TOAE COUNTDOWN - AND CANNIBALIZATION!!!!!!!!

Hey.....have I mentioned my upcoming show in Nathan Phillips Square (City Hall, Toronto)???
I am sure I have?!
Don't you remember this?

GRRR......GIANT ROB TAKE OVER SQUARE ....ROB SELL ARRRT.....

Here is the post that has all the deets AGAIN!

So....to get ready, I have been painting my arse off.

Here is a BRAND NEW PIECE - that is great......let me tell you a story about it:

PICTURE IT.

IT's 2011, and I am looking to challenge myself by doing 'pin-up' related work for my "Auto Fixation" show. I take a bunch of time, and suggestions from the gallery that is showing my work..and create this:

"Fast Enough", 36" x 48", Acrylic on Canvas

Read my post about this painting HERE.
A year later in 2012, I thought I would like to repaint it.
WHY?
Read why - and HOW HERE.
This time, it was for my "Town and Country" Exhibition......

"Hoedown",  36" x 48", Acrylic on Canvas

At the time, I was pleased by the renovation of this piece.

Then a year passed. And let me be frank. If any piece lasts around the studio for more than a year, I know that it may not find a home! HOW DO I KNOW?

Well, generally, things just don't last that long. 

That is NOT bragging!! HONESTLY!

I am very fortunate to have some great collectors out there, and I am CONSTANTLY working on showing creating and selling my work!

So I did what I always do....I sacrificed the painting for something new.

TWO somethings new.....(and maybe a third - LATER)

I did the unthinkable - and cut up the canvas!

(Insert GASPS here!)
Here are the results:

"We Tend To Build", 18" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas and Board.

So, as you can see I took HALF the landscape part from "HOEDOWN" and I pasted it into this new size - to give it a new life.
With new life - comes new intention!
I also created and painted some poster inspired art.....'we can build' and 'tend your garden'.
I also added this quote from Mondrian "Good things just have to grow very slowly."
I like what this says about East Toronto.
As an east-ender myself, I like that we have taken a little longer to 'gentrify' and have been able to keep out the big boxes and  all the condos....
I premiered this piece at The Riverdale Art Walk almost a month ago!
So...then this month, I reworked more of the pieces from 'Hoe'....and came up with THIS:

"Escape", 36" x 18", Acrylic on Canvas and Board (and Mixed media).

Now....as you can see this is the other half of the landscape.
This time, it didn't quite fit the frame of the 36 x 18...so I added some mixed media elements
(the street signpost is a painted dowel with balsa board signs)
AGAIN, I changed the intention of the piece.
"The trouble with our age is that it is all signposts and no destination" - Louis Kronenberger

is the quote that is painted on a faux restaurant bill.

The poster I created simply says "Escape for a while".

and the background I created with lots of little vintage travel icons.

There is also a baggage tag.

I am REALLY happy with this one. I think it really works.

Actually - I feel like they BOTH work really well!!!

I know what you are thinking.....but what of the pretty lady??

Well....currently she is above my easel......watching over me, just waiting for her day of repurposing to come!!

So....come out and see BOTH of these great new pieces NEXT WEEKEND at TOAE!!

Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
July 5: 10:30 am- 7:30 pm
July 6: 10:30 am- 7:30 pm
July 7: 10:30 am- 6:30 pm

BOOTH #12

.......OF NOTE....

Well, it's over.
SIGH.
My latest show "Sign of the Times" has opened and closed.
If you missed it, you can still see a few of the paintings (in the back) at Galley 129 Ossington.
Or you can swing by my studio to see the remaining pieces from the show!
Here are a couple of little media related things that I found over the corse of the last month:

1. This write up was sent to me....it is advertising my "Town and Country" show.....

2. My artwork was published in an article about farming at the University of Guelph's Student Newspaper.......and was put on their online version as well. Weird.....but neat.

just the head of my artwork showed up on the website

3. This write up on "Dilettante's Diary" (an art blog) about my last show......which was a nice mention...

4. Finally......the biggest news.........I am being published in the next edition of "Spacing Magazine' (details to follow!!)

So there you go!

ONE SQUARE FOOT OF GOODNESS!

Hey Ya'll...well this weekend the 10th annual AWOL Gallery Square Foot Show opens! And I have some work that is in this HUGE show. Here are the deets on the show:

THE 10th ANNUAL ORIGINAL SQUARE FOOT ART SHOW
EXHIBITION DATES: Saturday August 4th – Sunday August 19th, 2012

PRESS & COLLECTORS EVENING GALAFriday August 3rd, 7pm – 10pmTicketed event in support of Daily Bread Food Bank and Arts For Children & Youth - PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door

ARTIST EVENING RECEPTIONSaturday August 4th, 7pm – 11pmFREE admission
Location: Twist Gallery, 1100 Queen Street West, Toronto 

 (just west of Dovercourt)

GALLERY HOURS: Wednesday - Saturday 12-7pm & Sunday 12-5pm  (Please note that on Saturday, August 4th the show will be open from 12pm-4pm and will re-open at 7pm for the Artists reception)

AWOL Gallery celebrates the very special Tenth Anniversary of The Original Square Foot Art Show. Since its inception in 2003, The Annual Square Foot Art Exhibition has become one of the most exciting Art Shows for Artists and Collectors alike. Collect Visual Art by New & Established Artists.  More than 600 Artists & Over 1500 pieces of Art! All artwork 12x12 inches & Collectible at $225.

JOIN US IN CELEBRATION OF ART & ARTISTS! HELP MAKE THIS YEARS SQUARE FOOT SHOW A GIANT SUCCESS!

For my part - I created these 3 BRAND NEW pieces of mixed media works specifically for the Square Foot show.
Now, I also created 2 of these style of 'Mixed Message" series for my "Town and Country Show"
WHICH CLOSES THIS WEEKEND - see info HERE!
And I got some good feedback - that people were not to sure what they were about.....
But here I can explain them! I also came up with a solution to the 'What does it say' inquiries!!!
I think they are super fun!!!

"Audacity" - which is phonetically spelled 'odd-ass-city' is 12" x 12".

This piece uses a transfer of my (sold) painting "Going Somewhere", which has been repainted and re-inked.....I then added an original hand inked donkey (aka ass).....and a bunch of painted mouldings!

I also added a plastic donkey, and some kids letters that spell 'odd'.
I really think this word works well to describe a view of city hall.
You know what I mean????
As you can see (below) - these new works have the name painted right on the side - so that you KNOW what it is saying immediately! I think the painted name is a great addition to these works!
What do you think?

"Insinuates" - phonetically 'in-sin-ewe-eights' also 12" x 12".

This one is a totally repainted transfer of my (sold) painting "Sleep Late", 

I made and applied a giant eight painted on wood.

It also has a bunch of painted mouldings!

I added a plastic ewe - but then thought it might be too obscure for people.....so I also added some kids letters that spell 'u' and also put in letters for 'in'.

I think this word also works with the subject matter of a strip club. 

Then there is "Succubus" ('suck-u-bus') my final 12" x 12".

This piece uses a transfer of my (sold) painting "Party Time", which I repainted with a bus instead of the original firetruck...so it was a TOTAL repaint!

I stained the wood in the background and then added (in ink) the imagery of the lady busy vacuuming!
Like the others, there is a bunch of painted mouldings.
I also added an antique printing press letter 'U'.
On this one I thought I had better I really give the definition of the word which is:
"A demon that assumes a female form to tempt men, ofter appearing in their dreams"
 COME ON!!! Is that perfect imagery/meaning for all the 'breast-taurants'???
It maybe a bit more risqué than my others.....but I really like it!!

What say you?
Do you love these new pieces?????
I'd love your comments!

HAPPY LONG WEEKEND!!!!!

BUILDING A DREAM........THE ST. CLAIR STREETCAR DILEMA

That's right....I took FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OFF!
Three whole days without any art talk...any blogging......any painting.....
I deserve it, don't I? But - its a new week so.......back to the diamond mines....
My latest show "Town and Country" officially opened last week, and it was A LOT work.

(as much as doing what you love can be "work")
You see, it was a last minute show - I had 6 weeks from saying 'yes' to load in.
CRAZY TALK??
YES!
It means I worked like a dog to get as much new work ready as I could!
(BTW who made up that saying "worked  like a  dog" - seriously - have you ever seen a dog accountant? or dentist? or construction worker?)
Anyways, I had 6 weeks.......
In that time, planned, drew and painted 10 brand new pieces.
In that short time, I also re-imagined, re-drew and repainted another 5.
So that's 15 pieces in 6 weeks - which is a LOT!!!!!!!!!
(I'd do the math on this......but let's face it, there is a reason I am an artist! ;-)

So.....the opening was rather lightly attended. In fact, it was downright BLEAK.
Despite the terrible turn out on opening night, I was fortunate enough to sell a few pieces.
Which is nice. I know it is not all about sales, but right now, a little $$ would be a handy thing!
Thankfully, you, my dear readers and "fans" have a couple weeks to see these new works in person.
(I assure you - there is nothing like seeing art in person - the web doesn't quite do artwork justice)

THE DEETS AGAIN:

On NOW to August 5th,
Tuesdays-Sundays, from 12pm-5pm
Hangman Gallery,
756 Queen St E., Toronto

Here is another new painting that you MUST see in person: (click it to en-biggen it)

"The Right Track", 20" x 60", Acrylic on canvas

This is St Clair Ave West in Toronto.
My inspiration? Well.....it is part of controversy in the city due to the dedicated streetcar tracks.
Our current mayor had grand plans to dig up this line (which finished being constructed just 2 years ago) and bury it for his FANTASY subway plan - at a crazy price-tag!
I thought it was perfect fodder for a topical painting.
I like how this one turned out.
I painted in some very red-tape-y kind of printer paper with the quote from Will Rogers.
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
I then painted a poster of 'building a dream'.
I tried to keep it positive......and optimistic.
Hopefully that is what people see.

Ok....so until you can see this one in person (along with the other 23 paintings currently on exhibition)
Here is a little YouTube video (this marks the first time I have been on YouTube - that I know of)   Enjoy:

Have a great week - and let's keep cool!!!!

HOUSEKEEPING: Canadian Art Junkie & Brownies

HOWDY Y'ALL....
I really wanted to make 2 little housekeeping notes.
1.) I was mentioned at Canadian Art Junkie Blog which is nice! You should check out the blog - there
     is lots of really great stuff here!!!!

2. On last week's #WW post - #4 was making brownies in the waffle maker.
    I liked the idea....but this weekend I tried it out......IT WAS SUPER FANTASTICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   Yes....it was a bit messy - as mine kept sticking........but they were deeeelish!!!
   They were great hot from the maker - crispy on the sides and soft in the middle......
   also I topped mine with ice-cream and fresh raspberry sauce!!!!!!!
   GO AND TRY IT OUT!!! I highly recommend it!

Ok...that's it.
See you on Thursday night from 7-9pm at Hangman Gallery, (756 Queen St. East) Toronto, ON

HUNG AT HANGMAN.....and HONEST EDS

Yes....I know that title is gonna be flagged and make this blog unavailable at all the government agencies....sorry guys - I just can't help myself!
So today was a BIG DAY!
I spent a few hours hanging my new exhibition:

The details again are:

TOWN AND COUNTRY,  July 17^th - Aug  5^th,  Opening reception: Thurs July 19^th, 7-9pm. 

Hangman Gallery, 756 Queen Street East 

Here is a preview from my set-up today....

You really have to come by in person to get the full effect!!

Ok.......and here is ANOTHER brand new painting!!!!

"Things",  20" x 18", Acrylic on Canvas.

The breakdown:

This is a Urban Series painting of "Honest Ed's" in Toronto.

The quote is "Do you have things, or do things have you?" and is from Robert A. Cook.

I really like this quote. It seemed to fit the piece - given the words that run along the side of Ed's!

"Don't just stand there. Buy something!"

The other billboards are just made up.

The vintage imagery is a lady shopper.

I think it is all pretty self explanatory!

What do you think of this painting???

Remember to swing by Hangman and say HELLO this Thursday! (Have I mentioned it before??!!)

;-)

EXTREME PAINTING MAKEOVER.....TTC Streetcar Style

Happy Friday folks!
So, I still have my nose to the grindstone........producing the last of my paintings for my "Town and Country" exhibition opening July 19th. DETAILS HERE!!
I am finally in the home stretch!!!
So here is the latest. This (below) is "Miss the Train":

I have never been a super fan of this one...and it never seemed to speak to others either....
So....I re-imagined it....and here's how:
-First I tightened up the painting.......and bumped up the colour saturation.
-Then I cut the canvas off its frame......and glued the area I thought was the strongest to a new wooden panel board.
-I painted a new quote (from Dr Seuss' "The Lorax") on board and mounted it ontop of spacers - and then on top of the canvas painting.
-NEXT....I recycled (and painted) the stretcher frame that held the old painting together - adding them on top of the new piece. I also added a metal strip with pop-rivits.
-On the bottom of the new piece I painted "the better way".
-I also cut a streetcar shape out of scrap wood - painted it and added it on top.
-finally did a bit of shading and some washes to make it all look cohesive!
I think the end result is TERRIFIC!!!
I am super happy about the final result!!!
From an ok canvas painting to a great mixed media piece in only 2 days!!!!!!

"Better", 24" x 18" Acrylic on wood, canvas and metal

Well......what say you?

Improved...no???

Remember to come out and see it live (2 weeks from now!!)

Have a great weekend all!!!!!

REFRESHING NEW WORK!

Howdy!
Happy almost Canada Day/Pride weekend.
I am celebrating by working hard on new work.
:-)
No, no.....no need to be sad for me....I LOVE painting!
So, as many of you know (if you are avid readers of this blog) I am prepping for a big show:

And due to crazy demand, I am back to working on new pieces in my Landscape Series. 

I hadn't done one in almost 2 years, and thought I wouldn't really enjoying going back.....BUT...

I am really enjoying the challenge of Landscape painting!

Here is my latest:

"Refreshing", 24" x 18", Acrylic on Board, 2012

So, this one is made up of 5 different photos I took last year - in The Beach here in T.O. 

I didn't like any of the photos...but when I put a bunch together - I got this composition. 

I am pleased with how soothing this whole painting feels to me!

I the quote is: "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." (Benjamin Franklin)

I think Benny Frank's (ya...that is how he and I roll) quote is brilliant!

What do you think?

NEW PAINTING: RIVERDALE FARM

Boring title. I know. Truthfully I am a little under the weather today....so there will probably be very little cleverness in this post! But neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night nor illness of the throat stays this blogger from the swift completion of his try-weekly posting!
Oh....wait....maybe I am thinking of the post man......well whatever.....
Here is my latest completed painting that I will be exhibiting at my "Town and Country" Exhibition in a few weeks!!
First here is the painting mid way through the process:

Here is the final painting:

"Untie", 12" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas

Now let me break it down:
1.) The landscape is Riverdale Farm. Let me tell you a bit about it....Riverdale Farm is a 3-hectare (7.4-acre) municipally operated farm in the heart of Cabbagetown, Toronto. Between 1888 and 1974, this was the site of the Riverdale Zoo. In 1974 the zoo relocated to a much larger facility in Scarborough and eventually became the Toronto Zoo. In 1978, Riverdale Farm opened on the west bank of the Don River adjacent to Riverdale Park. The main barn was first constructed in 1858 in Markham and moved to the present site and rebuilt in 1977.
The farm is open to the public all year-round. It specializes in pioneer breeds of farm animals that are hard to find on commercial farms. It is an example of a typical Ontario farm from between 1880 and 1920. 'sAnimals at the farm include poultry, waterfowl, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, donkeys, and horses.
Riverdale farm's funding (like many important Toronto attractions) came very close to being cut by the current mayor of Toronto this year! But thankfully was saved at the last moment.
So I figured it was a great thing to feature in a painting!


2.) The bottom of the painting has some gossipy animals that I featured in another painting I did see them on the tiny matchbook cover of Farmers Feed Cities (sold): 

3.) the quote at the top (on the trompe l'oeil ripped lined paper) says "Don't cut what you can untie." I thought that it seemed fitting given what the Riverdale Farm has been through this year!

Ok....so that is the newest!
What do you think?
Do you like my return to my Landscape Series?
Remember that a photo does not do it justice! Come out and see it in person:
July 17^th - Aug  5^th, 

Opening reception: Thurs July 19^th, 7-9pm. 

Hangman Gallery, 756 Queen Street East 

HOEDOWN: THE REPAINTING DO-SI-DO

Hello friends!!!
As you probably already know, I am busy getting my "Town & Country" exhibition for July ready.
READ ABOUT IT HERE
I seem to be on a roll of repainting....which is probably the HARDEST way to create new work.
Starting from scratch would be easier than trying to re-invent my older works.....
But there's just one thing.....you see.....we nev-vah,  ev-vah do nothing......nice.....and easy......
(yes....that is a Tina Turner - Proud Mary - reference)
So here is the work I have most recently reinvent!
BEFORE:

"Fast Enough" 2010

Ok...so there was a lot I liked about this painting.....I was happy with it (read about it here)
Enlarge it and you can see what I liked. I thought the keychain was super 'tight' and pretty well painted.
I LOVED the poster.....a good design.....I also thought the car itself was well painted...
I was pleased with the lady too.
What bothered me was the fact that everything was competing for attention.....
So when I went back to the drawing board....I decided to keep the general layout.......and the lady.....
So on went the gesso.....and then the repaint began....
Here is the painting as I began to repaint it:

As you can see it was A TOTAL MAKEOVER!

A "move that bus" kind of re-do!

Here is the final painting:

So.....let me brisk down the NEW elements...(*all of which are painted - of course)
1.) there is the "Jilly's" building at Broadview and Queen St. E...with 2 meeting streetcars.
2.) there is the square dance poster
3.) the lined paper with the quote "we do not look in out great cities for our best morality" (Jane Austin)
4.) the 'hoedown' ripped paper
5.) I painted out one of her arms - and repainted a new arm  - to make her more dynamic!
6.) the background has dance steps (do-sa-do)

So there you go......a TOTAL re-do.......what do you think?
Do you love the new direction?
I LOVE your feedback!!

REPAINTS: Town and Country

Hey y'all!
So I am busy getting my big show together for July.
Just in case you missed the deets on this show check out THIS POST!
So the theme is "Town & Country" and I will be showing lots of great new work...
But I will also showing a bunch of paintings that I am 'refreshing'.......
I have re-painted one already....and now I would like to show TWO MORE that are refreshed!
The first painting is called "Different" and it has been around for a couple of years.

I have shown it 3 times.....and it hasn't found a home.....but I am thrilled with the new version:

As you can see, I have put an old streetcar in the composition.
I also added some 'trompe l'oeil' elements including a piece of paper, a post it note and a button that says "one of a kind" (which replaces the vintage imagery that said the same thing)
I removed the quote from the sky to give the landscape a bit more "breathing room"...
I also pumped up the colours to make it more dynamic!
I think it works much better in its new form!!

Also....I have never been happy with this piece from my Arcade Series:

Big City Condos, 2010

So I gave it a refresh!
I found the old yellow very jarring - so I toned it down.
In fact I tweaked the whole colour palette adding a lovely turquoise in place of the green
I also changed the composition slightly....I made the buildings at the rights side come up higher....
and to balance that made the trees and the crane on the opposite side taller as well.
I made the clouds a bit more graphic....and I think it is much better!
I also changed the bottom less 'peacock-y'...and added colour in the holes that were black before.
Lastly I added some more text - just to get the point of the piece more obvious.....
Tear it down - build a condo.....

Whadda ya think??
NEW and IMPROVED??
Well worth the time? Or not so much??
I would love your comments!!

NEW SHOWS - NEW WORK!!!!!!

Hey guys......
Sorry I have been kinda lax with my posting recently - the summer tends to go that way.
But I want to share a few things today.
On Friday last week I confirmed my summer exhibitions!
As you know, I won't be showing at the Toronto Outdoor show this year. As a result, there are only 2 opportunities you will have to see my work this summer.

1.) I have a few paintings on display at Ethel (a wonderful antique store on Queen East). There will be a grand re-opening for Ethel's new store, (tentatively June 28th) and I top you can make it out. I will have more details coming soon.

2.) A solo exhibition at Hangman Gallery. I am putting together new work and some re-painted older works to bring you a new exhibition. "Town and Country" will include art from my Landscape and Urban series. I am really excited about this summer show.....here are the deets:


Town and Country: a new exhibition of works by Rob Croxford

July 17^th - Aug  5^th, 

Opening reception: Thurs July 19^th, 7-9pm. 

Hangman Gallery,

756 Queen Street East

Rob's new exhibition explores the relationship between city and country by juxtaposing retro-styled imagery with urban and rural landscapes. By employing humor Rob's work entertains while addressing both environmental and sociopolitical issues. 

I will have more info and some new images for you soon.........to wet your whistle, here is a painting I recently overhauled for the T and C show:

You may remember this painting from the distant past:

I liked this painting, but I never LOVED it. Truthfully if a painting lasts more than 2 years without selling, I figure it is in need of a repaint- as most of my work doesn't last that long unsold! (knock on wood) 

So last year, I tried updating it for my show "Auto Fixation" here is the blog post about it!

I think it was a TOTAL change. I showed the re-vamped version twice, and still didn't LOVE her....(or more importantly no one else loved her enough to buy her). 

So third time is a charm. I KNOW it!!! Here is the last version of "City Girl"......

What are the differences???? 

1. I completely re-designed and repainted the paper that she is holding.

2. I cooled the plaid/roses background a bit, so it reads a little less 'hot' than before.

3. I added darks to her skin tones, dress & hat (so that the black in the cityscape was less jarring)

4. I changed the 'one way' arrow to lead your eye back into the centre of the canvas.

5. I repainted and tightened up most of the buildings adding lots of blues and greys back in - and toning down the lime green that seemed to be the overwhelming colour. I was aiming to make her seem like she is more married into the overall colour scheme of the painting.

Well? WHAT do you think? Well worth another day of painting? I'd love your opinion! 

Remember to come out and see her in person at Hangman in July!