Right now in the Sheridan College Student Gallery there is an exhibit from a personal collection of Jamie Owens, the man who runs the gallery.  It is a selection of original Hamilton signs. Definitely try to check it out if you have a chance to get out there.

http://katethehunter.blogspot.com/2010/10/hamilton-signs.html

Just in case you’re not familiar with the James North area, or the art crawl, check on this run down on the Hamilton Magazine website.

http://www.new.hmag.ca/?p=1150

Opening night will coincide with the September Art Crawl, Friday September 10th.  Jim and I would love it if you would come out and celebrate our collection.   It’s definitely got a sci-fi feel to it (without being too nerdy, I promise), and is a combination of stencil, collage, and colour.

As well, our art will be up at This Aint Hollywood during the James Street SUPERCRAWL on Saturday September 29th from 1PM until 11Pm.  If you can’t make it to opening night, definitely don’t miss the super crawl. It’s a great Hamilton event for art and music and the biggest art crawl of the year.

We look forward to seeing you and please make sure to let me know you’ve checked out my blog!

Richard

I stocked up on everything you need to do some stencils, gave a brief chat to the class about the technique and let them go for it.  We got some really great stencils, and the kids really seemed excited to be making their own.  It’s such a basic skill, and once you master the general idea you can take it to so many more levels.  I really enjoyed sharing my art with the kids, and having them create and share their art with me.

I’ve been the artist in the classroom a few times, and I really look forward to doing it again!  It’s great when teachers approach me to come into their classes, because I really feel that the lack of art in schools today is a truly sad thing.  Art is such a great way for kids to express themselves and connect with a sense of self and build self esteem.  It is also a great outlet for kids who are having a bit of a harder time at school.

I didn’t think to get parental permission for some of the pictures I took while I was there, so unfortunately I won’t be posting them here, but I still thought it was worth letting you know about.

If you know any classes in need of some art, please contact me.  I’d be more then happy to come and visit your school.

Richard

Every second Friday of the month is the James Street North Art Crawl.  Businesses stay open later, and you can meander down James North checking out different venues hosting live music, and showcasing great local art.  It’s a great time, rain or shine, and I try to make it out for an Art Crawl whenever I can.

The SUPERCRAWL is a special edition Art Crawl happening Saturday, September 25th from 1PM till 11PM on James Street North from York Blvd/Wilson Street heading north to Barton Street.

SUPERCRAWL is an annual event that celebrates the diversity of Hamilton’s James Street North district, our multi-disciplinary arts community, and the incredible spark that results with our unique mix of cultures, businesses and creative people.  The first edition of the festival won the “Best Small Festival of the Year Award” at the 2009 Hamilton Tourism Awards.

Check out the SUPERCRAWL website for more information:  http://www.supercrawl.ca/news/

This year, myself and my good friend Jim Mullin will be having an art exhibition that coincides with the super crawl, held at This Aint Hollywood (345 James St North).  Stay posted for some more information about our show, and definitely make plans to come out to SUPERCRAWL and to stop by This Aint Hollywood and see some of our real live art!

Just a quick post to share some pictures I’ve taken in and around where I live that have caused me to stop and think for a moment. I’d love to see what inspires you.

Enjoy.

This is some of the art I was working on for the art show.  I used some of my old stencils and I made some brand new ones as well.

This series was really centered around the backgrounds of the paintings.  I was using a lot of different textures and subtle prints, along with vintage-feeling wallpapers.  I feel like the layering of the patterns, textures, paper, paint and stencils really goes along way to conveying a sense of balance between old and new, in the sense of the physical medium I’m working with as well as the actual images I’ve used.  I think it can also speak to the way art can be viewed on many different levels, and mean different things to each person that sees it, depending on how their own experiences and ideas.

The idea of “stencil” is very much based in the graffiti genre right now, and the wallpapers I’ve used brings them into a collaboration with something inside the house, and appreciated.  The mix of inside/outside, appreciated/shunned was another theme I was trying to go after with this series.

Have a look, let me know what you think! I really think this series takes my stencils much further and shows off their versatility as an art form.  

The art show and sale went so well!  We had a full house, I sold a bunch of paintings and I really feel like the stuff I had to show was well received.  Thanks so much to everyone who helped me organize this, as well as everyone who came out to support me and the other girls!  Support local art!

Check out some pictures from the show.  I forgot to get any pictures of myself because I was so busy!  

Check out the invite.  Can’t wait to see you!

Richard