KRISTY GORDON

Poets & Artists

2011-12-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

My painting, "Symbiosis," is featured in the latest issue of Poets & Artists. Didi Menendez has created this wonderful venue for artists to show their work. It's an honor to be in the company of so many great artists and always a pleasure to work with Didi. If you click HERE you can read the issue online, or follow the link under the image for print and digital purchase.

Published in the Artist's Magazine

2011-11-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

I feel so honoured to have been awarded third prize in the experimental category of The Artist's Magazine's 28th Annual Art Competition. An image and write-up of my painting, "Rise" has been published in the December 2011 issue, which is on newsstands now. It can also be ordered online, either as a printed version or as a digital download.

Fine Art Connoisseur

2011-09-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

Fine Art Connoisseur has graciously put our photo from 'An Ordinary Aspect: Paintings of Women by Women Artist' in the news for this month's issue. The exhibition was presented by Joseph D. Carrier Gallery (Toronto) and Under the Moon Fine Arts (Hamilton, Ontario) in June. I haven't received my copy yet, but it should be at the newsstands now!

Salmagundi Club's annual juried exhibition in New York

2011-08-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that my painting "Symbiosis" was accepted into the Salmagundi Club's annual juried exhibition in New York. The Salmagundi Club was established in 1871. Matthew Innis wrote a great post about it on his blog, Underpaintings. This spring the Salmagundi Club presented its 4th American Masters show which included work by Jeremy Lipking, David Kassan, Nancy Guzik, Rose Frantzen and and many other wonderful painters. The exhibition that my painting will be included in runs from August 8th- 19th, with an awards banquet on the 19th.

"Symbiosis"
diptych - each canvas 18 x 14 inches
oil on canvas, 2011

Exhibition at BiBO in Nelson, BC

2011-08-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Next Thursday will be the vernissage for an exhibition of my recent paintings at BiBO (518 Hall Street) in my hometown, Nelson, BC. The show will be comprised of a number of my recent figurative works as well as selected landscapes and still-lifes. The vernissage is from 4:30pm - 5:30, hope to see you there!

Two Upcoming Portrait Painting Workshops

2011-08-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have two upcoming workshops that I will be teaching this month. One will be held in Nelson, BC from August 11th to 13th, and the other will be held in Lake Country (near Kelowna, BC) August 25th to 27th.

These three day portrait painting workshops will center on the experience of painting from life. Each day will include a demonstration, discussion and individual instruction at the easel. Discussions will include proportion and structure of the head, stages to developing a painting, as well as form, shape, value, colour, edges, balance, unity, harmony, light and modeling with colour temperature.

Here's the full write-up for the Nelson one. For more information about either workshop, email Bev at beverleybobshe@yahoo.ca

A Morning of Plein Air Painting

2011-07-05T03:20:00.000-07:00

Check out the new video the filmmaker, Jesse Ewles made of me, Juan Martinez and Sara Sniderhan painting my lovely sister, Jessica Rae Gordon, outdoors before I moved away from Toronto!

Beyond Certainty: Flaws of Form

2011-06-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

It's neat how sometimes there are themes that run through a few shows that I'm in all around the same time, and recently there have been a couple shows that highlight female figurative artists. The Exhibition "Beyond Certainty: Flaws of Forms" will take place at the Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts (984 Queen St West, Toronto) from June 22 through July 3rd. There will be an opening reception on Friday June 24th from 7 to 9pm. I'm actually in Norway apprenticing with Odd Nerdrum for a couple months right now, so I wont be able to attend, but I hope you all go and take lots of photos for me!! I'll have eight of my latest paintings in it, including the two below as well as the two from my previous post.

"Indigo," oil on canvas, 10"x 8"

"Christina," oil on canvas, 10"x 8"

New Paintings of Friends

2011-06-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple new paintings I just finished of my friends here in Toronto. I'm moving away from Toronto next week (flying to Norway first to apprentice with Odd Nerdrum, then I'll probably return to BC for a bit or something). I'm really going to miss all my friends in Ontario and I was so happy to get to paint Christina Mazzulla and Nicki Brooks before I leave!

"Looking Inward," oil on canvas, 24"x 30"

"Nicki," oil on canvas, 18"x 14"

Exhibition of Female Canadian Artists in Toronto

2011-05-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

I have 6 paintings included in the exhibition "An Ordinary Aspect," which will be held at the Joseph D. Carrier Gallery in Toronto from June 2nd to 27th. This group exhibition of female Canadian artists explores the concerns women have for the ownership and health of their bodies; for the social and cultural roles they take on; and for the challenges that stereotypes present to a woman’s feeling of self worth. There will be a reception on the evening of June 2nd from 6:30 to 9:30. Hope to see you there!

Gushy and Grateful

2011-05-29T13:09:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys! I'm feeling all gushy and grateful right now so I just thought I'd write a quick post to tell you all about it. Yesterday I received a book in the mail from a good friend. We have a neat friendship in that I seem to just randomly connect with him like every few years, whenever I need like guidance about where to go with my art (and life) from here. So recently we started writing again and he asked if I had ever read the book "Letters by a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke. I hadn't so he totally sent me a copy! I pretty much spent the whole day yesterday laying in bed reading it and I can tell you it is amazing and exactly what I needed to read. I highly recommend it to all you artists out there, and actually just to everyone in general. It's sooper moving to read these heart felt letters from Rilke that he wrote to a young poet (who in the introduction states that their correspondence started after he wrote a letter to Rilke, who's work he really admired, in which he 'revealed himself without reserve as he had never done before or since to another human being." I get tingles just thinking about it :) Anyway, here's a quote that stood out to me from it so far:

"...have patience with everything that is unsolved in your heart and try to cherish the questions themselves, like closed rooms and like books written in a very strange tongue. Do not search for the answers which cannot be given you because you could not live them. It is a matter of living everything. Live the questions now." ~Rainer Maria Rilke (pg 21)

and actually that got me interested in reading more of Rilke's stuff, and I have since stumbled on this other quote by him, not sure what book it's from but it's beautiful.

"I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

So anyway, I am just gushing with gratitude to Jay for sendin me exactly what I needed, and thought I'd take a moment to point out how awesome random acts of kindness are and how much we can help each other on our journeys :) People are amazing. Oh, and I started a word document where I'm going to keep track of cool quotes, so if you have any I'd love to hear 'em (it doesn't just have to be Rilke quotes either;)

I may as well end this post with my all time favorite quote ever, said to me at 14 by my 21 year old friend Dez at he put his hand on my heart:

"Don't draw back from anything you feel is important." ~Dez (I don't even know his last name, but his advice has stuck with me;)

lovek!

My Painting Installed in the Great Canadian Theatre Company

2011-05-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that my painting "Who Am I? The Performance of Everyday Life" is now installed on the walls of the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa! (1227 Wellington Street West) The theater is right up the street from Cube Gallery (1285 Wellington Street West), so people can view my big painting in the theatre, then continue a block up the street to the gallery to see more of my work. :)

Apparently it was a "terror to install," but they did it! Here's a pic of the installation team after their accomplishment:

"Who Am I? The Performance of Everyday Life," oil on linen, 80"x 50," 2010

My First Military Commission

2011-04-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a commission I recently finished. I thought the lighting was really striking in the photo reference I got. It was an interesting challenge to try to maintain the simplicity of the lighting across the complex grouping of the troops. Hope you like it!

"Lieutenant-Colonel Conrad Mialkowski addressing his troops in the Mojave Desert during pre-deployment training for Kandahar." oil on canvas, 18"x 24"

Source of Reference Photo: 1 RCR Ready to Deploy
National Defence. With the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 2010.

Trinary Review on Visual Encounters

2011-03-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Visual Encounters has posted a review of the exhibition at Cube gallery, as well as some good photos of the show! The show is up until March 27th (1285 Wellington Street West, Ottawa). For more information please contact them at info@donmonet.ca or call them at (613)728-2111.

Studio Interview

2011-03-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

Check out the video interview that I gave in my Toronto studio for the artist talks at Cube Gallery today. The video is by Jesse Ewles and the music is by Alexis Marsh and Samuel Jones. Hope you like it!

Trinary Vernissage

2011-03-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who made the vernissage at Cube Gallery such a success last night! It was so great to see you all and it meant so much to me! The show is up until March 27th, so if you didn't make it to the opening you still have time to check out the show! Also, check out the mention in the Ottawa Citizen about my work and the exhibition! Even though Peter was sick and couldn't attend the vernissage, he still wrote about the show in his column! Thanks Peter!

Me and John Flynn from Cube Gallery

Cube Gallery was broadcasting the exhibition live with Ustream.

Trinary Opens Tomorrow!

2011-02-28T05:58:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to remind you all that "Trinary" opens at Cube Gallery in Ottawa tomorrow and runs from March 1 - 27. There will be a vernissage this Thursday from 6-9, hope to see you there! The show will be comprised of paintings I did in Italy as well as a selection of some of my most recent works. For more information please contact them at info@donmonet.ca or call them at (613)728-2111.

Here's the write-up for the show:

Three emerging artists who push the boundries of contemporary painting. Kristy Gordon has chalked up a long list of awards as a landscape and figurative painter, including honours from the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Orillia Museum of Art and History, and the Portrait Society of America. Her paintings hang in collections worldwide, including the Government of Ontario Art Collection. Susan Ukkola’s encaustic abstract painting has been recognized with numerous awards. Her transparent layers of encaustic or bee’s wax painting reveal traces of what went before, the “pentimento”. Pentimento describes the presence or emergence of earlier images, forms, or strokes that have been changed and painted over. Peggy Hughes is an emerging Ottawa artist whose award-winning work is shown regularly at the Cube Gallery. Primarily a studio artist, she works in acrylic with mixed techniques to create multi-layered and textured pieces. Peggy explores concrete, intellectual and emotional subjects in an abstract or non-objective manner, she also is fascinated by the act of creating: the process to her is paramount.

Ten by Ten Craze

2011-02-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

This winter, I ended up on a kind of 10x10 craze. I was really into it. Everything I was painting was on 10x10 canvases. My 'bachelorette' apartment was filling up with them! Since most of my walls here are made of cement I can't even hang anything on the walls, so my floors were just lined all around with these 10"x10" paintings... here's a few of them, hope you like 'em! Some of them are going to be for sale in the upcoming exhibition at Cube Gallery in Ottawa which runs from March 1 - 27. There will be a vernissage on Thursday, March 3rd from 6-9pm, hope to see you there! For more information please contact them at info@donmonet.ca or call them at (613)728-2111.

Eli in Headphones, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Adam, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Nadaa, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Eli Profile, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Eli in Hoody, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Salon International 2011

2011-02-19T11:35:00.001-08:00

I just found out that two of my paintings were accepted into the prestigious Salon International 2011, a project of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters that is hosted by the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, Texas. The show will be judged by Daniel Greene, who's work I greatly admire and will be held April 2nd through 22nd, 2011. The paintings that I will have in it are "The Grown-Up" and "Armour at the Bardini."

"The Grown-up," oil on panel, 14" x 10"

Portrait Society of America - Members Only Competition

2011-02-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

It has just been announced that my painting "Armour at the Bardini," has received an honourable mention in the Still-Life category of the Portrait Society of America's Members Only Competition !

"Armour at the Bardini," oil on panel, 12"x 8"

"Trinary" at Cube Gallery in Ottawa

2011-02-10T17:39:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that in just a few weeks "Trinary," a showcase of work by three emerging artists, opens! It will run from March 1 - 27 at Cube Gallery in Ottawa (1285 Wellington Street West). There will be a vernissage on Thursday, March 3rd from 6-9pm, hope to see you there! For more information please contact them at info@donmonet.ca or call them at (613)728-2111.

Best of the Contemporaries Exhibition at the Loch Gallery

2011-01-07T08:36:00.001-08:00

I am pleased to have two new paintings included in the Best of the Contemporaries exhibition at the Loch Gallery (16 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto). The shows runs December 11th, 2010 through January 27th, 2011. For more information contact the Toronto Loch Gallery by telephone at 416-964-9050 or email at toronto@lochgallery.com.

"But my heart does not in any way agree with the perception of my eyes," oil on canvas, triptych 3 panels of 10" x 10," 2010

"Lapse," oil on canvas, triptych 3 panels of 10"x 10," 2010

New Year, New Painting

2011-01-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Here's another new painting I recently did. At first I was going to go into it more, but then I decided I like it the way it is. Hope you do too:)

Untitled, oil on panel, 8"x 10," 2010

Great Big Smalls Show in Ottawa

2010-12-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

I have six paintings included in The Great BIG smalls Show that just opened at Cube Gallery and runs until December 31st. This is the sixth year that Cube Gallery has held this group show of small works in time for the holidays. If you're in Ottawa drop by to see over 300 works by nearly 60 artists.
1285 Wellington W. For questions you can email them at info@donmonet.ca or call them at (613)728-2111.

Here's a photo from the show (five of my paintings are in a vertical row 2nd from the left).

10 Squared Show at Grid Art Gallery

2010-12-04T13:55:00.000-08:00

The 10 Squared show opened just in time for the holidays at Grid Art Gallery in my hometown, Nelson, BC. This is exhibition of work done by thirty artists on 10" x 10" canvases. You can visit the gallery at 351-B Baker Street (Lane Entrance) Nelson B.C. For questions email them at gridartgallery@gmail.com or call them at 1-888-446-9390.

Shayne Brandel and Michael Graham, co-owners of Grid Art Gallery

Eli Profile, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Eli in Hoody, oil on canvas, 10" x 10"

Toronto International Art Fair

2010-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Toronto International Art Fair was a big success! Here's a photo of me with Don Monet, the Gallery director of Cube Gallery at their booth at this year's fair.

Eric Fischl Show in Toronto

2010-11-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday me and a few friends attended the Eric Fischl exhibition at Barbara Edwards Contemporary (1069 Bathurst St, near Dupont, Toronto). The show runs until November 13, 2010. This is the first time Fischl has exhibited in Toronto since the 1980's. It was wonderful to see his large scale painterly figurative watercolours. At the gallery I also looked through a book that they had of his oil paintings and found this quote by Fischl in it on psychology in his paintings:

“I don’t think my work is so much about opening up wounds. I think it’s about understanding the nature of the wound. I’m not bleeding on the canvas. I, like most people, have suffered traumatic events. The character of a person’s life is determined by the way they deal with those events. I am a creative person and I deal with it creatively.”
- Eric Fischl

Eric Fischl, "Untitled 2010", watercolour on paper, 60"x 40"

Midnight Plein Air

2010-10-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

I went out with a friend at midnight one rainy night recently and painted the wet city streets near my new apt here in Toronto. I've wanted to do this for awhile now, but this is the first time I've actually gone out at night to paint a cityscape. It was pretty fun!

"Wet City Streets at Night," oil on canvas, 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches

Toronto International Art Fair

2010-10-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

A collection of my paintings will be for sale this week at the
T oronto International Art Fair in Cube Gallery's booth (#244). It runs from October 28th to November 1st and is held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Toronto International Art Fair is a juried show associated with the famous Armory Show in New York City. It is the most important annual art exposition in Canada and one of the most successful art shows in North America. Hope to see you there!

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR
October 28-November 1, 2010
METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE
North Building, Exhibit Hall A & B (Booth #244)
255 Front Street West

PUBLIC HOURS:
Friday October 29, 12-8pm
Saturday October 30, 12-8pm
Sunday October 31, 12-6pm
Monday November 1, 12-6pm

More info about the Fair:
http://www.tiafair.com/

Collaboration Issue of Poets and Artists Magazine

2010-10-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

My work is featured in the latest issue of Poets & Artists (Oranges & Sardines). It's an honor to be in the company of so many other great artists. For this issue Didi Menendez has paired artists with poets, who worked together, discussing a theme that interests both, then each created a work on that theme. I was delighted to be paired with Matthew Hittinger, a New York-based poet, and together we collaborated on the theme of personal armour. You can see the article online HERE. With Poets and Artists magazine, Didi has created a wonderful venue for artists to show their work. It was an honour to be included in this issue and a pleasure to work with Didi. Didi created an interesting theme for this issue and did a lovely job putting it all together.

Now Represented by Grid Art Gallery in Nelson, BC

2010-09-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Over the summer holidays, while I was in my hometown, Nelson, British-Columbia, I connected with a lovely new gallery there, the Grid Art Gallery. It's run by Michael Graham and Shayne Brandel and I am excited that I am now represented by them. The Grid Art Gallery is a new addition to Nelson's already thriving art scene. Nelson has often been ranked as the number one small arts town in the book "The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America," and has long needed a good gallery to reflects its vibrant culture. You can see some of the work I have in their gallery at this link or by visiting the gallery at 351-B Baker Street (Lane Entrance) Nelson B.C. For questions you can email them at gridartgallery@gmail.com or call them at 1-888-446-9390.

My Painting's in Carol Little's Poetry Book

2010-09-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

Carol Little has recently published a book of poetry, "A Study in Love," in which she paired some of my paintings with her poems about love. I just got my copy of it in the mail when I returned from Italy and it looks great! It's 7.5" x 7.5," 67 pages long and 14 of my paintings are printed in full colour in it. You can order copies of it online HERE.

Painting Expedition in Utah with Jeremy Lipking

2010-09-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the most amazing painting expedition with Jeremy Lipking, Logan Hagege and a bunch of other artist friends. It started in LA, where me, Jeremy, and Logan started our journey to the Maynard Dixon Country Show in Utah. We got there a few days early, and met up with Scott Burdick, Josh Elliott and Glenn Dean to paint the Utah countryside. It was beautiful down there, and painting alongside these guys was truly inspiring. The extreme heat almost killed me at first, and I had to periodically take air-conditioning breaks in Jeremy’s truck. Luckily as the days went by it actually cooled down a bit, and I got acclimatized a little, so ya, I had a really great time. Here are a few photos from the trip, as well as some of the studies that I did while we were there.

Jeremy Lipking, Scott Burdick and my painting box

Logan Hagege, Scott Burdick, me, Josh Elliott, and Glenn Dean painting in Capitol Reef in Utah

"Torrey Cliffs, Utah," oil on canvas, 5"x 7"

"Capitol Reef, Utah," oil on canvas, 6"x 8"

"Boulder Mountain, Utah," oil on canvas, 5"x 7"

"Summer Sky," oil on canvas, 10"x 12"

New Commissions

2010-06-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm back in Canada now! It's crazy to be back, everything looks new to me! I haven't seen Canada in almost a year, so it's like seeing it for the first time or something. I'm just getting ready to deliver a couple commissions to people this week, so I thought I'd show them to you.

"Steph Pregnant," oil on canvas, 21.5" x 18"

"Lew and Hélène West," oil on linen, 20" x 16"

Florence is so Inspiring!

2010-06-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some more of the paintings that I've done here in Florence. I did some of them as studies, to get a sense of how I liked a certain concepts before committing to doing large-scale versions, and some of them are final paintings.

Me joking around beside my self-portrait, "Who am I? The Performance of Everyday Life," oil on canvas, 80" x 50,"
at the exhibition here in Florence, "In Bocca al Lupo." Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to properly photograph this painting before shipping it back to Canada, but this gives you an idea of how it turned out, and I'll post a proper photo of it when I return home soon!

"Left and Leaving," oil on panel, 6" x 8"
This painting was done during a very difficult time in my life. It embodies the Buddhist philosophy that the way to contentment is to release the five cravings, which are sex, wealth, fame, lots of sleep, and fancy food. This is an image of me walking away from the five cravings, which are personified here as female water nymphs. I learned here in Florence that female figures are often used to represent abstract ideas and concepts, so I liked the idea of using them here to represent the five cravings. My sister, Jessica Gordon, was kind enough to pose for me for the water nymphs. The title is from the Winnipeg-based band, the Weakerthans, album name, which I was listening to a lot when I did this painting. This is a very small, painterly study. I am pleased with the overall effect, so I intend to paint it full-scale at a later date.

"Self-reflection," oil on panel, 6" x 8"
This is an idea that I had for a twist on the Narcissus theme awhile ago. It's me looking into the water and seeing my reflection. It's a small study to get an idea of how I liked it before moving onto a larger one. Although I do kind of like it, I actually think I found it to be a little "sweet" for my tastes, and probably won't be doing a larger version of it. Still, it was fun to do!

"Piedistallo," oil on panel, 14" x 6.5"
This is a painting that I did at the Bardini Museum here in Florence. It was so fun to go there and have the opportunity to paint pieces of their collection from life, so my friend Kevin Columbus and I went there regularly to paint together!

"Transformation," oil on panel, 7" x 4.5"
This is a self portrait of me holding a poppy. Poppies in art often represent sleeping or dying, so it expresses the way I’ve felt lately, and the title hints towards a change taking place within me. I may paint this painting full size in the future.

Masks and Armour

2010-05-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Thought I would post some of the paintings I've done on the themes of masks and armour since I've been here in Florence. I have become very interested in the influence that culture has on our own life experiences, and living in Italy this past year has given me a deeper understanding of its impact. In both cultures, people develop mechanisms for masking their anxiety, but they do it in very different ways. The cultural observations that I’ve made here have led me towards exploring the themes of personal armour and masks in my work. These themes personify the layers of protection that we build up around ourselves, in the hopes of protecting ourselves. However our personal armour and masks in fact only prevent us from truly experiencing and enjoying our lives. “Sometimes the only way to open a path to soul is the negative way-by noting ways in which we are unconsciously protecting ourselves from the sting of life’s intentions.” (from: Thomas Moore. SoulMates. New York: HarperCollins, 1994.)

I did several studies of myself in armour, after studying the Armour they had at the Bardini Museum, and my favorite is "Self-portrait in Armour IV." It's not the tightest one rendering-wise, but it's my favorite compositionally, so I plan to paint it up larger in the future.

Self-portrait in Armour I," oil on panel, 12" x 8"

Self-portrait in Armour II," oil on panel, 6" x 4"

"Self-portrait in Armour III," oil on canvas, 9" x 7"

"Self-portrait in Armour IV," oil on canvas, 6" x 4"

"Study for Who Am I? The Performance of Everyday Life"
6” x 4,” oil on canvas

This is a self-portrait of myself in holding two masks, a happy one and a sad one. It expresses the changeability in the way that we present ourselves in the world, and the influence that our surroundings have on the self that we show. I actually painted this one up really big as well (80" x 50," but sadly didn't get a good photo of it before shipping it back to Toronto, so I'll post one when I return home this summer!

"The Grownup," oil on panel, 12" x 8"

This subject interested me because I liked the humour in it. My friends here in Florence had come home one night with this strange, pseudo-batman mask, and when I saw it hanging on their wall, I had my friend put it on. He thought he was taking a hero pose, but I like that it reads as scared and protective. I liked the contrast between his defensive stance and the fierce mask, as well as the childlike quality of the mask. This painting embodies the idea that we bring childhood pain and defense mechanisms into our adult experiences, without even knowing that we're doing it.

I'll post more paintings soon!!

Some new paintings

2010-02-22T05:55:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple new paintings that I recently finished.

My friend and I have been going to the Bardini Museum and painting in there. It's sooper fun to be allowed to actually paint in a museum! They're all really friendly there, and they pretty much all know us now too, so I don't even feel that weird doing it (anymore;)

"Armour at the Bardini," oil on panel, 12"x 8"

Me working on my next painting in the Bardini

Also, here's a commission I recently finished for a friend.
"Giovanni," oil on panel, 8"x 8"

New Years in Madrid

2010-02-19T10:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know New Years was awhile ago now, but I thought you guys might like to see some of the amazing art that I got to see during my holidays in Madrid!

Velasquez at the Prado

Fortuny at the Prado

Crazy beautiful Sorolla at the Prado

Rubens at the Prado

Sorolla paintings at the Sorolla House

There were a bunch of amazing little studies there...

Me and my Mom on New Years in Plaza Sol

(I'll post some of my new paintings real soon;)

Lovin' Life

2010-01-26T10:50:00.001-08:00

I am thoroughly LOVING my time in Italy! A little while ago now I actually moved into a new and improved apt, so I thought you my like to see some pics of my new digs!

Chandelier in the bedroom! (and crazy nice wood beam ceiling!)

Big ol' mirror - good for painting self-portaits!

"the studio" (in my bedroom;)

Sweetest kitchen ever

View from my bedroom window - I can see the Duomo from my window!!!

Oh, and on a side note, Italian hip hop is da bomb!!!

THE BEST DAY EVER!! (ELIZABETH GREENSHIELDS FOUNDATION GRANT!!)

2009-12-14T10:39:00.000-08:00

I just found out that I have RECEIVED AN ELIZABETH GREENSHIELDS FOUNDATION GRANT!!!! I am so incredibly excited and grateful to have received this prestigious grant! I've actually been applying for it for the last ten years, so it totally blows my mind to have actually received one! Ya, they're totally the best foundation ever for their ongoing international support of realist artists and having them support me in my studies in Italy is so incredibly heart warming! (three cheers for persistence;) :D

New Self-Portraits

2009-11-12T03:29:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple new self-portraits that I've done since I've been here in Florence. I guess this is kinda a self-discovery year for me, and maybe it's not been the easiest time so far, so I think that's coming through in these new self-portraits:P

"Disconnect," oil on panel, 12"x 9," 2009

"By Myself," oil on panel, 8"x 6," 2009

Hanging out in Firenze

2009-10-19T10:57:00.001-07:00

I've been really enjoying Florence, going around to little towns outside of Florence and lotsa churches and things. Luckily my good friend, the amazing photographer Shane Fester, has been taking lotsa pics of me on our travels... and here are some of them ;)

Shane made this fancy triptych of me and put the words on it for my blog header. So no more boring blog headers for me:D THANKS SHANE!

I know how to live (me in Ravenna)

In a church (under construction) in Ravenna

Looking very studious in class

Star Portraits Aired Last Night

2009-10-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Star Portraits, the TV show that was produced by PTV Productions Inc. for Bravo! aired last night. I had the honour of painting Enrico Colantoni on it, with the other amazing artists, Sara Sniderhan and John Viljoen. The show can be viewed on the Bravo! website HERE. It was such a wonderful experience and it was nice to see the episode today since it reminded me of my incredible time with them.

Painting Painting 123, Paintingness is Good for You and Meeee

2009-09-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Meep, I'm too tired to think or write... I'm just not on, so everything I say or think sounds stupid and idiotic to me, BUT I thought I'd post these quick studies I've done so far in Florence. The first one is of the River Arno and the second is of my roommate, Ameara sketching at the cemetery near San Miniato Del Monte. Below them are pictures of me painting at the cemetery taken by the wonderful photographer and my good friend, Shane Fester. Enjoy (see, what did I tell you, I'm SO not on, everything I write sounds boring right now)

River Arno at Dusk 8x10 inches, oil on panel

Ameara Sketching at the Cemetary 10x8 inches, oil on panel

A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew....

2009-09-13T11:06:00.001-07:00

Welp, woo, I'm livin' in Firenze now, for the next 8 months:D I've moved in with two really nice girls, and we have a sweet apt here about a 10 minute walk from the Duomo! So far we've discovered that my Italian is worse then I ever thought possible and that fig gelatos are the best thing ever. Other minor cultural differences include toilets that are designed to make poo-smears as long as possible and killer mosquitos that attack you in the night. But the light here is amazing and so are the people. There's a cool piazza where everyone hangs out and drinks outside every night (drinking outside is legal, while things like "creating dirt," washing yourself in public and swinging on children's swing sets are not). I've already gone out and done a couple plein air paintings with the homemade painting box that I constructed out of foam core the day I arrived (I'll post 'em soon;) and we're planning on taking a trip to the coast one weekend soon, so it'll be neat to see more of Italy:)

my "bedroom" (yes, the walls are constructed out of sheets)

our kitchen

our Ikea livingroom

drinking in the piazza

view of the Duomo at dusk

pretty pretty pretty (Duomo)

the doors that started the Renaissance (and random people that I don't know who actually are posed quite nicely for this pic;)

Southwest Art Magazine: 21 Under 31

2009-08-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

My painting, Raven, won Honorable Mention in the 2009 Southwest Art Emerging Artist: 21 Under 31 Competition, a competition open to artists across the country who are under the age of 31. It is featured in the September 2009 issue of Southwest Art Magazine along with a short write up about me and my artwork. I just picked up my copy this week and was pleased to discover that two of my other young, female, artist friends are also among the "21 under 31," Toronto artist Katherine Stone and Katie Swatland, from Massachusetts, so that was cool too:D

Raven, oil on panel, 10 x 8 inches

Interview on CTV!

2009-08-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

Check out THIS INTERVIEW I did for CTV this morning at Artguise Gallery. Click the righthand side bar, where it says "Artist Kristy Gordon Shares Her Talents (2 parts)." (I can't seem to link directly to the video). Oh, and it plays after the ad.

Opening Night of my Solo Show at Artguis

2009-08-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was the vernissage for my solo exhibition at Artguise Gallery in Ottawa. It was a great success and there was a wonderful turnout. The show runs until Septemeber 15th, 2009.

Graham in front of the painting of him:)

Video Preview of My Solo Show

2009-08-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a video preview of my solo show that opens tomorrow night (7:30-10:30pm) at Artguise Gallery (590 Bank Street, Ottawa) and runs August 14th through September 15th, 2009. For more information please contact Brandon McVittie or Jason Vaughan at 613.238.3803 or info@artguise.ca

Painting in BC

2009-08-10T16:03:00.001-07:00

I spent most of the month of July painting in different parts of BC. My trip started out in Nelson, where I grew up. While I was there I taught a three day portrait painting workshop as well as painting a few friends and my sister. One of the paintings I did there was for sure the most hardcore painting session I've ever done in my life. Me and my sister, Jessica Rae Gordon (also an artist and illustrator), decided to hike up Crystal Creek, where I used to wander as a teenager, and actually where I was inspired to do my first painting (not counting all the childhood paintings I did;) But when we tried to get in there we discovered it's all fenced off now and hard to get to.

Me in front of the fence with my painting box.

We (obviously) decided to ignore the fence, and went to walk around it along the creek. We did succeed in the end, but each rock or tree that we stepped on was totally, deliberately, coated in big hunks of grease, and we got a little covered in it (especially me). But we went on. Jessica and I are determined when we get together to paint. The trail was a little (actually a lot) more trecherous then I remember it being, and seemed to have mostly eroded into the creek, so we found ourselves risking our lives, rock climbing up a creek with all my painting gear (actually, it was like rock climbing up a waterfall in parts). Then when we got to my old fav. spot I decided a pose of her IN THE CREEK), which required me to also stand painting in the creek was the best angle. So we froze there in the creek for a couple hours, with barely any breaks at all. We knew we were too cold to go for long, so we had to just paint and pose as hard and fast as we could. On the way down, as we were approaching the part where we would have to rock climb DOWN the waterfall, I found a four leaf clover. And we lived to tell the tale (and finish the painting).

Creek Wanderer, 10 x 8 inches, oil on panel

After my week in Nelson I spent a week painting on Savary Island. Again my incredible sister posed patiently for me, in the burning hot sun for hours. She complained about it less then I did. After finishing one of the paintings of her, I pretty much crumbled into a ball on the beach and crawled into the ocean (not an exaggeration actually).

Woman in Sunhat with Coffee, 7 x 5 inches, oil on canvas

Woman on Rock, 10 x 8 inches, oil on panel

All these paintings will be included in my upcoming solo exhibition at Artguise Gallery in Ottawa. For more information please contact Brandon McVittie or Jason Vaughan at 613 238 3803 or info@artguise.ca

MY SOLO SHOW OPENS NEXT FRIDAY!

2009-08-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

KRISTY GORDON: Recent Paintings

August 14th to September 9th 2009

VERNISSAGE : FRIDAY AUGUST 14TH : 7:30PM TO 10:30PM

ARTGUISE GALLERY 590 BANK ST. OTTAWA ONTARIO CANADA

Artguise Gallery is pleased to welcome back to the exhibition space, for her second show in the gallery,
painter Kristy Gordon.
Kristy's current collection arrives at Artguise just prior to her departure for Florence, Italy after being awarded
scholarship to study figurative painting.
Her keen eye and mastery of colour captures her subjects in a contemplative light while achieving
wonderfully sublime results.
There lies an inherent honesty and purity in Kristy's painting as she refrains from embellishment and overstatement.
Kristy's newest oil compositions are further evidence of her admiration for classical technique and discipline.
We are hopeful that you can join us opening night when the artist shall be in attendance.
All are welcome.

For more information please contact Brandon McVittie or Jason Vaughan at 613 238 3803 or info@artguise.ca

July Portrait Painting Workshop in Nelson

2009-08-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of me doing a demonstration at a three day portrait painting workshop I taught in my hometown, Nelson, BC in July. We had a wonderful model, Genevieve, to paint from and everyone did great paintings.

And here are some photos of the stages for the painting that I demonstrated in the class.

THE BIG MOVE

2009-07-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Welp, it's been nearly a month now, since I somehow, miraculously managed to wrap everything up in Toronto, pack up my wee apt there, and move into homelessness (but I'll only be homeless for a couple months, then I'll be living in Florence, Italy for most of next year;) But yeah, the move was a crazy hectic experience, coupled with exams, planning a workshop and a solo show and so many other things. At a certain point I didn't think I was going to be able to get everything done, and started to wonder what happens when you have all these things that absolutely must get done, but it's impossible to do it all.... what happens then? They get done. Yayy! And so they did! My friend Ciaran drove a crying me all the way up to Ottawa with a bunch my paintings and stuff, which needed to be there for a solo show I have opening Aug. 14th (runs through Sept. 9) at Artguise Gallery on Bank Street. The night before the move though, instead of finishing up with packing, or wallowing in my own self pity, I did a quick painting of Ciaran, who agreed to pose for me despite the fact that he was sooooo hungover. I've attached below the painting I did of him that night, along with some photos of the big, horrendous move. Actually, just before I left Toronto, I got on a bit of a painting role and painted a bunch of my friends who were kind enough to sit for me, so I've attached some of those paintings as well. Yup, so I moved to Ontario on July 1st, 1998, and moved away from it 11 years later, on July 1st as well. Now that I've spent nearly a month painting in BC, the craziness of the days leading up to the move seem like a distant memory:D

So here was a happy, chipper me, full of hopes and possibilities, all moved into my apt in Toronto last Sept

And here's what it looked like when I was almost done the move... (those are my feet poking in the shot)

It was totally raining that day...

In between crying and feeling sorry for myself, Ciaran and I played the "Wiggly" game (It's pretty basic, you just scream "WIGGLY!" everytime you see one of those road turning signs, and keep track of your points (one point for each wiggly spotted first, deduct one everytime you say wiggly and it turns out it's not... I think Ciaran won (I was crying more the he was;)

Here's the painting I did of Ciaran the night before the move:

"The Hangover" 10 x 8 inches, oil on panel

And these are some of my other friends who posed for me near the end of my days in the big Tdot:)

"Alison" 20 x 16 inches, oil on canvas

"Jessica in High Park," 12 x 9 inches, oil on panel

"Nyoka," 20 x 16 inches, oil on canvas

Exploring the Figure at the Loch Gallery Toronto

2009-05-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my sister and I dropped by the "Exploring the Figure" show at the Loch Gallery here in Toronto. Here are a few pics from the show, which runs until June 10, 2009.

Loch Gallery Toronto
416-964-9050 phone
toronto@lochgallery.com
Hours: Tues. to Sat. 10:00am-5:00pm

Me and Joan Martyn, the gallery director, in front of my painting "Silenced."

Exploring the Figure at the Loch Gallery Toronto

2009-05-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

I am excited to announce that I am now represented by the
Loch Gallery, which is located at 16 Hazelton Avenue in the prestigious Yorkville gallery district of Toronto. It was formally known as the Nancy Poole Studio (1969-2003), and with over forty years of experience, it has established itself as one of Toronto's leading galleries. Three of my paintings are currently on display in their exhibition, "Exploring the Figure." The show runs May 23rd through June 10th, 2009.

Loch Gallery Toronto
416-964-9050 phone
toronto@lochgallery.com
Hours: Tues. to Sat. 10:00am-5:00pm

"Silenced," oil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches, 2009:

"Fortress," oil on panel, 48 x 24 inches, 2009:

"Woman in Dress," oil on canvas, 28 x 22 inches:

Poets and Artists

2009-05-05T17:19:00.001-07:00

Check out my article in Poets and Artists (Oranges and Sardines) by Didi Menendez! It’s on pages 18-23. Also, hardcopies are available here on Amazon.

The Portrait Society of America's Portrait Conference Notes

2009-05-05T05:12:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few random notes I took at different parts of the PSOA conference.

Calvin Goodman - a leading expert on the business of art
When he was discussing developing your style as an artist, Calvin said to copy your favorite artist, and when you you get to the point that you see something that they've done that you can do better, move onto someone else.

Also, he said that the two or so sentences of an artists statement should be designed to make us think more about the nature of the work/story then we would have without the write-up.

Mary Whyte
She says if you don't feel strongly about what you're painting, neither will the viewer. Get to know yourself and what you want to paint. Nurture the little artist within you.

She said to make a list of the five senses (touch, sound, smell, sight, taste) of things that really wow you. (so touch might be the wind blowing in your face...that sorta thing) Many of these things will harken back to your childhood.

Also, for artist block sit down and write three pages (this is from The Artist's Way) about anything at all. Detox your mind by sitting near the ocean, or in the forest - different souls need different things, and then going home after and write down anything that comes to you.

Portrait Society of America's Annual Portrait Conference

2009-05-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a great trip to Washington DC for the Portrait Society of America's annual portrait conference. I had a great time meeting so many wonderful artists and watching demonstrations and lectures by many of my favorite artists in the world. Also, my paintings "Craig" and "Ella" were reproduced in The Art of the Portrait, the Portrait Society of America’s quarterly publication.

To read a really great blog that wrote about the conference and competition visit Matthew Innis' blog Underpaintings
Daniel Greene's demonstration

Paul Newton, Rachel Constantine, Jeremy Lipking,
Gretchen Schmid, Kristy Gordon

Gretchen Schmid, Kristy Gordon, David Kassan, Rachel Constantine

Burton Silverman, Rachel Constantine, Jeremy Lipking, Kristy Gordon

Tony Pro, Kristy Gordon, Rachel Constantine

Casey Baugh, Mia Bergeron, Kristy Gordon, Lea Colie Wight, Scott Burdick, Jeremy Lipking, Rachel Constantine

After my trip to Washington DC, I spent a few days in New York City, where I visited my favorite paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, wandered Central Park and enjoyed my first tiki party (which was gloriously taking place at the place where I was staying - an artist who I met at the conference, Nicole Desmond rescued me from having to stay in the dodgy hostel I'd booked;)

The King

Thomas Eakins

John Singer Sargent

Central Park

Nicole Desmond (my savior) in the Rhum Rhum Room

Merit Award in the Salon International 2009

2009-04-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

EEEEE! I just found out that my painting "Raven" was given a
Merit Award in the portrait category by Daniel Greene at the prestigious Salon International 2009. This project of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters is hosted by the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, Texas and runs until May 1st, 2009.

Raven, oil on panel, 10 x 8 inches, 2007

Praxis: Beauty and Truth

2009-04-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

Last night was the reception for Praxis: Beauty and Truth at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery here in Toronto. It was put on by a new society we're forming, the Canadian Society of Classical Realism, an association of professional artists and art professionals working in the Classical Realist tradition. The show was currated by Rosa Graci and Gary L. Roy Isa and runs April 2 - May 14, 2009. For more information about the show contact Rosa Graci at 416 789 7011 ext 300.

Art Renewal Center’s International 2008/2009 ARC Salon

2009-03-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

My painting, "Stephanie Profile," was selected as one of the top one hundred finalists in the Art Renewal Center’s International 2008/2009 ARC Salon! It was judged to be among the best out of 1,600 plus entries received from around the world, and an image of it will be featured on their website website, as well as being reproduced in their full color catalogue.

Stephanie Profile, oil on panel, 8 x 7 inches, 2008

The Canadian Portrait

2009-03-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the Canadian Portrait opened at the Cube Gallery in Ottawa. So I guess it's official, with my work being included in two simultaneous shows on the theme of The Canadian Portrait, the portrait is finally getting more attention in Canada. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend, but my friend Jessica Borutski did, and took some photos of the reception for us. The exhibition runs March 4 through April 5th.

Cube Gallery
7 Hamilton Ave. N.
Ottawa, K1Y 0G8
613 728 1750
info@donmonet.ca
Hours: 10-5pm (except Mon.& Tues.)

The Canadian Portrait: Today and Tomorrow Reception

2009-03-06T06:06:00.000-08:00

Last night was the reception for The Portrait Society of Canada’s The Canadian Portrait: Today and Tomorrow exhibition, which is being held at the John B. Aird Gallery in Toronto March 3 - 27. It was a fun night with a good turnout. My sister Jessica Gordon (awesome illustrator) and Adam Cialini (artist and musician) joined me at it. Adam was nice enough to take these pictures for us:) I had kinda insisted on taking flash-less photos at first until he cleaverly figured out that the flash was actually pretty much necessary for the lighting situaltion that night. So that's why we're mostly all in the dark until the end;)

Awww, me and Adam in front of Kate Stone's beautiful self-portrait

Best sister in the world.

I know I'm making a silly face in this one (I'm talking) but I like the fact that you can see us in it so I thought I'd stick it up too;)

This was near the end of the night when almost everyone had left, but it shows you a bit more of the exhibition;)

The Canadian Portrait: Today and Tomorrow

2009-02-24T05:02:00.000-08:00

Woman in Dress, will be included in The Portrait Society of Canada’s The Canadian Portrait: Today and Tomorrow exhibition, which will be held at the John B. Aird Gallery in Toronto March 3 - 27.

Woman in Dress, oil on linen, 28 x 22 inches, 2007

Book of my Figurative Work

2009-02-19T04:53:00.000-08:00

I have recently published a collection of my figurative paintings. It is a 40 page 8x10 inch hardcover book with a dust jacket and has 29 colour plates including details and preliminary studies. Each book is $49.99 and you can take a sneak peek and place your order if you're so inclined HERE

This has kind of been a life long dream for me, so I must admit that when I first received copies of my new book in the mail we documented this momentus event with photos. hehe, I wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion, but here are some of those photos:) hehehe

The Canadian Portrait

2009-02-17T07:35:00.000-08:00

While we wait for Ottawa to create a proper Portrait Gallery, Cube Gallery has decided to honour this often overlooked genre with a show honouring the history, the impact, the importance of the portrait.

Featuring the artists:
Kristy Gordon
Michal Tkachenko (U.K.)
Michael Goodson
Marysol Foucault
Katherine McNenly
Karole Marois
Felicity Don (Vancouver)
Svetlana Swinimer
Sam Vainola
Terry Rooney
Pamela Cockcroft

Cube Gallery
7 Hamilton Ave. N.
Ottawa, K1Y 0G8
613 728 1750
info@donmonet.ca
Hours: 10-5pm (except Mon.& Tues.)

Salon International 2009

2009-02-05T14:34:00.000-08:00

I just found out that three of my paintings were accepted into the prestigious Salon International 2009, a project of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters that is hosted by the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, Texas. The show will be judged by a Daniel Greene, who's work I greatly admire and will be held April 10th - May 1st, 2009. The paintings that I will have in it are "Stephanie Profile," "Graciela," and "Raven."

Stephanie Profile, oil on panel, 8 x 7 inches, 2008

Graciela, oil on panel, 10 x 8 inches, 2007

Raven, oil on panel, 10 x 8 inches, 2007

"Craig" in Canadian Brushstroke Magazine

2009-02-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

The January/February issue of Canadian Brushstroke Magazine has an article on the Portrait Society of Canada's "Miracle of the Portrait," and features my painting, "Craig," in it. You can download it here (it's on page 24):

HIGH RESOLUTION VERSION of Jan/Feb issue of CANADIAN BRUSHSTROKE MAGAZINE, 6.9 MB:

LOW RESOLUTION VERSION of Jan/Feb issue of CANADIAN BRUSHSTROKE MAGAZINE, 1.8 MB:

Artguise 2009 Selection

2009-01-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

I have a new landscape, "Forest Splendour," a triptych, in the "Artguise 2009 Selection" exhibition, on now (January 7 - February 4th) at Artguise Gallery, 590 Bank street, Ottawa, 613 238 3803.

"Forest Splendour," oil on panel, each canvas 36"x 24"
(all together 36" x 72")

Portrait Society of America - Members Showcase Competition

2009-01-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

It has just been announced that "Ella," a portrait that I painted in August, has earned an Honourable Mention Award in the Head and Shoulders category of the prestigious Portrait Society of America's Members Showcase Competition!

"Ella," oil on panel, 12 x 9 inches, 2008

Here's a link to a step by step of "Ella."

Portrait Society of Canada - Miracle of the Portrait Gala

2008-12-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

Last night was the gala and award ceremony for the Portrait Society of Canada's Miracle of the Portrait. I am so excited to announce that my painting "Craig" won third prize in the competition! Here are some photos from the night that were taken by my sister, Jessica Gordon. (best sister in the world, and best illustrator too:)

Typical Kristy shot - it's me in the bathroom before we make our big entry

receiving my prize:)

This is a crazy shot. Jessica's the best photographer ever:)

me and Juan Martinez talking to Theresa Kowall-Shipp and Susan Tonna from Star Portraits during the gala

standing by the painting Yuqi had done in Santa Fe, but brought up for the conference.

Me with master painter Yuqi Wang:)

the award winners (left to right Marina Dieul, Mahmoud Meraji, Katherine Stone, and me)

The top finalists

Here's a photo of all the judges. From left to right - Juan Martinez, Marjorie Morton, Gwenneth Barth, Morton Harris, Irena Korosec, Yuqi Wang, Veronica Tsyglan, Dan Thompson

Portrait Society of Canada's 2008 International Portrait Competition

2008-11-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce that my painting "Craig" is a top finalist in the Portrait Society of Canada's 2008 International Portrait Competition. It will be displayed throughout the conference which run from Dec 4-7 at the Toronto Centre for the Art, and the award ceremony is on Dec 6th. Hope to see some of you there!

"Craig," oil on panel, 12.5 x 9.5 inches

Star Portraits

2008-11-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! I've been given permission to reveal some details about something that I'm involved with... Star Portraits! It's a new TV show that's being produced by PTV Productions Inc. for Bravo!, and will air in the fall of 2009! It combines the art of portraiture with celebrity biography. Each episode is hosted by Louise Pitre, and three different artists paint a well-known Canadian celebrity in each one. I had the honour of painting Enrico Colantoni, an actor who has appeared in movies and television shows like Friday the 13th, Law and Order and sooo many others including the new television series, Flashpoint.

Video From my Solo Opening Night

2008-10-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here a video from the opening night of my solo show at
Artguise Gallery in Ottawa. The show is going really well, and is on until the 22nd of October.

Camera: Steve Stefanelli and Chris Dainty
Editor: Nick Cross

My Solo Show at Artguise

2008-10-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was the vernissage for my solo exhibition at Artguise Gallery in Ottawa. It was a great success and there was a wonderful turnout. The show runs until October 22nd.

MY SHOW OPENS TOMORROW AT ARTGUISE GALLERY

2008-10-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

My solo exhibition opens at 7:30 tomorrow (and runs October 3rd to 22nd) at Artguise Gallery, 590 Bank Street in Ottawa, ON. Here's a video preview of the show! I hope to see you all there!

"Majesty" in Canadian Brushstroke Magazine

2008-09-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Brushstroke Magazine that my painting, "Majesty," is featured in is out, and you can download it here (it's on page 9):

HIGH RESOLUTION VERSION of Sept/Oct issue of CANADIAN BRUSHSTROKE MAGAZINE, 7.6 MB:

LOW RESOLUTION VERSION of Sept/Oct issue of CANADIAN BRUSHSTROKE MAGAZINE, 1.7 MB:

My Solo Show is Coming Up

2008-09-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

My solo exhibition of over 25 figurative paintings opens October 3rd from 7:30pm - 10:30pm at Artguise Gallery on Bank Street in Ottawa, ON. For more information you can contact Artguise Gallery at 613-228-3803.

Guerilla #17

2008-09-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

Eee! The article in Guerilla Magazine is out, and I'm on the cover of the printed mag! Here's a link to the online magazine article about my work, written my Tony Martins. Also, below are some pics from the launch event which was on Friday the 12th at the Enriched Bread Artists Studios. I wasn't able to attend (because this really exciting thing that is in the works, but has to remain a secret right now, was rescheduled to take place on the 12th) but I had nine paintings displayed at the Guerilla launch, and it looks like it was a super fun night!

My painting, "Graciela" and copies of Guerilla #17 at the launch.

The Official Invite to GuerillaLIVE #17!

2008-08-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the the official invite to the launch event for Guerilla #17 in print and online. It'll take place September 12th in Ottawa at the Enriched Bread Artists Studios (951 Gladstone) I'm going to have about ten paintings displayed at the event, and an article in the magazine:)

"The Animator"

2008-08-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished this painting for my solo show, which is going to be at Artguise this October (Oct3rd - 22nd) It's the second last one I have to get done for the show! It's of everybody's favorite animator,
Nick Cross:)

"The Animator," oil on linen, 12 x 10 inches

"Majesty" in Canadian Brushstroke Magazine

2008-08-22T06:18:00.001-07:00

I just found out that one of my landscape paintings, "Majesty," is on the short-list of finalists in Canadian Brushstroke Magazine and it will be featured in the next issue, when it is released in the second week of September!

They asked me to write a little bit about my inspiration for it, and here's what I wrote:

The light blasting through the clouds is what really caught my attention. The softness of the trees in the distance, and the movement of the water seemed to compliment it so well. I titled it Majesty because of the way that skies like this can hold us in awe of their magnificence.

Majesty 36 x 48 inches, acrylic on canvas

Ren and Stimpy Thumbnails and BG's

2008-08-21T09:52:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, Just wanted to let y'all know that some of the thumbnails and backgrounds that I did for Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoons, have just been posted online for the first time ever on Jason Anders' FULLE CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS

The 2 x3 inch thumbnails have notes beside them about what Johnny wanted me to change about them, and some of them even have notes about what reference I used for the colours. I was using the colours from magazine photos that we had selected with Johnny, and was trying out different styles, mediums, and application of paint. Some of them were done in cell paints, and some with inks and watercolour dyes and stuff:) Anywayyy, enjoy!

oh, and here's a taste of what he's got up there...

I started out in cell paint, without any idea of the technique I was going to go with...

...Then I tried doing the sky, distant buildings, streets and stuff in dyes, like Dr. Martin's water colour dyes, and the foreground stuff (sign, mailbox and telephone pole) in cell paints...

...which is a technique I ended up going with for most of the show (combining dyes and cell paints in my BG's). I also designed the colours of Ren for certain scenes in the show, like this one (Chris Wallace did most of the character colour design though:)

See more on Jason Anders' FULLE CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS

Finalist in The Artist's Magazine 25th Annual Art Competition

2008-08-20T19:08:00.001-07:00

My painting, “Woman in Dress” is a Finalist in The Artist's Magazine 25th Annual Art Competition. The finalists’ names will be published in the December 2008 issue of The Artist's Magazine, and thirteen finalists will be featured in The Artist's Magazine's 2009 Calendar.

Jeremy Lipking Workshop

2008-08-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

Woowowowowowooww! I just got back from New York, where I had the pleasure of being teacher's assistant to Jeremy Lipking at the Grand Central Academy for his workshop there! The whole trip was just totally DREAAMMYYY! I love New York, and Jeremy and my pal, Amid Amidi, who was nice enough to let me stay at his place for the week and take me to some vegan-friendly restaurants! But yeah, the workshop was CRAZZYYY awesome!! I can't believe how much I learned, and watching Jeremy paint was just such a treat!!! We spent the whole first day watching him paint, then we did two paintings in the remaining four days, alongside him, so we could watch him paint whenever we wanted to! And the critiques that he gave were sooo helpful! Yeah, wow! THANK YOU JEREMY! Oh, and I even got a chance to go to the Met with Yuqi Wang, and check out the Turner exhibit there! Fun! Fun! Funnnnnnn!!!! That's it, I'm moving to New York as soon as I can!!!

Stephanie Profile, oil on panel, 8 x 7 inches

Stephanie, oil on panel, 12 x 9 inches

Portrait Workshop Demo

2008-08-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I taught a three day portrait painting workshop here in my studio. We all really enjoyed painting the wonderful model, Ella Rose. Here's the demo that I did during it:)

DAY 1
Block in with Burnt Umber
Using oily, viscous paint, thinned with linseed oil, I marked in the basic proportions first. Measuring the proportions to get the drawing accurate, I compared the width to the height of the head, and marked in thirds from the chin to the bottom of the nose, bottom of the nose to eyebrows, and eyebrows to forehead, noting that on her, the forehead measured a bit smaller then the first two. Then, I blocked in the big forms and shadows in Burnt Umber. By “drawing with the shadows” I was able to judge the placement of the features quickly and accurately just by judging the shapes and distances of the shadow patterns on her face.

DAY 2
Shadow Colour and Form Block In
First I put down a large area of skin colour in the light area of the face, covering over the drawing lines entirely that were in the light side of the face (but they still show through a bit, and I can wipe it with a rag to see them more if I want to). Then I blocked in the shadow side, and started to describe the larger, overall forms, like the egg shape of the head.

I blocked in a loose background, in a very direct fashion, with my 1” Langnickel brush, and tried not to mess with it. I wasn’t sure if I would leave it like this or work with it more later. I also started to block in the placement of the shirt. I really wanted to keep the painting of the shirt loose and direct, so I didn’t take it too far at this stage. I also blocked in the hair with my Langnickel brushes, mostly just establishing the overall shape of the hair, and making sure that it is not too bright on the right side (the shadow side) or at the edges (so that the hair will turn around the form).

DAY 3
Refinements
Initially, her face felt too wide to me, but it kept measuring correctly. When I started to darken the edges of both the light and shadow sides, making the sides of the jaw wrap around the form, her face started to feel like it was the right proportions. I continued to define the the face and hair, leaving the background and shirt alone for a while. I worked on the features some more, and the overall form of the face. I described the planes of the forehead, and softened the hairline. This day was focused on making things look like the actual textures, so making the hair, skin and cloth all feel like the textures that they are. At this stage I was thinning my paint a with a bit more linseed oil. I loosely blocked in the shirt, trying to keep in loose and direct, with some thick, impasto whites, to help it stand out from the background. I decided not to change the background much from here, since I liked the way it was working with her shirt. I only painted into it where it was necessary as I was painting the figure next to it, like in areas of the hair and shoulders.

Craig Step by Step

2008-07-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

STAGE 1 Establishing the Basic Shapes
I started with a general flesh colour for the face (using Cadmium Red Medium, Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Permanent, Gamblin’s Titanium/Zinc White Mixture, and the occasional addition of Yellow Ochre Pale and English Red), then added darks to the shadow side. At this stage, I was primarily thinking about blocking in the basic shapes, and defining the light side and the shadow side. By “drawing with the shadows,” I was able to judge the placement of everything and achieve an accurate likeness early on.

I often block in all of the background colour early on in a painting, but to achieve a more spontaneous result I limited painting in the background to only where it was absolutely necessary to describe the tones and colours of the face.

STAGE 2 Shadow Band and Form Modeling
Next I started to darken along what some academic artists call the “terminator,” and others call the “bed-bug line.” It is the darkened band along where the light side turns into the shadows. Since reflected light bounces into the shadow side, this band is often the darkest part of the shadow. It changes with the contour of the body, becoming thicker/thinner in areas and lighter/darker in areas.

I was also thinking a lot about “big form modeling.” This means describing the larger, overall forms, such as the egg shape of the head and the cylindrical nature of the neck. Initially, his face felt too wide to me, but it kept measuring correctly. When I started to darken the edges of both the light and shadow sides, making the sides of the jaw wrap around the form, his face started to feel like it was the right proportions

STAGE 3 Hair and Features
For this sitting, I added the hair with my Langnickel brushes. They make really nice looking strokes! I used Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Ultramarine and sometimes a little Lamp Black for the hair. As I was painting the hair, I also blocked in select areas of the background to establish that relationship.

Then I worked on the features some more, and the overall form of the face. I started to describe the planes of the forehead, and soften the hairline, as well as put a bit more information into the shadow-side. What we see in the shadow-side should normally be understated, so it’s always a balance between selection and elimination with the shadow-side.

STAGE 4 Background and Shirt Block In
I blocked in a loose background, in a very direct fashion, with my 1” Langnickel brush, and tried not to mess with it. I wasn’t sure at first if I would leave it like this or work with it more later (which I did end up doing). I also started to block in the placement of the shirt. I really wanted to keep the painting of the shirt loose and direct, so I didn’t take it too far at this stage. I wanted to have a couple days to think about it before really going in there with it.

STAGE 5 Defining the Background and Shirt
First I went in and defined the shirt, squinting my eyes a lot to really see how the colours and tones changes across his chest.

I noticed that in the last stage the brushstrokes were too distracting and the background was too light, both of these factors were making it hard to know where to rest the eyes, which was supposed to be on the light side of his face! So, one night, in-between session, I went in with a palette knife and blocked in this new background. I wanted to keep some ares transparent and textured, and I found that the palette knife, along with the fairly transparent colours I had selected worked well for that. I was using Ultramarine, and Burnt Sienna with Galkyd and linseed oil as the base, and was tinting it with black, and Yellow Ochre and English Red as needed to achieve variation in the colours an the shadow pattern around his head.

STAGE 6
Refinements
I continued to define the the face and hair, leaving the background and shirt alone for a while. In the face I focused particular attention on the area in the light. In paintings, the light is supposed to define the form, and the shadows give atmosphere, and can be used to create interesting shadows around the lights. So I really focused most of my attention on the light side of his face. Most of the refinements were very subtle at this stage, but in particular you can more definition of the cheekbone and the softening of the hairline in the light.

STAGE 7
Final Adjustments
The forehead was a real challenge in this one. I had noticed when I turned the painting upside down that the shadow on the top of his forehead wasn’t blending into the light side properly, and also that the form didn’t feel right in the light side of his forehead either. So I softened the shadow-line and really evaluated the planes of his forehead.

STAGE 8
Finishing Details
I wanted the highlights to seem loose but accurate. Also, I really like it when the lightest parts of a painting are thicker and textured, so I kept trying to put on nice thick highlights, scraping it off and trying again, until finally I liked the way the brushwork in the forehead was working.

Here's a video of me working on the painting around stages 3 and 4.
Cinematography by Mike Kerr and Nick Cross
Editing by Nick Cross
Music by Patrick Metzger
(I'm the luckiest person in the world to have so many talented friends!! Thanks guys!!)

Artist Checklists

2008-07-18T07:08:00.001-07:00

When I was at the Portrait conference this year, they talked about how every artist should keep track of the critiques that they receive and compile a list based on the mistakes that they seem to keep making. Actually, this reminded me of when John K made very specific checklists for us Ren and Stimpy BG painters to actually physically check off before he would even look at our backgrounds, and to my surprise when I started doing it I started doing some decent backgrounds, which finally started getting approved;) Anyway, so here’s my current painting checklist:

Most Frequent Mistake Checklist:

- not looking long enough at the model before making a brushstroke
- don’t mistake the area of highest contrast as the brightest/darkest
- seeing warm in the shadows, but not comparing it to the warm in the lights, so making it too chromatic
- cast shadows should be sharp(ish)-edged, dark, often cool, and united with the contained shadows
edge of a warm object gets cooler, and colours get warmer at the edges of a cool object
not so loose at edges (treatment inside a shape can be loose, but refine the edges)
usually darken at edges (so it wraps around the form)
in painting trees, use careful strokes, like calligraphy (actually, this applies to almost all brushstrokes ideally:)
working without enough paint
leave some brushstrokes!
don't put in detail highlights before the big form modeling
don't over do it with the highlights!
shadows should be transparent

Capturing a Mood in a Portrait

Matthew Innis sent me a bunch of articles, essays, write-ups and soooo much other great stuff, and I was reading through it the other day, and came across this really cool article called “The Difference Between Genius and Talent in Figure Painting, by an artist.” It had some really cool ideas about doing meaningful portraits and figure paintings.

First the artist should conceive of what it is that they want to express with their painting. What they want to capture or to say about them. Perhaps an inner emotion or feeling, or an “elevated form of a genuine human character.”

Then select a pose, gesture and expression that embodies that theme.

Then, the REALLLYY interesting part was that when you are painting, get into the mood that you want to convey in the piece. When we are in a certain mood, we naturally create brushstrokes and shapes that express that feeling!

Anyway, I just thought that was really interesting!

K:)

Interview on CBC Radio

2008-07-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Eee, I manged to track down the recording of THIS INTERVIEW that I did on Tuesday with CBC radio's Adrian Harewood for All in a Day about the Juror's Choice Award that I just won for Easter Sunday at the Orillia Museum of Art and History:)

"Easter Sunday," oil on linen, 20 x 16 inches, 2007

Painting on The Edge

2008-07-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

I just found out that my painting, "Fiberglass Venus," was accepted into Painting on the Edge at the Federation Gallery!

There were 700 entries to the show, so it's an honour to have been among the 50 selected artists.

The award ceremony is August 21, 2008 from 6pm-9pm at Federation Gallery on Granville Island, in Vancouver. I doubt I'll be able to make it (being on the other side of the continent and all), but my Dad'll probably be there, so any of you who can make it should look out for the guy with a thick Scottish accent and glasses that are supposed to automatically turn into sunglasses in the sun, but instead stay half darkened all the time - he's my Dad:) Anyway, I love and miss Vancouver so I always love it when I'm in shows out there:)

Fiberglass Venus, 12 x 9 inches, oil on panel, 2007

Ava Triptych

2008-07-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

With my fancy new Canon 40D digital camera, I was finally able to get decent photos of the Ava Triptych! Yay! What a difference a good camera can make!
I had done a post earlier with the step-by-step to this painting, but I was never really happy with the final picture that I took of it.

Time's Running Out

2008-07-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Well, there's officially only five days left to vote for my Ogrant!! Thank you soooo much to everyone who's already voted and left all theat really sweet feedback!! and yeah, for those of you who maybe haven't heard about it or havent had a chance yet to vote.. any Canadian Student in college or university can vote!!

click here http://www.ogrant.com/ActiveVote.aspx?aid=259 (in the top right corner), then, after you've verified your email click "SUPPORT" (also in the top right corner, kinda under the registration/login area) to vote for me!!

THANKS EVERYONE!!!

I'm a Winner!

2008-06-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

I just found out that I won Juror's Choice Award for my painting "Easter Sunday," in the Traditional Category of the Third Annual Juried Art Show at the Orillia Museum of Art and History, which is on now until August 3, 2008.

"Easter Sunday," oil on linen, 20 x 16 inches, 2007

Interview

2008-06-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

I just did another interview with Jason Anders for Fulle Circle! This one focuses more on technique!

Mannequin Painting

2008-06-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here's another new peecture that I recently feeneeshed.

"i wish i were invisible" mixed media on panel, 12 x 9 inches, 2008

Matthew D Innis' Blog

2008-06-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

I first met Matthew a couple of years ago in one of Juan Martinez' workshops, and we stayed in touch through email afterwards. Over the years he has taught me about the realist art world a lot. He'd email me when i asked about who studied under whom, and told me all about Frank Reilly, who taught a number of the best realist artists around today! Matt's just so knowledgable about artists, art history, materials and techniques! Anyone who wants to educate themselves in realist art should visit his blog, Underpaintings daily, I know I will be!

BG Painting Instructions

2008-06-21T05:40:00.001-07:00

Thought you guys might be interested in this background painting step by step I found kicking around on my computer that I made to teach the painters in Korea how to follow our keys. I also found a few scans of some of Johnny's favorite golden books we were using as reference for this painting.

*Unfortunately I don't have the final version of this painting anymore:( But this was done just as a tutorial to show the process.*

Interview

2008-06-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here's an interview I just did with Disney guy Jason Anders of Fulle Circle!

click here

Dusk

2008-06-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a painting I recently did en plein air. Painting outdoors is great for developing your ability to paint quickly and loosely because the light changes so quickly!

"Dusk" oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, 2008

How to Wrap a Brush

2008-06-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,

Here's a video of me wrapping my paintbrush after a good day's work, to prevent them from getting frayed. It helps keep 'em nice and flat so that you can use the thin edge to do nice thin lines and the flat side to do thicker strokes:)