I’d like to apologize for my lateness to those of you who wait for these posts. It’s quite hard to write an entry when you’re in Florence being silly with friends you haven’t seen in over 6 months. Being back there really did me some good.

Painting has always been a lonely gig and lately I find myself making random noises to remind myself I’m capable of sound. I’m not sure how my neighbours feel about the sudden outbursts coming from my studio downstairs. Mass amounts of solitude translates to work being done in my opinion. It’s not my intention to isolate myself, but it happens when I get into that creative flow. This way of life has become the norm for me. I’m more in tune with myself and my space. Speaking of spaces, don’t trust painters who have studios that look spotless. I’m talking about that disinfected hospital type clean. Chances are that artist is a serial killer and you should never go there alone. He’s Dexter. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

An incredibly large “too big to fit anywhere” thank you is in order to everyone who came out to the opening Friday night. It was a success and you guys helped make it happen. I got to see lots of familiar faces and some new ones. The experience as an overall real good time. A+ to all of you. Now that it’s all over, I’m packing up and saying goodbye to several pieces. Saying farewell as I cover up that oh so familiar face with brown packing paper is quite the emotional experience. It has to happen. I wouldn’t be a great artist if my entire collection was sitting around in my studio forever.

We’re only days away from the opening and I’m already lit. Not like in a non sober way, but more in an emotional way. It’s been ages since I’ve done a show and this is going to be the second solo of my artistic career. Being away in London was a good time and now I’m fired up being back. There’s not going to be much time for me to paint since I’ll be busy setting up. I know I’ll savour the day when I walk into my own show that’s been set up by a curator and crew. That first look of your work on the walls must be insane to stay the least. Until then, I have no problem running around with nails, hammer, and the pugs as my assistant techs

I don’t think I can be a digital artist. Technology as evolved so much we can literally make anything on a screen. Personally, there’s something about using a tablet and fancy software that doesn’t do it for me. I’m attracted to the speed of it all and I do see it as a valid form of art, yet it feels lacking to me. It doesn’t feel real which is kinda of the point I guess. As an artist, I enjoy being in the physical creative space. Feeling paint between my fingers as I pitter patter around my canvas is everything. That slight high from the turps can’t be copied with an app. Call me old school, but that’s how I like to play.

Shout out to all my friends and family back in North America with sane internet providers. Another day goes by where I miss having reliable service and the people who work there know what logic is. Running a space has it’s responsibilities. It’s what it means to be an adult. Everyone who runs an independent business knows the joys of paper work and technical issues. It’s annoying because it takes us away from what we love to do.  The way I feel better about it is I tell myself this is just a small price we pay for our freedom. An ultimate first world problem.

I don’t know if I can stress how important it is to get out of routines especially if you’re a creative. As an artist, I do my best to change things up so working in the studio doesn’t feel like a horrible relationship.Ways include deciding to work on new projects, coming into the studio at different times, and socializing which would be the most important of them all. Being a painter is a lonely job. I’m very fortunate to have the space I’m working in, but being by myself has some disadvantages.

With recent events happening in the news, it’s becoming more difficult not to want to put down my brush and be more socially active. I’ve explained it before in my Mike Brown post, but there is a point where you take a side. We are living in one of these eras that will be in the history books. You ever read certain events and wonder what you would do? Well now is your time.

While working on Mike Brown and Sandra Bland I realized I need to work on a portrait of someone I knew personally. I even wrote about it a couple posts back. So I’ve taken on the large than life subject of my dad. After being in the art game for over a decade now if we’re counting the days I was painting after hours in high school, I feel it’s time.

Finishing a long term painting always feels odd to me. Since it’s a portrait, it really is like saying farewell to a friend. Mike Brown has come to an end and it’s been a long one. For sure this is a political piece, but it is also a transitional work for myself. I started it in Florence and finished it in Paris. During my time being studioless, it sat in a warehouse for 9 months. Not being able to paint and being exposed to a new environment is a recipe for change.

You have no idea how important it is to have multiple blank paintings around you in the studio. That might be very useless if you do anything that isn’t painting, but I’m excited. I’ve been content being back into my regular flow of work and having multiple projects on the go. Mike Brown is coming close to being finished and I need something to take the edge off.

Holidays make everything crazy and I haven’t had much time to work in the studio for good reasons. To those who feel like they’ve been waiting ages to read something from me, well I’m sorry but I assumed you were all in food comas and occupied with real world things. Anyways, I’m taking a moment serve you some unwanted discourse on my uncategorized work I call art.

There’s always a balance in the universe with everything. That definitely includes critiques and feedback. Over the short duration I’ve been open, I’ve had plenty of mixed people come in and tell me how happy they are to have an artist in the neighborhood. Lots of positive feedback and discussions about my work.  With all the great things being said, you still can’t learn from compliments.

I had a young artist come visit me in the studio the other day. A 19 year old walked in and began to wander and look at every painting with close detail before sharing his story. We had a discussion about how social media skews artist’s views on their own work and that it really matters who you know to make it in the art world. He then ran home to get a painting of his and we had an impromptu critique in the gallery. I loved it. My grandfather said that if you can inspire at least one person while you’re alive, you’ve lived a great life. I’m lucky to say my count of people is in the double digits.

To anyone doing anything independent in the sense you have stepped away from your mentors/school, always remember to be able to catch your errors. I strongly believe that’s one of the major keys to surviving and producing great work on your own. That’s my advice. You can also give advice too. I was reading some Facebook posts where people mention “if were qualified or had a chance to give advice I’d say…” Clearly you can it is social media and we can choose to listen to you or not. I really don’t understand what the big deal is. This isn’t about being arrogant or humble, post whatever you want. Honestly, I’m annoyed at myself for reading it and being this frustrated that I had to write about it in my blog.

Ideas are flying around right now concerning a date to have some sort of an official opening. Part of this whole art thing is showing it to people plus all the wine and cheese needs to be had. Since it is the holiday season, things are tricky concerning who’s in town and other big shopping events happening around the same time. Santa Claus is really not helping my situation right now.

I feel like Papa’s got his groove back and it only took a few days. Painting after being absent a brush for so long was intimidating at first. I’d be lying if I said otherwise, but I still have it. Insert the riding a bicycle comparison here. What do we say for people who can’t ride bicycles? Is there a plan be activity? Anyways, I’m back to it and in full swing.

So far it’s been the 2nd day I’m officially in the studio and open to the public. My mind is overwhelmed in all ways you can imagine. I’ve had some people already come in and express how happy they are that there’s an artist working and exposing in the area. I feel I have the Arrondissement’s blessing. What’s pushing my brain to freak out are two things; having a space like this and finally painting again. If you want an accurate picture, imagine a dog running around a new home with tons of toys everywhere.

Here I am writing with the keys to my new studio spinning around my finger. It has finally happened and it’s a beautiful thing. I want to take time in this post to really thank everyone who’s been there to support me since the start. There was a time I disliked Montreal and spoke against it, but over time I realized what a blessing that city was for me and how fortunate I am to have such amazing friends there. You guys always checked in and sent sweet messages no matter what. You all have a piece of my heart.

have been thinking about Florence lately. There are elements of the city I miss and of course the wonderful people I met there, yet I’m relieved I finally got out. The locals are great and are such warm people and really make you laugh when you understand the Italian life style. A city built and renowned for its classical art has a very interesting pull when it comes to the visitors who move there. That beautifully preserved town can be a black hole of nostalgia.