Crash Landing

Illustration for an abandoned spacecraft theme on the Hybrid Collective blog :}

Semantic Antics

It's been quite a voyage of discovery for me these last few years; artistically, philosophically and emotionally. When I first began toying with the the symbolic presence of words I didn't have a clear realization of where it would take me. My first thoughts were, "Wow, this is interesting! ..I wonder what would happen if I added this.. or tweaked that?" With further experiments, an unfolding array possibilities crept into my mind.

Through the transforming of type into multilayered mandalas and finding inspiration in the simple step of mirroring, these linguistic characters began to emerge. During my time at Pleasure and Pain Ink I was fortunate to also be taught the elements of script lettering. With the added flair of filigree these 'Word Players' started to take shape. Whereas my initial lettering was slightly block like with an accented curvature, this recent font adjustment suggests a more delicate and organic look. Depending on the word, some work better as faces, others as bodies and combining words allows for all sorts of word play (:

Many more in the works!

^ Peace, Harmony, Balance ^

Warrior Artist Shaman

A play on words which can be interpreted as a face, three faces or a complete figure. The top portion exhibits the mind of a Warrior, propelled into action with a cunning resolve and sense of honor.

Directly below are the eyes and heart of an Artist, patiently perceiving patterns and displaying circulated inspiration into a chosen artistic medium.

At the bottom rests the mouth and feet of a Shaman. A combination of Warrior and Artist, the Shaman expresses messages of wisdom and healing and traverses a path which requires integrity and courage. The Shaman is a master of performance and a dedicated guide.

:::A totem for leadership.

Mask

Designed from the word MASK. To read, tilt your head to the right {:

Just Laugh More

A phrase from a recorded lecture at Burning Man 2003 by Alex, Allyson and Zena Grey called Art, Love, Family and Psychedelics that I felt inspired by. Allyson offered advice in regards to helping maintain healthy relationships and how one can become a better parent, partner, artist and person. The advice was to "laugh more"

The treatment here is of the mirrored initials J.L.M.

Love Lot.Us

Lotus like formations made of the word LOVE.

Sixy Circles

Syntaxia

A continuation of my Body Language series. Redesigned the head with more humanlike features.

Sympathy For Our Devils

Excited to announce a spot in a group show at the Steam Whistle Brewery on July 6th 7-11pm to July 31.

Featuring fellow artists Erick Castaneda, Jaime Capell, Paolo Diaque, Jordan McKie, Daniel Martins and Tomas Zatrak in a theme about masks.

A taste:::

Used to assist in the telling of myth, masks have maintained a long preserved and widespread tradition throughout the history of Mankind. As such, they are closely entwined with language. The stories spoken verbally or enacted physically were all the more engaging with a mask to bring an added sense of mystery and symbolic presence. They are excellent aides in the personification of elemental forces and often provide a face for the faceless.

To wear a mask is to alter the perceptual exchange that takes place between the wearer and the audience. With tribal ceremony involving masked players there is great opportunity for expressive participation and community bonding.

With these aspects in mind, the majority of the 'masks' to be presented have been formed from mirrored word arrangements.

Head tilting may be required ^v^

^Sympathy For Our Devils^ ^Light, Shadow, Vision^

Mattoo Tattoo

The business has been registered, the equipment has been purchased, the ink is in. From January to June I apprenticed at the Mississauga based tattoo studio, Pleasure and Pain Ink and thought it well overdue to post some shots. Went in with a blank slate and now I'm sporting eleven tattoos, nine of which are self applied and all placed on my legs... so far. The rumors are true, it's addictive. Started on my feet and with each one I learn something new, with each one I try to challenge myself. To be honest, I didn't imagine doing this two years ago. Nevertheless, the encouraging words of numerous friends prompted me to consider it and when the opportunity arose, I went for it.

I can't think of a canvas more sacred than skin and I'm excited to expand into this field with full force!

P.A.S.S.I.O.N

A recently commissioned piece, redone from a version I did in high school.

Happiness For All

^ Designed from the words above ^

Happy new year everybody!

Version 2.0Version 1.1:::variant version:::

funguy

continuing on the theme of an earlier post:::

• feel the atmosphere • breathe the air •

• see the sights • but beware •

• of teeth that gnaw • and lips that curl •

• mouths that murmur • all's a knot •

• silently shouting • patiently prying •

• ears that listen • can hear a thought •

Venusian Fly Trap

My contribution to the Canvas Collective, a site hosted by fellow Sheridan alumni Erika Brouwer. Lots of other great wallpapers to be found there, and freshly updated every week!

Fire Fly

This has been sitting in my sketchbook for a good while. Couldn't bring myself to finish the stippled background by hand so I completed it in Photoshop.

Mainly just wanted to draw a big bug, but was partially inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Situated in a post apocalyptic future, it's a story of mankind's struggle for survival against the ever spreading toxic forests and monstrously mutated insects. A great movie and an even better manga. As always, Miyazaki is the master!

The Cyborg of Sargon

This is known as a Lamassu, a celestial being from Mesopotamian mythology. In art, they were depicted as hybrids ~ winged bulls or lions with the head of a human male and considered househould protective spirits of the common Babylonian people. Babylonian history later portrays these bull-men as the protectors of kings and statues of them were often used as gatekeepers. Usually sculpted with five legs to show balance from all angles.

⫷LOVE ❉ ABUNDANCE ❉ JOY⫸

Love Tunnel

❖♥❖ LOVE Mandala ❖♥❖

Version 2.0Version 1.0Shaped LOVE into the six petalled Seed of Life formation as seen in the center. Layered it up at different sizes and spun it out towards the edges.

Best blessings everyone :)

Plip!

Had a lot of fun drawing these little yellow guys back in high school getting into all sorts of zany mishaps. It's basically just one character, but cloned innumerably for narrative purposes. I call 'em Jimmy.

Beaver Blowout!

An older piece, but relevant to the timeless fact: beavers bite back.

Invasion of the squids!

A poster I made last year. Based on an article about the decimation of fish populations in the coastal waters of British Columbia due to an increase in the number of GIANT squid.

Elusive is the fish able to swim among the the tentacles of turmoil

To dodge the many manufactured nets

And explore an ocean

Rather empty, rather full

Uncatchable fish

Uncatchable soul

Who controls these hands?

Drew this several years ago and just recently gave it some color.

Remains open to interpretation..

Staircases

This was initially a tattoo design for a friend, but I've added some color, texture and a couple nondescript characters to populate the piece. Definitely an exercise in patience with all the steps I had to draw. A tip of the hat to Escher as well.

Hoping to upload some photos of the tattoo once it's complete.

Flower of Virtues

Came across some thought provoking and uplifting information last year on a site called the Wingmakers.

Particularly inspired by what James, the site's anonymous host referred to as the 'six heart virtues' and adapted them into the Flower of Life template. At it's core is a six petalled formation, ideally suited for the words Admiration, Compassion, Understanding, Valor, Humility and Forgiveness .

~*~

Pineal Pathway

Floating in a sea of photons

Let there be light ~*~

Toltec Tollbooth

Been playing around with some matte painting techniques lately to the tune of an ancient astronaut theme. The columns on display here are known as the Atlantes and represent warriors of the Toltec Empire ~ located in Tula, Mexico.

And yes.. the ufo is a hubcap.

Aetherborn!!!

Finished cover art for Aetherborn's "Guardian" EP and a t-shirt design.

Thanks for the gig Mike.

Check out their awesomeness here ~ annnnd here!

Seek the Key to the Third E in Thee:::

FAMILIAR DOORS LEAD YOU INTO STRANGE ROOMS

DIMENSIONAL POTENTIAL

COLLAPSES AND BLOOMS.

FIND THE KEY AND GO WITHIN

MOVING FORWARD, CONSTANT SPIN ~

TRAVEL ALONG A FLOOR OF GLASS,

A ROOF OF MIRRORS

REFLECTS YOUR PAST.

ALL EYES AHEAD

AS YOUR HIGHER-SELF

LEADS YOU CLOSER AND CLOSER

TO SPIRITUAL WEALTH.

Transmutation continued

Further developments for a visual narrative based on the journey of a dark and scribbled figure on the path to Ultimate Awareness.

5~Headed~Hybrid

Recently joined a new blog called the Hybrid Collective, a collaborative effort alongside fellow illustrationists Joel Hustak, Andrew West, Andreas Schubert and Parker Campbell. First post is up and more is soon to unfold.

Here's a taste..