ONE WEEK UNTIL SHOWTIME!!!!

Wow!
Time flies when you are buried in a an avalanche of work, huh?
So, the BIG SHOW is only a week away!
That's right, in 7 days, my booth will be almost complete - and in EIGHT days......
THE GRAND OPENING!!!!!

The One of a Kind Show (aka OOAKX15) is almost here!!!!!
EEEEEEK! (I am not sure that is nervousness or excitement - OR BOTH!)

Hey, have I mentioned that I have almost 150 new 6" x 6" and 6" x 9" pieces PLUS almost TWENTY 12" square art pieces??

Well I do!
Here are are 3 new ones.....one of each size!!!

No.....it is NOT "HOT BEAVER" so just stop that:

"HOT DAMN", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Wood
$50.00

This one features a drawing of the LOVELY #Kensington Market:

"MEAT MARKET", 9" x 6", Acrylic on Wood
$100.00

and finally.....this one.....

"DRINK LIKE A FISH", 12" x 12" Acrylic on Wood,
$275.00

There are SO MANY MORE TO SEE on my site!!

REMEMBER the details of the show:

ALSO...remember to USE THIS FORM for discount tickets to the show!
See you in a week and a day!!!!!
YAAAAY!!!!

15 DAYS UNTIL #OOAKX15

Happy day folks!!
So? Are you used to that hashtag yet??
#OOAKX15 --- just rolls off the tongue....or fingertips as the case may be.....
The One of a Kind Show is coming coming coming!
Now......I know what you are thinking.....
"Rob......how are your preparations coming? You've barely mentioned it!"
I DO NOT NEED YOUR TONE.....reader.....

;-0

So....HERE is what things look like right now. in my studio....

Well??? Are you impressed??

That is 110 -- YES ONE HUNDRED AND TEN -- 6" x 6" original paintings, 

and 25 (and counting) 6" x 9" original paintings!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

But I am not done yet.

I am taking a few days to

-label the paintings

-touch up the paint

-rig them

- photograph them

- put them on my inventory lists

- add them to my website

- wrap them

- label the wrapping

and make a label for my booth walls for EACH!

THAT is what being an artist/business owner is all about!

ADMIN!!!! (insert sigh here)

For those of you who are asking......

Photos of my new pieces will be on my website live - on the 25th!

Pick your favourite and let me know how many you NEED to have!

They make incredible gifts (or gifts to self ;-)

Here, my friends is a sneak peak at 3 more pieces:

"Early Bird", 6 x 6", Acrylic on Wood, $50.

Yes.....it has a bird based on one from a Disney film....and it is pink and salmon - which I LOVE!

"Wet Your Whistle", 6 x 6", Acrylic on Wood, $50.

I like this one because it has beer(s) in the background!  You love beer, right??

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!!!

"Chick Magnet", 6 x 6", Acrylic on Wood, $50.

And another "Chick Magnet".

Yes. I have made multiples of each expression BUT each painting is different!

(And delightful!!)

YOU CANNOT GO WRONG FOR FIFTY BONES!

REMEMBER, I am posting photos all the time to Instagram - so you can follow me there for more!

Thanks guys!

See you here:

FOX and the X-WING......for the OOAKX15

Hey guys!!!
It's  new week - and I know I have been a bit neglectful with my posts....
YOU KNOW WHY!!
(Or at least you do - if you are a regular reader!)
I have been prepping for the One of a Kind Show!!!!
(that's the #OOAKX15 if you are a big hashtagger!)

What does that mean? It means I generally spend EVERY day in my studio from 8am-9pm.

My long suffering husband is calling himself an "art widow". And it is true. 

BUUUUT.....I have been getting boatloads of GREAT new work done.

I am working up a LOT of pieces that are $50-$275 - for the perfect holiday gift!

Here are a couple of the pieces I did last week........

"For Fox Sakes", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Board, $275.00

This guy is one of the many pieces that have a more 'traditional' painted look, but have my signature 'smart-assery'! Mr Fox looks better in person -- than he does in this photo.....

COME OUT AND SEE HIM IN PERSON!

And then on the opposite side of the spectrum there is this piece:

"Space Out", Acrylic on Board, $275.00

The great thing about doing these smaller, affordable pieces is that I can do ANYTHING I want - as long as the imagery makes a clever word of phrase. I LOVE how much freedom this series  allows me!!!

So there. I will try to show you MORE this week.......truthfully I am a little hesitant - because I have pre-sold a number of pieces already...then again......NOT a bad problem to have!

;-)

See you in a few weeks!!!!!

CACHE COW, HORSE PLAY, and more animals.....

You made it to Friday! Congratulations!!!
I have been making incredible progress here on new work for  The One of a Kind Show!
I now know my booth is #X03
YAY!

I will talk more about that location next week....but for now...check out these photos of NEW work:

"Horse Play", 6"x6", Acrylic on Board with scrabble letters!
$50.00
 

"Meat Market", 6"x9", Acrylic on Board with scrabble letters!
$100.00
 

"Near and Dear", 6"x6", Acrylic on Board with scrabble letters!
$50.00

AND THEN THERE IS THIS ONE:

"Cache Cow", 12" x 12" Acrylic on Board,
$275.00
SOLD!!!

Yup - that one above is already sold. The bigger ones are a lot more work, but are also pretty special! (If I do say so myself!!)
The new work is REALLY getting a lot of attention from my social media blitzing!
So far I have sold this bigger one and 4 smalls!
So come out to the OOAC to see this fun new pieces in person!
And remember - I do commission works!
;-)
(as soon as Dec 6th is done!!)
Have a great weekend y'all!!

FLIPPING THE BIRD!

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!!!!

Stay tuned!!!

MOVE OVER DOROTHY...........

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

The One of a Kind Show

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!

 
               

REBOOTED for the ONE OF A KIND!

Good day friends!
Now.....I know you HATE the idea of Christmas when it is barely October.....but.....
My biggest show of the year is QUICKLY approaching:

The One of a Kind Show!!!!
YOU will want to check out some of the over ONE HUNDRED new pieces I hope to have ready for this big show! I know what you are thinking.....
"THAT'S CRAZY BANANA PANTS, ROB!!"
I know......but this show is ELEVEN glorious days.....so I need a LOT of stock!
Especially of my Mixed Message Series works - THESE are my biggest sellers!
So, here are 3 brand new 9" x 6" ORIGINAL pieces - yes, they are variations on the same word - but  as you can see, they are entirely different from each other.....

This big heel version is pretty cool - it also has some cool bits and bobs on it:

"Reboot"

.....for the person that likes that old blueprint look:

"Reboot"

....and finally for the person who enjoys a good wellie.......

"Reboots"

"Why do so many reboot pieces?"

.....the truth is, each time I do one....it sells! IMMEDIATELY!

Honestly most of this series does NOT last long, bit this one is especially popular......and c'mob for $100 you CAN'T get much in the fine art world....

Also, let's face it, I am a big nerd, and my peeps are AWESOME!!!!!

There you go!

Think about these guys for the special nerd in YOUR life this Christmas!

;-)

WINE O'CLOCK!

Happy Birthday! Oh....wait........it's MY birthday.......
(No....no.......no presents necessary!)
BUT my present to you, is this BRAND NEW PAINTING!
This was a commission.....I know what you are thinking.....
HOLD THE PHONE..........ROB.........YOU DO COMMISSIONS???
Yes.......yes I do!
And a fair number of them!!
This one was pretty fun.........My client wanted me to do a painting called "wine o'clock".....and wanted it to be  12" x 12"....like my other "Mixed Message Series" paintings.
Now.....full disclosure......this client is also my 2nd cousin.......which may have added a little pressure to really knock it out of the park.......but still.....super fun challenge!
I got some parameters - it had to be white wine......and beyond that....it was up to me!
(WHICH IS PERFECT!)
Thankfully I have been to their home......so I kinda remembered lots of earth tones and some yellows, reds and browns in the decor........so I tried to keep the colours in that family.
I handled it a bit like a traditional still life oil painting, which may have added a bit of extra time to the painting of it, but I am SUPER HAPPY with the results:

"Wine O'Clock, 12" x 12", Acrylic on Wood"

Kinda subtle....no?
It was a challenge to work in this palette.....but I think it works quite well!

It is kinda in the same vein as this piece:

"Cock and Bull Story" 24" x 24" 

"Cock and Bull Story" is a bigger piece -- which will be available at The ONE OF A KIND SHOW:

AND NOPE.....sorrry......there are no prints of either of these 2 works!
(They are just way too reasonably priced to reproduce! :-)
I may use the term 'wine o'clock' again though......anyone interested in that???!

ANYWAYS......thankfully, my 'cuz seemed to like the final product too!
(Which is the MOST important thing!)
HUZZAH!

As you can see, dear friends, I am 'adaptable' in style if it belongs within my painting Series!
So.......keep that one in mind -- Christmas is coming!!
Also if you ever have suggestions for upcoming works....I would be happy to entertain those!!
Thanks guys!

LUCKY DUCK COMMISSION.....

HELLO!!!!!!
So, I have been working at completing the commissions on my drawing board...and I am getting there. SLOOOWLY but surely.
At The Artist Project I was asked to create a companion piece to this guy:

"Stitch in Time....", 12" x 12" Acrylic on Board.

So, I just finished this little guy:

"Lucky Duck", 12" x 12" Acrylic on Board.

No......not exactly the same. But obviously similar in theme, colour and size.

I am happy with these 2 together!!

What do you think?

Super cute?

See how easy it is to get a commissioned piece??

DO IT! 

(Just email me, and I will start as soon as I can!)

COMMISSION #2 - OFF TO THE BALLGAME!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!
So here is what I have to show you......
A new piece!
It is a variation on another piece I did......this one commissioned for  client!

"Whole New Ballgame" 12" x 12", Acrylic on Board

I don't mind using the same imagery as long as it is different enough to make the piece look NEW and original.....I like the idiom - and although I know NOTHING about The Baseball, I think this piece works pretty well!
What do you think?
If you wanna see more of these little 12" x 12" beauties, you can CLICK HERE.
If there is something that you want to commission....I would LOVE to hear from you!!!
YAY! 2 Commissions down 5 to go!

FRIDAY - LET'S DRINK!!!

HOWDY!
If you are a regular reader........you will know that I am in the thick of:
The Artist Project
(you can read more about that big show HERE!)
But here are the deets one last time:

The Artist Project, Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Tonight (20th) from 11am to 8pm
Saturday (21st) from 11am to 8pm
Sunday (22nd) from 11am to 6pm

See me in BOOTH #502

Also.....I wanna share the last NEW NEW painting I will be showing:

"Drink Like a Fish", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Wood

I LOVE THIS ONE!

Come out and see it in person!

There's nothing like the real thing!!!!!

Have a great weekend -- I hope to see you!

A "COCK AND BULL STORY" FOR THE ARTIST PROJECT

Howdy!
Happy Friday! YOU MADE IT!
Today I am gonna share ANOTHER new painting that I am entering into The Artist Project's competition. Each year, TAP has a contest based on a theme. Artists are encouraged to enter a piece to be judged for a cash award!
So, each year for the past 8 years, I have entered a piece created SPECIFICALLY for this yearly T.A.P. artist competition. I know what you are thinking......have you ever won a first, second, third or people's choice award?
No. (Insert "aaaaaw" here!)
I know, I know, a crime. I should probably be sore by now....that's 28 chances....no wins.
My win? I have sold most of the works that I created!
Oh.......and hey.....it's just an honour to be included.
And even if that isn't 100% honest, it HAS always been fun to create something different.
Here are all SEVEN of my losing entries....

"Speed" -- 2008 ORANGE competition - SOLD!

"Chocolate" -- 2009 CHOCOLATE competition - SOLD!

"Beauty Queen" --2010 QUEEN competition - AVAILABLE!

"Lemonaide" -- 2011 LEMON competition - SOLD!

"Energy" --2012 ENERGY competition - SOLD!

"Face Value" -- 2013 FACES competition - AVAILABLE!

"Toronto Harbour" -- 2014 SET SAIL competition - SOLD!

OKAY, admittedly, as I look back on all the entries, some are stronger than others...and there are 2 still available for sale!
BUT THIS YEAR......the competition theme is "TYPE".
Now, any of my work would fit this theme....I have text in almost all of my paintings...but I did a new piece to enter.....here it is......

"Cock and Bull Story", 24" x 24", Acrylic on Canvas.

**A "cock and bull story" is a hard to believe or made-up story.

Well? Whadda ya think?

Will I continue my unbroken record? 

Why don't YOU come out to The Artist Project next week and VOTE FOR ME!?

;-)

HERE IS A POST ALL ABOUT T.A.P.!

I hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend y'all!

NEW WORK.......AGAIN......

Good day friends!
I meant to have this posted yesterday, but things got in the way......SO BACK OFF!
;-)
But these two new pieces are TOTALLY worth waiting for!
The first one is a bit of a f**k up......
Sometimes, when I am trying to do too much at once......something like this happens:

Yes....I see the irony of NOT being able to spell!
I did consider leaving it spelled wrong, because it is NOT rocket science to spell......HONESTLY.....
I even showed this piece in an exhibition in December at Julia Veenstra Gallery in Hamilton!
(Even Julia didn't notice it was wrong until she was taking the exhibition down! GEEEZ JULIA! ;-)

But....in the end, I decided to repaint it?

I think it may have gotten tiring having HUNDREDS of people telling me that I spelled science WRONG........it would get old FAST......and I don't wanna yell at a stranger.......so......

"REALLY Not Rocket Science", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Wood.

Fun right? This little gem will go pretty fast, so make sure to come by and snap it up at The Artist Project....read more about that big show HERE!

Okay.....I also have this WONDERFUL little piece ready to go:

"Pie in the Sky", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Wood

It is also super fun, riiiiiight??

You CANNOT see this piece on my website yet (or any of the NEW NEW work) -- I want you to come out and see it LIVE LIVE LIVE! It will be on my site once TAP is open:

www.robcroxford.com

AND if you love either of these pieces, and don't want to take a chance that another collector will snatch it away from you, just email me and I can give you more deets!!

OKAY...that's it.....happy Tuesdaying!