thirty-one, two & three :)

I wanted to post something Easter-related, but instead I am posting more film fest jazz.... on Easter weekend. Does that count? Perhaps later this weekend whilst I am maxin' and relaxin' in Winnipeg Beach, I will be inspired to draw some crazy bunnies. Hmmm.... actually that does give me some idears!

Anyhoo, "Tah-Dah" is one of the featured stills on this website of an awesome summer children's film fest that I was invited to participate in this summer. Click on the above image to see the site.... that makes fest number 31, yahoo!

Fest 32: Martha's Vineyard invited me back to screen this summer, "Tah-Dah" was screen for their Cinema Circus, looking forward to it!

Fest 33: 360 | 365 George Eastman House Film Festival, May 5-10 in Rochester, NY! Click below to visit their site.

Paintin' on Wood

This past week I spent enjoyed the gorgeous September weather [strange for Winnipeg!] out in Winnipeg Beach with some family. I got the opportunity to do a couple paintings for an Aunt who had a few pieces of wood she had found and really wanted them painted.

Me, being always up for a challenge involving paint, volunteered to give it a go. [And she may or not have persuaded me with a glass or two of great red wine!] I had a lotta fun painting them, and most of all, she was SUPER happy with them!

It made me want to experiment more with painting on various wood grains, it gives a nice effect to the paint....hmmm....the creative process is ever-ongoing. Perhaps that's what I love most about being an artist, you never stop growing and learning. :)

The first piece was an old oar - here's the sketch I did followed by the final painting:

Close-up:

The second piece was a weather piece of wood about two feet across - here's the sketch followed by the final painting:

Close-ups:

The third piece was one she wanted turned into a sign for her place. We were all brainstorming on names, but eventually decided on "Barb's Beachouse".

Close-ups:

I thought I would also post this painting that I did on her headboard a couple summers back. She loves all things lighthouses, so that's what I painted on her headboard. Chalk that up to items I never thought I would paint on!

Finished Sheridan? I'm goin' to Disneyland!

Moi rarin' to get going, Tom & Jerry in tow!

Tams is right behind me on her suped up motorcycle!

Tams and I have been planning a grad road trip celebration for what feels like EONS, and now it's almost upon us!!

These last few weeks have been INSANE with getting the film complete, finishing exams, portfolio and other classes, getting prepped for Industry Day, packing up my Oakville life and moving it all temporarily back to Winnipeg...so we are in need of some good ol' fashioned fun in the sun!

We don't have a definite timeline [more like, until the money runs out!], but we plan to see & do as much as we can, maybe visit some studios along the way, I'll paint as much as possible - and most of all, CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, c'mon! :)

Here's our planned route, if anyone has any suggestions or tips, feel free to leave comments!

Winnipeg > Sioux Falls, South Dakota [Mount Rushmore] > Flaming Gorge, Wyoming > Moab, Utah [Arches National Park] > Flagstaff, Arizona [Grand Canyon] > Anaheim, California [Disneyland!] > San Diego, California > San Francisco, California [Redwood National Park] > Portland, Oregon > Seattle, Washington > Billings, Montana > Fargo, North Dakota > back home to Winnipeg

We leave Wednesday morning, I can't wait!! I'll post sketches along the way!

A summer canvas

Here's a painting I just came across that I did in the summer - I did it as a surprise wedding gift for my cousin Alyson and her new hubby Kevin. I talked to my Aunt to get their colours and took the Bible verse from their wedding invitation.

I was happy she was using some of my fav colours, it was great fun to paint! And the size of the canvas was slightly different, which is always more fun.

Nothing beats painting in the summer kitchen!

Popcorn & Root Beer

All summer I have been trying to set aside some time to design a couple paintings that would go together as a set... and that would have a sort of 50's-ish tin sign look. I love all the retro-ish stuff, and I love popcorn and root beer, so voila!

Took me what felt like 100 years designing them with all my A.D.D. ideas and variations before I got to the painting stage, but here is what I finally came up with. Since I have sold a grand total of one paintings, I perhaps might see if I can find a buyer for these puppies.

These digi pics won't do the colours justice, but ya get the idear. In any case, I had fun with them!

I tried to go with buttery colours...mmm....

I love canvas for the wrap-around capabilities. More fun.

I had a heck of time getting the right "root beer" brown, but I think I got it in the end.

Hooray for HippieWood

So one of the lovely eclectic aspects of being a Winnipegger, is that we have many diverse music and art festivals during the summer. One that I have been meaning to visit, is called Folk Fest. It's just outside the city in a huge provincial park called Birds Hill.

They set up massive tents for a "food village", coolio little shops, and of course the stages for all the rockin' bands. Most people drive up and camp for the weekend; a lot of people drive fair distances to experience all things Folk Fest each year. Apparently this year drew more than 45 thousand peeps. Whoo!

We went specifically to see the Indigo Girls perform, but we were also treated to a few other acts before them who ROCKED, including a newish one called The Duhks.

And many of the festival-goers happen to be of the hippie persuasion. Since neither Tams nor I had experienced it before, we were looking forward to the music, checking out the scene, and of course, I was looking forward to drawing the hippies!

As you can see from above, they did not disappoint! Awesome music, a perfect hot summer evening, a few thousand peeps gathered in the heart of the prairies, and a perfect chance to test out my watercolour moleskin.

Now THAT'S summer!

Caricatures, Round 2!

This was the second time doing caricatures this summer, and I forgot how tiring it is! My church here in the Peg, Soul Sanctuary, put on their annual Father's Day car show & shine, and they asked me to do caricatures during the festivities.

Of course I welcomed the opportunity!! Bring on da peeps. Goodness KNOWS I can use the practice. Can I git an AMEN?

It was my second "real" time doing caricatures for a solid couple of hours, and it was super fun! And rather tiring, but that didn't kick in until later that evening. I managed to do 18 peeps in 2 hours... I don't think I stopped once! Fun times! :)

Here are some of my favs!

A lovely lady whom I enjoyed drawing! Especially her hair.

I just met this guy, Chris. He was fun to draw more cartoony!

Chris larger.

Leanne and her wonderfully flowy hair!

I liked her freckles!

My pal Brad and his beard, pondering life.

A fun couple to draw! I loved Francis' many earrings and spikey hair.

A closer view.

Moi drawing my pal Jayme avec her pal! Yes, I am wearing a fedora. Hats make me draw better.

The happy friends!

This couple was grand to draw!

The grand couple :)

Brown-eyed girl!

Lauren in cartoon form!

My pal, Leanne, she waited so patiently in line!

This is Lionel, he was one of my most favs to draw!

Zoomed in Lionel.

Moi drawing Cheryl, good times!

Cheryl finished.

Watercolours on a hot day

This is a Takin. He looked lovable and goofy. And his best friend is a barrel that he pushes around all day.

We all know Llamas. Don't they just look either stoned or bratty?? Gotta love 'em.

Today's Vulture of choice was the Rueppell variety. Your standard ticked-off bird with a crazy bendy neck! Fit for drawing.

Today Tams and I headed off for a day of drawrin' at the good ol' Winnipeg Zoo. Hey, there's no orangatans, or Mr. Sub... but there are a lot of cool animals! And the gate fee is cheaper - who could ask for anything more?

It was a lovely hot and sweaty day here in the Peg, but we managed to stick around the zoo for a good 6 hours and these 3 watercolours are my favs from the day. Ahhh.... I love the tactile-ness of a paintbrush in your hands.... the sweat on your forehead [well today anyway].

Animals are so fun to draw! They don't pretend to be happy seeing you, they don't care who you are, they are just what they are. But each animal tends to have a personality right-off. These guys were fun to draw! I love da paintin'.

Next time with my paintbrush perchance I'll brave the lions, tigers and even bears!
Oh my.

Caricaturing the kiddies

Friday evening my motha asked me to come and practice my caricaturing skillz at her young girls group, GEMS. Of course I had to jump at the chance! Here's a couple pics from the eve - it was grand fun - the kiddies thought it was great, and I had tons of fun with them! I especially enjoyed when I was answering questions and drawing one of the girls, they all kept insisting that they draw me next.

And they did. So I had to post them for everyone's enjoyment. May I add that I love that in every one, I look like a boy. And in the last one, I look like a boy with wayward eyeballs.

I love kids!!