KING OF KENSINGTON

Happy Friday!
I wanted to post this yesterday - but I just cold not get this painting DONE.......
So, to celebrate showing in Kensington Market again this year, I have created another new painting (and a print to come)
First.....here are the show details.......

The Kensington Market Art Fair (KMAF) is an annual curated outdoor art fair in Toronto’s historical neighbourhood, focusing on original art and craft. KMAF features artists working in painting, drawing, illustration, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and more! In partnership with the Kensington Market BIA and Pedestrian Sundays, KMAF occurs on the last Sunday of each month from May to October.

THIS WEEKEND ---
Sunday June 28, from 12pm – 7pm
77 Nassau Street, Kensington Market

More info: www.keep6.ca/kmaf
Contact: info@keep6.ca
Artist Directory: http://keep6.ca/kmaf/2015-featured-artists/

SUPER EXCITED TO BE SHOWING A NEW KENSINGTON PAINTING!!
So, I wanted to show you how the piece shaped up.....step by step.....

I drew a lot of this piece in - then inked it....then added the paint like watercolour!

Then slowly started putting in the shadows....

I really like how it looks without a bo!rder.......BUT.....

Beige border in place

FOREVER...now with a blue additional border.....

forever KENSINGTON MARKET....with more colour changes and such....

Then I decided it still looked compositionally unbalanced, so I
added the "Toronto Ontario"  -- then put washes and aging (my FAVOURITE PART)!

And here she is in all her glory!!!

"Forever Kensington", 36" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas, 2015

YUP! She is a beaut!
I hope everyone agrees!!
See you next Sunday at the KMAF!
(Don't worry I will remind you across ALL the social networking platforms next week!)
;-p
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND Y'ALL!

FINAL FINAL SUMMER SCHEDULE

Hey Y'all!!!!!

So all the jury results are in!

For those of you who are not artists, let me tell you, I do not enjoy the jury process.

I have a HUGE file of rejection letters.......that mostly all start with: 

"After much deliberation, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to include your work in this year’s __________. Blahbity blahbity blahbity!"

The truth is, each "no" still hurts a little, yes, even after all these years.

And each "yes" is still a validation of your art!

It is terrible! 

Each year, I have had to say to artist friends "Well, these things are subjective and have no reason........" when they inform me that they haven't gotten into a show that I have or vice versa!

The thing is, I am not on the jury committees. It must be hard. 

You want your show to be the best it can be, and you want to have the breadth and depth that a show should have. You can't have 100 pop-art inspired poster-stlyed painters (like me). You can't have 100 wildlife photographers.....you should have a varying roster of artists. I GET IT!

BUT still that "no thank you" is like a kick in proverbial balls.

This year has been a mixed bag or rejections and acceptance!

HERE are my upcoming summer and early FALL shows......

APRIL

Sienna Gallery

A new gallery carrying works by ME!!

2865 Chamberland Street, Unit #2

Rockland, Ontario

I cancelled my MAY shows to focus on getting work done!
(And taking ANOTHER short VACATION!)

JUNE

Riverdale Art Walk

Jimmie Simpson Park, Toronto, ON.
Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7, 2015

I will have brand new works in most every size, and some limited edition prints too!

JUNE

Queen and Jackson: Art and Craft Market

Players’ Guild | Downtown Hamilton, Ontario

June 13 – 14, 2015

I am working on new Hamilton works - and prints!!!!!!

JUNE

Kensington Market Art Fair 

Kensington Market, Toronto, ON.

June 28th

Getting a NEW print about Kensington Market ready!

JULY

Kensington Market Art Fair 

Kensington Market, Toronto, ON.

July 26th

AUGUST

Wychwood Barns Art Market

Toronto, ON.

August 15th 

SEPTEMBER

Cabbage town Art and Crafts Sale

Riverdale Farm, Toronto, ON.

September 11-13th

THAT is the new schedule!

WHEW!

BUSY DAYS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you come out to see me and the new work at any OR ALL of these shows!

See you in the parks!

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!

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!

KENSINGTON MARKET ART FAIR

Hey guys!
What a weekend!!!!
There was a huge turn out for the first ever……granted it was a CRAZY BEAUTIFUL DAY!
Honestly I felt like summer was ACTUALLY on its way!
Here are some photos from the day!

My booth -- YES….THAT'S SUN!!!!!!!!!!!

The <3 bag="" br="" toronto="">Each one is a little different…….and only $25 BONES!!!!!
COME ON!!!!!

These smalls were a great success!

Here are the BRAND NEW postcards……I LOVE THEM!

Kensington Market glamour.

See pithy comment above!

The show was in the parking lot at 77 Nassau Street!
Which was really well located….. 

It will be shady by the next show!!

The unfortunate part was that it was FILTHY because there was no grass….
LOOK AT MY LEG - EW!!!
Old filthy legs Croxford. That's what they call me!

Gwartzman's was there!

Julia McNeely brought her farm!

Neato drawings from Margo Jane Duncan

Enjoyable mixed media by Morgan Jones

Nice photos from Nina Staer Nathan!

YOU MISSED IT?????

Guess what? Your'e in luck….come out on Sunday July 7th for "Pedestrian Sunday" in Kensington.

A lot of the streets are closed and it is a super fun day!!!!

And I will have new stuff to show you!

I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
(sorry for the caps lock!   ;-)

"MAY THE FORDS BE WITH YOU", and KMAF

Happy Friday!
So…….are you tired of talking about me???
Well then this is NOT your day……….
I wanna talk about the two shows this weekend……I mentioned them in my newsletter…..and if you are not signed up for those…..CLICK HERE
FIRST…..

"May the Fords be with You"

May 24th, 7pm-10pm
Atomic Toybot  (978 Queen St E)
What do you get when you combine the Star Wars Universe and the whatever universe that Rob Ford lives in? THIS SHOW! Nerdy, political, fantastic! Here's a preview of my painting showing that night (Toybot will also be carrying prints of my Ford painting for only $35.00 -- there is a limit of 30 of them, so get 'em while you can!)

"Dark Side", 30" x 24", Acrylic on Canvas

Now let's talk about my painting……nope……..it's not about crack and it's not about his weight.

I honestly do not see much humour in addiction. It is sad.

Truthfully I really did some soul searching about this painting. 

You see, I try to keep my art positive and smart. I really did not want to get hip deep in the mire of Rob Ford lunacy.  But then again, I do not enjoy his antics, and moreover I do NOT enjoy his politics, his lies his sense of entitlement or his general hateful views on things.

So why depict Rob Ford as General Palpatine?

(and here is where it gets extra nerdy)

Palpatine rises to power through deception and treachery. He outwardly behaves like a well-intentioned public servant and supporter of democracy, all the time he has his own agenda. 

To me, this seemed to be the EXACT right fit.

Now, I am not a fan of hate-art, but I thought it was just as silly as it needed to be. 

As silly as municipal politics have gotten in this city. 

I tried to handle it smartly and through humour….What say you??

LOVE IT?

HATE IT?

I'd love to hear - come out on Saturday night and we can talk about it!

THEN come out AGAIN this on Sunday for:

Kensington Market Art Fair
Sunday, May 25th, from 12pm-7pm,

Come out and enjoy the first outdoor art event as part of "Pedestrian Sundays" in historic Kensington Market! If you are looking for fun this weekend…art filled tents will fill up the parking lot of “Wheels for Rent” at 77 Nassau Street. Here is a list of the Artists you will see this Sunday! I will be showing GREAT merch at this show including some fun postcards! Come out for the sun and stay for the art!

I will be showing my merch: 

NEW "I heART Toronto" bags, 10 postcards based on my paintings.
There are LOTS of things priced at $25.00 and less!

Including a total of 31 prints based on my works……like these:

8 x 10's and 16 x 20's of Toronto Landmarks….
SHOW PRICED AT ONLY $30-$65

A bunch of my "Nerdy A-Z's" available as 8" x 10" prints
(SHOW PRICED at $30.00)

Also, I will be showing a couple bigger giclees printed on canvas and stretched on a frame:

"Outta This World" is 40" x 30".
It is a reproduction, BUT I spent many hours repainting on top of the print.
So it is original in its own way!
It is signed and numbered 1/10….and each print is obviously different.
If this were an original painting it would retail at over $2000.
BUT Because it is a reproduction, it is only $550.
BARGAIN!!!!!

Come out and see the merch at this show……because you WON'T see it at The Toronto Outdoor Exhibition in July!!

Ok….that's all folks!
I hope to see you real soon!