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad and toss (a little at a time... as much dressing as you desire).

Go to Recipe Girl for more!

5.) HAAA! You know I love Jimmy Fallon…..and that I am an immature man-child…..so I enjoyed these……"Palisades Park Pet Patrol"……you're welcome…...

KENSINGTON MARKET ART FAIR 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Hmm…..maybe that is not the right sequel name…..
Lemme try that again….
KMAF TOO: Look who's talking now
KMAF 2: This time it's personal
KMAF 2: The legend of Ron Burgundy Rob Croxford
KMAF 2: European vacation
KMAF 2: Tokyo Drift
KMAF 2: and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Ok…I am out of ideas……why don't you help me find a great sequel name in the comments!!

Anyways, this weekend was my second-to-last outdoor exhibition of the season, and the second time I have done #KMAF. My first experience was off-the-chart good. (Sorry…I have a bit of hyphen-fever today!) My second was pretty good too…..here is my photo/video log of the day…..

I showed up at 8:45am to set up……(we were told 9am - but I am a keener - aka Type 'A'!)
Unfortunately….my tent was to be set up where this solitary truck was parked.
Sigh.

I considered opening my booth in the back of this abduction vehicle…..but ultimately didn't!
I think my decision to sell work out of a long overcoat was a much less creepy decision!

Thankfully that truck eventually moved, and I was able to set up shop for the day….and it looked a little something like this:

This time around I left a LOT at home. I brought new prints, and postcards and such…..

And it got pretty dang busy!!!

Eventually it slowed a bit……so to attract people in, I began to performing highlights from Chicago the Musical!

 Oh MAN I am a sucker for jazz hands….or magic fingers……or Vanna White-ing (It's like Vogueing, only substantially GAY-er!)
And if you think I look ridiculous in that photo….I appear even more insane in this video clip….

(here for you iPhoners  http://youtu.be/E3UyDqfLvY4 )
I intend on submitting that video to The Price is Right….it seems I missed my calling as a Barkers Beauty…..
OK MOVING ON…..

I have to admit that I was THRILLED that the weather look like this!

It was supposed to look like this…..

WHEW!!!!

That is THREE - count them - THREE outdoor shows in a row that are rain free!!!!

HUZZAH!

My neighbour (and dear friend) Cindy Scaife helped keep me amused all day……

…both with her wonderful art and her scintillating personality……and her bangs.

During another crowd-lull I started doing my 'nosey neighbour' character…….

"hey….whatcha go there? You selling something?"

….Glen Kravitz…..

You know……like Gladys Kravitz……..you know…...from Bewitched…..

Ugh….I am seriously dating myself here aren't I !?

And speaking of old…..While I handed out a bunch of cards and such you know - networking……

I was told that I need be working on my brand…….I explained I had the Twitter, and the Facebook and the Instagram and that I was @robcroxford on all of them…..

But then I was informed that I really should have a hashtag….to help my "branding"……

UGH!

I thought it could be #robcroxford…but allegedly that is not really catchy…..

COME ON!!! I am not 20 years old……or 30…..or hell even 40 anymore…..I am lucky to be as savvy as I am about these things……

So how about #croxROCKS or just #im2oldforthiss**t

You got a better hashtag than #croxRocks ??

Boy I would love to hear it! :-)

Anyways……all and all a great day, with lots of new contacts and a little $$ to buy some boxed wine.

AND IT ALMOST was rain free….....I got almost home before the clouds rolled in and BLAMO!

The ONLY bad thing about schlocking your wares in a parking lot………is this….

I would like to tell you that this is a tan line……
ALAS…..NOT SO MUCH!  It is quite simply, just FILTH!!!!!!

(my hands were also disgusting see my white ring finger???)
EW!!!

#filthydirtford #dustycroxyuck #slobcroxford #ew # glamorousartistlife

I really don't get this whole hashtagging thing!

So, I would like to thank the fine folks at Keep6 for organizing a great day for the #KMAF

Hopefully I get to be a part of this show again next year!

Thanks to all who visited me! 

It is always appreciated!!!!!!

See you in September for The Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Fair!

I will have a bunch of GREAT new stuff that you are gonna want to have!!!! ;-)

Have a good week y'all!

INEXPENSIVE BUT NOT CHEAP!

Art is expensive. Right??
I really hate that idea. It's true, I have some work that is $3000.00+
But the lions share of my work is less than $1200!
Is that cheap? Well…..for some….yes…
For original artwork from a full time artist who has 10 years of showing…..NO.
Generally, my prices are a little lower than my peers! But that doesn't make it affordable to EVERYONE…and art NEEDS to be for everyone!
So that became a bit of mission for me!
My first solution was to create a $50 original piece of art.

"Bird Brain", 6" x 6", Acrylic and Mixed Media
STILL AVAILABLE!!! (and did I mention only $50.)

These 6" x 6" pieces are now a mainstay for me!
My next step to stay solvent and ward off a Starbucks day job was to create 2 sizes of prints….
16" x 20" giclèes for $75
and 8" x 10" giclèes for $35
LIKE THIS NEW ONE:

Next inexpensive art idea I had was a $25 image transfer that is 2" x 3"! Like these:

And that should have been enough…….but then it wasn't…….
The final idea that I am excited to share is the lowest price item in my shop.
Say hello to…..POOOOOOSTCAAAAAAARDS….
(imagine me saying that like Oprah!)

Right now I have 10 (yes TEN) postcards!

These are TEN different styled postcards 4" x 6" (standard postcard size) that are only $3. each!
COME ON!!!!!!!
Now you can send postcards to all you friends!
Or you can collect a few…..frame them up and have your first "starter" collection!
Why not start small?

Here is the 3"x 6….and I really love them!!!!!!!!
I think they work really well…….so far there are only 10….but I think they are super!

Redesigned for the new size and format……this was the front!

Then the back is also designed to compliment the front.

If you know me…..and I think you probably do by now…..you know that the design of things is paramount to me! I wanted these postcard to be completely authentic looking….for example….this is the back of the Flatiron postcard above:  

To check out ALL the postcards (both front and back) you can go to MY SITE….
And to buy them…..you can either see me on this Sunday (July 27th) in Kensington Market…
(see deets here!)
OR you  can buy them on ETSY and have them come right to your home!
So….there you go!
Now EVERY person can get in on my art!
You're welcome!
;-)

WW176: MASTERS OF SEX, DAVID JABLOW and CLOCKONE

Here are the 5 things that I love this week!!! I want you to really love them too!!

1.) Masters of Sex. Ok….I KNOW I KNOW…..I am WAY FAR BEHIND ON THIS!! But wow!
You gotta watch this show!

Thanks Showtime! Yes…this is the sex-centric version of Mad Men. Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan star as the lead characters, Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson, two pioneering researchers of human sexuality at Washington University - who go on to revolutionize how we think about sex!

AMAZING! Beau Bridges and Allison Janney just knock your socks off!! WOW!!!

If you haven't seen it.

DO! NOOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!

If you have (like most other people I know) just ignore that it took me so long to get into it!

Here's a clip from season one:

(here for my iPhone friends!!)

I even love the beginning credits….very cute!

Go watch it. Not for the smut………for the acting….and the scenery……\

FINE…AND THE NUDITY!!!

;-)

2.) This guys work is super! David Jablow is an artist/illustrator that can turn something like this…

 ….into this…..

…. or this…...

 …OR THIS!!!!

Amazing!
Check him out…..on HIS SITE or on his ETSY site
or on the Facebook or on the Twitter!
(thanks Cheepay for finding this fine artist and bringing him to my attention!)

3.) It's summer….have I mentioned that?? Here is how you could celebrate:

YUMMMM.
(and then imagine these WITH VODKA!!!!)

4.) I need this. I really do. ‘Clockone’ by twelve24 is a four millimeter thin, meter-long wall clock that uses high contrast E-ink technology to display time!

It is powered by a single coin-cell battery and runs for an average of a year! It weighs less than two kilograms. This lightweight timepiece can also be hung using a simple magnetic mounting system and tilts to automatically level itself.

"Clockone" will be available september 2014, and can be pre-ordered here.

Check out this video:

Twelve24 ClockONE Story from Twelve24 on Vimeo.

(via Design Boom)

5.) Finally, I give you this face swapping goodness……..it made me laugh! (thanks husband for this link!)

Go to THIS LINK for a few more disturbing celebrity photos…..

KENSINGTON MARKET ART FAIR…..NEW PRINTS….AND STUFF……..

Howdee!
It's Monday, and I have a bunch of stuff I wanna share with you today!
Let's do it to it, y'all! (Sorry - sometimes I break into 70's disco slang, ya' jive turkey's!)

I was THRILLED to have a few pieces find great homes this week.
I always talk about the "right" person finding the "right" piece……(and I can feel some of you rolling your eyes in your head)….but it is totally true! Eventually almost every painting finds it's home!!
I paint things that I LOVE, and as many of you know, my work and my personality are pretty similar……a little off kilter…….so it takes a certain type of person to really like my art! So when they do it is an affirmation about my art….and honestly…...maybe about my personality!?
YIKES!
It means that when people really "don't get it" (and let's face it - it happens) it kinda still stings a little bit. In fact someone at the Toronto Outdoor Show this year said that right to me!!
"Are you the artist? Because I really don't get this!"
I went in to explain my process and such…..(thinking that it would illuminate her dimly lit mind)….
and after I had finished….she said….
"Um, ya, I get HOW you are doing it….but i just don't see why!"
Then I punched her in the face thanked her for her honesty, and told her that "I guess every art is not for every person"……thinking that was the most polite way of handling her…..to which she replied
"That's for sure!"
THEN I PUNCHED THAT BITCH IN THE FACE.
Just kidding ;-)
I told her that I really didn't "get" her personality……or her shoe choice…...
JUST KIDDING AGAIN….I wish I had, but I am just NOT that rude to strangers.
I am fortunate that the opposite side of this story is more frequent!

This weekend, one piece that I was happy to see leave my studio - to find its forever home was this one:

"Riverdale Farm",  36" x 24", Acrylic on Canvas

Yes…..many of you who are regular readers……remember this poster I did as charity work for a VERY WORTHY cause….Riverdale Farm Aid……which raised a BUNCH of money for the Farm!
To find out more about Riverdale farm see this post of my blog……but then…..I KNOW you have  already read it……right regular readers????
ANYWAY…..so I was happy it found a loving home!
Speaking of finding a home…….another piece that I hope finds a new home is this big boy……
"Outta this World" is a 40" x 60" Giclèe print of an original painting - BUT then I wasn't happy with the look so I spent another full day repainting on top! Now I love it….and I want you to love it too…….

I showed it at Kensington Market Art Fair 2 months ago……and I really want him to find a home.
HE IS HUGE…..and is therefore priced at $500 bucks (which is still pretty G.D. CHEAP!)
And he was a hit at K.M.A.F….so much so that I created smaller giclèes…..

As always this FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC piece is a limited edition number of professionally printed art pieces. It is printed on acid-free watercolour paper and then signed and numbered by me!
He comes in 2 different sizes…..an 8" x 10"is $35.00
and a 16" x 20" is $75 bones! I think this one will be a big seller - the 'bots tend to move pretty fast!!

COME OUT THIS WEEKEND and buy one of these new prints (or buy his bigger hand painted cousin) at:

Kensington Market Art Fair

Sunday, July 27th - 11am-6pm

You couldn't buy my reproduction works at The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, BUT you CAN buy some great stuff at this outdoor event as part of "Pedestrian Sundays" in historic Kensington Market! 

I REEEEEAALLY hope you can come out!!
And remember…if you make it out……and you "don't get" someone's art….it is TOTALLY okay….but don't be a D-bag and TELL THEM! They put their heart into it……
Not that you would. All my readers are WAY too sophisticated!!!
Have a great week friends!

WW176: BERRY PIZZA, CLAIRE BREWSTER, and BAD LIP READING (again)

Here are 5 things I want you love this week!!!

1.) Um….this summer berry season……WE MUST TRY THIS…...

It's a Grilled Blackberry, Strawberry, Basil and Brie Pizza Crisp with Honey Balsamic Glaze

INGREDIENTS
1/2 (about 1/2 a pound) recipe of your favorite pizza dough
1/4 cup olive oil
16 basil leaves, chopped + divided
8-12 ounces brie, sliced
1 1/2 cups strawberries, chopped
3/4 cup blackberries
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Balsamic Honey Glaze
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons honey

INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the dough 1-2 hours ahead of time.
Well the dough rises make the honey balsamic glaze. Add the balsamic vinegar and honey to small sauce pan and simmer until reduce by half. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to use.
When ready to grill the pizzas preheat the grill the high heat.
Add the blackberries to a bowl and add about half of the basil. Lightly mash the blackberries with a fork.
Invert a baking sheet and generously dust with flour.
Divide the pizza dough in half and roll each half as thin as you can, but make sure not to rip the dough. Cut the dough into 12 to 16 squares or circles (I did both). Add the olive oil to a small bowl and brush both sides of the pizza rounds with the olive oil and place on the baking sheet.
Carefully add half of the pizza rounds to the hot grill and grill for no more the 2 minutes. The dough will bubble up, this is good! Remove the pizzas using tongs and repeat with the remaining pizza rounds. When all the pizzas are grilled, turn the heat on the grill down to medium.
Top the grilled side of each of the pizzas with slices of brie, but make sure to leave a 1/2 inch boarder around the edges so the brie does not melt all over the grill. Then top with lightly mashed blackberries and the chopped strawberries. Carefully return the pizzas to the grill and grill another 3 to 5 minutes, our until the brie has melted and the pizzas are crisp. Top with the remaining fresh basil and drizzle on the honey balsamic glaze.
To make the American flag pizza place the the blackberries in the left hand corner of a square pizza crisp and then push the strawberries into the brie in rows. Grill as directed above.
GO TO Half Baked Harvest for more fantastic food recipes and see the food porn!!!!!!!

GO NOW! (and then come back :-)

2.) NOT a big bird lover……but I do loves me some paper works…..Claire Brewster is artist from London who works with old maps and atlases and crafts them into these amazing birds. They are either pinned to the wall in large scale installations, or captured on a smaller scale in shadow boxes….her new birds are Acid-etched brass ones! Ah-mah-zing!!!

Thanks to The Jealous Curator for this one!
GO TO Claire Brewster's website FOR MORE!!!!

3.) This is cool. Not sure why I like it so much….but……deep in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand is the
New World shopping mall. It WAS an 11-story shopping center. Now….it is a crazy urban aquarium. 

You see……after it was built they had to demolish all but the bottom 4 floors…..(due to Bangkok’s old regulations on a four story limit for buildings)…..then the mall suffered an arson attack. Sufficed to say it was eventually abandoned. The roof of the building was damaged in the aftermath and the basement was flooded with the rainwater. In the early 2000’s, someone introduced a small population of exotic Koi and Catfish species to the ‘pond’. The fishes managed to thrive…and voilà…..instant aquarium.

Neato - huh????

via TASTE OF THE ROAD

4.) In the Flesh is a BAFTA award-winning BBC supernatural drama series. The plot is set after "The Rising" which is the show's take on a zombie apocalypse and its story and drama focuses throughout on reanimated teenager (the protagonist), and his return to his local community.

NOT A COMEDY……..in fact it is kinda like one part "the Killing" (in its pace) one part "Walking Dead" (the Zombie factor) and one part 'big old downer'!
And yet I can't stop watching it!!!!!
Here's a clip!

But don't say I didn't warn ye…...

5.) This. Is. Funny. I had blogged about Bad Lip Reading before HERE……BUT please enjoy these newer videos from them!! They really made me laugh!!!!!!!!!

(or try this link)
…….and if "Game of Thrones" isn't your thing…..you may enjoy the "Walking Dead" Bad Lip Reading:

(or try this link)
You're welcome!!!
Now you must check out their website HERE.