Linocut process pic

Working on a new linocut which I'm hoping to print by the end of the week. The blue is from the transfer paper. I started the illustration in Sketchbook Pro (iPad) finished it in Illustrator. When everything is just so, I print it out and use the transfer paper to, well, y'know... transfer to the linoleum plate. Then the knives come out and the real fun begins. I'm using Xacto blades for the lettering this time around to get cleaner lines.

This is my major art project for the week. Printing on Friday for Saturday is a realistic goal as I'm using water-based inks these days. Got a big market on the weekend, hence the deadline.

If you're in St. John's, drop by Canonwood Hall for Some Good Market (10am-4pm), Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. I'll be there with my linos and painting prints.

Historic sites gallery

I was really fortunate to get a few pieces in the new Historic Sites gallery on the second floor of their Water Street shop in downtown St. John's. If you get the chance, drop down for a looksy. Should be on until the end of August.

Surly puffins

A little jab at the tourists in Newfoundland for the Northeast Avalon Times. Pick one up!

Puffin dood

Some puffin scratches from the sketchbook.

Scallywag show pix

Formal puffins, cartoon kitchen parties, large surreal woodcuts, expressionist landscapes and more! Here's a sneak peek an the Four Scallywags show, on now at Hava Java until mid-September. The Scallywags are Nick Kokis, John Andrews, Bill Ryan and Doug Bird. If you find yourself in downtown St. John's during the next two months, drop by and check it out! It's a great variety of styles, mediums and subjects. 

Scallywags have a show

This Sunday I'll be hanging pieces for another group show with Nick Kokis, Bill Ryan and Doug Bird at Hava Java in downtown St. John's. If you get the opportunity, please drop by and check it out! It's on from July 15 to September 14. There will be a wide assortment of paintings but I'm really looking forward to seeing Nick's woodcuts... he's a very talented printmaker. His "Croc" woodcut is the artwork on our promo material (see above).

Doodlepalooza gets Facebooked

I've finally got a Facebook page for Doodlepalooza.

This five-year-old blog name seems to be my brand now. FB, Twitter, Etsy, Blogger, Tumbr. And now that I'm doing the local craft circuit, that's my market name as well. I toyed with doing something more "professional" but Doodlepalooza has a whimsy to it that seems to reflect my work and attitude.

The Facebook page seemed like a no-brainer. I've been spamming my work to the same bunch of Facebook friends for years now... this way they can choose to follow my work or not. Plus people outside my friend circle can find me.

Aside from the weekend markets, I'm taking baby steps into retail.

After making a few sales at The Tickle Trunk on Water Street, they now carry the full gamut of my embossed work... about 10 pieces in total. Pretty pleased about that. (Thanks Doug!)

Made a submission to Historic Sites today for their product review meeting. It was a wide array of my linocuts and prints of my paintings. I'm hopeful that will turn into something. (Fingers crossed)

So that's what I'm up to... sticking various irons into various fires and seeing what flares up.

Embossed commission piece

Putting the finishing touches on a large (12"x12") commission piece tonight. Embossed pewter tree.

"Dandy Walrus" finished

This guy's finished. He found his hat and seems to fit more snugly on the canvas now. Moving on to some more puffin paintings...perhaps.

I'll be at the St. John's Farmer's Market tomorrow. Unfortunately it's calling for rain so if the weather is poor, I'll have to cancel.

Dandy Walrus
Oil on canvas
18"x24"

Walrus portrait (progress 2)

So here's where the walrus stands after last night's progress. Unnecessarily purple, I suppose, but hey -- walruses don't usually wear suits, either. (Unless they've got an important social engagement, of course.) Still debating a top hat and/or monocle. Going to let him dry for a few days before tackling him again.

Walrus portrait (progress)

Started this fellow the other day. Going to take another crack at him tonight. So now I have two unfinished walrus paintings. As I mentioned on FB, this guy is a welcome distraction from the number of hours I've been spending in front of my Mac these past few weeks. Not that I'm complaining! The freelance work pays my mortgage... walruses, not so much.

NEAT cartoon, June edition

This is my cartoon for the June Northeast Avalon Times. Pick one up! Always great read brought to you be Kathryn Welbourn and her cast of mad scribblers. Quite happy to still have a toe dipped in the newspaper industry... even if it’s just a monthly cartoon.

Biker gangs moving into St. John’s was in the news last week and again this week. Also some questions raised as to whether or not it’s just an over-hyped story. Either way, people are talking about it.

Between the weekend markets and my freelance work, there’s been no art-making the last week or so. But the ideas are percolating madly. Anxious to get the next painting underway as soon as the schedule clears a little.

Gentleman walrus

I had a busy few days and couldn’t be arsed to work on the walrus painting tonight. I became one with the couch. The best I could do was grab the iPad and push a few pixels around in the direction of this guy.

Charles Puffin linocut

I posted the linocut plate last week but neglected to post the final result on the blog so here he is, in all his stamp-like glory, Charles Puffin.

Hand-pulled prints are available at my Etsy shop. (Which is gradually filling up with personified puffins.)

Walrus study

I started this walrus a few weeks ago. Last night I had another crack at it. Went a bit crazy with the purple which is not realistic but I’m liking it nonetheless.

I’ve got a large piece in mind for this character so this is essentially a small study to help me get sense form and colour. And it’s still in progress. Among other issues, his snout is still a bit wonky which is causing problems with his lower lip and tusks. Poor fellah.

In line with my personified puffins, I’m imagining a burly, Victorian barkeep behind the bar cleaning glasses or pulling a pint. And with a fat handlebar moustache, the size and shape of his snout. So that might be the next big painting.

Below is another progress shot from the very early stages when I was just blocking out the shape. It isn’t pretty, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?