BITS AND BOBS…..

Happy Friday friends!
So today I wanna share 3 things….

1.) I JUST GOT 200,000 page views on this blog!!!! Can you believe it???
That is like if all of the city of Kitchener had read it……
Or like all the people in Owen Sound looked at my site TEN TIMES!
Or like if my Mom had somehow learned how to use a computer and logged on 20 times a day for the last 3 years……
(sorry for that math….TOTALLY unnecessary!)
Anyways…..thanks guys!!! I really appreciate it!

2.) Ok……also I wanna share what is on my easel……..there are 4 pieces in progress right now…..
Here are a couple……

One is a rework……the other is brand new!
I'll show you them DONE next week!

3.) Lastly, 3 photos from my show of framed prints at the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto.

	All are invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, June 8th from noon to 1:30 pm. First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto @175 St Clair Ave West AND………………...I will be "delighting" people with an artist's walk-and-talk. (Which I DO NOT do often….so come on out!)

If you can't make it…….the exhibition runs from June 1st to June 29th….go on by!

COME ON OUT to
First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto
175 St Clair Ave West
Toronto, ON
View map »

Telephone: 416-924-9654x221
Website: http://firstunitariantoronto.org/what-we-do-here/art-shows

 Ok….that's it guys!!!!
Have a great weekend!!

ROBOT ATTACK!!!

Recently, I was asked to do a commission that was Space-y.

The result was FATASTIC...ad you can read about it HERE.....

I had such fun painting a robot again...that I returned to it......and created another one!

Here is the process I went trhough creating this brand new painting!

I hope you enjoy this:

This was my original photoshop/sketch illustration.
(I did this a last year.....but never did the actual painting.)

I felt like I could improve this simple illustration by incorporating the design techniques I used in my 'Sign of the Times' series........and came up with this NEW AND IMPROVED drawing:

As you can see....I added a bunch of other details to it!

As you can see - sometimes waiting to finish something can provide superior results. I had fun creating the space themed luggage tags, the blueprint of a rocket, the coaster, and the post card!!

Step one was drawing and then blocking in......

The blocking in is the WORST PART!!

When it gets to this stage - it begins to get FUN!

Adding the line work helped me flesh out the details on Mr Robot!

More done.

  At this point....I started some colour correction in the illustration, and started adding the shading and details that make each piece really 'shine'.

The folds and washes and tape and such.......LOVE doing this part!!

 And that is that.......here is the final piece!
I could not be happier with it. It has a nice colour scheme with peaches and oranges and blues - that is something that is not my 'usual' palette.

"When Robots Attack", 30" x 24", Acrylic on Board

This piece is going to be exhibited at a group show called "Monsters and Robots" at Atomic Toybot:

ALSO.....I made a print from this piece.

EXCITING? OH YES!!!!

Here is what that looks like (unframed):

Yes...it looks better in person!

The framed print will debut at the Atomic Toybot show next week!!

THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY........REFINED

Hey guys!
Well, I have had my nose to the grindstone, and I FINALLY have something new to show you!
This is a brand new piece that I will be exhibiting at The Artist Project February 21st-24th!
For details on T.A.P. click HERE!
So...I started with this drawing:

Let me break it down.
The poster is designed from a couple of photos I took of the Gardiner Expressway at Lakeshore
(where the Don Valley Parkway joins it).
I tried to make it as glamourous as possible.
There is a surveying tool in the bottom left corner, and a map with the quote on it:
"Don't let failure define you, let it refine you." - I CANNOT FIND MY SOURCE FOR THIS ONE!!
If you know who said it - I would LOVE to know!!
I think the quote is great given the subject matter.
For those of you non-toronotnians, let me explain.
The Frederick G. Gardiner Expressway is the major highway that serves downtown Toronto.
Built in 1955, it was considered the best solution for transportation into the city.
It has an elevated section is supported by steel-reinforced concrete columns. The roadway itself was constructed on top of concrete slabs supported by steel girders. The height of the elevated section is higher than required to cross city streets and provide clearance underneath. The intent of this was to reduce traffic noise at ground level. Sadly it is an eyesore, and has essentially cut off Toronto visually from her lovely waterfront!!
Now fast forward 50 years, the controversy is at an all time high, as the whole elevated section is a crumbling mess!!! There is a lot of talk of taking it down - or burying it - or something huge like that!
Toronto will spend $125 million to keep the Gardiner Expressway drivable (while investigating whether to keep it up at all)  - all the while pushing forward with $505 million in emergency capital funding repairs over the next decade! The rebooted Gardiner study, likely to be finished in two to three years, will examine whether it makes more sense to demolish or repair the eastern portion of the elevated highway. Based on that timeline and the current repair schedule, the city will have spent $123.88 million in repairs on roadway that might be demolished.

So that is a general overview of the controversy!

So I HAD to address it!!!!
The background in my drawing is supposed to be crumbled concrete!
Here is the painting with the first parts of the background done:

The next step was to paint the "poster" that I designed:

Next I realized that I didn't think my original drawing was as concise as I wanted.....
So I went back to the drawing board - and came up with these changes to the layout:

I think my changes really work! It tells the story better.
I enlarged the Gardiner sign, and changed the map that the quote was on to an invoice....
from 'Fredrick Crumbles Construction'....I think it works a LOT better.
Finally I did a few washes, and added a rusty bolt/nut.
Here is the final piece:

"Refine", 24" x 24", Acrylic on Board

Please come out and see it live and in person at The Artist Project in a few weeks!!!
Yes. I am also making prints based on this one!
Here is how the print looks:

BRAND NEW PRINT!!!!

As always - you can contact me to order the print!
(I will update my site on the weekend!!)

So there you go.  More new work.
What do you think??

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!!

WHAT'S UP ROB?

Hey loyal readers.....I was gonna post AGAIN about my NYC trip.......but then realized that you might just need a break this week from that!!! So.....I am gonna show you a couple projects I am working on.
PROJECT 1:
A commission for a client "Gravy Train (Too)". This is the second piece that I have done with this name. When the first one was bought, my client asked if she could have a second one.....so I went to work.
I don't EVER do the same thing twice.....as I want each piece to be important and unique, so  I created this piece with different imagery and a different layout. Here it is:

So, the imagery in this painting is from my painting "Going Somewhere" (which is sold) and "Plan Ahead" (which is also sold). I then added some wooden trim, children's magnets for the word 'gravy', a toy train and track, and an actual antique "Canadian National Railway" soap!
Then I added some colour washes and some ink work on top. I think it turned out SWELL!!

PROJECT 2:

Revitalizing an old master? So, as a favour for a family member, I did a little restoration project. I was given an old oil painting that had cracked and gotten damaged over the years. A lot of the paint had actually peeled off and it was terrible looking.....so I matched all the paints and filled all the white spaces and retuned it to its original "splendour':

It was a boatload of work - probably because it was a 'freebie'........I had to fight the urge to do this:

PROJECT 3-10:
As my deadline for The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition is looming, I thought I had better get to work on some new stuff. So I have stared creating more from my "Mixed Message" Series. Here is a computer rendered drawing for one:

Reboot

AND HERE IS A BRAND NEW PIECE:

"Top Dog", 6" x 9", Mixed media. 

This piece is made up of some new imagery and some old. The Tops are new....painted on the wood.....the dogs running are from "Hard" (which is sold) and the Tin Toy Dog is from my "A-Z Series" (and is also sold) I added paint and ink-work ontop.....and some coloured washes......

I also added a little plastic doggie in the corner just for fun!

So....there you go. Busy as ever. If you have a great idea for one of my 'Mixed Message' pieces....
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT!!!!!
Have a great weekend all!!!

NEW WORK!!

Hey y'all!
It is Saturday, and I am finally finished my latest painting.
I wish I could work faster - perhaps if I could paint with both hands simultaneously.......
Well....that is something I can work on AFTER The Artist Project:

So this one is slightly different from the others I have been working on....
This one has the same 'poster' look, but it also has a elements from my 'Pin-up Series".

Here are some in progress shots:

I am a rule breaker.
As a rule, you are supposed to paint background to foreground & top to bottom.....
I always start with the lady.
Because she is the biggest challenge for me!!!

In my original drawing, she was riding it like a horse.....with the streetcar between her legs.....

but it was a bit 'unseemly'...

Finishing up her bits and pieces.

BLAM-O. Yes, this is several days later.....
but it still seemed unfinished.....

I tried to make the lady as though she was breaking out of the poster format......

I was happy to find reference for an old TTC ticket (bottom left corner)

I used the "Dymo label" lettering to make it more interesting and to fix the compositional balance by bring the red down to the bottom.

The background is wallpaper-y and has shiny gold pattern to it.

The quote: "Happiness is a way of travel - not a destination" is from Roy M Goodman.

I like what it says, and I like the inherent irony with it  - and the reality of actually taking TTC!!!

In the final painting (below) I added trompe l'oeil folds and shadows......and then 'burnished the edges of the canvas to draw your eye into the painting.

Here is the final:

"Travel in Style", 36" x 24", Acrylic on Board, 2012.

What do you think?

Like it??

Remember to come out and see this painting in person on the first weekend in March.

For more details check out The Artist Project 2012!!!!

THE DRAKE HOTEL: HIPSTER PARADISE

Hello friends!
Well it's Saturday, and yes, I am busily at work.
Before you feel too bad for me, know that I am a workaholic.
Besides (insert condescending tone here) when you love what you do, it really isn't work.
OK. Now that we have all that covered, I wanna show you my latest painting.
I am getting work ready for The Artist Project:

I have already shared a bunch of the new work....but that is sooo last year!
Here is my latest....I did a couple of progress shots:

It started like the others. With a back ground of 'tiles' like Osgoode Subway Station
my reference is below:

I then started work on the 'poster' part of my composition.
This is it before I age it.

Here it is almost done. But I felt it needed something........

I already had a quote from Eric Hoffer:
"When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other"

I LOVE the quote.
As you might have gotten......I am sorta aiming it at the 'hipster' crowd a bit....
I WILL NOT go on a rant about the 'ironic' big glasses and such.....
I WILL NOT DO IT!!! ;-)
Anyways, I felt the painting was still missing something........so I called a friend.
This is the transcript of that conversation:

ROB: Hey, Lady, I am trying to finish a painting that is kinda making fun of hipsters. But I need to paint a  an object on the bottom to finish it off and drive the point home. I was thinking of a coaster with a Hipster bar name on it. Is "The Horseshoe Tavern", "The Rivoli" or "The Cameron House" a hipster hangout?


LADY S: How about "The Drake"?


ROB:Ya.... I already have them represented. 


LADY S: I think it is the perfect place


(((insert extended conversation - listing EVERY bar in the city and it's level on the hipst-o-meter scale)))))


ROB: (after a long pause) OH!!!! I GOT IT!!!! Cookie Cutters!


LADY S: I've never heard of "Cookie Cutters" is it new?


ROB: (confounded) Whaaaa? NO. Cookie cutters is NOT a bar. I am gonna paint a pair of cookie cutters on the painting....you get it. right???


LADY S: So there is no "Cookie Cutters"? I was thinking I would like to check that bar out.


ROB: (hangs up phone)


LADY S: Hello??


THE END

So, here it is, The final painting - I am pretty happy with it!!!

"The in Crowd",  36" x 24", Acrylic on Panel. 

Whadda YOU think??
Come out and see it at The Artist Project in March.
Ok...one last thing.......when I was googling 'hipsters' I came up with these images that made me laugh out loud...and I need to share them with you:

THE GREAT CIRCUS MURAL

Happy ALMOST Christmas y'all!

I wanted to share what I have been doing for the last 3 weeks!!!

I have been painting an EPIC mural in a baby nursery.
Some have called it the Sistine Chapel of baby rooms.

Thanks to my good friend Cindy (please check out her other works HERE) 

WE just completed a terrific and super fun mural themed around a vintage circus. She is super talented, and I was very lucky to have her!!!

SO.....about the mural......the client didn't want it too pink or too babyish.......I think the final work is some of the best I have ever done!

Here is the progress of the FOUR WALLS of murals in pictures....enjoy:

In the beginning....

...there is reference up on white walls......

I liked this as reference for the mural...

I also liked this perspective....and the colours....

SOMEONE ELSE'S MURAL.....that I liked the idea of.....

Another mural that inspired me......mostly.....

Thankfully Cindy is  MASTER illustrator...and all the animals are from her!!!!

The rough computer rendering of one of the walls

The line drawing of the opposite wall

First all the drapery and bunting went in.......

Then we began to work down the walls

I LOVE how the drapery turned out....
it is a bit more subtle than traditional circus tenting!

Fast forward to near the end......I was UNHAPPY with this - the colours were just  too hot.....

So I added blues and pinks and beiges on top......

The final wall. (click on it to make it larger and see all the details!!)
 AMAZING......NO???

The opposite wall......i couldn't get it all in....I hope to have a better picture for you soon!!!

I love how the little girl welcomes you to the room!!!!

The key to this mural was all the little special details....like the posters on the fence...

I love this poster.....it took a bunch of time to design!!!

Close up of Cindy's characters.....

The flying pig....LOVE HIM!!

Bear on stilts 

Little 'Stella'

So there you have it.
Was it worth 3 weeks? YOU BETCHA!
It just goes to show you that a nursery doesn't need to be AWFUL and pink....
What do you think??