New Song

Fresh out of the sound oven!

'Love SOS'
Recorded & mixed at 5801 Studios
Produced by Will Donnelly
Drums & Guitar: Will
Bass & Vox: Me

Madame & Cat

Colored pencil, graphite, acrlyic, scotch tape
11 x 14

Landscape (2)

I know what you're thinking, 'Didn't I already see this?'
Well, yes, you did. But this latest version has an extra 15 layers or so of pale hues, my own mix of medium, and shellac. The client liked the landscape, but asked for some revisions, which gave me a chance to try out some new things that I had only contemplated about doing.

I'll try to get some new work up this month, June & July might be sparse in terms of posts because I'm moving. Thankfully, this move won't be as painful as the previous one. Megan and I are just moving closer to the city, and we have a generous amount time to do so. Unfortunately, as you get closer the rent goes up, so we have to downgrade to a 1br.
We found a big one though, with a perfect area to install some space to work, but that's not the only benefit. We'll be even closer to the lake, live in a nicer neighborhood, be immersed in the culture & nightlife of Chicago (lots of galleries nearby too), and save a bit of money (which might go towards getting a Lollapalooza ticket).

Self Portrait

Graphite, White chalk
13 x 19"

...documenting the last moments I was 22 years of age.
Can you tell I'm really happy about it?

Landscape = Vacation

36 x 40" Oil

Client: Labrum/Hayes Interiors
First real painting that I've done in a while, and I enjoyed every second of it. Kind of hurts to be selling this one so fast, I grew pretty fond of it. I wish I had time to take some good photos, but this is basically being swiped off my easel while the paint is still wet.

Progress shots:

I'll be doing a series of drawings for Labrum as well, but that will come a bit later. Details are still being ironed out.
Now that this is done, I'm off to D.C. / Baltimore! Going to relax, make music, and see some people who have been sorely missed.

subTERRAIN

'Melhos Place'
9 x 7", Charcoal & Photoshop

Most recent illustration for a Canadian publication, subTerrain mag. It was a pretty fast project and fairly challenging, which I think I needed. There is a spot illo to accompany this full page, but I will post that later. There is also a wet painting on my easel, but it is too early to make note of yet. I completely forgot (again) how much I enjoy painting, I just wish I had more space to make bigger canvases.
A while back I had the priviledge of meeting this guy. I was invited up to his studio in nearby Evanston, to discuss art & illustration. He was kind enough to take a look at my work and gave me some excellent critique and overall advice. My jaw just about hit the floor seeing his paintings up close, but an unexpected benefit was seeing his sketches for a new body of work he will premiere next year. His sketches were just quick acrylic paintings on 4x6" gesso board, but they were very fresh and immediate, quite different and more experimental than his finished works.
His method for creating illustrations was eye-opening as well. There was so much preparation and attention to every step, starting from the first sketch to the last brush stroke. It just made me take a hard look at how I go about making my images. The effort that you put into the early stages certianly pays off in the end.

I look forward to seeing my Baltimore friends mid-April! It has been too long.
(Almost a year since graduation!?)

Chivalry, Dragons, & a Princess (2)

Finished poster for the Lifeline Theatre.
I wish I could have had a crack at the type, but it was not to be.
11 x 17"
Graphite, charcoal, photoshop.