A Subversive Spring

In time to celebrate the third day of spring, I would like to share a few more pieces of my art with all of you. Spring, to me, signifies not only the blooming of flowers and the revival of culottes, but also time for new subversive collages, meant to inspire, dazzle and perplex.

I've been working here and there on a few new pieces but sadly haven't finished anything in time for display, so I'll share a few of the "classics."

"Scarlett Johannson"

I found Scarlett to be a great subversive collage subject, both due to her accessible media coverage and her widespread association with foreign diplomacy and the health care debate. Scarlett is one of my oldest collages-- I've had several offers for this piece and there's an ongoing bidding war between both Vancouver and craigslist for it. I will sell Scarlett to the highest bidder, as is my usual practice. Feel free to enter the war!

$750.00 CAN

"Heartthrob", close-up

This is a newer collage; pretty self-explanatory. I'm trying to explore the ties between society's idea of justice and beauty, and the space in between. What happens in that space? How deeply is justice intertwined with beauty, and vice versa? Which gender is more affected by this collage? Can we even be divided and defined into genders?

The answers may surprise you. Do John Krasinski, Tim Riggins and James Franco hold the answers? I'm not sure, but I enjoy looking at them.

Not for sale.

THE PROCESS

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a subversive collage. I like to seclude myself in my workspace and not be disturbed while I'm collaging. I will occasionally permit visits while I'm working but will rarely speak during them.

A little known fact is that I will, on occasion, collaborate with another artist for a piece. Here Zak works on a piece that we made over the summer and presented as a gift to a friend. Zak first became familiar with my work when I entered a fan art contest he and his boys at Family Contact were holding. Intrigued by the subversiveness of the piece, he decided to interview me. Since then, Zak and I have collaborated on many projects together (perhaps you've read about our work on Buffy), and while we have very different styles, they can sometimes merge together into a successful collage.

THE RESULTS

"Amy's Birthday"

I don't think Zak was entirely satisfied with the end result; like Angela Martin, he's a known perfectionist.

If we had not given this subversive collage to a friend, I would have priced it at $445.00 CAN.

On occasion, I will write to different art societies and present my work to them. Last year I wrote to the Ontario Crafts Council and sent them the below letter.

I of course also included pictures of the mentioned collages, including "Angelina Jolie/Jennifer Aniston" "Scarlett Johannson" and "Lost." To date, there has been no reply from the OCC. Oftentimes, I find that art societies and councils can become overwhelmed when viewing my work, as it reminds them of art's potential. Sometimes no reply is needed.

I hope these collages brighten up your first few days of spring. Which collage do YOU find the most inspiring? Do you dream of creating your own subversive collage? Who would you like to see featured next? As always, I'd love to hear it.

My First Gif

Have you ever dreamed of seeing yourself clad in red crushed velour, driving a wooden stake (or two) into the hearts of your vampiric enemies? Have you ever wanted to watch this scene again and again, in an endless loop of destruction and dusting? Have you ever thought that you were more deserving of a gif than anyone else that you know?

I have. And now my dreams have come true.

Thanks to my editor and cinematographer, Zak Tatham, I have been immortalized in gif form (this now marks one of my life goals complete). Check it out!

I've always been very intrigued by gifs and I think I'd like to use more of them and their hypnotic powers. My favorite gif-master can be found here, Rich from fourfour who has an awesome blog. He makes gifs even more fun by combining them with the ridiculousness that is Tyra Banks and America's Next Top Model (a show often overlooked by the Emmys, though it could be [but is not] described as the critic's darling for its innovative and often unflinching look into the fashion industry and society).

Now I challenge YOU to make your own gifs, whether they be gifs of me or gifs of things that aren't me.

Special thanks to Zak T., who I hope will have a long future in the gif-industry.

2009: A Fashion Review

I rarely speak of my day job, for fear of this happening. However, I've received quite a few enquires lately as to my full-time employment, asking whether I write screenplays for cancelled TV shows full-time or if I breadwin with my collages. To that, I say NEITHER. Though I can't name my exact company, let's just say I work in the creative division of the fashion industry.

My colleague Christina and I work as what is loosely named "trend forecasters." We're the ones who try to anticipate the upcoming trends and then look past THEM and find the next ones. We roadtest outfits, accessories, entire color schemes and figure out what works and what absolutely does not. As part of our job, we model these looks for major stores and buyers to help them figure out their new fashion lines.

When asked about the best part of my job, I would say it's having such a direct impact on the fashion industry. Being able to look out the window and see a young gal wearing blue and think "You know, we really pushed for the blue trend this fall." The worst part? The almost daily photoshoots. The having to take photogenic-ness to a whole new level. The nerves when watching Fashion Week runway shows, hoping the designers got it right this year. It's not your average 9-5 type gig.

Enough of the explanations; that's not what fashion is about. Let me take you on a review of 2009's major fashion trends and show you exactly where they started (in the company whose name I cannot say).

TREND: PLAID

Christina models one of our earliest trends for the 2009 year, which was picked up by designers worldwide and exploded in a huge plaid confetti ball in stores everywhere. We decided to push for plaid not only as a throwback to older beloved figures but as a way to make plaid new again. While I haven't seen too many models or celebs wearing plaid shirts as pants yet, we're predicting 2010 might be the year for that.

Mary-Kate Olsen got it halfway right, at least.

TREND: EXAGGERATED SHOULDERS

This was a major trend not for the faint of heart. Christina and I have always felt that if you've got big shoulders, you owe it to the public to show 'em off. And if you don't have big shoulders, well then, this was your lucky year. I'm luckily blessed with huge shoulders (there were no shoulder enhancements or photoshop in the above pic, just all natural me).

I suspect these might not be natural.

TREND: POLKA DOTS

Polka dots were one of my favorite trends of the year. Add polka dots to any outfit and they make it instantly more fun and cuter, often invoking a vintage feel. See?

TREND: EXTREME PROPS & ACCESSORIES

Though a bit impractical for the workplace, a well-chosen prop or accessory (I recommend life-sized ones) can make a much stronger statement than a simple neck scarf or brooch can. I hope Christina can inspire you to grab that vampire cape or decorative sledgehammer and catwalk it to the grocery store or counselling appointment.

This trend is also accessible and easy to pull off.

TREND: MENSWEAR INFLUENCE

To fully understand this trend, we studied real-life male models for a week, allowing them to enter our workspace and walk our office runways. It was then that we discovered the importance of comfort to men, of having a well-tailored pair of khaki shorts and semi-reflective running shoes, and how crucial it is to include these factors in menswear inspired items.

I think you can see how our diligent research paid off and was directly applied to the runway.

TREND: ONESIES/ROMPERS

We had originally pushed for rompers to be a seasonal type of outfit, to be worn on major holidays. However, stars like Katy Perry have really taken over the romper and turned it into an everyday ensemble. While my admiration for KP knows no end, I still think that a well-worn holiday romper can steal the spotlight at any holiday party or on Christmas morn. Best worn with oversize accessories (see above) and no shame.

TREND: BLUE

We noticed that blue really picked up this year, especially by some of the best known celebrities and classiest ladies around. You can't imagine how this made us feel, especially after some of the designers originally told us that blue was "too risky" for the runway.

See you in hell, Christian Dior.

They will, too.

TREND: WESTERN INFLUENCE

The western trend was really fun for us to play around with, adding fringe and piping to anything that moved. Faux hay, faux horsehide and bleached grass were all experimented with in large amounts but proved fruitless. Sometimes in fashion you have to admit defeat.

It's a minimalist take on our idea for western. Not the best interpretation, but at least he got the giant accessory/prop part right.

TREND: METALLICS

Christina demonstrates the amount of confidence it takes to wear an entire outfit designed to reflect light. A medium to medium-large amount (depending on whether you wear the blue sequined catmask or not).

I actually had the pleasure of serving Adrian Brody while bartending for TIFF. While he wasn't wearing his metallic suit when I met him, it was hard to refrain myself from letting him know who I really was. I of course did not reveal my true identity and served him his vodka and water in silence, with zero eye contact. Sometimes customer service must be forsaken in the name of fashion; it's just how it goes. But how I wish I could have said "Bravo, Adrian Brody, for truly understanding our hopes for the metallic trend!" I would also have said that I enjoyed him in The Village.

TREND: RAINBOW PALETTE

A trend for those color lovers out there, we wanted the rainbow trend to include wearing a piece of clothing in every color of the rainbow in a single outfit. Special thanks to Roy G. Biv.

As usual, Fashion Week got it wrong and reduced our rainbow trend to merely wearing bright colors. We've spoken to most of these designers and expressed our displeasure. But again, this happens all the time in our line of work. You just try to not let it get to you.

TREND: FLORALS

Always fun, never matronly, a delicate (or bold) floral pattern is perfect for a spring day, garden party or loft conversion ceremony.

Scarlett knows.

TREND: WEARING YELLOW (in everyday life)

If I'm being honest here, there's no elaborate reason we wanted a yellow trend to begin. Our skin tones both just look really good in yellow.

Sometimes fashion is vain.

However, these ladies demonstrate the proper ways to wear yellow in day-to-day activities.

TREND: FINGERLESS GLOVES

When we first started pushing this trend, many people were confused as to how fingerless gloves would keep their hands warm in the winter. To this, we suggested wearing fingerless gloves UNDERNEATH normal gloves and then removing the outer layer as soon as possible for a fun surprise. While they won't really keep your hands warm, they will make many people wonder why you have black lace on your hands. And that's what fashion is really about.

Interestingly enough, we noticed this trend was really picked up by athletes and the sports crowd. It just goes to show that you can never really predict how fashion works.

TREND: FUR HATS

Fur (faux, of course) hats were something Christina and I thought could be worn by everyone, from small children to large men to mannequins alike. We were quite pleased when this trend finally caught on in the winter months. Now I can't think of a single person who doesn't have a (faux) fur hat somewhere in his or her closet.

Really, not a single one.

Dead on.

When I asked Christina a few months ago her thoughts about the next major upcoming trend, she didn't say a word. She just reached into her bag and pulled out these shorts. I was mystified, but trusted that the answer would come in time.

Later in the month as I watched the next major fashion shows, what did my keen and perceptive eye behold?

Oh, just denim shorts being paraded around the runways as if they were the Burlington Teen Tour Marching Band. Just another example of how Christina's eerie intuition blows me away everytime. Maybe she's born with it...

This concludes my review of 2009's major fashion trends. Where does that leave us now? The future. Please feel free to ask me questions relating to fashion, trends and my thoughts on what's going to be HOT in 2015. You'll be glad you did.

Cut it out, Anthony Stewart Head

Well, well, well.

Mood: Absolutely Starstruck

I received a special package in the mail the other day, the postage marked all the way from England. Opening it I had no idea what was inside and thought perhaps it was an invitation to join a British collaging group (an offer I would most likely have declined--I don't really "get" the British style of collaging).

I opened the package and instead of a fawning letter, I found something WAY better--an autographed headshot of Anthony Stewart Head (aka Mr. Rupert Giles from Buffy, come on)!

The headshot is creased from its journey in the mail and is quite possibly the most unflattering picture I've ever seen of ASH. It's also a photo from when he apparently did a stint on the British show Dr. Who, instead of a Buffy photo that I would obviously have preferred. HOWEVER, the autograph looks fresh and authentic, and who cares, it's an autographed picture of Giles!! It made my week/year.

So this turn of events means that at least one Buffy cast member has received my package from months ago, with the personalized letters and script copies. The package from ASH came just with the signed headshot, no letter or mention of the script. However, I'm going to assume that his personalized present to me signifies his full consent in the project.

Welcome aboard, Anthony Stewart Head!

Anthony Stewart Head, rehearsals start in a week.

PS--You can also bet your bippy I'll be following up with ASH with more letters (and another request for a Buffy headshot. Can't get enough of this guy!).

It's finally here...

As promised, the wait is finally over. Click the link below to check out the rough cut of our Buffy opening credits!

(omg)

We still have a few minor things to tweak but overall, I'm very happy about this and how it's turned out. Our editor, Zak Tatham, has done an awesome job and I'm so grateful to him for working so hard on this. He's simply the best, as a song once said. A special thanks also goes to Velvet, Heather and all of the actors for all of their help.

Watch for Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia, Spike and Drusilla all in action, as well as various demons, 2 feral cats and 1 woodland creature (hidden Easter egg).

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it. We'd love to hear your thoughts! Much more to come in 2010--this is just the beginning.

*note to Joss Whedon for when he reads my blog--again, I ask that you please do not sue us. :)

Buffy: Day 89/ MEGA BUFFY TEASERS!

Mood: Excited

Now, I hope you haven't thought we forgot about this project or tried to quietly sweep it under the kitchen rug. Let me reassure you, work has been progressing (slowly) and pretty soon you will all be presented with a big surprise. Want a hint? It MAY be our opening credits, what you've been watching the making-of the past 3 months.

But back to the present. We've been dealing with a few problems which have stalled production a bit. As some of you may know, our crew is based in Toronto. Toronto, where the weather is currently -5 Celsius, the ground is covered with snow, and breath is visible when you talk. Basically, we couldn't have an environment that resembles Sunnydale, California less. The visible snow and freezing weather have halted all outdoor filming (Let it be said, I offered my actors a bonus to try to do these scenes and was met with a flat-out refusal and frankly, some diva behavior. I don't wish to specify who the diva is, but I will tell you that it was Xander).

We've also ran into some trouble locating a suitable library where we can film. As all Buffy fans know, the Sunnydale library is a major part of almost all early Buffy episodes and also a really neat set, filled with dark wood, ancient texts and early 90's computers. Since a good chunk of our script takes place in the library, we would need a VIP, unlimited pass to this not-yet-found library. We're debating building our own library set in our kitchen so we can film whenever we want. And then our kitchen would be like the Buffy library, which would be awesome. I can't really see any negatives here, so our set department is currently searching for dark wood.

(Here's the goal)

(...totally attainable)

The most exciting recent news is that you'll finally receive your first looks at Spike, Drusilla and Cordelia! We filmed Spike and Drusilla at a very old theater which is actually a preserved heritage site. Let me tell you, strings were pulled to get this photo shoot. Hope you enjoy it!

Spike and Drusilla (also known as Bobby and Vanessa). Bobby was getting used to his vampire teeth here, while Vanessa surprised (and charmed) us all by bringing her own personal knife to use as a prop.

Zak films Drusilla playing with her porcelain dolls.

Zak likes to drape himself in props and wear his lucky Shriner's hat (price tag still attached) at each shoot. At first we called him a madman, but you can't argue with the results.

Our lighting department is currently on strike, so we've all had to pitch in and help with the lights. And you know what, they can stay on strike as long as they want to; I'm not providing a Party Pizza at the crafts service table at every shoot. It just sets the wrong atmosphere for shoots. So enjoy unemployment, lighters!

Hey--guess who this blood-covered gal is? That's right, it's Cordy (also known as Leslie)! I'd tell you who (or what) the green hand is, but that may reveal too much.

GUEST STAR (impersonation) ALERT!! We filmed a quick bit for the opening credits with Buffy and her favorite best-friend-bitter-rival-evil slayer, Faith! Eliza Dushku did not return a single one of my two letters/numerous texts so Velvet stepped in and quickly replaced her. We filmed the scene where Buffy & Faith dance with reckless abandon and sexiness at the Bronze. The single strand of Christmas lights and our Walmart fog machine set the scene pretty well.

So as you can see, we've been very busy lately. I have one more surprise for you though--ACTUAL SCREEN GRABS. Our cinematographer was nice enough to provide me with a few stills from our footage which will tease and entice you guys. (That's why I've coined the term "teasers" for them!) I don't want to reveal too much, just enough to excite you for the actual footage, which is coming at you at a truly rapid pace.

CHECK 'EM OUT!

That's all you get for now--but stayed tuned for our big reveal! I hope these grabs keep you up at night and make you wonder what the hell that zany Sunnydale gang is up to, why we use our cats in so many of our projects and why Spike's hair isn't blond. Feel free to ruminate below.

*(Special thanks and gratitude to Heather and Zak for the photos and footage. One love goes out to you two.)

PS--There may be a few fake-out teasers tossed in there, just to keep you on your toes. Don't trust everything you see.