'Jim Jarmusch'

Acrylic/mixed media on Canvas
December 16, 2011

 

I painted this for my boyfriend, as a Christmas gift. It's a portrait of his favourite director, Jim Jarmusch. The background is torn squares of movie listings, intended to look checkered, as a nod to the apparent visual theme of his movie 'Coffee and Cigarettes'.  Also, because use of shades, and colour, are used so specifically by Jim for mood in his movies;  I tried to mirror that in how I represented him in this painting.

He is one of the most interesting portraits I've done, to date, as he is quite the interesting character.  The more time I spent researching, and working on this painting, the more I understood why my boyfriend favoured him so much.  His movies are fantastic, there's no doubt about that. But his personality! Even in photographs it was ever-present.  I will likely revisit him as a subject, just to see if I can truly capture it. Very enticing...

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Close-up of 'Forget Me Not'

This is just a close-up so you can see her face a

little better... Also, could you tell that the orange/grey

musroom clouds to the left of both her hand and knee

are nuclear bomb explosions?? ... Those are some of

the details I intend to improve upon.

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'Forget Me Not'

 October 9, 2011 - Acrylic on Canvas

Alright, so I'm completely fired, so far as posting of the completed

'Catching Energy' is concerned.  I will have those pic's up ASAP,

I swear.  I'm just waiting on pics of my collaborators canvas. 

In the meantime, above is another 'new' painting that's mostly

complete... Upon discussion with a few of my muses, I intend to make

a few changes to the details.  I'm posting her now, however, because

the message, and general feel of the painting, will remain the same. 

I promise to post pic's of the polished version, too, once complete :)...

She has been in my head, literally, for years... I think, maybe 10?  I 

actually had a different version of her, on this canvas, from a few years

ago. However, when she first came to me, I wasn't yet skilled enough to

do her justice.  So, I had only gotten so far before I felt I had to stop.

When I revisited her, now feeling ready to finish what I had started, I

picked up the same canvas, intending only to add to, and complete,

what I had already done. In the end, I think I painted everything over,

leaving only the general composition in place.  It's interesting to me to see

how much my style has changed over the years.  This version of her is

considerably different, stylistically, from what I initially had. The message,

however, although expanded upon, remains the same as when she was

first conceived of. 

The story she tells is of Mother Nature weeping for her planet,

and all the destruction wrought by humanity.  I've been told

 that she could represent all women, as well... Although she is

Mother Nature to me, I do like the idea that she could represent all

women. Almost as if she were ambassador of all mothers, making her the

true embodiment of Earth Mother.  The concept also makes me feel like

the intended message becomes more accessible.  Picture a mother 

weeping for their child, who has taken the wrong path in life, and the

mother cannot fix it, no matter how she tries.  Now make that mother

Gaia, and that child humanity... 

   

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'Catching Energy' in progress...

Above is a shot of 'Catching Energy' being worked on right at the beginning

of the night.  The original plan was to move around, and set up randomly in

different places.  However, we wound up with such a steady flow of people

at the first place we set up, we didn't move for the rest of the night... We

were there for a good three and a half, maybe four hours, and had approx.

300+ participants!  I'd say it was a resounding success. :) So, THANK

YOU to all who participated. I promise I'll get more photo's up ASAP,

especially of the completed piece... It looks amazing, by the way. 

There are so many nuances, it's really interesting to see the different

interpretations of the project, in art-form.

The whole experience, in and of itself, was a really phenomenal one for me. 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first hatched this plan, and to say the least,

I was more than a little nervous about how well it would be received.  In the end,

 though, most of the participants seemed to get what it was about, and I loved

how many people reacted with incredulous excitement at the fact that they were

'allowed' to participate.  As though they really wanted to join in, but thought

it was an exclusive event.  Hearing "Really!?!?! I can paint too?!?!?!" was,

by far, the best reaction I could hope for.On the flip side, however, this turned

out to be a definite social experiment.  Although I expected it, it was still
interesting to observe how many people would be excited to join in, until their
friends responded negatively.  Watching the change in their expression, and
demeanor, turned out feeling like more of a resounding 'no'than of those who
weren't inclined of their own volition.  I can't complain, though, because in more
than one instance the excitement of one "Yes" was enough to convert
half a dozen "No's".

Overall, I had a blast, I'm so happy I bit the bullet on my fears, and made

it happen, and I'll likely try it on a larger scale next year, if I can manage it.  For

now, however, I'll be vibin' off this experience for a little while.  So, thanks again,

and I'll get those pic's up soon. ;) 

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'Catching Energy' - A Nuit Blanche Art Project

Another Nuit Blanche is upon us, and while I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of all the light installations (just my opinion), there is something about this night that draws me in every time. It's the energy. I LOVE all the spontaneous art that takes place, and how open everyone is to art, as a result. In my mind, it's akin to priming an audience before a comedian comes on stage. A good MC will get the audience so well prepared that the comedian doesn't have to over work to get their laughs; the audience is ready, and willing, to enjoy the show. Because of the natural priming that occurs on this night of nights, it's not uncommon to hear Nuit Blanche revellers, during the wee hours of the morning, asking themselves, and each other, "Is that art?" of what they would otherwise consider mundane, and overlook on the day-to-day. It's apparent, by the middle of the night, that everyone is in undeniable 'stop and smell the roses' mode.


So, this year, as opposed to being a mere attendee, I intend to capture the very essence of this creative energy. I will be wandering around (taking in the art), but also with a HUGE canvas, and paints in tow. Throughout the night, at random, I will open up the canvas, and invite my fellow revellers to harness some of that energy, in creative fashion, using my canvas and paints. I'm hoping that many of those who partake are those who do not typically create, as I also want to capture the idea that art is about passion, not ability. Considering the name of my blog, I cannot wait to see what pure, unadulterated 'ArtistcNRG' looks like on a canvas, and to experience the free flow of this energy while I create with strangers. What could be better?

Update - The Pocket Sketch Book Project

I hadn't gone into much detail on this project in the first post it was mentioned.  So, I feel I owe a bit of an explanation.  I'd essentially fallen into an artistic funk, the past couple of months, where I was feeling less than inspired, artistically, and couldn't seem to get out of it.  I found that I was talking myself out of drawing, every time I sat down to do so, on the basis that whatever was inspiring me wasn't going to be an important enough piece.  Or, I wouldn't start drawing, because I'd decided two hours just wasn't enough time for me to get any thing done.  I realized that this was just my own fear holding me back, but I still hadn't determined how to overcome it...  Then, while riding the subway to work, I found myself desperately wanting to capture some of the interesting characters I'd see, but wholly unprepared to do so.  I eventually figured out that I needed to allow myself to create, whenever I was struck by the urge, effectively removing all the preamble that was holding me back. Hence, my Pocket Sketchbook.  The reason I've called it 'The Pocket Sketchbook Project' is that I've discovered carrying a sketchbook around challenges me to fill it.  It feels kind-of silly to carry around a sketchbook if I'm not using it!  So, I decided to face that challenge head on, and get creating.

Well, it's working. :)  I managed to complete two paintings this weekend, with no signs of stopping.  The two paintings (one of which I consider to be an important piece... to me at least :] ), have generated enough interest that I have new commissions.  I also plan to submit one of them to my favourite magazine...  To say the least, I'm feeling inspired, and I'm prepared to move forward with my work.  We'll see what the next couple of months bring, but I'm definitely feelin' good about it!

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Commissioned Piece - 'Orange Koi' **SOLD**

Sept 25, 2011 - Acrylic on canvas.

As indicated in the title, this piece was a commissioned work, and 

I really enjoyed working on this one. When it was initially requested, my

client didn't have any specifications aside from wanting an orange koi to

be the subject. This left me open to artistic interpretation, which couldn't

make me happier. The result of my freedom of expression? See above ;)

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'Care Yet?/Closer to Home'

Sept 23, 2011 - Acrylic on Canvas

This image has been kicking around my head for the past few weeks,
and I finally got to put her down on Canvas, last night. I'm not sure if my
intended message comes across, but she is supposed to make you
uncomfortable. She's definitely supposed to evoke sadness.
However, so long as she makes you think, I've succeeded. For me,
she represents how easily we are able to dismiss the atrocities found in our
world, when they occur across an ocean. The question she is meant to ask you is;
Do you care now that it's one of your own affected? So, do you?

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It's a start.... The Pocket Sketchbook Project

I acquired a miniature sketchbook recently, and have started carrying it around
with me. The reason being is that I'd realized I'm not helping myself grow as an
artist if I'm not prepared to draw whenever/wherever the mood strikes.
The sketch, above, was not planned, and started as nothing more than me
passing time at work. Now, I can reproduce this on a larger scale, polish it,
and create a full sized art piece. I think my plan's working... :)

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Just a quick sketck

On a whim, my friend and I went to Montreal for the Tam Tam's in
Mont-Royal Parc. It's a drum circle that gathers every Sunday,
throughout the Summer, and has done so for the past 10 years,
give or take. This quick sketch is of one of the drummers.
He seemed, to me, to be quite the character.

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My New Favourite Comic Strip

I've fallen in love with Mark Tatulli's comic 'Lio'. It's got some great
pop culture references, and is clever as all hell.... I had to share.
To see more check out http://www.gocomics.com/ and look up 'Lio'
... Good times





My personal favourite, thus far:

Self Portraits

Alright.  So I'm not a huge fan of making a subject of myself...  However, for whatever reason, self portraits are part of the artistic process.  As such, here are a few I've had to do over the years... 

I did this one in grade 11 art (2003)...  I wasn't completely comfortable
with shading at the time, so I could have done much better on my face...

But you get the idea.  This piece is the basics: pencil on watercolour paper.

This one is a little more recent. I got new charcoals and felt

compelled to experiment.  I think it's from December of 2006.

Although this one isn't a portrait of me, per say, it is my name.

So I say it counts! ;)  This is the inside cover for one of my
sketchbooks.  Pencil crayons, Ink, and metallic marker
on paper.

You'll recognize this one from the title, but I figured it

deserved an explanation.  I did this one for Grade 9

art (2001).  It's a 'distortion' self portrait piece. 
Acrylic paint on watercolour paper.



Some random pieces I've done of late...

I was watching 'Ruby Gloom' a little while back,

and decided to experiment with my ability to do something a little darker

than my normal stuff.  These two peices are very much influenced

by the style in which 'Ruby Gloom' is drawn.

It's been too long!

So I fell off the face of my blog for a little while, but I always come back. ;)  I've been taking Ty Templeton's Comic Book Bootcamp lvl's 1 & 2. Which is a good portion of the reason I haven't posted in a while.  It was an amazing course, and I'm somewhat saddened it's over.  It's definately helped cement my desire to work in the comic book industry, though, and I have plans to continue in that vein with the next courses I'll be taking through The Toronto Cartoonist Workshops. 

I've also had a few people fall through on me with their plans for colaborative works...  No worries though.  I have my own graphic novel very much in the works,  and with the tools provided by Ty, I'm much more prepared to move forward on it myself.  Remember my previous post about Merpeople being guardians of the Oceans?  Well it's along those lines, but has evolved into something much more complex, and fantastical.  I'll be pulling in a lot of mythos from various cultures; playing with the idea that every lie has it's base in truth.  It's going to be my take on the tale of Atlantis, with a modern twist...  Now, I can't give too much more away, lest my idea's be stolen. 0_o ...

That being said, here are a few of the characters I've designed thus far:

She is an example of one of the races I'll have represented. 

They are serpantine in nature, and reside off the coast of Asia. 

Possibly the Indian Ocean?  We'll see.

The lovely lady above is a sampling of the race of merpeople

that make the Meridean Trench their home.  Hence the larger eyes,

and red colouring, (Many deep sea species have red colouring,

as it acts as camoflage, much like infared lights are invisible to the naked eye) . 

This race will also be the race that currently holds the throne in my story.

The male and female specimens above are my Hyperboreans.

(google it. Hyperboreans were race of people the ancient Greeks believed in.) 

They will reside under the Arctic continent, and are part sea lion.  They are also

supposed to have a Norse influence to their appearance, determined by the frigid

environment they call home.  The coulouring clearly needs to be done still, but you get the idea.