Who knew a bandwagon jumper’s Blue Jays illustration would lead to a CBC interview. Toronto will always be home, even though I’m out here in Vancouver now. Big thanks to Leah Collins for the feature. Last night’s game was pure magic. Let’s get it again tonight for game 5! Let’s go Blue Jays!!!
Full article here: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/toronto-blue-jays-world-series-artist-tributes-9.6958725
Full interview excerpt here:
Bring it Home by Carson Ting
Originally from Toronto, artist Carson Ting is the founder of design studio Chairman Ting. Now based in Vancouver, where he also teaches at Capilano University, Ting posted this high-flying birdie to Instagram on the eve of Game 3. As he wrote in the caption: “My brother and I used to get free nosebleed seats from my mom’s clients and catch games back when it was still called the Skydome (and I still refuse to call it anything else).”
What’s it like being a Jays fan in Vancouver?
Carson Ting: Yeah, it’s a very isolated thing (laughs).
So, I teach part time. I was going into class asking my students, you know, what they thought about the game, and honestly, not one student was aware of this World Series. It was almost like they live on a different planet. I was blown away.
Also, I must confess I’m also a bandwagon jumper, but it’s the best bandwagon I’ve ever been on. It’s amazing. I mean, I forgot how exciting baseball could be.
What got you on the bandwagon?
CT: Game 1. Definitely Game 1.
I have an art studio in downtown Vancouver [Production Road], and we plugged in the computer and put it on a projector.
It was an amazing experience to share with my studio mates, and [that day] was also our soft opening at the studio, so there were lots of people coming in and out.
My kids got out of school, and so everyone was there.
The illustration on Instagram: the caption mentions a connection to a mural you did at a restaurant, MSSM Yorkville …
CT: It was a mural that I did maybe two summers ago. It’s a 70-foot long wall, and it’s on Venetian plaster. … I finished the entire wall by hand with Posca markers, actually. And in this mural, I drew this Blue Jays bird.
I like to think it was a bit of a good luck charm for the Jays, now they’re in the World Series (laughs).
I re-drew it again in digital form because the original one was done by hand, and I did a little remixed post on Instagram just to cheer on the Jays and show my love for the team and the city and the game.
What’s been your favourite moment of the series so far?
CT: Oh my goodness, of course it’s Barger’s homerun. The Grand Slam.
The entire studio erupted. I felt like I was watching a video game on the screen.