Brett Despotovich

Las resultas

2011-12-08T00:19:00.001-05:00

The consequences
oil on panel
8” x 6”
2011

After nearly 9 months of being unable to work with oils, I'm finally feeling some progress. So much so that a week ago I decided to do a quick sketch This painting isn't anything special, but I was very happy to make it. Feels to me like Goya's 'Las resultas', plate 72 from his Los desastres de la guerra. It wasn't an intended reference, but fitting. I'm still a long way from being fully recovered, but this is a small victory.

Before I attempted painting again I had to continue working in charcoal. As much as I love working with it, I was prematurely cut from exploring a direction of work this spring that I was really excited by. In spite of almost a full year of diagnosing and recovering from health problems, 2011 has still been very good to me.

0002
Deer and Buffalo Dancers (Faces painted black), 1940
charcoal, conté on mylar
mylar fragment smaller than 7” x 5”
2011

0008
Aboriginies, Guambone Station, New South Wales, Spearing an Emu
charcoal, conté on mylar
mylar fragment smaller than 7” x 5”
2011

0010
Brian Warner as Peter Criss
charcoal, conté on mylar
mylar fragment smaller than 7” x 5”
2011

0011
Mud Men of New Guinea
charcoal, conté on mylar
mylar fragment smaller than 7” x 5”
2011

MMOCCA

2011-09-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

My good friend Braden Labonte's MMOCCA project opens today up at York U. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the gala event, as I'm working at the MOCCA, but from what I saw it looks amazing!
If I continue to make these little drawings, I'll need a good magnifying glass. I'll ask Joe Coleman for suggestions.

tiny Helpmeat I
charcoal and conté on mylar
2" x 1.5"
2011
tiny Helpmeat II
charcoal and conté on mylar
2" x 1.5"
2011

Mo'Art

2011-09-14T09:40:00.002-04:00

My good friend Braden Labonte is working on a project called 'Mmocca', and he's invited me to be a part of the first exhibition Mo'Art Mo'Problems: Toronto Artists Reinventing Minimalism. While I don't know if any of the artists involved will be reinventing Minimalism, I can say that I'm very happy to be in such great company! Working on my work for it, which I'll post up on September 25th. In the meantime, here are a couple of Helpmeat studies from a few months ago.

Helpmeat study
charcoal and conté on mylar, matted
7.5" x 5.5"
2011

Helpmeat study

2011-08-10T02:54:00.000-04:00

Helpmeat study
charcoal and conté on mylar, matted
7.5" x 5.5"
2011

O Rose, thou art sick!

2011-05-15T09:09:00.002-04:00

O Rose, thou art sick!
oil on mylar
8.5" x 11"
2011
link to auction blog

I will have a painting in the XPACE 'Cult of The Contemporary' auction on May 20th!

This will be the last painting I'll have available for sale for the foreseeable future, and possibly the last oil painting I'll make available. The piece is beautifully framed up, and looks so much better in person than it does in this image.

Back in my OCAD days I was a member of the board that founded XPACE, which was found its first home at 303 Augusta in Kensington Market. XPACE now exists at 58 Ossington, and it has continued to produce engaging exhibitions.

Hope you can make it out!

Here's the info on the auction:

XPACE presents: Ulysses Castellanos’ “Cult of The Contemporary” a Live Art Auction!
Friday, May 20th, 2011
Doors Open at 7:00 PM
Auction begins at 8:00 PM SHARP!
--------------------------

XPACE is taking the ever popular ‘art auction’ and flipping it on it’s head!!!

XPACE presents Ulysses Castellanos’ “Cult of The Contemporary” a Live Art Auction! The event will blend the traditional ‘art auction’ with that of the early 70’s cult phenomena, all under Castellanos’ art direction. Guests will become part of Castellanos’ fully immersive environment, featuring many interactive activities such as free face painting provided by Fish-head and video works by the artist. And, of course, there will be Spiked Kool Aid punch!

But most importantly “Cult of The Contemporary” is your chance to purchase the work of Toronto’s Up and Coming contemporary artists!

Each attendee will receive an inspirational artist multiple made by Castellanos!!!!!

This event is a fundraiser intended to raise funds to help pay student and young artist project fees for upcoming exhibitions. This auction will showcase artists who have exhibited with XPACE since our founding by the OCAD Student Union in 2004. Seven years later, the artists who have come through our doors have helped form the foundation for Toronto’s artistic communities. “Cult of The Contemporary” is your chance to purchase the work of Toronto’s Up and Coming contemporary artists! In continuing our commitment to supporting artists, we have given participating artists the option to collect 50% of the final sale price!

Participating artists include:Brett Despotovich, Geoffry Pugen, Stacey Sproule, Carolyn Tripp, Myung-Sun Kim, Derrick Hodgson, Georgia Dickie, Brad Tinmouth, Natasha Bailey, Alicia Nauta, Xenia Benivolski, Brandon Dalmer, Matthew Williamson, Tomas Del Balso, Bevan Ramsay, Jordan Charles Bowden, Jennifer Long, Lisa Neighbour, Emily Gove, Amanda Nedham, Adrian Forrow, Cameron Lee, David Bender, Kate McQuillen, Lisa Visser, Tom Blanchard, Tara Downs, Alison Kobayashi, Gintas Tirilis, Pierette Durette, Zev Farber, Jennifer Sciarrino, Abby McGuane, Melissa Fisher

For a preview of artists and works available please visit: http://xpace-auction.blogspot.com/

--------------------------
Tickets are now available in advance at XPACE Cultural Centre for $20 each. Tickets include complimentary drinks and food!
If you are unable to make it into XPACE to pick up tickets in person, please email Derek at derek@xpace.info for reservations.

Come out and support XPACE...come out and support XPACE..come out and support XPACE....come out and support XPACE!

Two more for the road.

2011-04-22T19:25:00.002-04:00

Two more from 'back in the day'. That day being the time between February-March 2011. I was doing a lot of studies on mylar because it was available, took up very little space, and wouldn't be missed if the painting didn't work. It was also nice to be able to pull such deep, vibrant color out of the work really quickly.

untitled
oil on mylar
8.5" x 11"
2011

Dickhead I
oil on mylar
8.5" x 11"
2011

Intermission

2011-04-21T20:45:00.001-04:00

A lot of great things have been out-weighing the inconveniences for me in the last few months. I was getting a lot of work done in the studio, and I was really happy with almost all of it. I had a good idea of where I wanted to go with the work, and I was actually able to dedicate myself to those goals - then the somewhat unexpected happened - I started to develop what I think is a strong sensitivity to some of my materials. Without going into every detail, it was and still is a little scary. I thought I'd been working with sufficient ventilation, but in a group studio environment with no windows open to the outdoors I was probably only drawing in everyone else's studio air.

An emergency trip, a clinic, and one appointment with an internal medicine doctor still hasn't left me with answers, but my research points toward Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I hope it's something I can overcome without having to abandon using oils, so for now I'm just going to stay away and recover and re-introduce materials in a month or so and see what happens. One thing that is never coming back into my practice is Liquin. Fucking poison. I love it, but it doesn't love me.

Here are the last few things from the studio, before I had to make my exit :

Delirium Tremens
oil on panel
12" x 9"
2011

two water studies
oil on panel, oil on linen
12" x 9"
2011

Toronto Hearts Japan

2011-03-29T20:19:00.000-04:00

ICU
oil on panel
12" x 9"
2011

I have a painting in the Toronto Hearts Japan fundraiser, organized by Narwhal Art Projects. This painting was an effort to translate a style of my recent mylar paintings onto panel. It was successful and coming along really well, but I unfortunately had a reaction to one of the painting mediums I use and my work on it had to be cut short.

Full information on the fundraiser below:

Time: Thursday, March 31 at 12:00pm - April 5 at 8:00pm

Location: Gladstone Hotel, 2nd Floor

Narwhal Art Projects, Invisible-Friends and friends are excited to host Toronto Hearts Japan, a fundraiser for our far-away loves. Our hearts have been broken by news of devastated towns and people separated from their homes and families, and we want to help. This event lets all of us who feel a special connection to Japan lend a hand in our own way. All proceeds will be donated to The Red Cross and to helping rebuild the Birdo ...Flugas Artist Centre and Community in Shiogama.

Toronto Hearts Japan is an exhibition, silent auction, and two (count them!) parties at the beloved Gladstone Hotel (with DJ Paul E. Lopes and DJ Jun). Featuring works from local to international artists (and other surprises too), everybody can find a way to offer our hearts to Japan and help them soldier on.

Silent Auction Art Exhibition:
Thurs March 31- Tues April 5th
12-5pm daily, Gladstone Hotel 2nd Floor

OPENING RECEPTION
Friday April 1st
7-10pm

$20 admission (includes raffle ticket)
*Special one night only auction and raffle with art gifts and surprises*
With DJ Paul E. Lopes (Bump N' Hustle) & DJ Jun (Cr8apes.com, Invisible-Friends.com)

CLOSING RECEPTION
Tuesday April 5th 5-8pm
Winners of our silent art auction will be announced at 7pm. Art pickup from 7-8pm.

More info and art preview at: www.torontoheartsjapan.com

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Sonja Ahlers, Paul Aloisi, Nicholas Aoki, Stephen Appleby-Barr, Andrew Remington Bailey, Ashley Barron, Marc Bell, Diego Bergia, Katie Bethune-Leamen, Shary Boyle, Mat Brown, Robin Cameron, Tyler Clark-Burke, Trudie Cheng, Mark Connery, Robert Dayton, Taku Dazai, Brett Despotovich, Yuri Didrichsons, Nicholas DiGenova, Brian Donnelly, Dave Dyment, Shayne Ehman, Matthew Feyld, Melissa Fisher, Brendan Flanagan, Theo Gallaro, James Gardner, Shannon Gerard, Dana Gils, Heather Goodchild, Adrian Hayles, Sachi Hirano, Derrick Hodgson, Jay Isaac, Melinda Josie, Nathan Jurevicius, Adrienne Kammerer, Patrick Kyle, Christy Langer, Tessar Lo, Amy Lockhart, Jamiyla Lowe, Derek Mainella, Chris Martin, Derek Mainella, Megan McKenzie, Jason Mclean, Alex McLeod, Julie Moon, Jennifer Murphy, Alicia Nauta, Tibi Tibi Neuspiel, Noel Middleton, Luke Painter, Roula Parthenou, Sandy Plotnikoff, Brad Phillips, Katherine Piro, Andrew Pommier, Lauchie Reid, Tony Romano, Kathryn Ruppert-Dazai, Tania Sanhueza, Jennifer Rose Sciarrino, Seth Scriver, Emiko Sekiguchi, Germa Shible, Lisa Smolkin, Jordan Sonenberg, Jennie Suddick, Derek Sullivan, Team Macho, Jon Todd, Michael Toke, Celeste TooGood, Karen Tracanelli, Howie Tsui, Lara Vincent, Andrew Waite, Meichen Waxer, Jacob Whibley, and Balint Zsasko.

RAFFLE PRIZES FROM:

The Arcade Fire, Art Metropole, The Beguiling, Cabaret, Carte Blanche, Coupe Bizarre, Dark Horse, Fieldguided, Films We Like, Honeybea Designhive, Hunter & Cook, Jayna Corbett, Kid Icarus, Klaxon Howl, Koyama Press, Living Face Photography, Liz Milkau, Magic Pony, Ministry Of the Interior, Monster Factory, Robber, Sweet Bliss Baking Company, Sydney’s,The Ten Spot, Turning Point Training Methods/SBG Toronto, Warriors, (and the list keeps growing!)

Chromophilia

2011-03-28T14:19:00.000-04:00

untitlted
oil on mylar
8.5" x 10"

The photo of this isn't the best (The colors are all much more intense), but it shows what's happening. This is another side of the work that's been happening over the last two months, and the one I've pursued furthest.

Glossolalia

2011-03-21T20:09:00.000-04:00

As I continue I'm finding that each day's work varies quite a lot from what came before. I'm starting to see how I can bring these languages together, in a sense. I'll do another week or so of work on the smaller canvases, panels, linens, and prepared paper supports I've made, then I'll get into something BIGGER.

Answers Come In Dreams

2011-03-12T10:57:00.005-05:00

Answers Come in Dreams
12" x 9"
oil on canvas
2011

This is one of the earliest paintings from last month, and it's one of my favourites. I love it because it's still informed by everything that came before it, including the Helpmeat work, but it took on a new and exciting language that I had never allowed myself to fully explore before.

At the Heart of it All

2011-03-01T06:52:00.000-05:00

The first month at the studio is now over, and the final day of work was really productive. I've posted a few texture studies below. The first and third are oil on prepared paper (sealed with rabbit skin glue), the second is oil on panel (acrylic gessoed surface sanded down to a very smooth finish).

Fortnight I

2011-02-12T11:50:00.003-05:00

Untitled (Portrait)
oil on panel
12" x 12"

I've now been in the studio about two weeks. The work has been progressing quickly, and in a few very different directions that are influencing and informing each other. When enough has been made I'll post more images.

WE HAVE GOAT MEAT

2011-02-06T09:35:00.003-05:00

Slowly outgrowing that 'new studio' smell. The nature of the work I've been doing here is new and very exciting for me, something I credit to working in a room with white walls and great lighting. I won't be posting any full images for a little while, but I'm looking forward to putting these out there.

Enjoy the details.

vlog

2011-01-16T17:28:00.000-05:00

I've started posting video blogs up on Vimeo. I won't do much cross-posting from there to here, unless it's something studio related, but to get things started I've posted the first two up here.

sarx phagein

2011-01-15T09:06:00.002-05:00

MMXI

2011-01-07T17:40:00.002-05:00

2010 in Review

The year passed quickly, but in retrospect I achieved a lot more than I thought I had. I'll skip by the first few months, but the year started with my first series of Helpmeat drawings receiving a great response, including a write up in the summer issue of NY Arts Mag, featuring a collaborative text between Sarah Gonek and myself.

Next up in late July/early August, Nik Sheehan invited me to be his guest at the 10th Era New Horizons Film Festival in Wrocław, Poland. Two weeks of basically just watching great films, partying, and meeting lots of amazing new people! Thank you so much to Nik for making this wonderful experience possible! Photo below by Serge Bidon, taken on the rooftop of the Monopol Hotel.

While I was away Katherine held down the fort and put up the Sketchy Retro art show at the Gladstone Hotel. Presented in conjunction with the 2010 Toronto Burlesque Festival. Thank you so much to Katherine for getting it put up, and special thanks to Brynne, J Bone, Kimberley, Luca & Carrie for helping with the hanging & delivery!

The next major project was Derek Mainella's 'Bitch Slap' curatorial show. My involvement here was simply to help with the hanging and sit the gallery when needed, and takedown. The show itself featured works by 28 female artists and was only up for a weekend, but still saw a huge crowd. Don't know what the numbers were, but I'd guess that over 1000 people came through the doors over the few days. Aside from the numbers, it was just a really solid show. (photo below taken from here).

And here's Katherine with her painting in the show!

In December Katherine and I made a road trip to Montreal, Hawkesbury and Ottawa with our good friends Bogdan Luca and Amanda Nedham. It was magical. We got snowed in and had to spend the night in Hawkesbury. This is the view behind my parents' place, where I spent my youth.

Finally, Katherine, Brynne and I decided to end Dr Sketchy's Toronto. Katherine and I started the project in the fall of 2006, right before our trip to Europe, during which we married in Belgrade. Sketchy's Toronto was possible thanks to some money left to me by my grandmother - I think she would have definitely found the whole venture entertaining, and would have recognized its value. It has been incredibly valuable to me. Through our 4 years and over 80 events we managed to create a vibrant and diverse community, but the time came to either dedicate myself further to it, or move on. We ended it on a high note creatively, but also on a very sad note - One of our biggest supporters, and co-founder & former co-owner of the Cameron House Paul Sannella passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 12, 2010. Our final session was scheduled for the day that his service was held, and the party was of course hosted by the Cameron House.
It was a very difficult night, to say the least.

Ashes to ashes.

In conclusion for Sketchy's, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to make the event as great as it was. I would like to thank Molly Crabapple for starting this world-wide phenomena, and for all of her support. I would like to thank Brynne Kennedy for always picking up any slack, and for the thousands and thousands of great photos she took. I would like to thank everyone who ever helped creatively with any sessions, and those who volunteered their time and resources to drive props or art across the city. And of course, I'd like to thank Katherine Piro, without whom this wouldn't have even happened. There were times when the amount of work that went in to a session could never be recovered financially, but that was never the point of it. Our sessions were always profitable, and I am proud of every success and mistake we had. It's scary going out and starting something from scratch, but I followed my instinct and I feel, now that all is said and done, that it was absolutely worth it.

above: Paul Sannella & Katherine on our Twin Peaks session.
Below: Katherine and I in New York for SketchyCon

~
Goodbye, MMX.
Hello, MMXI.

amthatami?

2010-07-21T14:40:00.001-04:00

Sketchy Retro 2O1O!

Thursday, July 22nd
FREE.
at the Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West
Opening Reception from 6-9pm
Afterparty in Melody bar till late.

Also, if one reception for a show I'm in wasn't enough this week, the closing reception for 'The Greatest Show on Earth' at XPACE is Friday night:

Closing Reception- July 23rd, 2010 7-10 PM
Participating Artists: Brett Despotovich, Pierre Durette, Alexis Mitchell, Amanda Nedham,
Aldo Parise, Margaret Saliba, Carolyn Tripp
Curated by Jennie Suddick

...This exhibition celebrates the unique aesthetics and assertions of carnivals, circuses, fairs and parades – exploring how ideas born out of these uniquely rebellious celebrations manifest themselves in contemporary life. Come and witness how the collective desires of the carnivalesque cause a momentary release from society’s more conservative confines.

There you have it. I'll be missing both, as I have been offered the great honor of accompanying Nik Sheehan to Wrocław, Poland for the Era New Horizons Film Festival!

See you in August.

these days

2010-07-04T15:15:00.005-04:00

The Greatest Show on Earth
curated by Jennie Suddick
XPACE
58 Ossington Ave, Toronto

Tues-Wed, Sat | 12-6PM

Thurs-Fri | 12-8PM

I have three sculptures in the group show 'The Greatest Show on Earth' at XPACE in Toronto. The show runs from July 3rd - 23rd. Curatorial statement straight from the website :

"This exhibition celebrates the unique aesthetics and assertions of carnivals, circuses, fairs and parades – exploring how ideas born out of these uniquely rebellious celebrations manifest themselves in contemporary life. Come and witness how the collective desires of the carnivalesque cause a momentary release from society’s more conservative confines."

Thank you to Jennie Suddick, XPACE, and most of all, Katherine Piro for making this work happen.

Hypertrichosis
Mixed media
(human hair, goat skin, nylon stocking, false eyelashes, lipstick, thread, styrofoam head)
Dimensions variable
10" x 8" x 9"
2009/10

Ichthyosis
Mixed media
(human hair, acrylic finger nails, enamel nail polish, false eyelashes, pins, styrofoam head)
10" x 6" x 8"
2010

The Beard (Hypertrichosis)
Mixed media
(human hair, nylon stockings, false eyelashes, Styrofoam head, pins, fabric, mannequin)
Dimensions variable
head - 10" x 6" x 8" 2010

We Carry On

2010-06-27T08:24:00.001-04:00

Continuing with this summer of insane activity, I've started off with posting two new HELPMEAT works on my site's gallery. Quite a contrast between them, and I love them both. My Tumblr blog has been successful, and helps in gauging interest in the work. The paintings have been the most popular, and I've been itching to get back to those for a long time, so there will be definitely more on the way!

I am also thrilled to be included in the summer issue of NY Arts. You can see the profile online here, or keep your eye open for an issue. Haven't seen it myself yet, but I think there are a few images printed along with the text.

above: Helpmeat 10-0001
charcoal, conté on mylar
11" x 8.5"

above: Helpmeat 10-0004
charcoal, conté on mylar
11" x 8.5"

above: Helpmeat 09p-0004
oil on mylar
11" x 8.5"
study, detail

Best of Times, Worst of Times

2010-06-21T09:36:00.000-04:00

Fishnet Duckface (Self Portrait)
12" x 9"

oil on paper, mounted on panel

2009-10

Lots of work done, lots more to do. In a short period of time I have a handful of projects and personal goals to achieve. At the end of July Nik Sheehan and I go to Poland for two weeks to represent FLicKeR. Should be vising New York before that for a short 3 day spin.

HELPMEAT work is going very well. The new works are beautiful and blow the previous series out of the water.

Drawn 2O1O

2010-05-20T00:11:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry for the bad photos/scans, but I wanted to get something recent up. Last year on a New York visit I saw that Dick Blick's was stocking the huge A3 Moleskines. I accidentally bought a watercolor album, and not the slick-paged Sketchbook. It had been sitting around the studio since then pretty much unmolested - until today! I sliced the pages out and started putting them to use. The thing is 16.5" x 11.75", which is a nice size to work with. The two drawings below are cropped down a little, but they're doing what I had intended - translate my half-assed journals into something more substantial. Both Katherine and I are working toward our next 'DRAWN' show, since last year's was a success. Might follow this upcoming party with a bonfire for the leftovers!

Above : Hatshepsut.

I had a page of drawn notes I took while watching a doc on the identification of Hatshepsut's mummy. Good doc, and I was really happy with how the drawing looked in the end, but wanted to refine it a little. This is what I made of it.

Above : Mummy Dear.

I think I found this mummy at The Met last April. Some kind of Gazelle. It finished looking more like road kill than a preserved carcass.

Today was also my first full day back in the studio. I was surprised how it went, and what was worked on. I've got 30 prepared surfaces to work on, stretching and gessoing up about 12 canvases this morning. Went from that to drawing, to a studio visit, back to drawing, then sculpture.

buccinator

2010-03-27T03:14:00.001-04:00

above : Helpmeat detail.

The first set of Helpmeat drawings have been finished for a few months now, and the calendar has been well received. I'm really happy to see that my site has been getting steady visits from around the globe, thanks to a wide variety of blog interest! So, what's been going on?

I decided to take some time away from making new Helpmeat work. It helped me return with a fresh interest. I will hold back on posting the new work until I have around six that I'm really happy with - good news is that right now there are five (out of fifteen in progress) that are coming along beautifully! A few are fresh starts on botched drawings, and a couple are new. I've posted one teaser detail above, and that's all you're going to get until the new work goes up. The guideline I worked by with the first set was to make more work than I show, and given a little more time I've come to realize that there are a few from the first set that I may not have included as they were.

Looking ahead at 2O1O, I'll be included in a group show at XPACE in July, Nuit Blanche in October, and possibly a group show with Playground Projects. Spring and summer are also filled with travel - 2 trips to New York, and one trip to Europe. The painting studio is almost ready to work in again, and I've been itching to get back to the three large paintings I started in the late summer/fall.

I'll end by thanking everyone who has given me such great advice and feedback the past few months. I really appreciate it.

The Best Kind of Friends Are Like Iron Sharpening Iron.

now properly scanned

2010-03-15T17:38:00.000-04:00

Finally made a proper scan of this piece. Largest of all the Helpmeat work - 18" x 12". Added it to the gallery page.

The Draw

2010-03-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

The Draw
March 1, 2010
9:00am

Lucky number 11 wins the drawing!

something left behind

2010-02-27T16:13:00.005-05:00

There are things about this that I like, and other that I don't. I've tried a few times to get back to finishing this, but for now I'm considering it D.O.A. Katherine's dad picked me up a really great anatomy book that I haven't used as a guide for any drawings yet - When I do I'm sure I'll show a huge improvement. Until then, enjoy the dissection drawing that shows some process for its bones.

These feet. I love these feet.

I ams what I ams

2010-02-27T10:48:00.001-05:00

This is what this drawing actually looks like.

High Hopes

2010-02-26T09:51:00.003-05:00

24 . II . MMX - 01
charcoal, conté on mylar
11" x 8.5"

Helpmeat : Update

2010-01-30T08:32:00.004-05:00

Helpmeat 2010 - The update:

The Helpmeat Calendar sales have been strong! Really pleasantly surprised to be getting so many international orders from friends and people who just love the work from catching it mentioned on blogs.

There are only three more shipping weeks left (ending Feb 15, 2010) before I do the random draw for the Helpmeat drawing! The piece was made specially for a group show at TA2 a couple months ago (still hanging there, by the way.)

I've posted a small teaser of one of the new in-process drawings above. I will be steadily adding to this body of work, as I have many, many more pieces in stages of completion!

Ordering info here.

The Draw

2010-01-29T08:37:00.000-05:00

untitled Helpmeat drawing
charcoal, conté on mylar
16" x 10"
a better image coming asap

In the news: Two new blog mentions : Sex in Art and Chainsaws and Jelly!

I would also like to announce that any calendars sold before February 15th, 2o1o will be put into a draw. A draw for what? The drawing you see above (delivered securely to you, wherever you are. Matted, but unframed). If you've already bought yours, I've got you in the running. All of the Paypal info is above - just select your region. Mailouts are made each Monday.

The Helpmeat 2o1o Calendars have been moving very fast - The first 30 are all gone! The remaining 70 arrived today. Each is signed, and from a limited edition of /100, and when they're gone, they're gone!

moustache bug

2010-01-08T19:09:00.002-05:00

I found this House Centipede at the gallery after the holiday. Curled up dead in the center of a white covered photo magazine. Left it there for a few days until I brought in my camera, knowing that if I tried to move it the thing would disintegrate. Sure enough, after I got the photos I wanted I thought maybe I could put it in a jar and keep it as a mascot on my desk. It fell to pieces. Legs crumbled into their segments, antennae dropped off.

Sad thing was that when I got home, excited to look at what the macro lens captured, I realized that I had forgotten to check that it was set to record at the highest resolution. Photos are still large, but probably 1/3 of the quality they could have been.

Live and learn.

Creep Machine!

2009-12-26T11:06:00.011-05:00

Nice mention of my Helpmeat work over at the Creep Machine blog in their 'Art of the Day' section! I first found their blog by following a Google Alert for my special lady Katherine Piro, who was mentioned in their article 'How to prepare your art for show and sale'. I'm really happy they've posted about me and this work!

In other news, the 2010 Helpmeat Calendars are moving fast! They're still just $25, shipping included in Canada. See other pricing options below.

Calendars are in

2009-12-22T19:25:00.005-05:00

The first 30 copies of 100 have arrived tonight, with half already reserved!
Email me at despotovich(at)gmail(dot)com to get yours.

Helpmeat 2o1o . 13 month Calendar
15 new drawings
12" x 6"
black spiral binding
$25 each, + shipping

2 new girls

2009-12-17T08:59:00.003-05:00

Countdown to helpmeat 2010 Calendar

2009-12-03T08:14:00.028-05:00

$25 + shipping

Preview Headshots

Get yours now! Email me at despotovich(at)gmail(dot)com!

All Hallows

2009-11-06T15:25:00.002-05:00

Hallowe'en. I will begin with the glamour shots.

And now the party photos.

How embarrassing. The mask wore the same thing as me.

And the aftermath.

The Strange Fruits of our Labors

2009-10-02T12:47:00.004-04:00

The Strange Fruits of our Labors
oil on canvas
diptych
72" x 36" each

These paintings, along with a third one not shown here, were being completed to schedule. The weather changed and with temperatures dropping overnight the oil wasn't drying fast enough to continue with the glazing. It's unfortunate that I'm forced to stop production when I have a very clear vision of where I am pushing these. In the few working hours I have left before these go out to be shown for Nuit Blanche I'll tie a few loose ends. I look forward to all the hours I will put in to completing these, weather permitting, or after I move to a new studio (which is not currently planned.)

Drawing 002

2009-10-02T12:15:00.001-04:00

Helpmeat - Drawing 002
charcoal, conté on mylar
8.5" x 11"

Nuit Blanche - Concurrence II

2009-09-25T12:03:00.002-04:00

The Herald (study)
oil on panel
15" x 7"

Concurrence II
NUIT BLANCHE 2009
Zone A
206 Beverley Street
October 3rd - all night

I will be presenting three new paintings in a group show for Nuit Blanche this year. The three large canvases follow, and elaborate on, the symbolism dealt with in the Helpmeat series of paintings.

Drawing 001

2009-08-23T23:03:00.002-04:00

Helpmeat - Drawing 001
charcoal, conté on mylar
8.5" x 11"

Between working on the paintings I've been doing charcoal drawings to help map out the anatomy. These are hardly sketches, as they still take a few hours to complete, but the time they've saved in planning the paintings has been substantial.

Square Foot Show

2009-08-15T10:38:00.002-04:00

AWOL Gallery

The opening reception for the AWOL Square Foot Show is tonight. This is a large Salon-style exhibition, that this year will show the work from over 1000 applicants. Although this is obviously not a profile show in any respect, I'm happy to have a presence in it.

Sq' Helpmeat - Left and Right submitted for show

2009-08-08T17:09:00.009-04:00

Delivered the paintings to AWOL Gallery, after having them both matted and mounted. I hope they're presented next to each other, and they should go to the same buyer. All I have control over is the quality of the objects. Both are ready to pop into a frame. As much apprehension I felt the whole way through regarding the oval matting, it really does work. They have the feeling of Coil's 'Ape of Naples' Racing Green Edition., and they also play up the precious pin-up aesthetic.

Carrying them with me today kind of felt nice for a couple of reasons. First, they're the first two pieces in a series that stem from an idea first exhibited in 2006 at XPACE Gallery - so it feels very good to finally get some work out. Second, I love the tactile feel and the presentation of the pieces. I'm confident that they will stand out among the hundreds of other works in the show.

These two were done quite quickly - started three on Wednesday evening, and worked through the night. Narrowed my focus to the two strongest on Thursday, and put the finishing touches on them on Friday. The work went according to schedule, with very few minor complications.

Helpmeat

2009-08-07T20:55:00.004-04:00

Square Foot Helpmeat Paintings
oil on mylar
12" x 12"
$200 each

There is a third that was started, but it won't be submitted for this show.
A lot of depth and detail is lost in the photos

Come see them in person :
AWOL Square Foot Show
Saturday, August 15th
7pm
100A Ossington Ave, 2nd Floor