CONTRAST AND COMPARE

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 =;)

The Hiatus is over! ANIMATED DELIGHT!

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.

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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.

In Loving Memory, Chris J. Melnychuck

On June 13, 2010 Christopher J. Melnychuck passed away after a determined battle with Cancer.

The works on this blog are works created by Chris. They are in my personal collection, I put them here so others could enjoy them. If you would like to purchase works, or donate and help upcoming animators through the Chris J. Melnychuck Legacy Memorial Scholarship contact the Quickdraw Animation Society.

First off it is important to give credit where it is due. Chris was a good friend to me and an incredible inspiration to many in the arts community in Calgary.  We had an unlikely friendship. We met through the Quickdraw animation Society sometime in 1999 because we each won a Production Scholarship.  Over the years Chris and I took workshops together, animation and shamanism and I always made sure to go to his openings.  He was usually the guy who people talked to to get cheered up.  It was me he went to for inspiration an cheering up. When his heart was broken, or personal battles with his weight, work, staple guns, or even when he was up against the insurmountable art world in Calgary, I know he talked to me to get another perspective. I would encourage him to get back on the horse and show him that life kept on going. I tried to give back to him what he gave to so many.

His enthusiasm and childlike positivity were contagious. He had a huge positive impact on those around him. He was also a painter at heart, like me.  In fact, a very important point here is that some years ago it was him who told me to start drawing every day. If it were not for his challenge and influence this blog would not exist!

Infinity Guitar ~ Chris J. Melynchuck

Acrylic and Collage on Canvas  2007

It wasn't until his Memorial this past Saturday when I had a chance to reflect, hear stories an tell my own, that I realize the positive effect he had on those around him. He is my hero, he knew how to live an enrich others at the same time, friens and art were the most important things to him! I read in his baby book that @ 3 the things he love most were coloring in his coloring book and building stuff with his blocks. Go figure.

One story that I forgot about was during the move from 15 pound pink productions, Kevin Kurtynik and Carol Beecher's home studio where they made "Mr. Reapers Really Bad Morning" and a few other films.  It was a destruction party as the house was being torn down.  Richard Reeves and Darlene were there to help and so where Chris and I.  We enabled each other in the worst way possible, and here is how.  We took the heave claw foot tub out of the second floor bathroom and decided to sen it down the stairs. At first we were going to ride it down, good thing we got talked out of that one, at any rate I went to the bottom and filmed the silliness, we were like kids in a candy store. Would you believe it, the damn thing sparked when it hit the floor!

The Beauty Within ~ Chris J. Melynchuck

Acrylic and Collage on Canvas  2006

For a while, Chris worked at the Kensington Art Supply store building canvases.  He had an overstock of about 40 frames of various sizes in cedar. He cut me a deal and let me walk away with the stretcher bars for around $200. I still needed to stretch the canvas over them, so he ordered a bolt for me for just above cost. He bent over backwards to help me be creative. And would you know it... All the Tibetan Deity paintings and some of the stuff I am still working on today are from that wholesale order I made way back then. The gift that keeps on giving! He ended up starting his own successful company building the best quality canvas's, so many artists are working on his grounds, including Artist  Paul Van Ginkel (see his work here).

 Chris was not only talented he was an incredibly spiritual person. We took Manfred Lucas's shamanism course and discover our spirit animals together. He journeyed with his Grizzly Bear.  Chris had a strong affinity with symbols, notable the spiral. He left behind notebooks of drawings (a drawing a day) and writings. At the memorial numerous rooms were filled with artwork, his movies pare still laying at festivals, reminding us of the importance of making art, he had a positive impact on all those he met, he leaves us with a legacy of creativity.... his "Art the Artifact of living a life." Chris was passionate, dedicated, optimistic, hard working, generous, honest, excited, inquisitive and made others feel better just by knowing him.

  Harvest Guitar Revival ~ Chris J. Melynchuck

Acrylic on Canvas  2007

 A special thanks goes out to our mutual friend Kari Mcqueen for having the strength and courage to MC the memorial and for all her hard work getting curating the art show. To Julia Burns for a moving eulogy, to all the volunteers, sitar player and Chris's brother for the phenomenal space for the event to be held.

I had myself convinced that I would not go up an share my words at the memorial. Those who went up wept, it took so much courage.  It was a definite hot spot with a direct line to my heart. I don't like being vulnerable, especially in front of a crowd. I heard a voice in my head, it was Chris telling me not to be a "chicken". It felt as though he gave me a swift kick in the butt.  I tell you, most who know me would say I'm not shy, on the contrary really outgoing...... but I can tell you I had never been so afraid or nervous in my life. My palms were sweaty, I choked back tears, my stomach had more than just butterflies in it. It was really more difficult than I thought and things did not come out the way I had wanted, but I think the message got across.

I visited Chris a week and a half before he passed away and he told me that he wouldn't wish "this terrible disease" on anyone. It was hard for us to communicate as he was weak and could barely speak, but he still had that youthful glint in his eye. He said, the thing that he missed most from when he was healthy was his Ass, they removed it in what he referred to as the "Assectomy".  Making light of his situation no matter how painful it was........ He kept a good head on his shoulders, and one with a great sense of humor at that. That my friends is a beautiful thing!

Thank you Chris for the many gifts you shared with those around you. You will be missed.