DAY 9: #HUGOpenStudios assignment “All In The Details” @thehugxyz — important detail(s) that adds depth and how does it tie to the bigger pictures? As I have been creating a collection of artworks, I will focus on GAME OVER. It is directly inspired by my original photography of a TV I found in the dumpster. I had to get dirty for that one — worth it. Why did it appeal to me? The textures and nostalgia of CRT TV’s I grew up with. Then due to this class I pulled it from archives and reimagined it into this almost “pop culture” style art illustration that uses a lot of hand drawn vectors and then layering textures and colour to create the final.
See original 2009 photograph I shot and used as inspiration.
The text is specifically in that pixelated style to give it ownership to an era before modern graphics. I spent a lot of time selecting the font. And then the details overlayed on the original TV included a halftone screen (the look of individual circles - and how and image looks when viewing under and magnifying glass in hardcopy print (homage to my past career in the printing industry).
See closeup up the image in this post.
If you find yourself looking at the colours, they are specifically RED, GREEN, and BLUE… how our monitors display colours — the primary of RGB. And then a subliminal note where the shadow from the TV is on the left yet, the darkness of the background is gradated from the right — which would technically be opposite — to cause the brain to stop and wonder what is wrong…
Full image shown in post.
We settle on the words GAME OVER… the contemplation of the finite life span of the technology we use and how disposable it is. There may also be a flash fiction written in the near future to complement the image as I often love doing.
DAY 8: #HUGOpenStudios assignment “Work In Progress” — how has it evolved? Well, what began as a single artwork and some animation learning, has evolved into inspiration to create several new artworks. The mindfulness classes have been amazing to focus and recharge creativity. I had an iPad Pro for 2 years and barely used it — this month I am on it hours a day. So awesome. The authenticity of the instructors, org, and fellow HUG participants makes me smile. Let’s make this the best creative club on the web 🔥— sneak peaks at what I have been creating including today’s which will be unveiled for an Open Call. All of these did not exist before the class began and all are hand drawn vectors infused with some pixels and/or inspiration from my original photographic works. And this is all being done on less than 4 hours sleep per night due to kid challenges.
DAY 7: #HUGOpenStudios assignment “Routine Boost”. Consistency in creativity has come for me as a result of creating a routine that brings zen. For me that is grabbing a mocha at my favourite local coffee shop each morning, popping in some noise cancelling buds, finding a quiet booth and editing pictures or drawing new art (as I have been doing for this project). I do this before the challenges of the day so that I have less distraction. Often to get in the creative mood, I focus on my cup, becoming the subject as I create a bit of art in the moment, such as this shot at my table. This is what turbo charges creativity for me in the beginning of the day.
DAY 6: #HUGOpenStudios assignment “Setting The Scene”. Where do I create and why is it ideal. I have two spaces in our home. My office for streaming, technical and accounting work. My theatre room which is for creative and learning zoom/slack/steaming and drawing artworks. The theatre space is sound insulated and purely silent. All distractions from life stay outside its door. I choose a music list for the mood, grab my iPad and pencil while kicking back on my favourite couch and let creativity flow. The painting in the back was a custom commission and is painted onto gold leaf. This is the space I use for all HUG 🤗 classes. The artwork here is in process in Affinity Designer on the iPad and is directly inspired from my shot on the ship as we neared Zadar, Croatia. 🖤minimalism.
DAY 5: #HUGOpenStudios assignment “touching grass”. This is a fantastic reminder to stay in touch with the reality and those around you. Many moments are last moments or special moments. As such, I spent the afternoon with my son at a large arcade for which he was SOOO excited. It was just a boys afternoon. Happy kids = better art and mindset. A great reminder to take joy in the little things. Just simple iPhone shots to remember some moments.
DAY 3: #HUGOpenStudios by @thehugxyz — Meeting the Mentor: Many artists influence my art and give me inspiration, however, the catalyst was my art teacher in school, Marcel Debreuil. He instilled creativity and confidence in every student. He was a masterful painter and illustrator. He only saw the best in people regardless of background or skillset. This is what made him gold. I have tried to carry on that seed of positive creativity that he began. Unfortunately, weeks before I was to do a photo session at his property of him in his element, he passed away suddenly. Years later, I was part of an art show dedicated to mentors. This is the piece I created for it. A single photographic frame (No AI. No composite.) with a simple lighting setup. Smoke from an incense candle releasing his spirit to be free. Peace. (this has spawned a few more fantastic sessions on the subject)
DAY 4: #HUGOpenStudios by @thehugxyz — Share an inspiration song for my current artwork I worked on this morning after a 1.5 hour night?… absolutely! My Artwork will be named GAME OVER and minted in the following days. Excited. I love it. Looks best super large. Thank you for the inspiration to create reimagined art from my original image of a tv in the dumpster, infused original pixels with hand drawn vector illustration using BANG BANG! (By Nessa Barrett) music.apple.com/ca/album/bang-bang/1693992081?i=1693992092 as inspiration, which is a catchy lyrically dark song and became the catalyst to my process this morning! Definitely — GAME OVER.
@ardaaksu Thank you for your show of support for my journey through the land of creativity. I appreciate you!
DAY 2 of Open Studios with @thehugxyz.
My inspiration was from an image I captured aboard a cruise ship in the Adriatic/Mediterranean. This was a stage play for a Pink Panther theme. They were behind a big translucent screen. Pink is the colour. Silhouette is the style. Vector illustration is the medium. My vision often encompasses bold expressive scenes that evoke emotion or contemplation. Theme leans towards sexy this time. “Work In Progress”. Tool is Affinity Designer on iPad.
What inspires your art, regardless of medium? Your comments and thoughts will inspire me to create more. Oh… I have an idea now 💡
