holinaty.com/BLOG

I’ve started up a photoblog containing random photos I take. There will be no words there. Just random inspirations. It’s called photo oto oto.

Expect more posts.

It is finally complete. Thanks to all who took part in this amazing project: Luke Ramesy, ESPA, EJHS, and the many friendly interns! If you want to see this in “real life”, go to the intersection of 105st and 100ave, here in Edmonton.

Friend and writer Fish Griwkowsky even wrote a nice thing about the mural in the current issue of the local weekly, SEE Magazine. READ IT HERE.

Want to see a nice high-res version of the image? (soon to be replaced with a better image): CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Besides that, it probably goes without saying, it’s best seen in “real life”. if you do go check it out in person, be sure to stand on the meridian in the middle of the road to get the best view. Sure, it’s probably illegal, but totally hella worth it. 

Things have been moving along slower than expected, thanks in part to this unusually rainy and wet July, here in Edmonton. But alas, the wall has finally been etched and nearly completely primed (you can see the figure on the right undergoing its second coating of primer). Forecast says we can expect some rain in the next day or two, so we’re not sure what exactly will happen — but rest assured, the next batch of nice shiny days = nice batches of colour on the wall. Until then, fingers crossed.

maisonneuve is one ****** awesome Canadian-made, quarterly magazine. Besides the bajillions of nominations and wins and accolades every year at the National Magazine Awards for their editorial and illustrative content, maisonneuve is run only by a small group of folks on a very small ship (but a ship with taste!).  They always seem to be pushing the limit with every issue they put out. With that said, it’s not too often that I’m asked to take on portraiture for an illustration job, so Anna Minzhulina (the AD) thought she’d put me to task.

Their cover story for the current issue is “The Music We Hate”, so Anna thought it would be “fun” to have me create some unflattering portraits of the bands / musicians at stake. A total of 10 portraits – definitely a bit of a challenge maintaining likeness along with crappiness / ugliness – but not to worry, Anna really knows how to lay that stuff out and make it make sense. You can see a few more on the olde site, but if you really want a “true experience”, I recommend you just pick up the current issue!

above: Sonic Youth. Below: Animal Collective.

Sidenote: This current issue of maissonneuve has a total of THREE (3) illustrators who have contributed to Genevieve and I’s International Beauty Saloon zine-zone. Cool! Nice work Byron, Victor and me.

Tomorrow night is the Refinery night at the Art Gallery of Alberta, a soiree of art and fun and sips that tends to go fairly late. It coincides with their fresh exhibitions, and within that, they also commission a few local creators-of-things-visual to make something special for all the people attending. I was one of the approached this time around, and proposed the idea of making a small little book / zine that relates to their current (and awesome) Warner Bros. exhibition. It’s a bit crude and crass and lo-fi, andt if you want one, you have to come to Refinery night. Each ticket comes with a signed and stamped copy of the zine. Will they become coasters or collectibles for all those late night partiers, only time will tell…

Well, it’s been a while! Sorry for the lack of updates, so here’s some fresh info:

Just over a year ago, the Edmonton Small Press Association found out that they had been granted funds by the Edmonton Arts Council to create a large-scale community mural they proposed, here in Edmonton, with the talented Luke Ramesy and I collaborating as lead artists.  We were, and are, totally excited!

Fast forward to now: earlier this week Luke finally landed in Edmonton and the project officially began!  The image will find it’s home on the John Howard Society’s 105st and 100ave location (east facing wall) in the downtown regions of the city. The JHS is are also very much a part of this project; not only have they donated the wall, they are also providing us with cozy workplace facilities and friends. We expect the mural to take approximately 3-4 weeks, weather pending, etc…

The process: I will keep you updated with mural’s growth, indeed. Currently the wall’s surface needs to be prepared so the paint primer will stick. That could be a few days away, but like I said, will keep you posted.