post[starr]

Posters are something I enjoy doing the most when it comes to graphically designing things. And luckily for me, being in the midst of a creative renaissance in #HamOnt, posters are high in demand with shows happening nearly every weekend.

The folk behind the I’m Just Sayin’ even I did a poster for a while back [you know, the poster i just posted today? haha… ohh…me.] contacted me again for their second show instalment under the same name. I couldn’t say no – the vibe at their shows are full of positivity and I feel like my work is a definite match for them.

The poster came together rather fast, and actually sparked a new wave of creativity that I’ve been craving for a little over a month now. The best thing about the work I do is when you continue and push through it, you’re able to work through the dry spells and create things that can surprise you and wow your clients.
The event is coming up at the end of the month, and if you happen to be in the are, we’d love to see you there, follow through at the Facebook event page!

As for what creating this poster stirred in me, the idea actually hit me in the back of the head [at least that's what it felt like when i got struck lol] late last night after being done with the poster above.
I had some photos of big names and icons from ancient Egypt [no…really?] that I had planned on working with for the poster, and I went to work with what was left behind… I was mesmerized [not to toot my own horn…but, yeah] with what the result was:

It turned out so well that I’ve inducted the piece into my [intergalactic]ancestry series – which now will definitely be continuing full force!

As for other posters I’ve been working on, there’s another I just completed for a show that I’m actually on the bill for, supporting some amazing local artists.

Heavy hitters like Nilla, Canadian Winter and Motëm and Supa83 will be providing the aural goodness for the evening while yours truly along with other artists like Dan Rivero, Sanjay B. Patel and DJ Sawtay will be creating visual interpretations to these soundbites live!

It’s sure to be a night to remember – nothing but unique collaborations all over #HamOnt!

Well my loves, that’s about all I have to update yall on right now, there’s a lot in the works currently, I’m just waiting on the overall go-ahead before I share them at will, so that being said…

…stay tuned. <3

…it’s that time again!

Well kittens, it’s that time again.
And to be honest, I wasn’t planning on it, and things just kind of fell into place. [watchutalkinbout, sammi?]

James North Art Crawl!
[yeeeeah!]

I was asked about a month ago to partake in an art show taking place at my favourite coffee spot in #HamOnt – Mulberry Street Cafe. This time however, the show isn’t print based; every piece submitted is to be done on the bottoms of skateboards…

I’m super stoked to see my board up, looking shiny amongst all the other amazing submissions! While I would love to give yall a preview of what the board looks like, I didn’t manage to snap any pics before I submitted it. However, the graphic I used on the board was done up digitally originally – and I can share its happy message with you right here:

Not to shabby hmm? The piece speaks for itself, so we’ll see how well [or ill-] received the piece is in the end…

Needless to say, I would love to see your smiling faces downtown tomorrow evening for some art and good musical times.

I’ll be back with some more updates, work never ends for this one… ^_^

<3 .

i’m just sayin’ [i get by with a little help from my friends]

I’ve been doing a lot of freelance work around the artsy community of Hamilton for events varying from poetry readings to concerts. It’s helped me to really build some valuable creative relationships, and the products of these collaborations proved to be rather fruitful.

The first was a poster promoting a new spoken word event, I’m Just Sayin’, that took place back in June.

I’ve really taken a liking to using my tablet to illustrate for posters. It’s a nice seamless kind of production, and it still allows my ‘hand’ to be seen in it’s creation.

I was given another opportunity to come up with some posters for a Beatles variety night over at one of my favourite #HamOnt [that's Hamilton, Ontario, for those of you not in the know] cafe, the Skydragon.
This was yet another collaboration with my friend Joe B. He was kind enough to help with the lettering once again, and I took it upon myself to re-visit a personal favourite Beatle-era; The Yellow Submarine:

The posters, and post cards proved to be a huge success! Bright colours attracted a lot of eyes, and I even caught a few people tearing the posters down the night of the event as a keepsake – which I really don’t mind – it’s flattery at its best!

More to come, kittens!
<3 .

…STOP!

… Ever needed to tell yourself that? Or have it yelled at you?
I don’t need to tell you all how much I miss blogging on the regular – nor how effing busy I’ve been recently.
[seriously, it's actually quite bogus how busy i've been lately]
And while I still have yet to update you on things of months past [and it WILL get done - please believe] I felt that I should at least let you all know how ArtCrawl went!

It was bananas!
What an overwhelming show of support and love from old and new smiling faces. It’s always a trip to take part in an ArtCrawl – I especially enjoy engaging with people who really feel my work resonates with them.

I released two brand new series this month, as you can see above. The first one, seated atop is called NEB [short for 'nebula', and a take on the way in which they categorize 'new' nebulas by letters or often numbers]. I had a period recently where I’ve been really taken by stars and the images we’re capable of gathering from down here on earth. Geometric shapes are forms that have been with us since the beginning, and even possibly from beyond – it all just fit together so well. Aesthetically speaking – they’re crisp, vibrant and ‘groovy’ [according to multiple viewers opening night]. Click through on each one to get a bigger view, friends. :)
  

The beauty of creating series like these, is that there really is no seen end in sight. And really – why stop? There are infinite combinations of colours and shapes to combine to make new work – so this being said, my friends – stay tuned.

As for the second series, in the same sort of light – only employing found imagery instead – is called [intergalactic]Ancestry. I had come across some found images of  presumed ‘free’ African Americans at the turn of the century. They’re stunning, haunting and captivating images, and are made even more undeniable against a spaced background.

Each sitter [safe for Nefertiti] is engaging the camera full on – almost as if yearning to share their lives, their experiences. These said experiences are recorded in the Universal history – it’s always there. I’m just trying to catch it, I suppose.
Like I said, this series is also subject to mass expansion in the future, who knows in which direction it’ll turn. Besides, I’ve got a whole bunch of found images I still have yet to do anything with!
Click on through again, friends.

  

Personally, even if I didn’t end up selling anything [more on that after the jump…what jump? jump!], it’s the love, understanding and interest that my work generates that really is the most rewarding. It’s addictive, so here’s hoping I’m on my way to being a regular partaker in the beauty that is the James St. North ArtCrawl.

Now about making sales…
I managed to sell a few prints that I had on display at The Grey Room. Contact and [intergalactic]Ancestry Two being the top sellers. It was crazy seeing people walk in, take a look around, and then stop dead in their tracks once they locked eyes with [i]A2. This is why I do this! Loved that feeling, and it’s different every time – it never gets old.

As for my piece that I entered into the H24 art festival – I creatively stumbled upon a pleasant discovery; the way in which to end my Mouth Full of Stars series you might’ve seen kicking around. [ha!]
Turns out – the piece sold during a silent auction – to my surprise [i do this for the love, not the cash - that's all just gravy, kittens]! Very proud moment for me, as the festival was city run – with incredible media exposure, and an all around spectacular turn out. So very happy – I’ll be hearing about the auction in the following days, as the festival just ended Saturday.

I have no idea what plans I have for this third instalment yet, as the first had post cards, and the second had a short run of stickers. Whatever it is – it’s going to be very special, as this piece marks the end of this series [finality is necessary for this series in particular…] Stay tuned!

So I bet you’re all wondering what excuse I have for being so über busy as of late.
Welp – I’ve locked down [for now] and part time full-time job [i'll let you mull that one over]. I’m working full time hours currently, so I’ve been tied up with catching up on the essentials [sleep.] and got lost in the shuffle.
What I can tell you is that the position is essentially in the graphics field, but until I know for certain I’m sticking around – I’ll forego revealing any of the nitty-grit.

Alas, here I am! Hoping to churn out some more updates for you, kittens. My perfectionism tends to get the best of me, so I apologize if you’re actually waiting on updates from me [HA!] and have yet to see anything meaty – as it were.

I’m grinding, yall – and I’m doing it, and doing it – and doing it well.

<3 .

…speak with your mouth full.

Let’s recap, shall we?
So, we all remember the post cards I had done for my big debut back in April, using my then latest piece, Mouth Full of Stars, right?

This jumpstarted an idea to do a series [i think it's the OCD in me… i'm all about series] of self portraits exploring my connection to the Universe, and how I bestow that onto my art and daily life. Not too long after I had completed this piece, I felt inspired to continue with a similar motif, and explore other ways that my creative spill can be handled visually.

I was asked to create a sticker decal of my choice, as a last ‘end-of-school-let’s-have-fun’ assignment for my program.
Since I had created the first piece, and created post cards to commemorate its creation, I decided to do a second piece  to compliment her, and commemorate its creation by having stickers printed!

Sadly, kittens, I was only limited to 8 prints, and they’ve all been spoken for by now. I’m looking into having them printed elsewhere – that being said – you’ll be sure to know how to go about finding’em once I do. :)

<3 

need something to do on a[n ArtCrawl] Friday night?

Peace and love yall!

Thank you so much for being patient with me and all my updates! [and believe me I've plenty to come, from May onward…i know… i know]

But, before I continue on with said updates – I’d like to let you know that yours truly, once again, will be doing a double-whammy of shows tomorrow evening during the James St. North Art Crawl!! Yes indeed, I’ve managed to swing some exposure time for June and I’m feeling mighty night about it.
This time around is only a tad different, with my submission to the H24 24hr Art Festival. I attended the kick-off for the visual arts chapter today and was given the guidelines and festival jibjab. Our theme to abide by was the dichotomy “Up and Down” – and you all know how I do, kittens – it’s going to be a good one. Truth be told, it’s peeking on 10pm as I write this [9 hours into the allotted 24] and the assignment is already done. All that is left to be done is a short write to clarify anything the curators/judges may have questions about.
The gallery show will open at 3pm, Friday afternoon at  118 James St North, right at Vine St. and run right through the Art Crawl until 10 pm that evening.

My other show will be at one of my fave gallery digs [because they always have love for me] – The Grey Room!
I’ve got a stacked show for this one – 10 completely new pieces to show [2 5-part series] with tons of prints available for sale as well. The evening will begin at 5pm with a super sweet Drawing Party hosted by my lovely artist friend Abie A. of fair&fauna - check out the info below!

[dig that? this is one of the poster creations i've been busy chipping away at recently - more showing off to come, no doubt.]

You can be apart of all of the above tomorrow evening, especially if you’re in the downtown Hamilton area with not a thing to do on an ArtCrawl Friday night.

Hope to see your smiling faces out there!
For now, though, I must return to my blogging shadows to update you all on the ever-hectic life that is mine own.

<3 !

…no sleep.

…and just like a whirlwind… i got carried away.

But, I’m back, yall.
I didn’t want to hold off for so long since the last post but I got swept up with many loose ends that needed to be taken care of – not to mention some amazing projects I had the privilege of participating in. May kinda felt like one big, long day to me. Very late nights, early mornings – and constant running around? I’m exhausted, but yet I’ve never felt better.

Life happened. And I had to answer the call – sorry, kittens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The show[s] were wonderful. The James St. North Art Crawl was a huge success. And probably the warmest temperature-wise since last summer – needless to say, a huge turnout. The Print Studio’s Small is Good show was such a success, they just ended their month-long extension of the show! [that reminds me, i've got some prints to pick up…]

The post cards were a huge hit! So much so that I’ve been steadily planning another batch of brand new ones to pass around.

I had some wonderful support from some great people and really had a chance to engage viewers in the work I do, how they felt about it, and all the ideas and notions that rose from that. Even made a sale or two on a couple of the prints shown at The Grey Room.
I had one viewer express to me how that installation reflected the pyramid motive seen in my work, and how the entire energy was affirmative in talking to the universe and its inner-workings and its direct effect on the work I produce. It was a humbling and refreshing opportunity for me to wade around in the art pool that is James St. North here in Hamilton, and see what I could really be diving into.

[sb - did i mention i finished school? FOR EVER?!]

So, what did May look like for this young artist designer?
Quite promising! I’ve a few secret projects on the go [or projects i can't publicly disclose just yet], and had a few pleasant surprises along the way.

What I can tell you, is that June is looking like another double-whammy type of month for me. One of the events I’ll be taking part in is the HAMILTON24 Festival! H24 initially began as a 24hour film festival for Hamilton film makers and film buffs. Over the years [it began in 2008] it’s evolved to include dance, fashion, music, and most recently – the visual arts.
So, needless to say, there was no way I was going to pass this up this year.
It all goes down next Thursday. We’ll get a theme, or at least more information – and go from there. The next day, ArtCrawl Friday, will be the deadline + show. All the details are yet to be announced, but be assured you’ll all know more about it in due time. :)

I’ve a few more tricks up my sleeve for June as well – but that’s all I’ll divulge for now.
What I’d really love to share with you all is the amount of work I’ve been doing since, pretty much, the day after April’s ArtCrawl!
But instead of rambling on all in one post [and probably losing the bulk of my readers] – I’ll update piece by piece what my last month looked like.

So gather round and stay tuned, kittens. Sammi’s still kickin’.

<3 .

[P.S.: Wanna see something kinda nifty? One of my supporters came out and recorded some of the night as a commemorative/birthday gift to me. Sweet right? Watch the love below.]

Quarter Century SWAG [like…free stuff.]

Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me!
As a gift to my kittens…
Here’s some art, and it’s FREE!

Well my loves – I made it to 25. And it’s been a wonderful day so far. Lots of love from some amazing people. A big breakfast, and some quality time to myself lounging in bed. But I couldn’t let today pass without updating you all.

As you know, of course, I’m getting ready for my big night; my debut to the James St North Art Crawl! [what? you missed that? check out the digs here…]

To celebrate all the love of today, I got some post cards printed with my latest piece, Mouth Full of Stars [keep your eyes on this one…] shown here.

These will be made available for free to all who stop by The Grey Room to see the show going on in there.  And if you’re lucky, you might catch me on the street with a handful of these, and of course, my business cards to give out!

[don't they look pretty?]

I hope to see some of your smiling faces out tonight – it’s going to be a good time! Come on down, stay a while, get some free swag!

<3 .

FEATURE [presentation]

Yours truly is getting some blog love from the blogging community!

I know some seriously wonderful folk. Mitch, an amazing photographer out of Toronto, posts his own work, muses and sources of inspiration over at Satsangam: The Purposeful Use of Unity. He also does features on his artist friends and asked to do a blog on some of the work that I do. I couldn’t say no! Check the post, and the rest of his work [crazy awesome photography] by clicking the link or photo.

Next, is the one and only Tom from CopyDog! I’ve mentioned him before and he is hands down – the print MAN. He’s super helpful, amazing at what he does, and is the papa to some of the cutest pups I’ve ever met. Come to think of it, his pups help out around the shop too. Check out Gizmo’s blog [yeah, that's right] and dig the first official post: a feature on yours truly! What are they working on? [stay tuned!]

A huge thank you to both Mitch and Tom for the support and the lovely features on their blogs!  Lots of love and much appreciation!

LOVE!

preparing to expose…

That sounds rather suggestive, doesn’t it?

What I mean, kittens, is I’m preparing for a relatively major day this week.

Friday, April the 8th.
Which happens to be my quarter century birthday. [happy birthday to me!]

But I’m talking about something even bigger than that!
Yours truly will be apart of two, count’em TWO art shows both opening that very same night – during the monthly James St North Art Crawl!!

[i know, right?!]

The first show, I had mentioned earlier last week, will be happening over at The Print Studio down on JNo.

The premise of the show is based around print-based work no larger than one square foot – which for a lot of the work I’ve been chipping away at, is perfect. Each piece will be on sale for $100 and 50% of the proceeds go towards funding the amazing workshops that the studio offers the community!

The opening reception is Friday the 8th at 7pm, so if you’re in the #HamOnt [Hamilton, duh!] area that night, stop by and say hello [and wish me a happy birthday!]

The other show, happening that very same evening will be taking place at The Grey Room, just a bit further up, on the JNo strip. [click the link for a bit more detail on directions, it's a tad hidden!]

This is a group show featuring a collection of young emerging artists in the area, and the owners asked yours truly if I’d like to partake.

I couldn’t say no – it’s a great space and a great vibe, so again – if you’re in the #HamOnt area Friday April 8th around 7pm, you’ll be able to find me between either gallery!

I’d really love if you’d stop by, take in the art that this amazing community has to offer, and wish me a happy birthday! [and perhaps buy me a birthday drink!]

2011 is looking promising, kittens! My goal of getting in on the gallery circuit here in Hamilton is looking very, very good so far… Onward!

PEACE + LOVE.