Uploading two more pieces recently completed..

My buddy Dieter Humpsch is using a couple of my pieces for his pro model wakeskate with GoodWood Check out the two decks below

UPCOMING SHOW!!!

SMALL WONDERS is a group art exhibition featuring 40 local, national, and international artists, exhibiting small scale works of original artwork presented in a 10" x 10" format, and will be priced at $300 or less.

The show will be in Thornton park next thursday December 17th.Check out A LA REVENGE for all the details.

New Work! I recently completed some new works for display @ Lambs Eat Ivy in Thornton Park. It was fun working on larger pieces again, building layers, and throwing paint. Special thanks to my girlfriend Katie for the studio assisting. Please stop by the Salon to check out the work and maybe pick up a piece for a Christmas present. More Photos on the Way!

Sea Legs Exhibition @ Say It Loud! in Orlando. I really got stoked on the name for the show, and went with what I know and love, my family history with the ocean. There are some previous pieces thrown in there, but I also included family fishing photos, some nautical flag experiments, and lots of personal hidden meanings of objects..Symbols you can gather from objects, words, numbers..Stoked!!

Special thanks to Sean Hartman Scott Donald and Tonya Dickie for all their hard work..

Individual pieces are for sale..CONTACT ME

Just returned from a trip to New York City where I was visiting my girlfriend Katie. I had an amazing time with her, as well as wandering for countless miles around the city. I stumbled upon so many sites and tiny details amongst a world so large. I also had a chance to catch up with one of my favorite artist friends Robert Mars and his wife. Also had an opportunity to meet another internet art friend for the first time, Ray Sell. I sorted through the massive amount of photos I took, and came up with these twenty showcasing the details of street art and my own full heart.

Celebrity sightings included Senator, and former Knicks player Bill Bradley, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and Mark Gonzales 'The Gonz' Check out this clip. The Original....Video Days..1991

Wow it has been way to long since I added to the web site, and I sincerely apologize for that.. Been out of town lately a lot dealing with some family issues that needed my attention away from art making.. I have been able though to make pieces here and there on the road, and below are some of those results.

Cool link here where I can post up PDF zines of various content..A lot more to come..

Issuu.com- Published PDF'S

September 16 2009

A couple more pieces finished up. 'Back to School' and 'Miami'. More updates on the way.

September 1 2009

Excited for a new month, and the slow stroll into Fall. My awesome girlfriend Katie came down today from NYC for a week and I couldn't be happier.

Also have a couple links to some blog mentions.

The Best Part Design Blog -An awesome design blog by Jason Dean from Orlando, Fl. Honored to be included on his site of outstanding feats in the design game.

In Progress Magazine A local Orlando Underground Magazine. Good Stuff..

August 28 2009

Two more smaller works. They are titled 'First Date' & 'Dr. Wordsworth' respectively. Please visit my ETSY store to purchase these guys. Cheap, and even cheaper if you live in Orlando..Cut down on the shipping charge...Thanks.

August 23 2009

Here are a group of new pieces, just completed the other day. Each is 6"x6" little collage/color experiments on wood boxes. Enjoying the process man. These are also available for sale on Etsy Cheap and easy transactions. Live in Orlando? We can cut out that pesky shipping charge and get one of these hanging on your wall asap.

Amanda from CurrentDose.com did a write-up on me recently as well as featuring my art in their header for the blog. I always enjoy reading peoples perceptions on the things that I create. So cool to find out how different people see the same thing. And it's really funny sometimes to hear things about a piece that I never even imagined while I was making it. Please stop by and support these guys.

¡CURRENT DOSE! was founded in winter of '09. stemmed from the collaboration of a group of bloggers with roots deep in design, music, film, news, technology and everything else that deserves the time of day.

August 18 2009

Attended Art Deck Yo! the other night at the Skatepark of Tampa. Great turn out and an awesome show all around. Thanks to Chad Cardoza for putting together the whole deal. Below are a couple pics of the deck I put together titled 'For What It's Worth'

Also a couple write-ups on the show

SkatePark of Tampa -Bunch of pictures of the show as well as a YouTube Video @ the bottom.

Angus Shafer-TBO Blog -Angus has some good pictures of the decks from the show.

August 1 2009

Finished up two large pieces(48x40) that are going on display @ the Bright House Building over in Tampa/St.Pete. I'm working out a new theme with these two, one centered on the idea of celebrating the working man. Bringing back noterity to the blue collar worker. It was great working on a much larger surface.

'The Gentleman Prefers Blondes' 48x40 Mixed Media on Wood

'Give Them The Look' 48x40 Mixed Media on Wood

July 23 2009

Tony Krol who is putting together the Outlook Art Show next week in Tampa, wrote up a cool little article about me on the site Outlook It's always pretty cool to read the words of other people describing my work, and the many perceptions and ideas they gather from it. Truthfully, I do think about the pieces and the process, but I have my own sort of little story developed; sometimes that is.

One New Piece for Next Week.

'Zinc' 20x24 Mixed Media on Wood.

July 22 2009

Excuse the lack of updates recently, been busy away from the computer working on some projects, also the wireless hasn't been up to speed the last week or so either. I have uploaded the rest of theYbor City Blocks and made them available for purchase individually through Pay Pal. Give them a look over and come up with your own compositions. Shipping and Handling is waived. Check em out!!

July 8 2009

Thanks to Dustin Oritz for the cool write up over @ his blog Orange YoYo . Sick mixed media paintings..Respect.

July 7 2009

Some up-coming shows in August. Very excited for these various opportunities. Thanks to all involved.

'Greenworks' Art Department Gallery Atlanta, Ga. August 5th-Sept.

'Outlook Art Show' Outlook Art August 1st-31st @ Cafe Hey, Tampa FL.

'Art Decks Yo' -A skate Deck Art Show. August 15th. Skate Park of Tampa.

July 2 2009

Below are some pictures from the Window Installation Logos, Lore & More I hung @ the Urban Outfitters in Ybor City, yesterday. The whole piece consists of over 350 different pieces, I actually never took a count. The process was so much fun, getting lost in the composition for 8 hours or so. I had no set plan going in as far as which piece goes where, but wanted to let it unfold in it's own way. I want to thank Jen Gilanfarr for hooking me up with the window stickers, Samantha Sothman for the opportunity, and Angus Shafer for coming out and doing a write up for his blog.

Check it out HERE

Also here is a little write up on a blog by Todd Richardson here: Give Them Rope

Another mention of the installation on my buddy Rob Mar's blog. Here:Ghosts of the Great Highway

June 27 2009

Fortunate Son

16x20 Mixed Media on wood. June 2009

June 26 2009

Check out a portion of the blocks for the Urban Outfitters Window Display in Ybor City, that I am installing next week.Super Excited for this one..

June 21 2009

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!

I miss you so much. I still think about you everyday. Thank you for everything!!

Thomas E. McLean (1954-2005)

June 19 2009

June 11 2009

Here is 1/2 of a baseball commission I am working on.' Warren Spahn and the Milwaukee Braves'. It measures 16x20 on wood.Ernie Banks and the Cubs is in the works. I'm a pretty big sports nerd..love it..

June 10 2009

New Piece titled 'Ultra Violet' measures 26x36..Really excited for this weekend, heading off to New York City to visit a special someone, and then down to Philadelphia on the 16th to check out the Group show @ Pure Gold Gallery Time to put on my tourist hat..

My little Nephew Luke turned three yesterday..Growing up so fast..See ya soon buddy.

June 7 2009

Here is a flyer for the show 'Pure Gold 2' @ the Pure Gold Gallery in Philadelphia. Excited to be a part of this one, and to travel up to NYC and Philly.

Here is a link to my buddy Chad Cardoza, and his Installation @ Urban Outfitters for the month of June. I'll be putting up mine in July. Check out the write-up by the Tampa Tribune Right Here.

June 2 2009

'Upcoming Show'

I will be sending pieces to the Pure Gold Gallery in Philadelphia as part of a group show entitled 'Pure Gold Two' on June 16th Very excited to be expanding to art locales out of Florida. My only other show away from the Sunshine State was @ the Compound Gallery in Portland Oregon back in September of 2006. I have to say I feel a lot better about my works today, improvments made over the last three years of working @ it.

May 28 2009

Three more this morning. 'Three Days' is a 16x20 piece, and 'Little Duke' measures 16x16 and the other a little collage piece I started the day with, using old 1960's newspaper car advertisements. A nice early morning art starter session ..Lots to do..

May 27 2009

Overall a productive day in the studio. Couple new pieces completed and several others at various stages.. Burning the Midnight Oil..

May 25 2009

Here are my three pieces for the show 'Eight is Enough' which is taking place June 5th @ the Tampa Artists Emporium. Each piece measures 8x8 on wood. They will be on display for the month of June. Thanks again to Chad and Suzie Cardoza for setting up the show..

May 16 2009

Added a banner up above to my shop over @ Etsy, which will allow purchases to be made online.New works will constantly be added.

May 14 2009

SHOW CANCELLED!!

The group skate deck show that was supposed to happen @ 47 Clothing next week has been cancelled. I'm not up on all the details, but I'm bummed, and I apologize to all those I have been telling to come..

May 13 2009

Working on additions to the woodblock collage collection for a massive window installation @ Urban Outfitters over in Ybor City during July. Below are some samples of the pieces. A LOT MORE TO COME!!

May 10 2009

Just went to Bold Hype last night to check out a solo exhibit for Dolla. Amazing and prolific, just tight solid works. The show had everything from paintings, to a mural, video work, installation, spray paint can pieces, t-shirts, you name it. It definitely got me stoked to get on the paint train even harder now a days. Thanks Dolla!! Please be sure to go by Bold Hype sometime between now and June 9th to see this show,...Support Orlando Art..

MAY 1 2009

Today marks the nine year anniversary of the stroke I encountered to the right cerebral artery. I literally try and give thanks everyday for my routine that allowed me to get out of bed that morning and be noticed stumbling around a parking lot, rather than alone in my dorm room sleeping through for days without anyone being aware. The quick response is what saved me, and allows me to do all the things I can today. Time literally flys; That day is still very vivid yet blurry in my mind..A Stroke of Luck!!

April 29 2009

***Upcoming Show***

April 28 2009

Encountered some RAM issues this past week on the ol' Imac so have been a little outta sorts on getting things done with the site. I was able to finish up a few new pieces though that I hung in Twist Hair Studio yesterday. I am enjoying the collage process a bit more @ the moment in comparison to painted works. It's all part of the process. More updates soon on the investigations into the files of Harold A. Spitz. Enjoy.

April 21 2009

I recently purchased two filing cabinets @ a junk sale for $5. The cabinets belonged to an illustrator Harold A. Spitz and were filled with ephemera from the 1940's through today. The story I heard is that Mr. Spitz recently was ill and had to get rid of these cabinets. Inside was massive refrence folders on various subjects. Animals, buildings, people's hands, sports, etc, etc.. Amazing!! A further section will be devoted to these finds and Mr. Spitz. But, here right now are three paper collages I made on manilla envelopes found in the cabinets.

April 19 2009

Back in town after three weeks on the road with Abox Fabrications out in Tempe, Arizona. The whole crew flew out to put together Red Bull Wakelab again, this time in Tempe Town Lake. Things went well, with some long work days, but plenty of good times in between. Hotel living for 18 days can get a little old, though the Fiesta Resort was really nice. Glad to be home and away from that dry desert heat. I'll take my sweaty Florida humidity any day over the brutal dusty air. Here are some random pictures of the setup, some of the crew, and a couple extras thrown in there.

A couple of events coming up here in the next few weeks as well. A showing of new works @ Twist Hair Studio in College Park, and a Skate Deck Show @ Forty VII Clothing in May. Updates to follow.

March 21 2009

Busy.Busy. Well tonight is my cousin Ben's Wedding to his wonderful soon to be wife Melissa. It's going to be a great time, seeing all the family again together for such an awesome occasion. But I am destined for an early morning flight out to Phoenix, again to set up Red Bull Wake Lab which will be taking place during the Tempe Music Festival. Lets hope for a mellow, feel good morning.

Had a wonderful time @ the opening for my art over @ Forty VII Clothing the other night. So great to see so many friends come out and show their support. It means so much more to me than I think I can explain right now. Many thanks to the folks @ Forty VII and Dustin Orlando for helping me out with everything. Here are the two last minute pieces that I finished the night before, so much fun!!

March 17 2009

Here are the fifteen pieces I created for My show @ Forty VII Clothing this Thursday March 19th. The show will be up for a month @ the store, and pieces will be available in store and online. If you are interested in any pieces please check out their site, and contact Dustin Orlando Thanks.

March 13 2009

Artist and friend Robert Mars added a blurb for my show next week @ 47 Clothing. Rob and I met through this lovely thing called the internet back iin 2005. We traded pieces, and eventually had a group show @ the Compound Gallery in Portland Oregon back in September of 2006. It was great cause I had the opportunity to drive across the country with my art, and have many great adventures along the way. (Thanks Court). Anyways, please be sure to stop by his sites and explore his great work and explore his blog, cause there are some great write ups on artists. More Robert Mars---HERE and HERE

March 12 2009

Currently working on a bunch of new pieces for a solo show next thursday the 19th @ Forty Seven Clothing on Curch Street in Downtown Orlando. Pretty excited about the pieces that have been coming together, some experiments in there, so that is always good. Also will be doing up a window display for the event. The show will run for a month, but be sure to come for the opening party on the 19th. 6-10. Thanks to Dustin Orlando for hooking me up with the opportunity. Preview Pictures are going to be here soon.

March 7 2009

Some new pieces that have been in shows recently. The first was in 'Triple Threat' @ The City Arts Factory, entitled "Just Who is Thomas E. Novel?" The next two are currently up @ the Tampa Artists Emporium in the "Fame" show for the month of March. They are entitled "Eleven Different Emotions' and "About You" respectively. Thanks to Dustin Orlando for curating the Triple Threat show and Chad and Suzie Cardoza for their work with the Fame Show.

Contain It! Installation Festival in Dunedin, Fl on February 13th and 14th. Had an awesome time installing this old workshop of Ricky Young inside of a Pods container. Met some cool artists and people. Thanks to the Dunedin Fine Arts Cener and Kaya Jill for everything. Also Mindy Solomon and her family for putting me up.

February 17 2009

Just returned last week from three weeks on the road with ABOX Fabrications building pool jams out in Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Had a rad time traveling, meeting new people and hotel living. Got to paint on the rails in both places as well so that is always a good time. The Phoenix rail was titled 'Napoleon' after it's resemblance to neopolitan ice cream. The Salt Lake theme was a little homage to Florida with a bit of 'Miami Vice' flavor. Many thanks to the Greenband Clan, Pat Panakos, Kris Salteski,Patrick Garrett, and Adam Martinson for the Salt Lake Photos.

Phoenix

Salt Lake City

February 8 2009

Today marks four years since my dad passed away. It has really been quite the experience knowing that I will never get to talk to him again or have him around @ big events in my life. I miss him, and think about him everyday. He left me with so much though, and I was extremely blessed to have such a great man as a father..

Thomas E. McLean (1954-2005)

January 13 2009

Dropped off my piece today for 'Triple Threat' this thursday the 15th @ City Arts Factory in Orlando. Also received a poster for the upcoming Contain It! Event in Dunedin. on February 13th and 14th. Excited for that one and it's change of pace from usual painted works, to some installtion exploration.

My synopsis of the upcoming Install:

This current installation at Contain It! has to deal with the idea of creative workspaces. I find that the moments spent in these often time cavernous abodes immersed in solitude, lends itself to the development of reclusive tendencies and the ability to find meaning and enjoyment in lonely personal pursuits. The dirty studio space presented here is that of Ricky Young, an alter ego of sorts, who creates stories and images about his past adventures with the ever so elusive Mr. Esteban Estrada, the mind behind The Novel Brothers Detective Agency

January 7 2009

Uploaded some pictures from the pieces on display over @ Lambs Eat Ivy Salon in Thornton Park. Met some nice people, and enjoyed the whole process very much. Even got a haircut from one of the sylists (Brianna). Which was a big deal and quite nice cause I havent been to a hair cuttery in probably 10 yrs. Usually just get out the shears and eye ball it..Haha. Many thanks to Lisa, Ciarra,Brianna and everyone @ Lambs. Good opportunities are on the way...Look Out. (The last two pictures are of the aftermath of arting with a deadline) Love It.

January 4 2008

Triple Threat coming up January 15th. Here is a flyer for the Event. Happy New Year to Everyone. Let's go Dolphins!!

December 15 2008

Recently my buddy Bryan Soderlind was out here @ the Projects shooting some wakeboard jibbing. The guys had to finish up building the new rail, so while we were waiting, Bear took a few shots of me taking advantage of the fading sunlight . These were new experiments for him taking a shot through the other camera which was set up on the tripod. I think they came out sick, I love his style!!

December 11 2008

Working on lots of new works for the coming shows next month. Some good stuff I do believe.

I was mentioned in this Article about the 99 bottles show last week @ Tampa Am. Pretty stoked on the author's comments about my pieces..

More coming soon.

November 17.2008

Art Showings Coming up.....

Dec 4th-'99 Bottles'- group show @ Tampa Am.

January-Month long exhibition of works @ 'Lambs eat Ivy' salon in Thornton Park

January 15th-'Triple Threat' group show @ City Arts Factory in Orlando

February 13-14th- Contain It! Installation Festival @ the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin, FL

November 13.2008

As promised here are a couple of pictures of the bottles I did for the '99 Bottles' event that is taking place over @ Tampa Am on December 4th.

November 11.2008

I am sending in a couple of artified beer bottles for this event over @ the Tampa Am Skate Contest. It's for a good cause, and it was fun working art onto a new surface.I will have pictures of the finished bottles up here tomorrow.

November 4.2008

Another piece was added to the artworks section. This one was made especially for a good person and her family. I enjoy giving and trading art for other things. It kind of brings you back to the old idea of a trading post.

Had a pretty fun Halloween. Couple of nights out on the town dressed as a Nerd, everyone enjoying the anonymity of makeup and masks,' letting their freak flags fly'. (HST) More to be posted later..

October 27.2008

Have been featured over on www.myartspace.com a networking site for art makers. Other than that I have just been working on some new pieces, and doing some office work setting up show opportunities over the next couple months. I'll post details when I am sure of them.

Pretty excited for the expected arrival of the next McLean. Juliette should be making her debut sometime next week.

October 24.2008

Added a rudimentary GUESTBOOK to the site. I'm not really up to the php coding nor do I have the patience @ the moment to get into customizing it..haha.. Please add your $.02 about the site and or the art.. Much appreciated.

October 22.2008

Happy Birthday Grandma!! I went ahead and uploaded some new art pieces. Some are from past shows, but I hadn't had a decent enough picture to upload them before. Onto the art pieces <-----------

I have been thinking about the quote I place on the artwork page 'They Need something next to them to make them work better' I find it to be of great truth with my artwork. I enjoy the installation feel of my work more so than single pieces placed amongst bare white walls. The pieces feed off one another, bringing out more color and comradery. Thats a little self observation anyways.

Getting immersed once again in DEXTER .... Awesome show you must chuck yourself into;fullforce..

October 20.2008

I added a couple more pieces to the wood block collection as well as some more new pieces. I plan adding more and more as they are finished, or when I feel like getting on the computer for a little coding session. Enjoy

Check out my buddy Kris Salteski slaying the rail park.. Cool little video of him out here @the Projects

Check it HERE////

And thank you to those who sent e-mails offering their support..much appreciated!!

October 18.2008

New Art Pieces

Uploaded a large section or art pieces. A few new ones, as well as the beginnings of a large woodblock collage installtion, that conveniently fits in a nice olden wooden toolbox.

Other than that, I have had some time away from a full time job, so that I can work pretty much exclusively on art everyday. It's going good, but sometimes I have to keep up the self-discipline if I find myself drifting into watching tv shows online.Haha. Everything is coming together though, just working on the promotion jargon that gets me sometimes. It's all part of the process. TRUST THE PROCESS!

Continue to Artwork Section>>>>>>>>>>>>HERE

Some things I have come to learn or been re-assured of over the last few months

More on the way; Everyday

October 14.2008

Red bull WakeLab

This is pretty much what I spent a month and a half of my life working on. Abox Fabrications had a lare crew amassed to fabricate and make this event happen. I worked around fifteen hours a day or more for over a month. One hundred hour weeks plus. I learned a lot about steel fabrication, met some awesome people and became a dirty Ironworker. The event went off well in downtown Orlando (Lake Eola) after a nice 36 hour shift to finish it off. Tear down was rough, but looking back it was a great life experience; testing my will power.

(by the way that's a marker in my mouth not a smoke)

A video showcasing the Monstrosity-Alliance-WakeLab

Gasparilla Film Festival Art Auction

Had the opportunity to create an art piece to display for the Gasparilla Film Festival Art Auction in Ybor City. The objective was to create a piece of art based on an independet film of our choosing. I chose 'The Station Agent.' A film from 2003 about a dwarf who in attempting to escape humanity, finds some great humans. That's my little synopsis anyways, but it's a great film you must watch. Overall it was a really fun night, getting to know the other artists involved, and drinking free Stella Artois. I would like to thank Chad Cardoza and his wife Suzie for organizing the event. I didn't get a close up picture of the piece before it sold, but here are a couple that Chad took. Getting Photographed by the St. Pete Times and hanging with Mike D.

Platform Retrospective

Platform held a retrospective show for past artists, on August 1st, over in Lakeland. Made a couple of new pieces to display @ the Arts on the Park Gallery. Had a fun time over @ the reception party, getting a chance to catch up with the locals of Lakeland. Thanks to Kris, Richard, Chad, and Cannon for the Pictures.

2009. ElUS1V.COM brandon.thomas.mclean@gmail.com