THURSDAY NIGHT: SIGN OF THE TIMES!!!

Howdy all!
Well, we are down to the last few days before the big show opening.
I really hope you can make it out on Thursday...here are the deets:

Sign of the Times features 18 BRAND NEW WORKS! 

(and another 7 in the back stockroom)

I am happy to finally debut this new work, at 129 Ossington.

I am really pleased with these paintings, and would love it if you would join me for a drink and a nibble on THURSDAY OCTOBER 11TH from 7PM-10PM. 

The gallery is located on Ossington Avenue 

(north of Queen St. and south of Dundas)

COME OUT FOR A DRINK WITH ME!!!!!

Here are a couple more smalls that I am exhibiting at this show:

"Bug",  Acrylic on mixed media, 9" x 12" 

"Live Better",  Acrylic on mixed media, 12" x 12"

TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION: The Day After

Well....it's done!
The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition was this past weekend.
I know what you are thinking.....
"Oh poor Rob. That weather must have KILLED you!"
I am not gonna lie to you dear friends....IT DID!
I am writing this blog from beyond the grave.

See? DEAD from heatstroke!

Why fiddle-dee-dee, I reckon, just had a fainting spell, is all....

As  many of you know it was above 40 degrees with the humidex this weekend, which in layman terms is hotter than a three balled tom cat! Ya. You heard me.

H     O      T!!!!

That is the big story of the weekend. 

I know, not the most exciting story ever, but still.

This was my row. White section!

This was my booth.

More of my booth

On the last day, in  a last ditch effort to get some air in the tent, I opened up the back and put a few paintings on it! And then prayed that there was a breeze. Alas, my prayers were not answered.

As usual, I was thrilled with my neighbours.
When you spend 8 ours a day with someone you tend to learn a bit about them/ their art.

This work is Ben Stansfield's. It was lovely, as was he (and his paint minion).
Check out his site!! Great stuff!!

The other side of me was Christopher Hayes. Chris and I are both pop artists, and have lots to chat about!
Check out his work HERE -  it is awesomely good!

The other big story of the weekend was the birds.
They were out to get me!!!!
I was crapped on not once....BUT TWICE.....once on Friday and once on Saturday.
My neighbours were afraid to stand too close - or in what they called the "kill zone".
It was not good.
And I know what you are thinking - "That's good luck!"
Here is what I read on the interwebs:


"Many people believe (A BRID SHITTING ON YOU) to be a major sign of wealth coming from heaven. Hence, although, it is really yucky and a major inconvenience, when something like this happens to you, take comfort in the fact that this is described as good luck being just around the corner! Birds bring good news and opportunities."


Ok.....so I am waiting.
Major Wealth......come and get me!!!
Ok, so here are some more photos I took this weekend while melting my butter......frying my brain......roasting my chestnuts......you get my drift!

I borrowed my sisters mini-van for the weekend....and LOVED it.
It was soooo roomy!
Although I am concerned that mini-van love is a gateway to more dangerous suburban behaviour!

These multi-ethnic childern stared me down the whole weekend.
"Rob, come and try our politically correct ice cream."
NO!!! AWAY LITTLE DEVILS!

This man in the centre of the picture had a 3 piece suit on.
Did I mention it was hotter than Hades?

So......it was all the usual TOAE stuff.
Lots of people......lots of commentary on my art.......like........
 "Wow. How different."
"Interesting?!?!"
"I guess someone could really like this stuff."
"I guess you could put that in your bathroom."
"Oh, I've seen this guy before. He always does the same stuff."
You know. The usual stuff.
Thank goodness it is over for another year!!!
Thanks to all that came out and said hello! I really appreciate it!!!
Keep cool everyone!!!

COUNTDOWN....AND R.A.W. INFO.....

So, the countdown is on. I have 8 days until I hang my latest show!
I still have a LOT of work to get done......but things are beginning to take shape.
I am down to the last 6 paintings. I will have a couple to show you for Friday, but until then, I wanted to mention a show I am part of this upcoming weekend.
I am doing the Riverdale Art Walk.

I have done this show a number of times in the past - in the par. BUT this year, I am opening up my studio on Queen St and showing from there! How exciting is that?? I am excited about NOT having to set up in a park and get wet!! I can sit in the comfort of my own studio, right in the heart of all the action.
What makes this different? Why come to this show? Well there is lots of great art in the parks and up Queen St! Also I will NOT be showing the works that you will find in The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. So it is stuff some of you have not seen.
You will also NOT see the works from my upcoming AUTO FIXATION EXHIBITION!
What will you see? Some very well priced 'older' works!
Come out and get a deal!!! Here are the deets:

The 13th Annual Riverdale Art Walk is a two day, juried fine art exhibition open to all. We showcase established and emerging artists in retail spaces, artists’ studios and in Jimmie Simpson Park. We select artists through an anonymous juried process that does not discriminate on any basis.

Saturday June 4th and Sunday June 5th from 11am-6pm

756 Queen St. E. (Basement Studio - right below Hangman Gallery)

I hope you come out despite the weather!!

AUTO FIXATION: the deets

Hey y'all.
Today is the shorted blog post EV-VAH!
It is a crazy busy day, I am already 11/2 hours behind schedule and it is only 11AM!!!!!!!!
So.... here is everything you need to know about my upcoming exhibition:


"AUTO FIXATION"
A new exhibition of original works by Rob Croxford

Here is my Artist Statement about the show.....imagine me not speaking in 3rd person though...

 ‘Auto Fixation’ is a tribute to the long line of mechanics in Rob’s ancestry, especially his Dad. Truthfully, Rob has never been a ‘car guy’, mostly because he has no aptitude in this area. However, he does have a deep appreciation good design and a talent for finding the beauty in almost any subject matter. The vintage car is the ultimate testament to outstanding design, and the paintings in ‘Auto Fixation’ explore the beauty of this! Rob’s work appropriates quotes & through irony/word puns/satire, re-invents the subject matter to draw attention to current issues. He mimics advertising iconography from pre-1950 to establish a ‘vintage’ visual look in his paintings. The unapologetically happy style enables the work to remain accessible, and helps diminish any political sting. Rob hopes that his work entertains but also challenges people to re-assess their opinions about our values and our traditions. 

The Reception will be a super cool night....come out and share a tasty beverage with him me!

I look forward to seeing you there. 

 I will not have the full catalogue of 25 brand spanking new paintings (YES I SAID TWENTY-FIVE!!!!) on my actual website (www.robcroxford.com) until the day of June 9th!

(but if you spend some time on this blog you can probably see them all)

Remember, seeing the web versions is NOTHING like seeing them all in person.

Also......I will not be showing these works at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition in July.

So try to come out and see these great new works.

There.

Have I built it up enough for you????

I hope to see y'all out on the 9th!!!

TOP 10 REASONS TO ATTEND "ARCADE" OPENING

Ok, if you are a regular reader, (I know there are 3 of you) you already know I have a big official exhibition opening this week. If you are not a regular reader, and have somehow stumbled here accidently, or perhaps were redirected from a porn site, herer are the details:

"Arcade" A new exhibition of mixed Media works

Gallery 129 Ossington (2 blocks north of Queen - see map on my website)

Opening Night Reception: Thursday, September 9th, 2010 - 7pm-10pm

I For those who simply cannot come out this Thursday,  you can still check out my exhibition until September 25th. Gallery Hours: Wed. to Sat. 12 - 6pm or by appointment!



Here are the 10 reasons you MUST see this exhibition:


10. This is my first exhibition of mixed media pieces, and is a great benchmark in my illustrious art career. It might be the catalyst that changes my work FOREVER!  The benchmark that will be noted in all the art textbooks (ok ok maybe just in a wikipedia entry....that I wrote myself).


9.   There are 16 pieces that have NEVER BEEN SEEN before. Ok, you can see them on my site, but there ain't nothin' like the real thing! Seriously! They look ok in pictures, but in real life, they are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better!


8.  The opening night is stressful for me, and I am always afraid that it will be like a Mary Tyler Moore party. For those of you who are not old enough, and/or were not fans of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary had a knack of having sad, ill-attended, and sometimes disastrous parties! Oh the stress!


7.  The opening coincides with the Toronto International Film Festival. Which means Toronto will be filled to the brim with Hollywood celebrities including: Clint Eastwood, Jon Hamm, Robert De Niro, Hilary Swank, Colin Firth, Robert Redford, Keanu Reeves, Ryan Reynolds, Woody Harrelson, Will Ferrell, Bill Murray, Uma Thurman, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, Matt Damon, Javier Bardem, Paul Giamatti. And while I am not guaranteeing that George Clooney will show up on my opening night........it is possible. Not probable. But possible!


6.  A bunch of the art lights up. YES. LIGHTS UP!!! C'mon, have you ever seen this before? It is really something new and innovative for me. 

7. You can also check out Stewart Jones' exhibition in the middle room at 129 Ossington that same night. You can also walk up/down ossington and take in a couple of other Galleries. Hell, you could be drunk by the end of the night by checking out all the openings - FOR FREE!


6. There is some food for thought too. Some of the work has an environmental message. Without being too hit-you-over-the-head preachy! The pinball machines are made from re-purposed and recycled materials.

5. There is a great wall of installation behind the art. Something kinda new and different, that really makes the show look like the inside of an old arcade! 


4. Robots. 'Nuff Said?

3. On opening night, there is a FREE glass of wine waiting for you!! (or more importantly - FOR ME!)


2. There is something for every budget! Pick up a little something for $275 or pick up something big and spectacular for more.


1. The show is 'retro-tastic'. It really feels like 1950's work! Oh, and did I mention that some of the work lights up??


So, that is the LAST sales pitch I will make for my show. Ok, maybe not the last, but the last for the OPENING NIGHT RECPETION this THURSDAY the 9th at 7pm.


I hope to see you there!!!!!!

INVITE FOR "ARCADE"

Hey all......I have all the details you need to know about my upcoming exhibition. 
As I keep mentioning, I am not showing you the new work until the show opens.
Here is the deal, there is a preview week BEFORE the opening night, just come by the Gallery at 129 Ossington from September 1st-8th! They will be open:
Wednesday to Saturday 12-6 pm or by appointment
As a teaser, I will be showing parts of the artwork in the weeks leading up to the show!
I hope you keep coming back to check it out!!
Until then this invite gives you a little idea of what the show is like......and it has 2 pieces "Arcade" and "Space Voyage" in the design. I hope you like them!
TTFN!

TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION....THE FALLOUT....

Well, the good news is I had a few good experiences this past weekend.
But I will probably not be bloggin' about those today!
I have collected a little photo montage of my time on the square this weekend.
Enjoy!

8am my friday morning set up is a wet one! And guess who left his umbrella by the front door??? DUH!
So this is a picture of my spot.......it is all mud! I freaked out on husband....who was kindly helping me set up. I wanted to set up in the mud - because it was such a great spot for visibility (it was the first booth you see when you enter the show!) But after nearly falling in the mud, husband suggested that unless I wanted to put on a show of mud wrestling IN the booth, that I should ask to be moved! So I did.

I was moved to this spot, which was beside the Bank of Montreal Tent (who I guess were corporate sponsors and who were trying to get new sign ups for a BMO Credit Card - more about his later!) But then they decided that there was NO VISIBILITY in this location and they moved back to the muddy area. Which as you can see left me alone.....I mean, seriously, I was  several tents away from ANYONE!!!

I was amused by the irony of the sign for "RAIN" that was right above my booth!!



Needless to say, it was a long and powerfully boring day - as no one came into my booth. Hours and hours went by and I finally took a bathroom break. When I was crossing the road, freshly back from my Tim Hortons break, I saw people in my tent...A LOT of people, and then I saw some guys with cameras. THEN I noticed one of the people was the Mayor of Toronto. So I sprinted back to my little booth to schmooze with David Miller. YUP! I was on the shortlist of people for the 'Mayors Purchase Award'. It made me feel a lot better about my terrible location.

UNFORTUNATELY, they didn't choose mine as the Mayoral purchase, but the curator for the City of Toronto Art Collection came back and bought a piece anyway! HUZZAH! (Note to self: get more people to read my C.V.)


But it was a SLOW day (the picture on the left is the best illustration of people viewing my booth!! See how the man is looking in the direction of my booth, but not venturing out to it...Imagine a whole day of that! It was stupendous - with a capitol STUP!!

I also took this picture of pigeons playing a game of full contact chess. I like how they all have their butts up in the air — as social commentary about my location! I think the photo is very 'John Woo'y!


So....that night at 7:30pm, I dismantled my WHOLE BOOTH and re-set up in my original location near the front of the exhibition. Husband was super impressed about getting home at 9:30 at night! ;-)
GOOD TIMES!!

Saturday was lovely.
My booth was in a great location. I was very happy - EXCEPT for the BIRDS!!! Anyone who knows me, KNOWS how I feel about birds. They kinda freak me out a bit.........especially seagulls and pigeons. HATE HATE HATE THEM!!

See this scary one was just eyeing me from above!!
AND if not being menacing, those GD BIRDS (GD = Gosh Darned or Goddamned depending on how profane you like your artists!) just squawked all day long.  I swear, those birds (seagulls and pigeons) sounded like they were SCREAMING all day long! The sound, oh Lord, the sound!! I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and hear the screaming of the seagulls!

Sunday was kinda slow. BUT what made it so terrible, was being beside the BMO booth! They were working on commission, so they were literally accosting people to get them to sign up. Whats worse - they were poaching people from MY BOOTH to sign up......and were scaring people away! It was AWEFUL!!! I understand they were there to make their quotas - but it really affected people coming ad staying in my booth! GRRRRRRR!!!! I think it was slower also, because it was so hot and sticky...or maybe because of the soccer game. Anyways, it wasn't very busy and then to make it worse....the skies clouded over and BAM! Rain again.

Thankfully it only lasted an hour or so, and it cleared up for us to pack up and get home. It was a long wet hot weekend, and I am G-L-A-D it is over with! ;-)
(you know when I start spelling things out - that I am S-E-R-I-O-U-S!)

Well, so that is it for my outdoor shows this year!
Now I can focus on my "Arcade" show. WHEW!

IN THE RAW....

Ok, so while I am away this weekend, The Riverdale Art Walk is on. This is an all art weekend, and is a great place to find some new art!! I have participated several times in the past, showing my art in Jimmie Simpson Park. This year, I am exhibiting at Ethel Mid-Century Modern. I am a huge fan of the furniture and the accessories at this fabulous store. I have 12 pieces showing all this weekend. They range from $500 up, and are a little cross section of my current work! Check out their blog:
http://ethel20thcenturyliving.blogspot.com/2010/06/ironic-art.html

and check them out this weekend as part of the R.A.W. at 1091 Queen St. E. (at Pape)!!!!

SOPA GALLERY "U-8" OPENING

These are some photos from the group exhibition "U-8"

at Sopa Gallery, in Kelowna B.C. looks like it was a great event - and I hope I can go next year!

You can check them out at www.sopafinearts.com