Nothing but the real thing

I was out shopping with my wife and kids earlier today and I happened to wonder into a furniture accessories store. You know, the kind that sell all sorts of different bowls and chairs and accent furniture for you home. They also had some big format paintings that were hung on the walls. The paintings were abstract. Something someone would use to finish off a room, or even start with one as a focal point (something we've all learned about, on those design shows). As I approached one of the paintings to get a better look, to my absolute horror, the "thing" was a printed vinyl reproduction (giclee), with splashes of more paint thrown on top, to make it look more authentic. Wow, the price was listed at 1169.00$!!! That's 1169.00$ for a totally fake painting!!! Money in the toilet, no matter how rich you are! I would personally be extremely embarrassed to have something like that hang on my wall and even worse to have actually paid for it.
As an artist I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn't take some time to seek out and find real art from a real artist, no matter what that artist might create. Not only are you supporting and encouraging us as artists, but you have something authentic, beautiful and original that was created using our thoughts, creativity and our own two hands. It's true that when you buy a piece of art, you take a little of the artist with you. You do, trust me on that! And more often than not, most art is affordable. I'd rather start a collection with a small inexpensive piece of art and watch the artist grow, than buy something that will never increase in value because it's worthless to begin with.
What then, is more real than having that on your walls or in your homes, rather than something cheaply made on a vinyl canvas meant to only represent the real thing. Your homes are an extention of your personalities, your desires and with what you put in it, you say to the world, "look at my lovely home!!" You spend so much time, effort and money buying furniture and accecories for your home, why not also spent a little time finding unique art or an artist to truly make your home a one of a kind.

June 11 Art Exhibition Photos

June 11th art exhibition photos

My first TV Appearance

This morning I was on a local Montreal TV program doing an interview about myself and my artwork.
My interviewer Toula Drimonis, was very good and really helped me along as I found myself kind of getting stuck every once in a while. I didn't get as nervous as I thought I would, as well as start sweating like I do in stressful situations!......YEAH!!!! The interview wasn't very long but it was full of "fasinating stuff" as we talked about how I got started in painting, what I painted and they also showed some of my artwork on camera. Very cool!!
The experience was a good one and I must say doing tv can not be an easy task.
Thank you Toula and CJNT Montreal for the opportunity and experience.

When is a painting finished......

Lately, I've been working on a series of paintings that never seem to be finished. These painting were inspired by the works of Joan Mitchell who is one of my favorite artists. I like her pieces because they seemed to of been created almost effortless, like they were done without even a second thought.
Painting abstract expressionism is something new for me and I find it very challenging and inspirational to paint this way but one thing that's been on my mind is, knowing when to stop???
When do you know your painting is finished. Some artists can work on pieces for years and I don`t think they even know when they`re done.
Surely I say you must know your done when you`ve acheived the effect you were going for but what about when you don`t..??
The pieces I`m working on seem to have so much paint on the surface. I've been painting and re-painting constantly and they've reached a point that now I`m scared the stretcher will collapse. I`m so nervous cause I`ve changed them so much, I`m starting to panic!!! I even forgot what I wanted to acheive.
This morning as I was looking at them, I had a thought. What if you just keep painting them....... until either the canvas falls apart, or you die!
I`m kidding!!!!!
I think that a painting can certainly go on for a very long time and it`s really about the trials and tribulations of the artist. All the things that go through your head at the time, even your mood. I think the finished piece is finished only when you know you`ve put all your heart and soul into it and not one moment sooner.
Keep painting........ forever????