BRING HOME THE BACON! (OTTAWA)

It's Friday!!!! At this time next Friday I will be setting up my booth at the  Ottawa Art Expo!
I want to show you some more new work that will be debuting at this show!
In all there will be 20 BRAND NEW painted pieces!!!!
WOW, Right??
To see some of the other work TRY THIS LINK or THIS LINK.

The Ottawa Art Expo opens with the Gala on Friday Oct 24th, then runs from
SATURDAY OCTOBER 25 and SUNDAY OCTOBER 26 from 10 am to 5pm at the ST. ELIAS CENTRE at 750 Ridgewood Avenue, Ottawa (Free Parking and Admission)

So I have been working on some smalls. I love these little pieces.
Not only are they SUPER CUTE, and kinda clever, they are also VERY AFFORDABLE….
As you know I always paint a BUNCH of affordable pieces -- not only does it mean EVERYONE can own art -- it also means that even if the big pieces don't sell, I can still make money in a bunch of small increments…..and I need to bring home the bacon…..
Speaking of bringing home the bacon….I see a small theme here…..

"When Pigs Fly", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Board

So this was the first little 6 x 6 inch-er.

Super cute. AND ONLY $50 BUCKS!

Which led to this little piggie:

"Pig Out", 6" x 6", Acrylic on Board

Yes….it's Porky! He is also 6 x 6 and only $50 bones.
I always thought he looked a little like he was 'coming out' in this outfit! ;-)
Finally…..I did a larger version….it is 12" x 12"!

"When Pigs Fly", 12" x 12", Acrylic on Board

The colour isn't the greatest in this photo…..
Let's face it, NO artwork looks as good on your computer/phone as it does in PERSON!
So I want you to come out to see it in person in OTTAWA next weekend!
See you there! Have a great weekend y'all!

NEW YORK - NEW YORK

Happy Friday friends!
Well….I am FINALLY ready to show you one of the new pieces that I am working on for The Artist Project. Don;t know what T.A.P. is? Read THIS post!
For the rest of you…..here it is…..as I painted it……..and then the final…..

Here it is as I am working it up!!! (you betcha - that's my drawing taped to it to guide me!)

It's a big boy!

Yup, 3 foot by 4 foot.

It I was thinking it was an old postcard……..

I tried to paint this a little looser and painterly than my other works!

The final painting (BELOW) has more of an outdoor billboard kinda of look…..but I am REALLY happy about the look.

It was a scary one - as I am not a purple and orange kinda guy! 

Those are just NOT my signature colours…but it was great to try something new!!!!

"Apart of it…", 36" x 48", Acrylic on Canvas

I know what you are thinking……"Hey Rob, are you gonna make some prints of this bad boy??"

The answer? Yes!! 

I haven't decided if I will do them like my other paper prints or even more exclusive canvas giclees??

What do you think????????

I would love your opinion!

Have a  great weekend, y'all!

TOTALLY BAGGED!

HEY GUYS!
Oops - sorry for the caps lock there....also sorry for the bad pun!
But then again it is big news.....pun worthy news!
I listened to all of your input! I have finally created a series of Prints (not really news) BRAND NEW Giclées of my full artwork (that's some news) AND now I am also doing a line of tote bags!
(SURELY THAT IS NEWS ENOUGH FOR YOU?)

Ok......so first.....let me explain.......you guys wanted a larger full version of my work.....and so these are the answer! The TEN "older" heat transfer prints are still available......at a discount!

 

  



Yes....there are 4 more......here are the details again:

They are Variable Edition Prints, which means there may be slight differences from print to print.  Each print is heat transfered onto paper by hand and hand embelished with ink.  The paper is high qualtity, acid and chlorine free 100% cotton rag paper. While the print paper is cut to 16" x 20", (so that it can be framed/matted in large format frames) the actual 'live area' is about 8" x 10", so it looks swell in a  smaller frame too!

NOW ONLY $55.00! BAM! Check them out on my SITE or on Etsy.

Then there are the new Giclées. Now I know what you are thinking....what the heck is a Giclée???

Giclée (pronounced "jhee-clay" or "gee CLAY") is a sophisticated inkjet method of printing on acid free watercolor paper. I had these produced by a professional Giclee Printer on an Epson printer with K3 pigment inks.
OKAY....so here they are:

Here is what you need to know about these bad boys.
- Each Giclée is printed in 2 sizes, 16" x 20" ($75.00) and 8" x 10" ($30.00)
- These are small editions.....so you'll wanna get 'em while you can!!
- The paper is high qualtity, acid and chlorine free 100% cotton rag paper. Which is NICE paper!
- While the print paper is cut to 8" x 10" and 16" x 20", (they both have an inch of white border - so that it can be framed/matted in standard frames)

DID I MENTION HOW INEXPENSIVE THESE ARE??
Worth repeating? No?
SEVENTY FIVE BONES for a 16 inch by 20 inch limited art print!
and ONLY THIRTY for the 8 inch by 10 inch!

CAN YOU SAY BAAAARGAIN! ;-)
There I go with the caps lock again. I'm not yelling at you. I am giving you my very best carnival-barker / monster-truck-announcer voice! Check them out on my SITE or on Etsy.

ok....so finally here is all you need to know about my bags.....

Here at Rob Croxford Artistic Creations Inc. we do not have the money to pay decent looking bag models......sigh.......so here is me....getting ready to fill my GLORIOUS bag at the farmers market!

3 Lovely designs to choose from! As follows...."Ontario Place", "Make Friends" and "Cabbagetown":

These awesome heat transfer printed canvas tote bags are based on Rob Croxford original artwork! Made of soft cotton canvas cloth, resistent handles, comfortable to carry groceries, books, beach items and more!  Here are the deets: 

100% Bull Denim Woven Cotton construction

SIZE: 14 3/8" x 14" (without straps, just the bag)

Fabric weight 11.0 oz/yd² (YA THAT IS ONE HEAVY DUTY BAG!!!)

You NEED this one of a kind bag!!! 

Check them out on my SITE or on Etsy.

BTW......this is how our unpaid model looks at the end of the photo shoot. 

YEEESH. You just can't get good help these days!!

So there you go......now you see I am BAGGED!
BUY NOW!
Operators are standing by now!

...AND THEN THE RAINS CAME.......

Yes, friends, I am still talking about it.
Usually I try to keep the chit chat about the weather to a minimum.
In the words of Oscar Wilde: "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative."
It may well be....but here we are.........
I wanted to make sure that even if you are not on my subscription list, and hey...why aren't you?
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWS HERE!

As I have mentioed AGAIN AND AGAIN......Mother Nature has been a bit of a persnickety b*%& this year. So I am taking action - to sell some work - so I can keep on creating great new work! 
That's where you come in!! This is your chance to take advantage of the WET WEATHER phenomenon this year, and finally purchase that wonderful art piece that you have had your eye on!
UNTIL JULY 31^st, my current inventory of artwork and prints will be discounted anywhere from 5 - 75% off the retail price!
I know you are thinking I am a CRAZY person! 
Perhaps, but this cant be th first time you thought of that!!!

Besides.......I really want to make room for brand new work and brand new prints!

HERE'S HOW TO GET IN ON THIS BIG SALE:
1. Take a look at my site, (www.robcroxford.com) see what you LOVE - then email me and I will send you the sale prices! 
or 
2. Email me to make an appointment to swing by the studio - and see it all in person at my studio at 756 Queen St E (basement)!  

**BUT, MY FRIENDS  YOU HAD BETTER GET ON IT FAST......I have had a decent response so far, and things are ALREADY starting to MOVE! 
So contact me today - go on - don't be shy......and you will get the best chance of getting that piece you LOVE!! This is only the 2nd "sale" of my entire art career........and perhaps the last. 

As always, I can still offer layaway plans, and you can still try any artwork on approval in your home, without the obligation to buy.
So let's make some big DRY deals!!!!

NEW WORK: GETTING WOOD

Good Friday all! I am super excited about this piece that I just finished.
I wanted to do something with birch trees.
WHY???
Well, show after show AFTER SHOW......I watch Canadians buy birch trees.
I am not sure why we are OBSESSED WITH THEM??
Personally, I don't really get it.
I love trees and all.....but I kinda think it is a bit tired. (ooooh SLAM ;-)
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
I decided to paint a birch tree painting with my own personal flair.
I started with the poster part........
Picture it......
...a deer...
...in the forrest...
........and it says 'if a tree falls in the forrest....'
When I went to paint it.....I found it a bit HO HUM......so I went back to the old drawing board.
I am glad I did! It ended up looking like this:

"Sustain Wood", 30" x 24", Acrylic on Board

Fun....and a bit 'salty'!!
So......let's break it down.
The poster has a man chopping down a tree.......he is shirtless and presumably sweaty.
(why is this beginning to sound like  Daniel Steele book??)
And of course the new poster is 'Getting wood is easy!"
It made me laugh.
Yes......I am a man-child......but COME ON!!
The background for the whole piece is nuts, acorns, pinecones and squirrels.
The letter has a quote from Bryce Nelson that is SUPER SERIOUS
"People who will not sustain trees will soon like in a world that will not sustain people."
But you know I don't like to be too preachy.....so that is why I felt it was necessary to 'fun it up'!
Also on this piece, a chunk of wood, and of course a woodpecker!
So to summarize....
Wood - nuts - pecker
YUP! I am definitely on fart joke away from starring in a Judd Apatow movie.
You're welcome!!!!

REMEMBER TO COME OUT AND SEE THIS PIECE IN A FEW WEEKS AT THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION:

For more info on TOAE you can read this post!
OK....now go and have a great weekend!!!!!

ME ME ME MEEEEEE.

Ok...you know how I am a bit shy about self promotion.......well today maybe not so much.
;-)
I had a really nice coffee with Natalie who is a fine artist herself and showed a the Riverdale Art Walk a few weekends ago with me! We chatted (or rather I talked her ear off about myself for an hour) and she is really lovely!! Her artwork, which is mosaic is really nice too....for example this one:

So....back to me.....(hee hee)

Natalie is also an aspiring writer...and wrote a GREAT little piece about yours truly on her blog www.Fragmentalist.com

Take some time to browse her lovely work on her site too....

Ok......GO read it NOW!!! 

Thanks Natalie for the lovely words!!!
I appreciate it!

AN UNUSUAL AND FANTASTICAL COMMISH!

My latest commission was a crazy one! Crazy and AWESOME!!!!
So, I was commissioned to paint something as a present for a Bar Mitzvah.
I asked for a list of things that may be of interest to the young man....well....boy turning into a man....
So here is the partial list:
Hank's Root Beer
Bike Riding
The Simpsons
Nikola Tesla
Middle Earth
Physics
Zombies
Think crust pizza
Sufficed to say I was a bit worried....what on earth would I come up with??
So I went to the drawing board and decided to focus on 3 things......Tesla, Rootbeer and Cycling.
I came up with this:

Ok.....so I liked it - but thought it still needed some work......to make it more boy friendly........

So I changed the name.....and moved things around....and added a zombie.
Unfortunately, my client felt that the Zombie was too much.....so I came up with this final drawing:

We both agreed that this one was the best.
So once I got the OK from my client - I went to work......

As you can see, I have already made some changes to my drawing....but it still has the same 'feel'.

 More is blocked in...and it is beginning to come together....

 This is pretty much the drawing part done........now to add all the finishing touches that tie it together!!

So that was the final bits......all I needed to do was some aging.....just to give it the 'old time-y' feel:

TAA DAAAAA!!!
So this is the final piece!!
FANTASTIC!!!! i was really happy with the final look...and now I just hope that Ethan likes it!!!
Keep your fingers crossed!!!
The bottom line on this one?? I can ah-may-zng! ;-)
So think about it folks!
I can make YOU a commission today that will suit YOU today!!!!!
Let's talk about it!

EXPLORING SPACE AGAIN!!

Howdee Y'all!
Yes, I know it is Saturday.......but since I have been a TERRIBLE blogger lately - I wanted to share what I have been working on. It is a commission for a new client!
So, what I knew going into the commish was that the clients liked my robots.
(Which I haven't painted in a while.) They especially liked the quote on this painting which is out at a gallery currently:

Truthfully - I was THRILLED to get beck to the bots....they are so fun to paint!!!
So, I took a drawing that I had on standby......one that I was in the middle of working on.....

....and then I "renovated it" to make it more like the other painting in colour and theme.
So, it started with this rough drawing that I sent to the client for approval:

I was pleased with it....but thought it needed a bit more colour.....the client also wanted an "old time" rocketship........so I went back to the drawingboard......and came up with this drawing:

DING DING DING! We have a winner!!!!
So I got the 'go ahead'....and started up. A couple days into production...the piece looked like this:

It was well on its way!
Well.......I won't make you wait any longer......here is the final piece:

COME ON!!!!!!!
I am so thrilled with the final piece!
More importantly (or maybe just as importantly) the client likes it too!!!
What say you????
Love it? Should I do more robots?????

FLATIRON BUILDING

Happy Friday y'all!
Yup.....still busy painting for:

Down to the last minute in fact.
I have only a few days to complete my last paintings for the show........EEEEK!
As many of you know, I have been painting brand new Landscapes, which is a change of pace for me.......but I have also been painting Urban pieces as well.
Traditionally, I have shyed away from the really iconic Toronto buildings.
But lately,  I thought maybe there was a way to make them work in my paintings.....
Here is the result:

"Build Cities", Acrylic on Board

So...let me break it down.

The cityscape is compiled from a bunch of photos.....and it is the Flatiron Building here in TO.

Here is some wiki-knowledge about it:

The red-brick Gooderham Building (commonly referred to as the "Flatiron Building") is a historic landmark of Toronto, Ontario, Canada located at 49 Wellington Street East. On the eastern edge of the city's Financial District (east of Yonge Street), it is in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood wedged between Front Street and Wellington Street, where they join up to form a triangular intersection. Completed in 1892, it was an early example of a prominent "Flatiron" building. Other "Flatiron" examples are the English-American Building in Atlanta, completed in 1897, and the Fuller Building in New York City, completed in 1902.

The Gooderham Building is the focal point of one of Toronto's most iconic vistas: looking west down Front Street towards the building's prominent rounded corner, framed on the sides by the heritage commercial blocks along Front Street, and with the skyscrapers of the Financial District towering in the background. The CN Tower is also visible from certain angles behind Brookfield Place. This vista frequently appears in imagery of the city.

So there you go.
The imagery on the bottom of the welder - I really like.....and have used before in an old painting.
(I do my best to recycle!!)
The quote is "We used to build civilizations. Now we build shopping malls and condos." from travel author Bill Bryson. And the quote is painted on a trompe l'oeil cocktail napkin.
Then the whole painting got some coloured washes and aging.
TAA DAA!
Whadda ya think??
Like it?