Colleen Mckeown

It comes in fits and starts

2012-01-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Urns

2012-01-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

I did a small image for my friends band Urns, http://urnsurnsurns.wordpress.com/

Overdue

2012-01-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

I took a little break. I took a big trip, moved, and started a new full time job and my mental facilities just couldn't handle much more. But I'm back on the wagon and ready to work again. We Ain't Friends is back up and hopefully we will be releasing a little something every week.

QWAC Revisited

2011-09-25T15:25:00.001-07:00

The Queen West Art Crawl was a huge success. The weather was beautiful and the faces were friendly. I am so pleased with the positive reactions to my work. Thanks to all he friends who helped out/hung out/kept the coffee flowing, you are are so wonderful. Please keeping checking back on bridgeandlung.etsy.com as I am trying to get the products up asap.

everyone has their hide out

2011-08-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

I reworked an old drawing I was never quite happy with.

for the words you carry

2011-08-27T18:26:00.001-07:00

I am not very happy with this, I think i may need to start over.

sketches from the field

2011-07-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

little logs

2011-07-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

This year I will be participating in the Queen West Art Crawl as a vendor in Trinity Bellwoods park, Sept 17 and 18. Please come by and visit (don't worry i will remind you). I will be selling some of my new jewellery pieces. Here's a peak at my new little log earrings.

More work

2011-06-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

The past two days I have gotten quite a lot of work finished. I have been going through old sketches and bringing the better ones to life. As I have been playing with computer coloring and I am growing more confident in what I can accomplish. I like the consistency it seems to have given my work. Today was a good day.

the ghosts you draw on my back

2011-06-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

eight

2011-06-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

All loose things seem to drift down to the sea, and so do I.

rework

2011-05-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

dead people

2011-05-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

“Say anything you like, but don't say that I 'like' to work. That sounds like Mary Pickford, that prissy bitch. Just say I like to pinch babies and twist their legs. And get drunk.” - Mabel Normand.

I have been working on a few portraits lately. These went through many different incarnations before I decided to go back to what I know and keep it simple.

third eye

2011-05-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

the flood of 1924

2011-05-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Chris Postill and I made a small stop-motion film, please check it out here www.flood.aintfriends.com . We wanted to thank everyone who helped us out with it through the indie-gogo website.

the adventurer

2011-05-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

This image was well over a year in the making. I made the fish image over a year ago but could never figure out how to complete it. I'm glad I can finally move on from it.

sometimes.

2011-05-24T19:26:00.001-07:00

This is more than a little bit ridiculous.

everyone loves spooning

2011-05-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with digital colouring lately, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It just seems a little soul-less but maybe I am just partial. I am getting increasingly more frustrated with coloring images, it is by far my weak spot. Beyond the successful application of color, I think I am most stunted by choosing a direction and having a clear vision of what I want to accomplish.

NEW NEW!

2011-04-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Just a few new paintings. 2 pieces one of which is in the Freedom Clothing Collective Characters show. I've started working in gouache on wood panels and adding 3D or textural elements.

Character Group Show

2011-04-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

I have a piece in the Characters Group show at Freedom Clothing Collective. pretty cool.

April 8th – May 3rd

Opening Reception:
Friday, April 8th at 8 pm
Live music by Jason Poisson at 8.30 pm

Oh mom i am sorry

2011-04-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have a solo show up for the rest of this month, of all new works, at Come As You Are. Please stop by and check them out.

Come As You Are
701 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1E6
Canada

Erotica for the Mildly Aroused: New Works by Colleen McKeown
Does an image need to show a hardcore graphic representation of sex to still be considered erotic when we are saturated with sexual images in the mainstream medias? This series of erotic illustrations range from ordinary romantic touches to fun and mildly stimulating representations of sexuality.

Burner Magazine

2011-03-01T06:05:00.000-08:00

I have a drawing in the newest issue of Burner Magazine, an online pop art and music magazine.

The Flood of 1924

2011-02-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

We ain't friends has another project on the go, a small animation based on one of my drawings. "The Flood of 1924" will be our very first film that we've done together and we are both really excited about it. The film will be a short, stop motion picture that tells the story of a young girl in her boat after a great flood has covered everything she knows. She explores on a stormy night, obviously determined & looking for something, but what that is remains unclear. Eventually she finds it sunk at the bottom of the ocean floor, an airtight bunker that is her best chance of finding a friend.

We're asking for support to make this and other creative projects! Check out the page here and pledge to the project if it seems interesting to you.

http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Flood-of-1924

I am a true woodsman.

2011-02-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

I built the tiniest of log cabin's out of some match sticks. I thought I would should you my step by step (I do apologize for the photobooth photos).

I'm working on some new art

2011-02-13T20:36:00.001-08:00

it doesn't look at all like this:

Farewell old friend

2011-01-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

I am saying goodbye to my old (SLOW!!) website and hello to my new one. I am a lucky girl to have such good friends, friends who will make me websites and help me get them up and running. I thought that, before they are lost to the internet forever, I should upload a few images that didn't make the cut on the new site. Please check out the great web/graphic designer Christopher Postill if you are in need of graphic work.

OH MY! OH MY!

2011-01-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

BIG NEWS! My mini book necklaces can now be bought in stores!
3 wonderful retailers have a selection of my one of a kind necklaces, so stop in and check them out.

Propaganda
686 Yonge st.

The Drake General Store
1144 Queen St West

Freedom Clothing Collective
939 Bloor st. West.

It has been a real pleasure dealing with these stores and I am very excited to see what new opportunities this opens up.

Holiday Pop Up Shop

2010-12-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

My mini-book necklaces will be a part of Project 165's Holiday Pop Up Shop at Methinks Gallery in Kensington. A whole wack of talented artists, crafters, and creative folk will have their wares for sale so please check it out!

165 Augusta Ave (Kensington Market)
Toronto, ON, Canada
M5T 2L4
December 10 – 27, 12 – 6pm daily

Art Fair this weekend

2010-12-03T18:28:00.000-08:00

I will be at the Studio 561 Winter Art Fair this weekend. I will be selling my mini book necklaces and a few zines and odds and ends. Please stop by !

wee books for everyone

2010-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

My mini hand-bound hardcover book necklaces are now available!!! Please check out the ETSY shop.

it's been a while.

2010-11-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

IM BACKKKKK....

I severly appologize for the lack of art updates. The past few months have been consumed by WE AINT FRIENDS BOOKS, and our current comic EZ Grocery and video. But, now that part one is done hopefully i can get some other work done.

Today i recieved an email from an old coworker which simply stated "i stole this." along with a picture of an old doodle i had done on a scrap of foamcore while bored at work. I thought it would be a good image to share as i try to get back in the swing of blogging about my art.

We Ain't Friends Books

2010-08-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

aintfriends.com

Chris Postill and I have been working on a graphic novel for some time now, and in the process of doing so have already stumbled into a number of other ideas we need to produce. Therefore we’ll be using this website as a place to self-publish our books, post online comics, and hopefully get our stories out to people who might like em. Currently we’re obsessively working on our first real collaboration together, EZ Grocery & Video. Please have a look at aintfriends.com, and check back often for updates.

a day like today

2010-08-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

Today i participated in Bang! Vaughn, an outdoor/indoor art event. I was selling my mini book necklaces and a few illustrations. It definitely was a beautiful day for it.

yo ho ho

2010-08-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

i am home again and i wish i was away again.

Carpalapse - Kahr-pa-laps

2010-07-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

While I've been traveling making things and drawing has been difficult. I have however made a small zine, called Carpalapse. Its about using my hands during the creative process. This book and the larger graphic novel I am making with my friend Chris Postill will be available at this years Canzine.

I'm running away.

2010-07-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

I wont be posting much for the next month as I am going on a road trip to the east coast of Canada. My travel partner and i are going to find some good music and hopefully make some videos. I believe he will be uploading some of our travel videos and interesting stuff on his site, www.chrispostill.com, so be sure to check that out!
Hopefully i will do a bunch of drawing while i am away and will update asap.

my hands expose me.

2010-06-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Because my bike's rear fender fell off and i am stuck indoors.

for my old man.

2010-06-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

A very happy fathers day to my super Pops.

Books Binded!

2010-06-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

These are the results of my book binding weekend. We took the design I had previously posted and transferred it to a silk screen so we could make our own covers and inside pages. I made 2 pamphlet style books, one Button Hole Stitch and the other Dos-A-Dos with a z-cover. I also made a hard cover Case Bound book, I'm pretty proud of this one. I think I may be making a few more books in the coming weeks.

i'm going book binding!

2010-06-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am taking a weekend workshop at Open Studio. I'm pretty excited because it's also being taught by Shannon Gerard who's comic work I really admire. I had to prepare a few patterns to be silk screened, which I have posted below. I will update with my creations after this weekend.

once i knew it was all i could know.

2010-06-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

reduce, reuse, recycle.

2010-06-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

I's The B'y

2010-05-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Cut layers of ink on mylar, gouache.

yes'mam

2010-05-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

Occupational Hazards

2010-05-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

So it seems that i have developed "de quervain's tenosynovitis", yup it's a real thing. Which is basically tendonitis of the wrist and thumb. I have to get a custom splint made. It's kind of upsetting for someone who wants to spend their life drawing, but on the plus side I cranked out 2 new pieces (even with a bum hand!) which will be uploaded shortly.

... and then i fell over in the chair.

Woah Momma!

2010-05-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

Just a little happy mother's day to my mum, and all mum's out there.

minty fresh, like girl guide cookies.

2010-04-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

just playing around a bit today. planning some things i hope to execute soon.

fruits of my labour.

2010-04-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Things are winding down at school so i thought i'd take the time to upload some class work. Most are in-class exercises. I wont be going back next semester as i have decided to go out on my own. The practice was a good experience though.

that devious smile.

2010-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

Mona and i have been spending a fair amount of time together lately.
I recently had a project where i was to take the Mona Lisa and re-do it in the style of an illustrator of my choice. I choose Sam Weber, whom i greatly admire. Hopefully this isn't too insulting to him.

musical eclipse.

2010-04-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

for when you cannot help but move.

almost thru.

2010-04-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

It seems these days I've been doodling more in class than actually taking notes. My margins are brimming.

work.krow

2010-03-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

I drew a bunch of birds for the spring window display at work this month. It's really great being able to be at "work" when I'm just drawing and painting cute birds. Sorry for the glare.

suddenly our chests were full.

2010-03-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

I found this in a pile of paper hidden in the deep recesses of my room.

we will transform you.

2010-03-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Just a few sketchbook updates. I visited the Body Worlds exhibit and saw fetuses, crazy.

cross-stitching society.

2010-02-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

Another digital assignment, collageing texture. I think i will definitely redo this by hand. I like the composition though.

inks and needles

2010-02-21T18:17:00.000-08:00

I recently did a drawing for a friend to get tattooed. It's pretty amazing to have your work permanently etched into someones skin. I just did the outline work and a great tattoo artist Evie did all the real leg work. I will update these as she gets it colored in.

It's rollerskating Barbie!

we take turns fastening buttons.

2010-02-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

I think my digital media class is the only class I'm getting anything out of right now. Hopefully that will change next semester.

The cars that go boom.

2010-02-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

I have been playing with some new stylization and i like where it's going. Next step is to start making some little book/zines soon. I have decided that i am going to get enough done to try to sell at Canzine next year. This image obviously has a great deal of technical problems, but it's a good representation as to what I'm starting to work like.

The predictions you've hidden in your sock drawer.

2010-01-19T16:51:00.000-08:00

On another note. I decide to make a comic based on growing up with my wonderful, lovely, yet obsessively clean Mother and her psychic tendencies. Tarot cards, occult books, auras, and not being allowed to put my feet on the sofa.

I will post images as soon as it's out of my head and onto a scrap.

I'm coughing up colours.

2010-01-19T16:45:00.001-08:00

My ego has been given a swift kick in the arse. It feels good to be surrounded by 22 others who are better than me. Its a challenge I surely needed, but my stress level is building fast. I have a project due in every class every week. I'm not drawing nearly enough. I need to remember to eat and take my vitamins. I'm really trying to.

This is my first crack at digital painting. I even had to buy a tablet, much to my distaste. It's a fairly boring image unfortunately.

homework?

2009-11-15T20:19:00.000-08:00

It's official, I'm back in the school cycle. I will be going back to school for a few years to refine my skills and get myself all set to go. I'm excited and completely terrified. It will be a big change for sure, but one for the better i know.

a little bit fantastic

2009-10-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to the Toronto Craft Alert for linking me on their "Crafty Linkage" page. Im listed with a lot of excellent other toronto illustrators. Check them out here: http://torontocraftalert.ca/links/#TO_Bloggers

garage sale

2009-10-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

I need to clean house!

I have put some old work up on my Etsy site in hopes of clearing it out. I just don't see any point in having it sitting around in storage. Check it out here:

www.handmadehero.etsy.com

koobhcteks

2009-10-20T18:54:00.001-07:00

a little less conversation

2009-10-19T20:05:00.001-07:00

more show pieces...

SOLD

little fits of encouragement

2009-10-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

The Wild Heart show was a great success! Many thanks to Drew Lint for putting it all together, he did an excellent job. Here's a look at a few of the pieces that i have up, more will follow.

8x10

Acrylic and ink on layered plexiglass

SOLD

8x10

Acrylic and ink on layered plexiglass

8x10

Acrylic and ink on layered plexiglass

8x10

Acrylic and ink on layered plexiglass

SOLD

The Wild Heart

2009-10-14T04:47:00.000-07:00

So it's that time again. I will be a part of a massive group show at The Whippersnapper Gallery this coming saturday. It will be mixed bag of different styles and talents so be sure to drop by.

Or check out the event at :

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151375013189&ref=ss

'twas only a few moons ago.

2009-10-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

I was looking at a few of my older pieces and deciphering what my strengths and weaknesses have been over the years. I feel like some are still relevant to my style so here's a look back:

people are staring...

2009-09-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

I was featured on a couple of other blogs today so thanks to http://illustrativo.com/ and http://cohete.tumblr.com/ for the posts!

square foot pieces

2009-09-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the progress from the pieces i did for the square foot show. They seemed to get a great response as all the guys at the gallery were telling me how much they like them and couldn't believe that they didn't sell. Sometimes a girl just needs a little encouragement to make everything seem doable again.

tree hugger

2009-08-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

here's another work in progress. I think i will print it out at this stage and go over it by hand. Im still struggling with finishing peices. i don't know what i want my final output to look like.

something sinister

2009-08-19T23:33:00.000-07:00

so as a last minute add i made some buttons for my friend's show, but my images were far too detailed and really didn't work that small. i think they will have more impact as full size works. WARNING, please keep in mind that the show's theme was bestiality....

SOLD

a few new bits and pieces.

2009-08-19T23:29:00.000-07:00

square foot show was good, i will post photos as soon as a find that cord that connects my camera to my computer...urg.
it's been so hard getting any work done while working full time but heres one small one. i think it may need a re-scan.

12X12X12X12X12X12X12X12

2009-07-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is the first time my work will be up in a gallery, although it will be me and 500 other people, but im still kinda excited. Also this gives me great drive to actually get some work done. I'm planning 3 pieces which i will post in future.

So come out to Awol gallery on Aug 15th to see the show!

toes that twitch with vocal cord vibrations.

2009-07-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

i've been trying out different mediums on wood panels. I was sure i was going to take up wood burning as a new medium, though after some trials i don't think it will be a very quick process. i've decided not to do it for the series of women i'm doing for the square foot show. I was hoping it would work well for my line work, which you can see on the right side of some of her face, but i kept getting very bumpy lines.

I tried markers, ball-point, pencil, highlighters, gouache and i think i'm still falling back to my trusted pencil.

the end of the line.

2009-06-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

I feel like lately i've been doing a lot of thinking about work i want to do and not a lot of actual work is getting done. I think it's because i struggle so hard with figuring out what a piece needs to be finished. So much of my work is light and simple, and i like it that way, but i think it may come off as sketches and not finished works. Here's an example, i think that i will continue this as a series of girls spelling words or making shapes with their hands, but i have no idea where to go from here.

tearing my hair under the covers.

2009-06-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to make myself use my sketchbook more often lately, i just find it so hard to be consistent. I'd love to get to the point where my sketchbook feels like a continuation of my brain in a physical sense. Where i can pick it up and draw as i think with no concern for who is going to see it or how well its executed, but simply as a form of constant creative flow and imagination. Anyways, heres a peak:

specs on specs

2009-03-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

pastries and bravado

2009-03-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

i'm starting to play with art on different mediums. Most often scraps i've found and cardboard are giving me the best results. This one didn't really hold its own though.

gizzards and funny bones

2009-02-19T11:37:00.001-08:00

testing

2009-02-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

fetal

2009-02-13T16:10:00.001-08:00

jut doodling bit...

valentines candy

2009-02-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

dr. sketchys

2009-02-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

varicose veins

2009-02-10T10:42:00.001-08:00

laughing under pressure

2009-02-09T18:51:00.001-08:00

darling doe eyed

2009-02-03T16:41:00.001-08:00

i'm beginning again. starting from scratch. building me.

stick face

2008-10-01T18:22:00.000-07:00