Oh boy! Flaming cars burning across the wide open skies of the Canadian Prairies… why? Well, you’re about to find out! Today I’m talking to Canadian painter Sean William Randall. We’ve been trying to make this happen since August, and today is finally the day! You can listen to our conversation right under that “tranquil” nightscape, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First up, the painting Sean did for “That Night In Toronto”, the show I curated this past July at Mayberry Fine Art in, you guessed it, Toronto. I asked each of the ten Canadian artists in the show to make a piece inspired by any lyric from any “Tragically Hip” song, as an ode to an iconic Canadian band whose front man, Gord Downie, had recently been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. This was the piece Sean made, titled “I thought of leaving it behind”:

Gorgeous! I had to include closeups of this beautiful beast – the final painting is 48″x60″ but the brushstrokes are so tiny! From across the room it’s hard to believe you’re looking at a painting – only when you get really close up (which I totally did) do you understand it is, in fact, an acrylic painting.

Speaking of flaming cars, here are some more (because I love them so much!). I realize Sean is beginning to move on from this series, but apparently I’m not! Oh and ps. the first one below is the first car piece he ever did – thank goodness for that frustration-filled, painting defacing, wonderful turn of events:

Gah! Again, so good! These are all quite big, so pretend you’re standing really close up, taking in all of the detail done with Sean’s teeny tiny brushes.

Next, I’ve always thought the paintings from this series would make a great album cover… turns out, they do!

Yes, orange vinyl! This was part of a project Sean did with Vinyl Moon.

And now, a few of his latest pieces featuring diners, astronauts, and of course, ice cream:

… and let’s not forget his dogs! This little fella got a starring role in “Sun Machine” :

Big white dog, tiny little brush. Love! All of this new work will be featured in his show, “IRREMEABLE”, that opens TODAY, Saturday October 14th at Mayberry Fine Art in Toronto. The opening is from 2pm – 5pm at 324 Dundas W (right across from the AGO). Sean will be there, so pop by if you can! Thanks so much to Sean for this really fun chat – life-threatening stories included; thanks to Saatchi Art for supporting the episode; as always thank YOU so much for stopping by to look and listen! There will be more art for your ear next weekend:

Other links:

1. Gordon Adaskin
2. Frank Lloyd Wright
3. University of Manitoba
4. Andrew Wyeth
5. Mayberry Fine Art