Countdown - tonal

I decided to do a tonal study (in pencil) for the ‪#‎painting‬ I'm working on called 'Countdown'. Here's part of it:

Countdown - drawing preview

Sneak peek of a drawing for a new ‪#‎painting‬ I'm working on called 'Countdown'.

THAT LAUGH! - collection photo

 Pret-ty cool! My painting 'THAT LAUGH!', hanging in it's new home! (And yes, that's a Warhol on the left and Basquait on the right!)

Dollars & Snakes - complete

My latest ‪painting 'Dollars & Snakes'. The painting was inspired by the American movie 'The Big Short' (2016). The film depicts a behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 American housing collapse which had a devastating effect on the economy. The film provided me with some insight over what happened during that time and ignited the idea for this painting. The painting compares this event in history with the famous board game, 'Monopoly'. The central character is a snake with a reptilian head of Rich Uncle Milburn Pennybags (the 'Monopoly Man'). The landscape is a Monopoly board with the words 'Sub-Prime Mortgage' written on the space he occupies. The lending of sub-prime mortgages was the primary catalyst for the 2008 real estate bubble collapse. On the board rests many ignited Monopoly houses representing their decreasing value. Along the board slithers the character uncaring in his disposition and clutching a stack of money earned from the misery of others. The title is a play on the phrase 'dollars and cents'.

 'Dollars & Snakes'
acrylic on wood panel
(image dimensions) 7.75"x9.75"
(including frame) 11.75"x13.25"
available

MentorMe podcast interview

I had the privilege of being interviewed on the MentorMe podcast yesterday. The Mentorme podcast has a focus on business, mentors and entrepreneurship. In the talk, I discuss my influences and what has helped me sustain an art career.

You can download the audio, listen to additional interviews and find out more on the official website here: http://mentormepodcast.com/

2016 painting list update

 
Another ‪painting‬ done from the official list! The final painting 'Dollars & Snakes' will be premiered tomorrow @ YES Montreal's Business Skills for Creative Souls conference: http://yesmontreal.ca/…/art…/events/yes-arts-conference-expo

Dollars & Snakes - more progress

Here's more of the progress from my new painting 'Dollars & Snakes' inspired by the movie 'The Big Short'. The original will be exhibited at the upcoming YES Montreal hosted Business Skills for Creative Souls conference: http://yesmontreal.ca/en/artists/events/yes-arts-conference-expo

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

CKUT 90.3FM - The Friday Morning After, Feb. 26, 2016

A follow-up interview on Montreal station CKUT 90.3FM, Louis-Bernard St-Jean, Denise Buisman-Pilger and I did yesterday about our experience at The Artist Project in Toronto and upcoming upcoming involvement in YES Montreal's business conference on March 14th.

You can listen to it here: http://archives.ckut.ca/128/20160226.08.00-09.00.mp3 (starts @ 35:42)

The Artist Project 2016 - already over!

THANK YOU, The Artist Project team and volunteers, art collectors who attended and new admirers of my work for making the event such a fun time!

The painting of mine above, 'Cereal Siege', is just one of the images I sold during the event that has found a happy new home! Below are some shots of the fair and my booth.

The booth, the whole booth, and nothing but the booth!

Something's missing... that's because it SOLD!

The event was well attended and attracted a big crowd. 

  

Explaining my process and influences to some admirers.

Global TV, Monteal - Feb. 15, 2016

(Click on the image above to watch the video.)

 Big thank you to Paola Samuel and Global Montreal for yesterday morning’s live interview with Artist Abroad - Denise Buisman Pilger, Louis-Bernard St-Jean Art Contemporain and myself, about our participation to the upcoming The Artist Project Toronto art fair and how we met through YES Montreal back in 2014.

CKUT 90.3FM - The Friday Morning After, Feb. 12, 2016

Here is an interview conducted yesterday by Christine Claire Deita of CKUT 90.3FM radio show, The Friday Morning After, between myself, along with artists and friends Denise Buisman Pilger & Louis-Bernard St-Jean discussing the upcoming The Artist Project, an art fair in Toronto we're exhibiting in next week! 

You can listen to the interview here (starts at 34:04)

The Artist Project - tickets!

Hurray! I received some complimentary tickets which I'll be sending off soon and my move-in badges from Toronto's upcoming The Artist Project art fair yesterday! The event is just ONE WEEK AWAY! Hope to see you there!

 
 Have your tickets yet?? Use this link and embedded promotion code and save: https://www.microspec.com/tix123/eTic.cfm…

Celestial Hands - all done!

Here's the final version of the newest painting I completed called 'Celestial Hands' (acrylic on panel, 8"x10"). It will be for sale at the upcoming The Artist Project February 18-21.

Still don't have your tickets yet? Here's a link with a promotion code where you can get premium pricing.

Celestial Hands

I'm working to wrap up one last painting for The ArtistProject (now just 2 weeks away!). This painting is called 'Celestial Hands'. It is an alternate narrative on why cartoon characters wear gloves. 

My favorite reference to this is from Bobby in 'An ExtremelyGoofy Movie':

storing paint with baby food jars

Here's a pro tip that was passed on to me years ago: if you have a young child or have friends/family who do, save those baby food jars. They are excellent for storing premixed paint because of their air lock lids and convenient size. I've got a bunch of jars my sister donated to me when she gave birth to my niece and nephew. The blue in the jar I'm holding was mixed 7 months ago - and it's still active!

New business card

My new business card. People are always telling me "You gotta SELL YOURSELF!" and "People don't just buy the art, they buy the artist"...
(The back of the card has an image of my work along with my website, E-mail, etc...)

List of painting goals for 2016

My list of painting goals for 2016. I almost always know the title of the works beforehand and then work backwards. This list is taped to my drawing table.
 

 (Short list? This list does not account for group shows, commissions or studies.)

Timing Charts - all done!

'Timing Charts' - one of the new paintings I created for the upcoming The Artist Project Toronto next month is now complete and will be for sale. (Acrylic on wood panel, 20"x16".) Animation friends and fans will likely get the reference of the painting's title and iconography in the right hand corner.

                                                            "What are timing charts??"

Here's a great video I found by Echo Bridge that explains them and their use.

 See you in Toronto in 4 short weeks!

The Artist Project - ONE MONTH AWAY!

 The Toronto art fair I've been preparing for, The Artist Project, is ONE MONTH AWAY! You can find me at booth #922. You can view my profile on the official website here.

Planning to attend? Use this link with a discount code to save yourself on ticket prices: https://www.microspec.com/tix123/eTic.cfm?code=tapt16&promo=DOIRON16

Timing Charts - progression

Here is some progress from my latest ‬painting 'Timing Charts':