Friday, April 30, 2010

Art of 2010.
Below are some art projects from the first half of this year, along with commentary. Click on the images for a closer view.


Enjoy the Process

"Wisdom in art, or in life, has a lot to do with learning to enjoy the process. The goal may feel unattainable at times, but being satisfied with persistent, passionate effort is key. This piece is a tribute to the ever-evolving process of style. Collaged across all the letters are doodles from the past year, a sort of compilation of random thoughts all heading in a similar direction."


Funky City

"I feel like Calgary is on the verge of- or perhaps has already entered into- a creative explosion. One thing I know for sure: there is an incredible amount of potential in this city, and it's creeping out of the woodwork."

















Reflections on a Gnarly Pilgrimmage

"These adventurers have just emerged from the land of Gnar, full of ancient Colossi, jumping squirrels, and massive lizards. A Nautlius Sage guards the entrance to the fertile, green lake country beyond..."


They Hadn't an Inkling...

"This painting is a treatment of the idea that playfulness=wisdom. The octopus looming overhead symbolizes the Eightfold Path. When I snowboard, I feel invincibly at-peace, and free from desire. Perhaps riders on the slopes of Canada are closer to true wisdom than they ever imagined..."

The Cham-Alien

"One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star" (G.K. Chesterton- Orthodoxy). This old chameleon is searching to discover its true identity, and uncover the paradox that lies beneath: the balance of darkness and light that compose a soul-in-transition.

The Proximity of Hope

"This painting is based off a dream. A stone statue sits in contemplation and despair, gazing across a chasm of confusion at a hope that seems far-off. But she does not realize that she is, at this very moment, being renewed."

Life through Death

This painting is an attempt to depict a strange image that entered into my head last fall. As I was falling asleep, I saw a bee coming out of a dead flower. I took it to mean that life can come out of death, and that sometimes death is necessary for the birth of something new.


Meditations on an Empty Tomb

"Every Easter I am faced with the earth-shaking assertion that death has been defeated. Is it possible that Christ reversed the curse? Did he actually break the awful cycle of decay in this world? This piece is a reflection on the prospect of such a victory."


Blazing Sunrise

"This project was a lot of fun to work on. The original (4x5'), is now sitting in a friend's office. I enjoyed experimenting with this style, and allowing the color composition to come together. It felt so natural to create abstract shapes- maybe it was my aboriginal roots shining through..."


Metamorphosis Triptych

"I've always been fascinated by stained glass windows and renaissance art, and thought I would try and reinterpret those styles in a more modern way. These three drawings are a tribute to the Sistine Chapel frescoes, in which Michelangelo saw humanity going through phases of Creation, Re-Creation, and Redemption."



Tattoo Design for my friend Todd

Longboard Project for my friend Cale

Tribute to Jordan Klassen
Inspired by the song "Harvest March"

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Introduction

"...and everything is going to the beat. It's the beat generation. It's be-at. It's the beat to keep. It's the beat of the heart. It's being beat and down in the world, and like all-time lowdown, and like in ancient civilizations the slave boatmen rowing galleys to a beat and servants spinning pottery to a beat..."

This blog is a single strand in the tapestry; an atom in the cosmos of creativity. This blog is about celebrating humanity and what ties us together as creative beings. This blog is about enjoying the process. Life, death, rebirth- every aspect of the journey. We submarine so we can re-emerge, redefined and sublime...