The BATMURAL

Back in the 70's, I like so many other kids, was completely crazy about Batman-especially the TV show from the mid 60's. I can recall whipping home from school to watch the show at my neighbor's house, as they had a better colour tv than we did. The show was extreme with it's colour and pop-art design-it literally was like watching a comic book in action.

Years later when my son took an interest in the same show I loved as a boy, I started thinking that it would be a lot of fun to do up his room in the Batman style of the 1960's show...I was a bit concerned that the mural was going to do a lot more for me than for him, but he sincerely enjoys that style as much as I do, so we began planning in earnest.

I watched a few episodes, and decided to re-create a fair chunk of the opening of the show-it was a lot of fun working with such wild and bright colours, and while the mural was indeed a lot more work than I anticipated, it was a lot of fun throughout the entire process...

When he grows up and moves out one day, it is entirely likely that I might just keep the mural up for myself. I can pretty much guarantee it...

more from the archives...

They say the cobbler's kids have no shoes, the carpenter's kitchen has no cupboards, and until recently, the sign guy had no sign...

I set out to make something that would be a challenge to create, and which would showcase my abilities.

I started by carving a giant paintbrush from super-dense carving foam, and the sign really took off.

One change I did make once it was all assembled, was to change the colour of the font to create more contrast.

There is always room for improvement, and sometimes you have to start the process to see how things will function.

The outcome has been quite positive, and I have received a lot of calls as a result...

Advertising revenue for most curling rinks and hockey rinks really helps make a huge difference in the operating costs, especially in smaller communities-full colour prints on Ice Mesh are a great way of adding some real impact. These prints can be re-used each year, and really have a lot of impact.

from the portfolio achives...

When things get busy with the business, this blog takes a backseat...

Here are a few jobs from my portfolio...



I love to add some dimension to a sign- I start with a design, lay it out on some super dense sign foam, then hand carve the details, then hand paint the sign...
















Some projects are just an invitation to have some fun-I was asked by Club Regent Casino to refurbish a polar bear from the Cancer Care Bears on Broadway Campaign. The original artist was not interested in restoring the bear, and rather than recreate what he had done, we decided to go a bit more Magnum PI, and add a bit more character...I had some great help from Chris Roznowsky on this project.

Another Casino project was a prop treasure chest, which also had to serve as a ballot box. It was important that the prop had the look and feel of an ancient treasure chest, while maintaing the functionality of a ballot box.

I worked as a prop master for 5 years and have built something in almost any theme you can imagine, but I really love working on anything that has either a pirate or a western theme to it...

I am also a proud member of the Tyndall Eagles Aerie #3386. We do a lot for our community-helping out by raising money for a variety of different needs...to better help identify our presence in town, we decided to advertise, and ensure people understood our mission which is simply, "people helping people". I painted this 54' trailer in town, and the results have been positive...

I recently completed a project for the Half Moon in Lockport, in conjunction with Dudeck Motors in Tyndall. The task at hand was to restore 3 vintage coolers, which all dated back to the 1940's.
Wayne McIntosh, the owner of the Half Moon, is one of those people who is meant to be in the field he is-his passion for all things vintage fifties, and his vision for the expansion to Half Moon where the coolers will be part of the decor, made this opportunity one to amazing to pass up.
The coolers were in fair condition, but needed a fair bit of bodywork to bring them back to life. Glen Dudeck of Dudeck Motors was one person I knew would be able to complete this part of the restoration and restore the coolers with great attention to detail.
I began to research each cooler on the Internet, tracking down production dates, colours, and options that the coolers were available with. There are many companies in the USA specializing in this, and it is somewhat amazing to see how collectible the coolers can be.
Once Glen had completed the amazing bodywork and base painting to perfection-which was no small task I might add, I came in to do the hand lettering along with my fellow friend and artist Dave Penner. Together we hand painted all the logos on the coolers. It was a lot of work, but the results were well worth it.
The coolers will be featured in the new addition of the Half Moon at 6860 Henderson (in Lockport) once renovations are completed later this spring.

greetings

Hello and welcome to the first Brokenhead Studio Blog!
My goal with this blog is to let people know what I do, and what I have been working on lately...