Surrogate

A collaborative piece - inspired by a figure sketch by J. Chan, it morphed into something that neither of us expected.

New Years 2010

For those of you who didn't get one via the USPS, here's this year's New Years card design. Its part of the "Cautious Optimism" series that I've been doing for the past several years, (and will be uploading the others soon...), in which I try to express my feelings both for the past year and my hopes for the year ahead. To say the least, the last several years have provided plenty of challenges in both areas, but the overall message remains the same. We must maintain a positive outlook and momentum while avoiding the urge to latch onto the hubris of incremental successes. There is a long way to go before true peace has its day...

Temptation

Had some down-time at work today and decided to flesh out a composite sketch from a couple months back - two poses from the same session that seemed to work well together. The sketch had a bit of a playful aspect to it, but as I worked on the painting, I came to realize that since its the same model looking back at herself, the piece becomes more a psychological representation than a literal scene.

This Weekend's Figure Drawings

There was no model for this weeks figure drawing session at CSULB, so everyone took turns modeling 20 minute poses. The conclusion? Models don't get payed nearly enough...

I was happy to discover that Cal State Long Beach has started holding their figure drawing sessions again, after the summer break. Great session, with (usually) excellent models, talented students, and a drawing instructor on hand in case you need a kick in the ass.

Not a Pin-Up

I've gotten tired of pin-up girls on bikes images. Crazy, I know, but there it is. So I decided to do something with a more stand-offish pose to the "girl". And made her a robot. I like the idea that perhaps she once had a skin covering, in the human sense, but the years have worn that away. All that is left is the strip of vanity that is her face...

Click on the image to see it larger -

A version of this with a background is coming soon...

Monkey on the Right

This image, which you will note I have appropriated for this blog's header, is a beer label for a brew my brother has made for our father's birthday. We decided to name the beer in French to make it sound classy and European, as opposed to ironic and from San Francisco.

Bi-Pedal "Monster"

And for those of you who were getting tired of line-work...heres a little color. Final "anti-hero" character as developed with the previous monster sketches...

Monsters!

More monster type concepts...for same mysterious client as the arachnid sketch.

Not Human

And in case anyone was getting tired of bi-peds, heres an arachnid to spice up your day. Done as part of a concept exploration study for a client who wishes to remain anonymous.

Sketches from Figure Drawing Sessions, etc.

Random sketches...

CS Long Beach - another session, I forget when. Some time in 2008.

Drawings of a friend - in two totally very different circumstances. On the left is fishing off Newport pier, and on the right is New Years 2007 in Hollywood...

Cal State Long Beach - This model is by far one of my favorites. Exceptional poses, and during this session we were running late, and he volunteered to skip his break to finish the pose. Respect.

Sketches from the Medusa Lounge

And for my inaugural image post - albeit god knows how many months late - I choose drawings of girls. No big surprise there. These were done at Dr. Sketchy LA's Medusa Lounge session in July. It was my first time attending a Dr. S session, and it was a blast! I mean, how can you go wrong with an open bar, full menu, and table service AS YOU DRAW. In a nifty gothic lounge setting. Very nice. The models were OK, but not great, choosing to use very static poses for the 1 - 2 minute sessions. Guess thats where the beer came in handy to make things more interesting...

Yet another Blog.

If you can't fight 'em, join 'em.

So here I am, not fighting, and finally joining.

But really, I just wanted another little slice of the web to put my work up, and will get around to that soonish.

But for now, this little snarky blurb is all you get.

Come back later. It'll be worth it...

A