HEY GUYS!!
So I am STILL super busy getting work done for The One of a Kind Show!
I am making some serious headway! OVER FIFTY new works are now DONE......
Including these guys......
"Flip the Bird", 9" x 6", Acrylic on Mixed Media, $100.00
If you are my Instagram friend.....you've seen this one:
"Flip the Bird", 6" x 6", Acrylic on wood, $50.00
This is a larger variation......
"Flip the Bird", 9" x 6", Acrylic on Mixed Media, $100.00
There is this pretty in pink one......
"Flip the Bird", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Wood, $50.00
...and finally there is this one....
"Flip the Bird", 9" x 6", Acrylic on Mixed Media, $100.00
BAM!
Now this is progress!! But wait......there is MORE!!!!
Hello!!!
Okay, so I am a little behind in my blogging.
(insert best 13 year old girl voice here)
...um.....blogging.....is like....hard....
So I am busy busy busy getting work done for
In the last post, I claimed I would be done over a hundred new pieces.......
Well....its been a week....a week of 12 hour days mostly...including Sunday.....
....and so far I have a LOT done!!
So, you know this piece:
(which is long since sold)
Well I was doing that same idiom again.
As I do!
"Goody Two Shoes" seems to be a popular piece, so I started a new version......I was painting them red, with a polka dot pattern when it HIT ME......
BAM!
THEY LOOK KINDA LIKE THE RUBY SLIPPERS!!
(If you don't know the ruby slippers - you are so reading the wrong blog right now!)
The Wizard of Oz is a huge favourite of mine.....and i have never really done anything related to it.....UNTIL NOW.....so with Oz in mind, I went to work!
Let me show you my first 4 completed paintings.
Each is different and yet similar....
"Goody Two Shoes", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Wood.
and...this one:
"Goody Two Shoes....also", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Wood.
Do you love these???
AND DID I MENTION THEY ARE ONLY 50 BONES!!
Yes...for $50.....you cannot go wrong!!!!!!
Not only do they describe an idiom in pictures, it is also kinda fitting for Dorothy.
Am I right?? (Yes, admittedly, I was more on the side of the Wicked Witch)
So then I thought I would do a few larger......
"Goody Two Shoes", 9" x 6", Acrylic on Wood.
AND...
"Goody Two Shoes", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Wood.
So these bigger guys, are only $100!!!
COME ONE!!
Now, with these in my head, I think I may dive into design for some companion pieces.
YA! More Oz inspired creations.....
WHAT DO YOU THINK????
Here are a couple options (yes they are PUN driven)....
The first three are sure fits.....the rest.......hmmmm......
TOTO = Top Dog
FLYING MONKEYS = Monkey Business
COWARDLY LION = Scaredy Cat
LOLLYPOP GUILD = Sucker Punch???
WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST = every witch way
witching hour
green with envy
GLINDA = witch is witch
good grief
good riddance
good to go
good old days
for good measure
TIN MAN = accident prone ( axe-i-dent prone)
get the axe
con-tin-gent
to be conTINued
TINker around
Tinsel town
SCARECROW = Bird Brain
Brain trust
Brain Teaser
All brawn - no brains
OKAY GUYS.............WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK??
I'd love your input on a few of these - or maybe you have a BETTER idea??
Or maybe you HATE all of this???
Sure......I'd like to hear from the haters too!!!
Comment - or EMAIL me!
Thanks guys......now I gotta get back to work!
Happy Friday!
Well….as you are reading this…..I am either setting up my booth….or selling my art at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto! I have been working at my studio NONSTOP for over a month on this show!
Here are the details again:
Friday, July 4: 10:30 am- 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 5: 10:30 am- 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 6: 10:30 am- 6:30 pm
BOOTH #A36 (see map below)
Map:
Ok…wanna see a couple new images of finished paintings???
HERE are 2 of the 30 BRAND NEW Mixed media pieces I have created for this show!!!
"Flip Flops", 20" x 16", Acrylic on and mixed media on board
This piece is based on a photo from the beach here in Toronto……and I really liked the quote!!!
The quote hasn't got a source - sorry!
But how true is it???
You can't tell, but the flip flops and the clothes pins are mixed media - painted on wood and applied to the top! I think they are SUPER CUTE!!!!!!!
If you are a more cityscape person….then there is this one….
"Short Way Home", 24" x 24", Acrylic and mixed Media on Board
This one is compiled from photos I took on the GO Train.
I really like it. It is a big boy…..but really looks great!
The train on the bottom is painted on wood and applied….
There is also some moulding and a chunk of metal that is pop-riveted on!
The quote is Alexander MacLaren
I like this piece - and hopefully it is SOLD just as you are reading this!
I will show you one last piece.
I have over 15 new pieces (and a few older) that are 6" x 6" and ONLY $50 (+HST)
CRAZY????
Yes! Crazy Rob's paint warehouse is proud to be selling AFFORDABLE art that is easy to accept into you home and your HEART!!!
Ok…..so there are a few new pieces that you can come and see!!!!
The show runs rain of shine……so…..you know the drill!
Come by - say hello!
Howdy!!!
So….last night was the big fundraiser at The Riverdale Farm -- Riverdale Farm Aid!
If you don't know about the farm - READ THIS POST….it will tell you everything you should know!
Done? Ok…..so now you know I did the poster for this event…..here it is in Cabbagetown…….
So…then after I did THIS poster…..I did a version of it that could be sold at the event.
This painting looked like this:
"Riverdale Farm", 36" x 24", Acrylic on canvas
Nice huh?!
Sorry…..you can't buy the original…….that is sold! (huzzah)
BUT……you can buy a VERY LIMITED EDITION print…..
There are only 10 of them…..here they are getting ready for framing:
Not only is Akasha a GREAT framer - but they have an excellent space that shows exhibitions of photo based art. You MUST MUST MUST go and check them out at:
511 Church Street, Suite #200 (upstairs)
Kelly and Sonja are lovely….and they will take good care of you!!
(and the art they show is really BEEEEAUTIFUL work!!!)
At the fundraiser last night, I only took a couple of photos…..
This was one I liked a lot…..
(that is smoke from the pea meal on a bun booth….mmmmmm…….)
Ok……in other Riverdale Farm news, I just finished this piece……
"Look to the Past", 36" x 12", Acrylic and mixed media on Canvas
I LOVE THIS PIECE…..
It is Riverdale Farm on top…..and a retro tractor on the bottom.
The tractor is painted on wood and attached to the canvas (as it the black painted moulding)
THIS piece will be shown at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition…. (MORE INFO ON TOAE HERE)
What do you think???
Happy Monday Y'all!!!
Ok….so as you may know I am ramping up for my BIG show…..which means that the production level is WAAAAY up.
If you don't know anything about my next show….(for shame ;-) HERE IS A LINK all about the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition which opens in 2 weeks!!!!!
EEEK!
Ok……here is the latest painting:
"The Places You'll Go", Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 16" x 16"
Ok…..so this painting is based on some photos I took from the window of my Dad's old truck, back in 2008. I have always enjoyed the look of hydro wires for some reason - I sorta think they look like sewn-up scars on the landscape…..
The bottom 3rd of this piece has some wood attached and a metal bird looking on.
The quote itself is from Dr Seuss….and I enjoy it.
The camper and car are just cool……although I am not much of a camper, I DIG the aesthetic of those retro trailers!
What do you think?
LOVE it???
Come out on July 4-6 to see it in person. I GUARANTEE this one will not last the weekend!
Have a great week!
Hey Howdy folks!
I wanted to share more info about my next big show.
Now……first let me tell you all about The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition:
The 53rd T.O.A.E. is at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
It runs.....rain or shine…..(but hopefully mostly SHINE)….
Friday, July 4: 10:30 am- 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 5: 10:30 am- 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 6: 10:30 am- 6:30 pm
About 350ish artists are chosen from about 1300 eager artist applicants! As one of the largest of its kind in Canada, the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition offers a fresh-air and free alternative to conventional art shows and galleries. Side by side, established artists, undiscovered talents and innovative students sell their work directly to the public and make lasting connections with art dealers and collectors.
A catalogue featuring the art will be available on the TOAE website VERY SOON!.
I am grateful to be a part of the leaner - more easily navigated version of this show!
This will be my 9th showing at TOAE since 2004.
Which is pretty good (insert pat on back here ;-)
I have a completely different location this year.....(click the map below to en-biggen it!)
BOOTH A36:
I am right up at the North end of the square - close to City Hall!
I am excited to be at this location -- I have never been up there before!
To get ready for the show, I have A LOT of brand new work….90% of all the work is mixed media.
EXCITING!
Here is another new piece that I am excited to show…..with an old story…..so let me take you back……...you may recognize this piece….THIS it used to look like this in 2007….
At the time I was happy…..but by 2009 it STILL hadn't sold.
:-(
Now….I am fortunate that most of my work travels to new homes pretty fast…but NOT this one…..
So I thought I would rework it again…..adding a piece of metal…so it looked like this:
This time, I was THRILLED with the metal additions!
I showed it for a few more years……and then…..this week………
I totally re-jigged it…..so NOW it looks like this:
"Greener Grass", Acrylic and mixed media on wood, 10" x 30".
BLAMO!
I think it is way way way better! I think there is a lot of 'movement' in the painting…..
And it has cows!!!
COME ON!
Also there is a bunch of wood applied to it…
I WILL EAT ME HAT of this fine piece does not sell!
Could it be to you?????
I hope so!
See it (and me) in July!!!!
Hey guys…..I know you have been waiting for BRAND NEW work from me…..and here it is!
I am in FULL PRODUCTION mode for the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.
(details about the show and my location on FRIDAY)
So this new work is all "mixed media"…..which simply means they have a number of materials on them….for me it is all painted in acrylics, and then bits and bobs added….with some ink too!
Ok….ok….enough of the stalling….here is the first of the new stuff:
"Get Lost There", 24" x 24" Mixed Media and Acrylic on Board
So the landscape is from a few of my photos from up north of the city……I like "Nature" (another piece from this year) have tried to keep it very loose and "impressionist-y".
Now….because I cannot "just do a simple landscape" the bottom third of the painting is more fun.
I really like the quote a lot. Perhaps because I haven't had a vacation since 2012….. ;-0
I love the cute polka-dats - although "cute" is the kiss of death in the art world!
The car and camper have a nice vintage feel and are based on 1950's vehicles.
They are also painted on separate board and attached later!
Here is a side view….
As you can see, I handled the sides differently on this…..normally I (just like the Rolling Stones) just paint it black…….but I felt that because there are so many 3-D elements on this, the imagery needed to wrap the canvas!
I really am happy with this one!
Look for it at the TOAE!
Have a great week y'all!
It's not every family that's brought closer together by divorce, but then again, the Fishers are anything but typical. Take Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons, "The Closer," "Law & Order"), for example. He's chopping down trees, showing his daughter how to drive, and playing football with his son… except that Mel's blind. Then there's Joyce (Jenna Elfman, "Dharma & Greg," "1600 Penn"), who is your typical teenager - really into fashion, busy with school - but the problem is she's Mom. That makes it difficult for her actual teenage daughter, Katie (Ava Deluca-Verley, "Southland"), whose advice (and clothes) Joyce is always seeking. At the center of all this is Henry (Eli Baker), the Fishers' 11-year-old son. Having always been his dad's eyes and wingman, Henry is less than thrilled when his job is outsourced to Mel's new guide dog, Elvis. While the boy is at first reluctant to accept the changes that Elvis brings, adult Henry (voiceover by Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development," "Identity Thief") realizes upon reflection that his parents' split finally allowed the Fishers to become one happy (divorced) family.
Inspired by his own life, DJ Nash ("Up All Night," "Bent") serves as executive producer along with Bateman, Jim Garavente ("Identity Thief") and Tucker Cawley ("Up All Night," "Everybody Loves Raymond").
Based on the best-selling novel by Nick Hornby ("High Fidelity," "An Education"), written and produced by Jason Katims ("Friday Night Lights," "Parenthood"), and directed by Jon Favreau ("Iron Man," "Revolution") comes a different kind of coming-of-age story.
After writing a hit song, Will Freeman (David Walton, "Bent," "Perfect Couples") was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He's single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona (Minnie Driver, "Good Will Hunting," "Barney's Version"), a needy single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son, Marcus (Benjamin Stockham, "1600 Penn"), move in next door and disrupt his perfect world.
When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will's not so sure about being a kid's new best friend, until, of course, Will discovers that women find single dads irresistible. That changes everything and a deal is struck: Marcus will pretend to be Will's son and in return, Marcus is allowed to chill at Will's house, playing Ping-Pong and gorging on steaks, something his very vegan mom would never allow. Before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid. In fact, this newfound friendship may very well teach him a thing or two that he never imagined possible - about himself and caring for others. Also starring is Al Madrigal ("Gary Unmarried"). If you liked the movie….you'll like seeing the WHOLE movie in 30 minutes! I look forward rot seeing more of Minnie Driver!!!!
2.) This is fantastic. A portrait of Steve Jobs, made of Apple e-waste. Artist Jason Mecier is using over 20 pounds of electronic waste and has spent over 40 hours arranging and gluing together discarded Apple products, like broken Macintosh keyboards, an iPod, an iBook, headphones, floppy discs, mice, batteries, memory sticks, and broken circuit boards!!!
Check out more of Jason’s cool art on his website and on his Facebook page.
NEATO!!!!
3.) Paper dresses by FashionByMayhem.com. This is the ultimate mother daughter dream team. I think had I of been a girl…..as a kid - this would have totally been me! Follow @2sisters_angie and #fashionbymayhem on Instagram……to see these miraculous little paper dresses….but here are a few.
The real story starts when Angie's daughter ("Mayhem") shunned her store-bought princess dresses and started wrapping herself with scarves and sheets creating her own styles. Then one day Angie got tired of finding her clothes in Mayhem's toy box and suggested they make a dress out of paper. Mayhem loved the idea and they haven't stopped creating paper dresses since. They use ANYTHING…from construction paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, gift bags, silk scarves, tulle, and aluminum foil. Basically, if it is laying around the house and it's pliable, it's fair game. Clear packing tape and glue are our adhesives of choice! It is AH-MAH-ZING!!!!!!!!! They recreate Oscars dresses and Project Runway Fashions - ALL IN PAPER! I LOVE IT!!!!!! Check these out:
4.) Yesterday was pancake day………in honour of this most auspicious holiday….I give you this…….Macaroni and Cheese Pancakes:
Ingredients:
2 tsp. baking powder
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. coarse salt
1 cup whole milk
2 eggs
1⅓ cup buttermilk
2½ cups cooked macaroni, preferably elbows or small shells, drained and cooled
Maple syrup and hot sauce for serving
½ cup whole wheat flour
1½ cups grated cheddar
Instructions:
-In a large bowl, whist the dry ingredients.
-In a separate bowl, whisk together the milks, eggs and butter. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (the batter will be slightly lumpy) . Fold in the macaroni and cheddar.
-Pre-heat and lightly grease a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Scoop batter onto the griddle to make pancakes. Cook until undersides are golden brown and slightly stiff, about 5 minutes.
-Flip and cook until second side is golden brown.
1.) Bates Motel. I really like this show. First.......I like the artwork for it. It is creepy and lovely:
For those of you who havent tuned in to this show yet....here is a quick synopsis:
Following the death of her husband, Norma Bates buys a motel on the outskirts of the idyllic coastal town of White Pine Bay, seeking a fresh start. As Norma and Norman get ensconced in their new home, they discover this town isn’t quite what it seems, and the locals aren’t so quick to let them in on their secrets. But the Bates’ are done being pushed around and will do whatever it takes to survive – and will do whatever it takes to protect their own secrets....
Bates is made by the folks at Lost and Friday Night Lights. So the story is good. Creepy - and good. it stars Freddie Highmore as a young Norman Batesand and Vera Farmiga as his mother. BOTH of these actors do a SPECTAULAR job!!!!!!! I love them in this!
The whole 1st season is done.......so it is the perfect time to see them all in one big scary viewing!!!!!
What are you waiting for?? DO IT NOW!!!
2.) I love these mixed media pieces. Boriani 2.0 tells a story: that of a family tradition, painting, reworked with different materials and techniques, and that of a second life of objects otherwise destined for landfill, a second level, a new release. Computer parts, floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM becomes canvas on which to paint alternatives. It is very neat! i like the colour palette - I like the graphic quality - and I like the fact that he paints on re-used stuff!!!! Look at these and decide for yourself:
3.) Ok.....this is my new FAVOURITE song!! You will see why below! C2C (formerly known as Coups2Cross) is a French turntable group created in 1998. They have a new album of work....that is pretty cool!!!! It is called "Tetr4"........you can get it on iTunes!
I am NOT ganna tell you about it....I want you to experience it for yourself. I think it is a cool sound.....TRUST ME.....if you like upbeat music - with a retro feel....this is super cool!
I especially love this song - AND I really like the video too!! Check it out:
Here is another toe tapper....and another good video:
SUPER GOOD!!!!!
4.) And now for something healthy. I came across this one on Pinterest. I will be trying it out next week!
QUINOA PIZZA BITES!!!!!!
Ingredients:
1/2 c. uncooked quinoa
1 large egg
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. fat free shredded mozzarella
1 t. minced garlic
1 T. dried basil
1 t. dried oregano
pinch of salt
pizza sauce for dipping
5.) This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a while! TAKE THIS LINK to George Takei's Amazon reviews of products. Thanks Deb for sending this to me!! Enjoy folks! Here is a sampling:
