Chirp, Chirp

Watercolour birdies from the Royal Winter Fair a few weeks ago....I wanna go back! Birds are fun. And even more fun when they look angry. Don't ask why, it's just one-uh-those-things.

Royal Winter Fairin'

Soooooooo this past Wednesday we did our annual visit to Toronto's Royal Winter Fair to do our day o' drawrin'! It's funny, I realized this is my fourth time comin', and it's always so interesting! Soooo many great and diverse people, funny animals...the day always flies by and I always leave wishing I could come back and continue the drawin'. However, Alysia and I had a great day with our pencils and watercolours, and here's a few from the day!

Leafs vs Senators!

So Tams and I were fortunate enough to get free tickets to go see the Leafs play the Senators on Saturday night at the ACC in downtown Toronto! It was both of our first times being at an NHL game, and it was grand fun!

I thought I'd have tons of time to sketch, but I actually found myself getting into the game and the time sped by! [Albeit we did have awesome seats, so it helps when you can actually SEE the puck!]

Here's a couple sketches I did do during the intermissions... the first one I just sketched out of my mind 'cause there was this dude a few rows behind us [I couldn't see him] but he seriously just kept yelling YOU STINK to the refs, or random players, it make my laugh uncontrollably! What kind of insult is that for a man to yell??

BTW, the Leafs won 3-0. Great game!

A couple guys sitting around us....

The latest caricature of Tams [she is a constant guinea pig, lucky girl!]

Time for a tattoo!

So Tams decided she would venture off and get her second tattoo. Her and I both got our first ones together a few summers ago, and she decided it's time for round 2! She asked me if I would design it with an idear she had already in mind.

I drew up this sketch when we were driving for 4 hours to Ottawa for the Animation Fest a few weeks ago... and I went with her this past Sunday to get it done! Our fab friend Glennie is a tattoo artist at New Tribe in downtown Toronto. She did an awesome job!

I am happy with the way the design turned out - which is good since it's gonna be permanently on her body!! I really love the meaning though; for her the sparrows have a lot of meaning, and especially with the addition of the German writing, stemming from her few year stint living in Germany. If you are truly intrigued, you may ask her all you want for a full explanation. :)

The sketch

The vector

The arm

The tattoo

Royal Winter Fair 2007!

This year was really great! The fair is always fun, despite the crowded crowds, freezing fingers and allergies going haywire....! I tried to approach this year with more fun, caricature stuff, trying to capture more the animal's personalities rather than just the anatomy.

BUT, it's easier said than done!! You have to really know the structure before you can properly distort it! Therefore I feel today as I always do after a day at the fair.... I wish we could have a week there! I just get warmed up [not literally however] and then it's time to go.

I do always stretch myself, learn lots, and this time, even used lotsa watercolours. Yay! Here's my highlights from today.

These guys made us laugh, they reminded me of bandits with their ill-fitting head coverings.

This farmer seriously DID have a sheep on his hat. Classic.

I barely even exaggerated these guys!

Cows are just good clean fun to draw. Hmm, maybe not clean.

I couldn't resist. I love llamas!

Ed

My pal Julie came to visit Tams and I for a fun Thanksgiving visit this weekend!
We were out galivanting on Saturday, and I spotted Ed. He was meant to be on paper.

Some of the little details on him are off, but meh, I don't care. I had fun!

Dontcha just wish ya knew this guy? Oh the stories he could tell....

Restaurant caffe

I quickly sketched these guys when we went out for supper on Friday night. Ah, people are so fun to draw! Endless varieties.....

Chomiak Card Capers

My grand friend Ann, who owns a charming little shop on Kerr Street [here in Oakville] called Art on the Left, told me that I could sell some cards through her shop if I so desired.

And since I love painting, and am always in need of funds to attempt to balance my starving artist status... I said, "Why I'd love to!"

So I spent my last day of non-school work today whipping up some watercolour cards. Tomorrow however, it is Week 2, and all downhill! Free time as I knew it, is officially over.

Good times. And thanks Ann!

Here's what the series will look like; simple graphic in the center, and a smaller graphic on the envelope cover. If these happen to sell, I shall do more, but here's the first batch of my idears.

The Christmas collection. [I use the term 'collection' loosely.]

The Birthday collection. Happy happy! Birthday birthday.

The Thanksgiving collection. 'Tis good to be thankful. And to eat pumpkin pie.

The Thank-you collection. Merci buckets.

The Wedding collection. How loverly.

Oh, and here's a snapshot of my paintings in Ann's store. Crazy haps!

Red Carpet, TIFF-style

So, since I successfully completed my first week of 3rd year, [yahoo!... 13 more to go this term!], Tams and I thought we'd take a jaunt downtown last night to check out the star-gazing haps for the TIFF. [Toronto International Film Fest]

I would be lying if I didn't say the main reason for our visit [if you ask me] was to see if I could catch a glimpse of Ms. Jodie Foster who apparently arrived in town Thursday to promote her new flick The Brave One. Having been a fan since her Freaky Friday days, I would have had a stroke if I saw her!

However, we found out we had just missed her, as she was out-and-about on Thursday evening. Drats. Foiled again!!! Ugh, see pics.



Downtown was all a-buzz, and we happened upon the red carpet being rolled out just outside of MuchMusic, where Hillary Duff was giving an outdoor carpet. So, needless to say, it was madness!! Reminded me of NYC... but we had an interesting front row seat for a red carpet eve [they apparently are having them throughout the entire film fest], and did some shopping along the funky shops on Queen Street.

I came home with some interesting pics, a funky art book and a new sketchbook, so I cannot complain!

Tams outside of Much! Red carpet and Duffgirl's stage being set up.

At the edge of the red carpet where the limos were dropping off the celebs.

Front row to the camera action... that cameradude was so happy!

This is for my momsy - she loves Ben Mulrooney, right Mom??? [He needs a haircut, seriously.]

This dude is soooo familiar. I have seen him on numerous films. His name escapes moi.

Snake! Anyone remember Degrassi Junior High? Oh, classic Canadian TV.

Don't have a clue who these guys are. But they were cuties.

I haven't kept totally up with Cdn Idol, but here's one of the finalists, Brian Melo.

Finalist numero deux, Jaydee Bixby. Is he 12????

Zach, one of the judges... he's a Winnipegger! Look at his face, he's happy about it too.

Chantal Kreviazuk, another Winnipegger! But one who can ACTUALLY sing.

Oh, that's me! I didn't sign any autographs.

Drawrings from da zoo

Finally I am getting to post a few of these drawings from the zoo a few weeks ago. Or - years ago? I don't know, this year has felt like both one loooooong day, and 8 years! Don't ask me to explain that :)

As you can see from my drawrings, I LOVED the orangutans! They were so fun to watch and draw. I could have spent all day there - and we definitely spent most of our time there. I really liked the rhino and elephant too.... maybe I'll post some sketches of those later. I can't wait to have some more time to experiment and do all these things I have been putting off 'cause of school chaos!

Anyhoo, I loved the big furry guy. He was awesome!
Animals are grand to sketch :)