Looking back, moving forward

As in previous years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), here is my annual recap of how my year unfolded.

In January, my article for UPPERCASE Magazine hit the stands. 

February was mostly dedicated to paint explorations (The results come later in the year...)

In March, I completed a couple of fun sign and mural projects for a boutique toy store.

In April, I released a collection of paintings called "New & Improved".

May was more studio painting time, which lead to the release of my "Painted with Pride" collection in June.

In July, I completed some custom lettering for a theatre game show called "Whose Land is it Anyway". I also completed some custom sign painting for one of my favourite local shops, Secret Planet. As well, I did some custom lettering for the cover of Reader's Digest (in English and French!) July was also my birthday month and I painted a self-portrait to mark the year.

In August, after weeks of preparation, I launched a series of 21 paintings called The New Pop. I also painted a couple of interior murals for a new pediatric clinic.

In September, I jumped on a plane to NYC for a top secret project (more details in December...)

In October, I designed a new album for local musician Jeremy Voltz. I also snuck away to visit my family - and the Rocky mountains.

In November, I refreshed my "Not Amazing" campaign to encourage people to shop local. I was also thrilled to share that my Rotary Calendar was now available at the Art Institute of Chicago gift shop.

The biggest news of the year came in December. My new online course, Sign Creation with Hand-Painted Lettering, was launched on Domestika. It is so exciting that I'll be able to share my passion for sign painting with students from around the world. And to cap of the year, I received a most generous mention of my Rotary Calendar from Martha Stewart in her holiday guide, 54 Holiday Gifts Perfect for the Guys in Your Life.

2021 was another topsy turvy year. I am endlessly grateful to be able to do work that I love. This also marks 10 full years of freelance life (more to come on that in the new year...)

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Painted with Pride

First come, first served.

Prices listed in CDN, and do not include taxes or shipping costs.

To claim original, please contact me directly hello [at] christopherrouleau [dot] com.

12" x 16" digital prints available on through my shop.

Local delivery and pickup available. Shipping within Canada and USA based on size and destination.

Thank you for your support! Happy Pride!

Fruity

Acrylic and enamel on Bristol board 

22" x 28", unframed

$200

There's no place like homo

Enamel on thrift painting

30.5cm × 61cm, unframed

$100

Gay!

Acrylic and enamel on Bristol board 

22" x 28", unframed

$200

Homo is where the heart is

Enamel on thrift painting

30.5cm × 61cm, unframed

$100

Queer

Acrylic and enamel on Bristol board 

22" x 28", unframed

$200

Homo on the range

Enamel on thrift painting

30.5cm × 61cm, unframed

$100

Looking back, moving forward

As in previous years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), here is my annual recap of how my year unfolded.

In January, I created some custom lettering for the cover of Chatelaine magazine.

In February, I lettered a unique note for a Maison Simons advertisement. I also got the chance to do some window painting at Type Books.

In March, I created a quick custom letter animation for the new H Word podcast.

At the end of June, I released three Pride graphics to share on Instagram.

To mark this bizarre year, and my 38th birthday, I did a self-portrait in graphite in July. I also released a couple of new custom signs in August: Start & 100% homo milk.

In September, I launched two new online course books: Brush pen lettering, as well as Showcard and Sign Painting. I also released my new Rotary calendar. Also, Life is Good!

In October, I created a small campaign called Not Amazing to encourage people to shop local. I also teamed up with some amazing Toronto artists to do a special Holiday card sale - it was a huge success! I also had the chance to paint the window of the new Craig's Cookies.

In November, I was featured on the podcast Talk Paper Scissors (thanks again, Diana!) My work was also featured for four weeks at the Window Gallery exhibit on Church Street (thanks again, Sonja!)

And before the year came to an end, I painted a special note on the The Theatre Centre windows, and also created a unique Parkdale High Park custom lettering commission.

2020 was a year like no other. Thanks to everyone for your support. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Pride is political

Pride is political. Keep your eyes out for these protest banners this weekend at Pride Toronto. Hand-painted by Paul Dotey and myself for The 519. Thanks Kilogram studio for their superb protest modelling skills.

Active Tops / Active Bottoms

These limited edition hand-painted showcards will be on display tonight at the Buddies in Bad Times annual Art Attack auction, which raises money to support Canada's best LGBT theatre.

Better / Worse

These limited edition paintings will be on display tonight at the Buddies in Bad Times annual Art Attack auction, which raises money to support Canada's best LGBT theatre.

Winter 2015 collection

Just in time for the holidays, I am thrilled to share some new work available for purchase in my online shop. Queue the little drummer boy please (pa rum pa pum pum)...

1) 2015 Holiday cards – $20 (4-pack)



These festive, limited edition A2-size greeting cards were hand-lettered with Pentel brush pens, scanned, and screen printed by hand (with the help of Paul Dotey) in Toronto using water-based robin egg blue and metallic gold ink on pure white 100% cotton archival paper. Matching envelopes included.

Includes:
1) "1 partridge in a pear tree"
2) "2 turtle doves"
3) "3 french hens"
4) "4 calling birds"










2) Alphabet wrapping sheets – $10

This custom seamless wrapping paper is the perfect touch for your typographic holiday gifts. Lettered by hand and then laser printed on the finest satin, carbon neutral & responsibly sourced fibre paper, each 24" x 26" sheet is ideal for wrapping one small gift.

3) Emoji Alphabet Project letters – $20

The Emoji Alphabet project started as an Instagram experiment in February 2015. Each day, I created a new letter in my iPhone's Notes app, using emoji as pixels. Each letter is composed of emojis starting with that letter.

These 9" x 9" prints are ink jet printed in Toronto in full colour on 180gsm ultra white matte cotton-based art paper. 

Please specify letter of choice when placing your order. View the full set here.

4) Homo Sweet Homo 1 limited edition print – $60

This limited edition painting was created specifically for the Buddies in Bad Times annual Art Attack auction, which helps raise money to support Canada's most exciting LGBT theatre. 

The original 11 1/4” x 15 1/4" painting has been scanned and reprinted as a 16" x 20" limited edition (of 5) giclee print, printed in Toronto in full colour on Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art paper.




5) Emoji Map of Canada – $60



Inspired by my Emoji Alphabet Project, this map of Canada is created using 6855 individually placed emoji. Each province or territory is composed of emojis related to that region:

These 18" x 18" giclee prints are printed in Toronto in full colour on Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art paper.

Get a head start on your holiday shopping this year! Visit my shop to view the full collection, and please keep me in mind when making your gift purchases this holiday season. Commissioned work also available. And please don't hesitate to share my shop & services with anyone else you think might be interested.

Thanks for everyone for your incredible support this past year. Happy Holidays!

CR

The Body Shop

Here is a new chalkboard I created for The Body Shop, located at 528 Church Street in Toronto. Please stop by sometime to take a closer look.

Here's a peek at one of the process sketches:



Thank you Jayme for this opportunity!

The Making of Pretty and Witty and GAY!

Here's a bit of process work for the recent "Pretty and witty and GAY!" print I created for Buddies in Bad Times annual Art Attack auction. The print is available for purchase on either black or white in my shop.


With the help of friend and screen printer extraordinaire Paul Dotey, we were able to achieve a seamless 6-colour gradient using a special "split fountain" technique. Photos below.


Here are the final prints. Pick up your limited edition copy in my shop for $50.