'The only sense I could use was touch and there was something calming and soothing about having the paintbrush touch my face.' Rebecca Perry, 23, has been painted three times and said the process helped her understand her own personality better. 'I find it maybe to be more of a psychological analysis because it draws on body representation, which is a very primal aspect of humanity,' he said. Liss said McLean's project showcases elements of contemporary art and portraiture, but also draws heavily on art therapy traditions. '(The project) is a link to the human body itself and you can't look at it as a painting, that's not what the artist is trying to get at.' 'What I find interesting is the interaction between the subject and McLean and what it brings out,' Liss said. His output has jumped to 145 canvases since then, he said, adding his work is reaching an audience ranging from Australia to Peru.ĭavid Liss, Artistic Director and Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, said McLean's work portrays the connection that develops between an artist and his subject. McLean held his first exhibit last November, where he displayed his first 100 canvases and launched his first published book. The project was initially supposed to be private and consist of only ten portraits, but high demand and positive feedback quickly altered McLean's plans. McLean overcame his self-esteem issues and began the Human Canvas Project as a way to document his close friends and the way that he saw them on the inside. 'A lot of gay men struggle with eating disorders, I didn't like who I was and took it out on my body,' he said. The artist struggled with his image and sexuality in high school, ultimately leading him to abuse his body and drop 45 pounds in six months. Subjects are sometimes hesitant to display their bodies, McLean said, adding he understands their reticence all too well. McLean then gets to work bonding with his subject before applying his trademark swirls, strokes, and dabs showcasing what he calls the subject's inner beauty. McLean's subjects begin the creative process by picking out a playlist of ten songs along with up to five colours they like. 'One of the biggest things that body painting tries to do is disguise the body, while I'm trying to show who the person is behind the paint,' McLean said. McLean, also an author and actor, says his art shouldn't be confused with ordinary body painting. Using music, discussion and individual colour choices, McLean tries to tap into each person's individual character and use the body as the canvas it's painted on. Through the Human Canvas Project, established last year, McLean uses his paint brushes to capture both his subjects' figures and personalities. Now he's advertising the beauty of the human form by transforming it into a work of art. √ Volunteering a minimum of four hours per month in the store is also required.TORONTO - Matti McLean once hated his body so much that he stopped eating in his last year of high school. √ If successful in gaining a space, you will be asked to sign a contract or a minimum of three months. If there are already artisans in the store offering much the same kind of product, your chances of gainin g a spot may be limited and so you may be placed on a waiting list for your type of work.

√ To be viable, the store needs to offer a diversity of works in price and type.

Shelving units and floor space allocations vary in size and are wholly dependent on the amount of space needed to suitably show your body of work. √ Wall space may be rented in either a 42 x 96 inch or 21 x 96-inch-wide sections. √ In addition to the jury process, there must be space available for your work in the store. They will decide if your work is in keeping with the quality and type of works to be displayed in the store. √ A three-member panel will want to see photos of, or actual samples of your work. √ You must first be a member of the Guelph Creative Arts Association (GCAA).

Paintbrush display crossword