Saturday, March 31, 2012

Optical Elixer

Hey there - the 5 people who read my blog.  I have some new work for you!
ABSTRACT WORK
Yeah! seriously right?

These little buddies will be up in Redline Coffee and Espresso Bar (at Queen and Parliament) for the next month as part of Optical Elixer (a group show you should really check out).  Soooo... if you're in the area and you want a coffee or tea, or maybe a danish, some biscotti perhaps?  You can also look at my paintings!  Awesome.  They are on the bright red wall  (a superior location - and one of my favourite things about showing work in non-gallery spaces).  Colours against colours!  Yum! 

"I am Enlightened" 10 x 10 oil on panel




"An Explosion" 10 x 10 oil on panel
"Of a Void" 10 x 10 oil on panel
I should have probably waited until I take some better pictures of these guys because the last one I did so much more work on - and it looks far more cohesive now.... and actually not really bad like it does right now.  But that's ok - everyone likes to see process work right?

Don't worry though - there are more posts coming soon!  Me and one of my many talented artist friends Corey have made an unbreakable pinky swear oath to attend life painting every Friday at T.S.A.  So there's even figures in it for you. Ooooooohh yeah!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Giving it Away

Adventures in Art:

The other day I met an old lady while sketching in Allen Gardens.  We ended up talking for at least an hour about basically everything.  It pretty much made my day - and maybe her day as well.  I think we needed to find each other.  Sometimes I think you can be more honest with strangers than with people you actually know.  

Another page ripped out of my sketchbook.  All the good ones never stay in there - but they usually have the best stories.  

I think I should draw in public more.  It's the only way I make friends.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Encircle


"Encircle"
oil on panel 


Art trade for Feedback 
I don't know why I didn't put this up before.
 

An Artists Manifesto - Maria Abramovic

A GUIDE TO LIVING

(some favourite's below)  

1. An artist’s conduct in his life:


– An artist should not lie to himself or others
– An artist should not steal ideas from other artists
– An artist should not compromise for themselves or in regards to the art market
– An artist should not kill other human beings
– An artist should not make themselves into an idol
– An artist should not make themselves into an idol
– An artist should not make themselves into an idol 

4. An artist’s relation to suffering:


– An artist should suffer
– From the suffering comes the best work
– Suffering brings transformation
– Through the suffering an artist transcends their spirit
– Through the suffering an artist transcends their spirit
– Through the suffering an artist transcends their spirit   

7. An artist’s relation to inspiration:

– An artist should look deep inside themselves for inspiration
– The deeper they look inside themselves, the more universal they become
– The artist is universe
– The artist is universe
– The artist is universe


8. An artist’s relation to self-control:

– The artist should not have self-c ontrol about his life
– The artist should have total self-control about his work
– The artist should not have self-control about his life
– The artist should have total self-control about his work


9. An artist’s relation with transparency:

– The artist should give and receive at the same time
– Transparency means receptive
– Transparency means to give
– Transparency means to receive
– Transparency means receptive
– Transparency means to give
– Transparency means to receive
– Transparency means receptive
– Transparency means to give
– Transparency means to receive


10. An artist’s relation to symbols:

– An artist creates his own symbols
– Symbols are an artist’s language
– The language must then be translated
– Sometimes it is difficult to find the key
– Sometimes it is difficult to find the key
– Sometimes it is difficult to find the key


11. An artist’s relation to silence:

– An artist has to understand silence
– An artist has to create a space for silence to enter his work
– Silence is like an island in the middle of a turbulent ocean
– Silence is like an island in the middle of a turbulent ocean
– Silence is like an island in the middle of a turbulent ocean


12. An artist’s relation to solitude:

– An artist must make time for the long periods of solitude
– Solitude is extremely important
– Away from home
– Away from the studio
– Away from family
– Away from friends
– An artist should stay for long periods of time at waterfalls
– An artist should stay for long periods of time at exploding volcanoes
– An artist should stay for long periods of time looking at the fast running rivers
– An artist should stay for long periods of time looking at the horizon where the ocean and sky meet
– An artist should stay for long periods of time looking at the stars in the night sky