other locales

Andrew Shay Hahn can be found on Facebook and on Myspace, but has been having way more fun on Facebook.
Coming soon, more alphabet shoppe posts, more commissions, more original water towers and stories to go with them...stay tuned gentle reader.

Don't stop sending your water tower stories this way !

best,
Andrew Shay Hahn

It was inevitable...

I guess if you're a Canadian painter it has to happen to you sometime. This piece is Seven by Nine Feet Tall!

have a great weekend,
Andrew Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

God Bless Jubril Zongo, Joseph Poon, Basil A. Masinass, Paore Zongo (relation of Jubril?) Captain Masa Anja and Ali Mahoo

pub life sketches #9,10

To have a completed sketch or poster for your band contact A.Shay Hahn at madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

New Works

Lost Man Found Dog 2 , 24 x24 in. acrylic on canvas SOLD
Birdhouse Singer (Blue) ,16 x 16 in. acrylic on canvas $250.00
Lost Dog Town, 24 x 24 in. acrylic on canvas SOLD
Here are three new pieces that will be shown at Darren Kwik Studio (Massey and Queen) over the next month
contact Andrew Shay Hahn to purchase at madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Pub Life Sketches #7,8,9

Here are more sketches for bands that are played constantly around the Shoppe, word has it that the incomparable Iner Souster will be playing with the Fem Bots on their new album, check out his blog to see his amazing instruments and other sculptures. The Chicken Pickers commissioned their piece, the Beauty Shop are posting on their site and as usual I'm being paid in toonies and beer.

So if your band wants a sketch or would like a formal poster or some other work done for them contact me, Andrew Shay Hahn here
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

(coming soon BeGood Tanyas, Rattlesnake Choir , OCMS and others!)

Other News

New Cloak and Dagger shirts coming soon ! The pub is almost SOLD OUT of Russian Spy Girl shirts so get one now! You can see a sketch if you scroll down the scrolly bar on your immediate right hand side. You can also see the really blurry pictures I took of them.

Paintings at Darren Kwik Studio, I'll be showing work at this studio located in the Chocolate Lofts on Massey Str. and Queen West. for the next month.

Eleni Mandell will be playing the Mod Club on the 9th of May - if you don't know, you had better find out.

Pub Life Sketches 5 & 6

Two more sketches of favourite bands, Toronto's own Great Lake Swimmers and the pride of Champaign (sp?) Illinois The Beauty Shop a band I've loved since 1999, if you haven't heard them, hit their MySpace site, you'll be impressed and that's not because their band name ends in Shop either folks!

(Coming soon to Pub Life Sketches :The Be Good Tanyas, Elliott Brood and FemBots)

God Bless The Mote Family, The Thompson/Dawsons' and the Van Alphen/Bruces'
that's right, more babies have arrived!

Thanks to Jim Rooney from Vancouver his Water Tower story will appear at the site soon!

contact the shoppe at madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Andrew Shay Hahn

Pub Life Sketches 3 &4

( as always click images to enlarge)
A poster for Gargantua who play everyday Wednesday at the Hideout on Queen and a sketch for Rock Plaza Central check their Myspace site for upcoming shows ( I think they'll be at Sneaky Dee's soon).

Contact the Shoppe for all of your painting/ illustration needs madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

A few words on...

It's Only Rock and Roll, 20x24, acrylic on canvas SOLD

One of the most rewarding aspects of showing your artwork are the stories you collect . The Water Towers that I paint never fail to bring out a mad tale of highschool pranks, dares and vandalism. This particular painting was inspired by a story I was told by my friend Tony. The water tower in his home town faced the high school and Tony and a friend bravely ascended the ladder to the top to write" It's Only Rock N' Roll" on it's face. Tony was painting "It's only" while his pal was in charge of "Rock N'Roll" - I'll assume they were in a hurry as his friend forgot the " 'N" and for the rest of their highschool years the Water Tower read, "It's Only Rock Roll".

If you have water tower stories to share please send them along to madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

many posts and new work to come this weekend, all the best

Andrew Shay Hahn

Recent Commissions, (sp?)

Commissions are amongst the many services offered here at the Shoppe shown above are two recent pieces that I was hired to do, the first being a composite piece of photos taken by clients on a trip to Malta and the second is a piece that will be a giveaway through the Liberty Boot Co. featuring one of their most popular boots, "Killaz" (of which yours truly is a proud owner). If you would like to contact the Shoppe to commission a piece please contact Andrew Shay Hahn at madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com .

Thanks to all who came out for the closing of "Leather Canvas and Steel" much fun was had, thanks to the Cameron House, the Cameron Family Singers, Tony Benattar, Sam Ferrara, Mimi for the Chili and Col. Tom and Laura Repo for the Guest appearances with the band. If you haven't heard Laura sing "This Train Doesn't Stop in Kingston (paraphrasing the title there) you are really missing out, maybe it's on itunes.

God bless The Coup, Florida State and Dolly from the Divas

Happy Easter to all, send messages and comments we'd love to hear from you!

A.S Hahn

Leather Canvas and Steel Closing Party next Saturday

Paper Dolls 1, 24x24 $400.00, Paper Dolls 2,24x18 $350.00, Paper Dolls 3, 24x24 $400.00

Hey Shoppers, after much deliberation (and some impressive lollygagging) the Closing Party for...

"Leather Canvas and Steel" Saturday the 31rst of March after the Cameron Family Singers Matinee (matinee from 6-8), Closing Reception 8-10ish

Featuring the stunning cowboy boots from Tony Benattar of the Liberty Boot Co. the astounding metal work of Sam Ferrara and paintings by yours truly Andrew Shay Hahn. Some of the work can be seen already on this site if you scroll down, also pieces from "Lost Houses" and "Small Towns" will be shown with the newer work.

Any inquiries into purchases should be made at madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Now that my sprained arm and hand (long painful story) have healed we are back to painting with a vengeance, new work to be posted soon!

Other News - Kirsten Johnson's show "Crocker" at XeXe Gallery closes this Saturday, she will be there making treats with her Betty Crocker Easy Bake Oven from 2-6 so be sure to drop by (Bathurst South of Queen)


God Bless The Colby Family, In the Micks, No Broken Bones

See you Saturday Shoppers

Andrew Shay Hahn

Hold up wait a minute

Jason Statham and Ice-T wish you a Happy International Woman's Day!

Sorry folks but we have moved the Opening reception of "Leather Canvas and Steel" to a Closing party so as not to interfere with VideoCab's show in the back of the Cameron House. Stay tuned here for updates ,it will either be the 29th or 30th of this month.

God bless Scotty, birthday pal John Borra andCaptain America (RIP)

today I am officially one of those dinks who say 35 is the new 25 or whatever it is they say.

Andrew Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Leather Canvas and Steel at the Cameron House

Drum, 12x12, acrylic $160.00

For your viewing pleasure in the month of March, Tony Benattar of Liberty Boot Co., metal sculptor Sam Ferrara and yours truly Andrew Shay Hahn are presenting a group show at the Cameron House (see this post and below). Opening Reception 7 -10 pm, Thursday March 15th. Corin Raymond's band "The Sundowners" will be playing their 2nd set and there may be other entertainment to follow. Works from "Lost Houses" and "Small Towns" will also be shown alongside these newer pieces.

contact the shoppe madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com to purchase or reserve pieces,

hope to see/hear from you real soon!

Andrew Shay Hahn

Leather Canvas and Steel Paintings

1) Campfire Dolls 1, 16x16 SOLD
2) Campfire Dolls 11, 16x16, SOLD
3) Paper Dolls and Tree 1, 16x16 $300.00
4)Paper Dolls and Tree 11,16x16 $300.00
5) Black Roof Town, 24x24 DESTROYED

contact the artist @ madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Also in the news, "Lakefront" a painting by Andrew Shay Hahn is featured in Suzie McNeil's new video "Hung Up", Suzie will be one of the leads in the upcoming production of "We Will Rock You" and was a contestant on "Rock Star INXS" (or maybe it was the other one).

see you at the Cameron!

Andrew Shay Hahn

If you squint and turn your head

Well here they are, now all you need to do is go get one. If you click on the bottom pic you can see everything just fine, nope after trying that I daresay it's not true, so stay tuned for better photos, these are pretty funny though.

GTAlphabets

Here are some new additions to the GTAlphabet, the last three being comissions (I have no idea why the last photo is so small). I think "S is for Snake" is absolutely stunning. We are still accepting suggestions and commissions here at the shoppe ,ring us up at madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com each piece is 16 x 20 in. and $250.00.

File Under "Where can I see a band called Rammer?"
This weekend we say goodbye to "Planet Kensington" in the market with a jam packed Saturday of bands and bedlam,take home some drywall! And Sunday at the Planet is the last "Death Metal Brunch" to be hosted by Lynn and Murder Mike so drop in and wish them well.

Also in the news ...

The beloved Jane Thompson is taking suggestions for names for her boy to be who is currently still a la womb, you can email her at her usual address. I have suggested Cotton, Captain, Elijah, Batman and Tinfoil so don't bother with those five.

Congratulations to Cloak and Dagger expat Kat for her crucial role in helping to catch a Colossal Squid off the coast of New Zealand, also thanks to Peter Jackson for letting us know where all the giant animals live so that Kat may hunt and eat them.

Girls and Horses 2 is in the planning stages, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, Girls and Horses was the only play I ever wrote that people can still remember, it was about giant flying monsters and murderous mennonites. Hopefully we'll produce the sequel in the summer of 2008 with the original team intact and a couple of new faces.

Kirsten Johnson's new show of paintings CROCKer is at XeXe Gallery just South of Queen and Bathurst and is stunning and humourous and all those things we expect from her, be sure to check it out.

best,

Andrew Shay Hahn

Pub Life Sketches #2

I think I'll do some ink washes on this one to add more depth, but the composition is pretty cool.

Check out the Sheep and The Whale at Theatre Passe Muraille, seventeen people onstage! And also Trevor Schwellnus has a great blog called the East Down Towner, check it out in blogger search.

Andrew Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Tattoo Designs

( Sorry this came out a little blurry.)

As part of services offered here at the shoppe we also do tattoo designs, all drawings start at $60.00 and are negotiated from there.
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Andrew Shay Hahn

Pub Life Sketches #1

Guess what tomorrow is ? Oh yeah you can click on the image to enlarge it.

God Bless Ryan Larkin R.I.P

madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

Unofficial Ronnie's Shirts and News

I've been drawing alot lately so I thought I'd craft up some more shirts for local pubs that I like. Above are two unsanctioned drawings for Ronnie's (Local 069). Tell me these wouldn't look great on all the boys and girls in the market, start a letter writing campaign today!

I'll also be adding some new drawings inspired by "Pub Life" to the site featuring Guinness (just try and sue me, I work for you!) White Cowbell Oklahoma, Wild Turkey and similar pub things.

File Under "Great News for Landlords"
The GTAlphabet has received THREE more commissions that will be posted here next week.

I believe that I've also been added to "Pop Goes the Cowboy" at the Cameron House in March featuring the works of Sam Ferrara and the kick ass boots of Tony Benatar, if you've never seen Tony's work check out the Liberty Boots site for info, his cowboy boots have to be seen to be believed.

Small Towns is at the Starbucks at Queen and Claremont until the 28th of Febuary.

Cloak and Dagger shirts should be ready any day now, available at the pub for $20.00 (I think).

Murder Squad shirts are available from Woundedpaw.com

God Bless The lonely office women who post on Nerve.com,

your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman

Andrew Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

A Dog Named Oreo

At the top is the brand new mural at the Done Right Inn, a tranquil image of a Dashboard Hula Girl drifting through space surrounded by her little Ultramite friends, if you look closely you can see the model standing on the bar looking at image.

Also for your enjoyment here is another Cloak and Dagger T-Shirt design based on the coat of arms on the door of the pub, no word on when these will be printed, Murder Squad and Cloak Spy shirts should be available by the end of this week.

Small Towns is up at the Starbucks at Queen and Claremont til the end of the month, damn the pimply barrista wageslave who threw out all of the info cards that I had put there so people could actually contact me about the work, when I get my hands on you I'll Venti you're Grande for sure.

Sorry I forgot to do viewer mail but I'll get to it next post, if you have any questions or want to participate ring me up at the address below.

Contact the Shoppe ! I need the work !
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

best,
Andrew Shay Hahn

Getting On Your Back By Any Means Necessary

Now I can't gurantee that these will be ready for Valentine's Day but have a look see at the latest designs coming out of the Shoppe. Above is the new T for the Toronto Hardcore/Metal band Murder Squad led by Murder Mike, the gas mask has since changed a little but this gives you an idea of what the shirt is all about. And below that this is the Rough Sketch for the Cloak and Dagger T-Shirt, which has since been completed, I just didn't get a shot of it, the lettering is better (I hate lettering) and she has bigger weapons (hee hee!).

So if you're in need of this kind of thing either go see a Murder Squad show or head to the pub in the next couple of weeks. Be warned those Cloak shirts are going to sell like hotcakes !

You know what ? I've never bought a hot cake - what the hell are they ?

Also if you would like to hire Andrew Shay Hahn for your design needs you can contact me at the email address below.

Also Small Towns is up at the Starbucks at Queen and Claremont until the 28th of Febuary and it would be great to hear what you think - it's such a cold month a compliment is always nice, cold cash to would be nice.

Just read "The Girls" by Lori Lansens about cojoined twins, it's a fantastic read, very touching, thanks for lending it to me Ma ! We have begun reading Wizard of the Crow by Nguigi wa Thiong'o looking forward to trying to remember his name in conversation.

madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

More viewer mail next entry!

Andrew Shay Hahn

Small Towns visits Starbucks

1) Found Dog, Lost Man SOLD 2) Blue Roof Town 3) Red Roof Town
each image 24x24in, acrylic on canvas $400.00 ea.

Here are three images from my new series "Small Towns" several of which will be shown at the Starbucks at Queen and Claremont, yes the former home of Sancturary (doesn't that feel like a long time ago - well it was!). More to come as they are finished. I neglected to do copyright protect (or "spoiling") on these photos, so please I'll just ask nicely that you don't nick them for the site.

enjoy, contact the artist madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

no more shirtless photos, I promise.

Andrew Shay Hahn

Absentee Landlord

Sorry it's been so long since the last post Shoppers, it seems like it's been ages since we've spoken, I've been working on three or four things at once and finishing some commissions and there just hasn't been time.
To quickly answer some viewer mail, Tracy from Ann Arbor asks, "Long time reader, first time emailer, I love the Shoppe,but I just have to know, what do you look like Andrew Shay ?
Well Tracy, this is what I look like right now (see picture above) .
Actually I'm kidding Tracy, this is where the I sit all day, as you can see I'm just finishing new work for the "metaball" online zine that will be shown at the Starbucks at Queen and Claremont through the month of February. This is a new series called "Small Towns" and we hope you and your cat "Black Magic" can make the trip from Michigan to check it out and have a cup of tea.
I promise you if anyone ever takes a flattering picture of me I'll be sure to post it here, believe me I've tried, I think my camera is stuck on the Ugly setting.
I also have to admit I've been slow to post since I started reading E.L Doctorow's "the March" I've been reading certain passages over and over again. And I've been distracted by Ghostface Killah's "Fishscale" which I've been playing over and over again (track 3 will make you dance like a fool,thanks Shiv). And watching "Studio 60" on the web, I have to tip my hat to Sorkin for the episode "the After Party (episode 6)" it made me all teary eyed - yes TV made me cry, but before you laugh you watch it and see what happens, that was some excellent writing. Back to work, don't be afraid to send more questions my way Shoppers!

God bless, Ellis (welcome to the world little man), The Walker/Martins and the drunk guy who got caught in the chimney in Bracebridge

all the best,

Andrew Shay Hahn

madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

the year in review

2006 The Year In Review mad craft style

Best Film - Lady Vengeance, three movies for the price of one really, a third act twist that has to be seen to be seen to be believed, humourous touches throughout, a stunning film experience, no doubt soon to be remade and destroyed by Hollywood with Renee Z., Nicole K. Charlize T. and some other Yutz fighting for the part when it should really be left alone to be what it is.

Honourable Mentions, The Departed (which I haven't seen but no one will shut up about so it's probably pretty good), Thank You For Smoking (except for that creepy kid whose in every movie these days)

Biggest Let Downs Talladega Nights (not as good as Anchorman, not even by half) Any of the " New Noirs" Black Dahlia or Hollywoodland (relationship destroying films)

Best Music (Songs) The Cold War Kids -St.John, Okkervil River- Another Radio Song and For Real, Be Good Tanyas- One Thousand Tiny Pieces, Gnarls Barkley -Crazy (why not) , The Coup-Laugh/Love/Fuck , TV on the Radio -Wolf Like Me, Cadence Weapon-30 Seconds, Jon Rae and The River-Nothing To Do

Best Album- Cat Power the Greatest - The Title says it all, not a weak track on the record and that seems almost impossible for most artists to achieve these days. This is dinner with a woman, a glass of wine with friends, time spent alone. A wicked achievement, if I had a five disc changer, I'd put five copies of this album in it (two purchased, three copied). Well done Chan Marshall!

Honourable Mentions - Rock Plaza Central- Are We Not Horses - This has everything, it's a gypsy, folk, rock, cornucopia kitchen sink concept albumwith hand claps and a children's choir, how you follow this up is beyond me - most would release a shitty Trip Hop Record so let's pray that they don't. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat- Fantastic, with the exception of "Handle With Care" cover that people seem to love, but I think is weak, this is the album Amy Millan wanted to release instead of.... (segueway!)

Biggest Let Down- Amy Millan- Honey From the Tombs- I love women singing hurtin and drinking songs , but this misses the mark and before you bite my ears off Tyson Style let me state that I am a fan of Stars - more songs like"Celebration Guns" and less songs like most of this album.

NEXT SHIT- Cold War Kids- Keep your ears out, "Robbers and Cowards" was an outstanding album in 2006. Corin Raymond - Hardest working man in Toronto, from promoting great bands from Winnipeg to touring all over, great work Corin, let's hear that new record already! Johnny Marr has joined Modest Mouse!

TRENDS (Limited to Three per Category)

Biggest Trends of 2006 - Babies!- These little things were everywhere in 2006 and I think it's great, not those overpriced celebrity babies, I'm talking about good old fashioned middle class babies. Avocadoes- These things were (also) everywhere in 2006 from album covers, to posters and home decor - well done avocadoes! We didn't know how much we loved you until 2006 You Tube- Who the Heck watches TV anymore ? Go away TV we've had enough, we'll make our own.

Biggest Trends that Should Go Away - Goose Down Vests- This isn't Aspen people buy a proper coat already. TShirts With Shit All Over Them- These things just make people dizzy when they try to talk to you so take em off, most of them look like a plate of baby vomit with a bad skull tattoo stuck on top and an eagle wing sticking out of the side. Coffee - Useless, just plain useless, don't drink it for two weeks and feel how much energy your body actually has inside of it and you'll also be at least Forty Dollars richer I have to tell you folks that you are stuck in a vicious cycle (I'm gonna get hated on for that one).

Trends for 2007- Buying Canadian- Let's all get more involved in our local economy from produce, to artisans, to recording artists, we have to get behind this. Also the homeless of Toronto deserve some of our time, we've sent alot of dough overseas for charity, let's take a good long look in our own backyard. Electing the Pizza Oven at Dufferin Grove Park to City Council- It's obvious that local politics could use an actual inanimate object in a place of power, we've had enough pretenders. Art Galleries- These things deserve to be the avocadoes of 2007 - think of the fun we could have if there were more than three people in one of these things at a time!

(Sneaking in Under the Wire - Hot Chocolate ! Go drink some tomorrow it's 2007!)

Man of the Year- Dictators ! These guys really kept us on our toes in 2006, so much on our toes that we couldn't deal with the possibility of more war and hurt so we stupidly gave our time and attention to Jen and Vince, Angelina and Brad, Tom and Katie, Brit and all that shit instead of trying to deal with Kim Jong Il, to that Iranian Guy whose name is too messed up to write, to all those shit heads with children's armies in Africa, Rumsfeld (A Dictator who steps down!) . The Dictators really let themselves be known this year but we were watching E!talk instead.

Honourable Mention- My Dad, Warren Buffet, Sam Ferrara,

Woman of the Year- Pregnant Women !- From eating Activia and dancing in a park together, to driving me to a Wedding, to being on the cover of every magazine every month Pregant Women really represented in 2006! And not only that but then in 2007, a baby comes out! Pregnant women are like a living Kinder Egg, beautiful outside and a toy inside!

Honourable Mention- My Mom, Constance Rooke, The singer from the Pussycat Dolls (That would be amazing if in 2007 she became some kind of pregnant Dictator.)

Best Book- I didn't read a book that was published in 2006 this year, so I can't add to this list, most things I read were published in the 50's and earlier so they don't apply.

Best Sports - Catching more than half of the World Cup Games, the World Cup Kills. Zidane stood up and said, "Enough out of you" I think we all learned something there.

Quite a year, this post will be expanded soon.

That's what I'm talking about!

(above L is for Lily commissioned piece, B is for BellyDance $200.00, both pieces 16x20)

Here we are friends the beginning of the new series "GTAlphabet" and there's a commission already! So feel free to contribute any suggestions for other Titles for the Alphabet (ie. Y is for Yoga, P is for Pirate etc.) or commission a piece for the New Year as this smart shopper did (L is for Lily).

you are all so very brilliant, happy holidays

A. Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@hotmail.com

and don't forget the Alphabet Shoppe where more will be posted over the following weeks!

http://www.thealphabetshoppe.blogspot.com