Sunday, December 26, 2010

Foufounes Breakers

Foufounes Breakers
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
30" X 60"
November 2010


Not so long ago, in the second half of this past summer, I went out to catch an afternoon movie in downtown Montreal. For the life of me, I can't remember which movie it was but i DO remember feeling very pensive after it was over and so I decided to go for a stroll under the gray skies and in the refreshing spittle in the air.

I ended up behind Foufounes Electriques to have a look at the graffiti born during the 2010 Under Pressure festival and stumbled across a crew of breakers that were unknown to me. I took a seat on the semi-dry pavement, reach for my camera and started snapping. After a few minutes I headed for home and more or less forgot about it.


This November, I filtered the breaker photos and found one which I wanted to use to make a painting. Also, there had been a blank 30" X 60" canvas taking up space in my studio for a long time and I figured: "What better time than the present to put it to good use?"

So here we are:
I asked one of the breakers, Ben, for his email address to be able to send him a picture of the finished product, but besides that, I don't know who these guys are. I'll be more than happy to post more info about them if and when I have some.


Growing up, I've always been fascinated by break-dancers but then at one point in the 90's it seemed to become about who could spin the fastest and pull the craziest stunts but there was almost no rhythm in it. Lately, though, I must say that the crews I've had a chance to see in Montreal have brought back the funk and soul and mix the head spins very well with actual dancing and all is well with the universe once more.


That being said... enjoy this piece and keep breaking!
[...]

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Ari Gold

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!

Ari Gold
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
36" X 48"
December 2010
SOLD

One of my childhood friends contacted me out of the blue after almost 10 years because he'd heard I was keeping busy with stencil paintings. After checking out the work on my blog he immediately wanted a custom piece for his office.

Turns out he's a huge fan of Entourage and specifically of Ari Gold. I have never seen the show myself but it was my pleasure to make him this commission piece. Thanks Etienne!

[...]

Saturday, November 27, 2010

POV


POV
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas

30" X 40"

November 2010

I've often been asked what I look for in the pictures I use to make paintings. It's difficult to answer that question without disappointing since I never really look for anything in particular. This project, though, started with a specific vision.

This past August, I went for a walk in downtown Montreal looking for a spot I could sit in to simulate the first-person point of view of someone who sleeps on the street.

So I found this cute little alley with an open gate and sat in a pile of 2 year old yellowed newspapers and dried urine [coincidence?] and started snapping.
To adapt a well known saying: "Sometimes you have to sit in urine for your art."
A few months of thinking about it later, I got to making this vision happen and so... Here it is.

We tend to complain a lot.
Maybe we shouldn't.


As an unrelated [but kind of related] side-note, I'm currently reading "Lullabies for Little Criminals" by Canadian Novelist Heather O'Neill and would suggest you do the same. It's freaking amazing.
[...]

Friday, November 26, 2010

Package Successfully Delivered

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


Package Successfully Delivered

Finally, the logistics are taken care of, the "package has been successfully delivered" and I can now announce proudly that the sale of the Eyedea painting is done and that all the proceeds have gone to Kathy Averill, Michael's loving mother.

After weeks of working on getting the painting seen by as many people as possible on Ebay with the help of very unexpected and appreciated collaborators, I was finally contacted by someone who wanted to purchase it immediately for a price I would have been foolish to refuse.

The buyer in question has asked to remain anonymous and so his/her wishes are granted.

Initially, the time I had spent on the painting was going to be "my donation" and the money raised, whatever it would be, was going to be the physical manifestation of this. Never in a million years did I expect to be provided the opportunity to provide Kathy with a sum nearing the 4 figures and for that I am extremely proud.

Please don't misconstrue this post.
I am not in any way bragging about having "done a good deed" since that would significantly lessen it. I am simply keeping my readers [love you guys] posted about the progress and result of my latest endeavor.

One last time, please take a moment to visit the Eyedea page on Rhymesayers' website.

Until next time my friends.
Much love to you and yours.

[...]

Friday, October 29, 2010

Micheal “eyedea” Larsen

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


Micheal “eyedea” Larsen
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
24" X 36"

October 2010

SOLD

*****
[This one-of-a-kind piece is now being offered via an ebay auction in which all the proceeds are going to Kathy, Michael's loving mother, and the Eyedea Memorial Fund]
[LINK COMING SOON]
*****

Since his recent passing, I've read a lot of different articles about Michael Larsen and the majority of them have a very similar speech.

Everyone agrees that Eyedea is a staple in the underground hip hop scene and will never be forgotten for everything he's done.

Everyone agrees that he was wise beyond his years and that his lyricism was deep and developed for someone so young.

Truth be told, I'm a fan of Eyedea, but I'm not a crazy-insane-over-the-top fan of his music. Yes, it's good. Yes, it's deep. But I can't think of any of his songs that would make my 'favorite of all time' list.

That being said, here's a [very] short story of why I've taken it upon myself to make a tribute painting and put it up for auction:

A few years back, I went to an E&A + Blueprint show in Montreal. I was so-so excited because I didn't really know much about either acts except that they were well known and respected in the underground scene. I had given a listen to First Born and E and A and in reality, was more curious about how, if at all, Eyedea was gonna pull off stuff like "One Twenty" and "Now" live. I expected one more rap show where some hype dude fills in the blanks and the end of every other line. Boy. Boy. Boy was I in for a rude awakening.

First, he came out accompanied by Abilities and no one else and started with "One Twenty" and instead of being out of breath and dying, he was actually screaming his face off into the mic with 10 times the energy that the recorded version holds. I won't go through the whole show for obvious reasons but by the end, after seeing him kill himself on stage and flawlessly perform back and forth tricks with DJ Abilities that I had never seen before and will most likely never see again, I was aware that I had just witnessed something very special and I felt privileged. His energy level is something that I feel lucky to have experienced and I can't help but feel a little taken aback when faced with the fact that I/we will never be able to experience it again.

After his set, he came off the stage and leisurely strolled though the crowd to get outside. When he walked past me, I extended my hand and said: "That was impressive." He shook my hand, very briefly looked me in the eye and with a chipped-tooth corner smile he answered: "That was depressing?" Before I could correct him, he was gone.

I know he heard me correctly. I kind of thought he was cocky, but in hindsight, I know he was just being his clever, confident self. He was still "on." From the stories I heard on the Rhymesayers Radio tribute show, I now understand he was never "off." He knew how good he was. He wasn't cocky, he was confident. He was totally aware that his and Abilities' live set was something no one else could do.

"They leave our show thinking what these kids do is unachievable/ and they're right/
You never in your life could do as much as we do with just two tech's and a mic."

- Eyedea [E&A Day]

So.
Long story short [kind of]:

I'm a fan of Eyedea's presence as a performer and as a person. His energy level. The way he approached the stage that is life. He was the living proof that hard work pays off and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to if you apply yourself. It doesn't matter what people say and think... at all. I wanted to make a painting that displayed his overflowing energy since this is how I will remember him. I can say with confidence [learned from the best] that I have succeeded.

This one of a kind piece is now being offered via an ebay auction in which all the proceeds are going to Kathy, Michael's loving mother, and the memorial fund that's been set up. Since I can't begin to imagine what she's going through as well as Eyedea's immediate family and extended Rhymesayers family, I figure it's the least I could do.

[Disclaimer: Of course, I expect some of you will see this as an exposure opportunity for me... to you, I say, exposure is simply a side-effect of what I think is a good deed but definitely not my main goal in this process. I am absolutely not in the business of capitalizing on other people's loss. I am in the business of capitalizing on opportunities to show love and support when/where it is needed and I feel it is greatly needed here & now. I've tried to remain as selfless as possible in this endeavor.]

In the meantime, I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and encourage you all to do the same.

More information about Eyedea can be found by clicking here.

Please feel free to share this with anyone and everyone. It's all benefiting Kathy in the end so please help me help her.

[...]

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Zhang Ziyi

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


Zhang Ziyi
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Skateboard
8.5" X 32"
October 2010

In 2000, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' [C.T.H.D.] grabbed Chinese cinema and threw it right into the unsuspecting faces of the western world. Those who already knew, thought: "Well it's about time." and those who were previously unaware thought: "Wow! Where the hell have I been all this time."

In a nutshell, I was 20 and completely blown away by this movie for multiple reasons:

1- The cinematography
2- The fight scenes
3- The characters
4- The costume design
5- Zhang Ziyi

Seldom have such beauty, skill [acting & fighting], charisma & screen presence come together so perfectly. I fell in love with Zhang Ziyi. Since then, I've seen most of the movies she's been in but the impact she had on me from the original C.T.H.D. has remained unmatched to this day.

Here's a skateboard I've made of her.

The original photographer is unknown to me so I'm not able to credit him/her for the image.

[...]

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Open Call II


Open Call [Part Deux]

Hey again all you awesome folks out there!

This is an open call to everyone and anyone who can take and/or has taken pictures... whether professional or amateur... super high quality or ghetto fabulous point-and-click...

As you can see from the pictures on my blog, I'm a visual artist who's process begins with a photograph every time. I've been keeping busy with my own pictures recently and also making custom orders, but in the spirit of mixing it up and keeping things interesting I figured:

"What better time than now to get people involved and share the creative vibe?"

That being said, I am officially inviting you amazing people, whoever you are out there in internet land, to email me some pictures you'd like to see turned into custom stencil paintings.

In the world of up-and-coming artists, the key to survival and exposure is mutual promotion so in that spirit, of course, anyone who's photo would eventually be used will get full credit for the original picture [and a link to your website if you have one].

Disclaimer:
I need to make sure everyone understands that not all pictures work for this kind of work so don't take it personal if your photo doesn't get used. BUT, I encourage you to send them all anyway since in the past, I've used: professional pix, ghetto scanned pix, blurry shots, partial pix, etc. it's hit and miss with what works and inspires me... it can be anything!

[Don't get me wrong... the better quality resolution of the picture the better... I mean, if you have a shot in 300 DPI, please try to send it as such rather than make it smaller for emailing purposes...]

You reserve the creative rights to your photograph and it won't be published in this blog unless you've agreed to it. The painting will be for sale at large once it's done [the point isn't to make a painting with your picture and sell it to you, but if you're interested in the finished product for sure a finder's-fee type discount will be very feasible].

For images larger than 10MB, I suggest a free service called yousendit.com - it's very easy and very convenient.

So on that note... Please send your photohraphs [in .jpg and/or .pdf format] to:

P.Summind@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing what I get!

[And a special shout out goes to my dog Umaa and cat Ignatio (feat. thumbs)... they get a little bored when I'm not painting...]

Peace [...]

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Parc & Van Horne


Parc & Van Horne
Acrylics & Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
24" X 36"
October 2010

Once in a while I step outside to clear my head. I always bring my camera just in case I spot something interesting [e.g. trees, trash cans, Lady Gaga, etc.]. I never really look for anything in particular and usually end up dumping 57 pictures of rocks and bicycles. But once in a while there's a randomly taking picture that will scream "stencil me" and so I must oblige.

[Disclaimer: I feel it important to remind everyone that I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be a skilled photographer and that "good picture" doesn't always equal "good stencil".]

This picture was taken in February 2009 back when I still lived on the Plateau by Mile End [how's that for hipster hood name dropping?]. I've wanted to make a painting with it for the longest time and have the multiple photoshop sessions to prove it but somehow I've given up every time due to the intricacy of the buildings, cars and snowy corner so I've put it aside 10-15 times or so.

So...
1.75 years later...


A different approach:

Instead of going with crazy multi-layering, I finally decided to make a pot of coffee, throw some paint around, stencil one layer on top and put this picture behind me. This took somewhere between 10-12 hours of very careful cutting over 3 days but in the end, I'm super happy with the result since I didn't have any concrete expectations.

I feel much better now that I've been able to get this picture out of my "dump" folder and into my "finished projects" folder and mostly that I got to throw paint around in the process [...]


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Woody Allen

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


Woody Allen
30" X 15"
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
September 2010
Custom Commission Piece - SOLD

A work colleague and friend of mine asked me to make him a custom painting for his new place. Of course I said yes.

He told me he would be interested in a portrait of Woody Allen with a vibe similar to the portrait of Johnny Cash I made last year.

Absolutely!

I immediately got on board because I feel Woody is a great idea for a portrait. In fact, I'm surprised I didn't think to paint him before! His face has a unique quirky sadness and despite his controversial lifestyle, he remains one of the most creative minds of his generation.

I hope all you Woody Allen fans out there enjoy this piece as much as I enjoyed making it!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Smile


Smile
12" X 24"
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Wood
October 2010
To be auctioned off benefiting United Way

Why are the most powerful smiles are on the faces of those who have the most reasons to frown?

My employer has made a corporate decision to support exclusively United Way.
Skeptics will say that this is one big tax write-off and blah blah blah but honestly, when it comes down to it, I don't personally care about alternate fiscal motivations as long as the people who need the support end up getting it.
That's the only thing that matters.

That being said, I've been asked if I would care to donate a painting to help raise funds benefiting United Way during this year's corporate fund raising effort.

Done.

I've painted one of my dear friends Pierli and a child he met while he was in Kenya a few years ago. When it comes to smiles & hearts, Pierli is a force to be reckoned with so this choice wasn't hard to make. I'm blessed to be surrounded by amazing people in my day-to-day life and he is only one of them.

I can't wait to see how this piece does in the auction. I hope with all my heart it goes for a large amount but in the end, even if it goes for just a few dollars I will be happy because it will have allowed me to do my part and help those truly deserving.

I haven't been briefed on the details of the auction in terms of WHERE, WHEN, HOW. For the moment, only the WHY is known and that's enough for me.

As soon as I know more about this I will be sharing it with all of you so that you can participate [if willing & if possible].

For now, I leave you with a quote from the song "Smile" by K'Naan.

[Smile] When you're struggling
[Smile] When you're in jail
[Smile] When you're dead broke
[Smile] And the rent's due
[Smile] You ain't got friends now
[Smile] And no one knows you
Never let 'em see you down, Smile while you're bleedin'


Saturday, September 25, 2010

Trash Boudoir


Trash Boudoir
13.5" X 30.5"
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Wood found in the Trash
September 2010

One man's trash [...]

About six months ago, someone threw out this wood panel.
It's the kind of thing you would see on opposite sides of a window.
My girlfriend found it and brought it home... in her usual "I support you enough to pick up garbage and bring it home to you" fashion.

The original photo I used was taken by Laurent Castellucci.
The model in this shot is my girlfriend Hilary Keithlin.
The picture isn't posted here for privacy reasons.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Derek

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


Derek - GIFTED
30" X 36"
Acrylics & Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
August 2010

People, meet Derek.
Derek, meet people.

You may know him better as Toronto MC: D-Sisive. He's been around doing his thing for a long time and has only just recently has he gained some well deserved recognition.

When he saw the piece, D's answer was:

"This is super overwhelming. I don't know what to say. It's an honor, sir. Makes me want to cry a little. I love it so much."


As an artist, it doesn't get any better than that. A paycheck pales in comparison to that kind of response.

I discovered D-Sisive when a friend 'shared' me "The Book EP" and "The Idiot: Hijacked Mixtape." Albeit dark, his music was very deep and pregnant with imagery so it was hard to turn a deaf ear. His lyric style reminded me of Buck 65 when he's on that "The Floor" vibe.

Needless to say, when the next album "Let the Children Die" came out I was very excited, but somehow it didn't have the desired effect. Something was missing. There are some definite standout tracks on that album but the whole package didn't do it for me. I reverted back to "The Book" in the meantime and waited patiently for more.

I wouldn't be disappointed. "Jonestown" [a free digital download] and "Vaudeville," his latest efforts, mix both the grim imagery, the crystal clear storytelling and the clever punchline rap very well and display perfectly his progression in all aspects of his writing as well as his vocal delivery. I recommend his music catalog to anyone and everyone, hip-hop fan or not.

You can read more about D-Sisive by clicking here.

You can get it straight from the horse's mouth [his blog] here.

You can download "Jonestown" for free [legal] by clicking here.

The original photo was taken by Tobias Wang. You can check out his Flickr page here.

Enjoy and share!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

pockets empty, canvas loaded



In this world of Facebook events happening every 5 minutes...
It's sensory overload and, for the most part, events get a 'maybe attending' and get forgotten...
Then once in a while an event hits you when you're not yet awake and you actually look at it...

Here's an event created by Mary Musyl:


It's happening in Sterling Il.
I have no idea where that is but the idea is dope:

The artist requests that you donate a school supply in lieu of admission. (Markers, lined paper, scissors, and pencils are the items which are most needed, though all donations are greatly appreciated.) All donations will benefit Sterling schools.

So what it's far away... it's a great idea... Period.

So I took it upon myself to contact Mary and get her address so that I could send her some supplies even though I'm obviously not gonna show up... I mean... I don't even know where this town is!

Pictured above is the care package filled with goodies for her kids as well as herself [for being so awesome] she will get in the mail... The jet pack looked like it needed a little soul so I put Buck 65 on it!

Anyway... long story short... I suggest you do the same and mail her kids some school supplies... it's back to school time and everything is super cheap... remember... cheap for you can relate to 'too expensive' for someone else... it's time to give a shout out to less fortunate people who are killing to learn... but can't afford the stuff they need...

Email me at p.summind@gmail.com and I will provide you the mailing address... I figure it would lack friendliness to post her address online...

The bottom line is: making a difference is easier than it looks.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Gerrard



Gerrard - SOLD
[Commission Piece]
24" X 12"
Spray Paint Stencil'd on Wood
March 2010

One of my friends asked me if I could make a custom painting for her boyfriend's upcoming birthday. She said he was a huge fan on football and of Liverpool FC. I'm a big fan of the game of football but unfortunately don't have the time or patience to follow it very much. After a little more sneaky probing she was able to find out that his favorite player was Steven Gerrard. Turns out this guy is pretty well known (I had never even heard the name - my apologies to all football fans - I'd be upset if you'd never heard Mariano Rivera so I fully understand... it happens!).

That being said, I put 2 and 2 together and started work on a piece that would become 'Gerrard.'

I'm very satisfied with the end result and am I was also very happy to find out yesterday that:

1- The dude loved it
2- I now had permission to post it online (since it was a surprise)

So there... if anyone out there has had the idea of getting a custom piece done... remember that I'm always interested in stepping out of my comfort zone in terms of inspiration.

Finally... I'd like to give a big shout out to my cat Speaker for always sneaking into pictures and making the girls go "aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww!!!!"

Monday, June 21, 2010

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!



CO Exhibitions Presents:
Wings & Teeth: The Art of Doomtree

This is a brand spanking new spot in Minneapolis, MN and for their inaugural event they've decided to showcase art that relates to the hip hop group Doomtree. The show is meant to be a retrospective of everything that has been created for and by the artists of Doomtree.

I feel extremely honored to be able to be a part of this great moment by having 2 of my paintings displayed at the event. When POS came through Montreal with Dessa this past March or April [I forget] I used the opportunity to give them these pieces I made of them. The rest is history [of art?]

Here are my POS and Dessa [click on the names for more info on these amazing artists]:



The original pictures I used are by Dan Monick [POS] and Bo Hakala [Dessa].
They're both very talented and you should definitely check them out!

Also, click here for more info on CO Exhibitions and click here for an article about the event in CityPages.

While we're at it... I'd like to remind everyone [or tell you for the first time] that Dessa will be swinging by Montreal on the 1st of July for a Jazz Fest appearance. Click here for more info.

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Ride to Conquer Cancer


The Ride to Conquer Cancer
Le Cyclo-Defi Contre le Cancer


Here's a link to an intersting contest offered by my dear friends at CISM 89,3:

http://www.cism.umontreal.ca/news_details.php?nID=356

Voici un lien pour un concours interessant offert par mes amis tres chers a CISM 89,3:

http://www.cism.umontreal.ca/news_details.php?nID=356

Also, find out more about my own personal motivation for participating in this event here:

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Montreal2010?px=2519450&pg=personal&fr_id=1341

Egalement, decouvrez en plus a propos de mes motivations personnelles pour cet evenement ici:

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Montreal2010?px=2519450&pg=personal&fr_id=1341

Enormous thanks to CISM 89,3 for their help and to everyone who's donated... It's incredibly appreciated.

Merci enormement a CISM 89,3 pour leur aide et a tout le monde qui ont fait des dons... C'est incroyablement apprecie.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Home Studio





Home Studio
24" X 36"
Acrylics & Spray Paint Stencil'd on Canvas
June 2010

This is Louis.
Louis has a home in Montreal.
In his Montreal home there is a microphone.
This makes it a home studio.
Louis also has a friend.
Louis' friend's name is Fabrice Gaetan.
Fabrice takes photos.
Fabrice took this photo of Louis & his microphone in his Montreal home studio.
This is a painting I made called Home Studio.

Louis made excellent microphone-less music.
You can get it for free by clicking here.

Fabrice has taken amazing photos he qualifies as urban portraits (other stuff too).
You can see them (also for free) by clicking here.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Dizzy

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


Dizzy
46" X 11"
Spray Paint Stenciled on Floor Boards
March 2010

[won in raffle to raise funds for Bike Ride to Conquer Cancer 2010]

This is Dizzy Gillespie. I enjoy Jazz a lot but since I'm not incredibly well versed in Jazz history, here is a portion of his bio form allmusic.com.

"Dizzy Gillespie's contributions to jazz were huge. One of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time (some would say the best), Gillespie was such a complex player that his contemporaries ended up copying Miles Davis and Fats Navarro instead, and it was not until Jon Faddis' emergence in the 1970s that Dizzy's style was successfully recreated. Somehow, Gillespie could make any "wrong" note fit, and harmonically he was ahead of everyone in the 1940s, including Charlie Parker. Unlike Bird, Dizzy was an enthusiastic teacher who wrote down his musical innovations and was eager to explain them to the next generation, thereby insuring that bebop would eventually become the foundation of jazz."

For more information on Dizzy click here.

This is a painting I made of him on floor boards. Special thanks goes out to the unknown neighbor who finished his floor and left these extra planks outside. One man's trash is another man's treasure indeed.

Finally a shout out goes to my cat speaker who somehow finds her way into most of my painting pictures (see top right)...

[...]

Monday, March 22, 2010

CDP

I have a new website!!
Please click this link to find more up to date work!


Thank you!!


CDP
24" X 72"
Spray Paint & Acryliques on Canvas
January 2010

Beatrice Martin.
Coeur de Pirate.

J'ai recemment achete son album en vinyl et le disque est bleu poudre... je n'etais meme pas un peu surpris... vraiement excellent!

Un autre album est en cours d'apres sa page twitter et j'ai bien hate d'entendre.

La photo originale a ete prise par Ariane St-G. Leblanc... cliquez ici pour visiter son blog.

Je suggere a n'importe qui qui aime boire un cafe molo en se levant le dimanche d'ecouter son album eponyme (ca s'ecrit de meme, right?).

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Les Freaks d'Helene


"Les Freaks d'Helene"
30" x 30"
Spray Paint Stencilled on Canvas
March 2010

A great big thanks goes out to Helene B. for sending me this picture. I had a blast creating an original piece from the shot she sent me... j'espere que t'aimes ca!

The offer still stands for as long as long lasts for anyone who wishes to send me pictures they'd like to see become stencil pieces... click here for more details.

Alors un gros merci encore a Helene!

Paix!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Open Call


Open Call

Hey all you awesome folks out there!

This is an open call to everyone and anyone who can take and/or has taken pictures... whether professional or amateur... super high quality or ghetto fabulous point-and-click...

As you can see from the pictures on my blog, I'm a visual artist who's process begins with a photograph every time. These days, I'm a little short on pictures of my own and have grown tired of looking at the ones I have...

So I figured:
"What better time than now to get people involved and share the creative vibe?"

That being said, I am officially inviting you amazing people, whoever you are out there in internet land, to email me some pictures you'd like to see turned into custom stencil paintings.

In the world of up-and-coming artists, the key to survival and exposure is mutual promotion so in that spirit, of course, anyone who's photo would eventually be used will get full credit for the original picture [and a link to your website if you have one].

Disclaimer:
I need to make sure everyone understands that not all pictures work for this kind of work so don't take it personal if your photo doesn't get used. BUT, I encourage you to send them all anyway since in the past, I've used: professional pix, ghetto scanned pix, blurry shots, partial pix, etc. it's hit and miss with what works and inspires me... it can be anything!

You reserve the creative rights to your photograph and it won't be published in this blog unless you've agreed to it. The painting will be for sale once it's done.

[Don't get me wrong... the better quality resolution of the picture the better... I mean, if you have a shot in 300 DPI, please try to send it as such rather than make it smaller for emailing purposes...]

For images larger than 10MB, I suggest a free service called yousendit.com - it's very easy and very convenient.

So on that note... Please send your photohraphs [in .jpg and/or .pdf format] to:

P.Summind@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing what I get!

Peace!


Friday, January 8, 2010

Les Cool Kids




"Les Cool Kids"
30" X 40"
Spray Paint Stencilled on Canvas
December 2009
SOLD

This is a picture that was taken at one of my shows in June 2009 at Sub V. The original picture is blurry and I thought it would be an interesting challenge to stencil it anyway...

So as usual, it took 10 times longer than anticipated but the end result is something I'm very satisfied with.

Big up to the guys over at Sub V for keeping the cans and markers in the right hands!

And here's just a quick reminder that "The Cool Kids," along with most of my stuff is hanging at Chez Baptiste (1045 Mt. Royal St. East) all the way to the 31st of January... feel free to go check it out... if you need a reason to get out there... they show the Habs game's on the big screen!!