GIDEON NÄF print art: September 2013

So once again everyone, we are super stoked here at the Näf-Brown residence for many reasons. First, as I have previously written, Clare's pregnancy is rolling along super smooth and we have recently purchased and received generously the essentials for our baby room. Also, Clare is rounding third and coming full term this weekend. So, as you may know, that means it's pretty much game on from here on in. There are a couple of photos at the bottom of the blog of the baby's room which Clare and I also now share as an office/drawing/crafting area.

Now to the arts; as I have also mentioned before, my current series of etchings is slowly but surely being completed. This newest piece, and also the only 12 x 18 piece in the series, is titled "Battle Royale" (Thanks for the title to my sis, Daizy Lux) In this work, as with most in this series, I wanted it to be like a kid's drawing in concept yet more sophisticated in it's technical execution. From such a platform I can load the image with humour and the excess pent up emotions that burst at the seams of my existence and tear at my soul like a Rod Stewart album played backwards at twice the speed. Also, it's fun and while creating such work you can make broad, sweeping generalizations about "society" and the world....even though frankly for the most part, nobody really gives one or even two flying frigs as to what you think or attempt to express, so whatever, make me sandwich.

Here I try to make the following statement: conflict and violence can be as absurd and juvenile as a fortress built on a bacon cheeseburger shaped mountain being fought over by armies of gnarly spiked and horned medieval-ish soldiers. So obviously you'll need a couple of fighter jets in there for extra umph. (Zazz or Gusto are also acceptable, obscure descriptive terms) Also, check the references in the print to my main man, Peter Brueghel Sr, the master of absurdities. (* his work The Tower of Babel and Dulle Griet)

Featured as well in this post are some pictures of drawings for a letterpress project myself and art buddy Justin Labine will be undertaking soon. They are pencil crayon drawings for the prints which will feature great goaltenders throughout the history of the NHL. If Justin had a website, I'd link to it here, instead you can google search him or attempt to friend him on facebook. He's been posting a lot of his beautiful drawings there and thus has been kicking ass and taking names, so look out.

Enjoy!