Hey you guys!!
So, this is a painting I did in 2015. 
It's good.
I was happy with it.
Well.....that is to say, I was mostly happy with it. Often times, I run my ideas past my closest friends and advisors - just to make sure that it is something THEY would want. For the most part it helps keep my work with a succinct theme and flava. (YES! I JUST USED THE WORD FLAVA!!! ;-) 

Here is a post I did on my old blog about this particular painting...
robcroxford.blogspot.ca/2015/06/king-of-kensington.html
CHECK IT OUT...

I LOVE it. I think it is funny. I think it tells the story that I want to tell the FIRST time i painted it. Kensington Market: it is extraordinary STILL.....and there is so much to see/do/buy there!
(Including fruit and weed!)

The lesson here is, that maybe you should always go with your gut.
OR maybe the lesson here is, it is never too late to change???
OR maybe it is just okay to say that NOTHING is carved in stone FOREVER!(or in this case painted in acrylic) So be open to the possibilities!

I dunno....maybe it's ALL THOSE THINGS?
What say you???
Have a great week y'all!!!!

Hi guys!
Crazy world, huh? I feel like I need to make a few statements....which is unlike me - as I like to keep things bright and breezy! BUT it is increasingly hard to be blind to the hate filled cloud of despair that is hanging above us all!

Truthfully, as a person of GREAT privilege, I really feel stupid talking about how scary the world has gotten lately.
I am a man, I am white, and I grew up in a middle class Canadian suburb. That is the very definition of privilege.
I am both truly grateful and ashamed of it.

I cannot fully understand what the world is like for a person of colour. I cannot fully understand what it is like to be a woman in a man's world. I cannot fully understand what it is like to be poor and disenfranchised. I CAN try to have empathy, I can try to be accountable in my every day dealings with people, I can strive to help in any way I can.

Granted, as a gay guy, I am more attuned to being the recipient of hate. I do understand being afraid for my safety because I am different. I have always felt the effects that come from being hated or feared because of something I cannot change. So maybe that is why I feel so affected by the horrible state of the world.

Or maybe it is just because I am a person. A person who lives in the world.....and hopes for better. Better from myself, better from my friends, better from those who CHOOSE to think less openly, and better from legislators and the people in power.

Let's just be better than this.
Let's love more.
Let's stand up to the bullies and hate mongers and all the jack-wads that say ignorant things because they are small minded.

LET'S
BE
BETTER!

If this doesn't brighten your January.....well.....there is nothing I can do for you. This is something I haven't done in a while....and I hope I am not too rusty.....here we go.....the GLORIOUS finds from the bargain stores/antique stores/junk stores.....please enjoy!

Hey everyone!!
Well, another year has come and gone. I know that a lot of people have talked about what a terrible year 2016 was. It is true, we lost so many celebrity icons. It is also true that 2016 seemed to be a year fueled by nasty politics and hate. But now that it is a new year, it is time to look FORWARD!
I usually take the time at the end of each year to look at my accomplishments, to judge the wins - and the losses and make a plan for the future. I encourage you to do the same! It is helpful! Truthfully, 2016 wasn't a stellar year for me. Not a lot of GAINS, but I feel fortunate to have not LOST a lot either. There have been other years, when the personal loss was overwhelming. THIS was not that year for me. WHEW! Grateful!!!

So in the spirit of gratitude, please indulge me as I share my 10 positives of 2016.....

1.) According to my accounting software I was fortunate enough to have served over 150 clients this year. THAT is pretty great. Certainly not a record high, but still pretty good!

2.) According to INstagram, I recieved almost 13,000 likes. So there is that......it's good news to be addicted to other people's opinions of you and your work....RIGHT.....RIIIIGHT???

3.) I was picked up a new and exciting Gallery in the last month of the year....Blue Crow Gallery - this is my first NEW gallery in a few years. Thanks Jodi!

4.) I was also fortunate to gain a great new retailer for my merch. Donna at The Hamilton Store is an absolute DELIGHT, and the store has some really great stuff!!!!!!

​ 
5.) I worked on a HUGE mural project with my friend Cindy Scaife, and remembered the goods and BADS of what it was like to be a mural artist. It was super fun, amd it gave me new ideas!

6.) I moved into my shared studio space at Walnut Studios, and was able to paint in the sunlight for the first time in YEARS!

7.) I completed 130 new paintings ranging in size from 6" to 40". ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8.) I added 13 new postcards bringing my total up to 34 postcards, and also added 11 new giclee prints! WHICH IS A LOT! :-) 

9.) I got a new website and added a store to my new website - where you can buy my merch!

10.) I participated in 8 little coffee shop/restaurant/gallery/store shows, and 5 outdoor shows. Each outdoor event was a disaster. Between the HEAT and the rain, it was my worst summer in 12 years!

BUT I FINALLY learned a lesson.....I need to scale back and do mostly INDOOR events. THIS WAS A HARD WON LESSON!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how awful 2016 was....I just am tired of these games with Mother Nature......SO TIRED..... 

But......despite the hard lessons, the rain, the heat, and the mediorcity of my bottom line last year, I am still grateful!
 
Grateful that I get to do this for a living and still LOVE it!!

So what's the plan for 2017?

This year I am focussing on creating new work and finding brand new opportunities! I want to attract some new galleries, and I want to get a few out of town exhibitions cookin'! I am excitied to already be entering so many different art calls. I am also in the process of planning a solo art exhibition - my first in years! 
 
So, thanks for joining me for the ride so far, and I look forward to seeing where this year takes me!