The Painting Whose Bike Was Stolen (WIP)

The Painting Whose Bike Was Stolen

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

SOLD.

for the Cameron House in November

Opening Reception, Sat. Nov. 2nd 6-9pm

music by The Rattlesnake Choir

It's a terrible grey and rainy Sunday outside so a good day to be down in studio finishing some pieces. I haven't really quite finished anything but I'm getting closer and closer.

This piece brings a smile to my face, tried to turn an unfortunate incident that has happened to more of my Toronto friends that I can count into something fun.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 UPDATE SOLD as soon as it was posted.

Last Gorilla On the Moon

The Last Gorilla On the Moon

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

(just a few more highlights etc. to go)

Lots of great work done today down in the studio I should have three news pieces to post by Monday and a few other crazy ideas almost halfway realized. This show, as much as I am using some older themes/symbols is also about happiness, things that are funny, things that lack irony, it's hard to paint something honest sometimes and not cover it up with a gag.

Although the painting above may contradict what I just said, even though it is funny, I think it's also a very sad piece.

I'm rambling time to get back to American Horror Story Coven,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com 

The Studio Is A Curious Place

So I'm staying down in the studio for the whole Thanksgiving Day weekend and working, I've got so much stuff on the go and am not able to spend the time with my family's and not really liking that feeling.

Luckily for me I have this guy to keep me company.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Opening Reception is Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 6-9pm with music supplied by the great Rattlesnake Choir.

 

If We Were Birds

If We Were Birds

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

I took the title for this piece from Erin Shield's Governor General's Award winning play, if you're anywhere near the Centaur Theatre you have to see it. here's a link

 

http://www.centaurtheatre.com/bravenewlooks.php

 

Any questions?  Give me a -- a message.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com 

Overalls! Honky Tonk Skeletons

Overalls

10x12 inches acrylic on canvas

$160.00

I had just written this really cool big long post about why you should buy things in advance and then it was deleted, wasn't even saved as a draft.

So in brief, if you want something you should buy it now, some work is selling as soon as I post it on facebook.

If there is any work left to hang before Nov.2nd the Opening Reception will be from 6-9 pm at the Cameron House.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

A Flag of Feathers II

 

A Flag of Feathers II

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House, Reception, Saturday November 2nd, 6-9pm with music by the Rattlesnake Choir.

Coming up soon I'll be doing a post about what makes a painting an A.Shay Hahn and the battles that go on in my head, I'm sure you're looking forward to it.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Not Everyone Survives the Tournament of November!

This time is of year is exciting, it's crazy and messy and bloody and not every canvas gets out alive, some get stabbed (see earlier posts) some get thrown and some get turned into palettes and forced to watch as much successful paintings get to go on to be finished. The basement studio is a dangerous place, no painting is safe!

New Paintings by A.Shay Hahn for the month of November at the Cameron House (Toronto, ON) reception, Saturday, November 2nd from 6-9pm with music by the Rattlesnake Choir.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Woman who Loved Books

The Woman Who Loved Books

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00
for the November show at the Cameron House (Toronto,ON)

Opening Reception, Saturday, November 2nd, 6-9pm

with music by the Rattlesnake Choir.

The books are back!

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

Victory Gardens

Victory Garden

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House show in November

Opening Reception, Sat. Nov. 2nd, 6-9pm

with music by the Rattlesnake Choir

My newest interest that I've discovered is gardening, it comes of course at the end of gardening season but that's best since I can begin planning and getting ready to plant next spring. I have many friends who are growing their own food now. My wife have been pickling and canning for over a year and I hope this continues, maybe it's an interest that comes at a certain age.

Maybe it comes at the same time that a person starts to think about leaving the city for a quieter life in the country, which is also slowly taking seed in both of our minds.

If you are unfamiliar with the term "Victory Garden" here's a Wikipedia link for you

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden

It's a dull and rainy day, best to be down in the studio finishing off a couple of pieces and watching the final episodes of "Fringe".

Tonight my friends from Seven Crowns Tattoo are having this event, https://www.facebook.com/events/494635080629488/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming be sure to check it out, they throw great parties.

best,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

Brave Pilot, Writing Women Launch Party

Brave Pilot III

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House in November

In other news I have donated "the Sisters (the white glove test)" to the "Writing Women" fundraising event  that is happening on Sunday in Toronto, here's the blurb

"Please join Executive Producer Evert Houston and Founding Producers Farah Merani & Lauren MacKinlay, along with the Writing Women Committee, for the launch of the Second Annual Writing Women Script Development Series.

Taking place at 1602 Dundas West, we will be introducing this year's writers & mentors, while enjoying an evening of cocktails and networking amongst industry professionals.

There will be a silent auction taking place, featuring donated art works from local Toronto artists and prizes from Toronto hot spots like Rose & Sons. Proceeds will go toward Writing Women, with a percentage being donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Fund.

Please join us in celebrating this initiative dedicated to developing female-driven films!"

please click the link to see what it's all about

https://www.facebook.com/events/1388557668045292/

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

A Flag of Feathers

A Flag of Feathers

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

Looks like the Opening Reception for the show at the Cameron House will be on Saturday, November 2nd from 6-9pm with music by the Rattlesnake Choir

http://rattlesnakechoir.com/  featuring John Borra, Sam Ferrara and Tony Benattar

it's gonna be a good one folks, mark your calendars now.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Paintings By A.Shay Hahn, Advance Promo

I'll be dropping these lovelies down at the Cameron House on Thursday. Haven't come up for a name for the show so maybe "Paintings by A.Shay Hahn" will have to do, will also be confirming the hang date (come down on that day to purchase in advance) and the date of the Opening which I'm thinking will be the Saturday (what's that, the ninth?) just want to see what band is playing and if they're a good fit.

back to the basement, there is much to do

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com
p.s the mural at the Cameron House will be featured on a new show "Love Is Dead" whenever it goes to air so keep an eye out.



Deep Sea Diver, Red Guitar

Deep Sea Diver/ Red Guitar

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

Not the best Monday in the studio, lots of distractions and office type stuff to do, not much to say except that tomorrow will be better. All work is for my annual November show at the Cameron House, but can be purchased earlier.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

 

Mariachi!

Mariachi!

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

I obviously have to start paying attention to what settings I'm using on my camera, unhappy with how "bright" most of my photos are and then I have to do some push/pull and adjust them after. How I miss my old idiot two megapixel camera that took perfect photos every time in the laundry room of my old studio.

It's wet and rainy out there so I'm hoping for a good day down in the basement.

Congratulations to the cast and creators of Breaking Bad, it was an incredibly satisfying ending to a very strong series.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

Two Flying Hats and Two Dogs

Flying Hats

12x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00 each

for the Cameron House in November

I tried to sneak down into the studio to get some painting done today but I'm having way too much fun, we have a friends dog staying with us and we're just having a great time, so no more work for today.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Greatest, whatever it takes

I'd meant to buy this Iron On shirt when my wife and I were in Montreal for our Honeymoon, luckily for me one year later the store was still open (I say this because the young woman who works there told me that it would be closing soon, so it was good timing) and I was able to have this printed up.

I need all the help I can get down in the studio right now and Cassius Clay has got my back - or my front.

I like the crazy  3D effect of my hands and his fist.

great day outside.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Brave Pilot II and Crap Dog Owners

Brave Pilot II

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House in November.

I've sold paintings to all kinds of people over the years, every age, sex, colour,  income bracket, and profession but today I realized that I've finally found a person/group who I will not sell my work to. Crappy dog owners who drive me and my dog nuts in the park will never own an original A.Shay Hahn.

If a dog is off leash and he/she  isn't supposed to be and my dog is on his leash I am now in charge of your dog and mine and you are going to hear about it in very colourful terms. No matter your income bracket. age, sex or profession, you have given up control of your animal and I will remind you of this, I don't care if you feel you don't like my language, you've missed the point already.

Good lord, this makes me nuts.

So shove off bad dog owners, there is nothing here for you to see.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

100% Hai Karate Gauge

100% Hai Karate Gauge

6x6 inches, acrylic on canvas, framed

$40.00

This little guy will be heading over to Snakes & Lattes sometime around the 28th of September. I may be dating myself with this piece, and you may be dating yourself if you know what it is based on.

lots to do,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Return of Prometheus (terrible photo)

Prometheus

12x12inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

I actually had to do some research before committing to this piece, I went back and check five years of the blog, every single post to make sure I hadn't done this piece before and much to my surprise I hadn't, even the first two "Prometheus" paintings way back in the show "Silver" (see labels) were different, that made me very happy I never repeat myself, I'll change the location the hair, the clothes but I'll never do the same piece twice.

Unfortunately I am not at all happy with this photo, my super smart digital camera looks for faces and details automatically to focus on and was just too stupid to focus on her butt.

 

Here's a couple of quick snaps from Montreal the first is a cute little print (artist unknown, looks like it says, "D.O" that I bought in Mile End at this great print/curiosity shop (I can't find the card) we bought a piece there on our honeymoon so it was great to find something else, I'll post the name when I find it. Also here is the Dale Chihuly tree out front of the the Museum of art.

cheers, its a beautiful day to have lunch with your Mum

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

First of the new Flying Hats

Hats (one)

12 x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House in November

Here is the first of three new flying hats, expect a lot of posts to come your way for the next month, I'm back from Montreal and down in the studio seven days a week until the show is ready, I'll also be rotating work in and out of Snakes & Lattes as it sells so you'll have to keep up as to where everything is.

If you need to contact me about a purchase my email address is right under my name.

enjoy this crisp, sunny weather

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Man's Best Friend. Man's Worst Enemy WIP

Man's Best Friend, Man's Worst Enemy

each 8x10 inches, acrylic on canvas

WIP

Having some fun down in the studio painting some small dogs, expect it to be quiet over the next few days and then expect a whole bunch of posts, I mean rapid fire, three times a day, drive you up the wall crazy with posts. I'll be away just touching up some things to get finished for the Cameron House and the Snakes & Lattes wall and when they're finished, watch out!

I am also spending a good chunk of time playing through the Borderlands 2 DLCs, currently working through the Pirate Scarlett whatever its called and having a blast (literally) my love for the gearbox software and the Borderlands game knows no bounds.

cheers,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com 

Snakes and Lattes, paintings and games

(from Top Left) Twenty Five Retired Superfolk $300.00, Woman With an Axe 1 & 2 $160.00 each, Bird Houses, Wolf $160.00 each, Execute $300.00, Bullshit Gauges $40.00each, Ray Guns! small $40.00 each, Ray Gun! $120.00

Twenty Five Bandit Children $300.00, Consume $300.00, Bullshit/ Calm Gauge $40.00 each, Deep Sea Diver with Drum/ Brave Pilot $160.00each, Ray Guns! $120.00 each

 

Have you ever walked into a place and just felt right at home and instantly comfortable? I think it's a hard feeling to come by these days but the second I walked into Snakes & Lattes (600 Bloor Street West, just west of Bathurst, thanks mom for pointing out my mistake) I knew I was in a great spot. The folks there are friendly and have a great time chatting and working, I am thrilled to be showing work there for the next twelve weeks.

Here's a link to their sight where you can see what game tournaments are coming up and all the cool happenings http://www.snakesandlattes.com/ 

If there is a piece you like be sure to buy it soon, the response was already incredibly positive so if you have your eye on something hanging there better get in touch.

back to the basement,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Sixteen Painting Super Sweet Grid

(Ya gotta click on it, it's Super Sweet)

each piece is 10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00 each

I love taking photos like this there's probably one posted for every show that I do.

I'd better come up with a name for the show soon.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Brave Pilots Take Wing!

Brave Pilot I

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

can be framed if purchased before November

Here's the first of two pilots for the Cameron House show, expect quite a few things to start popping up here as I finish some touch ups on pieces that I've been working on down in the studio for the past few weeks.

Yes, there's lots going on.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

fb A Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

The Wyrd Band, Bagpipe player

The Wyrd Band (Bagpipe Player)

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

If you're wondering what that giant ball of heat is in the top left corner I've installed some 100 Watt bulbs in the studio that are washing out every photo I take, enjoy!

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Mariachi! Two Times!

Mariachi!

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00 each

for the Cameron House in November

It's a double mariachi morning here in the shoppe, looking forward to a long day of touch ups on some pieces that I've been working on for a couple of week and hearing back from some folks who have contacted me for commissions.

I love this time of year.

Yes you can commission your own mariachi, diver you name it, just get in touch. Also debating whether to do painted versions of the mariachi figures that are on the mural at the Cameron, I have other things to finish first but the idea is rolling around in my head and the noise is a little distracting.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

fb A Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

The Wyrd Band, Tuba Player

The Wyrd band, the Tuba Player (WIP)

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

Meet the newest member of the mad craft shoppe family, the Wyrd Band, here's the tuba player and she is having a fine time already. I still have a few touch up to do on the tuba pipes, if  you ever want to give yourself a challenge, paint a tuba, I've only done one before and I needed a three year break before I attempted it again.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

fb A Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

The Bird Houses Return

Bird Houses

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

For the Cameron House in November, wow it's been awhile since we've seen the bird houses but they're back to join the party at the Cameron. I'm toying with the idea of selling a 2014 calendar of my work, if this appeals let me know in advance folks on fb seem really into it.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

fb A Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

A Nick Cave Song III

A Nick Cave Song III

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

The look on this Shepherd's face is a proud moment in my painting career.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

Honky Tonk Skeletons

Honky Tonkin'

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

Here's another Honky Tonk skeleton to get you through your busy Thursday.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 



Deep Sea Diver With Drum, I'm that guy

Deep Sea Diver With Drum

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

(framed, for as long as I have frames)

Did I mention I am no longer building frames for my work ? I will include frames with any 10x12 pieces sold in ADVANCE of the November show, there will be no framed pieces in November.

As much as I have gotten used to the look of the framed work it's time to move on.

You can commission your own Deep Sea Divers, Mariachis, etc by contacting me and if anyone ever gets a tattoo of one of my paintings, please send me a photo, I have a dozen tattoos myself and it would be awesome to check out your A.Shay Hahn ink.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

fb A Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

Fiddler (Skeletal Country Band)

Fiddler

10x12 inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House show in November

Just a quick note that I meant to add earlier, I 'm no longer building frames for my work so if you buy in advance of the November show and I have a frame for the piece, it's yours!

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

fb A Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

For Hank Williams

For Hank Williams

1012inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00

for the Cameron House Show in November

I figured it only made sense to include some skeletal musicians at the show in November.

Here's the first of about seven of them.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

King of the RAY GUNS!

RAY GUNS!

12x16inches, acrylic on canvas

$120.00 each

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, I'm shooting stuff in the basement as I finish it and the bulbs down here throw everything off.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

Girl With An Axe VS. RAY GUN!

Girl With An Axe 12x12 inches, acrylic on canvas $160.00

RAY GUN!, 12x16 inchces, acrylic on canvas $120.00

In today's Wednesday challenge over on face book, returning champion, "Girl With An Axe" was beaten by the new challenger RAY GUN! by a score of 6 to 4. RAY GUN! advances onto the next round, who will the challenger be? Man, I'm working on so many different things right now I don't even know.

Friday is the last day to see my work in the YUMart Group Show, "And the Living Is Easy" just scroll down on the blog to find the address.

Dang it's so humid out I can't even contemplate walking to the beer store

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

 

Deep Sea Diver with Accordion

Deep Sea Diver with Accordion

10x12inches, acrylic on canvas

for the Cameron House is November

$160.00

This is the second DSD with an accordion that I've painted, the first was seated in a chair staring up at the sky. I couldn't paint this and not think of James Gray, my friend and great musician who passed away a couple of weeks ago. He used the other painting as his profile picture on Facebook, he took the photo with his phone when the painting was hanging at the Press Club, the photo was crooked, which I found kind of charming.

James and I shared a lot of bars over the years, I can't count how many times I have seen him play or just sat and had a pint with him. He was a great musician, just a wonder, he often had dinner at the Press Club before heading out to play somewhere and they hung the fork he always used on the wall in his honour.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com



Deep Sea Diver (with flute)

Deep Sea Diver (with flute)

10x12inches, acrylic on canvas

for the Cameron House show in November.

After the final relaxing weekend out of town we are back in the studio and starting to finish some work. Yes, the Divers are back and here's the first.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook A.Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)



The View from the Studio

We run a pretty tight ship down here in the bowels of the house and every day at the same time my assistant meets me at the top of the stairs for his walk.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook A.Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)

The Cameron House, planning the invasion

I have over thirty four canvases planned for the November show at the Cameron House, this may be my biggest show yet. I've had a good few days/nights in the studio working off of sketches and references and things are really coming along nicely.

I have yet to finish anything, even the Axe Girl and Pitchfork Woman are not yet complete, I'm working on two or three pieces at a time, switching them out and working on two or three more. It's so crazy that I've started using some older canvases as palettes.

I've also received a few contacts for other work, commissions and designs, two of which were very interesting to me and two that would be impossible to fit into my schedule right now but hopefully could come back to in the spring.

It feels great to get busy again, if you have any questions I am always available at the address below.

It's time for a cold tinny of Beck's on the back porch

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

twitter @madcraftshoppe

facebook A.Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)



we do not tolerate failure

Things have been going really well down in the studio, of course sometimes mistakes are made.

That's what Big Daddy Box Cutter is for.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

Girl with an Axe VS. Woman with a Pitchfork

Girl with an Axe

Woman with a Pitchfork

12x12inches, acrylic on canvas

$160.00 each

Over on fb today I ran the first Wednesday Challenge, I used to do them once a week when preparing for shows and I thought it would be fun to bring them back. To participate you tag yourself in whichever photo you'd like to vote for. Today it was Girl with an Axe vs, Woman with a Pitchfork and the Axe painting won 8 votes to four.

The Axe painting will go onto the next round and the next challenger, you'll have to wait until next week to see who wins the contest.

cheers,

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com

The Mask, The Pearls and the Muckity Technique

Sometimes things get a little stale in the studio and I need to shake it up in order to get my day started. Luckily I have a whole pile of 12x12's to play with so I'm not too worried about marking up a canvas and then hating what I've done, I can just move on.

To begin the muckity process I take two or three colours and then just rub them around, then take one of the colours and make a few lines, usually with my eyes closed. It's pretty self explanatory if you look at the first photo. Sometimes I get lucky and find an image right away and the second photo is what I ended up "pulling" out of one the canvases.

We'll see what comes out of the others.

A.Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@live.com