Love might be an itty bitty kitty, but someday he’ll grow into into a big feline with an even bigger heart.  He spends his days chasing birds and scratching up the side of the couch.  When he’s had his fun he likes to curl up in his owner’s lap for a long snooze.

[click on the image above to see a larger version]

Strength may have a black heart, but he is surely not weak.  His name wraps around his neck, exuding power in a vulnerable area.  Strength stands strong during hard times that challenge him to the core, never wavering.

[click on the image above to see a larger version]

Destroy‘s red heart beats full + strong regardless of the bloody remnants that drip from his chest.  The idea behind ‘Destroy’ is that we all have the ability to destroy and break a connection we have with someone else, regardless if we still feel strong love and passion for them. It is easier to destroy than to create.

[click on the image above to see a larger version]

-3 resin figures (Tuttz, Mini Tuttz + Pharaoh Hound) from Argonaut Resins
-1 Squiddy by Squid Ink
-1 Gup Gup by Gup Gups

*paint paint paint*

2011 in review:

• I lived in: Vancouver, London England (which has been a lifelong goal) + Nova Scotia.
• I traveled to: Amsterdam, Paris, Zürich, Rome, Vatican City, Venice, Bassano Del Grappa, Salzburg, Munich, Berlin, Miami, Seattle, Toronto and Halifax (I’ve got over 5000 photos to prove it, lol).
• I worked on 3 movies this year: THE THING, HOP, and JOHN CARTER.
• I was in a 2-person art show at Trace Gallery in Zürich, Switzerland where I displayed over 40 original pieces.
• I also displayed my artwork in 4 group shows (in the UK [at 'Kid Robot' which has always been one of my goals] + in Canada).
• I had a short film in the Nokia N8 film competition held at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
• I acquired 2 new tattoos: ‘Love’ + ‘Strength’ written on both wrists to remind me that I carry those aspects with me at all times… because at moments last year I believed I had neither (which is completely untrue!).
• I tried these ‘exotic’ foods: chicken feet, escargot, and foie gras. (Not to mention tons of cheese and wine!)
• I lived with (4) flatmates for the first time. They were super cool, but I still prefer my own space.
• I traveled by myself for the first time, navigating through countries that I don’t speak the language.
• I went out at night to bars + clubs by myself for the first time + enjoyed it.
• I kept up my roller derby training while skating with the London Rollergirls Rec League + the Riptide Rollers.
• I finally re-visited my Grandparents at the cemetery since they were buried there over 10 years ago.
• I learned to open up, trust + love again, despite last year’s events that destroyed my heart. Things didn’t work out how I had hoped this year (AKA my cat is still the #1 guy in my life – haha), but I won’t try to force what shouldn’t be anymore.  I have the rest of my life to figure that out anyways.
• I met A LOT of amazing new friends (colleagues + artists), met up with old friends who live in various European cities, and reconnected with a few more friends who flew over from ‘across the pond’ to visit Europe (and me!); all of whom have touched my heart immensely and will stay there forever. <3

Overall I found my independence + inner strength this year. I did a lot of things on my own for the first time.  I had ups + downs and faced some pretty challenging situations. Some things were a bit scary at first, but once I got through the initial fear + centered myself… getting through it really empowered me!  Now I understand the saying that whatever doesn’t defeat you makes you stronger.  I learned how to let go.  I learned to be more self-sufficient.  I finally felt happy being in my own skin.  Next year I hope to create more art, do more traveling, meet more awesome people and experience more that this world has to offer! Last year I mentioned that I was ‘ready to fly’. This year I spread my wings. Next year I will soar.

Check out the pieces below…

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FANTASTIC HEROES

In this body of work I have explored the feelings of loss and heartache. Some of these pieces were very emotional for me to make, often drawing upon memories that I had buried deep within myself. It is said a picture can say a thousand words, however, I think that a single word can have immense power on its own.. it can make or break someone. I tried to incorporate powerful messages through typography onto my work. I also like playing with duality, which is explored in some of the vinyl, canvasses and plush pieces — two separate works of art that are united — or separated — by a theme. Memories of my own heartbreak were difficult to face again, and at times I had nightmares by reliving certain events in order to create these pieces. But I believe as an artist, we should all feel something when creating our work, whether it be happy, sad, angry, etc. I think only in this way can we really translate the art we feel inside to the art we create for the world to see. I have dubbed this my ‘Farewell’ series. I hope you enjoy it!

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VINYL

Sweet + Sorrow
Sweet / acrylic on plastic / 25 x 14 cm
 / 290 CHF SOLD
Sorrow / acrylic on plastic / 21 x 14 cm
 / 290 CHF
Sweet and Sorrow were inspired by William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’. At one point in the play Juliet says goodbye to Romeo with the famous quote: ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’ This oxymoron combines contradictory ideas of pleasure + pain. Saying goodbye to Romeo triggers deep sadness in Juliet, but that sadness also reminds her of her love for him, and for this reason it is sweet. These emotions are symbolized by the heart shields on their chest. I wanted to give an impression that they were both wearing armor, and that their feelings of sorrow come from the true identity behind the mask.

I’ve Lost You
acrylic on plastic / 17 x 13 cm / 225 CHF
This piece was inspired by lyrics from Toro Y Moi’s song ‘Talamak‘. The song is about love that has been lost, yet is still felt.  This is also reflected in the acronym of ‘I’ve Lost You’ because ‘ILY’ can also stand for ‘I Love You’.

When can we get together again?
Nevermind, I’ve lost you
How can I tell if I love you anymore?
Nevermind, I know I do
~’Talamak’ by Toro Y Moi

Hello + Goodbye
Hello / acrylic on plastic / 11.5 x 8 cm
 / 150 CHF SOLD
Goodbye / acrylic on plastic / 11.5 x 8 cm
 / 150 CHF
We casually say Hello + Goodbye to each other everyday. But what happens when we say it to someone we love?  What if we never see them again? I thought about the anguish of that situation, and wanted to express the concept with two separate pieces.

And I’m young but it’s hard to believe

That someday I will never see you again

And you might not believe this
But you’ve changed me so much
~ ‘Hello’ by Tegan + Sara


I </3 U Always
acrylic on plastic / 11.5 x 8 cm
 / 150 CHF
The roses on this piece were inspired by traditional Sailor Jerry-esque rose tattoos, as roses symbolize love + tattoos are forever.  Roses are beautiful, yet have thorns that hurt. Tattoos are also beautiful, yet hurt to get done.  Sometimes beauty + pain go hand in hand.


Destroyer

acrylic on resin / 13 x 10 cm
 / 225 CHF SOLD
The Destroyer was brought to life with the idea that he had been electrocuted into existence. He is made from resin and sculpted by Argonaut Resins.


Boo!
acrylic on plastic / 11 x 8 cm
 / 150 CHF
Boo is a spirit of a dead cat. Read his backstory here.

Rawr

acrylic on plastic / 11 x 8 cm
 / 150 CHF SOLD
Rawr is a fiesty little fireball. Read his backstory here.

Hunter
acrylic on plastic / 11 x 8 cm
 / 150 CHF

Lucha
acrylic on plastic / 11.5 x 8 cm / 150 CHF SOLD
Lucha is inspired by Mexican Luchador wrestlers. I liked the idea of someone donning a mask and transforming into a new identity to fight.  He has horns on his mask for extra fierceness.

Two Of Spades

acrylic on plastic / 15 x 12 cm
 / 150 CHF
Two Of Spades was directly inspired by characters in the story ‘Alice In Wonderland’.  Near the end of the story Alice meets a group of card soldiers who planted the wrong coloured roses in the Queen’s garden. They frantically begin painting the roses red before the Queen Of Hearts found out, as her displeasure lead to decapitation. Read his full backstory here.

PAINTINGS


Promise Me
multi-media collage / 40 x 40 cm
 / 500 CHF
This piece was inspired by CocoRosie’s song ‘Promise’, in which Coco asks her lover: “Promise me that you’ll cherish this tarnished offering”, meaning to care for her despite her broken soul.

Odessa
multi-media collage / 30 x 30 cm / 400 CHF
Odessa + Blessa mirror each other in a before-and-after a tragic event, yet they still experience a similar extreme sorrow. Odessa is the ‘before’ girl; on the verge of entering into a painful life-changing event in which she has no idea how it will shape her in the end.

And I’ve been with you, for all of these years
Tell you what I’ve got to show for all of my tears
The times you hurt me, and treated me wrong
Something had to give to stop this thing from going on

~’Odessa‘ by Caribou

Blessa
multi-media collage / 30 x 30 cm
 / 400 CHF
Odessa + Blessa mirror each other in a before-and-after a tragic event, yet they still experience a similar extreme sorrow. Blessa is the ‘after girl’; in which she is past a painful event and trying to heal from it.

I see the wind blow into my shoes
Each crying cuts into my nerves
It’s hard to let you come on in
And let you know what I was hurt
~’Blessa‘ by Toro Y Moi

Monster 1

multi-media collage / 20 x 20 cm
 / 250 CHF

Monster 2
multi-media collage / 20 x 20 cm
 / 250 CHF SOLD

Monster 3
multi-media collage / 20 x 20 cm
 / 250 CHF

Monster 4
multi-media collage / 20 x 20 cm
 / 250 CHF

Monster 5

multi-media collage / 20 x 20 cm
 / 250 CHF

Monster 6
multi-media collage / 20 x 20 cm
 / 250 CHF

Charcoal Monster

acrylic paint / 20 x 20 cm
 / 400 CHF

Grape Monster

acrylic paint / 20 x 20 cm / 400 CHF




Cotton Candy Monster

acrylic paint / 20 x 20 cm
 / 400 CHF


Cherry Monster

acrylic paint / 20 x 20 cm / 400 CHF

Lime Monster
acrylic paint / 20 x 20 cm
 / 400 CHF


Blueberry Monster
acrylic paint / 20 x 20 cm
 / 400 CHF

PLUSH


Animus + Euphoria
felt fibre / 22 x 21 cm / 220 CHF
Animus + Euphoria represent the reality of two people uniting (as echoed by the two white rabbits on her dress). They remind us that you cannot know happiness without experiencing sadness. Read their story here.


Twee + Dee
Twee + Dee were inspired from ‘Tweedle Dee + Tweedle Dum’ from the storybook ‘Alice In Wonderland’.
felt fibre / 22 x 21 cm / 220 CHF SOLD

Alice In Wonderland
felt fibre / 22 x 10 cm / 175 CHF

Miscordia

felt fibre / 22 x 10 cm / 175 CHF


White Rabbit

felt fibre / 23 x 10 cm
 / 175 CHF


Sweet + Toxic
 Deer
felt fibre / 22 x 14 cm
 / 220 CHF
Sweet + Toxic are conjoined deer twins.  Sweet has three pink hearts on her side, while Toxic has a broken black heart on his side.  They follow their hearts with full force, which means their intense love brings them both the most sweetest joy and the most toxic pain. Read their backstory here.


Pink Grapefruit Deer (left) / 
felt fibre / 21 x 10 cm
 / 175 CHF SOLD
Fraise La Creme Deer
 (right) / felt fibre / 21 x 10 cm / 175 CHF

Vanilla Deer (left) / fibre / 21 x 10 cm / 175 CHF

Lime Soda Deer (right) / 
felt fibre / 21 x 10 cm
 / 175 CHF SOLD

Blue Bubblegum Deer (left) / 
felt fibre / 21 x 10 cm
 / 175 CHF

Grape Tangerine Deer
 (right) / felt fibre / 21 x 10 cm / 175 CHF

SCULPTURE

Sock Fairy

polymer clay, acrylic paint, plastic fibre, wire, bead / 10 x 15 cm
 / 350 CHF
The Sock Fairy is the only piece in the show that I sculpted myself. I got the idea for The Sock Fairy when my socks kept going missing in the dryer. I thought it would be fun to imagine a fairy who hangs around the dryer waiting to steal people’s socks and wear them herself! I really enjoyed making a 3D sculpture from something I had sketched on paper.

PRINTS

Geisha

A beautiful woman patiently waits in stillness without asking for a single thing.
limited edition print of 10 / printed on Hahnemühle paper / 40 x 30 cm / 200 CHF (+ 50 CHF with frame)

It was an amazing opening night + lots of people showed up!  I got to meet so many people (who were forgiving enough to speak English with me – thank you!). I chatted all night, but the night went by so fast… I wish I had more time to talk with more people!  My friend SmallStuffPepe came by and it was really nice to see him again (he took some pics of the opening, featured on Toysrevil’s blog here).   Lots of other artists came by to check it out, including Swiss artist Michel Casarramona (it looks like we are in very serious discussions below.. haha!).  Drinks were supplied by Hendricks (gin + tonic + cucumber = awesome), which was a nice treat!

The owners of Trace Gallery did an incredible job organizing the show, and I really can’t thank them enough. Their generosity was unending, and I came away from Zürich with the impression that the people there are very warm and friendly.   They made my time there very precious, and I can’t wait to go back. And of course a big thanks to my partner in crime Cee, who was wonderful to finally meet! It was great chatting with him about art, he’s a very energetic and inspirational person. I hope I get to work with him again in the future sometime!