Getting inside your head - #1

This is the first piece in the series that I'm doing for Visual Fringe 2012. The inset shows the piece from the back view.


Series: What's going on inside your head?
Title: I'm a work in progress
6"x6"x4" - mixed media sculpture

What you see on the outside may give you a hint as to what's going on inside. Or it may not. As a lifelong student of people (I majored in Sociology and Psychology), this pretty much sums up my personal experience.

And so it begins

Over New Year's I started on two new series. One's for Shock Stock, the other's for Visual Fringe. The papier mache forms have been made and all base coated. Now the fun and creative stuff begins.

Just wait 'til you see what these turn into!

Planning ahead

I've signed up for the 2012 editions of the Shock Stock Horror and Subculture Convention and the London Fringe Festival's Visual Fringe. Both events are scheduled earlier in the year than they have been in previous years. That means that all of the deadlines are moved up too. Hope I'm not over-committing myself.

Snapshot from a Fringe film shoot

You know a musician's the real deal when they're using someone else's instrument and can still make beautiful music.


Title: Hawn Isali
11"x14" - mixed media on canvas

VisualFringe 2011 opening

Here's my wall space at this year's VisualFringe (photo by Rose Marie). I was kind of surprised by how dramatic it looked when all the pieces were hung together.





The opening recption was very well attended.

In the bottom left corner of this shot, you can see a bit of my cash 'n' carry display of "El Gato Gordo" canvases and cards.






The pieces in this year's show are quite diverse. There are giant metal sculptures, photography, paintings, mixed media pieces, and more.










My favourite moment of the evening was catching Tommy with The Reverend Nuge! I always get a kick out of seeing people's reactions to my work.

Good & evil

Here are my final two pieces for this year's Visual Fringe.



Title: The Reverend Nuge
11"x14" - mixed media on canvas










Title: Dennis Humble
11"x14" - mixed media on canvas








It's interesting how these two ended up together in a post. Though they couldn't have been more different as performers, both have incorporated elements of good and evil into their shows. And what shows they were too!

Cash 'n' carry

Here's a sneak peek at my cash 'n' carry stuff for this year's VisualFringe. The series is called "El Gato Gordo". There are 24 5"x7" canvas-on-board pieces plus greeting cards with smaller versions of the pictures.

Busy bee

My preparations for this year's Visual Fringe are well underway. I've got five of the seven pieces for hanging done. I'm also doing some smaller cash 'n' carry pieces. Fingers crossed I can get it all done--to my satisfaction--by the due date.

Black Shire Pub

After the Visual Fringe show last year, I was asked if I wanted to put up a few pieces at the Black Shire Pub. I was very flattered, but the timing was bad for me. I was asked again earlier this month. Opportunity rarely knocks twice, so I decided I'd better go for it.


Title: At the Shire #1
16"x24" - mixed media on canvas










Title: At the Shire #2
16"x24" - mixed media on canvas










Title: Guinness girl
18"x24" - mixed media on canvas









Truth be told, I'm a little nervous about this mini-show. Some of the people in these pictures were inspired by real life patrons of the pub. I'm curious to see their reactions.

Guitar face

This is the first of the pieces that I'll be showing at this year's Visual Fringe.



Title: Jeffy B
11"x14" - mixed media on canvas






The neck of the guitar is cherrywood veneer and the guitar strings are wire.

Inquisitive one

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

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!

"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!