Rosehip, White Rose Art Project

The house by 95 105 Street is now gone...

Game Day, Oil Kings vs. Public Decorum Blues.

LASS, Fasion Police Approved Cover-Up

2024-11-20, Early Morning Cover-Up Photo Shoot

Game Day, Edmonton Oil Kings vs Victoria Royals.

ASMR, Snow Removal, What's Trending!

Make Art, Not War Art Project, Pop Pop Dazzled by Every Day and Abstracts of Light and Shadows Presents: Its A Performance, Metis Week Découpé Visual Narrative Cut Up on YouTube...

This week was declared Métis Week by the City of Edmonton and celebrated at City Hall and the Alberta Legislature. I captured moments from both locations and created this 9-minute YouTube video containing various sounds and visuals. This process transforms the two events into art, crafting a fresh narrative akin to the cut-up technique (or 'découpé' in French). The original method involves dissecting and reassembling written text to create a new text and, consequently, a new sound and image experience. The roots of this concept can be traced back to the Dadaists of the 1920s, but it was writer William S. Burroughs who brought it to the forefront in the 1950s and early 1960s. William S. Burroughs saw cut-ups as a powerful tool for literary experimentation, unlocking hidden layers of meaning and offering glimpses into the future. Art Is Freedom Gallery

In Memory of Virgil Abloh and Murray Sinclair.

Thanks to Elizabeth Potskin, the Poet.

Rare White Bird Gallery

2024-11-18, 2023-2024, Make Art, Not War Art Project, Pop Pop Dazzled by Every Day and Abstracts of Light and Shadows Presents: Citizen News and Noteworthy Découpé Visual Narrative Cut Up on YouTube This project transforms recent and archived citizen-free news stories into art, creating a fresh narrative through the cut-up technique (or 'découpé' in French). "In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it." – Ernst Fischer. Citizen Free News, Since 2007.

"...the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy." – John F. Kennedy, Address to the American Newspaper Publishers, 27 April 1961, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York

The Role of The Painter's Notes in Political Discourse

November 20, 2024, Painter's Notes, Alberta 31st Legislature: Yesterday, during the afternoon sitting of the Alberta 31st Legislature, someone used a bullhorn outside the Legislature for about five minutes. This incident reminded of my own similar actions I've taken in the past. In 2019, I played an Indigenous drum, and from December 2023 to March 2024, I conducted daily pickets. During these pickets, I sang songs, recited poetry, organized art shows, and shared stories as a town crier. I performed these activities for an hour daily, addressing the rooftops, windows, and the Legislature dome, all from a spot near the press gallery entrance and the Premier's office. These actions were part of my ongoing seven-year campaign to obtain a press pass into the assembly's press gallery. I ceased my picketing activities after a member of the AUPE union complained about the noise level. The AUPE Union is what I describe in my paintings as part of the four pillars of Government, which include our democratically elected officials, the King, and the Corporate media, who occupy the basement of the Legislature. Microsoft, AI, Edited.

Game Day, Alberta 31st, Legislature.

In City Hall and the Alberta Legislature, where decisions that shape our society are made, one might not expect to find an artist quietly sketching away. Yet, there I am, a dedicated observer of democracy in action, transforming the often dry and complex proceedings into vibrant doodle notes that capture the essence of political discourse. The Painter's presence in these halls is a testament to the power of art as a tool for engagement and reflection. As I listen to government sessions, my pen dances across the page, creating visual narratives that distill the core issues and emotions of the debates.

These doodle notes are more than just whimsical drawings; they are a form of visual journalism that makes politics accessible and engaging to a broader audience. The transformation of these doodles into political cartoons adds another layer of impact. Political cartoons have a long history of influencing public opinion and sparking conversation. My work continues this tradition, using humor and satire to highlight the absurdities and injustices within the political system. By doing so, I entertain, educate, and provoke thought, encouraging citizens to engage more deeply with the issues at hand.

Moreover, my doodle notes can sometimes lead to community paintings, bringing people together to create collective works of art that reflect shared values and concerns. These community paintings serve as powerful symbols of unity and collaboration, reinforcing the idea that democracy is a participatory process that involves everyone. My art serves as a bridge between the often opaque world of politics and the everyday lives of citizens. It reminds us that democracy is not just about the decisions made by those in power but also about the voices and perspectives of the people they represent

I give a voice to those who might otherwise feel disconnected from the political process through my doodle notes, cartoons, and community paintings. In a time when political apathy is a growing concern, my work is a beacon of creativity and civic engagement. It shows that art can be a powerful force for change, inspiring action and fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry. As I continue to document and interpret the workings of government through your unique artistic lens, I remind us all of the importance of staying informed, staying involved, and never underestimating the power of a well-placed doodle, political cartoon and community painting, Art Show & Tell and LISTEN.

2016, Banned Fire and Rain Art Project, Logo.

2024-11-15, YouTube: Parade Protest, March, Painter's Notes and AI: Last weekend, while observing the latest march and rally at the Alberta Legislature, I noticed a man carrying the Palestinian flag adorned with the Shahada scriptures. It was Omar Khadr. I reached for his hand, greeted him with "As-salaam Alaykum," and remarked that I hadn't expected to see him there even though it had been rumored for weeks that he was attending weekly protests. He did not know who I was, nor my role as citizen free news, telling his story while he was imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. With a thoughtful reply, he said, "Why wouldn't I be here?" The Shahada is a fundamental declaration of faith in Islam. It is not specific to Palestine but is a core tenet for all Muslims. The Shahada states, "There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This declaration affirms the oneness of God and Muhammad's prophethood. The Shahada is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims recite it during their daily prayers and at significant moments in their lives, such as when they convert to Islam. It is a profound expression of faith and commitment to the principles of Islam. YouTube: Omar Khadr, The Man, The Law. Citizen Free Press