THE STRIP
These digitally illustrated prints depict distinct and interesting Southern Ontario cityscapes, including Hamilton, Toronto, Brantford, and Windsor. Entire city blocks (or strips) are recreated in heavy tones of black, white and gray (and sometimes muted colour). These drawings are meant to highlight the surreal contrast between the imposing industrial shells from a manufacturing history vs. the residential development around it.
The large panoramic prints are up to 8ft. long, allowing the viewer to literally walk down the block. The process behind creating these pieces begins with photography. In order to capture the entire city block, a string of photos are taken and then stitched back together in the computer. Once the stitching is complete, the pieces are digitally painted or “rotoscoped” over the photograph. This technique gives the print an uncanny or surreal appearance and allows me to remove any unwanted bits such as cars and pedestrians.
May 7 2012
Just finished this new piece of the Hamilton Harbour. Right on time for the West Hamilton Artists Tour!!!! This is another piece commissioned by Mackesy Smye.
It is be available in a large and small edition. Come visit my new gallery/studio this weekend and check it out in person! Apr 27 2012
PAUL ELIA in the WEST HAMILTON ARTISTS TOUR 2012"!!! Come by and check out my new studio/gallery! The third annual West Hamilton Artists Tour is Mother's Day weekend, May 12 and 13 from 10am to 5pm both days. 10 studio locations in the Locke Street Neighbourhood hosting an exciting line-up of 22 local and regional artists working in various media including pastels, acrylic, pottery, stained glass, fused and flameworked glass, textiles, jewellery and wood. Click here for full details. Apr 13 2012
Just finished this piece of the new Lister Block building. Just in time for the open house today! Commissioned by Mackesy Smye. Apr 4 2012
Some beautiful shots by the amazing Jeff Tessier for his Hamilton Artists in Studio project Including me in my new studio/gallery in the Queen and Aberdeen area. Click Here for Jeff's website Mar 19 2012
PAUL ELIA IN THE "ART IN THE WORKPLACE" EXHIBIT AT MCMASTER INNOVATION PARK! Join me for the Opening Reception on Wednesday, March 28th, 2011, from 7 - 9pm. The exhibition will be available for viewing in the Atrium at McMaster Innovation Park from March 28 - July 18th, 2012 when the building is open - from 7:30am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). The Atrium at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) Click here for more info on the exhibit. Feb 9 2012
Brand new piece! Roncesvalles Ave in Toronto, looking north to Howard Park. Available now to order.
Click here for full preview Feb 7 2012An article on me, my art and living in the Hammer for ARTISTree network! Dec 8 2011
PAUL ELIA IN THE "ART IN THE WORKPLACE" EXHIBIT AT MCMASTER INNOVATION PARK! Opening Reception on December 8th, 2011, from 7 - 9pm. Save the date, bring your family and friends to this exciting event!. The exhibition will be available for viewing in the Atrium at McMaster Innovation Park from December 3, 2011 until March 7th, 2012 when the building is open - from 7:30am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). The Atrium at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) Click here for more info on the exhibit. Nov 28 2011
PAUL ELIA at the LOCKE STREET CHRISTMAS ART MARKET!!! I will be at the Locke Street Christmas Art Market for the next 3 Saturdays in December! Selling large and small framed prints. Find the perfect Christmas gift or just come by for a visit! Nov 10 2011 Hamilton Arts Council presents An Evening of Art Live and Silent Auction Join me at The Hamilton Club on Tuesday, November 29 starting at 5:00 pm for an evening that will feature live music, drinks and nibbles, and of course an amazing selection of local art available for bidding just in time for the holiday season. Tickets are $30 for non-members and $10 for members and are available for purchase from the Hamilton Arts Council office at 279 King Street East, The Hamilton Club at 6 Main Street East, and Mixed Media at 154 James Street North. Click Here for more details. Oct 29 2011 PAUL ELIA in the Art Gallery of Hamilton Fall Art Show! Join me for the opening on Friday, November 4th at 7pm! I will be showing another brand new piece of the Downtown Hamilton Gates! New works by over 50 artists! DJ Set by Devon Craig from 7 pm to 9 pm. Cash bar open from 6 - 9 pm. Gallery hours: Click Here for full details. Oct 12 2011
PAUL ELIA in the INDUSTRIAL RE-EVOLUTION EXHIBIT at the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology!!! Please join me at the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology for the opening of the new exhibition "Industrial Re-Evolution"! Free admission! Featuring work by: John Ashbourne, Elizabeth Barton, Craig Bell, Tom Bochsler, Valerie Cousens, Peer Christenesen, Dan Davelaar, Paul Elia, Yvonne Felix, Diana Gordon, Caillin Kowalczyk, Gordon Leverton, Colin Lyons, Steve Mazza, Linda Joyce Ott, Norris Podetz, Jeff Tessier and Helen Verbanz. With live music and performing arts! Fashion show by Rev Wear Artist Collective. Featuring Green Dress Designs - Upcycled Streetwear Fashions at 8pm. For this exhibit I will be showing the brand new West Harbour piece for the first time! Please RSVP: steammuseum@hamilton.ca or call at 905-546-4797 Sep 27 2011
BRAND NEW piece in the Hamilton Strip series - The West Harbour in Hamilton, ON. This new piece will be on display for the first time at the Museum of Steam and Technology exhibit on Friday, October 28th! Sep 14 2011It's time for the Hamilton Spectator Readers Choice Awards. VOTE FOR ME as your favourite local artist! Vote for met at http://surveys.thespec.com/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=l4LL983 Sep 7 2011
PAUL ELIA in the SUPERCRAWL AFTERPARTY at the WITTON LOFTS!!! I will be showing in the Supercrawl Afterparty at the Witton Lofts on Saturday, Sept.10th. Hosted by Core Urban and Urbanicity! Open house from 1-9. Party starts at 9pm! Aug 23 2011A small article from the Hamilton Spectator featuring me and the story of why I chose to move from Toronto to Hamilton! Aug 22 2011Large framed prints are now available for purchase at UpCountry furniture stores in Burlington and Toronto Aug 19 2011
PAUL ELIA at the Museum of Steam and Technology Industrial Re-Evolution show!!! Opening reception on October 28th at 8pm. For this exhibit I will be showing another brand new piece of the Rheem factory in the West Harbour in Hamilton! With all the amazing artists involved, this show is going to be a good one! Aug 15 2011
PAUL ELIA at the DISTILLERY DISTRICT "ARTFEST 2011"!!! A Labour Day Weekend Outdoor Art Show at the beautiful Distillery District in Toronto! September 2, 3, 4 and 5th! From 11am - 6pm. Free admission. For this exhibit I will be showing a new piece of the St. Lawrence Market area in Toronto! Come and visit me at my tent! Click here for more info on the show. Aug 10 2011
The Museum of Steam and Technology Clothesline Art Sale Come and meet the artists while enjoying a Clothesline Art Sale. Many pieces of interesting unframed art will be available hung on clotheslines in the park. Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011 Jul 5 2011
A sneek peek at the BRAND NEW PIECE of Queen Street West! Available for the first time at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit. From Friday, July 8th to Sunday July 10th, July 8, 9 & 10, 2011 in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall at Queen Street West and Bay Street. Go to the TOAE website for more details. Jun 14 2011
Paul Elia at the TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION! From Friday, July 8th to Sunday July 10th, July 8, 9 & 10, 2011 in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall at Queen Street West and Bay Street. Go to the TOAE website for more details. May 16 2011
NEW PIECE! The much requested Locke Street print is now available to order. This new print is of the block just South of the train tracks on Locke Street. It will be the first in a 2 part Locke Street series. Apr 1 2011
The Art Gallery of Hamilton's Spring Art Sale 6 of my prints will be on display for the AGH Spring Sale from Thursday May 5-9, 2011. Go to the The Hamilton Art Gallery for more details. Jan 21 2011
SPECIAL ONE-OF-A-KIND COMMISSION FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD The new Good Shepherd Women's Services Building on King and Pearl commissioned this one-of-a-kind piece to commemorate their old facilities on Emerald Street. Jan 3 2011
Salon group show at Propeller 3 of my new prints will be on display at Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts for their Salon V show featuring Propeller Members and Invited Artists this January 13-20th, 2011. Opening Reception: Dec 22 2010
BRAND NEW PRINT AVAILABLE! It's the old, abandoned Westinghouse building off Barton and Sanford. Click here for more Nov 26 2010December ARTCRAWL in Hamilton Oct 6 2010ART LIST PRO interview with Paul Elia Oct 6 2010September Art Crawl review by Stephanie Vegh
Aug 30 2010I just hung 4 large prints in the new pub STONEWALLS on York Blvd. in downtown Hamilton!. Aug 23 2010
One more show...this time in the Hammer! Solo show at Socald Gallery during the September Art Crawl! New, large scale prints will be on display at Socald Gallery from September 10-25, 2010. Opening Reception: Friday, September 10th, 2010 from 7-11pm The Hamilton Strip series has evolved to include more cities in the Ontario rustbelt that face similar challenges as they cope with contemporary industrial / manufacturing realities. Aug 20 20103 large prints have found a home in the brand new bakery on Locke Street in Hamilton called BREAD BAR. Jul 18 2010
Solo show at Culturshoc this August! New, never before seen pieces will be on display at Culturshoc from August 13-31, 2010. Opening Reception: Friday, August 13th, 2010 from 7-11pm The Hamilton Strip series has evolved to include more cities in the Ontario rustbelt that face similar challenges as they cope with contemporary industrial / manufacturing realities. Jul 5 2010
Obscured Metropolis group show at Propeller Brand new, never before seen pieces from my Hamilton Strip series will be on display at Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts this July 13-18th, 2010. Opening Reception: Thursday, July 15th, 2010 from 7-10pm Apr 20 2010
ANOTHER NEW PIECE in the Hamilton Strip series - See this piece and more new ones in their full glory this summer! Jan 27 2010
BRAND NEW piece in the Hamilton Strip series - The Century Theatre This is an image I have been working on for the Hamilton Strip series for the past few months. The source photos were taken in December 2008. For those of you who don't know, this building is being torn down as I type this. It is truly sad to think that the building will be gone just as I finally finished this piece in honour of such a striking building. Nov 27 2009Hamilton Strip featured in "Hamilton, Mon Amour"  Photographed by Dominic Morissette and hosted by Dave Kuruc. Click here to watchNov 27 2009Hamilton Strip at the ART UNDER $100 SHOW!!! Opening Reception: Thursday, December 3, 2009 / 7pm - 11pm Nov 21 2009Hamilton Strip review
Sep 11 2009First Time Showing in Hamilton Sep 11 2009
Hamilton Strip featured in H Magazine "Paul Elia debuts his newest collection of works this month at Mixed Media. These large panoramic digital illustrations showcase distinct and interesting stretches of streets found in central and downtown Hamilton." Jul 26 2009Hamilton Strip listed in NOW Magazine's MUST SEE SHOWS! Jul 23 2009Premiere Exhibition Grand Opening: Thursday, July 23, 2009 / 7pm - 11pm Jul 19 2009Hamilton Strip featured in James Street North.ca |
 Click a thumbnail to view full image
Click here to see HAMILTON SIGNS Satirical street signs creating awareness about the issues Hamilton Downtowners face. Designed by my husband Paul Sousa |
"Though I haven’t visited often this past year, I was drawn into Socald Studio Gallery in spite of the pervasive jazz flute to take in Paul Elia’s Hamilton Strip series of digital prints. In addition to his exceptional though nowadays widely distributed images of Hamilton streetscapes - you can see some stonking huge ones at Stonewall’s Restaurant down York Boulevard - Elia has expanded his repertoire to include other cities in the Ontario rustbelt, some of which include the use of select, muted colours. At present I’m not seeing quite the same visual richness in these views of other cities - there’s a reduced range of values that makes these buildings appear flatter than their uncanny Hamilton counterparts - but I remain glad to see the series evolving in a larger direction."
"The body of work for which I was witnessing the most enthusiastic audience response for the night wasn’t related to ReMix at all, but rather was on display at Mixed Media in both the main space of the shop and its small gallery alcove. Paul Elia’s Hamilton Strip is a relatively simple undertaking - digital drawings of local streetscapes adapted from photographs - but the images achieve a great deal by skillfully negotiating a medium that is too often used with no skill at all to depict an otherworldly imaginative space. The wide panoramas fusing together several photographs to create a single source image read as narratives to a graphic novel or a film noir of Hamilton and illustrate the strange confluence of structures that can share a single street address in this city, from industrial shells to family homes."
