http://mobartist.com Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:26:30 +0000 http://mobartist.com en http://mobartist.com/The-Hive http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/The-Hive Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:26:30 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 5117451 Client: Blastronaut (Band) After the inter-dimensional magpie,"Maggie" found her way onto the merchandise for Toronto's Sci-fi inspired math rock band, Blastronaut, the band's drummer, Ian Morris, approached me about designing something for the head of his bass drum. I showed the three of them some ideas and we landed on something close to a Maggie hive. This was the amazing brief they followed up with: In the deep black of the nether, there drifts an ancient orb. Its majestic shell worn down by eons of passing sediment; eating, eroding, scouring. Beneath the surface, ebony tentacles writhe at the cold of exposed space, striving to keep alight the slowly fading core. Periodically, it broadcasts a faint signal - a single word. A name: "maggie..." Collaboration at its finest. Pen on Board, 12x30" <img src="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Drum_MOCKUPweb_905.jpg" width="905" height="846" width_o="1069" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Drum_MOCKUPweb_o.jpg" data-mid="27479242" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumWHITEweb_905.jpg" width="905" height="798" width_o="1133" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumWHITEweb_o.jpg" data-mid="27477223" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumDetail1_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumDetail1_o.jpg" data-mid="27477192" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumDetail2_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumDetail2_o.jpg" data-mid="27477194" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumDetail4_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumDetail4_o.jpg" data-mid="27477203" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumSHADOWweb_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload140.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/5117451/Blastronaut_DrumSHADOWweb_o.jpg" data-mid="27477218" border="0" align="left"/> Client: Blastronaut (Band) After the inter-dimensional magpie,"Maggie" found her way onto the merchandise for Toronto's Sci-fi inspired math rock band,... http://mobartist.com/Sorcery http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Sorcery Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:56:49 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4922853 Personal Piece What started as a quick sketch and experiment with tree bark, quickly decided it wanted to be a badass sorcerer. I'm not sure where it lives or why it confused its left glove with a tube sock, but I like the way it dances. It has a strange resemblence to one of my mother's dogs, whom I am convinced has a bit less going on up there than she gives it credit for... ink on paper, 2013 <img src="http://payload131.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4922853/MOB_susie_editweb_905.jpg" width="800" height="800" width_o="800" height_o="800" src_o="http://payload131.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4922853/MOB_susie_editweb_o.jpg" data-mid="26336451" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload131.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4922853/MOB_Susienewweb_905.jpg" width="687" height="847" width_o="687" height_o="847" src_o="http://payload131.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4922853/MOB_Susienewweb_o.jpg" data-mid="26336454" border="0" align="left"/> Personal Piece What started as a quick sketch and experiment with tree bark, quickly decided it wanted to be a badass sorcerer. I'm not sure where it lives or why... http://mobartist.com/Howler-For-Your-Own-Sake http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Howler-For-Your-Own-Sake Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:03:48 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 2735633 Album package for Guelph-based band, Howler's debut album. Unfortunately, the band parted ways soon after the artwork was completed and the album was never released. Acrylic on Masonite, 2011<img src="http://payload21.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2735633/HowlerforntMOBrien_905.jpg" width="905" height="396" width_o="2048" height_o="896" src_o="http://payload21.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2735633/HowlerforntMOBrien_o.jpg" data-mid="22033437" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload21.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2735633/HowlerinsideMOBrien_905.jpg" width="905" height="792" width_o="1732" height_o="1516" src_o="http://payload21.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2735633/HowlerinsideMOBrien_o.jpg" data-mid="22033441" border="0" align="left"/> Album package for Guelph-based band, Howler's debut album. Unfortunately, the band parted ways soon after the artwork was completed and the album was never... http://mobartist.com/Tranzivimus http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Tranzivimus Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:03:20 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 2965169 (2010/2011) Pieces made over an 8 month residency in Florence, Italy. My time was spent studying the work of the greater and lesser masters and teaching myself to paint in a haunted medieval studio. The series became a way of toying with, and rediscovering my personal history from a distance. With complete freedom to explore my work beyond illustration, I became fascinated with the idea of creative processes and the burdens that come with them. This later evolved into the "Genius!" series: A return to illustration with a new found love for paint and the paranormal. <img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienEggshell.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienEggshell_o.jpg" data-mid="15098003" border="0" align="left"/> Acrylic on Masonite, 2010-2011<img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienBugCollection.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienBugCollection_o.jpg" data-mid="22036783" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienFixation.jpg" width="438" height="548" width_o="438" height_o="548" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienFixation_o.jpg" data-mid="22036785" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienSuperIntense.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienSuperIntense_o.jpg" data-mid="22036798" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienGenius.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienGenius_o.jpg" data-mid="22036787" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienGhostonaScreen.jpg" width="446" height="560" width_o="446" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienGhostonaScreen_o.jpg" data-mid="22036789" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienInfluentialPeople.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienInfluentialPeople_o.jpg" data-mid="22036791" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienItWhispers.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienItWhispers_o.jpg" data-mid="22036793" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienLittleAngels.jpg" width="456" height="560" width_o="456" height_o="560" src_o="http://payload33.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/2965169/MOBrienLittleAngels_o.jpg" data-mid="22036796" border="0" align="left"/> (2010/2011) Pieces made over an 8 month residency in Florence, Italy. My time was spent studying the work of the greater and lesser masters and teaching myself to... http://mobartist.com/Shimmer http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Shimmer Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:50:08 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4791442 Personal Piece A large scale, two panel piece created for a themed group show called "Neck of the Woods". Each artist was asked to make a piece inspired by a district in Toronto. I chose the entertainment district... Shimmer: 1) To shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light 2) To reflect a wavering, sometimes distorted visual image South of Queen, between University and Spadina is a district that exists only in the dark. It is more of a time than a place; a time that I rarely set my watch for. It is definitely not my neck of the woods, which is why I chose to explore it. The district in the dark glitters with pretty lights. It's luring, seductive and chaotic. "I feel ya Ophelia, you breathless romantic... Every city needs a place to lose its mind." Acrylic on Wood Panel, 8' x 4' <img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/Shimmerweb.jpg" width="667" height="1000" width_o="667" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/Shimmerweb_o.jpg" data-mid="25582195" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/Shimmercropweb.jpg" width="667" height="1000" width_o="667" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/Shimmercropweb_o.jpg" data-mid="25582197" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/shimmermaskweb_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/shimmermaskweb_o.jpg" data-mid="25582203" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/shimmerjewelweb_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/shimmerjewelweb_o.jpg" data-mid="25582199" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/shimmercrystalweb_905.jpg" width="867" height="1000" width_o="867" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4791442/shimmercrystalweb_o.jpg" data-mid="25582198" border="0" align="left"/> Personal Piece A large scale, two panel piece created for a themed group show called "Neck of the Woods". Each artist was asked to make a piece inspired by a... http://mobartist.com/Maggie http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Maggie Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:21:38 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4785027 Client: Blastronaut (Band) When I met with the three badasses of Toronto's Sci-fi inspired math rock band Blastronaut about drawing something for their new line of merchandise, I was faced with a bit of a challenge. Almost every one of their songs is named after some portion of high science fiction. A genre that aesthetically, has either repeated over and over the once unique vision of an art hero, or bordered on full out cheese. With almost free reign over the image under the guidance of words like "otherworldly", "Architectural", "Playful" and "Don'tgiveaF***", I was faced with what seemed like too many options. The only real request was for tentacles...which I agreed with immediately. A band shirt is nothing without tentacles. Thus, she was born, the nameless creature, an inter-dimensional magpie. Pen on Board, 12x30" <img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/MOBblastronaut.jpg" width="429" height="1000" width_o="429" height_o="1000" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/MOBblastronaut_o.jpg" data-mid="25544525" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/MOBBlastronautTOPCROP_905.jpg" width="905" height="893" width_o="1000" height_o="987" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/MOBBlastronautTOPCROP_o.jpg" data-mid="25544770" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/BlastronautTEEweb_905.jpg" width="905" height="1583" width_o="1440" height_o="2520" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/BlastronautTEEweb_o.jpg" data-mid="25544863" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/BlastronautTEEmockup_905.jpg" width="905" height="1055" width_o="1200" height_o="1400" src_o="http://payload124.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4785027/BlastronautTEEmockup_o.jpg" data-mid="25544564" border="0" align="left"/> Client: Blastronaut (Band) When I met with the three badasses of Toronto's Sci-fi inspired math rock band Blastronaut about drawing something for their new line of... http://mobartist.com/The-Proof http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/The-Proof Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:51:14 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4678474 Interview: Haley Polinsky - Toronto is Awesome Following the Meaty Moustaches campaign for Sanagan's Meat Locker in Kensington Market, the "good news only" blog, Toronto is Awesome (part of the Canada is Awesome Network) approached me to be a part of a photo segment called "The Proof" where Toronto artists are asked to submit 8 photos of their everyday life. Finally, I have revealed some secrets... Read the full interview and introduction here Pen on paper, finished digitally 2012 <img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_1_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_1_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021371" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_2_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_2_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021375" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_3_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_3_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021378" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_4_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_4_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021380" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_5_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_5_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021384" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_6_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_6_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021388" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_7_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_7_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021389" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_8_web.jpg" width="533" height="600" width_o="533" height_o="600" src_o="http://payload118.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4678474/MOB_TIA_8_web_o.jpg" data-mid="26021391" border="0" align="left"/> Interview: Haley Polinsky - Toronto is Awesome Following the Meaty Moustaches campaign for Sanagan's Meat Locker in Kensington Market, the "good news only" blog,... http://mobartist.com/Falcon-Punch http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Falcon-Punch Sun, 11 Nov 2012 22:47:03 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4419992 Album illustrations for one of my favourite local bands "Falcon Punch!" They're dreamy, They're spacey, but oh so in your face...y Have a listen to the record on their Bandcamp page! Acrylic on masonite, finished digitally, 2011. <img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419992/MOB_FPcover_905.jpg" width="905" height="488" width_o="1000" height_o="540" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419992/MOB_FPcover_o.jpg" data-mid="23423187" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419992/MOB_FPinside_905.jpg" width="905" height="488" width_o="1000" height_o="540" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419992/MOB_FPinside_o.jpg" data-mid="23423191" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419992/MOB_FPinstagram.jpg" width="612" height="612" width_o="612" height_o="612" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419992/MOB_FPinstagram_o.jpg" data-mid="23423192" border="0" align="left"/> Album illustrations for one of my favourite local bands "Falcon Punch!" They're dreamy, They're spacey, but oh so in your face...y Have a listen to the record on... http://mobartist.com/Foiled http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Foiled Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:28:00 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4419802 Elsewhere in the kingdom of self-doubt....she changes. Acrylic on Masonite, 4'x 4.5', 2012 <img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419802/MOB_Foiledweb_905.jpg" width="905" height="901" width_o="2048" height_o="2039" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419802/MOB_Foiledweb_o.jpg" data-mid="23421910" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419802/MOB_Foileddetailweb.jpg" width="580" height="1684" width_o="580" height_o="1684" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419802/MOB_Foileddetailweb_o.jpg" data-mid="23421904" border="0" align="left"/> Elsewhere in the kingdom of self-doubt....she changes. Acrylic on Masonite, 4'x 4.5', 2012 http://mobartist.com/Winter http://mobartist.com/following/mobartist.com/Winter Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:23:47 +0000 Mobartist: Marc O'Brien Illustration 4419779 Personal piece A nice, wintery scene painted for display in "Something for Your Mantel", a structural art installation built on behalf of the OCAD University Alumni Association at the 2012 Big on Bloor Festival in Toronto. Acrylic on board, 25x30" <img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419779/reallifeweb_905.jpg" width="905" height="777" width_o="1000" height_o="859" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419779/reallifeweb_o.jpg" data-mid="23421724" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419779/reallifeDetailweb.jpg" width="427" height="392" width_o="427" height_o="392" src_o="http://payload105.cargocollective.com/1/6/197438/4419779/reallifeDetailweb_o.jpg" data-mid="23421725" border="0" align="left"/> Personal piece A nice, wintery scene painted for display in "Something for Your Mantel", a structural art installation built on behalf of the OCAD University...