The Wilson 96, 9/11 Ten Years On

At the Wilson 96 Sunday Eve, an event organized by Michael Lista, here's the info
 "Please join me and Siobhan Power of The Wilson 96 this Sunday for an hour of readings from some of Toronto's best writers to mark the tenth anniversary of September 11th. Siobhan and I have asked six writers to read work that they themselves haven't written which in some way is connected to the events of a decade ago. Expect poems, essays, passages from holy books, song lyrics, e-mail exchanges and more. Our six readers are:

Damian Rogers, Adam Sol, Mark Medley, Tabatha Southey, Stacey May Fowles and Catherin Bush
The readings will last for an hour, though Siobhan and I encourage you to stay and have a drink and chat. David Picco Plays from 6-8, the event will begin at 8:30 here's the fb link to the event,

https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=148821638542577

ASH
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Angel In A Rowboat, Work In Progress Day 3

One of the definite advantages of getting up at 7am and working until 4-5pm is on display right above this text. Here's the major block in of the wings, unfinished of course, but coming along nicely. I think my approach to alot of my larger work is like watching an old polaroid develop, or something blurry coming into focus, toning and touches here and there, light and shadow (oh you use light and shadow ? How Revolutionary!). Without sounding too stupid, I enjoy the process, nuff said.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Angel In A Rowboat, Work In Progress

It's not like me to leave a commission this long before starting it, its been almost a year since I got to this stage with this painting which will become an angel with wooden wings rowing a boat. To be honest the painting had slipped my mind as I received other commissions and worked on them, so it was great to be reminded that A) the client was still interested in the piece and B) Was not at all pissed at me for forgetting to start it. So here is two days worth of blocking in and adjusting the boat and the figure. Originally the sky was a much darker tone and that wasn't working at all, adding the lighter sky will allow more detail on the wings and any other objects that I will add to the piece.
A.S.H
madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Man Who Stopped To Read, the Sartorialist

The Man Who Stopped To Read

10x12inches,acrylic on canvas, framed
$160.00

One of my favourite blogs is "the Sartorialist" http://www.thesartorialist.com/  a great blog that gives a, "from the street" view of fashion around the world, since I wear a coverall five days a week I rarely get to wear my good clothes, so it's always nice to see people dressed well and using their clothes to do something other than keep their hangars warm. The sites creator,  Scott Schuman also posts some great vintage shots,which is where the inspiration for this piece came from, (see other photo below, no idea why blogger put it there). I had first started to paint the sky with a mild blue, "end of summer" feel but felt the image lacked any kind of drama, so after tangling with it for a number of hours (the skies do still take me a long time to render to my satisfaction) I stopped here.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Skeletons Running Amok!

The Running Man

8x10inches,acrylic on canvas, framed

I dunno mebbe $80.00, mebbe a hunnert dollars.

Yes, fall is coming and so are the skeleton gangs! Hopefully will be finished his two friends today and touch ups on a piece I finished last week, expect some posts, expect less text. I expect to see you at the Wilson 96 on Friday from 5:30-8pm for an after work drink.

cheers, my feet are cold!

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Deep Sea Diver with Stratocaster

Deep Sea Diver w/ Strat

14x18inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

commission

And here's another DSD rockin a Stratocaster, commission a Deep Sea Diver playing your favourite instrument, don't be afraid to ask.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com



The Wilson 96, Friday Sept.9th Get On the Bus!

Deep Sea Diver w/ Acoustic Guitar

10x12inches,acrylic on canvas, framed

$160.00

Come on out Friday, September 9th between 6-8pm and meet me for a drink at the Wilson 96 on College Str. and later that night get your dancing shoes on for "The Old Soul" DJ party here's the event posting ,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/125053947520695/#!/event.php?eid=277846112231908
 I imagine it's going to be alot of great old vinyl being played. So there's two things to do in one day and at one location! Hope to see you there.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Hanging at the Wilson 96, New Deep Sea Diver

Deep Sea Diver w/ yellow ukelele

10x12inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

$160.00

I'll be hanging the beautiful chair paintings at the Wilson 96 today (College Str. across from the Royal Cinema) and they are going to look great in there, finishing one more today and also working on a great commission for a Deep Sea Diver playing a strat. I thought I'd warm up to doing the commissioned diver by painting this fella right here, and after I fix that crazy thumb I'll be happy with the piece.

ASH

madcraftshoppe@live.com



The Chairs By Day II (white chairs)

The Chairs By Day (white chairs) II

                                         20x20inches, acrylic on canvas, $500.00
                                                             at the Wilson 96 in Sept.

                           see above post, my eyes now hurt from squintin' and I need a glass o'gin.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Chairs By Day (white chairs)

The Chairs By Night, Field I & II
  20x20inches, acrylic on canvas,
 $500.0 ($900.00 pair)
at the Wilson 96 in Sept.

Oh wow do these take a long time to do the toning, had to break away from my "Six colour rule" and add some pale yellow to this piece to really make the sheen on the chairs bounce.

Will probably sell one by the end of the day.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Chairs By Night, Field I & II

The Chairs By Night, Field

20x20 inches, acrylic on canvas

$500.00 each, set $900.00

at the Wilson 96 in September, Cowbell resto in October.

What I was babbling about early when I wrote about the chairs was that they are like people, they are representations of a person who is absent, maybe a place holder, not a ghost image. But the chair is a person, something with qualities so directly related to a figure that it becomes a figure itself, no longer an object.

If you want to see a show that will blow your mind check out Alex McLeod at the Angell Gallery, here's a link http://www.angellgallery.com/

and also the George Zimbel show at Stephen Bulger

http://www.bulgergallery.com/

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com



The Chairs Series

I picked up these dollhouse chairs at a Dollar store today, they come in a strange reddish colour, but I've painted these six black and will probably grab some white ones and do the same. Since doing the Shotgun Wedding Band cover I thought I might explore building some 3D renditions of my paintings, more for source material than for profit. Dioarama photography has been pretty big for the past three years and I don't have the time or the equipment to really explore high end resolustion photos, I think I'll just keep it in the "fun" category and share them here.
 Was talking with someone about the chairs, what they are about, why folks like them, I think they fall into a nonfigurative/figurative aspect (I"m just spitballing here) like when I painted the flying hats (see label : lost hourses) the objects imply people but aren't people. They aren't ghost images, they still have the "magically real" potential of a lot of my work, hmmmm, still sorting this out.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com
 A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Chairs By Night II

The Chairs By Night II

20x20inches, acrylic on canvas
$500.00
(pair $900.00)
to be shown at the Wilson 96 in Sept.

A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Chairs By Day II

The Chairs By Day II

20x20inches, acrylic on canvas
$500.00
(pair $500.00)
to be shown at the Wilson 96 in Sept.

Lots to do.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Nova Scotia Flag, Canadian Girl Project

Nova Scotia Flag (Canadian Girl Project, Old Version)

12x12inches, acrylic on canvas, $140.00 unframed

commission

Yes let it be known that I hate the alignment button on blogger and may just forget about centering things altogether.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com
all images are property of the artist
follow on twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook Andrew Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

Newfound Land Flag, Canadian Girl Project

Newfound Land Flag (Canadian Girl Project)

\                    12x12inches, acrylic on canvas

                                                              $140.00 (unframed) commission

The Press Club is getting a patching and a new coat of paint early this week, but I'm sure that the will be open for business again by the weekend, all work is still available by contacting me here and we'll meet somewhere else if you'd like to pick it up. Doing more painting that usual this week, the commissions for Canadian Flags just keep on coming, so I'm trying to balance my days between the two and get a couple more "Flying Chair" pieces finished to show at the Wilson 96 in Sept. and Cowbell in October.

  Rest In Peace Jack Layton, you were a hell of a fighter.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

All images property of the artist
follow on twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook Andrew Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

Quebec Flag (Canadian Girl Project)

                                                              Quebec(Canadian Girl Project)
                                                             12x12inches, acrylic on canvas

$140.00 (unframed)

See the label "Canadian Girl Project" for others, commissions accepted.
Contact me for your very own.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com
all images property of the artist

Nova Scotia Flag (Canadian Girl Project)

Nova Scotia (Canadian Girl Project)

         12x12inches, acrylic on canvas         

$140.00 (unframed)

The project continues.....yes I do requests and commissions. see the label "Canadian Girl" for others.

All images are property of A.Shay Hahn, no copying folks!

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

All images are property of the artist

Shotgun Wedding Band Day 7 - some assembly required

Front and back cover for "Ok Alrite" by Shotgun Wedding Band,

 design by A.Shay Hahn, concept done in collaboration with the band.

Now I think this turned out looking great, something I haven't seen in a long time, I think it will stand out from the pack quite nicely, let me know what you think. Doing this assemblage has also got me thinking of using the models for AHT to maybe do some staged dioarama photographs to print, so did the opening credits of "Dinner for Schmucks" but beyond that, the movie was a bloody waste of mine and my best girl's time.
Here's a link to Shotgun Wedding Band's Myspace, check'em out
http://www.myspace.com/jamesplouffe

Time to get back to writing.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

New Model Navy or Shotgun Wedding Band Album Day 6 cont'd.

Early stages of assembly, will be adding several more elements to the wave, birds etc. fixing compass, amazing the difference and couple of different angles and crops can make. Steep learning curve time.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Shotgun Wedding Band Day 6 -Tshirts and models Post 1

Still a little tweak or two to do on the lettering, but coming along nicely, wanted there to be options for the shirt in case it's printed on different colours. Hard at work in the back yard studio building the model for the cover, first dioarama wave was too severe and had to cut and reglue it, placed figures, adjusted background, much happier with results, photos to come.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Album cover creation, Day Two

for this album cover I wanted to combine both Two and Three dimensional elements, taking some of the stuff that I've learned from building models over at Any How Town (see links) and combining it with my painting. I want a really unique look for this cover, I never want to do something that I've seen before, or I want to bring back something that I've seen that I  liked, for this, the cover of "Ritual de lo Habituel" by Jane's Addiction was a bit of a jumping off point.
So step one was to build the wave out of hard card, step two was create a bunch of texture with paint and tissue and Step Three is going to be creating a collage on top of the wave using playing cards, candle, plastic birds and all kinds of stuff so that the wave is made up of objects, that step should begin tomorrow or this evening depending on drying times.
 The painting in the background is the rough image that will serve as the "backdrop" for the dioarama with the band's name "Shotgun Wedding Band" being painted dead center. The dark and stormy cover of the Pogue's "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" is also an influence for this piece.
 Head on down to the Press Club (850 Dundas West) to see my stuff, can meet you there if you want me to.
best,
 A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Shotgun Wedding Band plays Friday

Here's a link to the Facebook Event to check out the Shotgun Wedding Band on Friday at the Silver Dollar, we're currently working together to design their new album, TShirt etc. there are links at the event to check out their music http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194823583907533 . Many thanks to my friends in Kemptville for supplying me with some spent shells, just wish I'd had a chance to fire off a few.
  A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Rise Against VS. The Canadian Girl

Yes, our influence has spread so far and wide even a band that I can only describe a "political lite" enjoys interpreting the " Canadian Girl" image (see labels "Canadian Girl" ).Is this a theft of an idea ? Or maybe I'm just doing this because I haven't posted a blog entry here in over a week, you decide.

Here's a link to photographer Evan Hunt's site http://haharadio.blogspot.com/2011/03/back-in-november-i-got-call-from.html some nice shots there.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Press Club (850 Dundas West) until the end of August, please support my efforts to finish my book Any How Town by purchasing a painting, art work can be seen if you scroll down.

Extended at the Press Club and Other Notes

Hey folks, just a quick note my work will be at the Press Club for the month of August, you can see what's there if you scroll down (yes, down) on the blog. I am available to meet either this evening or tomorrow but will be unavailable the following week. We made some big strides over at Any How Town (see links) where you can read about the series of mysteries that I'm working on and see the characters, dioramas etc and support the project by purchasing a painting.
 thanks for your support, we always like hearing from you
      A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

P.S if you have any of these WWII action figures by 21rst Century toys I'll give you $2.00 a piece for them, if you have a whole bunch, over a twenty, I'd even consider a trade.

A Tribute to Norway (Canadian Girl Project)

Norway (Canadian Girl Project)

8x10inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

http://madcraftshoppe.blogspot.com/

label "Canadian Girl"

for the people.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Canadian Girl Project continues

Canadian/Colombian Flag

                                                           12x12inches, acrylic on canvas

commission

from the "Canadian Girl" series

click the label "canadian girl" to see this ongoing series, and yes all work is my property, no printing it out and hanging it in your tourism office, I've got my eye on you Cape Breton!

have a great weekend,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com
follow on twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook Andrew Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)



The Man Who Loved His Accordion

The Man Who Loved His Accordion

12x12inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

commission ($160.00)

I think this is my fourth accordion painting and they just aren't getting any easier to do, I do like this Hohner Student model, the musician actually has a black finished one, but I prefer this mottled almost tortoise shell model for the piece.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

check out the Press Club this weekend for Press Fest (850 Dundas West) show is up there til the end of July scroll down the blog to see what's hanging there.



The Flaming Czars TDesign and Press Fest kicks off to a melty start

Here's the finished TDesign for the UK based folk duo, "The Flaming Czars", taking a break from writing out in the heat to work in the new studio on some commissions, no writing today, maybe just notes.

"Press Fest III" kicks off tonight at the Press Club, 850 Dundas West Toronto, if you like your music sweaty that's the place to be, here's a link to the weekend listings

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2050302030032&set=a.2011183812101.2107204.1618943436&type=1&theater#!/event.php?eid=121074224652491

posted some fun new photos a couple of days ago over at "Any How Town", click the link to check them out, moving into Book Three in first draft of the series and it's going well, your support is always appreciated.

The show is up until the end of July at the Press Club, if you had inquired about work it's there (see photos below) but nothing is being reserved, if there's something you like or contacted me about, I suggest you grab it now, Press Fest is a busy time.

 stay cool,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Vodka, Accordions, Left Handed Guitars and the burning head of Nicholas himself!

Yesterday was not kind my friends, this was all that I got accomplished, sad times. After two weeks of straight writing I wanted to do some drawing, luckily I was asked to do a design for the East European UK based folk duo, "the Flaming Czars" these are the concept sketches, yes there will be flaming russian heads.I thought I was going to finish but I was just really tired, the spiritual tired, when nothing works no matter how hard you force it. So, expect to see this and some other paintings by the end of next week. I know, I know, I keep pushing my commissions back because I'm enjoying writing far too much.
  As always please head down to the Press Club (850 Dundas West ) and check oot the stoof and for other news, head to the Any How Town link, I may post a couple of diorama shots later today.
 cheers,
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Oh where oh where have you been ?

Sorry if I haven't been around "the mad craft shoppe" for awhile, but I've been in Any How Town for the past two weeks (see links, Any How Town, and click!). I've been writing steadily and things are going very, very well. It's been two years in the making but I am finally buckling down to finish the first two books (no longer graphic novels, but illustrated books) of the series, of which there large and messy plots for SEVEN books, you can read all the news at the other blog. I've been trying to write 25 pages a day longhand, and although I've fallen short a few times, it's a reasonable goal as my handwriting is quite large.

 My show is still up at the Press Club (850 Dundas West) they open around 6pm and you have to get to their back patio and sit under the shade of the pear tree and the grape vines, it's a wonderful urban oasis, but if people watching is your thing, well, stare at the person you're with. The show is up for the month of July, not sure about August, and there is a photo tour at a post below. I would love it if you came and checked out the show, it looks great, and I'm trying to fund my continued writing of this series with sales from the show. Also PRESS FEST III is next week starting Thursday, bands will be playing all day and all night for three days, check their fb page "the Press Club" for the line up.

 I do have a couple of commissions that I'll be doing next week and hopefully some extended news about doing the design for another cd/album - a job that I really enjoy, but truth be told, it's been impossible to get away from writing - I love it, its a great change. I wrote some plays in the early 2000's and forgot the fun (yes, I said fun) of making characters speak, joke, argue and dispatch all manner of threats together.

 I'd also like to thank those who read this blog in Toronto, via "networked blogs" on fb, where the mad craft shoppe is ranked #44, please continue following along, I really appreciate it.

 all the best, hit the Fringe this weekend, it ends on Sunday.
 A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Royal Families and others, at the Press Club, July 2011

Press Club, July 2011 East wall
Artemis, Propellor $160.00 each
Robot $240.00
Orange II $240.00
Pilots $240.00 each (I think, could be $220.00

 Press Club July 2011, West wall

The Night Tree $260.00, The Fire Watcher $260.00 (i think), Piano (new big oceans) $240.00



Press Club, July 2011- West wall
A Brave Choice, Life Jacket, Fireflies, Violin, Sledghammer I, Sledgehammer II, Pitchfork I, Sail Boats, The Duel, Pitchfork II
from the Royal Families $160.00 each

Press Club, July 2011 East Wall

Mariachi, Red Devils, Deep Sea Diver, etc $80.00 each
Pram, Pitcfork III, The Hunting Party, Drum $160.00 each

Press Club, July 2011 Back wall
Deep Sea Diver $200.00
Lady with Two Axes $140.00
Fox/Crow $40.00 each
Rescue Dog $140.00
A Cup of Crows, Trumpet $160.00 each

 

Press Club, July 2011- East wall

Pilot, Pickaxe, Axe $160.00 each Grapefruit, Deep Sea Diver w/Gretsch $240.00 each
Press Club, July 2011 back wall
The White Glove Test $180.00
Man with Hammer $200.00
Woman with Two Axes $180.00
Rescue Dog $140.00
The Falconer $200.00 (i think, could be $180.00)
Rescue Dog $140.00

 






Okay, here's the show at the Press Club for the month of July, the Press Club is located at 850 Dundas West, between Euclid and Manning on the North Side of the street across from the great Cafe Brassiliano. They are usually open by 6pm, 7 days a week and have a kick ass back patio. As you can  see some of the work has been lowered in price, this is not because I think the work is weak, I would've gladly kept it at the original  price. I just don't want to move it to the East End, the new studio is pretty full as it is and more work would just upset the fine balance that I've established. So I pass these savings onto you. Of course at the end of July I have to move it back to the East End and prices will return to normal. SO take advantage of this one time offer now!
 And have a HAPPY PRIDE!
A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

and if this post looks crazy, blame Blogger, I have no patience for their crappy formatting.

Canadian Girl Project

Hey Happy Canada Day, it's a wonderful day outside but for those who can't tear themselves awayt from screens take a tour through the many posts that comprise my ongoing series of paintings, "The Canadian Girl Project"     http://madcraftshoppe.blogspot.com/search/label/canadian%20girl

 have a great long weekend, moving lots of paintings around today
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com
follow on twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook Andrew Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)



The New Studio is almost set up, The Royal Families is moving

I'm almost finished setting up the new studio, but thought I'd take a break to write to you and play some Half Life 2 on the old (old) xbox, there are only a few bibs and bobs left to do and I'm pretty excited about the layout and getting back to work after a month of taking it easy. As you can see in the corner I've set up a dedicated aread for building and shooting Any How Town.
Today is the last day to see "the Royal Families" at the Cameron House, but hey Corin Raymond is playing from 6-8pm so why not take this time to head down there.
 I'm taking the show down tomorrow and moving selected pieces from The Royal Families and a bunch of older work to the Press Club (850 Dundas West) for the month of July. I am discounting a few of the paintings, because there just isn't as much room here to store them all and I refuse to move them to the East End, I'll be posting photos of what is at the Press Club and which works are slightly reduced in price.
enjoy the sun,
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com