Colorized Mock-Up for 'forever Young' mural

I spent the last few days slaving over a hot mouse to create a more or less full-color mock-up of the 'forever Young' mural in preparation for the next design conference...which is tonight.


This is as important for me to see as it is no doubt for the committee. 


I worked out, for the first time, the overall color scheme and composition of the entire design from stem to stern. There is quite a bit going on with this 'montage-style' mural, as I found out in no uncertain terms while galavanting about in the design process. I say 'IN  the design process' because I felt totally submerged in it for the past week. 


Here is what the whole design looks like in with added color:

The 'forever Young' mural will measure a total of 84 running feet in length by about 20 feet in height. 

Because it is difficult for you to see all of the detail (and there's LOTS!) with the picture so tiny on the monitor, I am also going to post three close-up shots of the colorized design:

Please note: the 'skyline' of this mural will be actually cut-out so the entire section of 'sky-blue' that I have shown in this design is  intended to represent the actual sky which will be visible above the mural 'in situ'. 


This added dimension will dramatically accentuate the three-dimensional effect of the figures on the horizon of the mural like a basic straight line could never do. I have gained a lot of experience from previous projects of this ilk so I know how much punch and pop this concept of a cut-out horizon delivers. It's tons more work but the outstanding results will make it all worthwhile. 

One of my favorite chunks torn out of the mock-up.

Another Mega-Mural getting fired up!

Q: When does a 'painting' become a 'Project'?

A: When it spans over 1280 square feet and chronicles the rich farm life and times of the vibrant community of Young, Saskatchewan! 

In 2010, the Village of Young, SK celebrated an important milestone in its history: it's 100th birthday! Not a community that lets things like this go unrecognized,  the town marshaled its resources to host a huge homecoming party and also to commission commemorative artwork to celebrate the occasion.

Three community  members  of Young who spear-headed the commemorative artwork project pose with the original approved artwork in its rough sketch form.

Once the design was approved, it was my job to create a formal pen and ink rendering that could be used as the artwork to be reproduced in the form of a limited edition print which was offered for sale at the big homecoming as a fundraiser to generate the capital required to proceed with the mural project.

One of the main organizers shown presenting a shrink-wrapped, archival-quality reproduction of the original artwork at the 100th Birthday Homecoming. The original pen & ink is hanging on the wall behind her.

I participated in the unveiling of the original pen and ink drawing which ended up being over five feet in length. That's a pretty big pen and ink, especially considering the immense amount of intricate detail. 

The formats that were presented at the Homecoming included a 'bistro' style reproduction, which is printed on canvas and then stretched over a wooden frame for a ready-to-hang convenience.

Once the artwork was approved and finished, I mocked up a rendering of the mural situated in position mounted on the wall of the Young Hockey Rink to show the scale of the finished piece. This early design is monochromatic. The actual mural will be painted in full-color, which will be an entirely different ball game!

Computer-generated version of what the mural might look like on the wall. 

Last night I attended a meeting of the planning committee to work out some of the final details prior to starting to fabricate, construct, lay out and paint the mural. I cannot say enough about the good will and integrity of the committee members. They are a great group to work with and we are collectively enthusiastic and excited about the project. I will be filing regular progress reports over the coming weeks as this ambitious project proceeds. In about two or three weeks we will be setting up a mural-painting studio inside the hockey rink at Young where I will build a temporary wall on which to mount the panels in order to proceed. 


The projected completion date is early June. I have a LOT of painting to do between now and then which I am looking forward to diving into with my usual energy and enthusiasm.

I created a 'legend' that corresponds with the design  for identification of all of the elements in their historic context.

Want to see more of my murals? Check this link.


Cheers!

TV Interview with Wes Funk

It was a good time and very interesting to make an appearance on the Shaw Cable TV show 'Lit Happens', hosted by well-known novelist Wes Funk. As the name 'Lit Happens' implies, this is a show dedicated to highlighting the literary talent of Saskatchewan and has included interviews with many best-selling authors since its inception. 


So it was a thrill when Wes invited me to go on the show as a 'blogger'.  I was pleased that the producer spliced in several images of my art, commissions and our 'G-G's Gallery and Gifts' business. 


It was overall a great opportunity to share my art and art philosophy with the viewers. Without any further ado, here is the show. Sit back and enjoy the interview...it was a lot of fun!
 

NYC here I come...

It's time. To break. Out.

I have just entered a New York City-based  Art Competition called ARTISTS WANTED.


This is an online affair with profound material world implications for a denizen of very lucky artists.


As with so much these days, this competition is 'vote-based' and crowd sourced...hence my post today to promote my entry.

Here's the skinny...all I am asking is that you take a second out of your busy weekend (or whenever this post reaches your eyeballs) to click through to my ARTISTS WANTED profile to tap the 'COLLECT ME' tab. It would be awesome if you would also select the 'SHARE' tab to boot.


What the hey, let's make it happen.


Show me some click-love!


Please.

It's a Wrap! Imaginary Landscape Completed

There is nothing better in the world of commissioned artwork than being awarded a contract to paint strictly out of the imagination...within a certain sensibility of course. After all, the commissioned work must by its very nature be reflective of the ambiance in the space where it is to permanently installed. That is a consideration that will be deeply appreciated by the patron of the project. The sensitive artist will intuit the way from the blank canvas (and blank stares) of the unformed idea to a concept that fascinates and mesmerizes the 'committee' into a willing suspension of disbelief, to dream along with the artist of a 'crowd-sourced' solution.


Such was the case, happily, with the steering committee to outfit the Ecumenical Chapel in the new Manitou (Seniors') Lodge attached to the Watrous Union Hospital. 


Make no mistake about it, once I had heard about this project on the local artists' grapevine, I resolved in my mind that it would be an excellent project to 'get'. The new Lodge in Watrous is only a few minutes drive from here so mileage was not an issue. Plus, at our first meeting I suggested the idea of installing three panels to form a triptych. 'Install' being the operative word. I could just paint the thing in my own studio.

The initial mock-up that I created for our second meeting was painted on a single stretched canvas. I computer-generated this version that shows the design as a triptych or three separate panels. 

For some reason I decided to take a chance on romance...and committed myself to 'making up' a landscape with a few things in mind. This spilled out of the ideas that were tossed around at that first meeting. The idea of three panels sets up a natural progression of the eye from left to right, so it made sense to optimize this with a progressive series of images. 


The eye alights in the shady area of the tree on the left to be lead down a winding shoreline to a splendidly adorned evening sunset. The overall coloring tends to the cool lilac side, which is a restive and soothing hue. In contrast and to warm things up a bit, the sunset colors range across the whole spectrum with an emphasis on the orange-y yellow zone. 


The overall, casual impression is of a conventional 'landscape' but upon closer inspection the eye sees slight anomalies that reveal a sense of surrealism...things that may or may not be images flicker just outside of our peripheral vision.


As a starting block I relied upon my imagination with the condition (which I clearly stated in my formal presentation ) that I then carry on to model a second set of panels from the imaginary first. And then finally a third set based on the intermediate panels for 'three degrees of separation' from the original source of the image. Remember, that would be out of the recesses of my cranium. 


My reasoning, bold as it may seem for such a 'mainstream' commission, was that the end result be purely imaginative with no guarantees of any semblance of reality.


Much to my very pleasant surprise, after a couple of weeks I received a phone call from the Health Care District to inform me that I had been awarded the contract. Not only was I extremely stoked about the freedom I was being granted, I was also impressed that my budget had been improved without so much as a whimper. Now that's what we're talking about!

Standing with the preliminary sketch (on the ledge) along with the intermediate panels AKA Phase 2. The full-sized panels can be seen behind.

The intermediate panels placed in front of the full-scale panels early in the painting of 'phase 3'.    

Here are some fairly random details of the painting that show my tendency to stray rather far away from the standard 'rendition' of your typical landscape. Instead, in this case at least, I decided to follow my intuition to wherever it lead me.  Remember, the concept of this piece revolves around the contemplative setting of an ecumenical chapel in a Senior's Lodge. While not imposing itself on the viewer, this painting is conceived to offer a sort of visual 'portal' to encourage free thought and only a very subtle atmosphere of a quietly creative psychic respite. Nothing too rambunctious. But also not simply dull and routine. It's a fine, almost precariously perched balance. 

The three completed panels:

It would take a careful eye to patch in these details to their correct position in the mural. 

I think it is very interesting that pretty much everyone who has seen this piece to date has not only liked it, the general consensus is extremely enthusiastic. Which tells me that there is a lot of room in peoples' mental framework for acceptance of quite abstract work, bordering on the 'surreal'. Not only did the steering committee for this project affirm their admiration of the more abstract genre, but it is being embraced by the general public in terms of very positive adjectives like: "warm, inviting, comforting, soothing, calming, inspiring..." This feedback has been the most rewarding part of the project. 


The panels have now been safely delivered (without a scratch) to the Watrous Union Hospital where they will be kept in secure storage until they are permanently installed in the new Ecumenical Chapel. This is slated to take place sometime in May or June of 2012. 

The triptych of panels 'Imaginary Landscape'.

So you see, there IS hope for the acceptance of edgier, more challenging art than might first be imagined. I am so happy and gratified that the committee shared my enthusiasm for a more creative approach to this project. I feel it's a win-win-win situation for all the parties: the committee, the viewing public and myself as an artist who dared to offer an artistic vision that was perhaps a bit unexpected yet as it turns out yields a very positive outcome. 

Only on 'Lit Happens'

My friend Wes Funk is well, to put it mildly, a cultural icon in this corner of the world and rapidly ascending to a stellar level globally thanks to the rush of success he has enjoyed since the world-wide release of his best-selling novel "Dead Rock Stars". 


Are you still with me? OK. 


The long and short of it is, Wes brought a dear friend of his - fellow author Jacquie Moore - out from the city to do a reading at our local library in Watrous from her bestselling book "The Saskatchewan Secret" a few days ago.


Well. We could hardly stand all the excitement.

Photographing a photograph of Jacquie Moore 'in the wings' as she is being introduced to the group of almost 60 people in attendance to hear her read from her best-selling book "The Saskatchewan Secret". We were not disappointed!

The Master of Ceremonies read the glowing reviews on the back cover of "The Saskatchewan Secret". By the time she had finished her introductory remarks, the room was enchanted at the prospect of meeting the author.

Author Jacquie Moore pauses in a reflective moment during her reading.

Jacquie was a very gracious speaker who instilled a sense of trust in her audience by her even-measured explanation of how she came to write the remarkable chronicle that explores the special gifts of a group of thirteen healers of various strains and disciplines. She told us quite candidly that she had no intention of changing anybody's mind or opinion about any of the extraordinary claims that her subjects make. Jacquie confided that she wishes to capture for posterity some of the more esoteric methods in the book, lest they vanish forever to the detriment of future generations.


I saw her eyes light up with an inner fire when she read from her book and later discussed some of the details in an open Q & A. To my surprise and delight, several of the stoic participants came forward with their own stories that emanated out of the lively discussion that followed. There were even a few people who volunteered to demonstrate their own special skills with the 'dowsing rods' that suddenly appeared - as if on cue- from one of the organizers.

A willing volunteer tries her hand at an impromptu 'Water Dowsing' with improvised coat-hanger wires bent into long  L-shaped units. Every successful attempt was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Wes Funk looks intrigued by what he is hearing, while basking in the typically surreal atmosphere of a cultural 'happening' in the rural setting.

Moments after yet another demonstration of the 'Water Dowsing' phenomenon, this participant appears to be a little perplexed at her own unerring technique.

There seemed to be some kind of magic in the air as person after person stood to proclaim their affinity with this or that healing practice. I think there was something about the fine quality of Jacquie's presentation skills that coaxed out the adventurous spirit of the group.  Truly remarkable for the often (deeply) reserved community that we see in 'everyday life' around town.

During the course of our visit, Wes said that he wanted to interview a blogger for a segment on his Shaw Cable TV show "Lit Happens". 

He was also interested in the connection between thriving as an artist and social media.

Turns out that there was an opening on this morning's schedule. I needed to get into the city for art supplies anyway, so we inked in a guest spot for yours truly.

Wes was such a gracious host. He asked some very good, smart questions about the life and times of an artist in the 21st century living in rural Saskatchewan. He made the whole experience a relaxing, engaging time. I think he has a genuine gift for putting his guests at ease and drawing out the best in them. Dang it all, I did not bring my camera...but it was lots of fun and I think it will turn out great.

Seeing as how the interview was about blogging, I thought I'd better stop what I was doing and plunk away for a few minutes to whip up a ...blog.

Holy mackerel, the days are melting away into an early spring...unless that tell-tale scent of thawing dog doo lies. It would be so easy just to let the time pass me by without taking the time to chatter on about it, especially if I was under the gloomy assumption that I was writing to no-one.

The thing is, strangely and organically enough, I did the math and this blog has had on average about 60 readers every day since its inception a few months ago. 

I won't brag that I've almost hit the 5000 mark, it is no great feat when some blogs get a zillion visitors per annum.

Whatever. It's not about quantity, it's about quality.

Take for example a note that showed up in my inbox this morning.

Subject: your way with words.....

Michael, I thought you were an art critic....your way with words is stellar....I was in awe of what you said about my work, and the fact that it came from a fellow artist really means a lot. What you do is striking! do you do public art? Murals? I'm chairperson for Art and Public Places for the City of West Palm Beach. Deb Bigeleisen.

Now, I ask you, what do I do with that ?!

You see where I'm going with this?

In the meantime, life goes on in my studio. I just finished my latest mural commission called "Imaginary Landscape" that will be permanently installed at the new 'Manitou (Seniors') Lodge' attached to the Watrous Union Hospital. And now of course I am on to other painting projects.

Just before I take off, may as well show you some shots of that mural. I will be writing in more depth in an upcoming post about the ramifications of this artwork.

Posing with the preliminary sketch (on the ledge) along with the intermediate panels in front. The full-sized panels can be seen behind.

The intermediate panels sitting in front of the full-size panels.

The three finished full-sized panels form a triptych.

As you can probably tell, I could go on and on in this space for quite a while yet. But it is no way to get actual work done.

I get a bit territorial about that non-negotiable time in the studio so I am off!

Imaginary Landscape Mural study

I was asked to submit a design proposal for a mural for the new 'Manitou Lodge' being finished as an addition to the Watrous Union Hospital a few months ago. I thought about the idea for quite a while before committing to anything concrete. After mulling it over, I decided to take the project in a slightly (or rather, radically) different direction than per usual. It is my general belief that an important part of visual authenticity is to base images on something borrowed from the real world. That is to say, a sketch, mock-up or photograph of the 'subject' to be painted in order to achieve that unmistakable 'visual fingerprint' of the image for a powerful reckoning for the eye and inner sensibility. I don't concern myself usually with a 'photo-realistic' rendering, though I promise you that I have the technical skills to pull that off if it is needed.

Rather, it is more important for me to create a 'visual fingerprint' of a given object so that there is a high degree of recognition without subjecting my viewer to the tedious exercise of extraordinary detail that serves no useful purpose other than to say,  "Look, what a great painter I am, I can make it look so 'real'!"  

For me, the reality is that this style of painting ends up suffocating the viewer with too much 'stuff' and leaves little or no room for personal dreaming and interaction. That's the rub, right there.  

Sometimes less is more and it is refreshing to leave lots of wiggle room for mental and psychic navigation through the picture. 

So, imagine my delight when I explained the idea for this project. Which is? I suggested that the best approach for this image would be to drift away from a picture-perfect rendering of yet another oh-so boring landscape. You can get that just by taking a stroll out of town.

Instead, I proposed that my design be entirely 'imaginary' with the aim to prevent subject fatigue...not only for the viewers but also for the guy painting. I would first create an imaginary landscape with certain abstract criteria. Namely: the colors would be soothing to the soul, the subject would be a sort of progression from complex to elegant, the design would consist of three separate panels to reinforce the idea of progression and the image would include elements from nature such as trees, sky and water. It was pointed out to me that the chapel where the artwork was destined to hang was in fact 'Ecumenical', or non-denominational. As such, I was discouraged from including any obvious religious symbolism. Sounds about right.

My inclination was to force myself to separate from my usual modis operandi by winging it by the seat of my pants. This is how my preliminary sketch (Phase 1) turned out...before I had confirmation that the project was in the bag:

Much to my delight and ( I'll freely admit) surprise, my proposal was met with open arms and soon the proposal was officially accepted by the planning committee. I was in!


Using the first mock-up as a guide, I then proceeded to paint a larger version on three separate panels. Here are the steps for Phase 2:

The panels shown in this post are 30" x 12" each, with an intentional gap between that must be filled in with the mind's eye.


I will not go into the specifics of my technique here, you can see my notes in this album.


The next step in this project (Phase 3) will be to paint larger panels (that will end up permanently installed in the Manitou Lodge Chapel) based entirely on the panels of Phase 2. The end result will be three panels each measuring 60" x 24" with gaps between to reveal the wall behind. My reasoning for this approach is to arrive at three degrees of separation from so-called 'reality'. I want to push myself to explore the arena of the sub-conscious and also to rely (heavily) on my instinctive painting abilities. 


The idea of an 'Imaginary Landscape' could be called 'Imaginary Mindscape', for that is what it is.