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 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

NERDCORE III - opening May 9th!

So the painting previews I've been teasing you all with are for this upcoming group show opening on May 9th at Slushbox Gallery, in West Palm Beach, Florida!  fb event info here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1552679305013669/

(I will not be attending the opening in person unfortunately, but it looks like a strong roster of talent lined up. I encourage you to check it out if you're local/in the area.)

RAW Montreal: SPECTRUM - April 26 2014!

I'm exhibiting in the next RAW Montreal event and it's just ONE MONTH away! Anybody going? You can find more info about the show, and save by picking up your ticket ahead of time here: http://rawartists.org/montreal/spectrum/?artist=208095

Click on the image below to see the full flyer of all the participating talent. (Larger image available on the link above.)

LAST DAY of Low Brow exhibition!

Today is the LAST DAY to see the Low Brow group show at Cinema du Parc I curated! http://www.cinemaduparc.com/english/low-brow-group-show.php

sneak peek - cat themed painting

Happy Fourth of July to my American friends! Work is progressing once again on the 'cat theme painting'. Here is a sneak peek of what's to come. (Recognize anyone?) I'm diligently working to finish it on time for the New Brow screening and art show (see info in the post below).

les écrivains de demain

Tonight is the opening of the 'les écrivains de demain' (the writers of tomorrow) group show with Illustration Quebec at Le Grande Bibliotheque from 5:00 - 7:00. I have one new painting/illustration that will be on display till July 25 and published in a book of short stories along with other illustrators. Hope to see some of you there!

Le Grand Bibliotheque: http://www.banq.qc.ca/accueil/index.html

photo: James Dow, Patkau Architects Inc.

'Les écrivains de demain' (The writers of tomorrow) art show

Next Thursday June 6, from 5:00 -7:00 is the opening of the Illustration Quebec http://www.illustrationquebec.com/en group art show I'm involved in at Le Grand Bibliotheque. And when they say grand - they mean GRAND - this library is massive! They included a map with the info they sent me just in case I had walked by the monolithic structure and never noticed it before. The show pairs up a young emerging writer with an illustrator who creates an original visual based on their short story. Hope to see some of you there!

The 40oz Show

Here is the poster of my next upcoming group show, called 'The 40oz Show'. It will be held at MF Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. I will be unable to attend the opening in person, however I recommend you check it out if you are in NY at the time!