Happy New Year!

Well, 2012 is over. The world didn't end. Helloooo 2013!

To ring in the new year, I've decided to try my hand at doing a drawing a day. Yes, I've revived my old blog, Scritchy Pictures, which has been dormant for the last 4 years. It's about time I brought it back to life!

Head on over there to see my first post :)

Scritchy Pictures

Christmas presents

These are some pieces I did for family members as Christmas presents this year. The animal group portrait was for my aunt, uncle and cousins. The robin was for my grandmother. The animal one is done in charcoal, and the robin is done in watercolor.

Secret Santa Gift

So pretty much every year my friends in Baltimore and I exchange secret Santa gifts. I don't live in Baltimore anymore, but I joined in via Skype this year. Anyway, my best friend Donald from art school did this portrait of me. Donald is really good at portraits and I always secretly hoped he might do one of my some day. I really love how this turned out and I can't wait to get it framed and hang it up. He even gave a wink and a nudge to my own imagery that I include in my personal artwork :)

Thanks Donald!!

Sketchbook Show at Ashmore Gallery

I'm very excited to be part of this amazing show! I recognize a lot of the names in this show, and am very pleased to be showing with some of them for the first time, and others a second time. Wish I could go to the show, but it's a bit too far away. Hope people will be taking pictures!

412 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, GA.

Opening Reception: January 18th 6pm - 9pm
Closing Reception: January 25th 8pm - 11pm

FREE PIZZA + FREE BEER + NOT FREE ART
Featuring These Artists(In No Particular Order):

Jesse Balmer...............http://jessebalmer.com/
Jimmy Butcher..............http://jimmybutcher.com/
Johnny Negron..............http://jonnynegron.tumblr.com/
Nick Gazin.................http://skeleteen.livejournal.com/
Alan Chiang.................http://alanchiang.tumblr.com/
Jermaine Jose..............http://www.jermainetime.com/
Julia Yellow................http://juliayellow.com/
Karla Castañeda.............http://karlacastanedaillustration.tumblr.com/
Mildred.....................http://unclemildred.blogspot.com/
Lauren Albert...............http://plslala.com/
Justin C Henry..............http://www.justinchenry.com/
Nick Sadek..................http://sadekart.com/
Douglas Bicicleta...........http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogrinhasdosteclados/
Hope Gangloff...............http://www.hopegangloff.com/
Vasilis Lolos...............http://steamrobo.blogspot.com/
Tim Kaminski................http://www.timkaminski.com/
Lucas Ruggieri..............http://lucasruggieriillustration.com/
Alex Chiu...................http://www.alexdoodles.com/
Jon MacNair.................http://www.jonmacnair.com/
Ryan Humphrey...............http://ryanhumphrey.co.uk/
Michael C. Hsiung...........http://michaelchsiung.com/
Sean Morris.................http://www.illsean.com/
Wayne Horse.................http://waynehorse.com/
Chelsea Swift...............http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmslaggs/
Steven Darden...............http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendarden/
Schuyler Beecroft...........http://schuylerbeecroft.com/
Emily Anne Quintero........http://www.emilyquintero.com/
Daniel Guerrero Fernandez..http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielguerrerofernandez/
Xavier Robles De Medina....http://theartofxavier.blogspot.com/
Berje.......................http://cargocollective.com/berjeee
Niv Bavarsky................http://www.nivbavarsky.com/
Andrew Lawandus.............http://doworkdesign.com/
Ty Underwood................http://drawnugs.tumblr.com/
Isaac McCaslin..............http://isaacmccaslinart.blogspot.com/
Darion McCoy................http://www.darionmccoy.com/
Sam McKenzie................http://samsamsamsam.com/
Mac Taylor..................http://hiremeandmake.us/
John Haverty................http://www.johnwilliamhavertyjr.com/
Luke Pelletier..............http://lukepelletier.tumblr.com/
Irkus.......................http://www.irkus.net/
Hitnes......................http://www.hitnes.org/
Nik Dudukovic...............http://pilot5.com/
Charlotte Jackson...........http://www.charlottebjackson.com/
Brandon Loving..............http://brandonloving.com/
Carty Sewill................http://cartyis.me/
Jose Ray....................http://www.joseray.com/
Lomaho Kretzmann............http://www.flickr.com/photos/lomaho
Matt Jackson................http://mjackson.carbonmade.com/
Will Hunt...................http://www.flickr.com/photos/willalphonzo/
Kyle Joseph.................http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylejoseph
Melvin......................http://www.mistermelvin.be/
James Chong.................http://www.jameschongart.com/
Gabriel Gonzales............http://www.gabegonzales.com/
Liam Barrett................http://liam-barrett.com/
Justin L Harris.............http://www.flickr.com/photos/killkillmurderkillkill/
Britt Spencer...............http://www.thedagnabit.com/
Cleonique Hilsaca...........http://cleonique.com/
Luke Pearson................http://lukepearson.com/
Sashiko Yuen................http://wishcandy.net/
Mattias Adolfsson...........http://www.mattiasadolfsson.com/
Malachi Ward................http://malachiward.blogspot.com/
Mari Kanstad Johnsen........http://marikajo.com/
Singeon Waters..............http://www.flickr.com/photos/singeonwaters/
Gordon Rabut...............http://www.gordonrabut.com/
Kristin Wong...............http://www.kristinmwong.com/
Alycia Lara Linke..........http://cargocollective.com/a_l_y_c_i_a__l_i_n_k_e/
Mike Force.................http://www.autotone.net/
Alessandra Hosher..........http://Alessandrahoshor.com/
Wasted Rita................http://www.wastedrita.com/
Kris Mukai.................http://www.krismukai.com/
Geoffrey Gonzales .........http://geoffreygonzales.blogspot.com/
Carly Elizabeth Schmitt....http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkattack
Shalo P....................http://hellprevails.blogspot.com/
William Emmert.............http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmertwilliam/
Michael Olivo..............http://michaelolivo.com/
Alexis Ziritt..............http://aziritt.net/
Michael Skattum............http://michaelskattum.com/
Patrick Kyle...............http://patrickkyle.com/
Diego Gerlach...............http://www.flickr.com/photos/diegogerlach/
Brian Mitchell..............http://briancmitchell.com/
Jonathan Djob Nkondo........http://www.flickr.com/photos/odnokn/
Darin Shuler................http://darinshuler.com/
Jesse Fillingham............http://www.jessefillingham.com/
Cory Hand...................http://coryhandtattoos.com/
Cam Floyd...................http://camfloyd.com/
Andrew Brodhead.............http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewbrodhead/
Kristina Collantes..........http://kristinacollantes.com/
Dieter Van der Ougstraete...http://dietervdo.carbonmade.com/
Tony Viper..................http://www.cosmicnuggets.com/
Rowan Tedge.................http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedgedrawings/
Ricardo Wong................http://www.flickr.com/photos/byriw/
Guy McKinley................http://www.guymckinley.com/
Halah El-Kholy..............http://helkholy.blogspot.com/
Andrey Flakonkishochki......http://flakonkishochki.ru/
Skyler Page.................http://skylerpage.blogspot.com/
Ben Tollefson...............http://bentollefson.com/
Jon Taylor..................http://jonnyboytheclown.blogspot.com/
Elgin Braden................http://elginbraden.blogspot.com/
Burke Stewart...............http://burkestewart.com/
Thomas Hunt.................http://www.thomashuntillustration.com/
Jordan Crane...............http://whatthingsdo.com/
Kalin Allen................http://www.kalinallen.com/
Kali Moon..................http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimoon/
Heather McRae..............http://hfinearts.com/
Jenny Eitel................http://www.jennyeitelart.com/
William Irving Singer......http://www.wirvs.com/
Agogwe.....................http://www.flickr.com/photos/phokingdragon/
Alabaster..................http://www.illustriousalabaster.com/
Tallboy....................http://tallboyart.com/
Valleria Hernan............http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeriahernan/
Sloane.....................http://www.flickr.com/photos/sloanesloane/
Warm Fuzz..................http://www.flickr.com/photos/warmandfuzzyco/
Mettie June
Caris Fawcett
Sean Muldrow
Ali Norman
Clayton Walsh
Daniel Simmons
Carlos Frade
Taylor Doyle Gillespie

http://ashmoregallery.com

More Pillows!

http://society6.com/jonmacnair/pillows

ART with a HEART - SALE!

For a LIMITED time, 21 pieces of my art will be available at reduced prices at WWA gallery and online. Some discounted by $100 or more. Part of the money will also be going to help Hurricane Sandy victims, so if you've had your eye on any of these pieces, now is the time to give them a home :) Below is the link and info featured on the gallery website.

“WWA Gallery and participating artists will

jointly donate 10% of all sales from "Art with a Heart" to the American Red Cross for the Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort!
With the goal of helping others in this time of need, the gallery has teamed up with artists to offer artwork at amazing price points from past shows for the duration of the exhibit from December 8 – 22, so this is your chance to help others while helping yourself to original artwork.

http://www.wwagallery.com/category-s/1891.htm

Lamono Magazine

Check out this issue of Lamono Magazine! I was lucky enough to have my work featured alongside some really great artists. Big thanks to Lamono for inviting me to contribute my work :)

"Final Breath"

Here is the piece I created for "The End" show at Pony Club Gallery, here in Portland. You can see the rough thumbnail sketches I made and how I sort of combined the two to come up with the final concept. The opening was really fun, and there was so much good work to be seen!

Old Drawings For an Upcoming Show

Scanned, labeled, packaged and shipped all 50 of these old sketchy drawings out today. Headed to Georgia...

My work in Popper Magazine, a Latvian art publication. Check out all the people in this hefty issue!: 

Latvian artists:
Cover: TRON / RIST, Éndrjü, Tron, Maija Kurševa, Klāvs Loris, Frost, Arturs Koršs, Roberts Galviņš, Krišjānis Mežulis, Anete Melece, Oskars Pavlovskis, Baiba Baiba, Reinis Pētersons, Mārtiņš Zutis, Kaspars Groševs, Ausma Šmite, Inga Ģibiete, Harijs Brants, Zane Veldre, Maris Biš

ofs, Ernests Kļaviņš, Klāvs Upaciers, Dārta Hofmane, Baiba Kalniņa, Sergejs Djomins, Sabīne Moore, Māra Viška, Līva Rutmane, Jana Brike, Ilmārs Blumbergs, Artūrs Bērziņš, Gints Apsīts, Paulis Liepa, Artūrs Bunts, Cheap6, Anda Lāce, Dace Sietiņa, Mārtiņš Ābols, Andris Vītoliņš, Paula Zariņa, Linards Kulless, Kristians Brekte, Jamuna, Normunds Kozlovs.

International guests:
Otecki, Saddo, Dunja Jankovic, Marie Pierre Brunel, Alkbazz, Zosen, Andy Calabozo, Jack Teagle, Léo Quievreux, Ekta, Geometricbang, Brett Flanigan (Feralchildart), Kitra, Sebastian Pren, Eduardo Taborda, Luke Ramsey, 81 85 (Giaime), Zgonowicz, Brecht Vandenbroucke, Tellas, Aitch, Il Pistrice, Andreco, Benjamin Constantine (Ben Sea), Ian Stevenson, Christian Stearry, Jerôme x François x Antoine (HELL'O MONSTERS), Hattie Stewart, Nick Mann (Doodles), Roman Bloodless, Kolbeinn Karlsson, Carla Barth, Jon MacNair, Stefan Zsaitsits, Stachu Szumski.

See more pictures from the issue here!

Throw Pillow Cases available on Society6!

Get these and many more of my designs on Society6! http://society6.com/jonmacnair/pillows

"Last Man"

This piece was created for the "Don't Wake Daddy VII: Apocalypse Show" in Hamburg, Germany.

"Last Man"

India ink on paper

15.75" x 19"

2012

Initial thumbnail sketch above.

"Savage Bouquet" - Sold

Recently got word from Art Whino that this piece was sold. It was part of the G40 Art summit exhibition.

Don't Wake Daddy VII - Apocalypse Show

Here is the flyer for another upcoming show I will be part of. This one is also apocalypse-themed, but I won't be attending it because it's in Hamburg Germany. I've already gotten a glimpse at the work in the exhibition, and it's very exciting to be showing with this talented bunch of people. I hope some pictures of the opening surface somewhere......

Check out this lineup!

Anthony Ausgang, Oksana Badrak. Dan Barry, Jana Brike, Chris Buzelli, John Casey, Belicta Castelbarco, Brendan Danielsson. Danielle de Picciotto, Alex Diamond, Mark Elliott, Charles Glaubitz, Kelly Haigh, Thorsten Hasenkamm, Gregory Hergert, Ryan Heshka, Charlie Immer, Gregory Jacobsen, Colin Johnson, Boje Arndt Kiesiel, Ti Kunkit, Elmar Lause, Sean Lewis, Carolin Löbbert, Jon MacNair, Mia Mäkilä, Moki, Brendan Monroe, Sergio Mora, Wolfgang Sangmeister, Raudiel Sañudo, Marcus Schäfer, Kim Scott, Sebo, Michael Slack, Allison Sommers, Nathan Spoor, Fred Stonehouse, Collin van der Sluijs, Marco Wagner

Don't Wake Daddy VII – Apocalypse Show

Opening: December 1, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

December 1 - 22, 2012

Feinkunst Krüger Kohlhöfen 8 20355 Hamburg Germany

Telefon: +49-(0)40-31792158

"The End" is near.....

Did a piece for this group show coming up at Pony Club in Portland. It will be opening first Thursday of December. I'll be making the rounds that night to all the 1st Thursday openings, including this one :)

"Twilight Green" tattoo

Someone got a tattoo of my drawing "Twilight Green". Looks like a pretty nice job :)

The Jersey Devil

“The Jersey Devil” - India ink on paper - 16” x 24” - 2012

Created for the “Urban Legends” show at Signal Gallery, curated by Corpse Corps Boards

The Jersey Devil is said to have “the face of a horse, the head of a dog, leathery bat-like wings, horns, small arms with clawed hands, cloven hooves and a forked tail”

Urban Legends Show Tonight!

I contributed one piece to this group show in Brooklyn, New York. Please check it out if you are around and want to see some great Halloween-ish art!

Sneak Peek of new piece, "Last Man"

Lamono Magazine

Thanks to Lamono Magazine for the great interview and feature in their publication!

Below is the text from the interview:

Chimeric creatures captive from a dark innocence invade the hallucinatory universes of the work of the young artist born in South Korea. With pen in hand, Jon MacNair creates phantasmagoric images that reveal stories of parallel worlds observed by giant eyes. The artist, who lives in Michigan nowadays, prints on his fine arts as well as on his illustrations, his sinister hallmark. To Jon MacNair, the sea is another amazing scene where mythical characters live. In the depths of the thick waters, enchanted beings and demons play with the stars and the mysteries of the night. T. María Luján Torralba. Puedes leer la entrevista completa en español aquí.

How do ideas come? What inspires you? I’m inspired by many things, like Medieval art, botany, mythological creatures, fairy tales, ghost stories, music, ancient civilizations etc. However, some of my ideas come from things I see in everyday life. You’d be surprised how you can create a pretty elaborate concept from just a seed of an idea. Over time, I’ve established a cast of creatures/characters that reoccur in my work, and the personalities they’ve developed over time help me to come up with new scenarios to illustrate.

By what criteria do you use color only in some drawings? There’s not really any specific criteria for when I use color, unless I’m creating a piece for a show or exhibit that specifically calls for it. I usually just get the urge to try something other than my standard monochromatic palette. It’s nice to keep things interesting.

Which artists of other disciplines inspire you? I’m really fond of the films of Jan Svankmajer and the Brothers Quay.

What illustration technique do you feel most comfortable? I’ve worked quite a bit with pen and ink over the past 7 years, so I’m pretty comfortable with that medium at this point.

Why do you say that your work is “narrative”? A lot of my work seems to tell a story. Most of the stories I depict are only partially formed, or inconclusive. It’s rare that I will show a beginning, middle and end all in one image. It’s open ended and left for the viewer to fill in. There’s no right or wrong answer.

How is it different, from the creative process, your illustration to fine arts? My process isn’t really that different. It’s just that with client work I am usually more limited in what I can draw. You need to meet the needs of the client and sometimes they already have an idea of how they want things to look. There is also the whole aspect of getting things approved and negotiating fees etc.

How does technology influence your work? As far as creating my fine art, it doesn’t factor into things that much. I do everything by hand. The only time where technology might come into the equation is when I’m researching something or looking for reference photos on the internet. My illustration work is another story. I use scanners and Photoshop for part of the process (mostly coloring).

In your works “Hijacking on the High Sea”, “Convening on the Full Moon”, “The Acquisition” and “It Rose from the Depths”, as others, different stories happen at sea, what led you to create these characters? How do they differ from terrestrial beings? What feelings does the sea arouse you? All the characters were kind of a gradual evolution. They developed over a number of years and underwent a lot of changes. I don’t consider these creatures much different from terrestrial beings. They just live in a different environment. I think the sea evokes great feelings of mystery and mythology. I’m very intrigued by how different cultures regard the sea in their own mythology and folklore. Also, I find the power of the sea kind of frightening. It’s so gargantuan and totally unbiased in the destruction of human life, while also being extremely beautiful and mesmerizing.

What does it mean to you the fusion between animals and humans? I think the fusion of humans and animals is actually a pretty logical one because we’re not as different as we think. We all have some inherent animal instincts somewhere deep down that strive for self-preservation.

We can appreciate in your drawings the presence of stars, moons and celestials bodies, what is your relationship with astronomy? How valuable are the stars in your life? I’m still on the fence about whether I really believe in the Zodiac and all that stuff, but it’s fun to speculate about it. I have however always been interested in the moon and the planets and stars as natural wonders. They are something we share as a human race and can all gaze upon no matter where we live. They connect us in a strange way. If terms of thinking of the stars as some kind of metaphor for fate, I don’t really believe in that. I think actions determine the future more often than not.

You can see the article online here: http://lamonomagazine.com/mcnair/

Head of a Fiji Merman - Sold

Sold this guy recently to Julio in Philly. He has gone to a good place :)

Lotsa New Prints!

Hey all,

Just updated my Society6 shop with some new prints. Mostly new works and a few old ones, like this drawing from waaay back in 2009!

Check it out!

Perplexed Imp Tattoo

Look what was brought to my attention! Someone got a tattoo of my work :)

Redux "Skull Show" pictures

Some pictures from the opening reception of the "Skull Show" here in Portland! Had a nice time chatting with the other artists :)