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.   

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! 

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/

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

The Memory Thief - preview

ll done a new painting called 'The Memory Thief'. The‬ painting is for the 12x12 group show coming up at Gallery ABYSS opening August 6th (next Saturday). Hope you can make it!

Click here for the facebook event info.

12x12 - tonal

First peek at 'The Memory Thief' - a new painting I'm creating for the 12x12 group show at Galerie Abyss opening August 6! 

fb event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067384330002872/

Syn Studio - Gathering of the Masters 2016

MAJOR THANKS to Syn Studio for putting on for putting on such an informative event: 'The Gathering of the Masters 2016', a 3 day masterclass workshop I was fortunate to attend! The highlight for me was getting to meet and draw with artist, James Gurney. His book 'Color & Light' is a supreme resource I recommended to realist painters repeatedly: http://jamesgurney.com/…/color-and-light-a-guide-for-the-re…

Syn Studio is the leading concept art school in Montreal. You can find out more about the courses and workshops they offer here: http://synstudio.ca ‪

YES Montreal - Business Skills for Creative Souls confrence

Coming up on Monday March 14, YES Montreal asked me to be one of the presenting artists who will also be giving a brief talk at their upcoming Business Skills for Creative Souls conference. I've been benefiting from YES's services since I arrived in Montreal in July 2012 and am flattered to be involved with it this year.

If you are an emerging artist, attending this event IS A MUST to learn more about the business side of what you do! You can find more details about the event here: http://yesmontreal.ca/en/artists/events/yes-arts-conference-expo

Saint Michel Market, Montreal

In Montreal, Saint Michel Market is king of flea markets! Definitely worth the visit. I finally checked it out this past Sunday with friend and fellow fine artist & illustrator, Peter Ferguson (you can view his artwork here) Our mission? To find some used frames.  

Oh, THEY'VE GOT frames!

Parts of the market can be very claustrophobic. The facility (featuring two treasure finding floors) is a curiously curated over stimulated maze of vintage visuals and jumbled junk.   

You can find practically anything there. Yes, ANYthing! Even stuffed bears?? Sure. 

Peter with all his new found frames. He jested that carrying all those frames around made him a 'mark': 'Oh, you like frames?? I GOT frames!'

I picked up these 3 frames from two separate vendors. Can't wait to create works for them - especially the larger one. Old frames have so much character in them. (The image in the small frame at the lower right is a reproduction, not an original.)