12.31.2009

WATERCOLOR ON CARDBOARD


This is the last post of 2009! Some quickies for the bell drop, I have been focused on creating at least one painting a day, and will continue this on into the new year . I will also going to make attempts to post more frequently as I get immersed in projects and let the Blog world slide by a bit. So, here are three watercolor works painted on cardboard. Completing a good number of these for upcoming shows, also useful as studies for larger pieces.


RMCAD: LARRY KRESEK

My instructor and friend to this day, great man, teacher, and painter, the department chair at my alma matter RMCAD, Larry Kresek speaks on the methods of illustration and the "rules are tools" ideology.

12.23.2009

ROCCO PORTRAIT


Recent portrait of my good friend Harrison's son, Rocco. I am pleased with the finish on this piece, as well as the overall effect of the loose brushwork leading into the focus of his expression.
Painting children is a great challenge, and some of these recent pieces I have completed inspired me to look into child painters throughout history.
Many old masters, as well as modern painters have tried their brush at the soft delicate form of the young child, some to look at closely are Lucong, John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and even Velasquez's children.
The December issue of Fine Art Connoisseur had a spotlight section titled "New Directions in Children' s Portraiture"concerning the subject that is quite insightful as well.

12.17.2009

RENDER ME STUPID UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO

Just a small update and reminder for all, I will be hosting and presenting my first solo show at the university level. My solo exhibition and demonstration, "Render Me Stupid" will be held from March 1 - April 2nd 2010 at the Mariani Gallery on the UNC campus in Greeley.
More info and details to come, but for now mark your calendar, excited for this showcase and demonstration for all age levels, but non-specifically high school to college art students.

12.14.2009

DRAGON WATERCOLOR

Here is the finish in watercolor for the first of a few different christmas gifts. Happy Holidays.

REBELLION HOLIDAY SHOW


Process Sketch and the final painting in acrylic for the Rebellion Tattoo Group show.
The show starts at 8pm Friday December 18th. Rebellion Tattoo located at 987Santa Fe Drive, Denver Colorado 720-381-6090. Please check out their website!! Rebellion hosts some of Denver's best including Preston Chambers, Ben "Chase" Thompson and Jher 451.
I wanted to focus on overall tone and composition with this piece. I also wanted to simplify the palette to experiment with contrast.
"MoonGlow" Acrylic on board, 8.25 x 12.75

12.11.2009

THE FORMAT MIXTAPE~ FOE & AWHAT

Just finished a recent project with Dj Awhat of the Pirate Signal and FOE, from Jewell Tyme Music, also the 2009 Westword MC of the year. The two have created a new mixtape entitled "The Format", presented by Jewell Tyme Music, Lifecrew, and Analog Space. A glimpse into the future that positive collaborative efforts within Denver's expanding music and arts scene will continue to create. Foe and Dj Awhat have both obtained acclaim for solo projects and group productions, and this album marks the beginning of a dynamic duo.

12.09.2009

PIRATE SIGNAL 2010

Process and final ink illustration for an upcoming release, details of print release in the works!

12.05.2009

SHOESHINE 2010

The latest installment of Shoeshine is back and better than ever for 2010. Denver's own create sneaker and snow sport customized apparel, as well as a showcase of the fresh new apparel lines coming out on the street and on the mountain. More info on the custom gear to be painted by local talent, but also info into the snowboard design contest and exhibit location.

GB FISH N CHIPS MURAL UPDATE

Here is the rooftop image from the British Rock themed mural I was commissioned to complete for the brand new GB Fish N Chips located on 22nd and Sheridan. The mural is completed, and the new store is open for business, so grab some calamari and cod, a cold one and watch some football, all while you check out the mural and the beautiful view of Denver across Sloans Lake.
More photos and panoramic shots to come, as well as the final video. Special Thanks to Alex Stokeld, Seetwist Productions, Taylor Barnes, Neil @ Masters International, Cheers.

12.03.2009

LAUREATE OF THE LOWLIFE SNEAK PEEK

A sneak peek at a dedication mural recently completed with the laureate of the lowlife as the focus. I will post the entire mural, and the additional process images once the publication and online press has been finished. Many thanks to KeithJive, Richard, and Seetwist for the photos.

INDY INK GIFT OF GETTING GROUP SHOW



Here is my piece for Indy Inks holiday cash and grab group show. Aimed at the end of starbucks gift card giving, all pieces of artwork will be priced less than $100, and are encouraged to empty the walls and deck the halls. Hope to see you there.

BARRIO UNITY UPDATE

Here are the final images from the Barrio Unity project completed in late fall. This area is usually inundated with tagging and gang graffiti, but because I helped to employ a handful of the neighborhood kids and they painted and helped to complete the mural, the result is that the surrounding area, and community has seen a significant drop in the gang graffiti activity, and brazen destruction of private property. By no means was it a failsafe solution, but it shows the power that public art can serve, as well as the messsage that mural art can portray to any community. Special thanks to Johnny and Cisco at GRASP for the opportunity, and of course the documentarian, Seetwist Productions.

HOLIDAY MINIATURE FINALS



The final paintings for the 19th Annual Holiday Miniatures Show at Abend Gallery. The specs on the pieces are as follows:

"Early Morning Stanley" -Watercolor, 6x6
"Arcane Craft in Yellow"- Oil, 5x7

"Estes Gaze"- Oil, 5x7

"Southern Smokestacks" - Oil, 4x5

"Top Tier Practitioner" - Oil, 5 x7

"San Xavier Gatekeeper" - Oil, 5x7

Preview and pricelisting can be found at Abend Gallery online

11.29.2009

19th Annual Miniature Show Sketches



Here are my process sketches, field studies, and roughs for the 19th Annual Miniatures Show being held by Abend Gallery. They are from my trip down south to Arizona and Texas, some from my trip to Estes, Oil finals and show flyers in next post.

11.19.2009

STRATEGY ROOM FINAL

Here is the final Strategy Room graphic, being pressed on winter gear ready for your collection. Come down to the release party on Saturday December 5th, hoodies, zip-ups, t's and misletoe.

11.17.2009

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE UPDATE

Update from the opening night of the new Illiterate gallery space. Here is the final framed and hanging at Illiterate, I was blessed to sell the piece opening night. Special thanks to Max Kaufman, Rachel, Sander, Adam, and Elaine for a great grand opening.

11.16.2009

PLEIN AIR HONORABLE MENTION


Photos from opening night at the Denver Public Library for the 3rd Annual Denver Plein Air Exhibition, hosted by Gallery 1261 and Abend Gallery. I was bestowed with an honorable mention from the exhibition judges, and what a great honor! I will let the photos tell the remainder of the story, and you can view all the award winners and additional pieces online at the Golden Triangle Museum District website. Special thanks to everyone involved. Back to the easel for me.

11.03.2009

OFFSITE MURAL PANORAMA


Thanks to Seetwist for the final panoramic photo of the Offsite Mural located on 13th and Pearl. Look for more mural info from myself and HD in the near future.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE FINAL

Here is the final oil painting for the group show "Where the Wild Things Art" hosted by Illiterate and curated by the one and only Max Kaufmann, opening Friday, November 6th to the public. I have always been fascinated with the imagination and the idea of imaginary friends and so with all the different concepts I had come up with I was sold on the idea of portraying the main character as he first meets the Wild Things and his fascination with them, and his imaginative expression once faced with creatures that are supposed to scare. My nephew was the model for the scene and he was the perfect candidate for the an imaginative journey into the psyche of a wild boy. Come see the show should be an incredible display of Denver's talent and conceptual prowess. Special thanks to Max for the invite.

STRATEGY ROOM 2

Almost finalized on the lighttable, only a few more touches and the graphic is ready for scan. Look for the final soon. More info at Strategy Room online.

STRATEGY ROOM PROCESS

Here is the next step in the Strategy Room process, I am cleaning up the line work, and then going back in with ink to complete a final rendering of the image. Excited to see this piece come to a finish, and even more excited to see it go to print. Look for more soon.

11.02.2009

ACCEPTED PLEIN AIR PIECES

It is a great honor considering I have only had one piece accepted in past years. The pieces that were accepted were the Sniagrab Aloft pair, completed on the first day of the festival, in halfway overcast weather.
The pair exhibit the ideas of small studies on location in order to lock in palette control and overall composition with a steady and rapid process towards completing the final painting; eliminating many problems due to the studies analytical and exploratory nature. The exhibit opens on November 10th at the Denver Public Library from 6- 9 pm, hope to see you there.