chelsea studio

March update

2011-03-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

HI!

I haven't posted in a while.

I'm still working on a few personal illustrations, but I'm also busy with a few design projects for the moment.

I'm also posting to let you know about three things:

1. I'm maintaining a blog outside this one, which a few illustrators and I started. The Illustration Project is a blog that documents our process work and their corresponding finished illustrations. Every month, one of us picks a topic, and we create sketches, discuss and then design an illustration based on the topic and feedback. I'm asking you to check it out, follow and enjoy!

http://illustrationproject.blogspot.com/

Banner design by Sam Singh

2. I designed and built a site for my friend and Toronto-based DJ, Pablo Hernandez. Have a look, and listen too.

Original art and design by Chelsea Canlas

3. Another site I built on a Wordpress platform for Saffron Press' Children's Author, Navjot Kaur.

Original art and design by Chelsea Canlas

I'll try and update more often though.

Until then, enjoy all the sunshine we've been getting!

NYC recap

2011-02-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

Well first of all, I saw this painting by Klimt at the Neue Galerie.

And yes, I almost cried.

Web and print reproductions of Klimt's paintings never really do him justice. So you have to go and see them in person. I've been meaning to go to the Neue since my trip last November. If you're a fan of the Vienna Secession and early 20th century German art and design, the Neue is where you want to go. My friend Kira and I went last week, and unfortunately, they had only two rooms open to the public. They were in the middle of setting up a new installation on the third floor, and another exhibition on the second floor. But it was still worth it - a landscape or two, and Adele's portrait by Klimt, and Egon Schiele's beautiful drawings (and a few more drawings by Oskar Kokoschka).

At the Café Sabarsky in the Neue Galerie. Yumm, rooibos tea and cake.

So, the real purpose of the Big Apple visit was to mail out some promotional postcards. I had three different illustrations, and 160 postcards in total - all handwritten.

The trip was meant to coincide with the Society of Illustrators' Awards Ceremony for the Annual Exhibition: Illustrators 53, the Book and Editorial Exhibit held at the Museum of American Illustration. It was a great night - I was smitten and awe-struck by all the talented illustrators and art directors that attended.

Society of Illustrators

Wisdom from Sam Weber.

Great company with Marcos Chin.

It wasn't all work though. I do have to recommend going to the Pearl River Store in SoHo.

THE BEST! So many knick knacks and wonderful things that you don't necessarily need but will want anyway.

Pearl River Store

Somewhere in SoHo.

All in all a good trip. Looking forward to my next one in the summer.

Working on next portrait. Will upload soon.

Lovestruck

2011-02-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

A couple of fellow illustrators and I started "Illustration Project", a blog where we assign monthly themes, post sketches, critique, comment and the post the final and finished artwork.

Check it out!

January update

2011-01-29T19:44:00.000-08:00

1. Will be painting portraits for a while. I'm really excited about it.

2. I will be in NYC for the next week. Sending out some promos/postcards, Sketch Night at Society of Illustrators, and hoping to make it to the Opening Reception for their Book and Editorial Exhibit.

Reeeal excited about that too.

Cheers!

One day...

2011-01-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

Three things I could do, and then be forever satisfied:

Make art for the Discovery Channel.

Make art for Turner Classic Movies.

Make art for this man.

Wes Anderson

excellent movie.

viiibrant colors.

For the movie, Anderson hired artists to paint every single elephant on the interior of the train, and a mural/film collage on the train's engine car. If you're not familiar with any of Anderson's other films, you should definitely check out The Life Aquatic (fish claymations!) and The Royal Tenenbaums (excellent screen compositions). I've heard from a few that Wes Anderson's movies are an acquired taste, but aesthetically-speaking, his films are a visual feast.

winter no fun

2011-01-12T05:39:00.000-08:00

Too early to be thinking of spring?

portrait of good friend, Kira

paint, paint, paint!

NYC again.

maybe.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

A little press for the Craft Sale at Olivia's

Happy 2011!

I've got a feeling about this year.

New work up soon.

Festive & furry holiday cards

2010-12-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

HANDMADE - A Crafty Sale

2010-12-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

HANDMADE - A Crafty Sale at Bobbette&Belle at 1121 Queen St E

Beautiful space and tasty treats!


Mine and Vanessa's table. Check her out, she's real neat! www.vanessamaltese.com

my paper goods

8 days til Christmas, aaaahhhhh....!

Photos from Olivia's

2010-12-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

Olivia's at 53

My knick-knacks for sale!

My good friend and fellow illustrator, Kira Shaimanova

For information about Holiday cards, just drop me a line.

Get cozy!

2010-12-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

It's getting cold out there!

Holiday Art and Craft Show for Eva's Initiatives

2010-12-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

Come and stop by! I'll be there selling some Holiday cards and knick-knacks.

The Holiday Art & Craft show will be held in a beautiful historic Victorian home with a boutique-feel.
Showcasing local artisans with a knack for creating diverse beautiful crafts.

Don’t give another gift certificate this holiday season. Give Creatively, Give Love, Give Hope.
Get creative with your gifts this season at Olivia's at 53 Holiday Art & Craft Event as well as supporting homeless youth.

Location: Olivia’s at 53, 53 Clinton St.( North East on Clinton ST.)

Time: 6:30pm until late

TAPAS, WINE & DRINKS - CASH BAR

ADMISSION: PWYC,
Suggested donation $5 (donate $5 or more and get a chance to win a $40 dinner in our raffle) or can goods.

Donations go to Eva's Initiatives: http://www.evasinitiatives.com/

Local Artisans:
AMBER CHURCHILL - Hand-made Accessories
designsbyamber.com

KIRA SHAIMANOVA - Sculpture Jewelery
kirashaimanova.com

CHELSEA CANLAS - Art Prints and Holiday Cards
chelseacanlas.com

KAREN DARRICADES - Soft-sculptures & Mixed-media crafted from Gourds
karendarricades.com

INGRID YUEN - Jewelery & Photography
etsy.com/shop/MizuDesign

David Shrigley makes my day, any day.

2010-11-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

www.davidshrigley.com

I found (and bought) one of his books at the Shop at the AGO.

If you want one, go check it out, or take a good gander at his website.

Your day will be made too.

Sketch Night at the Society of Illustrators and other places...

2010-11-19T06:20:00.000-08:00

Modern Voyeurs - Not for the Scoptophobes

2010-11-09T04:52:00.000-08:00

Some new work for the recent show - they creep too!

Oh yeah, and I'm in New York City right now!

So if you're here for the AI events, I'll see you around?

SHE CREEPS

2010-11-09T04:41:00.000-08:00

Opening Night was a success!

Here are some photos from the prepping to the opening night.

Some mighty good times!

Check it out before the show ends on November 29th.

Great space, Function13 Gallery in Kensington Market

You'll never guess what I'm wiping on the window...


Stale beer and Epsom salt! Makes a temporary frosting effect.

And finally, the Opening Night!

12 ladies from the show! (+ Yoojin who is in Korea!)

Fellow illustrator, Kira Shaimanova and I

OKAY

2010-10-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

So I know I haven't been updating lately.

But I've been VERY busy. I'm currently a Print Intern for the aluCine Latin Media Arts Festival.

I've been working on their Film Program Guide, as well as their other print promos.

You should come check it out! The festival starts NOV 18 until NOV 21. It's 4 days of wonderful international and local short films.

ALSO, I have an art show coming up with 12 other amazing female illustrators. Here's the poster invite with thumbnails from all artists. Here is the Facebook Event page.

It's going to be great. So come on out and support some local illustrators at the show, and some local filmmakers at the festival.

I'll be posting some work up soon!

all sorts of upset.

2010-08-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Study of the floor at the funeral home. Because I couldn't look at my grandma.

Rest in peace Lola. I miss you all the time.

lines

2010-07-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

really beautiful

2010-07-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

Windows by Alice Neel (image from aliceneel.com)

I found Alice Neel's artist monograph at work one day and was really moved by the expressionistic portraits of her friends and family (which is actually what she was known for). And then I turned to a page with this painting and was immediately blown away.

I don't want to say too much about it. I mean besides the beautiful composition, I think I was mostly taken by what she decided to paint in detail and what she just left alone. These windows belong to an apartment building. But doesn't it feel like each window, rather than just being a window, is maybe... a representation of its tenant? They should all be uniform, but they're really not...!

She's a wonderful artist, please take a look at her work. You can find her monograph at the book section of the AGO shop.

my little buddy Jose

2010-07-16T08:29:00.001-07:00

keeping busy busy busy.

Summer smells good.

2010-07-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile...

read, read, read!
Summer book list.

Favorite line so far,
Ralph, standing there with his hands in his pockets, followed her with his eyes; then the lurking chill of the high-walled court struck him and made him shiver, so that he returned to the garden to breakfast on the Florentine sunshine.

- Henry James, "The Portrait of a Lady"

pretty nice

2010-07-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, I flip through Letters to a Young Artist, a collection of letters written by contemporary artists the likes of Alex Katz, Elizabeth Murray, and 21 others, published by Darte Publishing in New York.

This one's from Yoko Ono:

To a Young Artist,

You could be 18, 30 or 50, you are young to have decided to be an artist at this time in your life. First let me congratulate you on your choice. From here on, you enter the endless magic life of being an artist.

The world is your oyster: It will provide you with unlimited material for your art. Look at it again from that point of view. Suddenly the world is a different place, so interesting, so beautiful, and so mysterious. Have fun with it. And share your fun with us.

You, as an artist, will unfold the infinite mystery of life and share it with the world. It may just be two people your work will communicate to. Don't be upset. Be upset if you are not happy with your work. Never be upset about how many people have seen it, or how many reviews it has received. Your work will exist and keep influencing the world. Moreover, your work will keep changing the very configuration of our world no matter what kind of attention it gets or doesn't get. So even when you are an unknown artist, be caring of what you make and what you give out. Your work, no matter what, affects the world and in return, it brings back ten times what you've given out. If you give out junk, you get back junk. If you give out confusion, you will give yourself confusion. If you give out something beautiful, you will get back ten times more beauty in your life. That's how it works. You are now like a tree in the park. Your existence is making the city breathe well. So relax and be yourself. Don't try to be anything but yourself. Rely on your instinct and inspiration. Go with it!

By the way, my thanks to you for being an artist. I am aware that I will be one of the many, many people who gets the benefit of your decision. I wish you great success.

I love you!

Yoko Ono
New York

I know it may seem like a lot of what she says is a derivative of what you hear from art school, mentors and fellow artists. But sometimes, it is motivating, and just plain nice to know that there are others besides yourself who celebrate life and art, and then remind you again and again to do so.

Yes sir, it's all good.

Faces on brown paper

2010-06-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

As promised, a few quick paint sketches:

There's more on the way. I'm going to try the brush pen next!

Hello!

2010-06-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile!

I've just gotten back from my trip to the Philippines, and I'm still recovering from jet-lag.

I know this is probably a month late but the Graduate Exhibition was a SUCCESS! And my business cards came out pretty awesome. I'd like to try moo.com next time. Get different designs AND maybe some mini cards too.

Some photos from the show, one with the great Tavis Coburn, and some talented friends and fellow illustrators. Got some really good feedback that weekend. I'm very excited to start work while keeping that feedback in mind.

Aah, and then our commencement ceremony where Anita Kunz was honored! I'm so happy I was able to meet her and speak to her about "the real world."

I've decided to make a habit of doing two quick acrylic portraits everyday.

I'll post some up once I get the ball rolling, yes?

OH MAN.

2010-05-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I haven't been posting lately. GRAD SHOW'S IN TWO DAYS.
I've been running around preparing!

I got frames from Ikea (and $2 breakfast!).

That's my good friend, creative collaborator, and fellow illustrator, Kira Shaimanova. Check her out! AMAZING 3D Illustration art, it'll BLOW YOUR MINDS! You can see her work next to mine at the Grad Show this Thursday. If you can't make it, here's a link.

After filling up holes and priming the walls, we got going on our displays.
SNEAK PEEK. You can see the real deals in person!

Meanwhile, I've been trying out wood carving.
That was supposed to be a crescent moon, and it ended up looking like a banana!
I'll have to get tips from you, Caitlin. Yes, I'm extending my plea to you online.

Despite, my failing at this first try, I'm still going to go at it.
I find it verry relaxing.

And on one final note,

A shout out to my talented thesis class and JC Knaff.
It's been a pleasure spending the past eight months with all of you.

More process

2010-04-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

New posts two days in a row??
UNTHINKABLE!

Here is one of my illustrations for my thesis series.
It is about the animalistic behavior humans exhibit during full moons.
This one was utterly frustrating, only because I started with two panels and then ended with one. BUT... sacrifices must be made in the name of composition.

That werewolf is shy and puzzled because the other guys are more profanely bestial than he is. And he's the hairy one!

So yesterday was National High Five Day???
I wish I knew then, I feel robbed of high fives.

I promise

2010-04-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

... to update more often.

Here is a painting I've been working on for my Figure Painting class with Maria Gabankova. Really fantastic studio class. It's very different from the many illustration classes I've taken at OCAD. But I feel like, not that I didn't learn anything from the design classes, but that I learned something more substantial, in terms of technique. I feel that as an artist and illustrator, I need to keep learning. There are media and style explorations that need to be explored!
Having said that, I will be taking Portrait and Landscape Painting courses the following year. It's like I'll never leave school! No, that's not true. But, if I could be a student all my life, I would be.

George Santayana agrees: "Oh no, I had never wished to teach, I had nothing to teach. I wished only to learn, to be always the student, never the professor. And with being eternally a student went the idea of being free to move, to pass from one town, and one country to another, at least while enough youth and energy remained for me to love exploration and to profit by it."

He's pretty great. I found one of his books recently, so it's just me and George all summer this summer.

30 x 48" Acrylic on canvas
still in progress!

Don't forget: May 6th-9th OCAD'S 95th ANNUAL GRADUATE EXHIBIT!
BE THERE! OR.. be somewhere else? That would be too bad, you know :(.

cheerio!

I'm ready!

2010-04-07T21:25:00.001-07:00

My portfolio website has officially launched.
Check it out: www.chelseacanlas.com

I'll try and update here and there as often as I can.
But there it is, folks!

Thesis classes are over now, BUT OCAD's 95th ANNUAL GRADUATE EXHIBIT opens on May 6th @ 6.30p.
The entire school will be transformed into a gallery showcasing the work of the class of 2010. It's FREE! And you'll like it A LOT. Not only 'cause it's free, but because you'll see and thoroughly enjoy all the wonderful works us thesis kids have been working our butts off for for the past year.
Soo head on over! Save the date! Say hello! I'll be there too, with my thesis series, most likely on the 6th floor.

cheers!

Website will be ready!

2010-02-28T14:43:00.000-08:00

... just as soon as I get the hang of Dreamweaver.

I'm going to be graduating soon.
Real world, here I come!

Are you ready for this?

2010-02-12T04:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, guys.

The Thesis kids in illustration are having a Vday Sale at the OCAD lobby until 5.30.
Go NOW NOW NOW!

I'm selling that guy up there. And then two more.
There's going to be some pretty great stuff, greeting cards and pins, and baked treats.

So go NOW!

I'm late.
Bye!

Take me out tonight

2010-02-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

Tahitian natives believed that they were witnessing the lovemaking of the Sun and the Moon during a solar or lunar eclipse.

If so, then we're all privy to the bed adventures of our cosmic neighbors.
Therefore... we're all peeping Toms!

nice.

THESIS

2010-01-13T21:15:00.001-08:00

Faces of the Moon

It's the last stretch -

I am going to miss school
but only if I survive it.

2010-01-08T11:42:00.001-08:00

"That's what art is. It should arouse you."

markers are fun too.

2009-11-29T18:53:00.000-08:00

playing again.

Thesis should be fun.
and it is,
but only when I know what I'm doing.

push it.

2009-11-18T07:34:00.000-08:00

Nu pastels are FUN.
I'm just playing around with the material.
I want to do more portraits with it.

That last one's my mister. What a babe right?

I'll start posting more often now.
I've installed my scanner!

Ode to wicker chicken

2009-11-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Lauchie.

...

Creepy starbaby

2009-11-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

A sketch for thesis ended up becoming a portrait of my little brothahh.

If I didn't need sleep I'd be more productive.
blaaaahhhh
I'll be back,

Moleskin

2009-10-22T10:18:00.001-07:00

I don't update enough, do I?
Sorry.

I haven't really done anything lately except for these pages in my moleskin.
I forgot how much I love ballpoint. These are all for shits and giggles, but I do intend to paint a larger illustration of the feet and clouds.

Otherwise, my thesis hasn't been going well and I'm not completely happy with what I've come up with. I did get the BEST pep talk from a fellow illustrator and I think I know what I have to do. So I'm gonna do it. And when I do I will post it and see what you all think.

I've also been experimenting with pastels. I'll put those up too.
Eventually.

Summer is not dead

2009-08-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

I did this a loong time ago for school. for Paul's class.
I should really get cracking on my thesis proposals.

YIKES.

I cry every time I think about it.
2/3 more weeks of summer school. Then I've got 2/3 weeks to work on my proposals.

HOLY CRAP.

Otherwise, I have a ukulele.
My ukulele is my baby. I LOVE HER SO MUCH.
She's red.
I haven't named her yet so I'm calling her my baby for now.

Suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks!

The Evolution of Matt

2009-05-12T17:37:00.001-07:00

It's summer time, kids.
I can smell it in the air, and I like it.
Also, I have summer school starting next week. And shoot me but I'm excited.
But I'm trying to avoid sitting on my butt for the next four months, so I'm trying to keep busy.

But I'm also a little uninspired, and it's a strange horrible feeling.
Maybe a trip to the art store will help. OR a trip to the Surrealist exhibit at the AGO?

Holler!

Art Theft

2009-02-24T06:42:00.001-08:00

For Graham Romieu's Illustration class last semester.
An editorial illustration for an article about art theft.

Hahaha I had fun painting the kidnapped artists.
(L-R: Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Rembrandt)

sexy sexy sexy

2009-02-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

CD cover for Hector's Class

Sexual Sportswear

I inked the pattern, scanned it, then filled and layered on photoshop

Seriously considering silkscreening this on a shirt.

Or Caitlin's suggestion of shower curtains... that'd be sick!

OR paint it on a HUGE wooden panel!

joie de vivre

2009-01-25T17:39:00.000-08:00

Some paintings for Terry's Drawing and Painting class from last year and last semester.
They're still in the works, but I sure am liking acrylic.

my inspiration station/ghetto studio

2009-01-10T19:27:00.000-08:00

blahblahblah
Happy New Year's everyone!

oh nine is mine

You know what, kiddo

2008-11-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

I love my Sequential Narrative class. As well as my Sequential Narrative instructor, Blair Drawson. I'm so behind in his class though, I feel terrible about it. I think this might be the only class where I actually work my butt off for. Or at least have projects I'm actually proud of. I mean, I'm not completely happy with them (and that's generally the case when there are deadlines involved). But I like them.

ps. Please don't comment on the narrative text... my rhymes are pure cheese. HAHA

Project One: "What's that supposed to mean?"
We had to develop a story around that phrase. I really wanted to do a spread but Blair thought my story was better suited in panel form. I'm assuming it's because of the dialogue. I haven't scanned the final, but this is the illustration without the text.

Project Two: "The Hook"
It's 2 spreads of a narrative displaying an intense emotion. I chose anger and the time my brother ransacked my room. Again, ignore the rhymes... I am not a writer!

Project Three: "Personal Stories"
Comic panels, acrylic and digital

Project Four: "Myth"
It's a monologue by Persephone. It's one of my favorite Greek myths. To be honest, this one I did overnight. Those who know me can tell it's a little half-assed, and most definitely not my style. But I kinda like it in the end. I really like how the setting is abstracted and the forms are simplified. Blair liked it too and thought I should experiment with that a little more. - Acrylic and pencil on paper.

There it is...
Gonna go work on the 5th one now!

Life Drawing

2008-10-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a giant scanner or a bitchin' slr camera.
From Terry's Drawing and Painting class last year. I have yet to upload any of my current stuff.

Well, til next time.
I've got projects to finish.

I told you I was a creeper

2008-06-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

Remember that day we walked down Queen to see the Magic Pony show?

So this one's for Caitlin and Alisa
It's not done yet but eventually it will be...
maybe.

There's more but I think they're waay to big to upload.
So I realized while scanning all my sketches how I really need to start working on my compositions and ideas.
I also realized how much I miss life drawing.
Balls.

On a lighter note, I'm going to Cuba in 2 days! And as cheesy a picture I must be painting, I'm definitely bringing my sketchbook and creeping on unsuspecting tourists at the beach.

baby baby baby

2008-05-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

WHAT THE- ?
Hehe, I have a blog.