Sunday, October 31, 2010

PART-TIME

So, it's official. I will be reducing my hours at my current place of employment to a part-time capacity starting November 1st. I'm super excited about this. I'm really going to have the opportunity to refocus my energies and expertise back on my art. Obviously, I'm a little nervous and anxious, but this is going to open up so many opportunities and freedoms for me. I mean, I'm turning 29, if I don't take advantage of this time, when will I ever do it?!? and I know I'll just be kicking myself if I don't try out of fear. I'm young, I'm talented and I have no ties or obligations- the time is NOW!
Wish me Luck.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

I've Been Asked to Show!

The neighbourhood I live in is home to a slew of great cafés and restaurants that I often frequent. They all have the most wonderful ambience and atmosphere bewitching on to eat, drink and spend money! Recently I approached one restaurant in particular about using their space to showcase some of my art. After reviewing my portfolio, they graciously extended themselves to me, requesting my work to adorn their stylish walls.How excited am I?


The Rushton, is a hip and well designed restaurant situated on St.Clair West, with great food, and a beautiful aesthetic. My work is gonna look awesome in that space. The Show has been slotted for March 2011.  


Squingy Bitch Takes a Tumble

So I promised myself that during my two days off I was going to work on Squingy Bitch. I did, but definitely not as much as I would have liked. I'm trying out a couple of different techniques for the production of the Squingy Bitch Series. In this image, I've used a style that you might be familiar with- it looks a lot like my drawings found under the design portion of my blog.  

Now, I like this look, but it takes a REALLY long time to do. I'm still feeling the look of the other colour composites I did... the ones that I posted earlier. What I think I need to do is refine the drawing first before taking it to colour- which means there will be an extra drawing step that will go to final. The refinement will not come digitally but through the drawing process, then colour will simply be layered on top.
Ya, I think that might work... 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Commisson!

So I've been working on a commission for my friend Heather, and I'm gaging over it. Here it is.
48" X  48"
(this shitty picture does NOT do this piece justice!)
She requested a yellow colour scheme, and the composition for the piece just came to me. I almost hate to sell it. I'm kinda obsessed with it....
Hope you guys like it... I hope Heather does too.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

48x48...GOD THAT'S BIG.

So, I've got my first painted commission, and boy is it a big one! A friend of mine named Heather is the first person to request an abstract piece and I couldn't be more excited to start. Her request was for something 50x50, but I couldn't find a pre-fab canvas stretched to that size... what's an extra 2 inches squared anyway...

I awkwardly shlepped the canvas home and I'm ready to start. AMAZING!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Nuit Blanche 2010


Nuit Blanche... more like they should start over Carte Blanche...
Now, I'm not trying to be a bitch about it, but for the last few years I've been all excited to discover art, installations and fun in the city on this faithful night with no avail. I mean, what's going on Toronto?
So, that night my friend and I decided to explore Zone B ( Yonge-Dundas and surrounding areas) because it had the largest concentration of Exhibits and Independent Projects on display... or so it seemed.


I have to say, people really seem enthusiastic about getting out and experiencing art and one another... I mean mass mobs don't lie...but every year I just feel like something is missing.

My friend and I traversed Yonge-Dundas Square, City Hall and surrounding areas... What a load of pretentious crap. What a waste of potential. Nothing is ever clearly labelled or charted out... I spent most of my time speaking to people about where things were supposed to be rather then viewing the exhibits themselves.

Now what I DID come across had the raw elements of being quite powerful or engaging, but fell short in leu of pomposity... I'm OVER IT!

Ultimately, most people that come out to Nuit Blanche are just looking to have a good time ALL night long.
Some of them might have an understanding of conceptual art, but most of them just appreciate art and wanna have some fun!
The most successful Exhibit I saw that night, and that I've seen since the conception of this Event in  Toronto was put on by Chevrolet, believe it or not. The Chevrolet CRUZEremix experience. 
They commandeered a parking lot between City Hall and University Ave and fitted it with a test driving track and elevated DJ both.

The concept here was that you would test drive these Chevrolet cars in what looked like a grown-up go-cart track; your facial expression and comments would be recorded from within the car and displayed on a big screen behind the DJ both while your comments where then mixed with the House music the DJ was spinning... Genius!
Not only are you engaged with the art, but you become the art.
Lastly the music was so fierce, that people kept coming in waves to join this impromptu party and it became a huge dance session.

Mobs of people dancing, laughing and having a great time in a parking lot in the middle of downtown Toronto... Now THAT'S what it SHOULD look like!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkNkUB8Wo7A&feature=channel