ADOworks

Dreams that influence Life that influences Dreams...using ART to make sense of it all. http://instagram.com/ado_works · https://www.facebook.com/adoworksnet · @ADOWorksNet · www.adoworks.net

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CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE

Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge.

2024

Acrylic on Canvas

4' x 5'

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Boi-1da: The Beats Beyond the Mask

2025

36 x 36

Acrylic on Canvas

Commissioned by @advancemusicca and @Timberland in honor of music producer @Boi1da as he received the 2025 JUNO International Achievement Award.

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To all HR workers out there, Happy International Human Resources Day! Thank you for all you do to try and keep everyone and everything together ...while trying not to fall apart inside. #adoworks #art #characterstudy #conceptdesign #characterdesign #digitalpainting #stylus #humpday #office #humor #officehumor #employee #hr #humanresources #internationalhrday #internationalhumanresourcesday #deadicated #dedicated #nervousbreakdown #wired #anxiety #anxietyattack #stress #stresskills #hyper #itslikeajunglesometimesthatmakesmewonder #burnout #putonahappyface #suckitup (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdy3E15Pc6D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Awake I once was blind but now can see... 2022 Oil on canvas 35.5" x 41.5" Swipe for details --> #adoworks #art #painting #oiloncanvas #evolution #revolution #awake #awakening #primate #ape #human #hairlessape #thirdeye #3rdeye #wakingdream #livingdreams #reality #surreal #iam #whatami #whoami #seethelight #blindinglight #light #darkness #blindmancanseeit #wasblindbutnowcansee #sighttotheblind (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-l79fPth1/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Getting over this week's hump like... #adoworks #art #characterstudy #conceptdesign #characterdesign #digitalpainting #stylus #humpday #office #humor #officehumor #employee #work #grind #coffee #caffeine #buzz #coffeebuzz #wired #anxiety #stress #jolt #dontpushmecauseimclosetotheedge #hyper #itslikeajunglesometimes #deadicated #burnout (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaDgdeMvm1q/?utm_medium=tumblr

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"And through all her pain, she still looked back and smiled. That's when I knew we were all f'd." Another WIP concept and style study. #adoworks #art #wip #workinprogress #conceptdesign #characterdesign #digitalpainting #stylus #female #femmefatale #assassin #cry #pain #revenge #psycho #smilethroughthepain #smileintheirface #laughnowcrylater (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZP6tDTvpmh/?utm_medium=tumblr

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A #tbt glimpse of an old design that I'm re-working into some more meaningful art. It will be a minute until I get back to it, but I'm still stoked to return to this piece. #adoworks #art #wip #workinprogress #conceptdesign #characterdesign #digitalpainting #stylus #lenovo #maui #tribe #god #power #legend #human #greed #religion #mythology (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CY-FVkXPobM/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Detail from a work in progress. Been nursing some arm aches but am steadily feeling better and can finally finish it off. Sometimes ya gotta go through $@#% ...Tendonitis is no joke. #adoworks #art #wip #workinprogress #painting #oiloncanvas #evolution #awake #awakening #primate #ape #human (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWULFZCPaRr/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Thank you to @wirthhats for including me in their Artist Series! I am grateful for the opportunity to custom design and paint one their hats in recognition and support of mental health. Now more than ever, as we all deal with isolation, I find myself having to face and deal with my own mental health in ways i had previously avoided. I find myself wrestling with feelings of being alone and feelings of being lonely. As bouts of the latter loom over me, I am all the more grateful for chances to connect with others. Like a break in the clouds allowing light to shine through, even a few minutes of interacting with others lifts my spirits, reminding me that I'm not alone even when I am. It is that wave of support that i chose to depict in the visuals that I painted. Inner strength though outer support. Glory through love. #wirthhats #wirthit #mentalhealth #art #artist #fashion #customhat #hats #hat #painting #acrylic #clothing #vancouver #canada #support #community #friends #family #adoworks #blackartist #vancouverartist #canadianartist (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPReXkoMifT/?utm_medium=tumblr

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View this post on Instagram

Thank you to Chelsea Rooney and @scienceworldca for showcasing the mural and the history of Hogan's Alley, as part of Black History Month. It was a pleasure to be interviewed and have a chance to speak on my experience and the mural's significance in support of not just STEM learning but STEAM learning--where the "A" stands for art. My interview can heard through the Youtube link in my profile, and can also be read on the Science World website (link within Youtube comments...not sure where else to add it). #art #mural #vancouvermuralfestival #hogansalley #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #stemlearning #steamlearning #scienceworld #blackartist #canadianhistory #vancouverhistory #afrocanadian #canadianartist #eachoneteachone (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpbqv5BQIF/?igshid=b2vsasp8n9de

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Many thanks to @nyah.binghi of Black Art Gastown and the @cityofvancouver for recognizing me during Black History Month, as part of an amazing group of individuals and organizations who have made positive changes in Vancouver! Be sure to familiarize yourselves with all of the 2021 honourees and their works shaping our communities and culture, on the City of Vancouver’s new Black History Month landing page! (Link in bio.) #blackhistorymonth #cityofvancouver #blackartgastown #art #artist #artists #bipocartists #vancouvermuralfestival #hogansalley #adoworks #painting #canadianartist #blackartist #mural #vancouverartist #vancouverart #community #culture (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLQinT_BzdA/?igshid=433zbxth5063

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To be featured in the year-end issue of Maclean's magazine is a wonderful note to end the year on! 👌🏾 Thank you @mniskhte for a producing a truly insightful piece on black and indigenous art and artists. Shout out to @rochellelungfish once again for the amazing shot. 📸 #macleans #macleansmagazine #art #artist #artists #bipocartists #culturalrenaissance #renaissance #vancouvermuralfestival #hogansalley #adoworks #painting #canadianartist #blackartist #mural #vancouverartist #vancouverart (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI9g2TFB_R6/?igshid=17q7c5yq5hwso

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So as to not flood this page with in-person shots, I'll post BTS pics from my @vanmuralfest work on my b-side page @officialanthonyjoseph Buuuut seeing as how I did kinda pose for these... Photos by @rochellelungfish #vancouvermuralfestival #hogansalley #mural #painting #art #artist #canadianartist #vancouverartist #blackartist #bipocartists #canadianhistory #blackhistory #vancity #adoworks (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnzECnhjR-/?igshid=k8mt7fy44flh

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A month out from having wrapped work with @vanmuralfest and I’m still reflecting proudly on what I accomplished with the help of amazing art-driven individuals. A huge thank you goes out to my curator Krystal Paraboo who believed in my abilities and gave me the opportunity to take on VMF’s community project. Thank you also to Adam Rudder from @hogans.alley who motivated me to further educate myself on the history of Hogan’s Alley . Many thanks to Adrian Sinclair and David Vertesi for their support in accommodating a change of mural location, making its impact much more profound. A huge thank you goes out to the entire VMF crew, including @drewstuff for your guidance in the beginning stages of concept work. Thank you also to Andrea Curtis, Tom Nichini, and Steff Love who kept patient when I spaced out on the simple things like invoicing. Thank you to @hubertkang @gabrielmartinsphoto @benzcooper and @laurenwelland for showcasing my work, and thank you to Lisa Wong for connecting me with the press and for constantly being upbeat. A special thank you goes out to Ellen Kibble and especially Britany Lawrence who was my rock, both of whom made sure I always had everything I needed. No greater thank you can be given than to my shadow painter @oxana_gaida. Watching you paint made me step my game up and become a better artist. I also cannot forget @jessakino who cheerfully helped in the early stages of painting. I am equally grateful to former studio mate @suzyking.art and @craigmostontattoo for taking time out of their busy schedules to lend me their skills. Huge thanks also go out to @amira_at_large for coming through on the homestretch, @pbandjellypost for lending me your lettering skills, @kinseydeakin for helping me paint despite the many times I mispronounced your name, @mark_illing for your castle painting wizardry, and @reduxdelux for bringing both your technical skills et une energie come personne d’autre. Last but not least, thank you to @mrscripsit for your amazing script work that brought a nice finish to the mural. Until the next art affair, much love to all of you and to all who came by with praise, support, and even curiosity. To be continued... (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiv2K-BSKQ/?igshid=mwkalvzrmh6r

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Golden axes and oars rain down towards the demolishing of Hogan’s Alleys, as a tidal wave also makes its way for the neighborhood. In the distance stands a golden mural crown erected like an impenetrable castle. Along with the surrounding hills, both the axes, oars, tidal waves, and mural crown are symbols taken from the crest within the City of Vancouver flag, representing the city’s order to demolish Hogan’s Alley. Also taken from the flag is the golden shield that Nora holds up in defense (see previous post). Her wielding of the shield conveys an internal conflict that the city caused by demolishing a community that was only just beginning to enrich the cultural fabric that makes up Vancouver. 8th and 9th sections of ‘Hope Through Ashes: A Requiem for Hogan’s Alley’, a @vanmuralfest mural recognizing @hogans.alley Special thanks to artists @oxana_gaida @jessakino @reduxdelux @mark_illing #painting #mural #cityofvancouver #demolition #hogansalley #community #blackcommunity #canadianhistory #blackhistory #vancouvermuralfestival #adoworks #artist #blackartist #blackart #canadianartist #vancouverartist (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdiFW2B44F/?igshid=ikthmmxwkdnp

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Last but not least, standing in the clear is Nora Hendrix, best known as the grandmother of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix who lived with her during his childhood and after being discharged from the US army in 1961. As a vaudeville performer, Nora originally travelled to Vancouver with her husband James Hendrix in 1911, while searching for work after their vaudeville revue is stranded in Seattle. After relocating to Hogan’s Alley, Nora finds work as a cook at Vie’s Chicken and Steaks. She was also part of the group that founded the African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel, and was one of the leads in gathering support for Fred Deal (see previous two posts). As one of the most active members of the community, Nora Hendrix lived as a prominent resident of Hogan’s Alley from the 1920s until its demise, remaining nearby until her death in 1984, two months before her 100th birthday. As Nora holds up a golden shield, she deflects a descending ax amid an oncoming tidal wave. In absorbing the impact, Nora is self-empowered as she resists succumbing to the demolition of Hogan’s Alley, its history living on. 7th section of ‘Hope Through Ashes: A Requiem for Hogan’s Alley’, a @vanmuralfest mural recognizing @hogans.alley Special thanks to artists @oxana_gaida @mrscripsit @reduxdelux @amira_at_large #painting #mural #norahendrix #jimihendrix #grandmother #pioneers #blackpioneers #ancestors #activist #community #blackcommunity #AfricanMethodistEpiscopal #queen #blacklivesmatter #hogansalley #canadianhistory #blackhistory #vancouvermuralfestival #adoworks #mural #artist #blackartist #blackart #canadianartist #vancouverartist (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdhoodhxQD/?igshid=yop5poprprx5

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Above the dissipating smoke stands the African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel, one of the only remaining constructions from the era of Hogan’s Alley. In 1918, after years of holding services in rented halls, a group within the black community of Hogan’s Alley worked to get a church of their own. The group contacted the African Methodist Episcopal church, a US-based denomination founded to fight racism, and with their support a Vancouver branch was founded in 1923. The AME was both a place of worship and a gathering place for the black community. It is the AME congregation that rallied many calls to action for the community, including ensuring a fair trial for Fred Deal, a railroad porter charged with killing a Vancouver Police Constable (see previous post). In 1985, the Fountain Chapel was sold, and over time it eventually became a private residence. 7th section of ‘Hope Through Ashes: A Requiem for Hogan’s Alley’, a @vanmuralfest mural recognizing @hogans.alley Special thanks to artists @oxana_gaida @mrscripsit @reduxdelux @amira_at_large @kinseydeakin #painting #mural #africanmethodistepiscopalchurch #chapel #church #worship #gatheringplace #community #blackcommunity #hogansalley #canadianhistory #blackhistory #vancouvermuralfestival #adoworks #artist #blackartist #blackart #canadianartist #vancouverartist (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGa31ykhneg/?igshid=3bkosyyhe22i