There's this guy I know...

 Aaron Leighton is a former instructor of mine, drawing buddy and very clever guy with a big heart.  He is also the artist for Sago Sago, a Toronto company that designs giggle-inducing apps for little kids.  Sago Mini Forest Flyer is free and is available for iPhone and iPad.  Have a peek at http://www.sagosago.com/app/sago_mini_forest_flyer and have a go at their other apps.  I'm greatly anticipating future progeny just so I can justify having these!

Another old (but young) friend is Adam Higson, a Muay Thai kickboxing champion, personal trainer, and owner of the Diablo Fitness & Combat Club.  Adam is a very tough guy who presents an intimidating exterior, but inside he's a complete mush-ball.  He's just moved his gym to Dundas, Ontario, which is technically a part of Hamilton.  I'm doing some logo work for Adam, so watch for his signs!  

Adam Higson

I recently contributed a piece to the Green Man show after a call for work by the Nook Collective in Kensington Market.  There were some fabulous pieces there, although the crowd was so intense I'm sure I didn't get to see them all!  The Green Man is an iconic figure signifying spring and rebirth that appears across many cultures.  I took my representation from Celtic folklore, and used the Scottish Gaelic for 'green man',  fear uaine as my title and inspiration.  Again, I'm having a love affair with J. Herbin inks and used Cafe des Iles for its earthy warm tones.  I wanted my figure to be gnarly (in the tree-bark sense), to be a creature who would meld into the forest, and to be benevolent but slightly malevolent.

The final guy I'd like to mention is another drawing buddy, Rob Collinet.  I couldn't resist one of Rob's contributions to the Green Man show, and he is now a happy resident of my front porch (the Green Man, not Rob).

Thanks, guys!

Lavender Cats and Cloud Grey Ink

I have fallen deeply and irretrievably in love with something French.  I've been experimenting and searching for what seems like forever for the perfect drawing inks: those with enough depth to draw the eye, enough translucency to add lightness, a clean, even flow, and colours that delight my soul.  I've finally found them in J. Herbin inks.  J. Herbin inks have been in Paris since the Sun King danced in high heels at Versailles.  The inks also have stunning and beautifully-named colours.  I used Gris Nuage (Grey Cloud) for the portrait of a friend's luscious grey cat.  Her coat has a hint of lavender in it, as does the ink, so it was a perfect choice.

And for the icing on the gateau, (sorry, unsure how to add French accents), the inks come in beautiful packaging with great graphic design, and each ink bottle has in an indentation in the top in which to rest your pen!      J. Herbin Inks

I've also finally found the nib that is my heart's delight: the No. 102 crow quill nib.  It's tiny, strong, can produce superfine or fine lines, and holds ink forever.  Now I just have to find a paper that doesn't shred and clump as it becomes dank with ink.

I've come across an amazing photo of my grandmother, and her siblings and cousins from I think about 1918.  I especially love this photo because it's not posed and formal, it's just a bunch of kids being goofy and having fun a hundred years ago.  Things really haven't changed all that much.

I love her, but she's an uggo.

My Valentine sentiment is directed toward the brindle boxer in our lives, who is googly-eyed, hairy and snaggle-toothed.  Marty Feldman had nothing on these eyes, but we love her even if we can't tell which of us she's looking at. 




Tomorrow, February 15th is the Dr. Rodney Benefit Dinner in support of a Haitian physician, Dr. Rodney Baptiste.   Dr. Rodney's story is an extraordinary one, and he is, with the use of a military personnel carrier that has been converted to a medical clinic, attempting to provide medical care to isolated communities in Haiti.  The dinner is at the Ancaster Agricultural Grounds at 6 pm, and Dr. Rodney will be in attendance.

Still training for triathlons in the cold.  Don't mind the cold so much, but I despise the treacherous footing.  Running on a thin layer of snow and ice makes all your muscles bunch unnaturally and gives you a really stiff, awkward gait.  And it hurts.  Plus you look like an idjit running in the winter.  On the positive side, my eyes tend to water and tear up in the wind and the cold, so I grow these lovely lash-cicles, which I consider a badge of honour.  And it's better than having snot-sicles.  Next run, 25k or bust.