Niki Lauda (1949-2019)

I completed this commission way back in 1996. I'd forgotten about it but I'm posting it as a tribute to Niki who passed away on May 20, 2019. Daniel Brühl did a great portrayal of him in the film "Rush".

Tinnitus WIP (Colour Version)

I began the larger version of my mental health project. Building with thin layers using acrylics. 18" x 24" on gessoed masonite.

Images 21 Framing & Art Centre

A few shots of my retail space at Images 21 Framing & Art Centre in Ajax. Always nice to see my work presented professionally. Mike, the owner, does excellent work. He is located at 489 Kingston Road West, Ajax, Ontario L1S 6M1

Tinnitus

Here is a concept study I just completed for a "mental health" themed piece. This piece has a number of elements in it that for me help to illustrate how one may feel at a low point in a personal struggle. I titled this one "Tinnitus". The figure in the drawing is feeling helpless which is evident with their fetal posture. The broken glass represents the shattered hope that often accompanies a struggle with tinnitus, and also vertigo, which often accompanies tinnitus. The enlarged ear is representative of the heightened sensitivity to the noises in your inner ear that the central nervous system amplifies when a person is under constant stress. The suggestion of a brain image also is representative of how tinnitus has to do with our brains interpretation of our inner well being. I've heard about other people's personal struggles with tinnitus where it's ringing so loud that they can't hear their phone ring. When one first experiences it, a feeling of anxiety can envelope you as you are not sure what is going on. Over time and research we learn that the main focus with tinnitus is to get the parasympathetic nervous system relaxed which takes focus and practice. There are times it can be very quiet but at other times it can spike depending on the level of stress you are experiencing. I would like to do this in colour as well at some point. Pencil on Yupo Paper. 7.25" x 10.75"

Mental Health Project

I‘ve begun a piece with a mental health theme. I will expand on my description as the piece progresses. Here is the start of a pencil study. Pencil on Yupo paper. 8x10