ARTOGRAPHY

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MJ live painting during the second round of the 
Spoke Art Attack competition in Toronto, ON in August 2017

Paintings
Series
Illustrations
Publications
Live art show     3
Exhibitions   

ARTIST STATEMENT

I create to better understand the world around me with the purpose of uncovering the mysteries behind people, nature, places and how they relate to one another. I study them through my sketches, drawings and paintings, analyzing every details looking for connections, substance and meaning. I have an obsession with finding meaning behind my subjects : looking for the unseen and bringing them into light for others to see more. 

When I draw a portrait, I aim to convey more than physical appearances and incorporate personalities. When I paint a location, I aim to not only convey the forms but their connection to people, and their history. When I draw patterns, I aim to align them with the blueprint of geometry found in nature. 

Creating art makes me feel more connected to people because I feel I understand them (and myself) better. With my art, I wish to convey a sense of human connection, curiosity, wonder, awe, and happiness. Uplifting people’s spirit through my art energizes me. Knowing that there’s a chance that my art can help others appreciate life more fully gives me a great sense of purpose. 

The main message I aim to convey with my art is that our world is more wonderful and magical then we can ever imagine and that we are all connected. My goal is to be able to not only help others see and feel that as well. It has always been a goal of mine to participate in increasing the presence of positive, uplifting and insightful art and share it with as many people as possible so that I can contribute in positively impacting the lives of as many people as I can.

I’m fascinated and continuously inspired by artists such as Alfonse Mucha, Salvador Dali, Alex Grey, Leonardo DaVinci, Carravagio, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gustav DorĂ© and Lawren Harris who give me a great sense of awe, wonder and belonging whenever I look at their work and inspire me to keep growing as an artist.

ART SERIES

First African Americans (2015)
100 cloud paintings (2017)
Mindfulness (2018)



PUBLICATIONS 

2015, Color your stress away (Amazon)
2015, Urban Sketching Disappearing Landmarks in Toronto (Amazon)
2016, Color Your Stress Away (Pocket Edition) (Amazon)


EXHIBITIONS

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 | Thought Leaders Synergy, Coffee Public, Toronto

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 | Under 100, Northern Contemporary Gallery, Toronto
2019 | Sketching the Line, Pattison Outdoors, Toronto
2018 | Fill’er up Sketchbook Exhibition, Earl Selkirk Gallery, Toronto
2018 | Sketching the Line, Pattison Outdoors, Toronto 
2017 | Sketching the Line, Pattison Outdoors, Toronto 
2016 | Celebrate Toronto Pop Up Art Show, South Core Financial Building, Toronto
2016 | Celebrate Toronto Art Show, Steam Whistle Brewing, Toronto
2016 | Sketching the Line, Pattison Outdoors, Toronto
2016 | Drake Art Show, Northern Contemporary Gallery, Toronto
2015 | Art in Transit, Pattison Outdoor, Toronto & Edmonton
2015 | Toronto Urban Sketchers, Areej Art Gallery, Toronto 
2014 | A.R.T. Group, Sage Cafe, Toronto 
2014 | A.R.T. Group, Bampot, Toronto

INSTALLATIONS, SHOWCASES & PERMANENT COLLECTION

2019 | Two St Thomas, Toronto
2019 | Arc Condos at Daniels Erin Mills, Mississauga
2018 | Bell Box Mural, Trinity Spadina Neighbourhood, Toronto
2017 | WinterFest,  UrbanArts, Toronto
2017 | Movable Wall Mural, UrbanArts, Toronto
2011 | High vs Low, Ottawa Home and Garden Show, Ottawa
2010 | Design Trends Dining Rooms, Ottawa Home and Garden Show, Ottawa


SPECIAL EVENTS



Live art competitions are events where artists get to paint in the middle of an audience during a limited amount of time and the audience get to pick their favourite artworks. Typically there are three rounds of painting session, and at each round the top voted artists gets to go to the next round. At the final round, a winner is announced. The paintings are also available for sale during an auction at the end of the event. Below are the life painting competition I participated in thus far. 


YEAR LOCATION EVENT NB ROUNDS NB SOLD
2018 Spoke Club, Toronto (ON) Spoke Art Attack 10
2017 Spoke Club, Toronto (ON) Spoke Art Attack 2 2
2015 Purina Pawsway, Toronto (ON) Paint for Paws 1 1
2014 Markham Theatre Underground,Markham (ON) Art Battle 93 Markham 1 0


MURALS



YEAR 
CLIENT
LOCATION
2018 Bell Canada  Bell Box - Dundas W. & Lakeview, Toronto (ON) 
2017 UrbanArts Community Arts Council UrbanArts Community Arts Council, Toronto (ON)
2016 Private home Toronto (ON)


GRAPHIC RECORDING AND LIVE PORTRAITS








YEAR
CLIENT
SERVICE
2019 Bioderma, Toronto Live painting
2018 Atelier Cologne, Yorkdale Mall  Live portraits
2018 Ontario Trillium Foundation  Graphic Recording
2017 The Spoke Club Live Portraits
2017 Rumeet Billan, PHD Graphic Recording
2017 Karlyn Percil Graphic Recording
2017 KPMG Graphic Recording

GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES FOR PUBLICATIONS


YEAR
AUTHOR
BOOK
SERVICES
2019 Sonya Singh Lighting Strikes Twice Cover Illustration
2016 Adam Quang Secret Journal of a Yogi: Chair Yoga Layout design
2013 Eric Thomas  Greatness is Upon You Illustrations and layout
2013 Eric Thomas  Greatness is Upon You - Workbook Illustrations and layout

MEDIA

2018 | Blank Spaces Magazine | September 2018 Volume 3, Issue 1
2009 | Je DĂ©core Magazine | 4th quarter
2009 | Je DĂ©core Magazine | 3rd quarter
2009 | Je DĂ©core Magazine | 2nd quarter
2007 | MĂ©chant Changement TV Show Designer