Brokenhead Studio

Beausejour's Last Grain Elevator

2011-06-03T08:56:00.002-05:00

The Beausejour Beautification Committee asked me to make a scale model of the town's last grain elevator this spring, and I got busy doing some research into things. The last of three elevators is to be torn down this summer, and I was fortunate to be able to take some photos and measurements in order to produce a decent model. A trip to the library provided some older photos, and I set off to produce a model that would look like the elevator has back in the 1950's. Along the way, I spoke to a number of people about the project, and Art Linke was especially helpful in providing some of the details that you can't find in books or photos. The model was a lot of work, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Once a significant piece of our local history is lost, we have to find ways to share that history with the younger generations, and I was honoured to be a part of that important process...

New mural

2011-06-03T08:44:00.002-05:00

My son Simon who is 7, is constantly drawing up a storm, and has a passion for tigers. He recently discovered some Calvin & Hobbes books, and ever since that time, it has been a clear cut case of life imitating art. He saved up his allowance and bought his own stuffed tiger, and the two are inseparable. It was no surprise when he approached me about painting a mural in his room, of his favourite thing...The mural was a fair bit of work, and the artist behind Calvin and Hobbes, Bill Watterson, was quite talented with pen and ink as well as watercolours. I admire Watterson, who refused to sell out-and this is why you don't see any Calvin & Hobbes products out there. In doing so, he has kept the characters intact, and each of us has their own unique take on what we read when we open up one of his books...

Flowers must mean spring is coming...

2011-01-24T14:45:00.002-06:00

I recently completed work on a giant Gerbera Daisy for Floral Decor, a florist shop in Stonewall, MB. The daisy portion of the sign is approximately 48" x 48", and is hand carved from super dense carving foam, and is also hand painted.

This job was a tremendous challenge to carve, but was also a tremendous joy to work on.

If you are in the Stonewall Area, drop by at 411 3rd Av S or give them a buzz for some flowers at 467-8825...

More form the Archives...

2010-03-09T11:47:00.012-06:00

Here are a couple of mural projects that I quite enjoyed...

The first is a reproduction of a Coke ad from the early 1950's. (size is approx 8' x 17') This mural is featured on the Murals of Winnipeg Website http://www.themuralsofwinnipeg.com/ which is an amazing website featuring just what you would expect it to-the murals of Winnipeg-you will not believe how many murals the city has...

The second mural featured is of Clint Eastwood, at he appeared in the Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western, A Fistful of Dollars. (size is approximately 8' x8'). Here you can see the mural in progress on my Western Themed Saloon, which in truth is more of a summer cottage, with a western theme.

2010-02-27T08:10:00.003-06:00

There is a reason that the Rolling Stones have kept their logo all these years-it works. They took an idea, and the logo represents that idea to the public at large. You cannot think of one without the other. Would they have made it without the logo? Sure they would, they are the Rolling Stones, but were they more successful because of having a logo? The answer is yes.

There is no shortage of talent out there when it comes to music, but making it in the business is a grind-you practice and practice, you invest in gear, you search for the right group of people, and work hard to produce something new, you hit the studio, and get schooled in just how much there is to know when it comes to creating that magic, and you hit the stage to share that gift with the audience and have a great time. It is a huge investment, of time and money. Lots of bands rely on selling merchandise at their shows to make ends meet, and even then it's hard.

So what can you do to make the journey a bit easier? As a sign guy, my advice would be to create a logo, or identity, and keep it consistant wherever you advertise, be it on your website, myspace, cd's, shirts, etc. You want people to know who you are, and connect you with the great music you play. A kick drum decal or a banner for your band can help. I see so many people at shows, taking photos, and sending them to their friends or posting them on facebook or Twitter, you might think you are just playing a small club, but before the show is over, your image might be seen by people all over the world. Why not tell them who you are?

The BATMURAL

2009-10-21T13:27:00.007-05:00

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...

2009-10-13T07:38:00.004-05:00

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...

2009-10-11T08:48:00.003-05:00

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...

2009-10-11T08:14:00.007-05:00

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...

2009-02-02T15:43:00.011-06:00

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

2009-01-26T16:59:00.000-06:00

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...