THE OPPOSITE MACHINE

PIN UP GIRLS

2012-01-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

I will be hanging two new works at the Upcoming Pin Up show at the Untitled Arts Society Satellite Gallery this week.

Pin Up!
A group exhibition exploring feminism, sexuality and pop culture.

February 1 - February 4, 2012 @ 11AM - 4PM
UAS Satellite Gallery - 343 11th Ave SW

Closing reception on Saturday, February 4 @ 6-10PM

Pin-ups are mass-produced images of idealized sex symbols, intended to be "pinned up" to a wall. They are cut out of magazines and newspapers, or postcards and calendars. From the classic charms of Betty Garble, to the fetish modelling of Bettie Page, our version of the "pin-up" has changed over the ages and has accumulated over a century worth of history. 35 artists have worked within the confines of a "poster" format, showing a diversity of artist's interpretations through the themes of feminism, sexuality and popular culture.

The works are supposed to be 11 X 17. I decided to pint two pieces on canvas paper. First I did a little online research and gathered some reference photos, did a little photoshop tweaking and printed out some reference. I cut them out by hand and merged the laser printed elements together so that I could do two different methods of image transfer. The method on the left was done by brushing acetone on the back of the paper and burnishing it with a spoon, then lifting of the paper. It worked fairly well, but stronger acetone and a photocopy over laser printing would make it work much better after a little experimenting. The second one was made by brushing matte medium on tot eh canvas paper then pressing the print face down

onto the surface. After the clear medium dries you can wet the paper and rub it off.

One the images are on there, which saves time composing and drawing, I coated them with more clear medium to protect them. I brushed in a background in bright red and followed by covering it with a gold colored Golden fluid acrylic. I blocked in some darks as well as most of the pickle.Overtop of dark brown I dry brushed the yellow that makes up the banana peel. I left the skin as I ran out of time that evening.

You can see my references here and how I taped the canvas paper to some cardboard then tacked it up onto the wall to work. This also held to keep the Canvas paper from wrinkling as much, the same thing you do with water-colour paper. I decided to roughly brush in some dark brown to have a dripping vignette.

I added skin tones and some shadows in the dresses. I started placing the ladies facial features. I also dry brushed in the banana and lighter areas of the peel. I made her shoed bright red, I intend on adding sparkly red glitter to her shoes, like Dorothy's from the Wizard of Oz. The next step is to add more details, pattern the clothing, add highlights, and sparkles to various elements. I may also outline them again and add more gold to the backgrounds. I can twit to see how they turn out!

The belly of the beast

2012-01-26T14:48:00.001-07:00

Tee double dragons are winding down after far too many distractions slowed my progress. However, in-between jobs, photo shoots, and creating other works for an upcoming show of Pin ups at Untitled......I managed to get a bit of time in on the belly of the beast.

First I used a burnt umber to mark in the belly folds with a flat brush to contrast the other patenting where I did this in white. I followed it up by painting in white outlines which really helps it to vibrate.

I felt the belly needed more punch so I dry-brushed black gesso from the bottom of the belly upward to express more dimension to the form. Now it is starting to make me happy, I can see the end in sight, and good ting, I plan on putting at least one of these in Motion Gallery!

Golden Dragon....

2012-01-21T09:34:00.005-07:00

Its not a restaurant, its art.

I took part in the OYR/Green Fools +15 Chinese New Year parade in honour of the Dragon. It all began when I turned the corner after parking my truck at Bankers Hall. Inside were bands, a choir, he mayor, a bunch of weirdos and a long red dragon. Luckily I was in my pirate duds, I was planning a wee mutiny. I'm glad I wore red, it seemed to be the colour of choice. During the festivities I tried as I might to coax office workers to join our merry parade.

On with the show they say....

After the parade ended, I hit the studio. The lunar New Year quickly approaches and I need to get these two pieces done in honour of the celebration. Today I applied the Gold.

What a difference this makes. I really am happy with the slightly translucent but highly reflective Golden brand Fluid Acrylic Deep Gold pigment. As suspected I used nearly the entire bottle on the backgrounds. I criss crossed brush strokes in my application.

In the right light you can see the shine this paint has. It really helps to set off the dragons and make them pop. Depending on how you look at them or how they are lit, you get a very different impression from the pieces. I ended up leaving the sides the colour of the underpainting, which shows thru when you look at it, so all those beautiful drips and colours are not completely covered.

After application of the nit ail layer of Gold, I gave each piece a light sand to allow the texture to show thru and reveal some of the coloured underpainting.

Here are the two pieces photoed on my studio wall before I left for the night. Being at this stage is going to help me further develop the works, now that I have a better idea of the figure ground relationship. I feel like I will go into the left piece and use darks on the belly and put some time into the face and claws. I also need to test various varnishes to ensure I maintain the reflectivity after the application of the protective layer.

Still more to come.....

These will kick your ass.......

2012-01-19T16:29:00.000-07:00

Double Dragons

Wednesday evening.
With the inspirational beats provided by DJ LurkN in my studio, I worked for 6 hrs. from 6pm until 12 am on purples.

The bold purple really pops like the oranges do on the sister painting.

Here you can see the fire I mentioned that pops. Also the hair painted on the back of the hands in two tomes of purple and some details on the tail.

Here I am at work on the two pieces, photo by Cosmic.

Double your pleasure, double your fun....

2012-01-18T14:24:00.002-07:00

Double Dragons.

The Chinese New Year quickly approaches. A lot has been happening in my world to keep me away from the studio. I began my Monday ACAD class- Motion Graphics 1. That's right, I got into the sessional pool, and with little time to prepare so it's been a real haul, all hours focused on this one task creating 15 weeks of teaching materials and an outline. After the first class I am very excited about having a full class and a studious bunch of 2nd year creative designers, illustrators and BFA chasers.

Here I began work on the rainbow scales of the male dragon. Since he started out as black I applied the rainbow of coloured scales in the opposite direction. Red near the belly moving in ROYGBIV toward the spine to blue. Each scale is painted in a light hue and then a darker one of the same colour is applied over top along the outer edge and as a central line for each and every scale. Yes, it takes time to do this sort of thing. You may notice I spent some time blocking in the antlers too, I did them on both paintings, on this one I modelled them after coral, the other (not pictured) is more natural colours. Here I discovered a tube of unbleached titanium white, what a beautiful ivory colour.

To get a better idea what step would be next when I visit the studio again, I made a watered down Raw Umber and applied it over the blue background to make the dragon pop. Over this background I plan to apply Gold. But first, I will give it a sand to reveal the textural layers by revealing the bright blue hues underneath. I went down to Inglewood Art Supply and picked up a $28 bottle of Golden brand fluid acrylic. I am hoping this amount of paint can cover both backgrounds. after its applied, I will probably give it a good sanding to age it and reveal more of the background texture.

More to come ......... =;D

Sōsetsuken (双截拳) Its not a real martial art....

2012-01-08T14:22:00.001-07:00

Its a reference to the classic beat 'em up video game series initially developed by Technos Japan Corporation, Double Dragon.

Speaking of kicking ass...............I found out this morning via text that Motion Gallery sold my Purple & gold Rhinoceros painting =;) Yay!!!!

OK. Back to the double dragons painting process....

I used some sharpies to position the iris's. I used yellow on the green part of the claws near the knuckles and a light blue on the cobalt. I outlined the spikes on the back with crimson and used a bright red to shade in the base of each one. I added in gums and tear ducts and some graduation between the rainbow hues in the face.

I take all those photos with my iPhone so there are for reference and tend to be less than perfect but they give a good idea what I am up too. Here I've added colour to the eyes and done some detail work which tends to be a bit lost on such a large canvas, remember it is about 4 ft. square.

I didn't do any work on the blue piece, feeling a bit blocked at the moment. The bright red background can be obnoxious up close burning out my retina. Before leaving the studio for the night, with a sore back and neck from all tight painting I rocked out, I scrubbed in a watered down raw umber to help pop the dragon out and to feel like I have a fresh view to work on next session.

Next visit I will be working on the blue background piece for sure ;)

Keep on keeping on....

2012-01-05T23:40:00.001-07:00

it's really dragon on and on... =;)

The next stage was a big one, I spent some time on the blue dragon adding the spine in a frosty aquamarine tone.

For the red one (below), I filled in the claws and did a dry rub over the tentacles. I added the flames around the legs and arms and shaded them with orange and red.

I also spent about 4 hours, meticulously highlighting each an every scale with their respective hue family. I made the colours in glass baby food jars so I could store them longer and use them on the other piece.

I addition I used a sharpie to add a dark line to each and every rainbow scale. It took tremendous focus and concentration but I am really happy with how the scales turned out on this piece.

I also used a filbert full of zinc white to score in a rounded edge on act belly fold. Zinc white is on the cool side and more translucent than titanium white but it still works to pop the scales without being to hard like a highlight,

I am still contemplating how to proceed with the other ones scales, something similar I think, but working over black presents some challenges.

Bring in the New Year

2012-01-05T00:48:00.001-07:00

I have been hiding under a rock lately.........

Actually, I haven't! The reason there are no posts lately or why I haven't used any social media this holiday, it is very refreshing to take a break. My laptop is still on the fritz and I took down the borrowed system to create room for a phenomenal boxing day feast I prepared. I just haven't set it back up until today. In fact I didn't touch a computer for 2 weeks. Instead, I've been hard at work, painting and drawing and living up to my expectations, drawing daily and hoping to finish a book a month. I got spoiled this Christmas by Dunia and am reading the Steve Jobs Biography she got me. Every morning I continue my morning pages as I have done for well over a dozen years. Here is the update on the double dragons piece, though it is further as of tonight than what I am shown here. In due time I will catch up with myself ;)

I finally have the joy of adding bright colours to my paintings after all the drawing, underpainting and blocking in of the background. Above are the tubes I used to give you an idea. All the paints are canadian made Stevenson acrylics bought at Inglewood Art Supply, when you spend $200 you get 30% off, thats the kind of shopper I am ;)

Here are the colors I will be using in this session:
Quinacridone Red/Yellow, Hansa Orange, Hansa Yellow Middle, Cadmium Green, Phthalo Turquoise, Cobalt Blue (Golden brand)

Here is the male dragon on the blue background. An array of rainbow colours have been splashed about on his skin and over his tentacles. I dripped yellow ochre from the bottom of the canvas to the top and indian red from the top down to create more layering at the end of this session.

As you can see I have spent a lot more time on the repainting, it is where my ideas are more solid to work from, the second painting is more of an experiment from what I learn on the first painting. I had planned from the start to paint rainbow of scales that follows the shape of the body. I have also boldly blocked in features of the face and added red serrated fins to her back. They are outlined in crimson and are bright red despite the difficulty in reading it against a similar color background. I dripped yellow ochre from the bottom of the canvas to the top and indian red from the top down to create more layering as in the other painting.

Double Dragons --> X-mas eve

2011-12-24T18:24:00.001-07:00

I spent the afternoon adding some line work to my latest pieces. I like the holidays. It is quiet, the roads are bare, nobody is out, (save the last minute men, hoping todo some last minute shopping and find a gift to save their ass tomorrow). Other than that, it is quiet and there aren't much in the way of societies regular expectations. Instead are dinners etc.

A perfect day to let the creative juices flow. I did the line work on both pieces, the red piece got black gesso line treatment and the blue background piece was given some line work with white paint.

A bit more work has been done in blocking in some of the facial features. I tackled the claws by creating a make-shift stencil out of a scrap of graph paper. I added the squirmy bits to the elbows and some white ribbing along the stomach. I also used a silver sharpie to draw in the scales.

The red piece is more developed than the blue piece I like how it is progressing so far. At this point I began using the dryness of the white paint to lighten some of the hairy bits, I also added an extra finger to each claw. Next time I visit the studio, I will be able to play with color. I am fairly certain I will outline the pieces to give them a glow and to further separate them from the background.

So there you have it, the development from todays painting session ;)

Double Dragons

2011-12-23T14:03:00.002-07:00

Chinese new year quickly approaches and this year is the year of the Dragon.

I decided to make two large paintings of dragons.First, I hope one gets selected as a design for this years Taoist Tai Chi society T-shirt. I have done their shirts for the past two years and hope that they use an image created by me again this year. Second, I plan on exhibiting these new pieces at Motion Gallery in the New Year, and if I'm lucky they will sell quickly.

This is a dragon slayer! Dj LurkN spinning tracks in my studio.

I created an original drawing to base them off of. This is the first of many in my newest Frosst Books sketchbook. I stretched two approximately 4 foot square canvases after my canvas building workshop. I acquired the frames for free and bought the 10 oz. canvas on the roll, way back. I stretched them and I gave them three coats of Chromacryl Gesso (the thick stuff) and sanded in-between each layer. It took about 5 hrs. total to create the surfaces in which to work. I sketched out the design in charcoal and gave it a light spray of workable fixative.

I worked in white gesso to blend in the charcoal and create some initial tone to work with. I decided to do something a little different than I normally do, and work with a palette knife. I applied a red hue and blocked in the background. I applied it heavy and had fun doing it. I even applied the paint around the edge of the canvas since I didn't think I'll be able to afford a frame for a work this large any time soon. Meanwhile, Cosmic and I were having an awesome time jamming out to his tunes.

I flipped over the original drawing and broke in my new animation light table for the first time. I loosely traced onto the back the initial drawing so that it would face the other way. Once this planning sketch was done, I was still on a roll...... I sketched in the second dragons body onto my other canvas. Instead of blocking it in with the white gesso as I had done with the previous canvas, I just sprayed it down with fixative. My studio was too stinky to continue working so I left for the evening.

I blocked in a blue background on the second piece in with a palette knife. It wasn't my intention to be his and hers (Blue and Pink) but it was my intention to do a yin and yang thing. The second dragon was painted in black with black Gesso made by Golden. I used a 2 inch brush to do it, it went very smoothly.

At this point it was getting late and I was loosing my edge. I painted in the claws but they looked so bad I had to paint over them. Painting is largely experimentation and discovery. I don't even know where it will take me, I just show up and allow the process to unfold. I decided to get into it and end the night off with some splatters and drips and blow off a little excess steam so that when I return I'll have new challenges to deal with in the creative process.

The red piece got the same treatment, I also used the black gesso as an underpainting for the fiery elements around the limbs and the tentacle bits. I also sprayed some fluorescent pink marking paint to break up the space ad ant a little crazy with the splatters. A huge glob of red hit the eye and spilled down. Nothing to worry about. I spritzed the whole surface with water to soften it and allow for greater transparency of the dripping hues.

I am excited to see how these pieces develop into the new year, keep posted to see my progression =;)

Christmas cookies with a snowy crackle

2011-12-21T16:23:00.007-07:00

Warning: This recipe can make you have mouth orgasms!

Kind of like a black forest cake in one bite.
These cookies are soft and chewy, chocolatey and cherry with a light dusting of white icing sugar on top. They take about 20 min total if you've done this kind of thing before and a bit more if you are sloppy in the kitchen. Total baking time 12 - 15 min! Makes more than 3 dozen little cookies =;)

Since many of you have tried these and some have asked for the directions..... I'm going to give it here for future reference. I will be making them as I write this to bring them to a solstice pot luck at Motion Gallery tonight!

What you will need to make them:

A large bowl,
a silicone spatula or wooden spoon,
a small wire sifter,
measuring cups (1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1 cup)
and measuring spoons (1/2 tsp ands 1 tsp)
An oven set to 380 degrees (180 C.)
Baking sheets with parchment paper

I make a small drink with some maraschino cherry syrup, some of the rum and some San Pelligrino as I bake ;)

Ingredients:

1/3 cup melted and cooled unsalted butter
1 cup sugar*
2 Eggs
1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sifted cocoa powder
1 & 1/2 cup all purpose powder (sifted if needed)
1 tsp. Baking powder (NOT baking soda boys!)
Pinch of salt
2/3 cup or about 150g of coarsely chopped dark bakers chocolate
1/3 cup of dried cherries** (mine were given to me by Richard Reeves from Creston B.C.)
1/3 cup maraschino cherries** and 1 tsp of their juice
Enough sifted icing sugar to coat (say 1/2 cup)

*You can use your own sweetener mix if you don't want to use pure sugar using maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, agave nectar, stevia etc.

** If you don't have either of these cherries, you can use other dried fruit or use candied cherries from the super market.

Directions:

1) Prep your space:
Lay out parchment on a few baking sheets and turn on your oven to 380 F (180 C.)

2) Get out a large bowl and mix 'wet' ingredients:
Mix together the room temp butter, the eggs, sugar/sweetener and vanilla together.

3) Blend in the dry ingredients:
Put a sifter over the bowl and blend in the cocoa powder, flour baking powder and salt

3) Mix in the goodies that make the cookies awesome:
Chop the chocolate chunks and cherries and add to the cookie dough until evenly distributed.

4) Roll the dough in to balls and coat:
Roll in your hands small balls just over an inch big or use a small scoop, try to make them all the same so they cook for the same amount of time.

5) Coat in icing sugar:
Toss the cookie dough balls into the sifted icing sugar to coat.

6) Place and bake:
Place the balls evenly spaced on the cookie sheets and bake for 12 - 15 min.

7) Meanwhile while cookies are baking, clean up!

8) When the timer goes off, Take out and cool.

9) Eat, share & enjoy ! ! !

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Tis the season for art marketing

2011-12-19T23:04:00.003-07:00

Creativity consultation

I was very fortunate to have an opportunity to meet with both Dale Turri and Brad Walker in my studio as part of (CADA) Calgary Arts Development Association's Executive In Residence program. The EIR program is a rotating post of leaders from the arts sector who are available for advice and council on any given number of topics to individual artist like myself and artist run centres. They are available to offer some expertise, insight and a different perspective concerning the matter at hand and perhaps offer some options for how the organization/individual might be able to address it.

As soon as I found out this opportunity was available, I immediately jumped on the chance to have a consultation. You can go to the exact place I found it here: http://congress.cada.at/executive-residence-program

I met Dale in person at the Fairytales nd EMMEDIA Christmas party and we talked a bit about what I hoped to gain from the experience.She recommended an joint meeting to get the most out of it, it was very effective.

We had about an hour meeting in my studio where they were able to help me define what I wish to do in terms of next steps in my career. It was nice to be able to share some work, what I've been up too and what I am anticipating in the future. Defining that, it became easier to see the stages and timeline I have.

I took an entire page of insightful, concise and inspiring notes. They gave me fantastic advice on how my approach is going and how to better improve it. They came up with some creative solutions to the opportunities and problems I continually face. They helped me outline the expected growth and outcomes I wish to achieve in the upcoming year. Also it was nice to know that I'm doing things right and that the difficulties I've been facing are reported back to them, so I'm not alone. I look forward to some of the follow up notes and links from Brad to help me create an action list and media releases.

If you would like to know more, sign up and find out for yourself how a little information can go a long way.

Here is a little bio from the CADA website about each EIR.

Dale Turri (Fundraising and Resource Development)

Dale is a business development consultant and professional fundraiser with a long history of working with arts groups to raise awareness and increase profile. A long-time resident of Calgary, she attends arts and cultural events on average 2 or 3 times a week. Dale currently serves on several arts boards and is a recipient of a Calgary Award (Arts).

Brad Walker (Arts Marketing)

Bradley Walker, a graduate of the Arts and Cultural Management program at Grant MacEwan University, has been involved in the arts and entertainment industry for nearly 15 years as a performer, volunteeer, advocate and professional arts manager. Prior to rejoining Bottom Line Productions in 2003 to open the company's Calgary office, Bradley was the Director of Operations and Director of Resource Development for Alberta Ballet, one of Canada's largest ballet companies. During this time, Bradley oversaw the operations, philanthropic and marketing initiatives of the ballet's Edmonton office. Bradley has been nominated for the national "Pfizer Award for Emerging Arts Managers," was the recipient of Grant MacEwan University's Distinguished Alumni Award and has been named one of Calgary's "Top 40 Under 40" by Avenue Magazine (Calgary Inc. Magazine). Bradley is also active in the community and has been involved as a volunteer with Alberta Opera, The National Ice Theatre of Canada, Victoria School Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Professional Arts Alliance and Calgary Opera. Bradley is currently a member of SAIT's Business Administration Marketing Major Program Advisory Committee.

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Do you see what I see?

2011-12-18T12:36:00.008-07:00

Some Art.....

I was lucky enough to have to head up to ACAD to see the David Hoffo's Show the last day it was open. He remains a creative genius in the realm of illusion and light. It is often eerie to enter such a dark gallery. But in order to use the illumination of reclaimed television sets, it is necessary to paint all the walls black and keep the lights low.It was nice to see such a large collection of his work in one space. I had seen many of the works over the years at various galleries, but to fill the Illingworth Kerr Gallery is phenomenal.

One method to discover how these illusions work is to place your hand in front and behind the angled viewing glass. If you put it in front you would no longer see the image within the space because you would be blocking it from hitting the framed sheet of glass. If you put your the behind the sheet of glass, the image would appear on your hand and not into the interior space comprising the built models and landscapes. I am surprised how far the TV's can be placed from the interior surfaces and at such a high angle and still reflect the light effectively.

I think it would be really amazing to get bunch of Artists together to create a show of works inspired by David Hoffos and using his techniques. My favourite works were more landscape based where something small and eerie happened in the interiors. I really liked the piece with the train and a bit of light happening in the window and of course some of the pieces that I have seen at the Trepanier Baer Gallery years ago like the one with the UFO soaring in to the air as onlooker view from a nearby cliff top. There is also his older body of work featuring people in model spaces, the spaces being very still on their own but with the addition of the looped image brings it some life......... or in order to have some curtains blowing.

This short clip can't do the work justice, very low light and video are not friends;( Amongst all the works in this show there was one piece that stood out for me, it was a piece with a Yacht. It contained a model of a pier in a black mirrored box, there was a yacht that appeared to be floating in the reflection inside. He video taped a model yacht that appeared to slightly roll, like it would in the sea. What strengthened the illusion was the lighting on this model, it looked ripples of water were reflecting on the hull. In addition there was video of the ocean added. All together the elements culminated in an illusion of a yacht in the blackness of night eerily bobbing in the sea. It is breathtaking!

Each piece not only told a story but also revealed another experiment in method of working. The piece above differed from the TV projection pieces in that it was comprised of a 3D sculpture lit outside the mirrored box which became reflected many times in the interior as if it were a projected image.

I like that the work is inviting enough to expose the methods of creating the illusion. There was one piece pin particular that was very tongue and cheek. The scene was of a bored gallery security guard in a Barnett Newman exhibition. Davis Hoffo's used the mirrored interior space by creating only half the pieces like half a triangle and letting the mirror create the rest, very clever. Also when you viewed the pieced directly on and looked straight into the gallery, your face appeared as one of the works on the far wall.

There were a collection of pieces of projections on black shapes which created a spacious feel. Some of these also gave you the eerie feeling that there were living people in the gallery with you. Kinda creepy. In on corner, on the floor with a sitting cat, (on a TV screen) this made me laugh out loud, so good!

Outside the Illingworth Kerr Gallery two friends of mine from the sculpture Faculty had pieces. First was this Self titled piece by Matthew Brunning. I just had to follow the plug and see it turned on.

This is going to look awesome over his bed ;P

Jean Day's sculpture is of a moss covered body that appears to be flying across space, like it was catapulted across the wall. The body is encircled by taxidermic critters crawling all over, it looked super cool. Finally while walking down 17th Ave. to use an expiring Groupon I had for Divine, I passed the Sugar Estate Portrait Gallery and saw the awesome piece, I believe the works are changing daily so if you can saunter on by and see a beautiful painting like the one below.

That is tons of things of beauty to take in on one day, but there is so much more out there. I wish everybody lived in an art bubble in the future. I don't think that is on the Agenda for the New World Order any time soon so drink it up while you can =;P

Mr. Lee, Bruce Lee

2011-12-16T16:45:00.001-07:00

I love Bruce Lee

I was commissioned to paint a 12 X 16 portrait of Bruce Lee for a friends father for his X-mas present. I knew what I was going to paint because she selected an image for me to work from. At first, I thought I'd do a black and white rendition and paint the background in a shiny gold. The finished piece will be mounted in thick black frame from Wal-Mart. I had to pick up a canvas panel that would fit her frame.

I know that I can make something beautiful in paint, but I wasn't sure how it would turn out.

I decided to try out a new technique and do an image transfer. At the Emmedia X-mas party Melody J. at Fairytales was kind enough to print it out for me on her printer, in colour. I ended up doing some photoshopping prior to get it to fit onto two 8.5" X 11" sheets of standard paper. Then I covered the canvas board in clear primer, put the print face down and let it dry. I used water to wash the paper off the back of the print allowing the ink to stay imbedded in the clear primer. I rubbed it down to make it look like an old movie poster from the days of Bruce Lee's film releases.

I clear coated the image to make sure it would stay fixed down. I then applied a wet wash of Burnt Umber to the entire image. I used a paper towel to wipe more of it away from the surface of the image transfer than the rest. The colour darkened the whites of the canvas. I then thickly applied a red background over the dark umber wash. At this pint I'm choosing red because it works as a great underpainting to gold in case I still apply it later on. I love how old its looking at this point, I want to keep it for myself.

Then I began to block in the painting starting with the darks. I outlined the drawing to help it to pop. I used brown washes and added back some yellows and high lights. I used black Gesso for his hair and pants. I mixed iridescent silver with Paynes Grey for the shine on his pants. I used an iridescent gold, not for the background but for his skin. This changed my initial idea to have a gold background and solidified the next step, painting the red background for a third time to creating more depth and texture.

I am really proud how this piece turned out. Of course, I low balled to get the gig. But damn, she is getting a really nice piece of art!

Studio Party and furniture update

2011-12-16T15:19:00.001-07:00

That was a blast! From outer space......

Cosmic (AKA DJ LURK'N'BANG) seen making deals with his agent here,
came in and set up his equipment and spun some sweet tracks. New fact: It turns out we both share the same favourite Bob Marley song! Which gives me more reason not to worry 'bout a thing!

There is nothing like good tunes and live performer to add energy and magic to a studio. Also I bought some snacks and beers, this helps too. I struggled putting together my new Animation Desk from the Quickdraw Animation Society. Gerry popped in with his girlfriend Shilo to see what was up and to pick up the canvases he made at the November Canvas Building workshop.

Al Chu stretches some new canvases while EJ appears to be making shit happen, but you never know what really could be happening in that text.

Here the boys get down and creative with my PRISMACOLOR set. We talked a lot about integrity and following the dreams of being an artist. HOw we are each going about that in different ways, there is no road map for this after all, and how success means you have got to rise above.

I did some reorganizing in the studio. I got my furniture put together, mostly. I had to strengthen the joints by adding some corner brackets. I broke some shelf pieces a few times, this unit is put together in a ridiculous way. Plus I am missing a small shelf piece. All this without directions! If I did this a second time I would be the master, unfortunately I did use up my entire night getting it to where I wanted. I'd rather be painting!

U of C Visiting Artist Lecture Invitation

2011-12-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Today I was invited by the University of Calgary to give a lecture as part of their Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series. A few years back I gave a talk there in regards to my "Battle Between the Sexes" installation and residency at EMMEDIA. This year they selected me to present a talk in light of my upcoming solo exhibition titled "Divine Inspiration" at the Stride Gallery.

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Divinely Inspired, the work of Brian Batista

Friday, February 17, 2012.

10 -11:30pm Arts building
presented by the University of Calgary's
Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series
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Studio party and new furniture!

2011-12-14T11:39:00.002-07:00

Studio Party Tonight!!

I will be joined by a few friends and anyone else who want to pop in for an impromptu Studio Party. DJ Cosmic Lurk N Bang will be spinning sweet tracks. I have some students from my November Canvas Building Workshop coming in to pick up their supports, while Jesse Gouchey and Myself work on our respective commissions. Al Chu and Ej Negre will be in the house and maybe a special guest appearance or two.

Got some new furniture for the studio. Here it is stacked in the freight elevator on its way up to my studio on the 5th floor. I'm bringing in my pine book shelf from home so I can have all my art books and reference material close at hand. I also purchased this custom "easy - fit" Animation table from the Quickdraw animation society for a steal $75, it used to be from the Alberta College of Art and Design's previous Animation program. It even came with x-tra light bulbs.

I can't believe how the furniture blends in to my floor. Here are all the components, laid out ready to assemble. I started putting the shelf together but once I decided where things were going to go I realized there was a lot of stuff that I had to move. What is that old saying, "you've got to make a mess to clean a mess"?! So I changed out my table to create room by the plug for the animation stand and book shelf. I began putting together the animation table, had it 98% complete, then it came crashing down on my head. It's a two person job, even when it is together its still pretty wobbly. I will have to add some structural support to the "easy assembly- fit together" design because it doesn't quite cut it.

The Motion Gallery opens it's doors.

2011-12-10T11:57:00.008-07:00

The first exhibition, a huge success!

I'd say that the Motion Gallery's opening and first exhibition exceeded my expectations, it's hard enough to get an audience to attend an art opening, but combine that with X-mas season parties and it was a Friday night, making it even more exceptional. Motion = momentum.
Here are some of my pics taken with my sh*tty iPhone camera.

That's what I like to see, people engaged with my work!
and people chatting, connecting and enjoying themselves.
The name "Motion Gallery" is inspired by the principal of Newtons first Law 'Objects in motion tend to stay in motion'. This Gallery, like it's artist's, are in motion: Creative, active, and proactive!

Motion Gallery has a diverse collection of art from new and veteran artists, that appeal to any taste.

"Engage yourself in culture. Take in some Art."

If you couldn't make the opening, go and take a walk around the huge gallery space.
Motion Gallery is located at 200 Barclay Parade SW, on the main floor at the NW end. of Eau Claire Market.

The Motion Gallery opens it's doors

2011-12-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'd say that the Motion Gallery's opening and first exhibition exceeded my expectations and is therefore a success!
You know... it's hard enough to get an audience to attend an art opening, but combine that with X-mas season parties and it was a Friday night makes it even more exceptional. Here are some of my pics taken with my sh*tty iPhone camera.
That's what I like to see, people engaged with my work!
The name "Motion Gallery" is inspired by the principal of Newtons first Law 'Objects in motion tend to stay in motion'.
This Gallery, like it's artist's, are in motion: Creative, active, and proactive!

Motion Gallery has a diverse collection of art from new and veteran artists, that appeal to any taste.

"Engage yourself in culture. Take in some Art."

Please go and take a walk around the huge gallery space.

Motion Gallery is located at 200 Barclay Parade SW, on the main floor at the NW end. of Eau Claire Market.

This is the end, my only friend, the end, or is it?!

2011-12-09T11:39:00.002-07:00

THE END?!

.....

I went to Glenmore Village Library to give my final flip book class for 'tweens'. There were 12 spots to fill and a long waiting list, so thanks to the Glenbow's gracious donation of some flip-books, I had enough supplies for 17 participants. I let everybody in. They have a really good core group of kids who do a ton of activities at this library. It got a little crazy but it was my most fun class to date. even one of the moms got into it and made a flip book. Everybody had a great time.......I like to go out with a bang!

Half the girls on this side of the room were wearing pink.

I didn't get the memo, or I would have too!

Afterward, I instructed my official final After Effects class at Quickdraw Animation Society. Something I picked up while in New Orleans called Lagniappe - which means that little bit extra, I always like to go up to 11 and do a bit more in everything I do.......... so I'll be in teaching one extra class next week and fielding any questions the students may have about their future needs for future projects =;)

I spent some time in the studio this week working on various commissions. I also took a piece I sold out of the frame and sanded the frame down in order to put a fresh coat of Black paint on it. I think you will agree, it looks better than the crappy frame it was in. But I'm not going to show a picture in that frame, I just can't let myself, I won't put it back in that frame, it looks like crap. Hopefully the new owner and I can go on a little frame shopping date together soon, and get something better suited for this work and her condo =;)

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Some things come to and end, while other are beginning....

I had to pick up a new sketchbook. My previous one is somewhere in the USA with my wicked $122 Micro topic pens ;( I got this one at Frosst Books. It is wicked! The gold cover was designed by Ryan Scott. The paper is of grand quality. There is a pocket in the back, trust me this is very useful. There is an elastic that keeps the book closed when needed. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and prices. There is a really cool square one that looks so fly, but I only had $ for one. If you call yourself an artist, go and get one of these from John Frosst @ Frosst books on 9th Ave. in Inglewood, right next to Pith Gallery. Do it now!

Frosst Books website: http://www.frosstbooks.com/

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MOTION GALLERY opening Tonight 7pm!!!!

2011-12-09T11:18:00.002-07:00

I made it down to the Motion Gallery to put on some finishing touches on my display, like write ups and pricing. We didn't have at all enough ladder or I would have adjusted the lights too. Here is a sneak preview in case you can't make it down.

Here are a few views of the gallery from Tuesday night while we were starting to set up, it looks even better now!

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TONIGHT 7PM Motion gallery opens!

Its in Eau Claire Market, right near the Sumo Lounge.

Come by and check out this rag tag band of artists from all walks of life.

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Tune in to Arts Link on CJSW, Tuesday 8-9 to hear more about Motion Gallery by the man who got the ball rolling, Rob Dodds.

Here is one of his pieces, putting his metal working and welding skills to good creative use. Rob also has as an assortment of masks and other cool stuff for sale as well.

While you are visiting plug in a one of a kind hand made instruments and give it a strum. They are made out of cigar boxes and all have a unique sound. At only $290, its like stealing. I want one soooo bad, and I don't even play, these are awesome! They just look cool. I met the creator, Mark Kost, he works at SAIT, awesome guy. It turns out he recognized me, couldn't place how he knew me, but he new my face. Then he told me his daughter was Hannah Kost, the author of the recent article in The Calgary Journal. Small world!

Here is that article: http://calgaryjournal.ca/index.php/calgary-arts/309-canvas-stretching-not-just-a-hobby

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TONIGHT 7PM Motion gallery opens!

Its in Eau Claire Market, right near the Sumo Lounge.

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Local-Motion

2011-12-06T11:54:00.001-07:00

So come on, come on, view some local artwork with me........

I have the rare opportunity to hang work in a new development in the Calgary art scene. A new gallery is opening up in Eau Claire Market called Motion Gallery. "What is in a name, that we are thus or thus?" Well...... Motion: because it had to come together quickly. Maybe in hopes to moving lots of artwork. Hopefully not because the gallery will be short live and have to move. It is a huge space where artists can buy in for $50 and hang their work with little restriction. There is a lot of space, but I know with my artistic drive I could personally fill it if need be. If you are an artist reading this and are interested, get involved. Hang beside me. Drop me a line and I'll point the way.

Dealtails for fellow artists and creative vendors:
The gallery takes a 15% commission on top of the membership fee, they provide staffing daily so you can drop off your stuff, put up a price an cross your fingers. Its only $50 to take a chance. The downside is that it is the slowest time of the year for Eau Claire Market and there is virtually no advertising or marketing plan for the gallery. The upside is the location. I am told that many business people go there for lunch and browse around during their break. This alone should promise some traffic. If you have seen what kind of trinket stores are in there, an art gallery should have no problem opening its doors, people will hopefully browse the collection in droves. In my experience, as long as you keep getting your work in front of peoples eyes, you can find someone interested in buying work and/or supporting the arts.

I threw up these three pieces quickly. I will be dropping off more works in the days to come.

The gallery has sufficient track lighting suspended form the ceiling. In order to create a sense of uniformity before the opening all the information and sales tags including artist CV's and bios will be created by the gallery. As soon as the gallery gets filled, the doors will open. 20 is the perfect number of artists to have on the roster for a space this side but I am sure more can be accommodated. By the looks of it, there will be an opening party this Saturday, but I will keep you posted as things develop.

There are patterns everywhere. I made the observation to my room mate yet again that the magic of observation and what we say often comes to fruition, but in far more eloquent terms. The other day while at EMMEDIA, I was talking to Noel about the stretchers I bought off of his mom Carol Green. I told him that I needed larger stretchers for the work for my show next year at the Stride Gallery. He asked if I got the cedar ones he made with the smooth bevel. I didn't.

I was letting my friend into the studio to move his stuff again last night and I noticed some frames sitting by the elevator. I asked them if they were theirs. They said "no" they have been there for days. it didn't take me a second to grab up that opportunity. This is why I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Not only did I score some free stretcher bars of unequivocal stability and quality for nothing, but they are the exact size I need, and potentially the exact ones we were talking about a few days prior.

If there was an series of steps,
it might look like this.....

1) Put it out there (make a wish)

2) Wait

3) Observe and listen for a response or an Opportunity,

4) Act. Jump on it!

5) Continue to make wishes

Snow White

2011-12-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Snow day!
On my way home from watching Immortals in 3D, Calgary was swept by a tumultuous blizzard. Stayed in until it passed. A friend needed my access card to the studio to move his stuff out from the studio below. Meanwhile, I prepped the canvases I primed by sanding, hanging picture wire and hanging them in my studio. Now my canvas is blanketed in white like the snow has done to this city. To me, I see blank potential. A fitting paraphrased quote from the WHITE wizard to go along with the momentum of this idea:

"All you have to do is decide what to do with the time that has been given"
-Gandalf the White

The two to the left are around 4 feet square and the two to the right are 5 feet by 5 feet, the canvases stretchers I bought off Carol Green last week.

CONTRAST AND COMPARE

2011-12-03T12:39:00.001-07:00

Just when things get tough, the tough get going. I had a very uplifting experience yesterday. I was picking up about forty dollars worth of streamers for Dunia's art installation project. I was downtown at Scotia centre. On the second floor one of the main retail spaces had been converted into an art gallery by local artist Edward Michell. <-- (click here for his website, but then come back:)

Edward Michell's work is abstract and material based, the opposite of my figurative and symbolic works. Our art couldn't be more different, hence the title of this post 'contrast and compare'. On the other hand, I couldn't have felt more on par with another artist. Usually, I glance over abstract art, but for years now, I have witnessed and enjoyed his creations, visiting his booth at every past stampede I have attended. I went into his current exhibition in Scotia Center and was happily greeted by the creator. We had a conversation which put a shine on my day and encouraged me to go back into my studio and keep at it.

Edward was very welcoming, friendly and apt to share his experiences and stories. I have found it difficult to find successful artists in my field who are willing to open up. Artists I've talked to tend to border on secretiveness and avoid opening up, are socially inept or abrasive and arrogant. Often they are competitive. Edward Mitchell is an established artist with no hint of these character foibles. Then again, spending that much on an ounce of gold and being knee deep in tar sands probably keeps one humble.

He doesn't rely on grants, he said he has never received one. He even paid his way thru school, going part time an working throughout. He has taken a different route to build his career. Edward isn't with a gallery but instead has an agent. He is currently in over 32 shows, with upcoming ones in London and Toronto and of course in the mall right now and the stampede this upcoming summer. He emphasized that his success, in so far, has taken hard work and that he was very lucky! ( This is something that I keep hearing time and time again.) At the end of the day nobody gets a free ride, it takes hard work.

Here is a picture I found on the net of him working in his studio...

He told me about the provenance of his work and that each item is measured, the gold, the tar sands etc for each piece. He rented out the space which is close to $32,000, and is donating a portion of all sales to Starts. I cant believe he just told me how much it costs to rent a space in the downtown core. I have got to tell you, I had no idea! That is more $ than I have ever made in a year, and stores are having to clear that on a monthly basis. Wow consumerism.

Eward Michell and his crew did a great job hanging lights and blacking out the walls to turn the space into a functional gallery. The best part is he is there in person to field any questions. His pricing is not high as he is the gallery, so 50% is not tacked on top of everything, making the price tag of the work reasonable. Considering the materials, the cost of renting this space and a studio in this city, the size of the supports and frames and the need to wait a year for the tars and oils to cure before they can be exhibited. His works are a steal!

It's a small world, and even smaller in the Calgary arts community. E.M. and I have quite a few things in common it turns out. He just so happens to have stretchers built by my friend Chris Melynchuck, who passed away from cancer, he built the best stretchers ever. (type his name into this blogs search to see my posts about him) Edward has a studio across the street from mine, close to my place of work. He too is a graduate of ACAD. He is also a trail blazer, doing things his way.

When I told him I was a struggling artist, he said he saw my show at the Untitled Society and added that I was very talented, whether or not its my work he is thinking of, the supportive sentiment is greatly appreciated.

It's nice to be able to talk to another artist, one who has experienced a greater level of success. I am breaking into the business finally, and need as much guidance and support ad I can get. It is uplifting to know the dream is still possible! You learn as you go, there are good days and bad, some are helpful others are confrontational, it's nice to see someone with success willing to share his experiences.

If you'd like to see Edward Michell's work in person, you can see it Monday -Saturday on the second level of Downtown's Scotia Centre near the escalators. Better yet, if you can go purchase one of his works....,do it, and say I sent you =;)

Looming financials and quality control for artists

2011-12-02T13:39:00.001-07:00

Its "Decembeard" now so I have to option to shave off the "Movember" moustache (pictures below). And I've got to pay rent for both my studio and my house. They cost nearly the same, and though I need a place to eat, sleep and shower, I'm starting to thing it's not the studio that's expensive, well it is, but maybe it would be better if I could sleep on the floor a few months saving me a couple thousand dollars.

At least I make paying it out kinda fun! I spent the better part of yesterday battling my bank who has been putting holds on my business account on all my cheques causing quite the problem and expense. Then today my other bank calls me......

You know you are an artist when you get a call from the bank, and you are so relieved that they dialed the wrong number, phew!

On a lighter note, a friend calls me for some advice and asks me "Why the hell aren't you a millionaire by now?" My reply is "I'm wondering the same thing". So I asked my lady friend, who told me its not so hard (she's half way there and 4 years younger).....
She replied: "You have what it takes. You just need to reach a wider audience, meet more (rich) people, network more."

SMART GIRL!

Now how do I do that....(better) ?!

Here are some pics from the latest group exhibition I was a part of "Outside the box" (see previous posts) where I showed my "Wheel of Deluded Existence"

I show like crazy, work my butt off, sleep fast an am very amiable. My work may take 100 hrs. to create and I use the highest quality paints and supports I can as I work towards being an international quality artist. My ducks are lining up and I'm not giving up. At times, I hit the wall and realize how difficult this dream can be to follow. Fact: Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life. But there is so much wealth and opportunity around. There must be something I'm missing.

Here I am pictured with another painter, Ted "the hat" Mayer

Tyler (one of my QAS - After Effects students) and his cutie pie in the gallery as the show is closing.

Julia Burns and I talking shop.

Doing lots of shows is good. You have to have enough work stored up to keep on going. Especially if you want to progress and evolve, you have to keep at it and continue making stuff, continue improving, continue taking chances which at times means constant failing. Last night I was sketching while watching Lord of The Rings. The sketches were abysmal failures, really bad. I told my roommate, that they were so bad I'll have to rip the page out. He said "can you do that?". I replied "Hell yeah I can!" It happens rarely, but at times it must be done. I have no quarrels with ripping out pages of bad drawings in sketchbooks, stripping the canvas off a stretcher and beginning anew, or even burning the work, I don't like, to ashes. Its my form of quality control =;)

Calgary Journal Article + Window farms

2011-11-30T13:23:00.001-07:00

Talk about timing....
I just finished teaching my canvas building workshop, and then yesterday's blog post ended off with my belief in integrity and quality craftsmanship when building a support for painting. Then I get this link from writer Hannah Kost...

Check out the article Here:
http://calgaryjournal.ca/index.php/calgary-arts/309-canvas-stretching-not-just-a-hobby

My two favourite bits:

"He helped give me that motivation because he's positive. He's patient and he's funny. He lives his life the way he wants to live his life. It's inspiring."
~Katie Dick (past participant)

"Batista's studio is full of his work, intricate oil paintings washed in gold and silver; the building is hushed, the wood floor scuffed and colour-stained. The quiet of the space is of great contrast to Batista himself, who is lively, engaging and quick."
~Hannah Kost

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Today, I pledged to Kickstarter to support windowfarms.org. You should check it out, its pure genius. The low down: Basically it's an automated system to start growing a vertical garden in your window. Its perfect for everybody who likes to eat, you can grow it yourself with minimal effort and nearly everybody has a window where they live. We each need to reduce our carbon foot print, and save money here is a simple solution!

Go here to pledge: http://kck.st/newwindowfarms

Ted Talks video:

Britta Riley: A garden in my apartment

I can't wait until March 2012 when my columns arrive!

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One happy customer!

2011-11-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here is proof....

Well, another baby has left the roost. Cloridna got her commissioned painting, for her book cover. She brought her partner and little one down for a fun "mini show", ie. studio visit and freight elevator driver training for her son Jack. Jack asked if I could illustrate his book too ;)

I cant wait to see how this one turns out once it is in print!

Notice all the blank canvases in the background, I spent 5 hrs. on a roll stretching and applying gesso some new canvases. They take up the entire studio space.

I take a tremendous amount of pride in what I do. It is incredibly important that I create the best quality work i can. Even the sh*ttier aspects of my work need this same respect. Nobody really thinks about what is behind the image. I take the time and put for the the effort to build strong stable and well stretched surfaces with high quality weaves of 10 - 15 oz. canvas.

Its important, its also a lot of work. But then again, why spend 100 hours on some low quality surface. My art is my legacy, so it needs to be built tough so it will last.

To me this is like ART PORN! I get excited just thinking about the potential an the happiness each one of these brings =;) Then again, I am reminded by the fact that it'll still take me hours to finish the sanding and additional coats to get the surface just right.

Aboriginal Youth Canvas Building Workshop

2011-11-28T16:09:00.002-07:00

My past week has been very full. I taught a two day canvas building workshop to aboriginal teens. This is the second installation of a project put together by USAY (Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth).

" Learn from a professional artist how to build your own canvases. This free 2 day workshop gives participants the materials and the opportunity to learn the skills for canvas building and to mingle with some like-minded artists.

Participants receive bus tickets, lunch and snacks both days, and get to walk home at the end of the 2 days with the canvases they build!"

Here is Artist Jesse Gouchey <-- (click here to see his work) stretching some canvases.

What an awesome opportunity, USAY generously provided this course for free and the participants get to take away the primed canvases they've stretched! USAY also brought us lunch and all the tools and equipment necessary to run the workshop. I provided the space and know how. The Calgary Journal's writer Hanah Kosst did a story on us, so keep a look out for it.

There must be something in the air ;)

2011-11-28T15:31:00.001-07:00

CRITICS AGREE!

The Underground Art Show went very well, for me. I got tons of positive feedback but only this one picture. There are a bunch of people around my work. I also made some new acquaintances.

This morning, I got a bunch of positive emails and messages, must be the wake of my show? This great note from a fellow artist and friend today on my FB artist page:

"Brian BATISTA IS A BRILLIANT and STRONG VISIONARY. Whose VISIONS have SPLENDID EFFECT on the VIEWER creating a sense of CALM and EASE whether it be video, sculptural or works done on canvas and paper Brian's work is always stimulating in a POSITIVE WAY. His COLORS are JOYFUL, VIBRANT and INVIGORATING. His Subject matter COMPELLING CHECK OUT HIS WORK"

-Richard Rossetto

and this from Karl Withak Schmauder

"Awesome stuff man...the colors, the detail...the story...amazing detail..really spot on...keep up the funtastic work."

I will ! (That is as long as I can eat an have a roof over my head)

THE CRITICS AGREE!!! =;)

Glenbow Presentation +++

2011-11-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

+ Well, I dropped off my artwork to the Inside Gallery for the "Outside the Box" Show happening this Thursday evening @ 1407, 11th Ave SW. Be there!

+ I awoke to some good news, I got the show I applied for at the Epcor Centre for Performing Arts Window gallery. The work will consist of selected works from my Sacred Images collection and is slated for January 10- March 13, 2013. Yess! (Fist pump)

+ Then I saw this link and wanted to share ;)

AN ANIMATED EVENING:

CLICK Here to read the Glenbow Museum's review of my artist talk for their PIVOT Group.

I "enthralled Pivot members with an extremely lively – and more than occasionally risque" presentation.

But don't take my word for it!

~

Current incarnation.......

2011-11-21T15:19:00.001-07:00

The Wheel of Deluded Existence
From 50 to 75 hrs.

So after the Horror show, I took a bit more time to gestate on advancing on this canvas while working on an assortment of other pieces. Here is the Wheel of Deluded Existence after I created two stencils and began back into the background. I tamped the zinc white for the clouds and brushed in the iridescent bronze for the flames around the central deity.

I am really happy with how it has come along to this point, the background details are really helping to make this thangka inspire painting vibrate how I like.

I put in another long night after working all day at the Glenbow teaching Flipbooks and Zoetropes as part of their "week-end at the museum" education program. I decided to spend most of the time enhancing the golden ropes surrounding the wheel. I drew in with sharpie outlines and fine details on the wheel. Later, I added the light yellow high lights, dot by dot, it may have taken some time but it really makes it pop!

This helped me to decided what colors and details to add to the rest of it. I highlighted golds, drew in wood grain, gave all their clothing a high light, painted in clouds added texture to rocks and concrete.

I also outlined the Buddhas, and put some wavy energetic line details to their body halos. The above photo from my iphone with some reflection from the flash should give a general idea how the piece is shaping up. My work is very difficult to photograph because of all the different materials that reflect. Also the lights in my studio often throw off the color on my photos....color balanced fluorescent bulbs. Aaaargh!!!!! You should see it in person. (Details on how to make this happen , below)

Here is a detail that shows the lighter blue outline around the edge. You are better able to see the glittery black skin, some of the high lights, the flames and pattern on some of the fabric.

This is the face of the deity in so far, reminding you to be mindful of your P's ad Q's. I have painted the back with some Gesso and will be writing down critical information for the upcoming show. I will be dropping off the work to Daniel Sponagle and Damien Manchuck for the "Out of the Box" exhibition happening THIS THURSDAY @ 1407 - 11th ST SW!

Come by and see this work and work by over a dozen other fantastic artists!

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Trix are for kids, these drawings aren't

2011-11-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

Late night and inspired by debris still left in my brain from growing up with TV in the 80's. The intensity of my copic markers is very conducive for making these types of cartoon images.

Here is a very cheerful care bear with a magical care bear stare. Better than my original idea: an inserted rainbow butt plug, instead have an cheerful rainbow shooting out.

"follow you nose, it always knows!"

Does this mean I'm Horny?!

2011-11-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some horny little devils.

I really like playing with color, especially with these copic markers. They were also relatively quick to do each night, that I like too. These sketches remind me of my desire to finish a series I begun on the 7 deadly sins as monsters. Hmmmm. Thought wheels turning....

The background on this Bacchus sketch is actually Sharpie marker (not copic).
Whatever is at hand I tend to use, including toothpaste ;)

This one is a little more stoic and serious and somewhat feminine. The yellow - pink blend brings out the 80's. I remember when I was growing up I would but role playing games manuals, not for the game, I never played, but the cool art, all the ink drawn creature creations.

This one takes it to the next level of outta hand. Rainbow tile disco dance floor. Drip and body pattern as well as tartan on the wings. A unicron horn and no testes. Clearly this glutton has a "dickdoo".

What I did with your mother last night.....

2011-11-14T15:12:00.004-07:00

“I wouldn't touch her even if she had the cure for homosexuality”~ Oscar Wilde

Mom jokes! My room mate thinks they should be outlawed. He's incredibly sensitive about his mom, other peoples mom's are fair game though! It makes it that much easier to bug him, besides..... his mom and I had a blast the other night and I thought he should know about it. I hope she invites me over for dinner again, it was so delicious = ;P

Here is my sketch of a grumpy purple people eater...

Help me come up with a punch line to fill his voice bubble.

Do it now!

Here are a few that were given on Facebook:

Ola Birch thirsty for brain? :)

Javier Palomino How's about this– "I'm really looking to expand my social circle"

Deborah Desmarais thought I was supposed to be flyin'...?

Catherine Cartmill Banff is pretty but I miss the all you can eat places in New York

Bex Some days get the most of ya and really suck; But hey on the bright side least i don't only have one eye

~

Raising the bar(n)

2011-11-14T14:38:00.001-07:00

After coming home from helping out on Grant''s Quonset raising. I was super tired, laid my head down and at about 8-9pm I got restless, got up and decide to head to the studio. I worked on my piece for the upcoming unerground show and created a new series of small graphical works inspired by Haida designs (more to come on this in a future post). It felt like 11pm when I realized it was about 2:30 am. I headed home, pumped from the successful night in the studio. But I needed to get in between the covers, and quick. I had to help out with the Quonset the next day and 4 hours of sleep wasn't going to cut it. Although, it did, in this case. Sunday morning, I got my ass up, and was the first one to show up to help with raising the barn.

Grant, pulling on his rope.

You can get a sense of how big this thing really is. We put it up old fashioned style: man power, rickety balancing rigs and tons of rope stabilizers. It took all day and the metal was bending like a snake. It was cold and we were undermanned. For a bit there I was pretty worried we wouldn't make any headway and that someone would get their fingers taken off, or worse decapitated.

By the end of the evening we had two ribs up which offered great stability as the wind blew. I spent the last bit of my night up the ladder on the left screwing in bolts. Afterward I was able to enjoy some superior fried chicken and a bit of warmth. I relaxed the evening away with some good eats and both TRON movies, back to back.

from Russia with love

2011-11-12T18:06:00.002-07:00

We live in a magical fairytale land that charms the eye. After all the the eye of the beholder who decided his/her perception....... What I choose to see is that this world is for use to make more enchanting.

Yesterday, the 11.11.11th, My truck turned over to 1100011. I spent the majority of the day in the studio creating a bunch of new work that I'm excited to see where it takes me. I put some time on for my piece for the Underground Gallery's 'Out of the Box' group exhibition, and got over the hurdle with my piece for Travisty. I knew I had to attend a good old fashioned Quanset a building party at Grant Poier's house the next day. Just to be sure, I stayed outta trouble and stayed at home to make a couple of drawings.

Some of you may recognize this image if you have an AAA membership. Really, I wanted to highlight my Copic colors, 'cause the color is what enchanting my eye is all about!

But just as interesting is the back of the page.This looks like watercolor to me.
I might try to color from the back on a future drawing.

Bunnies in the bushes...little shits!

Today I also saw two cute bunnies hopping about as we worked on assembling the quanset pieces. Bunnies not hares! Escape pets with breeding gone awry. Soooo cute and stupid....... and relatively comfortable around humans. Hopping meals. There is a bounty of wildlife in Grant's backyard shire, it is very enchanting indeed;)

for the lady readers who are wondering how long grants Caulk is....

As for tomorrow, I just hope the snow doesn't fall on our little quanset raising project. If its cold and snowy, less people will show and it will turn into a ridiculous hell for those of us who do. How it goes, nobody knows......

Tomorrow's agenda: Erecting and Caulking.
Followed by the men standing around drinking an smoking.
It is going to be a dream studio when it's done.

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Childrens book cover

2011-11-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

11.11.11.
11/11/11

I spent a long night in the studio getting this painting to a happy place. I painted in Eleanor's boots red with an yellow ochre gum bottom. I added little mushrooms to the foreground. I outlined the tree to make it pop, and added shadows. I also made the stone glow more brightly. There is a spiral of leaves blowing down that traces the eye line from the owl, to the girl and down to the stone. And from her hand on a ribbon hangs the key of Amajara.

This photo was taken on my Iphone under my studio fluorescent lights, so the colors are a bit off and its blurry. My next step is to get a professional photo or scan so I can do a little bit of clean up and deliver the goods. Not only did I paint this painting for the cover, the author gets the original artwork = Bonus!

Here is a better close up to show some of the detail. I also really like this composition, cropped in, it could be the cover itself. Just a thought!

Climb the tree

2011-11-10T13:04:00.001-07:00

I got the little girl, Eleanor, painted into the tree. She is wearing a long purple Sunday dress with 4 big pockets and buttons down the front. I even put a matching ribbon in her hair. I still have to paint in her boots, and maybe the key of Amajara dangling from her hand, though I will need the tiniest brush possible to do that!

New sketchbook (white cover) + Copic colors

2011-11-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

My last sketchbook, the beautiful one from FROSST books, is somewhere in the states, having been left behind after Burning man, along with my favorite pens. So I had to get a new one. Why draw on loose sheets and loose the drawings when you can keep them in your trusty sketchbook? Anyhow, this new sketchbook is totally white. I got it on sale with pencils for $12.60 ( it was 40%) off at Inglewood Art Supply. I covered it in saran wrap to protect it's pristine white "pleathery" cover.

R, O, Y, G,.....

As usual I need to take an inventory of my Copic colors, and see how they work with the new sketchbook paper an what color they come out. Here is my current collection at the back of the sketchbook.

B, I, V,.....

Plus a little bleed through of the paper. I have to remember to draw over a sheet so it doesn't pass through to the next page. Below are my brown and skin tones. Unfortunately, I already have to replace the ink in some of these 'cause I use them up already. I love that you can refill these markers! Their base is made up of Ethanol, 77% Ethyl Alcohol, I wonder where I can get a large jug of that stuff for blending, any one out there have any connects?

While I am on the subject of beautiful bright colors, I want to aim your attention to a new link on my website, it is for a friends gorgeous mosaic creations. "Extraordinary beauty in your everyday life." Check them out, little pieces of color meticulously placed to create gorgeous mosaics. His website is : http://robertrawsonmosaics.com.

Before we go on.....

2011-11-09T14:34:00.001-07:00

What color should I make her Sunday dress?

This is the idea I have for painting the girl sitting in the tree for the front cover of the book. Before I go on with it though, I have a few things I need to iron out and I want to know if I am headed the right direction. Clorinda, can you find a quick reference and email it to me so I have in mind what you are imagining. If you have a picture of you as a little girl in a tree.... you better not be holding out! I imagine her footwear more like rain boots since she's run outside to climb a tree. Examples are very helpful.
Q: What type of sleeves should a proper Sunday dress have, a bow, V neck with lace?

This sketch up was done with Copic markers and if all goes as planned the character will be added to the crook of the tree in the painting below ;)

Notice the fall leaves and the Stone of Amajara is glowing BLUE now. The colors are off, I have been snapping these with my iphone camera under fluorescent lights in my studio. But you get the idea. I am going to paint over the owls bright white face, I think he looks much better like before in silhouette. We are getting close to the finish line!

The Key of Amajara

2011-11-08T14:58:00.002-07:00

Here is the finished key of Amajara based on the calligraphy the author selected from my previous post. I cant decide which direction looks best. I could add some scratches and make it look like a photocopy of a woodblock print, or to just to make it look much older. It can also be turned it into a complete silhouette, so no nuances of shine, just straight black and white. It can be used on the back cover or as little chapter headings, but remember if it is small it will have far less detail.

Wet the appetite....

2011-11-08T13:19:00.001-07:00

Here are a few additional sketches I did for C.B.'s upcoming publication.

Some concepts for the Key of Amajara. It could be a small black and white image on every new chapter page. I was thinking of a nice calligraphy 'A' on the back of a skeleton key.

The evil Count Palavar. He is part bird skeleton with a human skull. His eyes have a deep red glow but since the work is only black and white I can't show that here. I wanted to show him in flight ready to strike with his talons. Without wings how would he fly? Magic of course!

Here is a portrait of Frowlus, Owls friend, a clumsy white stork with over trusty sized flight goggles.

Something that still needs considering is the additional back cover. It needs something, I agreed to paint an original work for the front, but we need something on the back, maybe one of these in muted tones. More to come =;)

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Integrity and artwork pricing

2011-10-26T10:54:00.002-06:00

or Show some respect! My uphill battle selling art.

I premiered my latest creation "The Wheel of Deluded Existence" at Derek Bisbing and Jim Laing's House Gallery show titled Horror 2. I feel it was a tremendous success, so much so that two drunken attendees insisted they love my painting, and had to have it even if it was unfinished. I was highly flattered. Then one of the ladies became really belligerent referring to herself as a "bitch" <---(her words not mine). I was stone cold sober, so I can say with great confidence that it was mostly over the price tag.

Fact: There was no price. I simply stated how many hours had been put into the piece so far. 50 hrs. to be exact. I explained that the work was not complete an that the final price would reflect the additional hours I hope to put in in order to make the work exceptional. She went as far as telling me, the artist, that I would ruin the work if I kept working on it more. Expect at least 30 hrs. more on this one!

Above: The Wheel of Deluded Existence @ 50 hrs.
Photo by Derek Bisbing

They said they wanted it anyway, as is. I couldn't let it go unfinished especially at the price they were willing to offer. Now at this point is when I realized that some people are going to be cheap and really low ball you and disrespect you to get what they want. These are not the type of people I want to deal with, and especially not the type I want owning a Brian Batista original. I asked how much my 50 hrs. were worth to her? No reply. So, I asked what 50 hrs. of her time would be worth. Hell, she could even trade something....No answer. I said if she wasn't willing to offer anything remotely close to $1000 for my 50 hrs. (that is equal to $20 per hr. -art materials) She should not bother talking to me about it.

That's why I don't just put a price. People scoff and judge the work differently if the price is too high or not high enough. Its a real art killer. There was no resolution, just dancing around the issue of me not listing a price. "Make me an offer." What resulted was pussyfooting. However, they were so emotionally attached to the fact that I put my hours of labor over a definitive numeric value that they just couldn't let it go. It did not help them avoid embarrassment with the small change they were willing to trade. They insisted that since the painting wasn't finished it should be cheaper. Seriously?!

I learned a valuable lesson here after a friend turned to me and said "did I just see you NOT sell your painting to them". I nodded. I was not valued by this person, and underneath it all....... neither was my work. Sure she loved it, but not as much as it is worth. I'm not making stuff for a pitiful $10/hr. plus materials. At the end of the night, she still asked me for my card. I told her to visit Market Collective where I was selling prints, where she could pick up something she could afford. BAM!

The result of this event is helping shape my artistic business practice:

I'm the type of artist to work on something in great detail. I do not make short pithy ideas or contemporary "one liners" that can be sold at an inflated price. My work takes DEDICATION, SKILL, CONCENTRATION and EFFORT to produce. For this piece I tallied up the hours on the top of the painting as I went! It can take a surprising amount of TIME to paint something. So far..... 50 hrs.

I think this is the way I will label my work from now on. This is my profession and people are constantly under valuing my skills and efforts. On the other end are the artists who give the rest of us a bad name, selling lazy crap for millions of ddollars. I'm willing to trade my 50 hrs. for 50 hrs. in their craft and take $ out of the equation all together. It may be a luxury but it's my integrity:

I decide who gets my work. I decide if the deal is fair and I decide if the painting is done!

If you like my work and what I have to say, I just created a facebook "fan" page, click here to 'like'!

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Where she stops nobody knows…..

2011-10-22T00:19:00.001-06:00

..........Well the answer is to block in Yama's skin with bright red to bring him back forward a bit but since the ones I’ll be using are pure they are somewhat transparent in order to allow the colors from the drips to shine through. Then I added all my reflective iridescent paints, which don’t photograph well, so you’ll just have to see it in person.

This is how its done! I whip out the big guns and go straight for the gold! To do this I lay the painting flat on the ground on my painters pyramids to raise it off the floor. I’m using Testor model paints and Tamiya spray paint applied with a brush on this piece because they reflect so well! I revisit some of the whites with a more transparent Zinc white straight from the tube. Then I crisped up the blacks with watered down black Gesso. This helps to pop the Yama figure forward again without loosing too much of the beautiful texture the drips created. I stop here for the night and allow myself some rest and to step back at arms length and get a fresh look in the morning.

Some touches of detail, here and there, make the piece punchier and more resolved. I went into details of jewelery, some fire elements, some black outlines etc. You get the idea. Dropped off the work, come out an see it!

HORROR 2 SHOW

....round and round, round and round......

2011-10-21T11:09:00.001-06:00

Class ends, I hang with Dizzy D for a bit afterward and check out his latest Artical clothing video on You Tube. SEE IT HERE. This After Effects Class is paying off for at least 1 student!

My first step is laying the painting down on my painters pyramids and going over the entire surface with clear primer. This will help protect the surface if I make any mistake or don't like how the drips I'm taking a chance on, look. Plus it protects and punches up the colors already put down. I dripped Indian red over the entire surface to further set back the details. Then I sit back and eagerly wait to see...... WTF!? Have I done???

After sitting back for a moment, I decided to just go for! I added on more drip layer from the bottom to the top with Transparent Yellow Oxide, which is fairly close to the yellow ochre I used previously. Either I've got balls or I've made a mistake. And I'm right near the finish line and now have a lot more work repainting this thing, just maybe? I can't decide which one, oh wait, I'm going to have to answer with and astounding.......I've got balls! (Shit eating grin ensues.) Then I flipped it over and did one more round of burnt umber mixed with some iridescent copper dripping, why not?) dripping from the top - Holy Sh*t he's gone crazy!!! Maybe just a little bit =;P

I spritz the whole thing down as I go. Even though it's acrylic, I still have to wait a bit for paint to dry. Now, with only a few moments left, I need some resolution to this piece, enough to confidently hang it tomorrow.....

The wheels on the bus go round and round.......

2011-10-20T22:41:00.001-06:00

Still cracking, on the Wheel of Deluded Existence. Had a big day and some more visitors to the studio. Had a quick break while working to do an interview with Hannah Kost from the Calgary Journal. She asked about my recent an upcoming Canvas Building Workshop for Aboriginal Youth program put on by USAY, he Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth. Here is a photo I just love of two of the participants from my last session.

It was a big day, I spent most of it reworking my course notes for After Effects to better suit the animators in the class. It was kinda fun=, for a total review and jump into the past;) My class is about Text and Sound in regards to animation of visual information conveyed in words and how to sync sounds to the visual. Afterward I headed straight to the studio. I knew it was going to be a long one, and the sooner I could get finished, the sooner I could run over to the Scrillex show at the Hi Fi club.

I worked my way through most of the remaining colors. Added some Green and blue variations, some quinacridone red, demon flesh tones, a little bit of brown, dark charcoal for the hells cavern, revisiting some tones in places I missed yesterday. It's a good thing I managed to save a bit in a little plastic sealable container from Vietnamese the other day. I pulled out my red sharpie to quickly block in roof tiles on the temples. See if you can see all the work one below ;)

It was about 1am when I noticed all the time had been used up;( I got out my burnt umber and quickly added in little hairs on the tiger pelt to make it look far more soft and hairy, like a kitty pelt would be.

At this point I've realized I'm only about half way to where I'd like to be at about 40 hrs. It is looking far to simplistic and "cartoony" now. There are many little details and shading that need to be added to please my artistic temperment. Alas, I'm just going to have to deal with getting it to a place where I am happy to exhibit it on Saturday evening after my class from about 10 - 2am tomorrow evening. Sigh. We will see what kind of artistic magic I can conjure tomorrow night;)

Big wheel keep on turning...

2011-10-19T00:29:00.001-06:00

Proud Mary keep on burning
rolling, rolling, rolling on the river.

Thanks John Fogerty. Click this --> CCR link to see and hear some inspiration. Otherwise, do as I do and hum it in your head.

Woke up feeling like THE COLD that "everybody seems to have" has moved down into my lungs. No matter, I'm gonna keep on burning and keep on working, got to get rolling, rolling, rolling on this painting. I got out of bed and called the Canada Council about a grant I'm applying for and answered an incoming call agreeing to do an interview about some of my upcoming youth work for the Calgary Journal. I also spent many hours working on my SACRED IMAGES book design on Blurb. It's coming along quite nicely, but the proof is due Sunday or I loose my Groupon credit of 2 for one. Fingers crossed.

In the afternoon, I dropped off my 28" wooden artist model Giraffe to Karilynn down at the Quickdraw Animation Society to use for their festival. While down there, I picked up an Imac to create my next After Effects class lesson. I'm running an older version and my computer just isn't fast enough anymore to do what I need it to do. I eagerly dreaming of the day I can afford to get a new Mac with LION on it myself. I have enough on my plate at the moment, I don't need to be fantasizing.....

Meanwhile, Kids in the Hall - Season 1 played in the background and my hair is tied up with a twist tie because I couldn't find a hair tie. I decided to put off painting in RED for a bit. I anticipate adding lots of blood later on., it's horrific after all !=;) I moved straight into flesh tones made with a deep Naples yellow and a permanent Alizarine. This way, I'll have all the characters placed, even the monkeys ;) I blocked in a light and dark neutral greys for the rocks and buildings.

I put on Martin Scorsese's Kundun in the background to keep me company and remind me the history of the 14th Dalai Lama's exile from Tibet. His struggle set to the audio compositions of Philip Glass. During the 2+ hrs, I blocked in the whites of eyes and Buddha's lotuses. My hand became severely cramped, but I was determined to block in the clothing before going home, even if it was already past midnight. I am coughing harder now, it irritates me. I need to get this far to feel that I accomplished enough.

Inner Wheel, process continues......

2011-10-18T00:47:00.002-06:00

I did another 5hr. + session in the studio after happily removing 5 bags of unused history from my life. That is freeing. I also signed an agreement today to give a lecture on November 16th about the history of animation at the Glenbow museum. This will be an exclusive event for their PIVOT group, which are young professionals. I will also talk a little about my painting because it has inspiration and links to their Asian exhibition space. Cool.

Below is the palette I found discarded in the trash. Yes, it's a rubbermaid container lid, white and plastic, perfect for my needs.... and completely FREE!!!

I worked in a golden yellow for the Buddha's skin tone. Followed by orange for his robes. I figured I would keep on working with the larger characters and used a pure Pthalo Blue right out of the jar for the glow behind him and a mix of Cereluen blue and lime green for the halos. I also use these colors elsewhere in small details like the rooftops, some jewels and in the water portion.

As you can see there is much more to do....... but it is coming along nicely. I love how the contrast of the blues an orange look at the moment. Which is probably why I feel so reluctant to drip the paint over all my hard work all of a sudden.

Stay tuned for more developments. A reminder that this piece will be displayed this Saturday as part of the HORROR show. Check earlier blog entries for more information =;) Blog time is over, it's bed time which means How Stuff Works podcasts to put into the ream state....yay!

The cycle of deluded Existenece, inner wheels....

2011-10-16T23:54:00.003-06:00

I spent two sessions with a sharpie marker getting down to the nitty gritty, placing the characters in their respective sections of the wheel. Getting to it..... is harder than you think.

It's one of those points in art making where you can grind to a halt. It can feel like Oedipus must have just before reaching the top. At the most difficult moment, and the rock tumbles back down over you. My inner voices make it ever so harder to get things done, to show up and do what it takes to get to the finish line. My inner voice reasons with me saying things like "C'mon, go out, have fun, it's the week-end, you can do this another time", or "Don't worry about it, you can do it later, there is plenty of time" etc. I battle it with... "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today". Still, it subconsciously wants me to be distracted. It wants me to quit. It wants me to fail. Asshole!

That is why it is so important to set a goal and just keep going until you get there. Strange enough, when I do and am only responsible for the showing up part....., I get complete much quicker than anticipated. This is where the artistic play comes in, with the free time. Hmmmmm. I may be onto something here.

After drawing in the various scenes, I clear coated the entire painting so that I could resume work and have a way of wiping away mistakes if necessary. Also, I was worried the sharpie would bleed through the next layer of paint. This layer should seal it in so that I don't run into that problem. Tonight, I'm gonna sleep on it and I look forward to the next part of the process: blocking in the drawings, followed by some more dripping (but this time I may do it from the bottom up).

We will see =;)

The wheel keeps on turning (Deluded Existence Continued...)

2011-10-13T14:01:00.000-06:00

Another night in the studio. Tonight I had three separate studio visits and one early in the day after picking up a large canvas from my favorite local art supply store. It was a fun night but I got a slow start. Surprisingly, I still got exactly what I thought I would accomplished done. So here is is in its present state. I am really starting to get excited about how it is proceeding (steep learning curve with acrylic paints as my medium for this piece aside).

I began with some repair work on YAMA's nose before it started to drive me crazy =;P Surprisingly the container I put some of the paint in, that was leftover yesterday, actually worked in keeping it from drying out. I need more of these little guys or empty baby food jars. I blocked in the green landscape element below and some of the water to the left. I painted in the tiger pelt with two water colour like acrylic glazes in two different tones of orange as well as added some zinc white highlights along the edge of the fur. I surrounded the piece in a blue band and finalized my evening with dripping yellow ochre over the canvas. One last look and a quick snapshot with my iphone before leaving the studio.

The hard part is coming........... committing to the inner wheels and tackling that and then adding more elements and textures to the whole. I am a bit intimidated because of the level of detail that is required for this next section. I find that I work much better with larger brushes and more gestural strokes. As the brush size is reduced for more detailed work the time it takes me to paint increases dramatically. The clock is ticking.

Another day, another cycle... (The Wheel of Deluded Existence)

2011-10-12T11:30:00.003-06:00

I spent another evening painting away at my piece for the upcoming horror show. I thought with all the hours I've been putting in..... I would have gotten the entire Yama figure painted in by now. Sometimes the going gets tough and the paints flows slowly. Like watching paint dry. Slow. Anyhow I am super happy with how it is coming along.

On a technical level, I am struggling with how quickly Acrylic dries and how flat it ends up coming out looking. I am using retarder and keeping things wet but sometimes the paint is sticky and a bit muddy. I'm tainted and spoiled by too many years with high quality oil paints. Unfortunately, oil just won't dry quickly enough to have the piece done for this Friday.

I repainted all of Yama's red skin to set back some of the drips and add depth. I added highlights to his palms, feet and nose. I retouched the crown skulls some more, as well as the hair band and the flowing brocade behind the figure. Tonight, I will keep going and get the tiger pelt and ground in so that I can transition to the contents of the wheel of deluded existence.

Wheel of Deluded Existence continues

2011-10-11T11:41:00.000-06:00

So I've been lucky enough to get to keep painting in the studio this thanksgiving week-en and into the week. This piece is due Friday but there might be a little wiggle room come the week-end. Regardless, I am full steam ahead to get it finished in time.

I began work on the landscape of the inner wheels, painted in some stripes on the tiger pelt, the skulls on the crown, and the head brocade. Originally, there weren't enough sections in the outer wheel, to my surprise I calculated wrong. Rather than just let it slide and continue painting as it, because you can't get away with that when you have integrity and put this much time into something. So, I had to go back and fix it which means I spent much time back with the Gesso. Black and white. I also began logging my hours with a simple tally on the upper edge of the painting.

Here is the point before leaving the studio. I dripped dark brown paint along the face. I always like doing this as it gives the appearance of age between the layers. It also gives me something exciting to work with.

Thanksgiving dinner

2011-10-11T00:19:00.001-06:00

As all of you know, I post to this blog for artistic creation. But the next most important thing in my life is eating well. My addiction to buying an using art supplies and a true love of it is well documented, following that and books (which are less often bought cause they take longer to read than an apple takes to eat) but the next best thing I create and every day is FOOD! I think eating well is super duper important indeed! One of the great things my mom passed down onto me. Just try to cook as good as she does, just try! One of my closest friends KT also spent the whole long week-end working. So I thought I'd fix us up a delicious dinner tonight for Thanksgiving dinner.

DISCLAIMER: The photos here may DO NOT do justice to how good this food tastes!!!!

This is a picture after cutting into the apple, smoke bacon and Italian sausage stuffed pork chops (far right) To the left is Sweet Potato poutine.

Since it is Thanksgiving I had to make pumpkin pie, but instead of a pie I did up these little home made muffin tin sized pies so I could share them easily. The filling was light soft custard and all the herbs and spices were hand ground in my mortar and pestle.

My theme was "P"...... Pork and poutine ;) This is the plate from above with Parsley garnish. I polished mine off but it was so much food, KT needed tupperware for her left overs.

After searing each stuffed chop on each side I poured the remaining filling and covered to braise in some apple juices. It looks brown and mushy but it tasted heavenly!

Yam fries being deep fried. I think this oil is spent. I soaked the hand cut yam chips for about an hour in ice cold water before spinning them dry in my salad spinner.

Here is the start of the stuffing project, in the cast iron pan are onions, bacon, Italian sausage, thyme and my secret ingredient (not so secret anymore........... candied fennel seeds, to bring out the fennel flavor of the Italian sausage an ad to the sweetness of the apples). To the right are the apples to be added later and some shallots that I had to chop up for my special poutine gravy. I made a roux with whole wheat flour and butter and added the shallots and spices to chicken stock I made last week. I reduced it by half and it was packed with flavor. The cheese curds came from the cheese lady att eh Crossroads market. Sweet potato poutine = Yum!

The tree of imagination

2011-10-10T23:10:00.002-06:00

I walked out of the studio today, proud of how far I've gotten so far on my concept for a Children's book cover. There is still more to do, but first I need more input from the author, Clorinda.

What are your thoughts Clorinda?

click on the image to see it larger

Ideas: I might put in the characters in a variety of ways, there is this little dragon guy named flint that could sit atop the stone or put the evil character 'Count Palavar' could be perched on it. The little girl, Eleanor, can be climbing the hill to the right toward the tree or actually up in the tree. I can also put a glow on the stone, I'm visioning purple or magenta to enhance the mystical spell that is cast upon it. I also want to add some large mushrooms to the foreground. The more I think about it the more great ideas that come to mind ;)

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The first step was priming the birch panel with clear acrylic primer, 2 coats with sanding of 150- 220 grit sandpaper between each layer. I left some texture to grab onto the paint. Then I used charcoal to sketch out the main structure of the tree. The drawing was sprayed with workable fixative before applying paint.

The next step was to block in the main areas of color, starting with the background sky. I wanted the piece to have some life and flow like the wind was blowing, and that kind of whimsical energy seen in a Van Gogh painting. My intention is to have leaves blowing off the tree like they do in fall.

The sky is in and I've roughly blocked int he darks of the soil. I usually start with the darks and shadows because the opacity of these tones is less that the brighter colors mixed with white that will sit on top. I left the tree and some leaf areas bare, you can still see the birch panel.

I know it's a big jump, from the previous image to this one, but I worked for many hours in the studio on this day. I didn't take a photo of the stage between the start of the day and the end. But you can see, I have painted in the high lights an texture of the trunk, the many details of the ground from grasses and moss to fallen leaves and a magical s Stone of Amajara, in which the character in the story must find on her journey. I had to take a step back at this point and let my eyes and hands rest. I tried to paint the owl character twice but couldn't get it right, it was 2:30 am and I needed to hit the sheets.

Upon waking, I saw how the next part could come together. I was so excited, I woke up early and raced to the studio to get back to work. My concept is developing and as you can see I have blocked in the owl. He is going to have a bright yellow beak, brown body, a downy white head and a peculiar feather sticking straight up out of his head. My idea is to have the tree slowly dying from the top and the leaves turning brown and falling. This will make it feel much more dark and ominous. There will be a visual transition from night above to day below as there will be from winter and death of the tree to fall colors and spring below. It is a metaphor for the journey the main character must as she encounters the conflicts on her adventure to save the 'Maginaries' world. I plan to work on the moon a bit more and add the lighting effects and shadows. I have left plenty of room above and below the tree for the title to be placed digitally.

Lambchops play along

2011-10-09T14:24:00.000-06:00

I spent all day in the kitchen, so I didn't make it to the studio. I know, bad, So I'm going to blog about what I did, creating something delicious, a Moroccan inspired dinner for my friend Dunjia's B-day. I have never cooked lamb before, it was an expensive cut of meat, so when I was told to judge it on instinct, I was a bit worried....... Luckily my instincts are good, in my opinion, it turned out perfectly... blushed and juicy! Below are some quick pics of the spread.

This photo is a bit blurrier than the others but the composition is much nicer and shows the majority of selection.

Starting at the top is dessert: Lemon Madeleines in a lime syrup served with fresh blue berries.

To the right in the jug: Perrier water with fresh squeezed lime and pomegranate serve with sprigs of Mint I scavenged from my best friend Ben's back yard.

At the top of this picture: Couscous (fluffy I might add), with parsley, mint, thinly sliced green onions and red pepper.

In the blue serving dish: Is my special home made hummus drizzled with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon served below with hot steamy flat bread dressed with oregano and spices.

Below that in the red and yellow serving dishes:
a variety of 7 olives warmed up in the oven before serving and a yogurt and sweet chili sauce with Parsley to serve with the couscous and flat bread.

Here is the prize...... the seared and roasted lamb shanks. Man, they were good.

I haven't had much lamb before. I think I have to try it a few other ways to get a taste for it. Dunjia is from the Mediterranean and she said it reminds her of growing up and that it's her favorite meat. Pat on my back for selecting it. She brought two wines to pair with the food a Zinfidel from California which was sweet and fruity and went amazingly well with the meal and a Reisling which I had fun comparing to the feast. There was a lot of food, but hardly any leftovers. fact: I'm having some of the hummus as I write.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

2011-10-09T13:56:00.000-06:00

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presented a selection of Warner Bros. cartoons and orchestra pieces this week-end. I volunteered with friends on behalf of the Quickraw Animation Society to show what we do at the center. Though the Dragon program was being finicky, by show time it was working. I did some live stop motion animation under the camera. We had flip books and animation toys and got a lot of interest from kids and parents. Here are some pics taken on my iphone at the sold out event.

Team super fun =;)

Wheel of Deluded Existence continued...

2011-10-07T12:45:00.000-06:00

I had a really busy day running around teaching. First I taught a flipbook class to teens as part of an after school program at the Forest Lawn Library. Immediately following that class I had to rush over to instruct by After Effects evening class at Quickdraw Animation Society. However, after all that, I still had some creative juice to flow. I spent about 3+ hours in the studio blocking in more color masses on my painting. By blocking in this portion with acrylic, it helps to speed up my process. Basically, it is dry by the time I'm done and ready to be worked on. Unfortunately it's well past midnight and I needed to go home and get some sleep.

I painted around the edges for this piece as well since I know it will be hanging without a frame at the Horror show in less than two weeks.

Wheel of Deluded Existence - starting the painting

2011-10-06T13:34:00.000-06:00

I started this thangka for the upcoming horror show. Also referred to as a wheel of life, it is based on classical Tibetan Buddhist imagery. It depicts the realm of existence associated with unenlightened beings. It may not be the ultimate in the 'horror gore show of hell', but it is the one that the majority of us call 'reality' and that in itself is very scary, indeed.

I started with a 30' X 40" wide profile stretched canvas. I use the width of the profile and the straight edge to create a border around the image since I found my past works crept too near the edge of the canvas.

I need to find the center point and a vertical and horizontal axis. I do this without a ruler, just a straight edge and compass or string with pencil tie to it. I go from corner to corner at first drawn with a red pencil. Once I have a center I draw circles intersecting the lines an creating points of origin for my vertical and horizontal axis which I then draw in with the straight edge. I also draw circles from the center point for the inset images to be create later on.

The next step is to draw in MARA, the demonic deity that holds the wheel of existence. I do this with graphite (a mechanical HB pencil.) Graphite does not readily stick to the surface well, it is workable but needs to be adhered with fixative, I also coat the drawing with a clear acrylic primer. I also use various other colored pencils to help me organize additional elements on or around the central figure.

Once the majority of the painting is sketched into place (which takes many hours), I can start to work with paint. I block in solid areas of color starting with my large brushes loosely working from the largest darkest shapes and moving toward the lighter colors. There is alot of preplanning here in my head because I already know that the majority of these dark colors will get covered with lighter ones later on to create a bold popping effect. I move inward to the more detailed areas, which tend to be from the outer edge in toward the center, this pulls the eyes focus to the center of the artwork. After the outer MARA figure and background are blocked in I will begin work on the wheels of existence which require finer tools, and concentration.

Stay tuned for more updates to follow this and other current works =;)

Cleanse the Palette

2011-10-05T17:02:00.001-06:00

I just got a call from a good friend of mine to tell me that today is the day that one must cleans and purify ones tools. I just so happen to be on my way to the studio and will now do such a thing before beginning a new work for the upcoming horror show. Poster below:

I am planning on making a Tibetan inspired calendar with a strong Haida influence on the under painting/line work. Who knows what will come of it. Fingers crossed that it works out, we will see;)

The all seeing hand. It can perceive and do!

Also: I am beginning work on a commission for a children's book cover. I quickly sketched out this fall tree before having the author show me what sorts of things she had in mind. She definitely wants to go way darker, I think I can handle that.

Prints Available on ETSY!

2011-09-26T15:04:00.000-06:00

I have been slowly listing my limited run of high quality prints of selected works from my solo exhibition of Sacred Images. When I say limited, I mean......... I only got 5 printed of many of these works and not all the works at the show were selected to make prints.

Each print and is hand signed by the artist and printed with high quality archival inks on a semi-gloss photo quality paper. Most measures approx. 18 X 24 inches, which is how large the original paintings tend to be, because of this, they should fit in many standard frames, including ones from Ikea. There is an inch white border surrounding the image giving it a very clean look. These are not a poster! They are high quality prints that you can get no where else and I wont be making any more because they are rather expensive to produce. I am hoping by making these prints that people with limited budgets for art can have beautiful, inspiring works created by me in their houses.

If you order one and are in Calgary, if you pay the shipping on ETSY but arrange a pick up, I will happily reimburse you in cold hard ca$h especially if you give me some +feedback on my ETSY account.

If you would like to purchase on, they make great gifts for all seasons go HERE.

*There are much more paintings available and I will be adding a new print every week-day.

If there is a work that you are interested in please feel free to send me an email and I'll post it to my ETSY account earlier.

ANIMATED DELIGHT PREVIEW @ SKEW

2011-09-25T18:29:00.004-06:00

The show looked sensational at the SKEW Gallery. This is such a great gallery, with the expansions and three shows currently on exhibition plus the preview of ' Animated Delight'.....Skew is a great place to see a lot of good art in just one stop!!!

I took some quick photos of the my stuff in the TREX collection on my iphone for those who couldn't make the show and want a sneak peak at how some of the framed work looks.

These two pieces are beautifully framed works from my previous solo exhibition, Sacred Images.

Here are the two pieces made from various drawings from my Animation 'Twosday' which is also on display.

Here are selected works from myself, Leslie Bell and Stefanie Wong on display at the Skew Gallery.

Skew Gallery Director Bart Habermiller displays the craftsmanship of the TREX shipping units. Leslie and Chris Bell's are picture in front.

I was happy to see the other artists and to chat with them. The gallery was extremely inviting and had coffee and good snacks, always a welcome surprise. Skew is the host with the most! ASA Trex program Curator Les Pinter was in good form, though I was a little disappointed that there was no representative from the Quickdraw Animation Society who acted as a partner for this exhibition.

The good news: You still have a chance to see the whole collection before it travels Southern Alberta for the next two years. It is up until Twosday for those who can make the jaunt down to the Skew Gallery =;)

Flipbooks at Fish Creek Library

2011-09-24T17:05:00.000-06:00

I taught a group of 12 youth (age 8 - 12 years old) how to make flip books today at the Fish Creek Public Library. There are many upcoming courses at various libraries across the city this fall and winter programmed by Quickdraw Animation Society and the Calgary Public Library. If you have little ones sign them up for a fun filled session with me. Here are a few pics from today. Enjoy.

The Hiatus is over! ANIMATED DELIGHT!

2011-09-23T14:41:00.000-06:00

It's been a while and I've been on quite the adventure, but as things settle and fall back into place I return to my blogging. There is much to celebrate, We begin with a preview viewing opportunity of a traveling exhibition I am part of titled: Animated Delight! This collection will be showing two of my paintings, two collections of actual drawings from my animation 'Twosday' and the film as part of a collection with 3 of my respected peers. Info below.

***************
PRESS RELEASE
September 16, 2011
Art Exhibit
ANIMATED DELIGHT
Display Dates: SEPTEMBER 25 & 27, 2011
Venue: SKEW GALLERY
Contact: Emily Barnett & Bart Habermiller, 403.244.4445
Address: 1615 10th Avenue SW, Calgary

This travelling art exhibition started with the simple and timely idea of introducing the art of Chris Melnychuk to a wider audience. Melnychuk was a well-rounded artist and animator who did not achieve great recognition or notoriety in his lifetime. The last few years of his career were constrained by persistent throat cancer which eventually took his life in the summer of 2010. It is evident after reviewing Melnychuk’s artistic activities that he had developed a special bond with Quickdraw Animation Society (QAS). Within its production facilities he met and befriended other talented artists interested in making images ‘come to life’.

The concept of Animated Delight gradually evolved from a celebration of Melnychuk’s work to include three additional dynamic animators residing in Calgary. The Alberta Society of Artists is pleased to present some of the artifacts that inform, contribute to and emerge from their animation processes. A collection of short animated films and art works by four accomplished artists connected to Quickdraw Animation Society will be previewed at the Skew Gallery on Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

The featured artists exploit diverse animation techniques with intriguing and fantastic results. Leslie Bell manipulates paint, cut-away shapes and hand drawn cels to explore the endless possibilities of an “organic abstract universe”. The animated films, digital prints and paintings on mylar provide evidence of her interconnected working process. Stefanie Wong uses an unusual method of threading canvas to represent the cyclical growth and decay of plant life. She further employs her textile expertise to animate small scale theatrical sets with unique handmade puppets and objects. Chris Melnychuk was naturally gifted in drawing and printmaking. Two exceptional prints from his portfolio related to chess pieces in action are included in this exhibition, as well as, many of the original cel drawings for Zap Girl Makes Toast. His friend and colleague Brian Batista reveals a passion for Eastern mysticism, pop culture and character animation through paintings, cel drawings and his film entitled Twosday.

Animated Delight is a touring exhibition developed by the Alberta Society of Artists, in partnership with Quickdraw Animation Society, for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program. Starting in October, this exhibition will circulate throughout southwestern Alberta for next year. The AFA Travelling Exhibition Program is financially supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Special thanks to Kari McQueen for lending artworks by Chris Melnychuk and Brian Batista for this exhibition.

Purple preview 2

2011-08-02T20:11:00.000-06:00

Spent some time in the studio adding some more details and painting in the background with a paint I made with Golden Gac 200 and some metallic powder pigment.

I still have a bit of time to put in, and I painted the sides with black gesso, it's nearly ready to hang =;)

Purple preview

2011-07-31T12:43:00.000-06:00

So those who know of this blog get a preview of what I'm creating for the upcoming 'purple show'. My latest work is a Rhinoceros done in in purple acrylic, this show is coming up quick, I need a quicker drying time, so no oil paint for this one ;(

Here is the first stage. The rhino is inspired by a quote and photo with Salvador Dali. He thrusts his head up from the bottom of the picture plane, originally I had the idea to paint the main horn as an erect penis but I think I'm getting a little conservative in my old age.....I am just going to show the work as is. I intend on painting in a few more details but leaving the purity of the gestural application of paint. Tonight I am going to mix up some gold paint and fill in the background with that so it shines, purple and gold look so good together.

Moving toward Purple

2011-07-29T14:32:00.001-06:00

The purple show is coming up....

Shifting from one of my favorite colors Pink on my way to the Purple show, as this Flamingo takes on another hue, he would have to be eating purple people or maybe eggplants to look like this.

one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater...

Prints at the Press

2011-07-27T13:21:00.000-06:00

I just got the proofs finished for a large selection of prints of my work. Now you too can afford to own one of my paintings. Here is a photograph of the color proof of a variety of works (the three pictured top left are by Chad Wilsie) that I will be printing. I am printing a run to take with me for sale at Shambhala. There are currently 18 different prints to choose from. Some are very limited in run.

The prints will be on a high quality paper with satin finish, the large size will be 18" X 24" with a white border. There will also be an option for a smaller size on card stock for those who want more or have to spend less. Both will fit standard frames so you can get them from anywhere (including Ikea..... if you get my drift). More info to come once the prints are done. Keep your eyes peeled ;)

Purple Art Show

2011-07-20T10:23:00.000-06:00

Purple, like Nenshi's campaign, like royalty, like a painful bruise. I will be showing a brand new piece at this show. Check it out, August 13th!

Spokane Dogwood

2011-07-08T12:28:00.000-06:00

While in Spokane I got to check out a friends awesome garden. He has the most beautiful kitchen all windows and in one of them was this pretty little dogwood branch I ARTed up with my copic markers while their band practiced. It was a sensational time.

Porto in color

2011-07-07T20:25:00.000-06:00

I scanned my colored drawing of which the stages of creation are shown in my previous blog entry. I am still not certain if I will go back in and sketch in the details with a fine point marker, I like how it looks so far without black. All done with Copic markers.

Small town and port pencil and ink

2011-07-04T14:05:00.000-06:00

I started this drawing of a small port town in Portugal. I began by sketching out the placement of various elements with my mechanical Pencil.

Then a couple of days later I went back in with my copic markers cool gray scale to do some tone work and shading.

Now it is starting to have some depth and shape. It really punches it up to see the reflections in the water.

Collection prone

2011-06-28T13:34:00.001-06:00

I filled out my collection of Copic markers the other day, I still have a few from the warm scale on order that should be coming in by September. Anyhow, I use the back page of my Frosst sketchbook as a palette so I know the colors an their relationships. As you can see below, I have quite a nice collection started. I will add more subtle hues as I need them. You can see the missing warm gray scale on order in the bottom right. The color guide in the pocket is by Copic, a great way to keep track of what you have and what you need.

These markes are the shit, in my opinion way better than Prismacolor. For one they don't smell nearly as bad. You can refill them, and change out the tips. They are made in Japan with quality and care taken with each pen, they are even guaranteed not to dry out on the shelf for 3 years. Good investment for anyone who likes to draw and have bold permanent colorful markers!

Cant leave empty handed....

2011-06-22T16:07:00.000-06:00

I have an obvious addiction to Art Supplies. I should start Art Supplies Anonymous.

I went back in to my favorite art store (Inglewood Art Supply) to visit a my friend Fay Moose - who will be at this weeks market collective selling her fantastic creations. While I was there, I usually rifle through the clearance section for anything that may be useful. At the back of the store there was a bunch of canvases. One had serious water damage and was all bent outta shape. The rest didn't seem to have much wrong with them at all, a few holes in two, but I bought an entire bolt of canvas so it can be replace with a little elbow grease. So I decided to buy them at the discounted price. I can re-stretch them and use them as examples for my upcoming Canvas Stretching workshop for Aboriginal Youth in partnership with USAY, The Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth. Here is the discounted treasure that I just couldn't leave the store without...

Cant leave empty handed!

I'd like to send a shout out To Ryan S. who clumsily dropped the plastic wrapped stock briefly in a puddle, thanks buddy you saved me money! 7 canvases, for $110. Can't beat that price! Sure some of them need work........ but my labor is cheap! Now for ideas =;)

frog and a bird but no bees

2011-06-20T07:47:00.005-06:00

There is something to it, look again. Warty skin. Lick this frog and you'll get.........

high, sick and pregnant.

While watching a movie, I usually pull out my sketch book an barely pay attention, instead I like to draw cool stuff. (The film for the frog drawing was 'Elegy' in this case, with Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz followed by the bird and UFC 21 which was by far more engaging.) I colored these in with Copic markers, The colors are what makes it exciting for me, I am addicted to them.

Tadpoles look like sperm, or do sperm look like tadpoles?
Either way, I think it is rather silly, visually ;)

I actually drew these on the same page but scanned them separately. I was inspire to draw the bird based on the color match possible between the two drawings, I think they make a nice pair together. But you cant breed a bird and a reptile ;P

It was really great attending the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo yesterday. I picked up a bunch of books to inspire my artistic pursuits, met some rad people and decided to purchase a booth for next year. I am excited to be part of the event and to get some new exposure. And I have a whole new direction and desire to get more colorful markers, prints and portfolio work done in the upcoming year. Yeah!

Planning sketches (in COPIC color)

2011-06-19T13:00:00.000-06:00

Here are two sketched I did on a velum like pan sheet for an epic animation idea I am developing. The images are lightly drawn in pencil and filled in with some of my Copic markers. One is based off the Pilsner can and the other off of the Ol Dutch potato chip package, respectively.

Pirate Page - Frosst sketchbook

2011-06-15T17:36:00.001-06:00

"Yo, Ho, Ho, and a bottle of Rum, it's a pirates life for me!"

I drew this sketch with my Copic multi-liners and then colored it in with my Copic markers. I can't prove that art is magic, but the next day (yesterday) My NY style Salsa class was moved, so I ended up going to see the Pirates of the Caribbean instead. I really enjoyed the film, plus it was "cheap night"at the theatre. I realized through the process of making this drawing, I didn't have any brown or earth tones of copic markers. So today, I went to Inglewood Art Supply and visited my lovely friend Ola where I picked up a few new colors. I was with a friend and she said: "I've never seen anybody, be that happy and jump around, including a kid over crayons". What can I say ;P

Colorful Insects

2011-06-14T22:35:00.001-06:00

Insects are really interesting. On a page that had some bleed through from my Dinosaur page in my sketchbook, I sketched some very colorful leaf beetles. They tend to be very brightly colored and I tell you my rendition in Copic is not far off int he land of artistic license.

The Malayan Frog Beetle (Sagra buquetti) Above uses it's large hind legs to clasp its mate.
The South American Species(Doryphorella langsdorfi) Below is much smaller and lives and feeds on leaves.

ASA TREX does magic with Twosday drawings

2011-06-13T16:57:00.000-06:00

I met with Les of the Artist Society of Alberta on Friday to discuss details of their upcoming exhibition 'Animate delight'. They did a mock up of some of my original drawings to be framed and wanted my 'OK to proceed. It was so cool to see these drawings which were gifted to my late friend Chris J. Melynchuck( Click his name for my blog entry about him), organized for presentation. I am really impressed in how professional they go about things an am super amazed by what they came up with for the exhibition. Not only that they frame the work and build really effective travel cases for the exhibition. Below is a photo from my iphone of the mock up before the matte is cut and frame built. Needless to say, I am very happy with their work.

They turned what was once just a stack of papers use to make my animation 'Twosday' <--(you can see it on you tube by clicking here.

It really helped in enlightening me on some aspect of the art business, that I wasn't really that aware of. I am thankful for the opportunity.

Positive Feedback keeps me on track

2011-06-12T03:22:00.002-06:00

I've been getting a lot of positive feedback on my show. It was really great that I had another large group come thru the gallery today. One of the lovely ladies, Soliel (3yrs old.) and her mom baked me delicious cookies to share. One notable quote I asked permission to include below:

Jerald Blackstock

Posted this on Fast Forward about your show:
I studied Tibetan Buddhism through the use of thangkas and the Saraswati Hindu iconography (Tara in Tibetan) for 2 decades through a teaching institution of Yasodara Ashram.
And art at ACAD. So coming to Brians work from that combined background, gives me licence (I hope) to say, holy crap Brian is this ever cool.
I love the approach using of cartoon/animation visual language, of flatness and lack of surface that when printmakers paint, well it's what they do, and usually call them paintings, which they aren't usually, they are these illustrative things that seem to be unaware of the 800 years of history and tradition of western European painting.
When Brian uses that visual language to re-interpret Eastern art, in my opinion he is using exactly the right language for the right subject...knocking the ball right out of the park.
AND at the same time he is saying, I'm an artist, I can do anything I want, which an artist absolutely must say, in order to be creative and not some knock off of somebody else who is creative.
Way to go Brian, congratulations all around!

I cant wait to get back into the studio and begin creating new works influenced by my previous body and new experiences.

Fast Forward Article = Awesomeness

2011-06-09T15:58:00.000-06:00

Now you may remember back in January I was published as a "Your Face Here" personality, because I was co-marshal for One Yellow Rabbit's Chinese New Year Parade. Well today I received an email for the Editors Pick of Fast Forward Weekly Picks June 9 - 15. They did an article (Page 58 if you have the physical paper at hand) on my recent solo exhibition 'Sacred Images' at the Untitled Arts Society Gallery.

Click here for a link to the full story.

I'm the first Arts story an right after the Best of Calgary. I'm told that this is the biggest and most read Fast Forward of the year. Sweet.

I particularly like that me and my first solo show are "full of peculiarities." I am always surprised what writers pick up on and decide to focus the story. It wouldn't be the first time f I half jokingly said “My mom thinks I must be a reincarnated Japanese man because I am interested in all things Asian.” I also like that she explains how I "set out to re-create these painstakingly laborious and elaborate images that demand tremendous attention to detail and a careful study of Buddhist scriptures." This is true, it is also true that I start in tradition then I move into my unique way of applying paint, my "process is methodical and highly unconventional." I love it!

The final statement will hopefully spark some commercial interest and/or sales: “My paintings are never finished until someone buys them,” he says. “And if you were to decide to buy one, my response would be, ‘OK, now I’m going to finish it.’”As a thoughtful gesture, he will think of the person who is buying it for the rest of the painting and add a personal touch."

No press is bad press but good press is?????

New FROSST sketchbook

2011-06-08T23:02:00.003-06:00

I got another new sketchbook. Yay!!! This one is extra special! Got it at FROSST Books, John Frosst ordered a few custom sketchbooks with his image on the front from the UK. If you don't have one and want one better rush down the Inglewood and grab one before they're gone. The paper is super nice, heavy, slightly cream in tone and has a great tooth for drawing. The book folds completely flat so you can work like you would with a spiral bound, only much better and there is a pocket in the back like Moleskine have. Here is a scan of the metallic gold front cover, it doesn't do it justice, but it gives you an idea.

FROSST BOOKS - "We sell Books"

It is a good idea to write your name and contact info or a way to get a hold of you in case you leave your sketchbook somewhere. Its also a good time to test your markers to see how much they bleed. Unfortunately my Copic Markers bleed thru even this thick of sketchbook paper, I have yet to find a sketchbook that doesn't bleed when I use my Copics =;( Here is the first drawing of my new sketchbook, over time I will continue to add to it and test my various colors like a palette here.

Whoa Mario!!!

AVERT YOUR EYES on vimeo

2011-05-31T10:47:00.000-06:00

I uploaded my AVERT YOUR EYES animation to Vimeo. It may not playback at the proper frame rate on your computer depending on your internet connection, many parts are frame by frame blinking but regardless you get the idea.

It was inspired by 8-bit and pixel art. Like old Nintendo and Atari games fused with my current body of work with sacre images and wrathful deities. Enjoy!

ANIMATED DELIGHT - TREX PROGRAM

2011-05-26T17:30:00.000-06:00

Les dropped off the catalogue for the Alberta Society for Artist's (TREX) Arts Traveling Exhibition Program. I will be showing work as part of a traveling exhibit alongside; Leslie Bell, Stephanie Wong and Chris Melnychuck.

"4 artists, 3 crates, 12 framed presentation Units, 1 c of short films, 65 running feet."

Below is a scan of the catalogue page 7.

They wrote this about me and my work:

"Brian 'Bunny' Batista is an extraordinary advocate for the media arts. Batista's paintings and animation reveal a passion for Eastern mysticism, pop culture and a deep knowledge of historical character animation."

8-BIT ANIMATION LOCKDOWN

2011-05-25T12:53:00.004-06:00

In order to get away from the studio to clear my mind a bit, I went 8-bit.

I spent the May long week-end locked down at Quickdraw Animation Society 5th annual Animation Lockdown -a 48 hour animation challenge.
This year the challenge was to make an 8 BIT animation!

Here is a preview, below are a few screenshots from my animated film:

I made a 2 min. film in about 20 hours, including music, editing and titles/credits. My film is titled AVERT YOUR EYES and it includes animation of wrathful deities set to 8-bit dubstep. I was the first 'team' to be completed his film, but I was on a 'team' all by my lonesome.

I was still a bit under the weather with this nasty persistent dry cough, I could only do at most 12 hrs. straight. Once I was done, sick or not, I was in a a celebratory mood........ I left the competition a day early thus completely avoiding the stressful rush to the finish line, thats pacing!

See these images move.

I totally have a new found romance with the idea of pixel art. It is almost counter intuitive, with advancing technology to be subjecting yourself to this creative constraint. It's almost a nostalgia for the past days of crappy Atari and Nintendo graphics and sounds. I have a well filled with new ideas based on this inspiration of 8-bit.

The thing that was great about this animation lockdown week-end challenge, Focused time on only one task, we were fed an watered an had exceptional technical support from Michael Welchman, but that's not all. For me to work solely as an artist is a rare opportunity. I'm usually either teaching or solving other's technical problems, it was cool to be 'the artist'.

The real bonus for me was that I stayed out of trouble and away from party distractions this long week-end. The big payoff is the overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and achievement. I really enjoyed making something under pressure in an environment filled with like minded, creative people. It saved me money and time and possibly my health.........kind of......I didn't sleep much though, but wait there's more.......... now I have another animated film under my belt!

~No worse the wear!~

Come down and check out our 8-bit inspired animations:

Wednesday May 25th at 9pm at the PLAZA theatre, followed by a screening of The Last Starfighter!

FACEBOOK INVITE AND MORE INFO CLICK HERE|

__________

New Copic Colors

2011-05-15T19:39:00.001-06:00

When it's Friday the 13th and I am having a bad day there is nothing that turns it completely around quite like buying new art Supplies. I got a bunch of stuff for the work I am currently doing in the studio and..... New Copic markers, a dozen of them, and colors. My collection is now getting flushed out, I'll be able to chase my imagination, but I didn't remember to pick up any yellow. Here are my new colors:

G14 - Apple Green

BG15 - Aqua

B05 - Process Blue

B02 - Lapis Lazuli

V17 - Amethyst

V04 - Lilac

RV29 - Crimson

RV04 - Shcok Pink

RV21 - Light Pink

E21 - Baby Skin Pink

YR04 - Chrome Orange

I skipped outta Inglewood Art Supply like a little kid on Halloween, with a full bag of candy=;)

Richard Halliday, RCA

2011-05-09T21:02:00.000-06:00

A huge inspiration, Richard Halliday, and artist who creates lyrical paintings in black and white is finally represented online in Social Media. Michael Markowsky created a page on facebook as a Tribute Page to one of the world's greatest LIVING artists. The biography alone is worth the read. I was lucky enough to study and befriend Richard while at ACAD. He is a legend!

You can also check out Richard's work at his website: www.richardhalliday.com. Do it!

Constellation Series: 2005, 66"H x 106"W (167.6 x 269.2 cm)
Titanium white oil stick on bone black acrylic ground on canvas
Trepanier Baer Gallery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Flip it and reverse it

2011-05-07T19:56:00.000-06:00

That is what the opposite machine does after all. Well here is a video where it seems very applicable. TOILLE YSSIM - TI KROW. My room mate was wondering what she said so I thought I'd go a step further in the assignment and found out that this song is even more interesting.

Inverted and reversed and outputted in Final Cut.

Current Copic Marker collection

2011-05-06T22:02:00.000-06:00

I organized and took inventory of my current Copic Marker collection today. Feeling sick today so I didn't make it down to the studio, so I am catching up on projects. More to come about my current studio practice leading up to my solo exhibit at the Untitled Arts Society in a month.

copic marker collection May 2011

Sharpie Sketches

2011-04-07T19:19:00.000-06:00

Went out to Tubby Dog and did some quickie sketches with my new assortment of Sharpies (see previous blog entry for more info). Today I added a few more elements from the view from the couch in my living room. 1 more pafge to go until I finish this sketchbook. Yeah!

This is definitely not my best work, but I'm still willing to put it out there.

Not all the sketches in ones sketchbook are going to be good.

Keys to the VIP and new art supplies

2011-04-05T16:40:00.001-06:00

I just got the keys to my new Studio. I was awarded a 3 month residency from the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation. I'm stoked!!! It was too snowy to move in this week-end and I injure my Achilles Tendon in Martial Arts on Wednesday. I opted to take it easy rather than force a move on myself. It is weighing heavily in the back of my mind.....STUDIO TIME!!!

Today, I went out for lunch with my mom. We had delicious Vietnamese food, followed by a trip to not one....... but two art stores. Often when I am spending money on supplies, I get a last minute feeling of guilt, which is really strange because other than food there is nothing more important for me to be buying than art supplies. Supplies make more art, which may eventually lead to more money, but more importantly making art leads to my happiness. So why do I feel guilty? Maybe its a bit of shame. I get so much pleasure from spending $4o on stuff at Swinton's Art Supply. It's like being caugth masturbating. I don't feel guilty when I blow money on anything else. Anyone else have this issue?

I picked up a handful of Prismacolour, they were on sale for under $2.65 a piece. I took one of each color I didn't already have; Scarlet Lake, Sienna Brown, Copenhagen Blue, Dark Green, Grass green and Aquamarine. They also had colored sharpies for 50 cents a piece, I couldn't resist! I picked up; Lime, Turquoise, Peach, Aqua, Mint. I have an addiction to color, what can I say. I also picked up two gold paint pens for Katie Green to do a design on my motorcycle jacket as well as a $20 book on mastering sketching in 40 lessons. I feel that I've been needing a kick in the seat of the pants, I haven't had much time to sketch. I think the lessons in this book will help shake my laurels a bit, and give me a creative kick...... follow my blog in future posts and see.

Lovely, lovely colorful art supplies make me happy

Next stop: Inglewood Art Supply, My favorite art store in town! Not only are they conveniently located close to my neighborhood, they have fantastic prices, and give ACAD ALUMNI great deals. I especially like this store because of the people who work there, all the staff are courteous and friendly. (Hi Ola, sad I didn't see you there today, love the orange felt own magnet!) Inglewood Art Supply are having their annual Spring Canvas Sale. My mom paints Acrylic, she wanted to pick up a bunch of new deep profile pre-stretched canvasses. Canvas sale, hell yeah!!!! I have a new studio space, better fill it. The great thing is I can finally build and paint large canvases now that I have the space. So what can I say................

I picked up a whole roll, 50.3 yards of 15 oz. 72" wide unprimmed canvas. The roll weighed so much I had to get the owner Peter to help me carry it into the car, luckily it fit, but I had to squeeze in the back of my moms Matrix. Not only did I get 30% off, which really helps, that stuff ain't cheap you know. There was a labeling misunderstanding and the staff felt bad and gave me a gift certificate for an additional $40 at the store. Yippee!! I will be back. In a way, it is like I got the stuff at Swinton's for free and I still get to go back and pick up some more supplies once I settle into my new studio, and realize what I need.

All I can say is today has been a great day!

More to come.....

Playing with Pencil Crayons

2011-03-20T19:08:00.000-06:00

Funny how playing with my pencil crayons, I drew common things kids played with from the 80's. Transformers, My little Pony and Battle Cat from He-man.

These pencil crayons are nice, picked 'em up at my local art supply store, Inglewood Art Supply. They are LYRA brand Rembrant Polycolor. They have really soft leads, strong hues and they appear to blend nicely.

Proud Teacher

2011-03-18T11:24:00.001-06:00

As some of you may know, I am a man of many skills and talents, you may also know that I teach animation to put food on the table. I have been teaching animation full-time for the past 20 weeks to Aboriginal Youth at the Quickdraw Animation Society. Tomorrow, Saturday, we will be screening the work at the PLAZA theatre in Kensington. The screening will take place at 5pm and there will be a celebration/reception at Quickdraw to follow. Please come own, it's free!

Here is a link to the Facebook Event Page.

Tomorrow is the big day. Come check it out!

MORE GREAT NEWS!!!

My Aboriginal Youth Animation Project was covered in today's Herald newspaper.

Check out the story HERE

A picture from the Herald of one of my most promising classical animation students, Dre First Rider.

Rojankovsky Fairy Tales

2011-03-16T18:42:00.000-06:00

I love the nostalgic almost naive style and stories from the books I read when I was a wee lad. They are so simple and pure. Here are a few inspired by a recent view of John K, the creator of Ren and Stimpy's blog, which I follow. If you like what you see here, why not follow mine?

These were sketched quickly in photo blue pencil/ HB then outline with a 0.7 Copic Multiliner an colored in with Prismacolor. I think this drawing will look spiffy once the paper yellows and the color fades.