Illustration Friday: Wrinkles

Wrinkle Remover for Men (click on image to enlarge)

Billy Collins poem: Forgetfulness

Karen found this great animated piece online and wanted to mention it here, where people might not think to look for poetry, but would appreciate the tone and humour. Enjoy.

Fritzi Gallery, Group Show, April 30-May 3

April 30 – May 3 The Fritzi Gallery presents: “Got Monkeys?” a short exhibit (one week) at GCTC’s Fritzi Gallery during the “lawyer play” coming up in early May. Seven Ottawa based artists interpret and re interpret the images of Monkey in the light of the famous “Scopes Trial” and in conjunction with the 9th Annual CCLA/GCTC Lawyer Play, Inherit the Wind, by JEROME LAWRENCE and ROBERT EDWIN LEE , directed by JANET IRWIN May 1,2 and 3 in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. Featuring the artists: Jennifer Gibbs Trevor Sylvain Timothy Hunt Barbara Cuerden Fabricawakuwaku Erin Robertson Kate Wetherow The Lorraine 'Fritzi' Yale Gallery 1233 Wellington Street West (at Holland Avenue), Ottawa.Entrance is Free HOURS:Monday-Friday: 10am - 6pmSaturday: 10am - 4pmSunday: 12pm-4pm For more information please contact the Cube Gallery: 613 728 1750

Illustration Friday: Fail

click on image to enlarge

Sometimes I think even the man of steel feels that he fails to live up to expectations.

Normally I like to make something new for IF, but when I read the topic, "fail", this collage book I made in 2006 popped into my head. That year, Karen & I and our friend Katie, decided to make a book a week to send to one another. The book itself is made from an 8.5 X11 sheet that is folded and cut to make an 8-page book. Each of the frames is one page and the double frame is in the centre of the book. Man of Futile Words (copyright 2006) is what I call my small press and the last frame is the back cover of the book. I reformatted it here to make it easier to read, but here's what it looks like when the book is folded out flat:

The pictures for this were all cut from a Walmart flyer.

Here is a diagram of how to make a one page book. To see some of my friend Katie's books, check out: http://plasticmasters.blogspot.com/search?q=one+page+books

Illustration Friday: Save

Click on image to enlarge

This was a bit challenging to photograph. There is a reflector on the Colonel's head, which caught the flash and I also had difficulty with shadows. I put in a detail of the text below.

My personal challenge for this week was to make something from items I've been saving for "projects". I decided instead to pick things up on a walk downtown and try to make something from the objects I found. Below are the items I picked up on a 40 minute walk . There was a lot to choose from because the melting snow was revealing layers of detritus that had accumulated over the winter. The Colonel Sander's story evolved as I was arranging the pieces on the table. I didn't use everything, and the marble and key were things I already had. I like working this way because the materials really take over and suggest the direction of the piece.

Illustration Friday: Homage

Cities and their Monuments

collage and paint on canvas board 7"X9" (click on image to enlarge)

This is an homage to one of my favorite artists, Claes Oldenburg. I like how he has taken mundane objects such as clothespins, trowels and matchbooks and made them monumental. His work has a lot of humour and his sketches of prospective works are beautifully executed.

This is also an homage to big roadside attractions; giant beavers, collossal fish, and the like, that are manufactured to bring in the tourists. I grew up in a northern mining town where the main attraction was "The Big Nickel".

The city is also home to the "Superstack", the world's 2nd tallest industrial smokestack that spreads toxins far and wide over the majestic northern landscape.