Landscapes

This is a new series of landscapes I've done that were inspired by Autumn forests.They're done in acrylics and mixed media over a textured ground.More can be found at Cen Arte on ebay.

Still Working

I've fallen behind on my posts since little Aaron was born(My 2month old son).I recently participated in a local art/craft show.Ever since I've started working on the internet I've decided to increase my profile as a local artist as well. I think the experience as well as the exposure gained from doing the vaughan of a kind show was well worth the effort.I've also been working on a new floral that I developed for the show.These pieces are now available on ebay at Cen Arte.

We've reached 100 stars

I've reached another milestone with my ebay store.Last week we reached 100 stars,bringing us to the next tier in our ratings(turquoise star).

I decided to take a look at where most of my art was going to.It was surprising to see that almost half our sales were in Canada.Although I'm based in Toronto Canada,the common belief is that the art market in Canada is too small to support an artist,I've found to my delight that there is a strong, thriving art community across the country.The internet has allowed me to publish my work globally,but it's nice to know there are art lovers in my own backyard.

Quality of artwork online

I was browsing some of the other artist's sites on ebay today, and came across several youtube videos of them working.I noticed that the paint they were using looked like interior/exterior grade latex paints.

It's things like this that fuels the naysayers when it comes to buying quality art online. True artists take pride in their work as well as the materials used.Latex and acrylic are very different.If you've ever run your hand along a wall you can feel how chalky it feels as opposed to the smoothness of artist grade acrylic paint.Those are fillers added to stretch out the paint. Latex also has a very high water content in comparison to artist's acrylic to make it run smoother when it's being applied to a wall.It's a shame that these artists only care about saving money.I wish their clients knew what they were paying for.

Working on a website

I've been working on a website on top of the work I have on ebay.There's been alot of interest in my work outside of ebay and I'm trying to increase my online profile.I'll keep everyone posted when it's up.

Working on a commission

I've recently started working on a commission with a very enthusiastic client.It's always a great thing to work with someone that appreciates my work so much. The process of creating a piece specifically for an individual's tastes can be a daunting task.My personal approach is to gather as much information on the space,as well as the clients preferences. Colours, style,and room decor are all variables that are taken into consideration before I put brush to canvas.

I know that many artists like to create a smaller sample before they begin the final piece, but I feel that when it comes to abstract art, the spontaneity that occurs during the creative process is lost. The raw emotion and playfulness that appear in my abstract work is done on the fly , and in the end a truly original piece is born.

The revision process is also something that I try to discourage. I've worked as an illustrator/graphic designer for about 7 years now and I understand the process of revisions in the context of commercial art. The same doesn't apply to fine art.When an artist creates a piece it is a creative expression of that artist,so when he/she is commissioned it is because the patron appreciates their unique style. That's why it's important to get enough information before a piece is started.I'm reminded of what Michelangelo said about "releasing what was already within the stone". Once the whirlwind of creativity is complete the painting is what it was meant to be,and should not be retouched.