F'n' R Stew album cover, 10 years in the making

This album cover originally started out as a two panel mural for a recording studio, I was asked to do the preliminary sketch for Twang Records probably in 1999 or 2000 I'll have to ask Carl to confirm that. The studio was busy and there never seemed to be a good time to do the piece and time went on for all of us. I was contacted last week for permission to use the drawing as an album cover for Twang Records (project details still secret, I'll fill you in when the album comes out). I couldn't possibly just have that sketch printed and we decided to advance the idea. I wanted to keep the comic book aspect of the sketch intact,  I didn't really want to paint it, I thought that doing a bar scene that may have taken place in the Haight or London in the late 60's would be best and then add the idea that it was an underground comic or leaflet/poster handed out at gigs. The next image was the block in for the second drawing and the bottom image is the final, I think it captures the spirit of the times quite well and has a very cool rock'n'roll feel.

This is my fourth album design this year, I've done Dany Laj "the match, Shotgun Wedding Band "OK Alrite", Twang Records "F'n"R Stew" and am still working with the Unseen Strangers on their album cover, each is different in design from the other and that's what I like about working with musicians other collaborators I get to flex another part of my brain producing something unique that serves both the music and the identity of the band, the whole album sound, it's alway interesting....hmmm I have more to say about this, but I have some work to do.You can see all my designs, posters, T'shirts etc. if you click the label "Pub Life Sketches" or TShirt Designs
cheers,
A.Shay Hahn

New Series Block Ins (tentative)

Early days on these, not happy with anything that's going on in them, but I wanted to continue the "conversation" I was having with myself about the flying chair paintings. That furniture can represent people pictorially so somehow these are portraits, or images of folks. I'm still trying to figure it out I may trash the whole thing, but this is where my head is at right now, a lack of figures, exploring objects in a plane.
yours vaguely,
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com
p.s Ray guns are already selling so if you like'em best get to the Press Club (850 Dundas West) tout suite and head to the Wilson 96 (615 College Str.) for flying chairs and paintings from the series "The Royal Families" (see labels section to the right).

The Cameron House 30th Anniversary Celebrations

This week is the 30th Anniversary of the Cameron House, my second home, make sure to stop by to see some music this week. Here's a facebook link to Cameron House records to read about events and etc. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1634977327174.2082579.1618943436&type=1#!/cameronhouserecords

Here's a link to read an article on "the Grid" about the genesis of the label and the TShirt designs  done by yours truly and available at the bar (see pic above)  http://www.thegridto.com/culture/music/cameron-house-records/

and here's the facebook link to the 30th Anniversary event week https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1634977327174.2082579.1618943436&type=1#!/event.php?eid=153491618077596

the paintings posted are from my last show at the Cameron House, "The Royal Families" selections from it are hanging at the Wilson 96 (615 College Str.) until the end of the month.

head to the Cameron, have a pint, hear some tunes and be a part of the best bar in Toronto.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

I feel a new series coming on.....

I don't have a show booked for December for the first time in years, usually I would have a show at the Cameron House or the Press Club for November or December-January as one of my  "big" shows which happen twice a year, November and May. This year I'll be showing at Cowbell from November - January and I'm working on just a few new pieces for the walls there but have been so busy with commissions and writing/building Any How Town that I don't have alot of new work, not the numbers that I'm used to. I work in series I like to take one or two themes and work on 15 + paintings from around those themes (birds, books etc.) but suddenly late in the game I had a great idea for a series of paintings, I may not be able to show it in December, they may not get shown until April or May but there's something in the works folks and I'm very excited about it.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

RAYGUN Wall at the Press Club, Monday Oct 10th

All of the RAYGUNS! are now up at the Press Club and you can get two for $150.00, why ? Because who am I too deny you what you want.

have a great day,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Domestic Bliss at the Press Club, Monday Oct 10th

Tonight at the Press Club it's "Domestic Bliss Mondays"! Beer Specials! and I'm thinking there will be NACHOS and CHILI at great pieces and be entertained by the musical stylings of Ray whimsey's Sweet Piece, I"ve seen Ray play a number of times and he always brings the show. So undo another notch on that belt and head down to 850 Dundas West for both a hoot and a holler and perhaps a gobble.
 I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who visits the blog, checks out my work, commissions stuff and comes to my shows, I'm so thankful that I get to do this for a living and I owe it to your support and interest.
I hope you've had a great holiday weekend with close friends and family, best
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com



I am thankful for RAYGUNS!

RAYGUNS! 8x10inches, acrylic on canvas, framed $80.00 each

These aren't at the Press Club just yet, but they will be, I'll letcha know, have a great Thanksgiving Weekend and hug the one ya love.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Decorating Your Home with Rayguns

Rayguns!

8x10 inches,acrylic on canvas, framed

$80.00 each

at the Press Club

I just can't stop painting these Ray Guns, they really cheer me up, not that I'm depressed, let's say they keep up the good mood to which I am most accustomed, I've got two more to finish today and I will also be doing a couple of Han Solo blasters that may get up here Saturday or not til the end of the long weekend.

The first time I did the Ray Guns I think I did three and they were bought by the same person I've seen them hanging as a group in her home and they really look good, that's your decorating tip for the day courtesty of me, A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Press Club Dedicated Wall, Friday Oct. 7th

All the Rayguns, Mariachi, Red Devils and the Six Million Dollar Man are 8x10inches, acrylic on canvas, framed and are $80.00 Each, the Deep Sea Diver w/the Black Strat is $200.00 and the Lady with an Two Axes is $180.00 (why these two pieces haven't sold yet boggles the mind)

Hey I know I just posted one of these but I wanted to get the rayguns up on the wall at the Press Club for the folks to see, the other work that was there is not sold and is still available (see entry below). What has sold in this photograph is "the Running Man" in his very cool skeleton suit, he has been replaced with the black/silver raygun that you'll see if you just scroll down a touch.


and head to the Wilson 96 to see work from the Royal Families and some wonderful flying chairs.

A big thank you and congratulations to anyone who went out and voted yesterday and found a place to do it, a woman I gave directions to yesterday was told on the phone to vote at the Charles Public School on Manning Str. which is currently being demolished and turned into town homes, I wish I'd taken a picture of that (UPDATE there it is), you almost got away with it you sneaky Hudakian Invaders.

have a great day,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

A Raygun Salute for Steve Jobs

Raygun

8x10 inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

$80.00 each

Sad news last night, I respect the innovators, fighters and the rebels more than anyone else and when one passes it only encourages my resolve to continue what I'm doing irregardless of the slow times, the broke times, the indecisive times, just sit down and make something, just keep making things, folks will come around, if it's what you were meant to do, it's the only thing you should be doing.

Thank you Steve Jobs, you were a fighter and you will be missed.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

RAYGUNS!

RAYGUN!

8x10inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

$80.00each

I have a couple more of these on the go right now and I really dig'em, I'm thinking I may do some larger scale versions maybe 24x18 or so down the line. These will probably end up at the Press Club on the dedicated wall this week, I'll let you know when that happens.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

MARIACHI! at the Press Club

MARIACHI !

8x10inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

$80.00 each

at the Press Club

Folks you gotta head down for Monday night  "Domestic Bliss" Nachos ($7.00) and Chili ($5.00) at the Press Club, I will continue to post what band is playing the events here at the blog with all this gloomy weather and grannies getting arrested on Wall Street you gotta have a little warmth in your life, nacho warmth, chili warmth, beer special warmth and the healing warmth of rock n roll.

Also the Deeper Sea Diver with Acoustic Guitar sold, so I added these fellas to the wall also, they too are 8x10 inches, acrylic on canvas, framed $80.00
I can't believe I still have this Six Million Dollar Man Doll painting, it rocks.
cheers,
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Nuit Blanche at the Wilson 96

Hey there, while you're out and about nuit blanching be sure to head up to College Str, to see my work at the Wilson 96, yes I am a one man nuit blanche event. I won't be there to see you but do stop by to check out the amazing chairs (see above and in posts below, $500.00 each/ two for $900.00) and work from "the Royal Families" (see labels) each piece is $160.00 (or two for $300.00) the show is up until the end of October and will change as work sells, the Black Canadian flag girl is there Rae Johnson if you're looking for her and so is "the Man Who Stopped to Read" also,

Drink specials for Nuit Blanche are $5.00 White Russians and $5.00 pints of Mill Street Belgian Wit from your bartender Kev.  Also at the Wilson 96 enjoy the day after Nuit Blanche with, SUNDAY SUPPER with Dave Picco (6-9pm) On the menu this week is Cottage Pie ( like Shepard's Pie but with beef) and salad. $15.00 or $20.00 with a pint of Mill Street or a glass of wine.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Press Club, Dedicated Wall Saturday, Oct 1st

Let's see if I remember what everything costs, I know the diver with the strat is $200.00 and I'm pretty sure all the other larger pieces, man with hammer, the axe women, the falconer are either $180.00 or $200.00. The diver with the acoustic guitar is $140.00 and the Red Devil and the Running Skeleton are $80.00 each. Be sure to head to the Press Club for "Domestic Bliss" Mondays where I believe the beer will be cheap and they will have their kitchen open and will be making nachos. How can you beat dat ?

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Angel In A Rowboat

The Angel who could not swim II

12x24inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

commission

It's always best to sit on a piece for a day or three before delivery, I wasn't sure if this piece was finished and went back and forth with adding something else to the composition, what is most obvious now is that if I kept going back and forth trying to find something to add there was obviously nothing I needed to add or I would've known already.

Trust your gut folks, that's what it's there for - and for digestion.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

A.Shay Hahn where to find my work in Toronto

Deep Sea Diver w/ Banjo (night) / Deep Sea Diver w/Banjo (Day)

CD cover Options,18x18inches, acrylic on canvas

for the Unseen Strangers upcoming CD

$400.00 each (unframed)

After dropping a 18 ft. 2inch thick board across my legs and feet in the shop yesterday I decided I wasn't quite back to 100% full health and wisely stayed home to work in the studio on these two pieces and a commission and I believe that was the right choice.

I'd like to point you towards College Street to go check out the Wilson 96, (615 College Str. across from the Royal Cinema and the CHIN building) my work is currently hanging there and will be up for the month of September and October, tonight is TRIVIA night there, it's a helluva lot of fun so get a team together and head on down. In November you'll be able to see some new work at the wonderful Cowbell restaurant, you can also check out my dedicated wall at the Press Club on Dundas West. ( I have to get a photo up of what's there, apologies for the delays).

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Indian Flag (Canadian Girl Project)

Indian Flag (Canadian Girl Project)

IMAGE PROPERTY OF THE ARTIST

10x12inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

$160.00

commission

commission your own flag by hollering at me, especially as we're getting so close to Christmas and you can use paypal.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com
all images are property of A.Shay Hahn.
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Unseen Strangers, Album Design Day 3

Here's the block in for the second version of "the Unseen Strangers: album cover, at first I was leaning towards the heavier blue black night sky of the first, but these tones seem pretty warm and a bit more appealing. Maybe I'll push the other even darker to make a better contrast between the two images. Also below it  is the almost finished TShirt design, just some more touches and line fixes here and there and we'll be good. I just wanted to say how glad I was that the band contacted me, the DSD has really become something I'm known for over the past couple of years, people really love them and I never really get tired of painting them (well after painting five of them I get pretty tired). I think this will be a great way for the band to be identified while they promote the album, it's got the right amount of hit and recognition, you'll know it's their record, their poster, their T etc. I hope that it helps to spread the work , visually of course.

I'm also glad to get this much laid in along with the two other commissions I'm working on I think I've hit upon the first head cold of the year and feel like I'm crashing fast, so I'll be glad to rest for a day or two this far ahead. One way that I can really tell that I'm getting sick is by rereading the above babbling, so I'm off to go slug down my cuppa neo citran and then six more litres of H20.
A.S.H
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Shotgun Wedding Band Tour Dates

Here are some tour dates for the Shotgun Wedding Band, be sure to check them out if you're in any of the following cities. If you scroll down on the blog you can see the creation of the album cover.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Favourite Ebay Store, Monster Party

Nothing breathes life into a house like some brand new art and I would like to reccomend heading over to ebay to check out the art of the Monster Party, I was roaming around the art section in the folk art/primitives category and came across their store, these four cosmonaut pieces had to be purchased immediately, they brought an instant smile to my face. And the prices are great, very affordable for artwork, actually incredibly affordable, more affordable than my work,you have to go check them out if you want something small (these are about 7"x 8" each) to add to your collection.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Unseen Strangers, Album Design Day 1

There are going to be two versions done of this Deep Sea Diver playing the banjo, the first will be this more ghostly, heavy looking figure and another that will have lighter tones in the sky, have started blocking in both but I wanted to get a post up so you can go and check out the musical stylings of the Unseen Strangers at the link http://www.unseenstrangers.ca/  check them out, you won't regret it. Stay tuned to the blog as the covers and commissions progress.
And head to the Wilson 96 (615 College Str.) to see my work there for the month of September.
ASH
madcraftshoppe@live.com

Angel In A Rowboat, Work In Progress Day 4

It's non stop toning here at the studio today and also "camera frustration day" I cannot get a good overall shot of the toning work on this piece. I should be finished by the end of the week for delivery but I'm going to need a day away from it just to get some distance and new perspective. I keep going into an area, toning coming out, going in somewhere's else, balancing etc. Until my eyes are playing tricks on me. So maybe Wednesday there will be a finished shot of the piece, but here's your terrible progress photo for the day.

As always you can see my work for the month of September at the Wilson 96 (615 College Str.) head on by and have a look.
A.S.Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com

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