I feel like I'm saying "wow" a lot; in my head and in actual life. This is not such a bad thing, when you think about it. From my long and substantial conversations with many close people, I've basically learned 90% of what I know about life. That's a lot. One of those things I've learned is that everyone goes through tough times. Basic, right? But think about this fact: it's not only meaningful. It's as meaningful as it is obvious. This is extremely rare. For example: this doesn't happen in art. It doesn't happen in markets. It happens only when it comes to the purely existential. One must have ups and downs. More on this later. ¶ I think the basic job of a person is to exercise empathy. I also think it's the basic job of the world to be blissfully ignorant of this aspiration. The result, of course, is what happens after the director yells 'Action'—it's what happens. ¶ I've been having a good week. So many things are fucked up in the world; it's nice to see how goodness can be carved from it. It's important. ¶ I hope everyone is having a great Autumn.

Labels: Londontown, Vague

¶ 11:20 PM

I sent out a fairly formal announcement of my upcoming move to an office in Toronto earlier this morning. It links to a version of my most recent Marlon Brando in the form of a postcard. There's been so much happening in such a quiet way here of late that it's sometimes hard to keep it all straight. Anyway, we're definitely ready now. Sailing is coming to an end, I've got one last weekend in London, and soon we will be on our way. I'm trying to take it all in. On balance, it's been one hell of a year here. ¶ I've got a portrait of The White Stripes in today's National Post. AL2, I believe. I haven't seen it quite yet as the delivery person left my paper for Dundas Street to enjoy.

Labels: Brando, FeaturedIllustration, Londontown, NationalPost, TheOffice

¶ 10:27 AM

I don't know if it was the snow... scratch that. It was the snow. And I've got the winter feeling like you wouldn't believe. We had a couple of drinks on Thursday evening and then we had that egg nog adventure (see below) and now it's Sunday evening and the decorations are up and I'm feeling the holiday. Been enjoying the U.S. Office and I feel like my Carell definitely has the Christmas spirit. Here's to you, and him, and the creators of that marvelous marvelous show.

Labels: Christmas, Londontown, TV

¶ 10:20 PM

So Pauline and I were walking along the barely-shoveled Adelaide sidewalk on our way to the market. We wanted egg nog. We got egg nog. But we also got mooned, by a joker in a pickup (passenger side) who was getting a kick out of us snapping some pics (of Banting statue and more, forthcoming) not once, but twice! They actually doubled-back to get us one more time, saying yet again, "hey... take MY picture!" and sadly we did not. Maybe they knew, or maybe they didn't, but we were laughing our butts off! Good times, good times. ¶ It's Happy Hour! ¶ Okay you need to start playing my What's the film flickr game.

Labels: Flickr, Londontown

¶ 5:09 PM

It's a gorgeous day out there in London, Ontario. Supposed to be even nicer tomorrow. ¶ Where we live there are some very cool independent small businesses. There are quite a few Greek-Canadian diners in the neighborhood and my new favourite is a place called High Lunch (533 Dundas Street). A 1950s or 60s-era 7-up sign welcomes you, and inside there is a mix of film posters and family pictures. It has an open kitchen smack dab in the middle of the place and there are stools that pepper the perimeter. I had the equivalent of a Quarter-pounder with cheese, except here it was made by the proprietor herself, and it was delicious. An old boy, likely her father, hangs out at the diner, helping here and there, and his presence is very familiar to me. I don't go every day, but when I do go, I feel very good. ¶ Down the street is the home to the Evil Dead Society, a comic-book and toy store called Worlds Away. I picked up a comic called Damned #1 (of 5). It's illustrated and lettered by Brian Hurtt. It's written by Cullen Bunn. I'm savouring it, reading just a few panels at a time, but so far, it's excellent.

Labels: Londontown, Restaurants

¶ 11:27 AM

We had a Matt Damon weekend here in London, and it was a comforting one. ¶ Drawing test, 6.

Labels: Londontown, YouTube

¶ 11:02 PM

The fall is in full swing which is just another way of saying that winter is around the corner. I'm sometimes so influenced by old media that require months of development that I think like a fashion editor might: it's already spring 2007. It's not a bad worldview, if you understand what it means. I'm not looking forward to spring or even believing it to actually be spring as much as I am simply acknowledging the speed of life. Time appears variable despite this framework, but I sometimes reduce my anxiety by taking for granted the unnerving speed at which it can sometimes travel (especially as the seasons are concerned). ¶ I've just boarded the VIA train at Union Station in downtown Toronto and my mind is already in the clouds. What would it take for me to do something for VIA in return for unlimited travel coupons? I'd really like that. So I am going to take home my copy of VIA Destinations magazine (on the cover it says: "take me home") and start by contacting them. Failing that I'll come up with a plan B, or something. FYI: the deal with wireless on the VIA train is $8.95 for unlimited usage in one 24-hour period. They have other plans, but that was the simplest one, and the one I chose. ¶ A young man seated in front of me has just tucked into a Harvey's double-burger combination meal with fries and a bottle of Coke (plastic). The smell is actually not as overwhelming as you might imagine. Just don't get me to be so patient when somebody tucks into a couple of stinky tacos from Taco Bell in the cinema. Come on, that's too much! ¶ There's plenty of good news on the illustration front as evidenced in part by some recent work in the National Post and TORO magazine. I've also had the fortunate opportunity to work with Bloomsbury USA for an upcoming book cover, a portrait of David Carter Beane in Advocate magazine, as well as a small Toronto-based company needing some identity help. As is so often the case, I'm of two minds about my career. On the one hand, I'm very pleased that I'm working more and delivering what I think are ever-improving illustrations in a style that I still feel very good about. On the other hand, I wonder what tomorrow holds. What role will portraits play in my future work? What about my growing desire to tell stories? How will the for-hire mesh with the for-sale? I don't know the answer, and I'm not wishing I did. I'm merely posing it and I've got to be honest: it's something I'm curious about. To that end, there's considerable amount of non-freelance projects that are keeping me busy. I'm attempting to relaunch the entire family of Siteway web sites. That's Siteway (here!), Phelts, Tonicville, and a new addition, Coastalmatic. I'm also back on the Final Straw train with a new hook and clearer direction. I don't know it all means, but I've been blessed with some good opportunities and a wonderful working environment in London. I just need to focus on a few choice milestones and really take this thing to another level, the recognition of which won't be noticed until I'm dreaming up the next chapter. ¶ We're pulling into Oakville and the train ride has been so far so great. Cheers Toronto, I'll see you again soon.

Labels: Freelancing, Londontown, SitewayWorld, Toronto, Train

¶ 10:47 AM

Been a busy month. I had Barbra Streisand in the National Post AL2 on Tuesday and tomorrow (Thursday) I've got my third Arts & Life cover. It's of Clint Eastwood. They're doing a profile on him as he's got a new film, Flags of Our Fathers, coming out soon. It's my first Post illustration to use some red. ¶ Speaking of Mr. Eastwood, the November 2006 issue of TORO hit newsstands yesterday (the Sports issue) and it has a different illustration I did for them of the Hollywood legend. Counting the private commission I did a couple of years ago, that's three Clint's in my portfolio. I'm also mentioned in the contributor's page which is neat. ¶ Took a quick walk at lunch. I like to get out at least once a day for a stroll. Had some fries and gravy at the local greasy spoon. Been thinking a lot about Matchstick lately. I had a good chat with Pauline last night about him (we found ourselves at the Palasad... again). I have a million ideas and yet I've misplaced the hook somewhere along the way. I'm going to get down to basics by stripping everything down and get the story down. For that I'm going to use the highly effective, low-fi, and totally free, Darkroom. ¶ I wonder how Walter and the Life Drawing crew at the Gladstone are doing tonight...

Labels: Freelancing, Londontown, NationalPost

¶ 2:51 PM

For some years now I've been meaning to try my hand at slow cooking. We received a slow cooker as part of our wedding gift registration, and today (Sunday) was the day. A few days ago I picked up a boneless shoulder of New Zealand lamb (from the underrated 24 hour A&P at Adelaide and Cheapside). I defrosted it on Saturday night in the refrigerator and on Sunday morning I placed it inside the crock pot with: some tomato paste, a little water, a bit of honey lager beer (that's another story), two medium-sized onions, and four cloves of garlic. Oh, and I rubbed some Italian spices, sea salt, and olive oil on the meat. I turned the cooker to 'low', and watched the recent remake of The Omen (not bad, but somewhat unecessary). This was at 10:30am. I had it in my head that 10 hours would do. I based this on some research, but in all honesty, it was a guess. After five hours I placed some roasting potatoes (again, with salt and spice and olive oil) and feta cheese in the now-bubbling sauce. Five hours later Pauline and I tucked into my variation of a Greek classic, kleftiko. Oh, and I also put together a somewhat Greek salad. It's hard to articulate but: I didn't think it was going to work until the minute I ate my first bite. What can I say, some of the time it just works out. ¶ I picked up a suitcase of Lakeport Honey Lager in cans on Friday from the nearby Beer Store. I placed 23 of them in the fridge. The 24th was... nearly empty. It was sealed, to be sure, but it had about the amount of liquid you might expect from 'an empty can'. I decided to take action. Impressively, they took the freak can and in return they offered a cold 750ml can of Blue. Hey, it's not my favourite beer but I left with a smile on my face all the same. ¶ I hope you enjoy this week's feature portrait, the late talented Christopher Wallace.

Labels: Cooking, FeaturedIllustration, Londontown

¶ 12:16 AM

By my count, it has snowed twice today. The first, during a quick lunch, and again just now. I've temporarily re-located to the Allyn and Betty Taylor Library because D.B. Weldon was getting busy as I left for lunch and I didn't think much of my chances in getting a desk near an outlet when I returned. As it turns out, I'm using my laptop battery now anyhow, but I guess the change of scenary was also in the back of my mind. ¶ In the past I would re-draw a line multiple times as I approximated the right shadow and angle. Now I draw and then white it out. Black line. White line. Black lines. White lines. Constantly. I have something like four illustrations on the go right now and they're all taking this form. I used to feel like I'd draw and draw until I hit upon magic (like the perfect eye likeness). Now I feel like I'm actually sculpting these figures on the canvas. If they ever make something like Adobe Illustrator 3D, then things might become really interesting.

Labels: Illustrator, Londontown, UWO

¶ 2:40 PM

The place is really coming together now. I've enjoyed the process a great deal, even if it is sometimes very difficult to figure out where things should go, you know the deal. I'm looking around the room and I'm liking what I see. I think I'll have a Redbreast before bed. Enjoy the Emily Haines portrait. ¶ I illustrate Michael C. Hall in tomorrow's National Post. AL2. ¶ Here's my piece on display at the Beaver, Uncle Paully wants a Sausage.

Labels: ArtShow, FeaturedIllustration, Londontown, NationalPost

¶ 11:51 PM

In eary 1989 most of my family went to Australia (we lived in this suburb of Sydney) in an around-the-world trip that radically altered my life. I remember during the Christmas holidays of 1988 it dawned on me, for real, that this was going to happen. And soon. That feeling was overwhelmingly euphoric. I'd stay awake at night thinking of all the people we'd meet, things we'd see. I remember thinking that seeing what packaged goods look like in other countries would be very cool (this was pre-WWW). ¶ This past weekend, when it finally dawned on me all that our next chapter will bring, I had a very similar feeling. It's a feeling related to endless opportunities and the anticipation of discovering new worlds. ¶ Last month I had the opportunity to sketch David Cronenberg during a blogger Q&A session (lead by Rocketboom's Andrew Baron) at the AGO. Photojunkie took some pictures and today I complete a finished portrait of David Cronenberg. ¶ Huge thanks to Glen and Chris from The Movers out of Toronto for helping out with our move in a massive way and another shoutout to The Nortons who saved the day in London. A special note of thanks to Al, from Payless For Everything Furniture who moved our Steelcase desk from the street to our awesome new apartment. Thank you thank you thank you!

Labels: ArtShow, Australia, Cinema, Londontown

¶ 12:49 AM

I drew Wayne Coyne from the band The Flaming Lips in June for a wedding gift for a couple that got married in May. When I dressed up for Hallowe'en as my older self (dyed white hair plus fake ponch) I was told I looked like Coyne. Having studied his face for the above portrait I can say confidently that we do not have similar faces. ¶ Speaking of weddings, we went to a great one this weekend. It was in London, so we had ample opportunity to tell new friends and old about our upcoming move to the Forrest City while simultaneously celebrating a couple doing the opposite. We met some great people from Arizona, Japan, and down the street. It felt good, but it also felt very real. ¶ Have lately been boring people with: talking about Grizzly Man, sharing stories from Jeffrey Steingarten's The Man Who Ate Everything and Michael Crichton's The Great Train Robbery. Thanks for humouring me. ¶ Today was a near-perfect conclusion to the weekend. I lazed about by the pool, read, drank some beer, and then cooked up some sausages before heading back to the big smoke. For a moment it felt like I was on vacation and it was great. ¶ Good night. Here's to the meat of the summer.

Labels: Cinema, FeaturedIllustration, Londontown, WeekendUpdate

¶ 9:58 PM

Phew. Last week was unquestionably my busiest since I moved into the freelance arena. It felt good this weekend to unwind out of town. I let myself think about other things and it was a nice change. I don't think I'm stressed, but I certainly did have to remind myself to relax and slink back in my chair. I did. Ended up at the Runt Club on Friday night where we demolished several pitchers of beer as the conversation flowed and flowed. It was so much fun. I love the Runt Club, that much you can say about me with certainty. I had the pasta architect: penne, alfredo, grilled chicken and shrimp. ¶ More sensual delights awaited us: spicy jambalaya, one of the best table wines I've ever had (EastDell Estates Black Cab VQA), more cold beer, popcorn, iced tea, and on Sunday evening, a home-made bacon cheeseburger. ¶ My thoughts were varied. At one point I traced my excitement for the unfolding world with the day I saw Back to the Future at the Oxford. I'd already seen the greatness of Ghostbusters and realised that the world had the potential to contain so many good things! It was a hyperbolic thought. But those thoughts gave me great comfort. I wonder: how many people my age have a similar mental landscape?

Labels: Cinema, Freelancing, Londontown, Vague, Wine

¶ 11:41 PM

Receiving my eyeglasses today has given me, in tangible form, another dimension to what has been a month of exciting reckoning. On the first day of this month I gave up smoking cigarettes (sidebar: ever find it strange to read about cigarettes on a blog? I know I find it strange in part because it's so difficult to picture something so 1970s as smoke in the clean world of CSS beauty.) as part of what the marketers are calling Driven To Quit. It's a month-long contest encouraging folks who smoke to pack it in for at least a month. Successful cessation gives you an entry in a draw where prizes include a Honda Civic Hybrid and a bunch of huge flat televisions. So that was the impetus, and I'm happy to report that as of this writing I'm well on my way to succeeding. I go almost six years and 500 some-odd posts before I write about smoking and here I am with the second post in just a few weeks. ¶ So the weekend away in London, Ontario, provided me ample daydreaming time where I was able to picture my life there, starting in the fall. This sort of imaginary picturing is vital to my life. Pauline's going back to upgrade her BA from UWO and I'm there to continue building the Siteway business (including, but not limited to Siteway Select), designing as always, and generally enjoying my newlywed status. Part of my plan is to buy a workstation-replacement notebook and a smaller Wacom tablet to start the transition from home office to mobile office. Suggestions here are not only welcomed but encouraged. ¶ In other words: I'm slowly but surely making decisions about lifestyle and career that I've been putting on the backburner since I moved to Toronto. It nevers comes all at once, but this month has been an inspiring one because the work preceding it is actually bearing fruit. ¶ Off to Halifax in the morning. The blunt truth is that I haven't been looking forward to going home this much since the summer after first-year at Western. The reality is that my home is here now, but because I'm uprooting here and there for the next 24 months or so, and because I've never been able to show Halifax off to Pauline in the warmer months, I'm keen as a kitten. When I get back I've got a nice surprise for anyone who has ever taken an interest in Siteway and what I do online. ¶ P.S. The glasses are awesome. I can see. ¶ P.P.S. I don't think many of you know that I have a Flickr account. Check out some of my pictures.

Labels: Flickr, Londontown, Musings, SitewaySelect, SitewayWorld

¶ 2:02 PM