September 13, 2012

Millenium Falcon, LEGO

Very excited to get the Falcon LEGO set. Have been looking forward to it for some time. I brought my kids with me for the ceremonial purchase. Once we brought it home, we got busy building it. Now that its built, it sits on a stand in my studio. It's one of the few LEGO sets I have where the kids can only play with it for a limited time only. I took pictures of the progression. Thanks to my kids for helping me build it. THEY'RE AWESOME.















September 6, 2012

Sketching Through the Maritimes, Part 2

In the summer of 2012 I decided to take a road trip, for 5 weeks, from Toronto to the Maritimes, ending at Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. While on this trip I wanted to chronicle the journey in sketches: no cameras, no computer assisted imagery, just pen, paper, the open road and my skills. Inspired by Shel Silverstein's book, Around The World, and of Walt Stanchfield's philosophical views on drawing, from the books, Drawn To Life, this is my travelogue of a few areas of the Maritimes seen through my eyes and drawn by my hand. Enjoy...



This is what my sketch book looks like at the end of the trip. 
It becomes well worn, wrinkled, beat up, and I earmarked the trip
by adding some travelogue memorabilia.



I usually leave the first page of most sketch pads for a write up or two. 
In this case it was more appropriate to chronicle the journey 
with a little philosophical engagement: as all good journeys do.



Cows living on Cheticamp Island come down to graze by the water.


The good Ol' Crab Shack. Actually its a tourist information centre.




The homes in Grand Etang, Cape Breton are built to contour the landscape. 


This is beautiful Woodstock, New Brunswick. The historic part is more 
interesting to sketch and to hang out in. Historic Woodstock is close to the 
water and I usually stop into the local farmer's market for interesting finds.


I discovered Montmagny, Quebec this trip. What a beautiful city. I intend 
to explore this place more in the future on the drive out to the East Coast. 
I do enjoy Quebec for their appreciation of the arts. It's a wonderful 
place to be for an Artist like me.


Stopping in Ottawa where my sister lives before heading back to Toronto. 






Back in Toronto. Concluded the sketching with a few boats 
down by Harbourfront. What a change from fishing boats...






Managed to do two paintings while on Cape Breton Island. Although 
the main focus was sketching, I couldn't resist using my portable paint set. 
Painting certainly takes longer than sketching. I used a water colour pad 
rated at 90 Ibs. Good general use paper for quick washes. 
Wouldn't recommend this weight for more sustained painting. 


Here I am sketching the falls in Montmagny, Quebec.



Here I am with my son Atticus enjoying a treat in Moncton.

Below are pictures where I'm well camouflaged. Can you find the 
artist in the next two pictures? Most days I would plank (no not planking) myself 
down and get to work. Other days I'd be working in the time frame of minutes.