Element 12: Charlie's Robe

In 2006 there was a movie released called "Arthur and the Invisibles".  We would rent this movie on a regular basis for my youngest son to watch.  When the sequels came out a couple years later we were somewhere close to first in line to watch them.

Last night the children's TV Channel, YTV, played all three movies, and we managed to catch the sequels.  During the 3rd installment "Athur 3: The War of the Two Worlds" there is a scene with Arthur's grandfather, Charlie.  He is wearing a robe.  The colours of the robe struck me.  Muted yellows in a checkerboard pattern complimented by an aqua coloured collar.

It's funny how sometimes someone's aesthetic can be just ahead of the times. Years ago the robe didnt strike me. It didnt even stand out.  But this time around, for one reason or another, the colours were right on trend and they caught my eye.  i was instantly inspired to use the colours for a new Element painting.  In my mind i also knew what i wanted that element to look like, so i got to sketching and came up with something i was pleased with.

this morning i eagerly walked to my studio ready to produce Element 12.  It's great when inspiration hits and everything falls into place.

I wish i could find a screen shot of the scene i am referring to, but i am unable to!

Muscle Man and His Girl

Awhile ago a friend opened a Bridal Shop here in Thunder Bay.  She suggested that I could put a couple of my pieces in her store for exposure.  I really wanted to create pieces specifically for her space so instead of going down there with whatever I had on hand, I waited 'til things slowed down in the studio and then I set to work on a piece specifically for showing in her store.

I knew exactly which drawing I was going to use.

At home I started to dig through past drawings until I found it.  As precious as I remembered.  A Muscle Man showing off for his girl!

The entire piece was inspired by the colours reflected in any iridescent crystal or sequin or bead commonly used on a wedding or prom gown.

I bought a big package of flat-backed, iridescent, swarovski crystals to embellish the dress with.  Hard to capture with a camera just how flashy these little suckers are!

I was really glad that Shelby liked the piece. She really had no idea what I was doing, and even though my confidence in what I do is quite strong, at the last minute I always play the "what if they dont like it" game. Perhaps I cant help it!

Music Studio Triptych

Kathy commissioned me to do a piece for her music studio's lounge.  I was given a manilla envelope full of inspiration that she had collected/been given by students over the years.  There was so much to look at and choose from!  For a couple of reasons these are the three drawings I settled on working with, though for about 7 days the "singing beaver" was a real contender!

I planned the triptych so that they would be cohesive as a grouping, but also kept in mind that they may stand alone one day down the road!

Baby's Being Born!

What an exciting time to have my little brother and his wife expecting their first child! I asked my daughter, who is now 7 years old, if she would draw a few pictures for me to look at, and use, for a painting for their nursery.  Let me tell you the drawings did not disappoint! Although all three drawings were adorable, I stored 2 away for a later date, and went with the sweet drawing where dad is looking at mom, who is looking at baby, who is looking at the world!

Update! It's A Girl!!  The painting now resides in little Hadley's bedroom reminding her of how much her parents love and cherish her.

Sam

This commission was a lot of fun.  As soon as I received the intial drawing from Sam's mom, I saw a kid who was pretending to be a giant lumbering through a tiny village, or something of the sort!

But I have to tell you.  The best part of this commission was giving the painting to Sam. Up to this point I have always handed off finished pieces to parents.  I was in luck this time as Sam was in my studio. I held up his original drawing "Remember this?!" I said to him. He nodded his head yes.  Then from behind my back I began to bring out the painting... "Well, this is what I did with it!" He was so pleased. It made my day.

Chasing Atlantis

I have friends producing a feature length documentary inspired by their love and fascination with space and space travel called Chasing Atlantis.  When they asked me if i would be willing to donate a piece of artwork to their fundraising efforts, i was more than willing. I find it so inspiring to see people chasing their dreams as these guys are! Best of luck!

NEW!!! frosticular elements!

i can often be found sketching diligently in a journal. usually when doing this i am coming up with new ideas for backgrounds to use in my paintings.  when i am creating these preliminary sketches i am often thinking of at least 5 different ways in which i could ultimately use it in a painting. i have affectionately started to refer to these ideas as "elements"... and have created a series of smaller scale paintings that allow me to explore the potential that these individual elements contain.  this is what i refer to as my 'frosticular elelments'. enjoy!