Monday, January 24, 2011

Endless Paintings

Hey all,

This was my first group art show in Toronto, back in November, from the By the Pound exhibition.  Also, first time working on wood panel, a series of 3.  Continuing with rebus, these are paintings inspired by The Endless, characters from Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman'.  Out of the 7, I chose to do the 3 sisters, Delirium, Despair, and Death.


 

Titled IV, XI, II youngest to oldest.


XI, was heavily inspired by the 15 Portraits of Despair, as well as passages from her appearance in "The Sandman:  Brief Lives".  I wanted to do a stand alone Patrick Nagel-esque Desire, but opted for just a mention of him/her since they are twins and go hand in hand.



IV, Barnabas was supposed to be here.  There are quotes lifted and adapted from Delirium throughout her appearances in The Sandman Series, as well as an excerpt from the play Hamlet; some of Ophelia's ramblings after Polonius is killed and she has gone insane.  I also referenced photographs of inebriated women from Amsterdamn.  To be honest, the only reason I think this one sold, was because of Magikarp. (Thank you Kellie for sending me the photographs.)







 II,  was based on an old photograph of Karmen Kass.  I really want to rework and add to this one (using ASCII to add Scott Blake barcodes).  The ticker contains certain internet slang memes, IM emoticons, and self-deprecating affirmations.  I also used excerpts from Death:  The High Cost of Living, as well snippets from a couple of songs, some of which deal with, in particular, alleged suicide.  








Pages from the sketchbook back in October.




I'll update next week with work from the I Scream Awards.  Thanks for reading.
Khanh

photos courtesy of Sleeping Giant Gallery.

Monday, January 17, 2011

REAL, Canadian Kid's Magazine: A Library Cat

A Library Cat

Written by Jan Coates 
Illustrated by Khanh Nguyen







Story for Erica from a holiday edition of REAL, Canadian Kid's Magazine.  There's an Oliver Twist feel to this story; finished it over the weekend back in November.  More to come in a few months.  Please check it out or subscribe if you can.  Salutations.

edit:   (Thank you Jan for the shout out.  I am inspired by your work.  Thank you soo much.)

Monday, November 22, 2010

"By The Pound" Opening Reception

Hey guys, I've been working at this gallery for almost 2 years now.  This will be my first show there, nearly 4 years since my last group show at the Macintosh Gallery in London, and the Siskind Gallery at Fanshawe College.  Featuring works by 100 artists and nearly 200 pieces of art.  This Friday, if you're in the neighborhood, please come check out the show, 789 Dundas.  Cheap drinks, music, etcetera.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=172409846108262



The previous show at the gallery was a solo exhibit by Theo Gallaro, a 12 year old illustrator/writer from the Junction.  Featuring over 50 art pieces, the majority of his show sold out.  Feel free to check out his art.  http://vimeo.com/16068187

All pictures/media courtesy of SleepingGiantGallery.

Update:  Dec. 1. 2010.  Big thank you to Jennifer Illet, Vince, Hitoshi, Tiffany, "Corey", and Sanagan's Meat Locker (pricing everyone's art by weighing it on a scale like fresh cuts of meat is an ingenious idea, got a few laughs to).  Also a big thank you to Tim and Kellie, thank you for your support =)




Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sketches

More sketches from the Con, brought home, inked and coloured.
First crack at drawing either of them.
Spider Woman
Ms. Marvel