Monday, August 29, 2016

Till The End - thumbnails


Some thumbnail studies of a new painting in the works called 'Till The End' drawn on my animation disc. I pretty much know the composition I want now. The next step is to scale it up and start refining it. 

Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Artist Project 2017 - painting list


Continuing on with The Artist Project 2017 preparation: compiled list of major paintings I want to complete for it. Looking forward to sharing these with you!

If you would like to know more about The Artist Project, art fair in Toronto, you are an artist and would like to apply for the the 2017 event (it is a juried exhibit), there is still time. The deadline is September 15th.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Why are YOU ignoring art galleries?


Great article by The Stranger interviewing and tracing the reasoning behind lack of (most) gallery's attendance. As an artist, this is a topic I've been battling for years. You can read the article here. 

For those of you in Montreal (the city I reside in) who want to explore galleries, here is a great start compiled by Montreal Gazette.   

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Artist Project 2017 - the prep begins



I exhibited in The Artist Project in Toronto earlier this year and will be returning for the 2017 art fair showcase - which will be their 10 year anniversary! The event is 6 months away and I'm already gearing up for it. This panel is 12" wide and 48" in length. It will be a panoramic painting I've been plotting for a while. So excited to share it with you! Details to follow...

If you are an artist and would like to apply for the the 2017 event, there is still time. The 
deadline is September 15th. Details here: http://www.theartistproject.com/application-package/

If you are a patron of the arts and would like to know more about the event: http://www.theartistproject.com

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

video of the 12x12 opening night exhibition!

Here is a short video of the opening night from the 12x12 group exhibition! Take a look:



The first wave of works have been uploaded to the official site (there are over 100 works in the show) and more paintings keep moving!

Take a look here at the pieces listed so far. You can acquire artworks directly from the site.

The exhibit is up unil September 22nd! 

Sunday, August 14, 2016

12x12, Gallery Abyss opening night photos


If you missed the opening of 12x12 this past Saturday, Gallery ABYSS has uploaded some great shots from the event on their website. You can view them here:

THE SHOW IS STILL UP! You have until September 22nd to check it out in person. fb event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067384330002872/


Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Darth Maul painting study

Do I like Star Wars? Sure, as much as the next guy. You're the next guy, like Star Wars? 


Another painting study I did recently. This time of a Darth Maul action figure. (Among my favorite character designs and one of the coolest villains ever.) I took some photos of him standing on top of a square color changing LED alarm clock. It is the only light source. 

Sunday, August 07, 2016

The Memory Thief

LAST NIGHT was Gallery Abyss' 12x12 group show! THANK YOU to everyone who attended! 

It may not be a fun question, but let me ask you quickly:

What is the most valuable thing that someone can steal from you? 

Your signifigant other? Your children? Your pet? An heirloom? Your savings? Your mobility? ...Your iPhone?

What would you do if you lost all your memories? 

This was the inspiration behind my most recent painting, The Memory Thief, which I produced for Gallery Abyss' 12x12 group show. I would like to tell you about it.





The character in the lower left corner is a memory thief and a cerebral menace.

He breaks into the subconscious of the elderly whose aging immune system can no longer combat his advances. He steals their memories and sells the information. You may notice, he doesn't actually touch the memories encased in his lock box - doing so would infect and alter them. I also theorized that the more fond the memory, the more vibrant glow it emits as seen in the trail of his exit.

Sadly, the repercussions of his larceny are devastating. His victims are ushered into a state of dementia. 

I know it is not a fun painting... and is harder to place in a room than a basket of flowers, so why would I paint such a melancholy image to begin with? 

Well, the goal with my art has always been to connect with others in an honest manner. To create and present you with things I'm not invested in is disingenuous and unworthy of your attention. 

As I now watch some people in my life I care about very much undergo memory loss, it's made me search for reasoning. When none can be found, alternative narrations are sought (like the one theorized above).

I guess in some way I am hoping you will find something relateable. Maybe found in one of your own memories. Hang on to them.  

As an artist, you always hope that your work will resonate with people. But you really don't know unless someone goes out of their way to inform you. I received the E-mail below in response to the latest newsletter I sent out prior to the 12x12 opening last night. The facebook message was sent to me by a friend after I released the image online. (Some of the information has been withheld to retain their privacy.)






The painting is no longer available - it SOLD opening night. You can find more info about the exhibit and see some of the works available here.

-Jono