Creative Confusion

The Madonna

2012-01-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

Another. What's to say. Just pretend I wrote something insightful here. lol

Self Explanatory

2011-12-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

For a friend!

Johnny Depp

2011-11-07T17:13:00.001-08:00

I'm sure he plays "Pirates" in the tub all the time!!

Sketches

2011-10-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the sketches of Kevin Keele, I've been doing lots of cafe sketching in between jobs. I LOVE IT! I use a rough toothed, recycled paper with a simple black pen and white gel pen for highlights. Not only does it give me the ability to address my lights and darks, but I find the entire process a much more fulfilling experience. I can work on shapes as well as tonal studies, and at the same time end up with a "finished" style that I find quite appealing.

Mr. Willis

2011-10-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

Went for a more painterly look this time. I'm trying to get away from the time consuming, overly clean and smooth digital look. You would think that it would be easier to keep it "rough", but alas, it is not! Let me know what you think?

Andrea Bocelli

2011-08-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Managed to get one done while babysitting the new bulldog. That makes 2 bulldogs now.... What was I thinking!!!

Anyway, critiques are the name of the game for both of you who visit my site regularily. And thanks for doing so by the way!

Morgan Freeman

2011-07-26T16:54:00.001-07:00

I'd love to be doing more, but motivation is a SERIOUS ISSUE lately. Love what I'm doing.... HATE NOT GETTING PAID!!!!

On a positive note though, I have been able to beat 7 new games on the old ps3 this month and I feel that deserves some respect. Don't you? LOL. Best wishes.

Jay-Z

2011-07-05T17:32:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been struggling with "What am I doing?" I love drawing and painting and I really couldn't imagine my life without it, but bills don't pay themselves and freelance work is painful. I've realized I'm spending more time "looking for work" than actually "doing work", which is no way live. I guess every artist out there deals with the same issues, but man is it GETTING ME DOWN!!

Anyway, I'm on holidays right now and working on a couple things I can hopefully show soon. In the mean time, here's a Jay-Z I finished earlier today. I'm trying a few new things style-wise in terms of keeping it more painterly while still maintaining a sense of realism. I'm also trying to push the shapes more while keeping the likeness believable. Let me know what you think.

Weekly Standard...Luther Campbell

2011-06-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is a full page piece I did for the Weekly Standard a few weeks ago and just haven't gotten around to posting it. I had about a day and a half to complete it so "rushed" would be an understatement. 6 characters in a day.... I laugh in the face of adversity...and then cry a little! There are a ton of things I would have loved to push farther but alas, time was mine enemy!

Anyway, the art director liked it and that's what counts. As well as the fun I had doing it. I loved the stripper in her glass high hells....very funny!

Oliver Hardy and Stevie Wonder

2011-06-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

2 This week. YEAH !!!

Gaddafi

2011-05-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

What a handsome fella! HAHAHA. Just pluggin' away. Feedback?

Letterman

2011-05-05T16:09:00.000-07:00

Kobe

2011-04-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Just practicing.

Stones

2011-04-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

Some of the most "interesting" faces ever!!!

Condoleezza

2011-03-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Still pluggin' away. I've been doing a ton of cafe sketching lately too so I'm going to post those as soon as I get around to scanning them. Let me know what you think of Condi.

Bob Dylan

2011-03-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

Been pretty sick this week but I did manage to finish this one for a contest. Fingers crossed!!!

Mark Twain

2011-03-05T10:52:00.001-08:00

He makes me laugh!

Spielberg

2011-02-24T15:30:00.001-08:00

Whoo Hoo. I'm cooking now!!! What do you think?

Amy Wine-o, I mean Winehouse

2011-02-13T06:52:00.001-08:00

What can you say? It's Amy!

Dali Lama

2011-02-03T15:20:00.000-08:00

Another. Hope you like it. Critiques?

Pope

2011-01-25T15:34:00.001-08:00

Another one. Thought I would throw in a little process work as well. Hope you enjoy!
Critiques?!!

Alice Cooper... as if you didn't know.

2011-01-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

If your going to caricature a rock star, why not A LEGEND!!!

Rowan

2011-01-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

Couldn't resist.

Stallone

2010-12-22T05:59:00.001-08:00

I'm on a roll now. I hate not getting paid for a couple weeks while on vacation, but I LOVE the free time to paint. Hoping to get a couple more done before January to add to my portfolio. Any suggestions?

Obama

2010-12-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

I can't rightfully call myself a caricaturist if I haven't done an Obama!!! 'Nough said.

Snoop

2010-12-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

Loving painting!!! And who has more attitude than Snoop D. O. Double G yo!!

Senior

2010-11-12T12:20:00.001-08:00

My final assignment for Jason Seiler's caricature class. Hope you like it.
By the way, the class was AMAZING and schoolism does such a fantastic job I HIGHLY recommend taking one of their classes!!!

John Wayne

2010-09-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

I've decided to really push the realism in my painting and as a result this is what happened. Gotta tell you, I'm taking Jason Sieler's caricature course through Schoolism and it's worth every penny. Critiques?

Golf

2010-07-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Another go. I'm not telling you who it is.

Tombstone

2010-07-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Decided to do a little Sepia tone look. One of my favourite movies of all time by the way. Had tons of fun with this one and learned alot.

Unemployment does have it's benefits I guess. It SUCKS, but does offer the opportunity to paint and draw a whole lot. Critiques?

Ramsay

2010-07-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

Love the show. The guy's honesty is REFRESHING to say the least. Who doesn't want to tell people they're donkeys all the time!!!

Anyway, still pluggin away. Looking for work if anyone can help by the way.
HONEST Comments appreciated. hahaha

Solitude...

2010-05-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

Figured I'd do up a couple since I had a quiet weekend.

Braveheart

2010-05-06T16:41:00.000-07:00

My Favourite.

This painting is Ludicrous...

2010-04-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the pun, but hey, what can you do. Learning lots and painting all the time. Hope you enjoy.

Creepy Kitty

2010-04-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Why anyone wants a Naked cat is beyond me, but hey, to each their own. I saw one and just had to paint it.

Angelina

2010-04-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

I really like this one. I have trouble drawing women for so many reasons a shrink would need to explain them to you so this one turned out pretty well. I spent a ton of time on the hands and guns (metal being something I rarely paint) and I'm quite pleased with the result. Let me know what you think.

Clint

2010-03-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Tried to push the details a bit more. It is Clint though... how hard is it to exaggerate this guy!

I love painting and designing birds. The amount you can push them from totally cartoony to caricatured is so much fun, not to mention the infinite variety of colors and shapes.! Suggestions anyone?!

Jimmy

2010-01-24T16:17:00.000-08:00

Do I really need to explain why?! It's JIMMY!

Got change for 50?

2009-12-11T13:57:00.001-08:00

Another. Just figuring stuff out.

Critiques please!

Why You Lookin' Down On Me?

2009-11-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

This one was fun. I'm trying tons of new ways to paint thanks to so many people out there, specifically Jason Seiller, Joe Bluhm, Marco Bucci and Dave Malan. If you haven't been to their sites go ASAP.

Critiques are more than welcome. Please!

Oh yeah and Mel Milton...you rock too!

"Everyday and in every way I am getting better and better"

Chief Inspector

Hulkamania Brother

2009-10-05T07:24:00.001-07:00

Seriously...who doesn't love the "Hulkster?"
I tried a totally new technique for me courtesy of Joe Bluhm and his AMAZING podcasts. If you haven't been to his site then go now! Enough said.

Characters

2009-08-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

I just added these two to my portfolio so I thought I would give everyone a gander at 'em.
I'm really trying to find my voice as it were. I can do so many different styles but to find one that I can call my own I think is a lifetime process. I'm also trying to ramp up my painting skills and really try to create interesting lighting and textures. Thanks to so many inspirational artists and friends out there who keep me pushing myself to always improve. Love ya guys!

As for the job hunt..... Don't ask! I'm sure one day a fine job will come along. I'm just hoping it happens before I start collecting my old age pension.

Muscles Anyone?

2009-08-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

Trying some new stuff lately and it's coming o.k. I think. I've spent so much time in animation that actually sitting down and completing a picture, whether it be a tonal rendering or painting, is simply foreign at times. So I figure since I have some time right now I'll start focussing on all the things I've wanted to over the years.

P.S. I'm looking for a job guys...so ...If you know of anything... hint hint...THANKS

New Book

2009-05-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting. No Excuses! Here's a painting for a new book soon to be out....just a quick teaser.

Italy

2009-02-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

A quick study for painter practice. I'm really trying to focus on planes and transitions from light to dark with some subtlty.

What a Handsome Fella !

2008-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

A new self portrait!

Footy Anyone?

2008-10-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is a little painting I did for a friend last night. I'm actually quite pleased with the result since I tried a few new things on it. I'm more pleased I think that I found the time to actually sit and complete something without a thousand interuptions. Anyways, feedback !?

Bulldog Part II

2008-09-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

After posting my initial bulldog I recieved an amazing and helpful critique from an extremely talented artist David Coleman.If you've never checked out his sight, you're missing out! So after a little work and a lot encouragement,I changed a few things like the legs and back foot. Tell me what you think.

What a Cute Puppy...

2008-09-03T09:48:00.001-07:00

Some designs for a motorcycle helmet I'm working on. The inspiration came from my dog sydney who is the complete opposite personality.

Rocka Fellas

2008-07-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

Cavemen... because I can. Just working on some different ideas and techniques in painter. Enjoy.

What was that?

2008-04-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

I was always afraid when I was a kid to step out of bed at night thinking the Bed Monster would pull me under in a fit of rabid, slobbering, hunger, much I assume, like other kids. So the other night when I couldn't sleep I decided that this would help... Yeah Right...hahaha!

Heroes?

2008-03-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

Just a little painter practice. I've been so out of it lately it's amazing how any progress you have made can vanish with little or no practice. It's almost like I have to re-teach myself how to draw and paint whenever I have more than a few days away from it. Unfortunately, life intervenes and I can't always find the time to practice. Hope you like 'em.

Old School

2008-02-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts but I've been in Italy and Greece for the last month just relaxing. I needed a break from life so I met a buddy out there and we checked out some sights, slept a little and got into just enough trouble to have a few stories. Anyway, here's a painting I did of a friend awhile back so I figured I would let you have a gander.

X-mas card

2007-11-21T08:09:00.001-08:00

Sorry that I haven't updated in awhile, but life seems to just get in the way of drawing all the time. I recently welcomed a new addition to my home; a bulldog named Sydney, so I have no free time at all since I'm "puppy training" every free moment. My goal now is to have a fresh portfolio done by Jan.1 and start sending them out. Obviously this will include animation, which takes up endless amounts of time once I actually come up with a scene, which by the way takes endless amounts of time as well. Anyway, Here's a new card to add to my series. Hope you like it.

A Couple o' Mooks

2007-10-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Just trying a little exercise last night in form that I stole from an amazing artist Marco Bucci. I tried to keep the shapes simple and the strokes quick. The idea was to make them look like clay sculptures in a simple rough stage. Harder than it looks! I also tried to take very little time on this one..about 1/2 an hour I think. Sometimes I spend so much time on things I think it starts to kill the spontaneous nature of the drawings, kinda like cleaning up your roughs in 2d animation. Anyways, tell me what you think.

They're Back

2007-09-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

Again with the space apes! I'm loving them! I was thinking the other day, "Why space apes?" and I came up with the simple freedom of imagination it lends itself to. I mean really, they can be whatever I want, shoot whatever I want, look any way I want and on and on. What more could an artist need. I'm tring to realy work on my painting skills and light and shadow so these let me really push different light and effects which is quite difficult for me. I always like to play it safe and the excercise of just Dramatic Light is really helping me understand light much better.

Obviously I'm still working on my porfolio or you would be reading about my nervers being on end waiting for replies. I've got to be honest, that prospect scares the life out of me; that waiting and wondering and nailbiting. Hahahaha.
Can't wait to hear what you guys think! Peace!

2007-09-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed drawing the Space Monkeys so much last time I figured I'd use one of them to brush up on a little painting and .....Viola! SPACE APE. I really enjoyed this one and I tried to make it very ominous and dark on order to emphasize the power of the "tank". I'm finding that my painting is getting more comfortable due to the fact that I'm simply trying to do new things and just see what happens.Contrast is the key I think, and not being afraid to really push it! Hope you like it!Tell me what you would change!

2007-08-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

So I've been so busy lately that I decided to just sit and draw today and just forget about everything else and lo and behold.....some doodles! I know, I know but everybody needs to draw space monkeys at one time or another or you simply haven't lived. I'm actually working on some new animation for my demo reel so I'm going to try and start posting some tests. I'm hoping to take September off and just focus on my portfolio and actually get a job that pays real money so cross your fingers.
Oh yeah and Motorcycles Rule!!!!! Thanks for asking!

2007-07-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hey kids. I've been without internet for awhile so sorry for not visiting you guys. I've also been crazy busy but I have squeezed a couple out. SOOOOO......Here....Take 'Em....Really....They're right here!!!!

Troll

2007-06-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

A little troll I did the other day for some amusement. I'm getting a new portfolio done so I'm trying to keep it related to the studios I plan on sending it to. Video games, film, really at this point anyone who is willing to take me. I find it so difficult to focus on a topic for my portfolio since you never really know what they're looking for at any given time. Ah well...what can you do?

Da Man

2007-06-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

Had a little time so I colored up this shady character. I'm really pushing to get some new work done and out there but I'm sooooo busy teaching the motorcycle courses that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I'm caught between design work which I'm quite enjoying and animation which I've always loved. It just seems like there's so little time and sooo much to do. Anyway....enough spewing. Hope you guys are all great out there and thanks for the continued support.

A Classic

2007-05-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy lately that I had to dig into the archives to extract this beauty! A little Don Qiuxote from school days! I colored it later on so that's counts doesn't it. I'm hoping to start doing a ton more stuff in the next couple months and get a new portfolio together..... I need a JOB!!! Enjoy !

Sumo

2007-05-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

There's just something oddly appealing about a man in a diaper.

Creepy!

2007-04-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

These are a few quick sketches I did the other day while sitting in class. The students were watching Psycho so I had a few minutes to doodle and I was thinking, "What would make someone scream like they did in the movie" and VIOLA....some uglies! I'm trying to draw everyday now but since the motorcycle course has started I'm running about 14hrs a day so time is quite limited, but hey....Motorcycles Rule! Not as much as drawing but I gotta eat right!?

Frankie

2007-04-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I have been so busy with the house but I'm finally in, although many things remain to be finished ; some tiles, driveway...nothing important!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has been visiting continuosly. Your feedback is invaluable to me and has really helped me grow in the last few months as well as inspire me to try different things as those who know me can attest to.
Here's a little portrait I did a couple weeks ago when I was waiting for "Paint to dry". I've always loved Frankenstein's monster as he is THE quintessential monster of all time and I've always wanted to try a rendition of him. So here it is. I'm hoping nobody notices the resemblance to me! hahaha

A New Profile Pic.

2007-03-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking and it's true..... I am that handsome! Yes, yes, it's hard to believe but alas, I have had to bear the brunt of this curse for years. But please..."Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!", just love me for who I am. Anyways.....I had some time last night to try a self portrait so here it is. It's actually the first time I drew straight into Painter as opposed to drawing on paper and scanning it first. It was different drawing right on the Wacom but not bad. Don't get me wrong. I'm not about to throw away my sketch books, but I could get used to this real fast. Control Z is still a close friend of mine but in the long run it's a whole lot cheaper than erasers. Opinions people?

Mr. Gigglesworth

2007-02-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a lot of design and painting work lately just trying new brushes, colors, lighting etc. and it's been quite rewarding thus far, aside from the obvious frustration as well. This is a little doodle of a guy at the coffee shop but he reminded me so much of a stuffy, cynical elementary school teacher, I had to paint him. He's got that, "Oh god just let the day end!" look that so many teachers exhibit. Those of you who teach with me will recognize this look as I present it to you 4 out of the 5 days I teach!

The Wild Life

2007-01-18T10:53:00.000-08:00

I was checking out Marco Bucci's blog and I was inspired to do some animals of my own and revisit the old watercolors. I find it's always great to pull out a brush and get dirty again since so much work is done digitally today. I am definitely going to do some more as soon as I can find the time to do some more drawings. The house is almost ready except for the work I have left to do..ie. painting it! Yes it's ironic isn't it..I just said it's nice to get dirty again but I gotta tell ya, I'm not looking forward to painting an entire house. Maybe I will do some more digital work on second thought.

Auditions...?

2007-01-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

The new year is here and so far...same as last year! Just a quick thanks to everyone who continues to stop in and visit. The suggestions and compliments are always appreciated. I was skeptical at first about the effectiveness of blogging and the possible downsides but so far it has been great. Thanks to everyone else I visit as well...your works continue to awe and inspire in a way that has pushed me to continue pursuing what I love ; Drawing and Painting. Happy New Year and All the best. Here's a little post that made me laugh when I was doodling it over the holidays so hopefully it gives you a little giggle as well.

Happy Holidays

2006-12-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

These are a couple of the cards I do for christmas. I actually began sending them to friends in response to the horrendously "cutesy" cards I kept getting a few years ago. It blossomed from there and now there are 9 in the series and I sell on average 100+ every year. People just started asking for them and it hasn't stopped. Hope you enjoy and I wish everyone the happiest holiday season.

Monk

2006-12-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

A little character I did for fun. Sometimes I find I'm kind of all over the place with ideas and seldom get to finish them, so I grabbed this little guy and worked him from rough drawing to colored on photoshop.

Soldier

2006-11-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

This is Trooper Tom...He's an angry individual with a healthy smoking habit. I did this the other day in painter and I gotta tell you I'm loving it. The process is still taking me quite awhile but hopefully it will get faster. Anyway, tell me what you think .

Welcome

2006-11-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

A little experiment in Painter. I'm still trying to figure out what all the brushes do and what kind of effects I can achieve, so any suggestions and feedback would be AWESOME! I've never used it before but I like the feel of it. I'm so used to real paints it was quite different, but I gotta say I love using the tablet. Anyway, tell me what you think.

Gator

2006-11-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

Watching Peter Pan the other day and I thought I'd doodle a little gator. Not bad...I had fun with it and used it as a way to practice a little Photoshop. I haven't been able to post ,or draw for that matter, as often as I would like since I'm building my house which takes aprrox...24 hours a day, but I had to do something. I find sometimes that the old 2-d animation inspires me to draw, I think in part,because of the nostalgic aspect of it.That's why I started drawing in the first place and the old Disney,WB stuff was what I grew up on. I think sometimes we lose track of where we've been and what 's been done in our haste to look at where we're going and I find it so refreshing to revisit some of my old favourites, not only for the artistic aspect, but also just to simply sit and enjoy an entertiaining piece of work. Anyway. Enjoy.

Jazzin' It Up

2006-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

Some sketches I did for a painting I'm debating doing.There's just something about Jazz Musicians....

Some Boids

2006-10-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

I love birds so here's a few. The parrot is done in acrylic and the vultures were doodled with my favourite medium....my bic pen, believe it or not. I also broke out the old Tria markers and did a little tonal work. I forgot how much I like using them so hopefully I can post a few more after a little brushing up on the skills. It's funny....when I'm looking for things that inspire me to draw I'm finding that the "ugly" things in life are becoming quite interesting to me; hence the vultures. I also added a few more links of a couple fellas I find quite talented so have a look and enjoy.

Melons

2006-10-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy building my house lately that I haven't had a lot of time to paint, so here's a little collection of melons done sporaticly for you to puruse. I find I still gravitate to traditional mediums such as watercolor and acrylics but every now and then I'll give Photoshop a whirl with somewhat suprising results.I'm trying to vary my style often but I find that most of the time I'm so concerned with proportions and anatomy that design often suffers due to anatomical concern and structure. It's difficult to let go of what you see sometimes and really draw what you feel with a little "flare".

Play Time

2006-09-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Just a little photo of me playing on one of my bikes! I figure my life can't be all about work so I like to indulge in my other passion as often as I can...BIKES! Unfortunately due to jobs, and life in general, I don't get to ride my dirtbike as often as I would like but I do take full advantage when I can. I'm also a motorcycle instructor so I do get to ride my NINJA everyday but nothing beats throwing around my Honda in the dirt. ...or in the air!

Creepers

2006-09-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

Just some quick sketches in pen while I was sitting in class teaching "art". One of the benefits of having my teaching degree as well is that it offers me the opportunity to sit and draw sometimes while still being paid. It's not often but it's enough now and then to at least keep my arm moving. It seems that most days I'm soo tired when I get home that drawing is right at the top of my list after eating and SLEEPING. Hopefully I can push myself to do more though and exercise my creativity on a regular basis. SEE YA!

First Entry

2006-09-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

My continued passion for animals has led me down some exciting paths over the years. It seems that every time I see one, whether it's a cow in a pasture or some exotic species in the zoo, I can't resist the urge to draw. Eventually, I wanted to try painting as I found the varied colors and textures of each individual animal simply mesmerizing. What I came to realize as well is that each new animal presents an entirely different challenge due to their unique shapes, textures, colors, and more importantly, personalities.It's amazing to spend the day drawing animals . While you are concentrating on form and light and every little detail you start to realize that those are not the attributes which comprise the animal...its the "personality" inside that is so fascinating. Their innocence is beautiful yet at the same time misleading. Their simplicity is what makes them so wonderful to draw.

A New Experience

2006-09-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

As I was pondering the meaning of life I decided, "Why not seek input elsewhere?" So I've decided to take the advice of some extremely creative and supportive friends and start posting some of my work. As a classicly trained animator I have begun delving into the world of illustration and color; a monumental task to say the least, but with the support of friends like "J" and others , hopefully the experience won't be too painful. I figure this will also be an excellent incentive to keep drawing regularly and push my skills to a place they have never been. I hope you enjoy the posts to come and I bid you Adieu!