Animation art show in Ottawa next week

If you live in or will be visiting Ottawa next week, join us for Cerealism - The Saturday Morning Cartoon Art Show! Featuring original works for sale by top animation artists! The event is organized by Jam Filled animation studio and will serve as the unofficial kick off party to the Ottawa International Animation Festival. The opening fun is happening next Wednesday September 20th at Oz Kafe. 

What do you call it?

Ever wonder how I come up with titles for my paintings? This is a method I use when I am stuck that may help you as well.

Do you like to read outside this time of year? I do. (In fact I went to the park, and did some reading today.)

It got me thinking: what's in a title?

Read the full article here.

In need of a Crazy Minute? I am.

So how are you feeling today? Superb? Or just a shade above normal? Perhaps what you need is a crazy minute! 

'Awaiting Crazy Minute', acylic on masonite, 13"x14.5" (including frame)

An aid to getting through the lesser fun parts of life is spending time being silly.

Years ago, I created such a silly break with my youngest sister (who was much younger at the time) called 'crazy minute'. Crazy minute is the last minute of every hour (9:59, 10:59, 11:59, etc...). At every crazy minute, you would do a dance, wave your arms up, do gymnastics, or some enthusiastic variation over the next 60 seconds to recuperate your energy. 

Visually, the panting is made to look tranquil with lighting based on the late afternoon sun beaming in. Typically, it is a lazy time of the day when there's still work to be done and less interesting things seem to happen. Cuckoo clocks are quiet until every minute of the new hour when the silence is abruptly broken. And that is the whole point of crazy minute - it's meant to disrupt stagnancy.

Have tickets to the art fair yet?? If not, click here or the image above to receive a discount on regular admission tickets.  


See you in  just over 2 weeks! Stay creative,

 

-Jono

Taking responsibility

Here is the final painting of 'Responsibility'. (I finished it up before the end of the year, but had to wait after the holiday to get it scanned.) 

'Responsibility', acrylic on wood panel, 12"x16" (framed)

The subject matter of this painting was inspired by a quote from neurologist and psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl: 

"Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth. Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast." 

Viktor Frankl was also the founder of logotherapy - a theory holding the belief that human nature is motivated by the search for a life purpose. -

The Peter Pan statue in the painting (which mirrors the poise of the Statue of Liberty) holds a story book (instead of a tablet) that reads 'PUER AETERNUS' - Latin for 'Eternal Boy'. This is also a term in psychology to describe an individual (mostly attributed to adult males, but not necessarily gender specific) who has remained socially immature. -

The more we age, the more responsibilities we inherit. When I think about the fictional character, Peter Pan, I see him as synonymous with irresponsibly in his efforts to protest adulthood due to his residence in a fantasy land where he never ages. This disdain would also counter Frankl's logotherapy theory as one can not learn what our purpose is if we do not give ourselves an opportunity to discover what we can become. The spiraling galleon on the right has sailed from Neverland only to go out of control with the crew's inability to navigate in a world with accountability. 

The painting will be for sale next month at Toronto's 2017 The Artist Project art fair. 

Buy tickets to the event here. 

Happy New Year!

Happy 2017! I hope you and your friends had a wonderful holiday.

I've had a very productive year (2016) and have made what I feel are some of my best paintings to date. (All the images above are new paintings that were made this year. Since it's 2016, I thought I'd do a recap of the best 16 images.) While I do receive a lot of enjoyment in creating art, I retain equal enjoyment in seeing the response my work has on others. Making images is a way I've chosen to communicate with individuals and I'm honored that you're one of them. 

I look forward to sharing more new art with you this year and hope you will join me in February for the 2017 The Artist Project in Toronto.

-Jono

The Rainbow Salesman

I was thinking about all the opportunistic umbrella salesman who appear - seemingly out of nowhere - to dispense their inventory at the sight of rain. But what about the rainbows? You didn't think they got there by themselves, did you? Enter 'The Rainbow Co.' who deploy their salespeople to rain swept communities desiring post rain atmospheric aesthetics. LOOK at that smug smile, double bounce strut and go-get-em attitude! Where some people see rain drops, HE SEES dollar signs! Now get out there 'an sell!

'The Rainbow Salesman'
acrylic on wood panel
8"x10"
$ for sale

Goofy painting

A-huk! It's a GOOFY painting! Another painting study I did, this time of a small Goofy sculpture observing overcast lighting conditions (indoors). Note that there are minimal highlights and no deep shadows.   

Seriously, who doesn't love Goofy? I wouldn't trust the person who says they dislike Goofy. If I was conducting a job interview and it came up they didn't like Goofy, I would dismiss them and shred their resume. And since we've established all mentally balanced people love Goofy, the next logical step is for you to add this painting to yourGoofy-loving-shrine-goodness! (Did I mention FREE shipping on the painting studies to US and Canada? A-huk!)  

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. 

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.

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

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

eyes of the artist - The first painting HAS BEEN REVEALED!

So cool! The first 'eyes of the artist' HAS BEEN REVEALED!!

The story:

This past weekend at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit, I launched a new series of paintings called 'eyes of the artist'. 4 paintings in the series total, each one named after one of the seasons (winter, spring, summer & fall). Each painting has NEVER been seen by anyone prior to sale other than myself. The collector opens the painting knowing they are receiving an exclusive look at something not previously shared with the world. (Or, they could choose to store the painting and never share it with the world - they get to choose the outcome.) I offer art enthusiasts a rebate if they choose to film their reactions when they open the painting. AND, if that's not enough - I also include an additional surprise included with each painting too... 

You can watch the reaction of the painting "Fall" (the true title of the painting is 'Tongue Twister') above. (the big reveal occurs at 2:05)

Here is an image of what the painting looks like:

'Tongue Twister'

acrylic on wood panel

5"x7"

The paintings were hit at TOAE and I ONLY HAVE ONE LEFT. If you want to join the party, you can claim it here.

Why Titling Your Artwork Is Important

Some valid points from Aunia Kahn, Gallery director of Alexi Era Gallery, on why it does not benefit your work by calling it 'untitled'. To add: get feedback if you can't come up with anything on your own. Ask your friends, family and fans for title suggestions. In my opinion, the work is not finished unless you've come up with a title. 'Untitled' is lazy and unimaginative.

Listen to what she has to say on the subject here. 

New website!

I did a BIG - and very necessary - revamp of my website recently. I would love to know what you think. You can check it out here: http://www.jonodoiron.com/

Thanks!

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition - Artist Directory

The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition has now released the list of all the artists involved this year on their website. You can see who else is exhibiting here. (You can find me in booth #119 at the event.) 

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit!

People of ‪Toronto‬: looks like I will see you again soon!!! More specifically: July 8-10 at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition! (More details to follow in the future.)

Photo  © Robby Bernstein, http://www.facesoftoronto.com

Countdown - progress

Here's some progress of the painting 'Countdown' including the underpainting and palette setup.

It's getting to the point now where I almost need two palettes: one to do the premixing and another for room to do further mixing.

 Looked at some photos online of moonlight and full moon skies. Came across one with a deep green sky and liked it because it was unconventional. (Stolen!)

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: