Saturday, December 22, 2012

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To everyone coming across this blog, enjoy the Holiday Season... and may all your wishes be realized in the New Year!


Monday, December 17, 2012

On the experimental mode again!

The last two weeks were busy doing some renovation work around the house. Wanting to dedicate some time to art, I pushed further the painting that I had started with acrylic inks a couple of weeks ago...


Although results were not optimal, I learned something valuable from the exercise. I've been reading a lot lately...and some ideas are slowly emerging... gearing up for new series in 2013!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

In my countryside studio... the completion of Geronimo!

All in all, a productive week in the Eastern Townships. I managed to finish off the painting I had started a month and a half ago...


I pushed the ink roller and semi-liquid paint a little more this time around, developing in the process different approaches to maintain balance with this rather haphazard deconstruction technique. I see an opportunity in 2013 with this technique, particularly when it comes to the depiction of extreme close-ups, preferably female!

I also made an experiment with acrylic inks, but found the result unsatisfactory. I will attempt to salvage the painting using my usual techniques and may come back to the inks with a different strategy. I'm looking for watercolor like pooling of colors on raw canvas...

Note to self: " I used to pontificate at the end of every year on what I wanted to accomplish with my art during the following 12 months. From now on, I will stop any self analysis or explanation of my art and just follow my instinct, letting each piece speak for itself. I'm done with goals or explanations!"

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Shattered VII - final... Floored by my own painting!

Recently, I predicted that I would have to paint on the floor to accomplish my artistic objectives. Well it looks like the time has come...


I wanted to avoid dripping with this one, so I ended up emulating the Australian aboriginal sand painting technique, with a variance that is!


The tattoo and deconstruction techniques are separated from the image itself, a kind of tension that is intentional.

Next week, I'm back to my country side studio, to take care of some unfinished business!

Note: My intent with this series was to treat each subject as a pure image (realism) while conveying notions of ephemerality (destruction of the image, use of symbols or words) and attempted salvation (crude lines capturing the subject or something about the subject)."

Note to self: "In terms of treatment, this series marks a certain return to what I used to do... but this time with raw canvas. With this last series, there was a trend towards less guts and more brains. Each time this happens, I have an uncontrollable urge to swing in some opposite direction!" 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Shattered VII - step I... Tackling a Tuareg... again!

Yesterday I started a Tuareg woman, which is a subject that is bound to fit well in my "endangered species" series...


It will be interesting to see how this one will stack up relative to the ones that I did 4 years ago (I did a series on Tuareg women)...

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Shattered VI final... Confronted with a white out!

A few passes brought this one to a certain level of completion...


An unplanned effect: dripping red seems to connect this geisha to a vamp!

The paintings from this series have favoured image making rather than the use of paint for the sake of paint. Needless to say, I have an urge to go back to saturated colors and dripping paint! As we say in French: "Apès le calme, la tempête"!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Shattered VI - step I... Targeting the traditional geisha!

I only have a few subjects left in the back burner for this series. This time around, I decided to go for a traditional Japanese geisha...


I want to deconstruct the face a little using some mosaic pattern... in part, to break the monotony of so much white!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

An experiment in portraiture!

Last week, a Facebook friend challenged me to draw her! I took this as an opportunity to do my first portrait on raw canvas (I did a few portraits on primed canvas in the past) using my recent techniques...


She was pleased with the results! Since I want freedom in my art, I'm not crazy about doing portraits. I don't mind doing one or two a year...

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Shattered V - final... Opting for restraint!

I finalized this piece prudently, trying not to overwork it to death...


Instead of "shattering" the face, I decided to borrow from a native design. I used less paint than usual for this piece, letting the canvas do the talking!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Shattered V - step I... Tackling a Maori woman!

In my "endangered species" series, a Maori woman fits the bill...


I have some ideas for a novel deconstruction scheme...

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

"Rescue me" Final - Off the beaten path!

I applied a last coat today, trying to reach an acceptable balance without going overboard...


I noticed for the first time a certain amount of deformation (elongation) from my camera lens in the context a close-up shot...


I'm no Frank Frazetta, but every now and then, it's an interesting exercise to operate beyond one's level of comfort.

Note: this was done on raw canvas, a support that does not allow great details...

Monday, October 22, 2012

Rescue me - step II... blocking the surface!

I used the second pass to apply thicker paint and correct the figure...


I need to get more nuances with the final pass and deconstruct the figure a little using a previous scheme...

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Rescue me - step I... A divergence from my usual subjects!!

Today I've decided to take a break from my usual stuff... and try something a little "off the wall"... sort of putting myself in danger...


I need to add 25 pounds to this model! Also, the star will go!

Note: There are some pitfalls in working in a tiny studio... things in a close-up appear bigger than they actually are!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Work in progress...

This second week in my countryside studio was spent finishing some works and starting up some new ones...


The painting on the left will be subjected to an epoxy varnish to go along with the dream-like atmosphere. Because of it's size, Geronimo will have to wait a month before completion (too large to bring back home). Some deconstruction of the face will be implemented for this one as well...

During my stay, I took advantage of the natural environment. Cycling through the Yamaska provincial park was the highlight of the week...


A special thank you to my cousin Robert, for acting as a guide in this venture.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Back to my Eastern Townships studio... some unfinished business!

I used the first day to complete the aborigine from Australia and the previous painting I had started at home...


I' ve been fishing for new deconstruction techniques lately, and some appear more natural for me than others! The painting on the left will be called : "Rack my brain", sort of setting the stage for perhaps another series of "off the wall" female faces!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Shattered IV - step I...On a free fall again... hoping for a thermal!

Today I wanted to take a break from my "endangered species" series. This torrid face seemed to be in line with this objective...


I'm still trying to figure out the broken pieces!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Shattered III final... Intensifying colors!

I did another pass this afternoon in an attempt to get closer to where I wanted to be with this one...


Update: A last pass for refinements did it for me!


Note: I photographed it outside, but couldn't avoid the glare on the upper right side...

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Shattered III - steps I-III... Improvising along the way!

I started this new painting yesterday, the portrayal of an Amazonian kid...


I'm going for a shattered face with no specific solutions in mind. I didn't mind the mosaic effect with the previous African woman, but I much prefer going "free style"!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Shattered II final... Went for prudency!

I finished at home one of the paintings that I had started in my new Eastern Township studio...


In the end, I decided not to tamper too much with the lines and the simple solution for deconstruction. I included the international sign for "endangered or extinct species" with my signature, the only "off the wall" intervention that I allowed for this one!

Update: the international sign is actually an hourglass within a circle. I therefore updated the sign in the final version of this painting...

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Shattered I final... tried not to tamper too much with it!

Back to my home studio, I had some unfinished business...


In the end, I decided to simply intensify existing colors, going for a monochromatic rendition. I wanted to express my feelings about this topic using different levels of language... it's a start!

Monday, September 17, 2012

One week of painting in the Eastern Townships...

I had quite a productive week in my new space, which I intend to use 5 days per month...


The aborigine from Australia, which is not completely resolved, will be finished mid October. I have some minor work to do on the African woman early this week in my home studio. I want these works to be slightly conceptual, using an amalgamation of figuration, abstract patterns, graffiti lines and symbols.

I took a couple of hours every day to visit the area by foot or by bicycle...


A special thank you to my cousin Robert for his hospitality, for making available the studio space and for sharing his knowledge of the beautiful country side.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Starting up production in my new studio...

Today was my first day in my new studio in the Eastern Townships. I layed the foundation for two new experimental paintings...


Space is definitely an asset! I want to use my "shattering" deconstruction technique under development for these paintings.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Painting commission... giving a shot at a 2' X 6' canvas!

Over the last few days, I've been working on a canvas in an attempt to respond to a couple of friends' decorating needs...


I used an impressionistic style with some impasto paint, something I rarely do these days. We'll see what they think when they see it in person (it's impossible to photograph properly!).

A final pass brought it to fruition...


Update: Mission accomplished, the client was satisfied!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Festiv'art in Frelighsburg... an opportunity to interact with some great artists!

This weekend, I had a chance to attend the annual art festival held in the beautiful village of Frelighsburg in the Eastern Townships, a stone's throw from my hometown...


Each time I attend one of those festivals, I see an opportunity to improve certain aspects in  my art. The province of Quebec is full of great artists!

It's also an opportunity to take stock and evaluate my own potential as it relates to the current art scene in Quebec. These days some of my recent works seem to have the potential to grab the attention of gallery owners...


I need to build a powerful portfolio of consistent works, and a week from now, I'm setting the stage for this to happen. I'm setting up a new studio in the second floor of a Victorian home close to my hometown, with the intent of working full time one week every month. A special thanks to Robert my cousin, an amateur artist himself!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Shattered I - step III - Still working on the foundation!!

I spent an hour today, making adjustments on the boy's face and firming up the value scheme...


I think this one falls in the "I am a warrior" painting category, so the treatment should be similar except for the deconstruction technique, in this case, the "shattered" approach. In a nutshell, I'll be favouring the image rather than paint application for this painting.

I see two opportunities (two series) in the near future: exploiting the deconstructed image with graffiti style mark making, and taking advantage of fully saturated colors and dripping honey-like paint...

Note: My intent is to build a strong portfolio with greater consistency than in the past focusing on two to three creative avenues max...

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Shattered I - step II... Fishing for a solution!

I spent an hour or so today to further explore possibilities with this composition...


It's starting to get real... time to commit to a value scheme!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Back to painting... An experiment!

I've been wanting for a while to develop a technique for the "shattered face". I'm literally without a clue with this first step...


... and a rather harsh subject: the child soldier! I'm looking for a viable solution before initiating a new series for real...

Note: My plan is to hold on to my recently developed techniques while I'm experimenting with this new avenue. In a way, I want to introduce a certain complexity in my work but without going overboard...

Friday, August 17, 2012

Back to painting... a major studio clean-up!

I wanted to resume painting but realized quickly that my studio was in need of a major clean-up...


I have ideas about pursuing the "masquerade" series, but would also like to redirect some creativity towards more "engaging" subjects... I'm still giving myself a few days to mull over this!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Ten days in alligator alley... love South-West Florida!

Still taking a break from painting to recharge my batteries. A stay in South-West Florida helped that cause! A special thank you to Norm and Johanne for having made their house available to us!This was a great stepping stone to visit the area...


Needless to say, I spent the greater part of our stay photographing "the Muse" and other sea shore creatures! We also zipped in and out of Miami to see the art of Jean Marc Calvet represented by the Americas Collection, a gallery supporting accomplished artists from Latin America. This gifted artist manages to disconnect the "rational mind" in favour of the "creative mind", literally opening the flood gate of creativity and letting it gush out like there is no tomorrow or as if his own life depended on it! Truly inspirational!


Time to gear up for some serious painting!

Monday, July 16, 2012

60 years old...it's now or never!

After the birthday parties (this one with my immediate family), it's sinking in...


... I don't have too much time to waste with my art!!! For the time being, I'm recharging my batteries... ready to spring into action some time in August!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Taking a hike!

Hiking in the Eastern Townships (Gale lake, Bromont) is one way of relieving the stress associated with producing one painting a week...


I'm still in "idle" mode with regard to painting. New approaches are simmering in my head...

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Masquerade series... A moment of reflection on the floor!

After 5 paintings in this new series and a short one-week haitus from painting, it's time to assess this new direction of mine...


After a rather prudent first painting (middle one, upper row), I seem to be heading in the direction of more abstraction and less facial exposure in terms of composition. Applying fully saturated colors over greyed underpaintings appeals to me. I'd like to pursue in that vein, at least for a while. Let's hope I won't lose face!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Mask V - The resuscitation from the dead!

After a little more than a week of rest from painting, I decided to give a last chance to my previous "failed" painting...


The end result is not the apotheosis of my short art career, but nonetheless, this painting was the ground for some interesting experiments on textural effects. I need to get more serious about this "industrial strength" dripping technique!


Note to self: "I see an opportunity in smothering a face with abstraction... in the end though, it's a matter of balance".

Thursday, June 21, 2012

A break from painting!

Experiencing the calm of the wilderness in Lachute Québec...


... a way of recharging the batteries!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Mask V - step II... A post-mortem spasm of the conventional!!

I used the second pass to try a new technique for the "nylon stocking" texture of the mask...


The third pass will be decisive since I want to part from this boring "illustration" look.

Update: I gave it my best shot but remained unsatisfied with the results. The lighting and the split design made it difficult to produce interesting color patterns while maintaining unity. Furthermore, my use of orange made me realize that this color and yellow have the same value when they are adjacent to each other. The "black and white" version of the painting did not register, and it should have, a key success factor in my view...Well, there's always the next painting to do better!

Note to self: "I'm due for a vacation from painting! May be one to two weeks would be beneficial."

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mask V - step I... Grinding another one!

Inspired by different reference photos, I brushed this first pass in an attempt to transpose my vision on canvas, if not accurately, at least partially...


I'd like to replicate what I've done with the previous one (dripping saturated colors)... and verify if I can push my luck once again!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Mask IV - step III... Shooting first and asking questions after!

Seeing where I was heading to with the previous painting stage, I decided to throw a monkey wrench into the picture...


The idea behind this approach is to start with a dull grey/black monochromatic rendition and jazz it up with pure dripping colors. At this stage, I had  to find a way to make this work!

The last pass led to this version...


I've been wanting for a while to use this avenue... today was the day to give it a shot... and overcome my demons!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Mask IV - step II... Sort of a painting vacation!

I used the second pass to get closer to the face I'm after...


...trying to impart a sense of movement with the hair. I'm doing this one in the spirit of freedom. So far so good!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Mask IV - step I... Reintroducing the vamp!

For this fourth one of the series, I decided to go for black-eye make-up for a change...


... amalgamating features that I like from different faces. As usual, I want to jam pack as many techniques as possible to add character to this work.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Mask III final... Revisiting metallic paint!

With this last pass, my intent was not to go all out on realism...


... but to test the grounds with most of my techniques used in unison. Finding the proper balance in all of this is a primary objective of mine. I will call this one" friendly alien"...

Note to self: "A new development for me seems to be the mixing and matching of elements that wouldn't normally fit together. This is a whole new area of potential for me!"