Darkly inspired

This week, Vagrancy Films and Grimbrothers Entertainment announced their latest venture: Shock Stock. It's a three day celebration of horror and subculture slated for the end of April 2011 in downtown London. I couldn't be more excited or inspired! Since the announcement, my brain's been going non-stop about all the weird 'n' wonderful things I could create to sell at this show. I think this event has huge potential. I've even added a separate page on my blog for it.

P.S. - I'm going to be heads down working on stuff for the convention for the next few months, so blog posting will be taking a back burner. You've been warned.

Inquisitive one

Title: Fur child #2
5"x7" - mixed media on canvas board

JJ's Clarence

Title: JJ's Clarence
8"x10" - mixed media on canvas










This weekend, I surprised my friend JJ with this portrait of her cat, Clarence. Happy early Giftmas!

Lil warm fuzzies

In the process of revamping my studio space, I happened upon a stack of 5"x7" canvas covered boards. I'm going to use them for a series of "lil warm fuzzies" ostensibly for retail sale at next year's Visual Fringe show. These is the first one; there'll be more to come.


Title: Fur child #1
5"x7" - mixed media on canvas board

Applying myself

I found out today that London Fringe 2011 applications are now available. I had fun doing Visual Fringe this year, so I've decided I'm going to enter again for next year. I haven't decided what I'm going to do for the show yet, but I've got some time to work that out... all fall and winter, in fact.

UPDATE (11/4/10): I've submitted my application and been accepted!

Bloom where you're planted

To celebrate my fresh new studio space, here are some macro photos (click to embiggen) of flowers in a bouquet I received:






Fall's fast approaching and the weather here's taken a turn for the dark n' gloomy this week. Having a burst of bright colour nearby is most welcome. Maybe it'll be a source of inspiration too.

Deconstruct/reconstruct

I've been noticing something as I've been working on the last few pieces. I almost never work in my studio. I work in the living room, the dining room, the office... anywhere but my studio.

Why? My studio's not equipped or organized for working on the kind of projects I'm doing now. It's just not very functional. I need to remedy that. It's time for a studio makeover!

This weekend, I'm going to empty out that little room and start all over again. I'm going to reposition--and possibly reconfigure--the furniture and shelving units. I'm also going to go through all of my supplies and make some hard n' fast decisions about what I'm keeping. By Monday morning, it should be a completely different space.

A Kodak moment (concluded)

Over the weekend I finished off the "A Kodak moment" piece. I'll be shipping it tomorrow. It's a very belated wedding gift and I'm sure it will come as a complete surprise. I really hope they like it.

Title: A Kodak moment
16"x24" - mixed media on canvas










UPDATE (9/15/10): I received an email from my friend tonight saying that they got it and they just love it! Hurray!!

Fear well-founded

Title: Fear well-founded
11"x14" - mixed media on canvas

Inspiration: Some fears are real and for good reason.
The danger is in ignoring them.







At the end of August, I attended Fan Expo in Toronto. For those who don't know, it's Canada's biggest convention for gaming, anime, comics, sci fi, and horror. There are all kinds of fans there. Some folks get very into it, even dressing and acting as their favourite characters. Though it may seem a bit excessive, it's all in good fun.

Shortly after returning home, I was witness to a couple of incidents involving the darker side of fandom. I won't bore you with the details, but I will say it was an eye-opener. When someone takes their love of something--or someone--to the extreme and becomes obsessed, there is no stopping them. That really scares me.

Iron Chef caricatures

I've received requests to share some of my previous work, so here goes.

This series of caricatures was inspired by the original Iron Chef show from Japan. They are hand painted decorative plates. Completed in the spring of 2001, I displayed them in my dining room for several years afterwards.



Chairman Takeshi Kaga









Commentator Kenji Fukui









Commentator Yukio Hattori









Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai









Iron Chef Chen Kenichi









Iron Chef Masahiko Kobe









Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

Time out

I'm taking a couple of days off. I need a break and I'm hoping that a complete change of scenery will spark some much needed artistic inspiration.

It's a wrap

I created some B movie poster wrapping paper to wrap up a moviemaker pal's birthday presents.








What's inside? Well you'll have to wait 'til the party to find out.







Update (8/22/10): The party's over now, so I can tell you that the gift was a tripod and carrying case.

Attitude is everything

This piece was a slight detour on the way to completing A Kodak moment. It was a donation to Nuit du Sang, a fundraiser for the Animal Rescue Foundation (A.R.F.).


Title: Little dog, big attitude
11"x14" - mixed media on canvas

A Kodak moment

I've decided what I'll be working on next. It's a one of a kind picture based on a photo of friend. The photo was taken on the vacation she took last year. It's the happiest I've ever seen her look. I think that's an important moment to capture and preserve.

I've started planning and sketching it all out in my mind, but I haven't put anything on the canvas just yet. I'll make a physical start on it over the next couple of days.

In some ways this is the most ambtious, most personal piece I've ever done. It feels like the stakes are that much higher when the subject matter is someone I know. Plus I'm going to be giving it to her as a surprise gift.

Score!

As I was out and about on the weekend, I found myself near the art supply store. No harm in having a quick look, I thought. Glad I did. The canvas on stretcher frames were on sale, so I stocked up. I've got enough to keep me busy for the next few months at least. Now I've just got to decide on the theme for my next series.

"With & Without" series 1 (concluded)

SERIES 1
16"x24" - mixed media on canvas


Title: Should've been me
Inspiration: I had a chance and I blew it. That should've been me.









Title: Price of happiness
Inspiration: I'm surrounded by beautiful things. I've got more money than I need. I should be happy, but I'm not. Something's missing.

"With & Without" series 2 (concluded)

SERIES 2
8"x10" - mixed media on canvas


Title: Fool me twice
Inspiration: You lied to me. When you got caught, you asked for another chance. Fool me, I gave it to you. Now you've done it again. I can't trust you anymore.




Title: Look, don't touch
Inspiration: There's no harm in looking, is there? I mean, as long as I look but don't touch that's okay... right?





Title: Whisper the words
Inspiration: You want me to say it. I want to say it. But it scares me to say it out loud. Let me whisper the words.

Whirlwind week and a half

Last week and a half were crazy busy. I was on vacation most of the time and so I tried to catch as many Fringe Festival shows and gigs as possible. Between shows, I continued working on the "With & Without" series. There are a couple more larger pieces and several smaller pieces close to completion now; both series should be done by the end of July. As I complete the pieces, I'll post photos of them.

VisualFringe 2010 opening

This year's show includes: fine art photography, paintings, collages, pottery, metalwork, a knit sculpture, and more. We've got some very creative people in this town!






There was a full house for most of the opening evening. Lots of familiar faces and some interesting new folks too. It's nice to see the theatre fringers out supporting the visual fringers (and vice versa).






Here's my lil corner of the show. The feedback on my work has been fairly positive. In fact, I sold a piece on opening night! "A complicated dance" will be going to a great new home.

"With & Without" series 1

The pieces I submitted to this year's VisualFringe are from two series entitled "With & Without." They are inspired by the blog posts of people who are with and without significant others. There's something about being online that makes people feel freer to share their innermost desires and fears. Consider this a peek into their personal lives by proxy!

People have been asking me about the backstories for these pieces. Here are the excerpts from the blogs that served as my inspiration.


SERIES 1
16"x24" - mixed media on canvas


Title: A complicated dance
Inspiration: Why is everything with you such a complicated dance? I don’t know the steps or who’s leading and no matter what I do, I’m always stepping on your toes.









Title: An irresistible temptation
Inspiration: I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but I just can’t help myself. I feel like I’m swept up in some damned Harlequin romance.









Title: I choose booze
Inspiration: He said to me, "Given the choice between you and booze, I choose booze." Nice to know I was one of the possible choices.

"With & Without" series 2

SERIES 2
8"x10" - mixed media on canvas


Title: Our first kiss
Inspiration: We teased each other into a frenzy before we’d even met in person. When we finally kissed, it was pure magic.




Title: No more tears
Inspiration: I’ve cried too many tears over you. Every time I tell myself, "That’s it, no more!" And then I breakdown all over again. This has got to stop.




Title: Let’s stay here
Inspiration: We spent that night and most of the next day snuggled in together under the covers, naked, limbs entwined. Not a care in the world. I wish we could’ve stayed like that.



Title: I’m not enough
Inspiration: I’m worried that I won’t live up to your expectations. What if I’m not enough to satisfy you?

VisualFringe 2010

I'm participating in this year's VisualFringe. I rarely do gallery shows, so this is kind of a big deal for me.

WHAT: VisualFringe 2010
WHERE: The Arts Project, 203 Dundas St., London ON
WHEN:
The opening is Thursday, June 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm.
The show runs until Sunday, June 27th, noon to 10:00 pm daily.

I will be posting more about the show and the pieces I've submitted over the next few days. Stay tuned!