Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode
2011
Spray Paint + Stencils + Collage on Canvas
20" x 20"

This is the commission that I have been working on steadily for the past few months. Dave got me to do it for his fiancee Melanie for Christmas. They are both huge Depeche Mode fans and they were both blown away by the piece, insisting that it's the greatest thing that either of them have ever seen. I guess Melanie spent Christmas morning in absolute awe shaking her head and saying, "I can't believe it... I just can't believe it..." and looking at it over and over and over again.

This is the hardest that I've ever worked on a piece and has more attention to detail than anything that I have ever done. I've never really went too in depth about my process before and this seems like a good place to start. I put a lot of myself into everything I do and am a bit of a perfectionist, therefore I am overly critical of everything that I do. I work hard at my art and am constantly trying to get better and push the spray paint and stencil medium further and further with every piece that I do. Each project is different. It's a new chance to really push myself and develop a style and aesthetic that is all my own. I take commissions very seriously because it is a fan of my work approaching me to do something specifically for them. I love that. This one was different though because it was a gift for Dave's fiancee Melanie for Christmas so I knew going in that it was important that this piece ended up being one of the best things that I've ever done. It did. However, that was quite a bit of pressure that I put upon my self going into this project. As you can tell from the pictures it was worth the effort and everything unfolded beautifully.

I was lucky that Dave approached me about this very early on so I had a lot of time to work on it. That aspect ended up working in my favour beautifully as I was able to take my time with each step and there was plenty of time for drying and contemplating between each stage. When Dave first approached me with the commission he made it very clear that he wanted this to be a very special piece for Melanie. It had to be grown up and it had to be personal--so much more than hanging a poster of your favourite photo of your favourite band on the wall. I told Dave that we could collage some of Melanie's favourite DM memories and artifacts into the piece. Dave really loved that idea. This is where things got a little tricky and I looked to Dave's guidance a lot.

I know of Depeche Mode and their staggering contribution to music and popular culture but by no means am I an expert or aficionado. It would be very different if I were making a Nirvana piece, but even if I was what may be important to me night not be as significant to Dave or more importantly, to Melanie. So I had Dave provide me with all the photos and imagery that I used in the piece and I had him be very specific about what was most important to Melanie and why. Essentially, I knew what needed to be in the foreground and what could go into the background or be left to blend in and add to the overall richness and texture of the piece. Once I had all these "pieces" in front of me I was ready to begin. I knew from taking with Dave that he wanted everything to be based off the classic DM photograph pictured above. We also established that he wanted a bigger show or conversation piece on canvas. So, I ended up working a little larger than I'm used to at 20" x 20". I really liked working large. It seemed to make parts of the process easier.

The next thing I did was cut out all of the stencils. I started with the main image of the guys which ended up being 4 stencils and I finished with the five stencils for the DM logos and imagery imbedded throughout the piece. Then, I sprayed my first 2 layers and did all the collage work in Dave Gahan's jacket. On this piece I did a few things that I haven't done before. The first was that I limited all the collage to Dave Gahan's jacket and used those elements to really illustrate the texture and the highlights and lowlights of his coat. I really let the collaged imagery speak for itself by being nearly untouched and really separated from the rest of the piece. Before I collaged the images I extensively treated them to the point where each individual piece almost became like a piece of fabric rather than a piece of paper. After that was done I finished the stenciling and did some final collaging on top of the piece. I also stenciled the information from the ticket stub of Melanie's favourite show around the entire canvas. This was one of my favourite touches and something I plan to continue in pieces from this point on.

Given the darkness and complexity of the band and their music I really wanted to layer and intertwine the piece at every level. There were at least 15 different stages from beginning to completion in order to complete the piece. Some of the stages were done in a few days while others took up to a week. I really starting experimenting with light and dark, highlights and lowlights, transparencies, and perspectives. As can be seen in the pictures above and attested to by Melanie, no two vantage points are alike. The way the piece is displayed and lit will change what the viewer sees. I tried my best to photograph and capture all the subtleties and hidden layers of the piece.

I could talk about this piece forever because I know what it means to me and my growth as an artist. I can see my career direction solidify and my defining style beginning to be fully realised. It's exciting. I consider this to be my best work to date and I realise that this brief description of the process cannot do this piece justice. Nor is it meant to. It's meant to give a insight into my work. This artwork can definitely speak for itself. I was honoured to work on this for Dave for Melanie for Christmas and I am glad that they possibly love it more than I do.

I know that there are pieces that can define an artists career and I know that this is one of my mine. A definite turning point. I'm excited to see where this road goes...

-Lon

Monday, December 5, 2011

newtrail

I was just featured in a lovely article called Handmade Tales. It was wonderfully written by Christie Moncrief and is in this months edition of newtrail, the University of Alberta Alumni Magazine. It features various crafters and shines a light on our local handmade scene here in Edmonton. I was very happy to be a part of it. Thanks Ally! Thanks Christie! You can read it HERE

Thursday, December 1, 2011

ETSY

It's official! My ETSY page just launched! You can now purchase my art online! Please help celebrate this joyous occasion by buying everything! That would be wonderful! A big THANK YOU to my wonderful Meg for setting up and taking care of my new baby!

Speaking of babies, have you seen this one?! She's a beauty isn't she? You should probably FOLLOW her. Who knows what that little cutie will do next? I'll bet Meg knows...

Yes, we had twins. Speaking of twins...

Christmas is almost here. Only two sales left for me:

December 3 10AM-4PM
December 17 10AM-4PM

The NEW LOCATION for the Holiday Markets is at the Orange Hall at 10335-84 Avenue behind the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market.

I'm looking forward to lightening my load going into 2012. So, there will be deals and specials and giveaways to be had.

-Lon

Friday, November 25, 2011

!!! CHECK IT OUT !!!

It seems as if awesome things come in threes. A lot of very exciting things have been happening to me today. After a lot of work from my wonderful fiancee Megan, I am now officially on twitter. She's also very diligently working on getting my stuff up on Etsy. I'll have more on that as it unfolds.

So shortly after Megan got me on twitter something magical began to happen. As soon as we followed Sandra Sperounes, music writer and blogger for the Edmonton Journal, she followed me! Turns out she is a fan of my Rainbow Series. CHECK OUT the great plug! WOW! Thanks Sandra! This is really something! Thanks Meg! Thanks twitter!

Make sure you check out The Royal Bison on the weekend! It's going to be great!

-Lon

Thursday, November 17, 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS

ROYAL BISON ELEVEN

This is important! This is exciting! This is awesome! I finally got accepted into the Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair. This is number Eleven so you know I've been trying to get in for a very long time. No hard feelings though. The pure awesomeness of this one is sure to make up for it. If you've never been to the Royal Bison before you are a very silly person and if you have been before then you know how awesome it is! The majority of my Christmas shopping is always done here. You'll find something great for everybody on your list!

Find out more about them and their awesomeness and the great blog they wrote about me HERE. I hope to see you there NEXT WEEKEND! I'll have half a table in the Great Room and it'll be loaded with art and stickers and magnets and prints and stuffed toys! I can't wait!

-Lon

Handmade Mafia

Christmas is almost here! It's getting close, and you know what that means! There's lots of great Craft Markets. The Handmade Mafia has a bunch coming up! Check out their full calendar of events HERE.

November 26 10AM-4PM (I won't be at this one. I'll be at Royal Bison!)
December 3 10AM-4PM
December 8 & 9 5PM-9PM (I won't be at these Night Markets.)
December 17 10AM-4PM

The NEW LOCATION for the Holiday Markets is at the Orange Hall at 10335-84 Avenue behind the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market.

These are great opportunities to start, finish, or add to your Christmas shopping! I hope to see you there!

-Lon

Fan Art

Something really cool happened to me this morning. I received my very first piece of fan art. My Brother-in-law, Shaun Hall, is the Curriculum Coordinator over at Johnny Bright School. He's a great guy and a huge supporter of my work. He bought the first ever Stevens Stuffed Toy and he has him sitting on his desk at work. I guess one of his students was in his office and really took a liking to Stevens. Well, she drew this great picture later on, hopefully not in class "TISK TISK", completely from memory and she gave it to Mr. Hall (Shaun)! Well, now I have it and I couldn't be happier. It will live on my fridge and in my heart for a long time. My fiancee Megan already nixed my plan to get it tattooed onto my back. Oh well!

-Lon

Monday, October 3, 2011

R A I N B O W S



R A I N B O W S

THE ALBUM COVER ARTWORK OF LON WENGER
ON DISPLAY & FOR SALE AT PERMANENT RECORDS

This is an opportunity to view these works of art as they were
meant to be seen- with the album covers & music that inspired them.


PERMANENT RECORDS
780-988-2112
8126 Gateway Blvd NW
www.twitter.com/Permanentrec
permanentrecords@hotmail.ca

Monday - Wednesday 10am-6pm
Thursday & Friday 10am-8pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 11am-5pm


So after a tonne of work, 3 hours of hard labour and a bunch of awesomeness from Clint, Dave and Mike, my art is now hanging on the walls of Permanent Records.It's a great space and my work looks really great there. There are 16 pieces in total and they will be constantly changing as the work sells. This is really how the work is meant to be seen- as part of the scene and movement that inspired it. I couldn't be any happier with how everything worked out. So go check out the great music selection at Permanent Records, admire my art, listen to some great tunes and meet Clint, Dave and Mike. They are three really great guys with a great record store.

-Lon

Monday, July 18, 2011

A Hard Day's Night

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Aladdin Sane

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Dark Side of the Moon

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Help!

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Houses of the Holy

Stencil + Foils + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

London Calling

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Nevermind

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Retrospective I

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Retrospective II

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Sticky Fingers

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

The Velvet Underground

Stencil + Gold Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

True Blue

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Welcome to the Monkey House

Stencil + Gold Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Who's Next

Stencil + Silver Foil + Rainbows on Reclaimed Album Cover - $100

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

* ART WALK - THIS WEEKEND *

UPDATE: (July 18, 2011) A big thanks goes out to everybody who stopped by my spot in front of Etzio this weekend and said hello. I appreciated all the smiles, visits, lunches, slurpees, compliments, kind words and the new and old faces. It was great to visit with old friends and make some new ones. Your continued interest in my art means the world to me. If you were able to pick something up this weekend... THANK YOU! I really appreciate it. As always, a big THANK YOU goes out to my second in command my fiancee Megan, the Paint Spot for organizing a wonderful event and Etzio for being a wonderful host yet again. I look forward to being in front of their store once again. There is always art available, so just let me know what you are after. I love you.

-Lon


My favourite weekend of the year is upon us once again! That's right! It's time for the Whyte Avenue Art Walk! It starts on Friday July 15th and runs until Sunday July 17th from 10AM - 5PM each day. My wonderful fiancee Megan and I will be there for all three days rain or shine. If the weather is nice we may even stay out a bit later on the Friday and Saturday. On Sunday we are planning on packing it in a little earlier at about 3PM. I will have the same location as I did last year. I will be in front of Etzio Women's Clothing (10338 82 AVE NW). It is besides the Subway and Starbucks and across the street from the Princess Theatre.

I will be showcasing 14 new pieces from my Rainbow Series. This time I focused on some of the greatest album covers of all time. This turned out to be my strongest body of work to date and I am really proud of how they all turned out. They will be $100 each. Each piece is an original work of art done on a reclaimed album cover using a spray stencil, foil, and coloured markers. Each image will be in a original edition of 3. I will be showcasing the first editions and as those sell, I will make the second and third editions available to purchase.

If you are free I would love for you to come and take a look at my new pieces in person and to see what I've been up to for the last year. If you haven't been able to visit me at one of the monthly Handmade Mafia markets during the past year I will have all of those items for sale as well including my Stabbie & Stevens Stuffed Toys, Sticker Packs, Magnets, Greeting Card Packs and new for the Art Walk I will have Greeting Card Blind Packs. The Blind Packs will include 5 randomly inserted greeting cards, 5 envelopes and 5 seals for only $10. FUN!

I hope to see you at some point this weekend!

-Lon

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A Tale of Two Sales

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

This Saturday June 11, 2011 marks a very special day here at Minus Industries. I will quite literally be selling my wares and showing my art ALL DAY. Yup, that's right ALL DAY. From dawn until dusk.

The first sale will be the monthly Handmade Mafia Market from 10AM - 3PM at the Strathcona Baptist Church (8318 - 104 Street).

The second sale will be at the Al Fresco - 4th Street Block Party (104 Street Downtown North of Jasper Ave) from 5PM - 10PM.

This promises to be a busy day and will be my first time participating in a Block Party. I am pretty excited... You should come... Good times to be had by all... I will post more info as I get it.

-Lon

Murder By Death

Murder By Death are one of my favourite bands in the entire world. Their albums are spectacular and their live show is something to behold. So when they held a contest to design the art for their split 7" with The Builders and the Butchers, even though I had semi retired from entering contests, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, as with all the contests that I enter... I lost... that is why I stopped entering so many contests and why it takes something really special to draw me out of my self imposed entering contests retirement. However, in this case, the winners are quite deserving and therefore I don't feel bad at all. I gave it my best shot. I worked long and hard on these and am really proud of how well they turned out. They look stunning in person. They were all made using spray stencils and silver foil on a reclaimed album cover.

-Lon

Thursday, May 26, 2011

May Announcements

There has been a lot going on this past month. I have been busy at work preparing for this years Art Walk. This years Art Walk is July 15 - 17 from 10AM - 5PM rain or shine. Once again I will be in front of Etzio Womens Wear at 10338 82 AVE NW. Thanks again to the fine folks at Etzio for having me back. I really appreciate it. I have been focusing on my Rainbow Series and have been steadily working away at it. For this part of the series I focused on Classic Album Covers. I really pushed the medium and pushed myself. This year I am even introducing gold foil into some of the pieces. These will be among some of my strongest pieces to date. I am really excited about them and proud to see how this series is evolving and where it will end up. Even though the pieces are growing in execution and scope the mandate remains the same. To make vibrant original pop art on a reclaimed album cover using one spray stencil accented by the foil and rainbow elements. The way these elements interact and effect each other will get more and more stunning and creative as the series goes on.

Since I have been so busy and have spent the past few months working on my art pieces I have decided that instead of launching a new product at the Saturday May 28 Handmade Mafia Market at the Strathcona Baptist Church at 8318 - 104 Street from 10AM-4PM that I would leak some info about my new pieces to be launched at Art Walk on Friday July 15.

I have made 14 new pieces based on Classic Album Covers. These will be released in Editions of 3 per piece. That makes 42 pieces of original art in total. These are all Handmade Multiples or HPMs. They are all original pieces based on the same image and will be signed and numbered. The reason I decided to Edition my work is to make my original pieces available to more then one person and to keep the prices of these pieces as affordable as possible. It is important to me to make my work accessible to everyone and editioning is a great way to do that. Now without further ado here are the album covers that will be available for purchase on Friday July 15 through to Sunday July 17. These will go for $100 each and they are:

The Beatles A Hard Day's Night
The Beatles Help!
The Clash London Calling
The Dandy Warhols Welcome To The Monkey House (GOLD foil)
The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground & Nico (GOLD foil)
David Bowie Aladdin Sane
Led Zeppelin Houses Of The Holy (GOLD & SILVER foil)
Madonna True Blue
Nirvana Nevermind
Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon
The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers
Rush Retrospective I
Rush Retrospective II
The Who Who's Next

This will be the first time I introduce the GOLD foil and I will post pictures of all the pieces as I complete them.

The EVENT this Saturday is always a good opportunity to check out my work and chat. I love meeting people and fans of my work. I will have plenty of original art, greeting cards, stickers, stuffed toys, and magnets available for sale. I hope to see you there!

-Lon

Monday, May 9, 2011

The Edmontonian

Episode 2: the edmontonian presents "money" ran on ShawTV last night at 9:00PM & 9:30PM. Yours truely was featured in one of the clips on the Handmade Mafia. You can find out more about the edmontonian HERE and you can watch the episode HERE

-Lon

Monday, April 18, 2011

Handmade Mafia

This past Saturday marked the second Handmade Mafia market of the year! It was nice to see all the familiar faces and some new ones as well. The next market will be May 28 from 10am-4pm at the Strathcona Baptist Church (8318-104 Street).

I have kept with my promise of debuting a new item every month. Technically I am one ahead, but who's keeping track? Last month saw the birth of Stabbie and Stevens, everyones favourite orange cat and stealthy knife wielding ninja. The beautiful crochet stuffed toys were made by fellow HMM member Sayuri Nakayama and are $30 each. This month, I launched my sticker packs. They come with 10 clear hand cut stickers featuring all of my characters. Get em while they last for some Peel Em Stick Em Fun! They are nicely packaged and go for only $10 each.

This month also saw the release of the exclusive t-shirt that I designed for the HMM. In Craft We Trust is based on the Presidential Seal and was lovingly hand drawn and created by me. Instead of holding a olive branch and arrows, this eagle has a pair of scissors and a bottle of glue. The shirts are $30 each and come in both ladies and mens sizes. They will be available at the markets and were made by Natasha of Whiteout Workshop. The shirts turned out amazing! Natasha did a wonderful job. They are so comfortable and turned out incredible. I was so happy to be a part of this project.

The next market is May 28. The markets for the rest of the year are June 11, July 15 & 16, September 10, October 1, November 5, November 19, November 26, December 3, December 8 & 9, and December 17. All the markets are from 10am-4pm and will be at the Strathcona Baptist Church (8318-104 Street) with the exception of the markets on December 8 & 9 which are night markets that will run from 5pm-9pm at the Orange Hall (10335 84 Ave).

I will be participating in all of the markets except the ones on July 15 & 16 as I will be participating in this years Art Walk. I look forward to seeing you and showing you my new work in the months to come. As always, everything Handmade Mafia can be found on their excellent brand new website!

-Lon

Monday, March 21, 2011

Stabbie & Stevens




Thank you to all those who came out and supported the first Handmade Mafia market of the season. 400 people came through the doors and helped make the event a success. The markets are only going to get bigger and better as the season goes on. For those of you who were able to stop by my table you saw that we now have Stabbie & Stevens Stuffed Toys. They turned out awesome. They were made by Sayuri Nakayama of Kawaii Krafts. I met her at my very first Handmade Mafia event in December. Her table was right across from ours and I spent the day admiring her crochet puppets. She did a fantastic job bringing my characters to life. It was a thrill to work with her. Look for more collaborations with other members to come in the near future. I still have some Stabbie & Stevens left and they will be available at the next market in April or you can contact me through my website. I would be happy to get you one. They are $30ea and come complete with tags that include their story. Stevens whiskers really pull and Stabbies knives really slice!

-Lon

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

AS SEEN ON TV

The Handmade Mafia was featured on Breakfast Television early this morning. Watch the clip HERE to see if you can spot any of my creations. SPOILER ALERT: The new products that will be available at the Market this Saturday are featured in the clip. Ryan seems to get along pretty well with one of them!

-Lon

Monday, March 14, 2011

Thank You

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of your support. The Art Show was a huge success. This was my first time in the Artey. It is a great venue. A huge thanks goes out to Tim who helped hang the art and the rest of the wonderful staff. A big thank you to Philip and Mark for organizing the event. I was so happy to be a part of it. It was a nice night to have a few drinks with old friends and new ones. Thanks to everyone who came to support me, those who bought art and magnets, and to everyone for all the kind words. This is truly what I want to be doing and I had a blast. Look for pictures of the night to come soon. I was blown away by the space my art was in and how it was hung. It looked amazing.

My next event will be this Saturday at the first Handmade Mafia market of the year. I am so excited. The new items that I have been teasing for the last few months are all ready to go. They will be available for sale for the first time. There are only 5 of each to start and they are only $30. These will go fast. I promise. They, along with some of my other work will be part of a three minute segment that is to run on Breakfast Television on Wednesday at 7:40AM. Watch it if you can! The Official Handmade Mafia Website launched today and it looks great!

I hope to see you all this Saturday!

-Lon


Monday, March 7, 2011

March Update


Hello Everybody,

Lots to report from the Minus Industries camp this month. It has been busy.

First off, there was a article on the Handmade Mafia in Saturday's Edmonton Journal and I AM IN IT! This is very exciting for me. Read it HERE

The next Handmade Mafia event is going to be Saturday March 19 at the Strathcona Baptist Church (8318-104 Street) from 10am - 4pm. For more info on the event you can go HERE and for more info on the Handmade Mafia go HERE I will have some BRAND NEW items for sale. These are not to be missed! Minds will be blown!

On Sunday I was able to confirm that my spot for Art Walk this year will be the same as it was last year. Thanks to the awesome people at Etzio who were kind enough to request to have me back. Art Walk is July 15-17 from 10am - 5pm and I will be set up in front of Etzio (10338 82 Avenue NW). I can't wait! Look for more information to be posted on my site in the months to come...

AND don't forget about the Art Show that I am in this Friday! Check out the awesome plug it got in the See Magazine Events Calendar! Can you tell that the super awesome lovely beautiful talented gal at See who puts together the Calendar is also my Fiancee! YAY! I am so lucky! Now come to the show and buy my art so that we can have the best wedding ever!

Thanks,

-Lon

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Best Conversation Ever

Hi Everybody,

I've entered another contest! If you could go vote for me that would be so great! You can vote once a day! If you end up entering the contest yourself please shoot me an email so that I can vote for you! And I will! Everyday! :)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

The contest was about who your Best Conversation Ever would be with. It's 40% based on votes and 60% based on the jury. If I can land in the Top 100 my entry will make it to the jury where they will decide on the 5 winners. And based on my entry and my person that I'd like to talk to I think I may have a pretty good chance. Here is my entry:


Shepard Fairey Has a Posse: Our Generations Andy Warhol

My Best Conversation Ever would be with Shepard Fairey. Shepard started out as a street artist and was most famously known for his "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" campaign of stickers, posters and spray stencils that have appeared all over the world. Shepard has moved from having his work "illegally" in the streets to having his HOPE image of then presidential hopeful and now president, Barack Obama, housed in the Smithsonian. Using his skill, knowledge, and talent Shepard made a stunningly beautiful and now iconic image of Obama in hopes of bringing the word out about the then little known presidential candidate. Shepard helmed a grass roots movement unlike any seen before in recent history and through his art he helped decide the current president of the United States. He has went on to use this notoriety to champion the numerous causes that he has always supported. Through his art, his design studio, his OBEY clothing brand, and his gallery Shepard continues to inform and educate his massive audience. Shepard Fairey is an artist, businessman, philanthropist, humanitarian, dedicated family man, champion of free speech and my hero. I would love the chance to tell him that.


Thanks for all of your votes. I really appreciate it.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

-Lon

Friday, February 18, 2011

Art Show

This is the poster for the upcoming Art Show that I was asked to be a part of. It promises to be a fun night filled with great art and great music. I am looking forward to it. You can click on the poster or go HERE for more information.

I am going to have at least 9 pieces from my Rainbow Series on display and available for sale. Each piece is spray stencil + silver foil + markers on a reclaimed album cover. They are approximately 12" x 12" and will sell for $100 framed. The pieces available will be:


I will have additional work for sale and if space permits may be showing some of my POP ART.

-Lon

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Handmade Mafia 2011

This is the schedule for this year's Handmade Mafia Markets. I am going to be participating in all of them except the ones on July 15 & 16 that coincide with Art Walk. I will be debuting a lucky 13 new album covers from my Rainbow Series. You can expect classics from Nirvana, Madonna, and the Beatles. I am hoping to have the same location for Art Walk that I had last year but there will be more information on that in the months to come...

I have signed on to be a sponsor of the Handmade Mafia this year and am hoping to have a very active and visible involvement with my new family. I am very excited and looking forward to my future with them. They have been nothing short of amazing thus far. In the markets in the months to come I am looking forward to debuting new items and exclusive collaborations with some other very talented family members. I have a couple of collaborations ready to debut at the Market on March 19. Quantities are extremely limited to start and will be based on first come first served...

For more information about the Handmade Mafia and the upcoming markets you can click on the flyer or go HERE

-Lon

S.I.R.E.N.S.

I recently had the opportunity to work with S.I.R.E.N.S. This is the piece that I did for them. S.I.R.E.N.S. is a charity that helps children. To find out more about them, what they do, and how to get involved please click HERE

Frank, the founder of S.I.R.E.N.S., approached me with the idea of creating an art piece that exemplifies S.I.R.E.N.S. goals, what is important to them, and how they seek to lead by example and mentoring. I had fun with this project and am so proud with how it turned out. I can easily say that it is one of my most ambitious projects to date. It was exciting to depict a concept and an idea in a very visual way. I look forward to working with them more in the future.

-Lon

Friday, January 28, 2011

Art Upon Request

UPDATE (February 17, 2011): February 20, 2011 is the last chance to comment on my art and help me to get it printed on over 40 billboards over Alberta. Thank you to all who have helped me by commenting, posting, blogging, and linking my art through various social media. I really appreciate all of the help! It is not to late to comment on my art HERE


HI!


I need your help! I am not sure if you have seen the billboards or heard the radio spots but there is a new art initiative that is currently under way. It is called Art Upon Request. It is an experiment of art and social media but at it's core it is a contest to have your art appear on over 40 billboards around Alberta.


The 2 artists with the most "votes" through a variety of different social media forums will have their work on billboards starting March 17th. I have entered and I need your "votes". There are many different ways to vote, the easiest being to comment on my work on the Art Upon Request website. The more constructive the comment the better. Why do you like my art? What draws you to it? Why would it look good on a billboard? Other ways to vote are by following the social networking icons and links on my art page. You can tweet about it, digg it, and add it to your facebook. Each time you do one it counts as a vote. So please do as many as you can and pass this onto any friend you think may be willing to do this.


This is a huge opportunity for me and winning would put me one step closer to achieving my goal of being a professional artist. If you are an artist I would encourage you to submit a piece of your work. It seems like a great project to bring awareness to Alberta's art community.


Thanks for your help!


For more information you can visit the Art Upon Request Website

To comment on my work and to "vote" through various social media you can go HERE


-Lon