Please Cast Your Vote – Should Roberto Luongo Use This Mask Design?
Many readers have wondered – how does an artist break into the NHL market painting masks? Well, you can’t just have a web site and a sign saying “Goalie Mask Painting – $500 and up.”
Many budding artists will paint a design for a goalie and send it his way, hoping it will excite them and get used in a game. Once they have an “in” a cool design might well get seen by other pros and the magic of word of mouth marketing takes over.
Artist FX Allaire has an “in” to get his masks seen, so he did this cool design in hopes that Roberto Luongo would like it. What do you think? Please cast your vote and we’ll try to get word to Roberto!
To see more great work by FX visit his web site FXkustomART.com
Please leave a note in the comments – Why yes? Why no?
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Should Luongo use this mask with the Canucks?
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Josh Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 6:27 PM
NO, he should not use that mask. on tot he next one.
David Hutchison Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 6:30 PM
OK, I’ll kick it off. While the colouring won’t match the unis I just love the wooden backplate. I think a full-on wooden look mask would be sweet.
Jason Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 6:34 PM
I’m not going to lie, I think the artwork is great, that guy could paint a helmet for me anytime. The helmet just doesn’t seem very ‘Canucks’. I voted ‘no’ for that helmet, but I’d vote ‘yes’ for that artists abilities.
yadola Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 7:14 PM
Luongo is not an Indian
speaksquick Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 7:39 PM
It would suit a team from a city name that starts with “port” or “prince”
Kevin Starr Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 7:48 PM
NO….NO…NO, AND A BIG HELL NO. THAT IS THE UGLIEST MASK I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!
I AM INSULTED AS A FIRST NATIONS PERSON SEEING THAT POOR EXCUSE FOR A TOTEM POLE USED LIKE THAT.
Jason Power Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 8:47 PM
Like stated before, just a beautiful mask. However, until Hannah Barbara buys a NHL team and uses Yogi and booboo dressed like Indians…thats a negative ghost rider on that mask.
Bob Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 9:52 PM
Maybe if he played with the Chicago Blackhawks
Derek Keoughan Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 10:37 PM
What the hell IS that mess? Looks like nothing in BC I’ve ever seen, and if you’re trying to pay homage to the First Nations, shouldn’t it at least resemble something from them?
Oooh, throw a mountain in there – a few trees, and let’s make sure there’s some blue and green. Riiiiight.
I’d be embarrassed to wear this onto the ice.
burkanuck Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 11:23 PM
Not a chance. Looks WAY too much like a Black Hawks design!
Chris Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 6:14 AM
Gotta say I have to agree with those who say it’s not very Canuck-y, and the artwork itself is pretty average, but I LOVE the color scheme and concept. Very bold and original.
@Derek: Perhaps you should have a look here: http://www.britishcolumbia.com/attractions/?id=42.
I’ve only been to BC once, and it was passing through, but even I can recognize it’s a stylized totem of Raven. Maybe a little too cartoonish and distant from the source material, but easily recognizable as true to the Vancouver area.
BlackhawkNative Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 6:22 AM
This is one of the coolest masks I have seen and in keeping with the Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The wood grain look is a unique and innovative design. I say he should wear it. …not that Luongo listens to what a Hawks fan says
JR Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 6:57 AM
That’s an awesome mask!
Don’t listen to these guys all they want is BS airbrushing with rock & country faces.
They don’t know art if it hit them between the eyes.
Matty76 Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 7:24 AM
I think he should only wear it if they add a slot machine and craps table to it somewhere.
In all seriousness, the artwork is really nice, but it just doesn’t fit. I think he should continue to work off the lumberjack motif… like how Hedberg works in the Moose and Lalime works in Marvin the Martian, Cujo had the dog, Kipper and Toskala with the skull thing (which I’m convinced is the only reason the Flames traded for him), etc…
Kris Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 7:33 AM
I like it, but I agree, I don’t think it goes with a “Canucks” or even an ocean theme. Maybe something more Orca like, or something with Celine Dion on it =P
John W Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 5:53 PM
Love the theme and the art work, but feel it is not the right for Luongo.
steven Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 6:28 PM
i guess that beein the son of allaire helps to get nhl goalies too!!!
Scott Said,
March 11, 2010 @ 9:40 AM
No, I think he should keep his present mask scheme. I like the lumberjack theme. Changing is messing around with your brand!!!
David Hutchison Said,
March 11, 2010 @ 10:35 AM
This is actually a very astute comment – one that makes an important point. For a new artist to break in he has the issue of branding to deal with – something that has really taken hold in recent years. With the same very personal design moving from team to team, a goalie establishes a brand he won’t want to break.
On a related note, I spoke with a few artists who are quite upset that their original designs – and as it is not specified in any contract there is a real grey area on who owns the design – are being redone by other artists when a goalie switches. I spoke with another artist who told me the team he paints for always talks with him when they want to publish for sale a photo of his mask design.
In al cases they wanted to remain anonymous because at the end of the day they are good guys who don’t want to make a big deal out of it. But we should remember they are all struggling to make a living in a very tough business.
Peter Said,
March 11, 2010 @ 10:06 PM
No no no no no no no no no no no no.
Masked Said,
March 12, 2010 @ 7:33 AM
Since when has only the right side and the crown of a mask actually been more important than the left side?
It’d be like taking a picture of half the Mona Lisa and saying; should this be Da Vinci’s greatest work?
Finish taking pictures of the lid and I’ll happily cast my vote but, until then…It’s unfinished as far as I’m concerned.
David Hutchison Said,
March 12, 2010 @ 8:23 AM
An interesting perspective and considerate of the artist. Unfortunately that’s all he gave me.
paul szabo Said,
March 12, 2010 @ 9:03 PM
That mask looks way too cartoonish for my taste. I think the “Hanna Barbera” comment summed it up best. Having said that, however, I must add that I personally think Luongo’s lumberjack theme (at least the way it is rendered) is just plain silly looking. Ditto for that pink panther with a pretzel mask on from his Florida days.
To comment on Dave Hutchison’s observation that goalies and artists want to take their personal logo with them: I think, unfortunately, that the opposite is true. Goalies change masks constantly, esp. since the advertising world figured out what a great vehicle a goalie mask is to sell stuff or someone’s name. Goalies have masks for Remembrance Day, for the outdoor game, for the Olympics, for team anniversaries etc. Few guys are left who have kept the same design a la Belfour or Potvin. I long for the days when a goalie could be readily recognized by his mask. Today’s designs seem too busy in many regards and less personal for that reason…
Scott Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 8:12 AM
I agree with Mr. Szabo. I also long for the days when masks where more simple in design. I think that the artists are great and it is amazing what they have done, but I like a more basic and bold design that can be readily identified from the cheap seats and on television. Give me Ken Dryden’s Hab’s “C” Target mask any day. I also don’t understand when a goalie changes teams and changes his entire mask design. Maybe change the colours but keep your mask design. Again, it is the goalie’s personal brand. I like some team designs but then, you must change your mask whenever you are traded etc.
BT32 Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 5:59 PM
Why doesn’t luongo wear his blue mask again ? that was my favorite one and it suited the team the best !
Opiated Sherpa Said,
March 29, 2010 @ 1:51 PM
I’m loving the artwork on this mask… its seriously bad ass. I don’t honestly care if he wears it or not, seems like way too trivial of a subject in the end. I like the creativity and if Luongo wants to wear it, I’m sure as hell not going to stop him. It’s not offensive to anyone, rather a nice tribute to the Lower Mainland in a hockey sense.
What’s the fuss really about? Boredom?
Casey Said,
March 29, 2010 @ 2:17 PM
BT32…If you watched game 6 against Chicago last year, you will know why Luongo stopped wearing the blue Johnny Canuck mask. He is so superstitious and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wore this new mask in an attempt to break his mini-slump.
Ryan Said,
March 29, 2010 @ 2:20 PM
Wow…all the “no’s” are idiots. Seriously. That is a fantastic mask. It may be somewhat cartoonish, but a fantastic artistic representation of various aspects of west coast native art. Those that say the ‘totem pole’ is wrong, haven’t seen a whole lot of totem poles, apparently. The angry eagle is great (I’m guessing it’s an eagle, as the raven’s beak isn’t curved). The way the ‘feathers’ (which look like hockey sticks) form the glove gripping the goalie stick. Not to mention the water, mountains and trees….just great!
P.Mo Said,
March 29, 2010 @ 8:28 PM
Great mask, very West Coast–which is appropriate. Of course he should wear it (and he has in practice, I think), but I believe that artist could produce a better product. I would prefer to see more designs, ones that portray a better blend of West Coast with Canucks. That mask seems a bit lacking from a “brand” perspective. BTW, love the back of the mask…
#1CanuckFanEverr Said,
April 1, 2010 @ 12:02 PM
I am IN LOVE with the mask! VOTE YES <3