Nostalgic Brushstrokes

The cold is not stopping..

2012-01-25T19:57:00.005-05:00

Happy 2012 to everyone! Time sure is flying, I was away for bit in Cuba, and it was a really refreshing inspiring time.. settled back in Toronto now and back to work again! Can't believe its almost the end of this month already. Just wanted to drop in and share a new piece I've been working on, more to come soon.

"Lucky Brownies" @ IndexG Gallery, Toronto

2011-11-14T11:30:00.003-05:00

Just finished my piece for IndexG Gallery's Art Brownie Project.

The Opening is on Saturday, November 19th.
Drop by if you are in the area!

Unfortunately I will be in Los Angeles that time and will be unable to attend the opening. Please take some pictures if you visit.

"Lucky Brownies"
(Golden Dragon Head)
approx 2.5'' x 2.5'' x 1.5''
Acrylic on Wood Blocks

ART BROWNIE:
A small art piece. A wooden block measuring 2.5 inch square, 1.5 inch in height. Artist works on it as a mini canvas.

The Toronto's Art Brownie Shop:
a) A mini shop at INDEXG with ART BROWNIE (by different artists) available all year round.
b) Title of an exhibition at INDEXG to celebrate the launch of the shop and the ART BROWNIE project - grand opening on November 19 (Sat, 3-6 pm), 2011.

A new format for the seasonal gift-giving
The Toronto's Art Brownie Shop exhibition arrives in November, showcasing an array of works and ideas by Toronto artists, all work on this smart, cool format.

ART BROWNIE is available each from $30 to $100 or above. All unique items. From painting, print-making and photo-based, mixed-media to sculptural. The Toronto's Art Brownie Shop exhibition starts on 19th November, a bit earlier giving you ample time to plan your gifting strategy. Exhibits are on buy-and-go base, but the trays will be refilled with fresh new bites frequently.

Artists in the ART BROWNIE project launch exhibition: Anna-karoliina, Adam Chow, Aaron Leighton, Alena Skarina, Alec Dempster, Andrew Yeung, Antonio Cangem, Anabela de Castro, Brad Leitch, Claire Manning, David Cheung, Erik Jerezano, Feng Wei, Fiona Smyth, Françoise Mallecourt Cockburn, Gary Michael Dault, Gary Smith, Greg Stevenson, Harvey Chan, Han Xu, He Qing, Ilyana Martinez, Irina Schestakowich, Iris Lee, Ilana Jackson, Jamie Lawson, Janice Kun, Jacqui Oakley, Jeff Jackson, Jennifer Phelan, Jose Ortega, Juana Zuniga, Kestin Cornwall, Larry Eisenstein, Lisa Cristinzo, Laurie Zinkand-Selles, Loree Ovens, Lillian Hong, Malgorzata Wolak Dault, Madeleine Hellmers, Mariana Tomasevic, Martha Chan, Milena Roglic, Mo Aziz, Nahum Flores, Nataly Kim, Peter Chan, Shelley Savor, Sally Ayre, Taras Ostapchuk, Tai Kim, Tings Chak, Tomio Nitto, Walker Ballantyne-Hill, Uros Jelic, Will Wong and others.

An Ocean & Pounds project, 2011.

Upcoming: Art Brownie Shop Project at IndexG Gallery, Toronto

2011-11-10T16:53:00.010-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Things are busy! Been really excited these days working on a new body of work which will be released in 2012.

I have also been working on some small pieces for a few shows and events.
Here is a work in progress of one that is coming up in Toronto, Canada at IndexG Gallery. I will post the final as well when it is finished.

Oils back in Effect

2011-09-21T15:17:00.004-04:00

Been working with some traditional Oils Painting again the last few days between projects. I have a lot of pieces scheduled in the next months. Will be updating on the progression throughout. Here's one for now, before going into the 'color' stage.

The Familiars - "Secrets of the Crown" Released!

2011-09-16T17:25:00.000-04:00

Recently the new children's novel that I have been busy with drawing and painting late 2010 to Early 2011, has been released now.

You can purchase a copy of it either in your local Chapters, Indigo, Borders, or Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

On Amazon.com, you can purchase it as a hardcover book or an e-book on kindle.

After illustrating the first book, the adventure continues in book two of 'The Familiars - Secrets of the Crown'. The book will be a continuation of the first book.

When human magic disappears suddenly from Vastia, it falls on the familiars, Aldwyn the telekinetic cat, Skylar the know-it-all blue, jay, and Gilbert the gullible tree frog--to find the Crown of the Snow Leopard, an ancient relic that can reverse the curse. They learn that the only way to do this is by following in the purple paw prints of Aldwyn's father, who'd gone missing while searching for the Crown years earlier. This magical spirit trail extends into the Beyond, where our heroes encounter new enemies and danger, while Aldwyn learns about his mysterious past.

Full of high-flying adventure and heartwarming friendships, SECRETS OF THE CROWN shows how great it is to be familiar with The Familiars!

Here are a selected few illustrations that I worked on - all of them were done traditionally, in total I have completed about 20 illustrations for the book:

Follow @the_familiars on twitter for more future updates on the series.

New Upcoming Group Show - "LEGEND": Key to Reading SubKaru

2011-09-13T16:25:00.004-04:00

Opening this Wednesday, I will be part of a group show in Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden in New York.

Here is the show card:
Back

Front

The show will be available to see from September 14 to November 19, 2011.
Opening Reception: September 17th, 1pm - 3pm

Address:
Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden
28 Deveau Road, North Salem
NY 10560

Admission to Museum:
Free for members and children under 12
Non-member Adult $5, Seniors $4

Here is a sneak peak of the piece I have displayed there, I will be posting more information on this piece and the story that comes with it later...

Teaser image - "Freedom Swing"

Special thanks to Mana, Noa, Don, and Nasa for having me as part of this show!

New New Things Are Coming

2011-09-12T15:54:00.005-04:00

Alright, first off, for those of you who noticed some of the missing images from older blog post...heres the thing.

When I joined google+, for some reason there was an album in my account. I thought it was google plus automatically putting some photos they gathered up in my google+ profile.

So since I didn't want some of those old images to appear in my google+ profile ( I was thinking just like facebook profile), I deleted that album.

Little did I know, it was connected to my Blogger too, which i thought was a bit stupid.. but either way, it is gone now. I tried my best to recover as many images to my blog as possible from my PC.

Looks like I will just have to move on and upload more new images and new blog post and get rid of the old ones eventually.

Thats what happens sometimes...you just have to move forward.

This week, there is a lot to update on, I have a new groups how opening in a museum in New York, a new book out, and a few other work in progress things.

Stay tuned, hope you all had a great summer. Autumn is coming, so enjoy that, too.

P.S. For the blog images sacrifices, here is my google+ profile, lets add each other.

Belong To.

2011-05-06T18:15:00.002-04:00

Friday! And this concludes the one week promise of daily postings.
I may be posting a little less frequent now depending on current schedules, but i may start up again with dailies another time or another week.

"belong to."
Mixed Media

Delayed Thursday

2011-05-05T15:10:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the delay guys, been busy these past two days with several events. So here are the back posts.

Thursday. A snap shot.

In-O

2011-05-04T19:10:00.003-04:00

Wednesday!

"untitled"
8.5'' x 11''
Acrylics and Inks on Paper

Young Sienna

2011-05-03T15:54:00.004-04:00

Here is Tuesday. Reflects the weather, gloom.

"Young Sienna"
4.25'' x 5.5''
Inks on paper

Say. Orange-nice.

2011-05-02T16:55:00.005-04:00

Here is Monday.

"Say. Orange-nice."
5'' x 7''
Acrylics, Inks, and old paper

Sunday Afterwards

2011-05-01T12:52:00.004-04:00

Today is Sunday.

"multi- human"
pencils on paper

Second

2011-04-30T13:18:00.006-04:00

Here is one for today.

"untitled"
approx 5'' x 7''
inks & acrylics

Freshly painted

2011-04-29T14:15:00.001-04:00

Starting today, i've decided to do at least a one week daily update on my blog.
Most of the things I will be posting are sketchbook drawings or paintings, but I may also be sharing anything from a study, a work in progress, a thumbnail, a paragraph of thoughts & discoveries, collages, or photos of my most current working spaces.

Just wanted to keep the blog fresh and going, there are a lot of daily things that aren't normally posted or seen. However, for a little while now, I am really enjoying the process of working and making art. Sometimes there is something about the rough, the thumbnail or concept paintings that I feel are extremely lively and important. While the finished works are nice to post, I feel that process and research work has a life of its own.

So lets start this off today, here is something from my sketchbook.

"too long"
approx 7'' x 5''
mixed media (inks, graphite, and old paper)

Another, tomorrow.
Have a great weekend everyone.

Artists Help Japan: Toronto 2011

2011-04-26T21:12:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone,

Things been busy but recently just had the chance to upload photos/video clips of the event. The video was collaborated with an awesome photographer Keith Acedera.

Thank you again to everyone who came out to the event or helped out in some way and supported, we end up raising a total of $20,000+ for the Canadian Red Cross to donate to Japan's Tsunami and Earthquake Relief fund.

Here is the video:

My share of photos have been uploaded to my flicker, click here to see em.

Once again thank you everyone and special thanks to organizers, helpers, artists, and Revival bar for a successful event!

MAPS & Building from the Ground Up

2011-03-31T15:30:00.009-04:00

Today I will be flying out to San Francisco for Wondercon this weekend, while I am excited to see San Fran, its also a bummer that I will be missing two great shows this Friday night.

I just wanted to mention that there are two great shows to check out Friday.

My friend Tessar Lo's solo is opening this Friday titled "MAPS", at Show & Tell Gallery in Toronto.

And also in the second gallery is a very talented artist Andrew Hem, his solo titled "Building from the Ground Up"

Please come out to the show if you are in the Toronto Area! I will have to check it out once I get back from my trip.

Opening Reception:
Friday, April 1st, 2011,
7:00pm - 11pm

Show & Tell Gallery
1161 Dundas St. West
Toronto, ON, M6J 1X3

for more information:
info@showantellgallery.com
+ 647.347.3316

Hopeful

2011-03-30T17:19:00.017-04:00

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to do a quick post today to thank everyone who came out last night to support the event. Ashita was a great success and it was an amazing turnout, not to mention the great food donated by Guu Izakaya and great performances.

Throughout the night, I had talked to some people who had actually experienced part of the quake in Japan and was there when it happened. And still, many of them are a bit shaken up about it. Let us be hopeful that things will get better for all these people and families currently affected by this unfortunate event.

I was able to take some photos of the event for those who missed it. I have posted them on my Flickr account. Unfortunately I was busy in the gallery room most of the hours and missed a few of the great performances.

Please also check out this other set of photos from Hirata as well.

Here are the two pieces I contributed for the event.

Hopeful
6'' x 6''
Graphite and Acrylics on tea-stained paper, framed
SOLD

A New Birth
9'' x 11''
Graphite on tea-stained paper
SOLD

Thank you to the new owners of these pieces. All of proceeds went to support the Red Cross Fund to help Japan.

Finally, many thanks to Rafi, Daisuke, and all the organizers and people who came out to the event. Hope we can all do our best to help a country in need.

ASHITA: Artists for Japan

2011-03-27T13:49:00.014-04:00

Hi everyone,

I will have a piece at the upcoming event 'ASHITA: Artists for Japan'
My friends Harvey Chan, Tessar Lo, Nimit Malavia, and Keita Morimoto will also have work there. This is going to be a great event. Hope to see you there!

The event is on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.
7pm at the Great Hall in Toronto, Canada
--> Facebook Event page
--> The Japan Foundation

Cover: minimum donation $10 (students $5 with ID)

Our heart and minds are with the Japanese people and now its time for action!
The Toronto arts community felt the shock much like everyone else when images first started to appear on the news and stories through friends started to come in

Many of the artists have traveled to Japan as visiting artists or to study its rich culture and its embrace with nature and nurture. We have made many friends and built bridges through collabora...tions and deep friendship

Curator Rafi Ghanaghounian and Artist Daisuke Takeya are organizing a fundraiser event that will bring the arts community of Toronto together to support our friends in Japan both mentally and financially. All artists and performers will give their time and efforts for this very cause

This night will include musicians, artists, poets from both Canada and Japan. As well galleries have donated books and other items available for purchase

Thank you for your support!

Participating groups, sponsors and partners:
The Great Hall, GUU restaurant, K6cards, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Japanese Visitors Association (JAVA), Nihongo Art Contest 2011, Toronto Artists Fund Raising, Orange LLP, Healing Japan, Hardboiledinc for doing our shirts!!

Special Thanks to: Kateryna Topol, Christine Seki

Participating galleries (more coming!):
OBorn Contemporary, Le Gallery, Show and Tell Gallery, Art Metropole, Koyama Press, Narwhal/Magic Pony, OUCHI Gallery NYC, Orbital arts

Participating artists (more coming!):
Howard Podeswa, Laura Horne, Fiona Smyth, Yuriko Kubota, Tomori Nagamoto, Winnie Truong, Nicholas Di Genova, Shigeko Okada, Keiko Tokushima, Ayako Bando, Sonomi, Kobayashi, Bernice Lum, Ron Loranger, Pierre Julien, Richelle Forsey, Jae-hong Ahn, Juno Youn, Miki Shinozaki, Keita Morimoto, Shinobu Akimoto, Yumi Onose, Shinya Kumazawa, Martin de la Rue, Joshua Choi, James Fowler, Martin Ouellette, Patrick DeCoste, Daisuke Takeya, Matt Evans, Martin Reis, Aisha Simpson, Harvey Chan, Peter Chan, Shary Boyle, Akira Yoshikawa, Rie Aikawa, Bud Fujikawa, Laura Adams,Tanya Reed, Dasar, REN, Amy Wong, Risa Kusumoto, Chrisopher Hayes, Takashi Iwasaki, Seth Scriver, Nimit Malavia, Junko Mizuno,Ruthanne Henry, Braden Labonte, Michael Toke

Participating performers:

Your MC's for the evening:
Rafi Ghanaghounian and Nana Akimoto

music:
Clara Venice and Ken Ogawa
Nobu Adilman: Choir!Choir!Choir!
Rambunctious featuring Michael Louis Johnson
Ashely Ingram

performance:
AKA Dance (Keiko Ninomiya, Amy Hampton, Mike Dell)
Natasha Bailey, Nayeon Kim, Adam Herst, Yumi Onose
VPV (Daisuke Takeya, Ayumi Sawada, Tatsu)

tea ceremony:
Tomori Nagamoto and Mika Sato

poetry by:
Ewan Whyte, Bonnie Bowman

DJ
Luis Jacob
Derek Mainella"

Thank you Rafi, Daisuke, and Keita for having me in the show.

Time is a Virtue

2011-03-22T13:37:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone,
I am currently working on multiple paintings and drawings for a series of different things, I have been so caught up into drawing and painting lately, but I will have alot of material to update in the coming weeks.

I have been doing a lot of learning and reading about our world, all the living and non-living things that co-exist. The importance of everything that plays a role around us is often overlooked.

To start here are some drawings and ideas to share.

More to come!

Into the new.

2011-01-31T14:02:00.006-05:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posts in the past month or so, I have been really jam packed with my current project of "The Familiars - Secrets of the Crown", the second of the book series for Harper Collins. I am finally wrapping this one up and the book will be released later this year.

Anyways, forgive me for being late but I hope everyone is having a great year so far. Coming into late January of 2011, is now really the start of this year for me. Coming off with a lot of bumps on the road in 2010 with some tough moments, I really am looking forward into the new things in my life this year.

Please be patient with me, I should now be starting to update a bit more again.

I just want to thank everyone who has been supportive to me and all the new friends I've met through blogging, traveling, sketch groups, and twitter over the past year.

Here is a sneak peak of one of many many pages of illustrations for the second book. More to come soon!

The flying whales and sharks

2010-12-03T16:00:00.006-05:00

Something I found that was especially interesting about the dream comments from the last post is that some of my own experiences has been similar to yours. Like dreaming of flying giant whales in the sky, strange that some of you also dreamt of whales or flying sharks - perhaps these beings are of some significance in our mysterious subconscious. The idea of the 'painless' death in a dream was also something that remained in my thoughts and wonder before.

I remember dreaming of a white whale in the sky, giving dreams and hope a chance. These 'beings' are often made of many little bits and parts, some more clear, some more blurry.

When I wake up in the morning, in between adjusting to everyday reality and the dream state... I would pick up a pencil and some sticky notes or scrap paper to jot down and document some of these strange things that had been floating in the depths of my mind.

Below is an example of one:

Also, here is something that has formed.

"miss you, a thousand"
5'' x 8''
mixed media

Spectrum 17 and Winner of the last giveaway

2010-11-24T13:34:00.001-05:00

I am very happy to be part of this year's Spectrum 17 book, which is already available on sale at Amazon.com and in stores near you.

In the last blog post, I did a little giveaway and asked some of you to leave an email for a chance for a giveaway prize, and if you want, to share a dream of yours.

The winner of the last giveaway is..
popobrown
Congratulations, popobrown you win a zine, gocco print and also a lino-cut print.

The following runners up will also be receiving a gocco print:
Cassandra
Cliff Roth
teruterubozuu
SaraLynn
Charles Santoso
Jade

Thank you everyone for sharing! I had a lot of fun reading and learning about your own experiences of dreams. I will be trying to do more of these giveaway in the future!

In my next post, I will be sharing some experiences of my own dreams and drawings of them.

Post-Canzine 2010, Updates, and Give-away

2010-10-28T13:47:00.007-04:00

Hey everyone, hope you are all doing well.
First off, I wanted to announce the winners of the last giveaway on the blog of the two lino-cut original prints. Since there were 14 comments, I numbered 14 pieces of paper and picked out two from a hat. And the winners are...

#8 and #10! Which are... Hannah Bacalla and Carrie Rodriguez! Congratulations - I will be sending you each a lino-cut print piece.

-------------------

Recently, I have been busy working on several things as well as preparing for Canzine 2010 which happened just this past weekend. I have posted some pictures from the event on my flickr.

It was an awesome experience and had a great time. I had some zines titled 'daydream, nightdream' for sale at the show, as well as lino-cut prints, gocco prints and giclee prints.

Thank you everyone who stopped by and picked up a copy or print. It was great seeing familiar faces as well as meeting new ones. I still have some copies of the zines and prints left, so if anyone is interested in any of the items, please get in touch with me at info@peterchanart.com

The zines - a collection of written thoughts, sketches, photos that inspires me. 28 pages - black and white.

The gocco prints are limited run of 50, hand numbered and signed.

The giclee prints of 'distant' are limited edition of 31, hand numbered and signed.

The lino-cut prints are limited to 50, hand numbered and signed.

And...this also brings us to another little giveaway, to enter this one, simply reply to this blog and leave your email. If you are open to it, I would also like to know what your best dream was like, whether it'd be a good dream or nightmare (who knows, to some people a nightmare may have been a best dream). The winner will receive a package which includes the zine, the mini gocco, as well as a lino-cut print! I will also be giving away gocco or lino-cut pieces to a few selected others as well!

Tumble and Stumble

2010-10-17T02:58:00.003-04:00

I am finally on both Tumblr and StumbleUpon.

Tumblr - http://peterchan.tumblr.com
SU - http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chanp105/

Girl and Boy Lino

2010-09-29T13:00:00.006-04:00

As I had talked about in one of my previous posts, I had been doing some new personal projects to explore some new mediums for mark making / image creation. Had some fun recently working with lino-cuts.

I painted the background first and then did the print on top. These will be available for the upcoming 'Canzine' event at the Great Hall in Toronto, Canada.

Each print is hand painted and printed. They are all unique and none are the same.

As a little appreciation for the readers of this blog, I will be giving away two of these prints. All you have to do is comment on this post and leave your email address (or a website that leads to your email) and I will choose two random people to send out an email to. It doesn't matter where you live in the world, I will still send you one if you win. :)

The Familiars - Magic Isn't Just for Wizards Anymore

2010-09-08T15:23:00.006-04:00

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to illustrate Harper Collin's new children's novel titled 'The Familiars'. The book has finally hit the shelves yesterday.

'The Familiars' is a kid's story about three young wizard apprentices who are kidnapped by the evil queen of a distant land and it is up to their familiars, their magical animal companions -- a street smart alley cat, a precocious blue jay, and a bumbling tree frog -- to save them.

I had worked on the cover and illustrated the interior pages as well. It was quite a challenge, but I learned a lot from this project and it was a very amazing experience. Currently, started working on the second book and it has been a lot of fun!

In 2012 the book will also be made into a feature film by Sony Pictures Animation directed by Sam Raimi. Excited to see the book translate into the film.

Here are a selected few illustrations that I worked on - all of them were done traditionally:

To find out more, please click here to browse inside the book.

Follow @the_familiars on twitter for future updates on the book.

Other info/press about 'The Familiars': CoronaComingAttractions.com, Hollywood Reporter, IMDB, The Brain Lair, Cartoon Brew, Reuters, Georgia McBride, PageTurner'sBlog, AllisonBookMarks.com, SchoolLibraryJournal

see. your. monstr.

2010-09-07T17:43:00.007-04:00

A few nights ago I had the opportunity to jam with my friend Tessar Lo again.

Here are some of the art that we produced and collaborated on - in the session of paint and words about art and life.

Hope you enjoy looking and experiencing them as much as we enjoy creating.

Don't forget to breath.

2010-08-14T10:00:00.011-04:00

It has been difficult to make time to write lately.

Recently I had been taking some time off dealing with and accepting the sudden passing of my mother. Without warnings, she has left very silently. Things have been really unreal and a lot of times it is still really hard to believe that these new changes are now coming to be.

She was a close friend of mine and has been a great inspiration to me. She has been a great driving force and has helped and supported me in my journey as an artist. We would have lunch every week and talk a little about what is new and I would share my new art with her.

To be completely honest, I am very very saddened by this loss. Sometimes, it feels as if my whole world has been turned upside down.

It has made me think, a lot. It feels as if life feels suddenly even more fragile.

However, me and my family both believe that her spirit is still among us and now she is in a better place.

On the day of her passing, when I had got home... there, on my bed, was my passport and all the things she had wanted me to bring with me to San Diego on my trip that week. I was at a loss of words.

I knew, then and there, that I had to keep going on this journey.

Rest in Peace, Mom. We miss you.

Thinking about all this, there really isn't time to worry and be afraid of what and how something turns out, but just go with things and let it happen.

Creating an image, it is really easy to forget why we are creating in the first place, we often get very caught up with the result of an image and how people might think and judge our work. It prevents the full potential of our creativity.

I remember when I was young, I would draw in the restaurant napkins with my crayola crayons and markers. As a kid, the result didn't matter at all, it was all about having fun because it meant the world to me to simply create.

When I was cleaning the house, I found some old books that I used as a kid, and i saw then, that I drew over anything that I would find around me.

Kids books, exercise books, sticker books, novels, bible. Everything that I was able to find in the house.

What happened to this excitement to create?

...

Tonight, I found an old book that I had around me.
It felt good to be carefree and draw to my heart's content, again. Just like the old days.

The feeling of using markers is fresh again, just like I did when I was young.

Drawing, drawing in a book that has been sitting around, an object that has been aging through time, there is a feeling of fragility and impermanence.

There are no rules.

2010-06-29T02:37:00.001-04:00

"In the times in which we live it is far too restricting to say that art can only be found in art galleries and not touch people's everyday lives.. I want to use any means that are necessary to communicate to people what I feel about things. There are no rules. And if there are rules, then you may as well break them." Ken Done

On one Wednesday afternoon...

2010-06-24T17:57:00.011-04:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to collaborate and jam with two artists, Tessar Lo and Harvey Chan. We worked on several large pieces, talking art while experimenting and just having fun, over lots of tears from laughing.

Also had the chance to check out Tessar's new studio, he has just posted photos of his place as well over on his blog.

Here are some photos of the day.

That white board must become something

2010-06-04T01:54:00.004-04:00

"I do not know myself how I paint it. I sit down with a white board before the spot that strikes me. I look at what is before my eyes, and say to myself, that white board must become something."
- Vincent van Gogh

'Another Dimension' Show at Gallery 1988

2010-05-19T14:09:00.006-04:00

You're travelling through another dimension. A dimension, not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone!

Here is a painting I recently finished for the Twilight Zone Tribute show at Gallery 1988 called 'Another Dimension'.

*Click to view full image

Title: To Serve Man
Size: 16'' x 20''
Medium: acrylic on watercolor paper

*Click to view full image

Size: 11'' x 14''
Medium: graphite on stonehenge paper

This piece is inspired by the feeling and mood of this series, 'The Twilight Zone'. I'll leave the rest for your interpretation..

The opening reception is tomorrow, Thursday May 20th, 7-10pm
For other details, here is the show image:

*Click to view full image

Here is the episode I was inspired by:

Two Things

2010-05-18T14:29:00.008-04:00

Me and my friend T will be guest speaking tonight at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts today for their Digital Media Night.

We will talk about the use of digital media and how it has influenced the creation process in the art industry.

Another thing is, we will be launching the first official LIVE streaming show after midnight tonight.

The exact time is: Wednesday May 19th, 2010 at 2 am EDT, 11pm PDT

We are planning for a second stream this coming Friday and that will happen earlier for East Coast people. To find out more please visit Sketchoholic.

Coming Alive..

2010-05-07T22:08:00.006-04:00

Here is a little more progress on the piece...

*Click to view full image

*Click to view full image

Something Forming..

2010-05-06T14:02:00.004-04:00

*Click to view full image

A sneak peak...

2010-05-04T14:12:00.003-04:00

Been juggling between commercial work and personal work a lot lately, as busy as it may be, it has been a lot of fun. Here is a little something that I'm working on for an upcoming group show at Gallery 1988 Los Angeles. I will have this drawing as well as a finished painting in the show.

More to come in the upcoming days.

*Click to view full image

FREE issues of 3x3 Mag

2010-04-27T20:42:00.004-04:00

For any illustrators and art enthusiasts out there who are into building an art/illustration book collection, this is for you.

3x3 Mag, is doing a storage clearance to make room for their new books in the future.

This is a great illustration magazine and annual. You can get any issues or multiple issues for FREE. This includes their annuals as well.. the only thing you gotta do is pay for the shipping.

The offer ends May 14 or until their magazines run out, then prices will go back to $15 each.

These are great days

2010-04-15T15:35:00.003-04:00

Hope you're all enjoying spring so far, its been really nice here in Toronto lately.

I've been extremely busy the last month but finally here is a sneak peak of the beginning stages of something I am currently working on for a show on May 18 at Gallery 1988 Los Angeles

Little teaser Gallery 1988 posted up on their blog recently..

Also been finishing up on a book project that I've been working on with my friend Kei Acedera that will soon announce.

more info to come soon...

Oils Portrait Painting Study

2010-03-15T14:30:00.006-04:00

About 2 years ago, I found this nice piece of wooden board while I was on my trip to Japan. Something I like to do is to always keep an eye out on new objects to paint on...guitars, skateboards, vinyls, antique old book covers, etc.

This past Friday I found some time to finally paint with oil paint again. A painting study of a portrait for fun, wanted to focus on tones.

I was uploading images on Twitter during the night of #FridayNightArtDorks (a group for artists to share art on friday nights) Here are the images throughout the night, documenting my process so far. Next step would be to start the color stage.

Official Alice in Wonderland Gallery Show at Arludik Gallery

2010-03-02T03:59:00.008-05:00

Hey everyone, a bit more than a year ago, Jason Seiler, Thierry 'T-Bear' LaFontaine and I had the pleasure to assist lead designers Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera on some concept art for Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. Now the film is finally coming out!! To see some of the production art already released, you can visit here.

My friends here at Imaginism Studios - Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera will be having their first big show in Paris, France at Arludik Gallery this coming Thursday, March 4th 2010. It will be an awesome show, through the past few months i've had the pleasure to see them work on these images for the show and they look AMAZING. If you are in the area please go out to see this show!! In this show there will be over 30 pieces of original art for sale and another 20 pieces or so of production art on display. Another awesome lead designer Michael Kutsche will also have some of his production art on display in the gallery!

Arts in China: State of the Arts

2010-02-26T16:16:00.002-05:00

Here is an interesting video for aspiring artists interested in the Fine Arts industry. Its also a great inspiration to any artist about believing in what you do. This is a documentary video about the struggles of a group of artists in china where an art market didn't exist when they started to create art. Through their struggles, they eventually become successful fine artists, selling paintings for extremely high prices in the international fine art scene. They did what they love even in a society with a lack of appreciation for arts and education at a time.

Old Man Sketch

2010-02-13T19:08:00.004-05:00

Sketch of the day

More observation sketches

2010-02-10T19:33:00.003-05:00

Some more... from observation

New drawings

2010-01-19T11:00:00.004-05:00

New drawings from the subway.

More to come soon. Working on a few new pieces.

Untitled. approx. 5"x7" Acrylic, inks on moleskine

Untitled. approx. 5"x7" Pencil on moleskine

On to the 10

2009-12-31T16:09:00.006-05:00

Today is a day to think about what has happened this year and what we've learned and experienced from 2009.

2009 was an awesome year full of great people, memories, and laughters. Lots of travelling happened this year and it looks like that'll be coming back in 2010. I've learned a lot this year.

One of the most memorable moments must have been the passing of my grandmother. I've known her for so many years and it was tough for me and everyone else to see her leave us. This really made me re-evaluate life in general. You just never know, when things in life might change, for better or worse. Appreciate these moments that you live for, and love them even more. Call those friends you haven't talked to for weeks, months, years. Keep in touch.

2010 is looking to be an exciting one. It will take a lot of hard work and energy to continue the road to my dreams and the ultimate goal - complete happiness.

Thank you everyone for all the support and sharing a bit of you. I'm looking forward to many more great moments in 2010. Thanks for reading and commenting here on the blog. I'm excited to share new work in 2010 as well as seeing new ones from you.

Take care everyone and have a Happy New Year!

PS. JUMP more on New Years Eve! :)

Happy New Year! from Happy Garaje on Vimeo.

LXD "Choices" and "Moments" Trailer

2009-12-17T12:40:00.001-05:00

This is nice. Check it.

LXD "Choices" Teaser from Jon M. Chu on Vimeo.

LXD "Moments" Trailer from Jon M. Chu on Vimeo.

A night of colors

2009-12-10T04:45:00.010-05:00

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure to jam with two creative talents, Tessar Lo and Erika Danusasmita to experiment with a bunch of media. A night dedicated to good music, drinks and paint.

Its nice to draw and paint to bring out the inner child for a night. Enjoying the process and not worrying about the results.

Here are some photos. Courtesy of Mr. Lo

Lunch Bunch Print Auction

2009-11-23T16:55:00.008-05:00

One of my last few Limited Edition Giclee (of 10) print 'Beenoculars' will be part of the 'Lunch Bunch' Print auction starting tomorrow organized by Ana Bagayan.

100% of all proceeds will go towards Lunch Bunch meals!

What Lunch Bunch is about >> Feeding L.A.'s Homeless
Lunch Bunch consists of two friends that get together once a week to create home-made meal packages to pass out to the homeless of Los Angeles

Artist's prints/artwork in this auction will include Amy Sol, Gary Baseman, Chet Zar, Tim Biskup, Glenn Barr, Amanda Visell, Jeremiah Ketner, Jeremy Berkley, Shannon Bonatakis, Liz McGrath & Morgan Slade, Fang Ling Lee, Peter Chan, Dominique Fung, Natalie Shau, John Zaso, N.C. Winters, Jeannie Lynn Paske, Christopher Umana, and more!

Thanks for putting this all together Ana!

Sketches from the Subway

2009-11-17T20:20:00.007-05:00

Almost every sunday, I will go draw on the subway with a group of artists.

Depending on how I feel, I use different paper or mediums. Sometimes i might feel like drawing finished drawings, and sometimes I just want to draw loose and experiment with new ways to draw.

Here are some drawings from this past Sunday to loosen up, the beautiful thing about drawing with ink pens is you have to live with your mistakes. Accept them or start a new drawing.

For those in Toronto, come out to draw this coming Sunday, we meet at Union Station at 3:30pm.

I would pick more daisies

2009-11-15T23:31:00.007-05:00

.
Things like this are truly inspiring.

Make more mistakes,
take more chances.

Thanks to my friend Sherwin for sharing this.

Moments of Life

2009-11-11T00:11:00.007-05:00

a beautiful shortfilm directed by william hoffman about appreciating the small, simple things life has to offer.

"its that thing thats beyond the senses.."

Half Minute Horrors Halloween Cabaret!

2009-11-04T03:15:00.006-05:00

Half Minute Horrors Halloween Cabaret was fun!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the gladstone on halloween for the event, it was a lot of fun and was great to see so many young children interested in reading. Here are pictures!

Hello Kitty books and videos

2009-11-03T22:11:00.002-05:00

Here are some pages from the Hello Kitty Artbook as well as the toys and grab bags they gave to every artist in the show!

Also, recently Ken Tanaka uploaded a new video on youtube about the birthday event at Royal T!

A Halloween Day Family Cabaret

2009-10-30T21:35:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone,

Just a friendly reminder that Bobby and I will be doing a book signing for Half-Minute Horrors at The Gladstone Hotel on Halloween tomorrow from 2pm-4pm

You can also meet many of the great writers who contributed their horror stories for this book. Come drop by if you're in the area, happy halloween!!

Serenity

2009-10-23T21:09:00.016-04:00

Here is the piece I contributed for the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary show 'three apples' at royal/t art space in Los Angeles.

Serenity, Acrylic and Oil on Paper. 18" x 24"

Each hand represents a certain hello kitty on the side..can you guess them all? Answer at the bottom...

Thank you again Jamie, for having me in this show. It was great meeting all the artists at the VIP opening as well. Wicked event! Will be posting photos and images of the event soon as well!

Royal/T Café/Shop/Art Space
Los Angeles, CA
October 23 – November 15, 2009

Heres an image of it framed at the show via AM

VIP Night Coverage Video:

answer: from top middle clockwise (angel/normal, zombie, princess, tattoo/piercings, vampire/bat, emo, harajuku)

Off to LA!

2009-10-21T12:30:00.000-04:00

Going to be heading off to Los Angeles today for the Hello Kitty Three Apples Art Show. An exhibition celebrating 35 years of Hello Kitty.

The show will be opened to public on October 23rd and will be at Royal T in Culver City, Los Angeles.

Royal/T Cafe
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

Here are some press information for those interested:
Juxtapoz
CoolHunting
Vinyl Pulse
Collect 3D
SLAMXHype

Part of the proceeds from art sales will also benefit event charitable partner, LA WORKS. So if you're in the area, come and check it out!

I'll be updating this blog with pictures from the show when i return. :)

Half Minute Horrors is Out!

2009-10-14T03:45:00.000-04:00

A little while ago, I worked on collaborative project with Bobby Chiu on a cover for the book titled 'Half Minute Horrors' published by Harper Collins.

We're very excited to hear that this book is finally released in bookstores near you!

This book is a collection of deliciously terrifying short short tales and creepy illustrations including bestselling talents Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L.Stine, Faye Kellerman, Holly Black, Melissa Marr, Margaret Atwood, Jon Scieszka, Brett Helquist, and many more.

If you're interested in purchasing the book, please click here. For other information about Half Minute Horrors please visit the official site.

Also, later this month, we will be doing a signing at the Gladstone Hotel on Halloween. Here is the flyer for more info.

Here is the painting again that we did for the cover of this book.

Upcoming Show: Hello Kitty Three Apples

2009-10-07T03:56:00.000-04:00

For the last little while or so, I've been really busy day and night working on a new piece for an upcoming show I mentioned earlier.

The piece is finally finished now and at the framers. It will be sent out to the gallery in a few days for the Hello Kitty 35th Anniversary show titled "three apples" curated by Jamie from Japan LA.

The show will be opened to public on October 23rd and will be at Royal T in Culver City, Los Angeles.

Its looking to be a great show with an artist lineup such as Bobby Chiu, Kei Acedera, Edwin Ushiro, Gary Baseman, Ron English, Natalia Fabia, Camilla D'Errico, Buffmonster, Yoskay Yamamoto, Tessar Lo, Travis Louie, Nate Frizzell, Frank Kozik, Colin Christian, Tara McPherson, and many many more. Please check here for more information on the artists in the show.

I am really looking forward to this show and seeing other artist's work up close in person!

Right now, I can't release the piece yet until they make it public on their website. So please keep checking back, there are some great pieces up already!

I will be flying down to LA with my friends Bobby and Kei from Imaginism studios and will be in attendance for the show. Looking forward to meet you everyone at the show!

More info to come soon and I will post my piece here whenever it is released on the website.

Twitter

2009-09-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

Don't think I posted about this yet here, but just incase, heres my twitter page.
@peter_chan

October is coming... and its getting cold too here in Toronto.. But I have a feeling it'll be a great month. :)

new things on the go..

2009-09-26T19:10:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, been really sick coming down with the flu. Pretty much fully recovered now.

Lately, I had a chance to set up a painting space in the studio, i will slip in a painting study here and there, sometimes just an hour or two before i go to bed.

Been experimenting a lot, got a new sketchbook, my first moleskin. Trying to have some spontaneous elements in my painting, as well as playing around with new ideas and symbols for future work.

Im working on a big traditional piece right now for an upcoming group show, probably the biggest piece I've done in the last 5 years. Can't post it yet, but i will post an update about the show soon. It will be in mid October in Los Angeles.

For now here are some snapshots of my current work space, fresh from last night.

Heres a page from my new sketchbook, will post more pages later.

Untitled. approx 5''x7''. Mixed media (acrylics, inks, pen, and soju)

Some Vids to check out.

2009-09-13T01:16:00.000-04:00

Deadlines:

Paint Explosions:

Like fireworks...very cool campaign

Interview at ANN

2009-08-23T01:53:00.001-04:00

The awesome folks at ANN did an interview with me recently. Its up now - click here.

Probably the longest and most thorough interview I've done so far.

Sometimes you just want to...

2009-08-20T02:33:00.000-04:00

draw with a pen for a bit.
Been a while since i posted sketchbook pages/etc.
Heres some samples of what goes on in my sketchbooks...media exploration, rough drawings for ideas, some will turn into finish pieces, some won't. I think i want to post more rough work here too..

oh, watched District 9 tonight, it was sweet...

Wild Things

2009-08-11T16:32:00.000-04:00

Looking forward to watch this...

Crazy

2009-08-05T05:38:00.001-04:00

6''x7'', Acrylic and Gesso on Paper

Yea, kinda crazy lately, need to post and update this blog more.. so heres a sketch again. Need more time to do finished pieces...

Leaving for Chicago tomorrow, will be back on monday!

Something just for fun..

Beginnings

2009-06-12T01:16:00.001-04:00

Had this image in my mind today...just an idea...

Its rough but here it is anyway since i haven't posted anything for a long time..hope this will start things up and stir the art energy of personal work again..

Want to explore different methods of image making.

Maybe use this to paint something bigger?

Acrylic, Gesso, and Digital

Good night, hope tomorrow is a beautiful day.

Protectors of Nature Tee

2009-06-11T02:32:00.000-04:00

My friend Hieng recently started a new online store called 1%talent. Go check it out!

Available are a lot of awesome shirts as well as one of our collaborative designs called 'Protectors of Nature'. It was a screen i worked on earlier when i was doing silk-screening last year.

'Here comes the Protectors of Nature, Be kind to nature or they won't be kind to you.'
Hand Printed on super soft 100% espresso brown cotton shirt
If you're interested you can now purchase it through the site.

A much needed update on art is coming soon. :)

INTERMEDIUM short film by Alain Huynh

2009-05-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Heres a funny short film my friend Alain just posted on youtube. Check it out.

future perfect with tessar lo

2009-04-08T17:29:00.001-04:00

congrats to my friend tessar
He will be having his very first solo exhibition this saturday at lebasse projects in culver city, los angeles. This new body of work conveys a lot of feeling and emotions, love how he conveys his ideas and feeling thru color and paint!

really wish i can go but i am all the way here in toronto..

Reverie

2009-03-26T00:58:00.000-04:00

Going to be in Dallas, Texas this Saturday up until Wednesday for the Reverie Workshop from ConceptArt.org. Pretty excited and pumped about this event, going to be awesome. Really looking forward to meet the artists there doing the workshops! A few days of nonstop drawing, painting, learning, and partying!! There will be concept artists there like Jason Chan, Bobby Chiu, Kei Acedera, Justin Sweet, Jon Foster, Marko D, Coro to fine artists like Shawn Barber and Carl Dobsky.

Birds and the Bees Show - Opening Night

2009-03-23T03:44:00.000-04:00

Thank you for everyone who came out to the opening reception on friday night. Special thanks to those who supported the fundraiser and bought a print or an original. Great seeing familiar faces again as well as meeting new ones. Thanks for the great comments about my piece and especially to those who bought a print. The 10 limited edition giclee prints are almost gone. Email me (info [at] peterchanart.com) if you still want one. Work is still up at the gallery as well as the online gallery right now.

Here are some photos from the show.

Beenoculars Drawing - Limited edition Giclees

2009-03-19T03:38:00.000-04:00

The giclees came in today.

For the 'Birds and the Bees' show, i have made limited edition Giclees for the 'Beenoculars' drawing i posted earlier. These prints will be available at the show for a very affordable price. They are high quality archival print on 90 lbs Arches Watercolor paper. 11'' x 14'' each.

This edition is the first limited edition print run from me. Limited to only 10 copies. Signed and numbered.
They will be available at the show Friday night and possibly online.

Beenoculars

2009-03-16T00:59:00.001-04:00

Title: Beenoculars
Medium: Pencil and Gesso on Stonehenge Paper
Size: 11''x14''

"And that's why birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love"

Concept and idea: Inspired and based on the birds and the bees original meaning, where children learn about sex and pregnancy. I decided to use the notion of the voyeur, using binoculars to show curiosity. The birds and the bees are pollinating the flowers to show life giving. What is he doing with a bee-nocular? The mystery about this piece is, you are not sure who or where he is looking at. Is it the birds and the bees, or is it you, the viewer? Or maybe he is looking at a very pretty girl his age, or not, what do you think?

This piece will be exhibited at the birds and the bees show at Jerome Jenner Gallery this friday (March 20) along with many other amazing illustrators/artists from the industry. All art work will be up for sale for a good cause to raise money for the graduating class of 4th year illustration students at Sheridan College. I am in the process of having some giclee prints made of this for the show. I will post more about that later as it gets near. Anyways, come by and mingle, have a drink, and enjoy art if you are in the area!

Upcoming Birds and the Bees Show

2009-03-13T03:02:00.001-04:00

I am very honoured and excited to have been invited to participate in this upcoming group show. Will be my first time exhibiting at the Jerome Jenner Gallery.

Information about this show:
The Sheridan Illustration Council proudly presents the Birds and the Bees Fundraiser Group show. The show features work from Sheridan alumni and faculty, consisting of well-known and emerging illustrators belonging to the fields of illustration, fine arts, comics, and much more. The hopes are to be able to raise funds to help put on a successful year-end show for the 4th year graduating class.

The show will offer collectors and new buyers the opportunity to acquire original artwork from renowned illustrators, and a chance for them to help support the next generation illustration stars.

Sheridan Illustration Council and Jerome Jenner Gallery Presents
THE BIRDS AND THE BEES FUNDRAISER SHOW
Opening Reception: MARCH 20, 2009 (7PM – 11PM)
Admission is free. Refreshments and music provided.

Artists
Kathryn Adams
Clemente Botelho
Chris Brett
Michael Byers
Mark Cabuena
Harvey Chan
Peter Chan
Chad Covino
Amanda Duffy
Jeff Garcia
Josiah Gordon
Rachel Gordon
Clayton Hanmer
Ian Herring
Nataly Kim
Anita Kunz
Hyein Lee
Kagan Mcleod
Vicki Nerino
Roben Nieuwland
Jose Ortega
Rey Ortega
Eric Overton
Kyung Soon Park
Benjamin Rivers
Graham Roumieu
Pete Ryan
Rick Sealock
Thom Sevalrud
Fiona Smyth
Gary Taxale
Jon Todd
Rosemary Travale
Elise Trinh
Alexei Vella
Brittany Wilson
Martin Wittfooth

Facebook Event group

Check out this site for more info, artwork will be uploaded for preview there on saturday/sunday
http://birdsandbeesshow.wordpress.com/ Once its up, i will also post my piece here on the blog.
All artwork will be available for sale.

Halohalo

2009-03-08T04:22:00.000-04:00

Had the chance to go to the Halo Halo launch event on friday night. Fun times.
Congrads to my buddy Jeff Garcia for the launch, also great performances by 663A crew as always.

Check out halohalo here at halohalo.ca

Here are some pictures of the event.
A night of music, art, and fun.

albireo Sketchbook, bits of watercolour studies

2009-01-28T03:28:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Late but never too late...its still January.

Thought I'd post some of these unfinished drawings/studies from 2008.

Those who know me know that I am a sketchbook junkie..well maybe not junkie..but I remember someone telling me 'everytime i see you in lifedrawing, you are like using a dif sketchbook..lol'..i guess it suits me well...

Anyways, there are quite a few different kinds of sketchbooks i've bought last year and they are still empty..looking forward to try some of these and fill them up this year.

Finally started this 'albireo' sketchbook i got while I was in Japan in May 2008. So far so good, its a great sketchbook as you can peel out the pages easily, so if you don't like a piece, it is easily removable :)

These are mostly life studies etc, the first is a 30min to 40 min i think..in acrylic, the 2nd one are 20-25 mins watercolour, and the nude is 20 mins i think, i remember painting frantically to finish that one. hehe

New year resolutions:
-paint paint paint and draw
-finish some good illustrations with meaningful concepts
-continue to learn cooking, maybe make some good quality stuff by end of the year..haha
-continue workout, keeping motivated
-finish reading these books i have in mind...

...I guess thats all for now, lets see if they will stick.

Thank you.

2008-12-30T23:04:00.000-05:00

This year is about to end for many of us. And before it ends, I just want to say thank you to everyone. It was an interesting year. It was quite a roller-coaster, i might add. Ups and downs on and off. For many, there is the election, and the economy crisis. This year definitely felt pretty long compared to the rest, and now lets just wish for a better year to come.

For me, one special part of this year was the Japan Exchange in Osaka.

And for this experience, I want to thank my Japanese friends and my homestay for creating a very special experience during my stay in Japan.. it was very special and the memories will always stay. Even though the exchange has been over for quite a few months now, some of those memories have still stayed closely. When I came back to Canada, I was very refreshed. I can't wait to see a lot of you guys again when I come back to Japan someday!

Also thank you everyone else who has been supporting and simply being around and all that.
Lets hope 2009 will be an even better year!

Hope you guys all had a great Christmas and I sincerely wish everyone a happy new year!

And to my Japanese friends who may be reading the blog,

メリークリスマス, 明けましておめでとうございます!

More lifedrawings & Studies

2008-12-10T01:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some more colour lifedrawings and painting studies. Some of them are short poses about 2 - 5 mins paint gestures and others are longer studies ranging from about 15-30 minutes.

I've always wanted to try using acrylic in shorter poses for lifedrawings, its really tough and I have to mix my paint frantically..haha..but its fun with all the pressure, you also don't know when the pose will change since its in such a short time. It makes me think how I can paint fast and get down as much as I can before the pose changes.

Check out my friend Lettie too she has some nice acrylic studies as well

Lifedrawings?

2008-12-02T00:28:00.001-05:00

Its been a long time since I've posted lifedrawings. Usually I just post paintings and illustrations. Recently, I wanted to use lifedrawing as a way of warm up before I start my daily work/routines and keeping the drawing and painting alive in me. I am currently working on ideas at the same time for my next batch of paintings. So this is great to loosen up and keep myself warmed up while I work on other things.

I've been into exploring tone, colour and energy. So here are some lifedrawings from the last few weeks.

These are all studies with chalk pastels and/or charcoal. Its been really fun to play with.
These are also a range from short studies of gestures 2 min, 5min to longer poses where I can use some colour 15mins, 20mins and 30 mins.

Less Fruitcake.. @ T and P Gallery

2008-11-28T02:29:00.000-05:00

Going to be a part of a show in Philadelphia, really happy and excited to be part of this one, it will be my first real group show in the 'low brow' type gallery. To be showing with talents like Angry Woebots, Scott Musgrove, Dan May, etc is my humble pleasure. Thank you to T & P Gallery for this awesome opportunity.

Hopefully more of these to come in the next year. Sorry for the lack of updates recently, I have been busy with work and trying out new methods of working. I will post more about those soon. Looking forward to new things.
Feel free to drop by the show if you are in the area. Opening night is Dec 5th.

Would've loved to do more piece for this show but I just got too busy this past month, so I will have one painting for the show. One that I previously featured..

"Rebirth of Adam" oil on wood 6x9

'Orphan Works' Copyright Law Dies and Tessar Lo

2008-10-30T11:39:00.000-04:00

Earlier, i mentioned about this law and to people who wrote to voice their concerns.
Thanks to to everyone who helped make a difference, the orphan works bill is dead now.

I also wanted to mention that my friend Tessar Lo's two-person show at Roq La Rue is coming up soon!

Loving his work, and the emotions that comes with it.

Tessar Lo/Roq La Rue Preview from Modus Films on Vimeo.

The show opens on November 7th and is entitled "my love, it's on we".

NYC Vinyl Record Exhibition

2008-09-29T16:42:00.000-04:00

I'll be in an upcoming vinyl record show at gallery APW in New York City. Opening reception is October 3rd, 2008.

It was really fun painting on a Vinyl Record. I remember working on a Record Album for a show earlier this year, but this is a first time I ever painted on a Vinyl Record.

Anyways heres the beginning of the Record

and the final... (sorry its not the best image to show the piece, but I didn't had a scanner while I was working on this in NYC)

'Womb of Nature' Acrylic and Oil on Vinyl Record 12x12

Update!!! Silkscreening and NYC!

2008-09-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry guys, been away for a bit.

Lots to update on...also a lot of things in progress...some upcoming things to prepare for..etc.

I've just recently finished a course by the amazing Jeff Garcia on silkscreening. Hes a great silkscreen artist/teacher in the Toronto area..love his work. It was great to finally get my hands dirty and try silkscreening...it was always something i wanted to learn...took the course with my friends Hieng and Lettie.

Here are some of the results..of the class..was fun! (Photos are courtesy of Lettie's blog)

And heres a shirt design I did, had 12 of these shirts available for sale at the NYC convention and its now sold out!! Thanks to all who came out and bought a shirt! Also thanks to my friend Hieng for silkscreening em and selling them at his booth! A second batch of shirts will be in the works.

Anyways, the past 2 weeks have been pretty busy, but it was all good fun. Went to Atlanta 2 weeks ago and just returned from New York City yesterday.

One of the highlights of my New York trip was meeting one of my favourite game design/animation illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, a illustrator legend for the famous Final Fantasy series and the Vampire Hunter D series. Also had the pleasure to meet Hideyuki Kikuchi, the writer of Vampure Hunter D and last but not least the iron chef of japan, Masaharu Morimoto.

Things I had them sign in respective order.. Amano, Kikuchi, Morimoto

amazing

2008-09-06T17:36:00.000-04:00

Today, some of my good friends are having a show at project:gallery. They do some amazing things. Its a fresh faces show of these four up and coming artists. Really excited for them, while I was in LA, saw them work on those pieces in the studio and it was inspiring to see.

Natural Affinity (work in progress)

2008-09-05T00:46:00.000-04:00

Here is another piece I am working on right now. Concept is again nature x human interaction and the idea of life and energy giving from our natural environment.

Here is the defined drawing and the first layer of acrylics + colored inks... working a bit differently this time, instead of painting on wood with oils and acrylics like most of the other pieces i've done, I decided to experiment a bit and try painting on paper again..

Fun stuff...I'll post more wip on this piece soon or the final...

Continue the Work in progress...

2008-08-31T03:19:00.000-04:00

Some new work in progress shots of the paintings i've been working on..
more to come..hopefully very soon. Also some retouching...

Square Foot 2008 at AWOL gallery

2008-08-20T02:04:00.001-04:00

Amazing event, really glad to have been a part of it.

Lots of people, great music, had a great time there, even though it was short. Never

Here are two pieces that I contributed to the show with my friend Tyrel, it was fun collaborating with him on these 2 pieces. (sorry about the bad photos, i couldn't get a scan of the piece before i sent them out unfortunately..) After i painted the girl, he worked on the airbrushing of the background and texture of the piece. He also painted the red riding hood running away from the octopus monster i painted. Tyrel is now the third artist I've collaborated with.

"A haunting thought" oil on wood - 12x12

"Better run" oil on wood - 12x12

Collaborative art is a really fun part of art creating for me, its really exciting to see how my style fuses with others and how each style compliments each other. Whenever I pass my art to another, I'll tell them to do anything they want, paint over my work a bit, change or add things to what I already have on it...etc. Its a great surprise when I see the result.

As much as I love collaborating with other artists, it might be a little while till I can collaborate with another. We'll see, but I got lots of pieces to finish first before I'll have the chance again.

Unfortunately, that night, I couldn't make it out to the other opening at Whippersnapper Gallery. I will try to make it and post photos of that one later on.

Here are photos of the rest of the show

A social network for artist

2008-08-17T05:28:00.000-04:00

Got a great new art social network to share today. It has just started recently.

We all know deviantart, CGtalk, and Concept art. But here is a new great place for both digital and traditional paintings.

CG HUB
http://cghub.com/

Go check it out, looks like its going to be an exciting place, I am addicted already. :)

Show photos from squarefoot and whippersnapper will be updated soon.

Whippersnapper Show pieces

2008-08-15T05:06:00.000-04:00

Heres one of the 3 pieces Whippersnapper gallery selected for their Summer bonanza show this weekend. I finished it a little while back for the grad show at the burroughes building.

Longing Tree - oil on wood 11x17

As for the concept of the piece, its a reflection of the feeling of a song called maple. Originally, it was what the assignment asked for, a reflection of a song for the personal narrative class. It was also how I was feeling at the time. Here is the lyrics of the song for those interested. I wish to create more pieces like this in the future, with more emotional connection. Special thanks to Harvey Chan and Blair Drawson for art directing me through this piece.

Dark clouds cast a shadow over our hearts
I listen intently to the feelings that have long been silenced
Distinct and clear
Just like a beautiful landscape
That can only be clearly seen in one's memories
Can a heart that's been thoroughly wounded continue to love me?
I tried hard to hold (your) cold hands
The tenderness in the past
Is locked in time
All that's left are sadness that cannot be dispersed
Longing is like maple leaves, slowly drifting down
I light a candle to warm this year-end's autumn
The aurora steals across the horizon
The north wind flits across the face that's thinking of you
Ashes from my burning heart falls like leaves
But I can never regain (your) familiar face again
Longing is like maple leaves, slowly drifting down
Why must I try to recover all before winter arrives?
My love for you transcends all time
Two streams of tears that were shed for the autumn's end
Let the love flood through
I just want you by my side
Snowflakes have already covered the ground
Fearing that the maple leaves outside the window are already frozen

These are the other pieces that will be in the show, also for sale.

Innocence (Chaos Series - Collaboration with Elise Trinh)
Framed Print 17x22

People and Places
Pen and ink on paper, Framed 9x12

Two shows coming up this saturday.

2008-08-13T20:32:00.000-04:00

This weekend is going to be busy. I'll be in contributing a few pieces in these shows this coming Saturday in Toronto..

One is the annual 'squarefoot' show at AWOL gallery, and the other is the summer showcase bonanza show at Whippersnapper Gallery.

Square foot 2008 at AWOL Gallery.
Come check out the annual Square Foot Show at Awol Gallery. 600+ artist works on 12" by 12" panels.
A MUST SEE EVENT!!
This Saturday, August 16th @ 100A Ossington Ave,. 2nd Floor 7PM

Whippersnapper Summer Showcase Bonanza
This Saturday, August 16th @ 587A College Street 8PM

Sleep in Sepia

2008-08-02T18:58:00.000-04:00

Heres something I worked on recently for the upcoming Chaos 2 anthology book. More info about it to come soon..

Been interested in ideas of sleep and dreams recently.. dreams is kinda a mysterious thing.

so randomized. Often, they say excess thoughts goes into dreams..so you can relax during your sleep...

Sometimes, dark shadows might just be beneath you...while sleeping..

"Sleep in Sepia" Acrylic and Graphite on BFK - 6x6

Hopeful Protector

2008-08-01T02:50:00.000-04:00

We need more of these guys in our society..(and did i ever mention i love drawing turtles?)

Anyways, bought a nice new sketchbook while I was in LA, so i can paint in my sketchbook.. allowing me to play with ink washes, acrylic glazes, etc again.

This is going to be a future painting..but for now gotta finish working on my submission for Chaos 2 and square foot show.

More to update soon.

Few work in progress...

2008-07-25T05:37:00.000-04:00

Here are two paintings I'm working on right now..
Top one is going to be a collab with my friend Tyrel for the Square foot Group show coming up on August 16th at AWOL gallery in Toronto.

How Nostalgic

2008-07-22T05:18:00.000-04:00

Heres a digital painting I did in Photoshop recently. I posted a rougher version few months ago, but recently I had some inspiration to finish it. So here it is.

Its of my childhood...quite nostalgic. I grew up with these characters, as with many of you, probably..

It was fun to do this, also thanks to everyone who bought a print of this at AX 2008 this year.

Here's a little animated gif of the progress from start to finish.

6x6 online group show.

2008-07-12T14:53:00.001-04:00

The 6x6 online group show is up and i've contributed a piece to it. I posted the sketch of it recently on my blog, heres the final version.

All of the pieces are on sale at the show. Check it out here.
Heres a little feature about this show at Vinyl Requiem.

This is first of a new series of traditional paintings i'm starting, the concept for this set will be about human x nature interaction touching on ideas such as chaos and protection.

"Underneath" Oil on BFK mounted on board - 6 x 6

Back from LA, great trip!

2008-07-10T01:02:00.000-04:00

Back from LA!
It was an awesome trip. Met lots of new artists, great people and had a great time. Also had some really good food...oh man...love zencu and the food in little tokyo...hahaha

Was awesome to see the project:gallery artists and their studio. The studio space was very inspiring.

Expo was fun, but artist alley wasn't as great as last years, though.
Now its back to work, time to start painting my pieces for the square foot show.

New Links:
Stevie Lewis
Leslie Hung

Here are some photos of the trip..

in LA till July 8th

2008-07-01T04:26:00.001-04:00

Getting ready to go on a one week trip to LA now..
From July 1st (today) till July 8th I will be in LA for the beach, galleries, and for anime expo. I will be selling prints of my work there, some come by if you are in the area.

Looking forward to visit Lipking's solo show (www.lipking.com) in Santa Monica and Project Gallery LA.

I will be updating with new paintings once I get back.

So what happened to art?

2008-06-24T20:54:00.000-04:00

I noticed there hasn't been much art update on my blog recently..haha. So better do an update on that right now.

Recently I've started working again on some personal pieces for future shows and such..
Currently I am working on a 6x6 piece for an online show coming up in early July and perhaps a few 12x12 pieces for the square foot show coming up in August. I will post details of the shows when they are near. Heres a pencil sketch I started (did a little colour tint to see how the mood looks)...might be used for the 6x6 piece.. or use it for the 12x12...thinking right now...

As for the concept of the piece..i'm trying to work around the themes of nature and human interaction right now.. as a general theme of my traditional paintings. I also want to continue to explore the idea of 'dark fairytale' in my work like the past few paintings...we'll see how that goes.

I finished two digital paintings not too long ago..they are designs for two miniature fairy toys which is probably in the process of being made right now. I can't post the full image yet but here are some small cropped part of the piece. I will post the final image as well as images of the actual toys when the toys are made and shipped. I haven't painted digitally in a while now so it was interesting to do this..again. Now I am itching to paint with oils again...

soon...

Also, for those interested, I believe the pieces me and Elise Trinh put up in Passion restaurant is still up. So if you're in the area and looking for a restaurant to eat maybe you can consider it. Its on yonge street..heres the link http://acanac.org/blogs/passionrestaurant/

Special thanks again to Anda Untila for inviting us to be a part of the show.

Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara Merchandise

2008-06-23T04:32:00.000-04:00

During my trip in Japan, I had the chance to visit Mori Gallery Shop and it was awesome. If you like Takashi Murakami and/or Yoshitomo Nara, you'll love this store.. I haven't seen any store in Toronto that sells merchandise related to him..so this gallery shop was particularly special for me.

Anyways here are some pictures I want to share.

Of course, I had to pick up a bunch of Murakami postcards, stickers, buttons and a dvd.. just couldn't help myself..
i had to pick up this nice print/poster at the shop for a very affordable price...sorry for the bad photo..it is one of the promo posters he did for 'Roppongi Hills'

On the note about Yoshitomo Nara, i saw a few of his originals at the store too, which was nice.

During my stay in Osaka, my homestay introduced me to a lady who was the curator some of Nara's gallery shows.. which was very cool. So we sat down, had some dinner that night, talk some, and before I parted, she gave me this beautiful poster as a gift.