EPISODE 42 - THE ANSWER

It may seem like i just pumped these last two episode out back to back. Well, they do go together and they represent how I spent my last two week-ends when not teaching. I'm pretty proud of what this one lone art guy is capable of accomplishing and I hope you think I'm doing a fine job too, because I do it for you!

Take a watch and pass it on, help me get more subscribers if you like what you see :D

https://youtu.be/j03xVtOZsHI

EPISODE 39 SCREW IT!

My latest episode offers a glimpse into the few times I wasn't at Home depot this week-end!

Building up

I am continuing to build up the atelier, moving supplies, building furniture and making artwork for my show at the New Edward Gallery. I have a grand opening for you to attend on February 10, 6-10 pm.

Atelier Artista Suite #410

@cSPACE King Edward

1721 – 29 Avenue SW

Opening this Friday, I'll be there both Friday and Saturday if you want to swing by for a visit.

Stacks of organized bins of art supplies waiting to b shelved.

Some cut oak and pine for my custom built drawing horses.

The stain I chose really brings out the beautiful grain in the red oak.

After a coat of stain they dry and are ready to pick up and bring to the studio.

They don't look like much in the elevator, I'll let them gas off a bit longer before continuing to the next step...... assembly.

I also managed to pick up more materials to build painting tabourets (side table). The wood just barely fit into my CRV.

I found this steal of a deal on kijiji so now I have a place for storing lunch and bevies for guests.

It is coming together as fast as she can but it still seems really big an empty.

This is also a little sneak peek into my working space and a peek into whats on the easel for my upcoming exhibition:


New Edward Gallery
352 8 Ave. NE
Calgary, AB T2E 0P9

Brian Batista
From Portugal to Puerto Rico
Paint, Paper and Photo

January 27, 28, 29

Opening January 27, 7 pm
Sat and Sunday viewing hours begin at 2pm.

Chaos reigns supreme!!!

"Sometimes you've got to make a mess to clean a mess!"
I remember this saying my mom used to say during my childhood.

It couldn't be more true. This nice weather must have me fooled into thinking its spring.  I'm working on my accounts and taxes and getting everything in order. "Out with the old and in with the new". I am also revamping my studio space.  Its hard work but it feels good. I helped a friend move this week-end, and in doing so I got my huge red bean bag chair back that I lent her. This was the impetus to create some more room. Also I have a feeling I'll be having more visitors in the near future...

The before.
So this is the view toward the door, you can see the bean bag charm hiding to the left.  There is a stack of new lumber (i.e. stretcher bars) that KT gave me for helping her move since she isn't planning on painting any time soon.

The Before (2)
I want to create a space at the back  to hang a large piece where the light is better. I plan on setting up a time lapse photography station to capture the process of creating my work over time. I ended up having to move everything in my study to make this happen. The reason the back was kept clear was that I let photographers use this half of the studio now and again. Now the room is reversed so they can use the other end for their set ups.

During
I painstakingly moved all the furniture and it really opened up the space. Plus having my painting table at the far end makes it closer to working on the projects. I had to move the shoddy animation table and it fell apart on my again, but nay where I hadn't added brackets for stability. I took every book off the shelf, moved the shelf, and put the books back on it. If you can believe it the three pieces lined up perfectly. You can see just behind the painting of the girl on the tiger there is a silver electrical conduit rising up. The shelf butt up against the outlet with not a mm to spare =  a perfect fit, a little tight but it holds everything together!

Not only do I have this stack of Ikea frames to deal with, I found 10 more in a free pile outside my studio. They need backings and glass but they could also be used for panel paintings, and they have a cool chrome finish = score!

I am trying to set up the half of the room close to the entrance as an inviting and cosy area for guests, to first enter that is relaxing. BIG PLUS: also for DJ Cosmic LurkN to have his own area where I'll put out my nice persian rug and have a little place for amenities and treats for peeps who sep by while he is spinning tracks. The work table I'm going to try and keep clear so I have a large working space, maybe I'll put a shelf up above it in the future to store more materials. I have a long and busy few days ahead of me but hopefully I can get more work done. Borrow a ladder and get stuff hung high on the walls, I have more vertical space than these photos show that news to be put to good use. Frames off the floor. When its done, I'll get cracking on some new paintings. I cant' wait!

Studio Party and furniture update

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!