Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Popular Mechanics, works in progress


Here are shots of the start of two paintings for my show at the Cameron House in November, currently titled "Popular Mechanics" if you would like to see them develop "flip book" style you need only go to my page on facebook "Andrew Shay Hahn (the mad craft shoppe)" and click through them there. Hope to have more photo sets added to the page today.
To see work currently showing in Toronto you can go to the Press Club, (850 Dundas West) and view my dedicated wall, also the Life Jackets should be up on the wall at Red Fish restaurant on College the first week of July.
Don't hesitate to comment or get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
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@madcraftshoppe
A.Shay Hahn

Monday, June 25, 2012

Small Towns by A.Shay Hahn


Top
Lost Man ,Found Dog
Small Town (pale green)
from the series "Small Towns"
24x24inches each, acrylic on canvas
$400.00
can be commissioned
It's nice to be doing the lifejackets and once they leave the studio this week we'll be working on a commission for TWO "Small Towns" . Check the "Labels" section at the right side to see more.
I sold the last of this series a month ago and it's nice to be asked to create a couple more.
Small Towns can be commissioned.
enjoy the weather,
A.Shay Hahn

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Life Jackets for Red Fish by A.Shay Hahn

Life Jacket (three of potentially six)
24x24inches,acrylic on canvas
$500.00
See posts below for information or contact me directly
A.Shay Hahn
be aware in the twitterverse and follow
@madcraftshoppe



Life Jackets by A.Shay Hahn

Life Jacket (two)
24x24inches,acrylic on canvas
$500.00
Good morning, good morning I'm A.Shay Hahn and here is your first life jacket of the day, hope to have a third for your by dinner time. If it's your first time here please feel free to scroll all around the blog, check out posts and paintings from years  past and maybe head to the links section to check out the "Any How Town" blog where I show models that I build and other comic related fun.
stay cool,
A.Shay Hahn
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Lifejackets for Red Fish

Life Jacket (one)
24x24inches,acrylic on canvas
$500.00
The first of the lifejackets is done, this pic is just a little crooked, didn't notice until I cropped it. I hope to have the second in the first series of three finished today. There will be six in total that I hope to have finished for the end of the month, three will be hung at Red Fish all of them are for sale and can be purchased in advance by contacting me here.
I'll sell three before the restaurant opens and the other three will be on display there.
Working down in the basement studio wearing a full coverall, reminds me of my last studio.
A.Shay Hahn
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Marvel Universe Sale

Each piece is 10x12inches, acrylic on canvas, $100.00 each or 2 for $160.00
Read all about the pieces at the Any How Town blog
In other exciting news we are confirmed for our annual November show at the Cameron House!
 Very exciting, apologies for being away between wedding preparations and dog raising I haven't had the time to finish anything, but I do hope to have two or maybe all of the first life jackets finished by the weekend.
A.Shay Hahn

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Lifejackets, not the first artist to do this



Here are some process shots of the lifejackets as of yesterday, they're coming along nicely and I'm enjoying using lots and lots of paint on them, building up big bold surfaces, which is not at all how I usually work.
 I'd also like to point out that I'm not the first person on Earth to paint lifejackets. Awesome Toronto artist Holly Farrell http://www.hollyfarrell.com/ who is a stunning painter has done them and so has an artist in the USA named Jane Hambleton. What's funny is that all three of us are using the warm greyish/burnt umber tones for the backgrounds, they really pop the oranges right off the canvas.
 I thought it was important to mention that other people have tackled the subject, not to defend myself against any charges of copying or intellectual theft but that these objects are important to people, they have an instant impact when seen, I'm sure my thoughts on them are completely different than the other artists I've mentioned, probably completely different from yours.
As mentioned in previous posts I'm also working on three more of these and they will be on display at Red Fish Restaurant when they open at the end of the month.
Talk soon,
A.Shay Hahn
twitter @madcraftshoppe
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Scarecrow with Guitar

Scarecrow w/Guitar
12x16inches,acrylic on canvas, unframed
$160.00
Awhile back musician Corin Raymond had mentioned that he'd never seen a scarecrow posed with a guitar, so I decided to oblige him. Corin is the mastermind behind the great Canadian Caper to fund the recording of his next record with Canadian Tire Money, a campaign that has reached the United States and been reported in the Wall Street Journal, you can read all about it and contribute here http://www.dontspendithoney.com/ and I suggest that you do.
A.Shay Hahn

Friday, June 08, 2012

Vintage Life Jackets for Red Fish



We are plugging away right now on these three 24x24" paintings which will be on display at Red Fish restaurant at the end of June. These are beautiful, I was a little stuck as to what to do but after a very productive meeting with Chef David Friedman some ideas started to come out. Actually, I was amazed that I hadn't thought of exploring some of the nautical themed work that I've done (and there's alot). If you go all the way back to "Fables" (see label) and even further to my first show at the Cameron , you'll see the life preserver has always been around as one of my symbols and of course the series "The Boy Who Loved the Water" from around 2009, can't remember which show they were in, featured a kid wearing a life jacket.

These are going to be amazing as a set, you're gonna love em.
A.Shay Hahn

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Playing the Martyr - The Series




Top Photo
Studio Assistant contemplates a diptych
The three following pieces are the beginning of a new series that owes alot to work I did about five years ago. If you click on the label "Fables" (right margin) you can see the first two pieces (maybe three) from the "Playing the Martyr" paintings. I love this work, this is when I'm happiest, I don't question the what and the why of the painting, I don't care if they sell -it's what makes them definitive for me - it is my work at it's purest. So enjoy.
We'd love to hear from you.
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A.Shay Hahn


Sunday, June 03, 2012

Irish/Canadian Flag, Canadian Girl Project

Irish/Canadian Flag
Canadian Girl Project
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00 (commission)
Man am I not happy with the photos I've been taking of my work as of late, promise to do something about it soon.
A.Shay Hahn
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all images property of the artist
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Friday, June 01, 2012

Red Fish restaurant


Red Fish
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00
Double, Lord of the Woodpile!
Why all the sketches and studies you ask ? I'm designing three 24x24" pieces for a new restaurant Chef David Friedman is opening on College Street named Red Fish. I've been mucking about with colour choices and composition while doing other work like the piece above. Stay tuned as the project develops.
Also, my dog is so ridiculously awesome I can hardly stand it.
This weather sucks,
A.Shay Hahn

The Real Anchor Women of St.John's



Anchor Woman (White Dress), Anchor Woman (Black Dress)
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00 each
We have so much going on in the studio right now, sketches, studies, notes, commissions and two more 10x12s that I have to finish today. So much has happened, wish I had the time to catalogue everything and write about it. But the one thing I'll say that has been on my mind all week is what a great honour it was to be left off of this list,                                                                                                    http://blog.piccsy.com/toronto-creatives/50-visual-artists-from-toronto-you-should-know-about
 because it means that I've already arrived. Sure the extra publicity would have been nice for a couple of blog hits, but that's it.
Also, here's a photo of the studio assistant chillin' on the dock on the long weekend, damn he's a cute little fella. Other things today is the Press Club five year anniversary here's a link to the fb event
enjoy the rain plants, you've been very patient
A.Shay Hahn


Monday, May 28, 2012

Press Club Dedicated Wall, May 27th 2012

Press Club Wall, May 27th 2012
RAYGUNS! $80 ea/ two for $150.00
Come Out And Play, Pick Axe, Caesar, The Real Women of Gilligan's Island, Canadian Girl, Tribute to Maurice Sendak, Ballad of Daniel Larusso I & II, Deep Sea Diver, Fencer
all work 10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed $140.00 each
Here's a look at the Press Club Wall, man it is fine so head on down to Dundas West and pick yourself up a painting.
any questions? Send us a message and follow on twitter @madcraftshoppe
it's gonna be a muggy one
A.Shay Hahn
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Friday, May 25, 2012

For the Students (and the cats)


Cat III (Xandar)
6x6inches,acrylic on masonite,framed
commission
Pour les Etudiants (Canadian Girl Project)
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00
Whoo it's hot outside! Not alot to say this morning I just woke up and walked the dog, still pretty fuzzy after a sweaty and fitful sleep last night. The cat in the painting above will be NINETEEN years old this month, I don't  and know alot about cats, but I'm pretty sure that's freakin' old.

A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com 
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Thursday, May 24, 2012

More Pachter than Pachter,Canadian Girl Project

Canadian Girl
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00
I wanted to talk about the sense of fun in Pachter's work, the irreverence, I like that and feel close to it,  not all my painting have a sense of humour, but a good number of them do. I was also reminded why I initially began with the "Caesar" image, my girl and I went to see a touring production (from Philadelphia, I think) of Julius Caesar, it was set in contemporary times with an Obama like Caesar and African American First Lady, everyone in business suits etc. The production toured with a white floor and when it was time for the Senators to draw their letter openers (it worked) and stab him, there wasn't any blood! This big white floor and no blood! What a gip! We go to see Julius Caesar for two reasons so your can recite, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen (and nothing else from the speech)" along with the actor and to see Caesar get whacked.
What a let down.
So as the gears turned I realized that one thing I do like about the Canadian Flag is the red, I like it, it's bold and it reminded me (in this instance) of blood.
So that's how two things get together and become a painting.
Stay hydrated
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Canadian Girl Project (Caesar)

Canadian Girl Project (Caesar)
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00
And another Canadian Girl (see labels) joins the project. This should be at the Press Club on Thursday or Friday for purchase (or holler at me here). Had a bunch of thoughts re me and Charlie Pachter but there's lts to do in the studio and I'll have to post what I was thinking here another time.
A.Shay Hahn
madcraftshoppe@live.com
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Friday, May 18, 2012

The Real Women of Gilligan's Island II

The Real Women of Gilligan's Island II
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas, framed
$140.00
Just a few more hours until the long weekend.
A.Shay Hahn


Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Real Women of Gilligan's Island I


Cat II
6x6inches,acrylic on canvas,framed $40.00
The Real Women of Gilligan's Island
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas, framed
$140.00
I paint eight hours a day five days a week, regardless of whether I have an idea or not, I'll choose something like the Sphynx cat and get working hopefully another idea will come. I am revisiting some past ideas right now and nostalgia is also playing a big part in the current work I'm doing so when my brain flicked onto the title, "The Real Women of Gilligan's Island" first, well first I laughed and second I just started working at the toning of this piece like crazy, I really like it, like the attitude that "Mary Anne" (Marianne?sp?) is projecting.
cheers,
A.Shay Hahn

New Studio Assistant

It's not often that I hire someone to help out with the workload but there's going to be alot of things that need to be done by August so I caved and hired this young fella who goes by the name of Double to help out in the studio.
He's doing an excellent job so far and I look forward to many productive days with him at my side.
enjoy the sunshine,
A.Shay Hahn


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Come Out And Play (Baseball Furies)


Cat
 6x6inches, acrylic on canvas,framed SOLD.
Come Out And Play (Baseball Furies)
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed $140.00
The top painting is my morning warm up piece and I thought this time I would paint things I have never done before, the series will probably be animal based and what better place to start than with the Sphynx Cat, possibly the most adored and loved animal on Earth. I looked at lots of pics of them before starting this painting and the depth of character and personality these animals have is incredible.
The bottom piece continues the walk down memory lane that began with the Marvel series and has taken us to visit the Karate Kid and Toho studios.
I am not a fan of baseball, never have been never will be, but the movie "the Warriors" is a definite classic in my opinion and the Baseball Furies were the best costume design in the film.
This isn't the best photo but there's a ton of nice toning and shading. This piece did take a few days to get right but it turned out jsut fine.
A.Shay Hahn

Thursday, May 10, 2012

A Day At The Office (Toho Studios)

Another Day At the Office (Toho Studios)
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
SOLD
I'll have to come back to this, lots to go
Go, Go Godzilla.
A.Shay Hahn


Tuesday, May 08, 2012

A Tribute To Maurice Sendak

Long Live the King
(for Maurice Sendak)
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed,.
A very sad day in the studio, one of the true greats has passed, the Wild Rumpus will pause for a moment of silence.
A.Shay Hahn

Press Club Wall, May 7th, A.Shay Hahn


Spent the day in the shop yesterday building frames, I just love buying a stack of 10x12's and going to town on them (see the Royal Families, (50), What if, labels section), I know there are other things I'm supposed to be doing but I feel like painting and it's hard to get me to do anything else if I want to paint, so don't even try.
The Bottom shot is the Press Club wall which I went and fixed yesterday, if you scroll down you can see how lopsided it was, well, this looks awesome and here's the price list
RAYGUNS! 8x10 inches, acrylic on canvas, framed $80.00ea. or two for $150.00
Woman with Two Axes, Pick Axe, Violin, Pilot, Sledgehammer, The Man Who Stopped to Read, The Ballad of Danny Larusso I & II, Deep Sea Diver, The Fencer
All pieces are 10x12inches,acrylic on canvas, framed $140.00 each
Have a great day,
A.Shay Hahn

I am art, please do not throw me away

A message to the government of Canada
Actually these are the kinds of signs you find marking strange looking projects in theatre carpentry shops.
A.Shay Hahn

Monday, May 07, 2012

Woman With Two Axes, the return

Woman with Two Axes
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas, framed
$140.00
I'll be hanging this piece and another either today or later on in the week at the Press Club, it's been awhile since we've seen the axe women, I thought it would be nice to bring them back for a limited time.
A.Shay Hahn


Saturday, May 05, 2012

Sixteen 6x6's prepped and ready to go

Sixteen new little babies waiting for the brush. There will be some big announcements coming up in the following weeks, a new project has been confirmed and I am thrilled to be the artist chosen to create the work. Once I get some sketches and measurements etc. ready to go I'll fill you in on what I'm doing.
Have a happy Free Comic Book Day
A.Shay Hahn

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Press Club Wall, Thursday May 3rd

What is at the Press Club and Why you should buy it.

Six Million Dollar Man $80.00
this is a fine, fine rendering of the Six Million Dollar Man 30cm tall action figure that if you are between the ages of 40 and 45 you wish that you had kept instead of selling it at your family garage sale in 1982.
Pick Axe $140.00
The musculature and pose of the figure in this piece is exquisite, the hair gives a very definite sense of movement, very empowering.
RAYGUNS! $80.each/ 2 for $150.00
Nothing says I am retro but also eager to embrace the future like a couple of rayguns hanging on your wall.
Violin $140.00
A sturdy and secure execution of a woman playing a violin, or depending on the company you keep, this could also be a fiddle.
Pilot $140.00
One of A.Shay Hahn's trademark "red airplanes" a must for collectors.
Black Hammer $140.00
Nothing says feminine power like a woman in a nightie holding a black sledgehammer.
The Man Who Stopped to Read $140.00
If you love the Classics, or walking sticks, or both, this is the piece for you.
The Balled of Daniel Larusso I & II $140.00 each
From our "Pure Nostalgia" series a fond look back to 1984 and the film that brought us all closer together
Deep Sea Diver and The Fencer $140.00 each
If you consider your apartment, condo or house "slick" then you need these two hot hits of red to make that entryway really shout.

There you go folks, so head on down to the Press Club, 850 Dundas West. Yes the wall looks a little lopsided but I hope to have two more pieces finished by Monday to hang.
get going, tell a friend
A.Shay Hahn
@madcraftshoppe on twitter
THE WALL HAS BEEN UPDATED, see more recent entries

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

The Ballad of Danny Larusso, Requiem for the Karate Kid

The Ballad of Danny Larusso II
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00
at the Press Club
There may be one more of these done for tomorrow, enjoy.
A.Shay Hahn

The Ballad of Danny Larusso, Johnny Swept the Leg

The Ballad of Danny Larusso
10x12inches,acrylic on canvas,framed
$140.00
I get alot of traffic to the blog because of the Mariachi! skeleton paintings that I do, personally I prefer the Skeleton Hallowe'en costumes which I've painted a few times. I wanted to get some new work up at the Press Club and shoot the wall there and while I was painting the Marvel Series I started blocking in some new musicians and eventually I ended up here, laughing my ass off.
I mean seriously, who didn't love the Karate Kid?
I'll be hanging this one this eve, the last skeleton piece I did (see labels (50) was stolen from the Press Club and I figure this is also a way to trap the thief.
A.Shay Hahn

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Avengers Assemble! Marvel Universe series

What I wanted was for  the photo to fill the whole frame but it's too wide, ah well.
Here's the series so far, if you  have any suggestions feel free to get in touch.
A.Shay Hahn


MODOK, ARNIM ZOLA and A.Shay Hahn


Arnim Zola (Samurai Warrrior)
Modok (Celestial!)
Okay this is my last day of painting Marvel characters, tomorrow it's back to work editing my first book and getting it sent out to some agents. This has been a great break and alot of fun. To read about the characters in the photos above head to the Any How Town blog.
The thing at the bottom is an email address if you need to get in contact with me, I suggest you use it.
later,
A.Shay Hahn

Friday, April 27, 2012

Namor and the Thing, Marvel Universe Series


NAMOR (w/nunchuks)
THE THING (Things to come physiognomy)
10x12inches,acrylic on  canvas
Marvel Universe Series
Hey, it's been a great couple of weeks painting up these superheroes, I have one more to post tomorrow and then it's time to get back to writing and painting other things but it's been a great break and much needed. You can read my thoughts on each piece over at the Any How Town blog (see links).
have a great weekend,
A.Shay Hahn