A customer at Picture Perfect Gallery in Victoria commissioned me to do a larger version of one of my pieces (Blue Cubes), so I’m documenting the process here. So far I have the cubes portion ready.

1. Configuration mockup: A possible arrangement of the cubes on the canvas.

2. The styrofoam cubes are coated with acrylic molding paste. They look rough and lumpy.

3. Here they are sanded smooth!

4. Impaled on toothpicks, the cubes first get a coating of turquoise gesso, then rough gradations are applied in acrylic paint.

5. Here they are with the gradations painted on, the second pass making them look smoother.

6. A very thin and sparse layer of iridescent paint is added, then topped with countless layers of gloss medium. The cubes are done!

I will have to wait several days for the various coatings to cure, because they are soft. When they are dry enough I will move on to the next stage!

From February 17 to March 7, 2018 you will be able to see some 8″ × 12″ and 13″ × 19″ prints of my photography work at the Metropolis Photo Gallery, 864 Pembroke Street in Victoria, BC.

Here are some views from the gallery.

Good news! “Wayfarers” has been accepted into the Sooke Fine Arts Show. You’ll have a chance to see the piece in person, as well as purchase prints and art cards of the work.

Where: SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke, BC
When: July 22 – August 1, 2016
What: More than 375 works of original island art are on display in a stunning, 17,000-square-foot gallery at the SEAPARC complex on Sooke Harbour. Visitors can also enjoy daily artist demonstrations, talks, guided tours, live music, gift shop and bistro.

This is one of Vancouver Island’s premier summer art events, and the show is carefully juried. A lot of the best work around is shown here so it is humbling to be among the selected.

In addition to art cards, a selection of originals from my “Microcosm” series is available for purchase in the gift shop.

Now that the final work is on display at the Slide Room Gallery, I guess it’s safe to show it here. It’s called Wayfarers and measures 30″ x 20″, acrylic, ink and digital media on canvas.

Slide Room Gallery
2549 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC
250-380-3500
info@slideroomgallery.com
Opening reception: 7:30 PM, Friday, November 6, 2015
Curator’s talk at 8:00 PM
Exhibition continues to November 30

I’m participating in the “In Cahoots (Synergy)” art show at the Slide Room Gallery in Victoria. Curated by Efren Quiroz of Exhibit-V, it features 50 artworks by 100 artists:

In Cahoots (Synergy) the show is conceived as an experiment of sorts in artistic collaboration. While some artistic endeavors often involve collaborative interactions, for example jazz musicians frequently collaborate in multiple groupings which thrive on the different interactions; visual arts for the most part is a solo act with the lone artist working away in the seclusion of the studio. This show is an opportunity for artists to work in a manner they may not be accustomed to and to experience something of the magical interplay of jazz musicians.

My partner in crime for this project is Haren Vakil. Haren and I decided to pair up for In Cahoots because of our shared enjoyment of surrealism, whimsy and the absurd. We knew we wanted to combine digital with natural media in some way, but we were not sure how we would go about it. Initially I created a 3D computer model of one of Haren’s drawings. But after weeks of work, the result was little more than a Pixar-ificaiton of an existing piece.

3D rendered adaptation of one of Haren’s drawings

The next stage was to try variations. Now that this “drawing” was viewable from any angle in three dimensions, we could build collages and remixes based on renderings from various angles.

Collages incorporating cut-up photocopies, digital prints and hand drawing — the genesis of future artworks

Tracing paper overlay on a digital print to experiment with hand-embellishments to 3D computer renderings

This would prove to be a logistical struggle, though not one that we will give up by any means: these early adventures will contribute to future artworks. But with a deadline looming, something completely different was required.

Inspired by the idea of transformations of existing works, I created a digital collage from scans of artworks by both of us. With a clear direction we were able to build something we were both happy with, and would fit within the timeline. We had the collage printed on canvas, and with a bit of mutual feedback Haren hand-painted more elements into it to complete the piece.

Haren hand-paints new elements into the digital collage

You’ll be able to see how the finished piece turned out at the Slide Room Gallery, 2549 Quadra St., Victoria, BC. from November 6 to 30.

I have three acrylic paintings in the 16th Annual Look Show, an exhibition sponsored by the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria. The works will be on display on the third floor of the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria from February 27 to March 21, 2015. See Norton Hears a Who and Microcosm Series 1 in their first public showings.

I am scheduled to be in attendance on Wednesday, March 4 from 11:30 to 2:45. Hope to see you there!

Jessie Taylor-Dodd did a fantastic job setting up her renovated South Shore Gallery. Here are a few photos of my little corner at the Gallery on opening day, April 12. It was a perfect day for a trip to Sooke and a walk along the nearby seaside boardwalk after mingling with customers and other artists at the opening. Looking forward to Jessie’s ongoing success (and continued sales of my work of course)!

I just dropped off several of my west coast photographs at South Shore Gallery in Sooke, and I’m looking forward to the gallery Open House on Saturday, April 12! If you’re going to be in the area on Saturday, drop in and say hi! I’m planning to be in attendance in the late afternoon. 2046 Otter Point Road, just by Sooke Road.

I took these last-minute photos today before the show was taken down.

Busy November, one more art show to flog my wares:

“Island Illustrators Society presents…”
November 13–24, 2013
Coast Collective Gallery at Havenwood
3221 Heatherbell Road, Colwood
Gallery hours: Wed–Sun, 12–5 pm

I’ll try to get photos of the show soon, but for now here is the gallery-provided poster.