Nursery Room in Pink and Grey

I love doing murals. This is my latest accomplishment. Magnolias and Dahlias in a little girl's nursery.  To be honest I spend more time thinking of the idea, planning the idea and preparing the room than  actually painting. In order to capture the look the client wishes I discuss at length what they like, what colours they wish and what review the furnishings and decorations they plan on using. In addition I want to understand where all the furnishings will be placed. For example, originally I had the dahlia in the last pic placed too low for the lamp. The crib dictated how high to place the branch and so on, not to mention the butterfly mural. I never draw in pencil but rather use a faint shade of paint to position everything where it needs to be. In doing so I can easily make adjustments without a big paint repair. Once layed out, I use glazes to build up the colour depth. Great brushes make a big difference.  I can't wait until my next project!

2nd Mona Lisa Found

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/14881

I don't know why stories of the Mona Lisa fascinate me so much. Again in the news they have found a second Mona Lisa painting. Originally they thought this was a copy but this week it was announced that this work(on the right) was done at the same time as Leonardo's (left) likely along side him in his studio while he worked.
Restorers have busy at work removing black paint from this work. It should be unveiled  at the Prado in a few weeks, then it will go on loan to the Louvre for its exhibition with Leonardo’s Saint Anne (March 19 – June 25) where it will be back in the same room with Leonardo’s Mona Lisa for the first time in 500 years or so.

Earliest copy of Mona Lisa found in the Prado

Earliest copy of Mona Lisa found in the Prado

Damien Hurst Interview with the National Post

Painting above is from his newest body of work titled : The Complete Spot Paintings. Hirst has completed 1400 canvases. 300 are on exhibit at art galleries around the world starting last week.

Damien Hurst recently conducted an interview with Jordan Riefe from the National Post. 
He is asked the following question:

Question #5
Q Is it true you painted only five of the some 1,400 spot paintings? How can you put your name to works with which you are only very loosely linked? Or is that to miss the point?
A Totally missing the point, and it amazes me that I still get asked these questions. You have to look at it as if the artist is an architect, and we don’t have a problem that great architects don’t actually build the houses.

Here is my thoughts on the subject: An artist is not an architect, he or she is an artist. Artists have an obligation to be the creator and the active main participant in each work. That means putting hand to paper, the hand to brush and the hand to sign it. It is our integrity at stake. It is acceptable to me to have someone mix the paint, stretch the canvas, look after its safe keeping etc. I know artist's throughout history have collaborated on works  but I don't buy into having someone do all the work...while someone oversees and signs it. How sad is it that one's fame and fortune can cloud one's commitment to integrity?

Finding the Time

I must admit I have been ignoring my blog as of late. I have been extremely busy. I am making it a point start my regular posts this year.
Many people ask me where I get the ideas for my art. Well the short answer is from my head, but I do have a mental process I work through to build an idea- my creative process if you will.
 It all starts with a image, whether from a photo (like the one above I took of the barn on my parents farm), real life, a magazine, a found object etc...I then spend days, sometimes weeks, sometimes years, thinking about it; altering it mentally, adding to it in my mind, taking away, adding thoughts and feelings, etc. Eventually I do form a clear picture in my mind of what I want to do. It really is very close to the final work. I do minimal sketching other than placement and I tend to work directly on the canvas or begin the sculpture and so on.
I believe everyone has the ability to be creative. But I also feel most people don't put the mental energy into developing a thought to its fullest potential.

Big News in the Art World- A new Leonardi Work Is Found

This work was originally recorded in the collection of King Charles I in 1649. 100 years later it disappeared. In 1958 this painting was sold for 45 pounds from a private collection. After restoration and authentication it was proven to be Leonardo Davinci's lost work titled Salvator Mundi. It is now valued at 125 million and is owned by an American consortium. The National Gallery in London will be showing this work from November 9th to February. Saturday November 12th at 2:00 CNN will be airing a program discussing this discovery.
Leonardo only has 15 known works in existence. I wonder how many more works are yet to be discovered.

Congratulations Niagara!- 2012 Cultural Capital of Canada

http://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/article/609279--niagara-named-2012-culture-capital

Friday morning at the Riverbrink Museum  MP Rob Nicholson made the announcement on behalf of the Heritage Minister of Canada James Moore.
The region's application titled ‘Crossing boundaries: Niagara’s creative spirit,’outlined over 26 projects for 2012.
This honour bestows the region a sizable grant in excess of 1.6 million for various art projects throughout the region.
This is an exciting time for Niagara and the arts community. The most exciting and notable upcoming project will be the St. Catharines Performing Arts Center. This facility will boast an 800 seat concert hall, a 280 seat recital hall, 184 dance theatre and a 190 seat film venue. Construction is expected to commence in early 2012 with a completion date of 2014.
To view local art events please review my Events lists regularly.