WHAT THE FAQ?

Owen has color-impaired vision, which means that he is unable to distinguish between several colors. It's not total colorblindness, but he's only able to differentiate the most vibrant, primary colors."

Owen writes: "Well, never is a long time, but I have no plans or real desire to use color. I want to take the medium (pencil) as far as possible, and for me putting color in for colors sake is an unnecessary distraction. I'll leave that path to others."

"Pencil is my bag."

Owen answers "Well, that's kind of like asking how long a piece of string is. I'll assume that you mean from the first touch of pencil to paper until I quit futzing with it. Usually, it can take up to three months. However, that can vary with the size of the drawing, the intricacies of that particular piece, and how much hubbub is going on in my life. Also, how much time is spent in the preparation of the drawing? How much research? How do I have to juggle my personal and professional commitments? All of these questions and more weigh on the amount of time it takes to complete the work."

Karla answers: "Owen's ideas come from all over. Some are his own desires, several are from suggestions from the public, and some things just hit him. It's kind of funny to witness that! It doesn't matter what he's already doing, he comes to a dead stop-just like a record scratching! It's like he's in a trace. He frowns, smiles, frowns, and looks around to see if anybody else just had the same idea. Then, over the next couple of seconds, his energy starts to build and he's off, usually leaving several puzzled people in his wake. I find it interesting that he always does something to capture those moments, usually a quick sketch or paragraph."

Owen answers: "On occasion. It really depends on the subject. I'm a fanatic about authenticity, so if I'm not completely familiar with my subject, I like to double check. Often, that means photos."

Owen answers: "Cheating? I don't think so-it may spoil the stereotypes for some people, but I wouldn't say it lessens the artwork. Most people agree that using a model for a reference is ok, but that's 'copying' too isn't it? Several decades and centuries ago, they had to use models. I find it difficult to believe that if they had the technology to just take a snapshot for reference instead of having model standing there for days or weeks, that they would have refused!" "Is it cheating when a carpenter uses a blueprint? Is it cheating when an actor uses a script? Is it cheating when a teacher uses a text book? Of course not. A photo is just a tool of the trade. A great photo can't make up for a lack of craftsmanship; but a good artist knows how to take the salient points from a photo to ensure accuracy and continuity in the art."

Right here is the best place, it's the most comprehensive. If you like, let us know and we can email you when new releases are available.

see: contact us

Since Owen is a full time artist with full time staff, obviously the public's taste is considered. Having said that, he has to please himself first, so his considerations are to balance the two. You can help us in his decisions by telling us what you'd like to see!

Owen was born in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada. (for the record, it's pronounced with the Latin 'Reeg-eye-na', not 'Reeg-ee-na') He went to high school in Wawota SK, (a small town of 400 in southeast Saskatchewan) after the loss of his mother.

After High School, he returned to Regina for a year of University, and a two year music program at a private college.

Then he based himself in Calgary AB from approximately 1991-1995.

He returned to Regina in 1995.

In 2001, just before the birth of their first Son, Owen and Karla moved to Spruce Grove, AB.

He has a bit of the wanderlust in him, and as he's fond of saying, he hasn't unpacked in fifteen years!

Owen answers: "Although it's never been really developed, my Father has a definite appreciation of art. He 'gets' it. The musical abilities came from my Mom's side-though Dad and I have similar tastes in music. My Mom's Mom used to tap dance on roller skates as a kid, and the house was always full of music. Always. Still is."

Karla answers: "Owen's immediate family isn't too big-both he and his Father are only children. His Mom has one younger and one older sister, and they have 3 children between them. However, Owen took the plunge and married ME on Feb 12th 2000. We've had 3 Sons, Jackson Anthony, in May 2001, Hudson James was born at home on the bathroom floor - not on purpose- in September 2002, and Harding Drake was born April 2004"

"There's more info about Hudson's birth in "The Book"

Occasionally, depending on price, size, time, etc. He specializes in doing exclusive limited editions for corporate gifts such as golf tournaments, safety awards, door prizes etc. For more info, drop us a line.

Owen answers: "I dunno...is my hair turning grey?"

Owen answers: "No, not to date. I do believe, very strongly, but I recognize that other people believe in different ways than I do, and that's strictly their business."

Owen answers "Apparently, it's in the place where that one sock disappears to between the washer and the dryer. I think I've got lots of high school homework, tax receipts, and missing cash in there too."

Owen answers. "This might not be the answer that you're looking for exactly, but the best way to start selling your art is to start selling your art! There is no magical formula; there is no short cut, but I do have a couple of things that may ultimately help.
a) The only way to sell is to get people to see your work.
b) Always strive to constantly improve your work, but don't get hung up with self doubt.
c) Listen to absolutely everybody's advice, and do the exact opposite, and
d) Don't let anyone suck you into giving away your work or time with that old 'it'll be good exposure' horsewash.
You can die from exposure. Rip the band-aid off, realize that you're going to make mistakes, and don't let anyone bring you down."

"Sorry I can't tell you a great way to sell 1000 prints, Grasshopper. I can tell you that it's more prudent to try and find 200 ways to sell 5 prints. No foolin."

Owen has never taken an art class-he's self taught. however, he's always learning, asking questions, and making observations. The best way to learn is to do it, make mistakes, learn from them, then start the process again.

Owen actually started out as a musician! He's a drummer, and spent most of his early twenties on the road playing in bands all across Canada. Even though music is such a big part of his life, the hassles of playing on the road and the lifestyle took it's toll, and he walked away from it.

With the new TV show, he's actively involved in the music for the series!

Owen: "Sure, it'll be cool traveling all over the world doing my art, but I can't tell you how pumped I am that I get to create musically...the music I like, with the musicians I want; it's a perfect setup!

He's also a diehard collector of old 70's music and toys-G.I. Joe, Johnny West, Big Jim, etc.

Most prints are made by scanning and making separations of the art. A separation is made by breaking down the image into (usually four but sometimes as much as 6-8) individual colors. It's similar to how a television works-everything on TV is a blend of blue, red, yellow and black. Then, each of these separations is used to burn a printing plate. From there, the work is done on big commercial presses, and each print passes under each color plate, which gives a predetermined amount of each color, which combines to form the final image. As Owen's art is black and white, it only needs a black separation-not one with all of the colors. However, depending on the piece, sometime two black separations are made so as to render the proper amount of ink so that it keeps the look of Owen's original drawing.

No, it's not just a photocopy!

An original is the actual work of art that the artist creates in paint, pencil, etc. A hand-pulled print is an old-fashioned way of reproducing an artist's vision. Here, the artist paints/draws on the actual printing plate (or stone), and paper is pressed into the ink/paint, and then pulled off to create the 'print'. For every 'print' that the artist wants to make, more ink/paint is added to the plate. A limited edition print (in most cases, and for this example) is made in the fashion described in the previous question, and the number of prints is limited to whatever number is desired at press time. Once those prints are made-that's it no more are ever printed, and once they're gone, they're gone.

Owen answers: "I still hear this from time to time too. Absolutely, prints are a way of 'selling out'-this is my livelihood! It's a matter of scale. My originals currently sell around the $10 000 mark. That might sound like a good piece of change if you're the one writing the cheque, but when you consider that I've likely spent close to three months working on it...well, I know bartenders that earn more than that! Besides, not just everyone can afford that kind of bread for something to put on a wall. However, a lot of people can afford $200 for a print if they like it. As for ripping people off, I don't think that anyone has ever purchased a print of mine with the idea that it was an original. Yes, originals have a higher intrinsic value than prints, and the value/price reflects that."

"Usually, the only people that kick up a fuss are wannabee artists that have sour-grapeitis because we're selling a lot of art, and they can't give theirs away to relatives!"

Karla answers "I think that they're referring to the differences between hand-pulled prints and prints that are printed on a printing press. Some of the art establishment takes the position that because the artist has personally added more ink/paint, each hand pulled 'print' is actually an original! So, I guess each of the 'prints' that are made are original creative visions of the artist!"

"By that logic, I guess we could claim that all of Owen's prints are actually originals if he personally adds the ink to the printing press!"

"I've also heard artists trying to claim that there is no original-all of the prints are originals! I've always thought that this was an outright falsehood. The original just happens to be on a printing plate instead of on a piece of paper or canvas."

"Another view is that while yes, each one is technically different from the last, these inconsistencies in quality are not really a benefit. 'How do I know that I've got a good one? What do the other's look like?' Modern printing methods ensure the highest possible quality reproductions. Sometimes, people claim that by calling limited editions 'prints' it's fraudulent, because only hand pulled prints are true prints. My response to that is 'well, we get them PRINTED on a PRINTING press, so why aren't they PRINTS?"

"I guess that we could call them lithographs, but the more common term is prints. Hand pulling is simply an older method of making copies of artwork, lithography is a newer method."

Owen answers: " It's tempting to tighten up their necktie a notch or two when confronted with idiots isn't it? Just try to smile and walk away because you'll just prematurely age yourself in trying to change their minds. Cast not perils before swine."

"Of course animal paintings are art. Why not animals? Why are paintings of people art, but animals aren't?"

"I think that such criticisms are based in envy. The world is full of bitter artists that can't stand others peoples successes. Did you ever notice that it's always the public's fault that they can't sell anything?

'People just can't understand me'.

No kidding. Then they make up a lot of gobbledygook about their work in an effort to sound intelligent and important. Here's some advice for these artists: instead of wasting time thinking up clever sarcasms and excuses...work on your craft."

"Just do what you want to do. You'll be a lot happier. if you're not sure of a direction, my advice is to try and capture the world's beauty...stay away from the dark stuff. Who wants to hang THAT on their wall?"

Karla answers: "Um.I wouldn't"

It's an authenticity stamp to show that it's a real Owen Garratt work. Also, it helps to protect against unauthorized reproductions.

When you frame something, you should use the best materials that you can afford. We always use either rag mat, or treated/buffered mats. If you don't, acids in the paper react with light and begin to break down, which can damage the artwork. You can tell by looking at the beveled edge around the inside cut of the mat. It should be a bright toothpaste white. If it's got a dingy yellow/brown look, it's most likely not acid free. It's always best to hang artwork out of direct sunlight. Over time, strong sunlight can fade pigments. Watch where you hang it; humidity changes can wrinkle artwork.

see: Limited Edition Prints

See previous question.

It varies, but he tries to get in around 3 to 4 hours a day.

He uses mostly mechanical and drafting pencils. They're easier to sharpen and they're not as messy.

The range of pencils go from 9h (the hardest) to 9b (the softest) harder pencils are lighter, softer pencils are darker. The graphite, which is a type of carbon, is bound with clay to make the 'lead' (there's no actual lead in pencils) Lighter pencils (the H's) have a higher proportion of clay than the softer/darker 'B's.

There's also several styles and brands of charcoal pencils, which are -surprise surprise- made from charcoal.

Owen likes to use a full range, depending on the piece he's working on.

Owen answers: "It's nice to see parents taking an interest in their kids artistic side. Since it's me you're asking, I'll assume that you're referring to drawing materials. Go to any art supply or office supply store and get a box of assorted pencils, in the medium range. I'd recommend two types of eraser-white vinyl and a knead-able gum eraser-stay away from the pink pearl ones that we all threw at each other in school. They really aren't suitable for artwork. Also, don't use newsprint as it can't stand up to erasing. Until she's doing masterpieces, computer paper works fine, but you'll eventually want to get her some acid free art paper; it's not very expensive."

"As for encouragement, everything she draws is fantastic, and tell her how proud you are of her drawings."

"ALL of them!"

"If she's serious, the way to encourage her to develop without hurting her feelings is to get all of her drawings side by side, and get HER to critique them. Which is her favorite? Which does she think could be better? Sort them into groups. How can these ones be made as good as these ones? Etc."

"This avoids the problems of discouragement when trying to get her to reach and improve and/or showing weak spots."

Owen answers: "My big artistic influences are Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, and Paul Calle, but these are strictly technical/motivational. The stuff that's really changed my life is singer is Robert Palmer, drummer is Stewart Copeland (from The Police), and authors John D. Macdonald, and P.G.Wodehouse. My world is different due to their influence."

"But is does seem odd that no visual artists have permeated my soul like the writers and musicians."

"I'm still looking."

"If I shifted this question into who my mentors or heroes are, I'd answer my Great-Grandfather, Dr. Dick Bird."

"Greatdad was the first generation of cinematographers, and specialized in nature filming. If my life turns out half as good as his, then I'll know I've REALLY lived."

"Among other highlights, he left England by himself at age 14 to meet an uncle in Vermont that he'd never even met, was an honored guest to the Emperor of China in the 1930's, he had his own radio show to teach conservation to children, he narrowly escaped one of Poncho Villa's firing squads, he worked for Disney, The Autobahn Society and lectured regularly at the Smithsonian."

"Greatdad died when I was in my first year of music college, and his career and life has cast a long shadow into my own."

Owen answers: "Not really, so long as it's not something I wouldn't want my Sons exposed to. No porn, drugs, etc."

Karla answers: "He hasn't really got the time to teach per se, and I think that he's nuts to divulge any of his secrets!"

Owen answers: "Now now, the TV show will have all of my tidbits. We're also working on a series of 'How to Draw' books to accompany the show."

see: The TV Show

see previous question.

Karla answers: "We get asked this all the time. We'd hate to have anyone go through the trouble of sending us a photo that we couldn't use. The best thing to do is to post it online and email us the URL to view it. Please don't email photos to us!!!!!!!" There are some very specific things that are important for Owen to use them. Sometimes a great photo is a lousy reference. Please don't be offended if he can't use it. Also, he would need written permission from the photographer or his estate. Then, there's the question of time."

Absolutely. Please contact us for pricing and availability

see: Contact Us.

No, this one's name was Muffin, and it was his mother-in-law's kitty.

Owen answers: Neither. Ten years ago, I'd have said 'A Potion' (Dark Rum n' Coke), but as I'm not 30 anymore, I've developed:

'The Eraser'

1 part Plymouth Gin TM
(NOT OPTIONAL! Don't even THINK about a dry gin!!!)

2 parts tropical blend juice

(orange/mango/pineapple/peach, etc)

4 or 5 parts Diet 7up

Slosh parts together

Add heaps of ice

Lower beverage into self

Repeat as necessary

We've tended to release prints in the fall, but we're discussing doing them more regularly over the internet. Stay tuned!

Owen answers: "I was always into drawing, and I was one of the 'class artists' in school that got called upon whenever something needed drawing. Oddly enough, I had a job with a company that marketed artwork before the art bug bit me! Eventually, I struck out on my own and actually hired another artist!!!"

"A few harsh words from a girlfriend was the real motivation to take it up seriously..."

see: The Book

Owen has always played Tama drums, starting with a silver 'Swingstar' set in 1982. In 1987, he acquired a set of piano black Tama 'Artstar's, and has played them ever since; in the studio, on television, and all across Canada.

HOWEVER, because of the upcoming TV series that's in development, Owen is being courted by two competing drum manufacturers. While so far, Tama isn't among them, they're two of the biggest names in percussion.

We'll keep you posted!

As for music, Owen's favorite group is the Police, his favorite singer is Robert Palmer, and he really enjoys lots of those one hit wonders from the 70's!

"Hey, it reminds me of my youth!"

Owen has used virtually every style and type of pencil, and has found there to be very little difference between them. There's no lead in pencils, it's graphite, which is carbon. Hard pencils (the H's) have more binder-usually clay. Softer pencils (the B's) have more graphite and less clay. Every company has it's own 'recipe', so one brand may be different from another in terms of hardness. The very best artist pencils tend to have a smoother grind to the graphite; thus giving a smaller particle size. There may be a difference in the binders/clay used to create the 'lead', but Owen says he's never found much difference, other than hardness between brands. He uses all of the major brands for different purposes (at least until his own line of premium drawing pencils becomes available!)

For a large part of his work-especially the fine detail work, Owen tends to use mechanical pencils, and on some occasions, Owen has even used a carpenter's pencil!