Salon International Exhibition, France 2011

I was invited to contribute a few editorial cartoons to the Salon

International exhibition this year. The theme of the exhibit was on

"living together." The exhibit wasn't specifically about any particular area, so

I submitted work I think deals within the context of living together.

Have a look and decide for yourself.

The size of the artwork is done on 11 by 14. I prefer Arches Hot-Press watercolour

paper. Viva La Femmes and Policing with Pride are both coloured digitally,

using a pen tablet. Bora Bora is coloured using Pantone markers, while the

other two cartoons are painted traditionally with watercolour and acrylic paints.

East Coast Bugs

During our travels, our kids, Rowin and Atticus wanted

to document all the bugs that crossed our path. Using

only a Sony, point-and-shoot camera, and on the macro setting,

we began documenting. I was surprised how well

the macro captured detail, for this type of camera.

St. Andrews, NB

The historic monument of St. Andrews, New Brunswick. An old

Fort built during the war of 1812. It was home to 4-6 loyalist soldiers

who called this bunker home for long periods of time.

And some of the smaller cannons seated outside the bunker,

my kids were really enjoying.

Rowin and Atticus enjoying a view of a dead Sculpin fish down by the warf.

The upscale eclectic landscape of Main St., St. Andrews has everything

your stomach needs: Gelato made fresh, fudge, booze, and many good eats

like this place right here.

Enjoying a sunset at low tide on the Water St. pier in St. Andrews.

Cape Breton Island

A beautiful sunny day hanging out on the edge. Many waterbirds

nest on these cliffs, and seals swim by to the patient eye. Being in this

environment certainly fuels my creativity much more than in the big city.

I wonder why...

A favourite spot of ours inside the Highlands National Park. This is a

good spot for skipping stones, watching sunsets, rock climbing, and home

to bald eagles. Yep. We actually saw one nesting by the rock face.

This is a view off the Cabot Trail. Although Cape Breton is an

Island, the coast is very different every step of the way.

This was our secluded beach.

Cape Breton Island

Us on top of Cheticamp Island looking out onto the water hoping to

see some whales as is the whale tours down below.

This abandoned house on the Island has been standing for

a really long time, judging by the weathered exterior. Things are built

to last out here. I love how the composition places the solitude

of the house amidst the grassy hills and the distant ocean. What a view

to wake up to every morning...

Cape Breton has a lot of cultural history. This was the land of the

earliest settlers to Canada before confederation. While hiking

we came across this grave marker representative of a time when people

used to live on this island.

Ahh! Life on the beach. Rowin and Atticus looked forward to

going to Cheticamp Beach every morning. Coastal areas are often

susceptible to severe weather patterns. Jelly fish are abundant

once the warmer waters circulates from the gulf stream. Often birds

don't make it to safety from the high winds off the Highlands mountain

range, as this poor guy can show. Crabs travel to shallow water

to warm up from the cold deep and face the threat of tourists on the beach.

The boys loved the experiences of being in nature every day.

The Art of Sole

This past summer I was commissioned to do a painting of vintage

Air Jordans. I was informed about the world of shoe art referenced

through a book called, Art and Sole. The work was done with acrylics

and painted in an impassto style and technique indicative of shoe art. I

began with some digital comps to show him and soon after I was painting.

The finished artwork was painted on canvass measuring 19 by 20 inches.