Beaming Scotty Up...

Lost In Space...

New character sketch for nothing in particular. Just having fun. I've gotten into the habit of doodling in my sketchbook after spending the day in my studio on regular projects. The interesting thing is, just when I think there is nothing left in me creative-wise, I get some of the most fun and thoughtful imagery to happen at the tip of my pencil. It must be due to fatigue. I'm just too tired to care very much. It's as if the art director in me has fallen asleep, and the artist in me takes the opportunity to work unfettered... Yeah, I'm going with that.

New Sketch...

I've been wrestling with a very tough deadline for the last couple of months. So, every now and then I have to steal a little time from myself and do a sketch, just to keep my sanity intact. Sketches like this don't take very long but they're a lot of fun and help me remember why I became an artist in the first place.

The Light...

New Sketch Book...

Today I took my new sketch book out for a test drive. I call this "Scooter Guy", (No Relation). Part of my New Year's resolution is to take a sketch book with me whenever I have to leave the studio. It's kind of nice drawing on something that isn't plugged in.

Clear Moon, Snow Soon...

This is the cover illustration for "Clear Moon, Snow Soon", a book I illustrated in 2001. A lot of things came together for me during the making of this book. I've always loved this piece, and, since it's so close to Christmas, I thought it was a good time to show it again.

To go digital, or not to go digital. That is the question....

I was asked if the Santa image from my previous post was painted digitally or conventionally, (music to my ears). I painted it digitally — But that it doesn’t have an obvious digital look is a compliment I’ll gladly take. Years ago I wrestled with the idea of using the computer as a medium for painting. Back then the time I spent on each of my paintings grew to the point that this wonderful career of mine was starting to feel more like a job and less like an artistic endeavor. I needed to find a way to keep my enthusiasm and spontaneity up and number of hours spent on each piece down.

The computer seemed to be just the ticket.

Since going digital my painting skills have improved dramatically. I tend to take more chances and explore more options because of the flexibility painting digitally affords, which translates back into my conventional painting.

Bottom line? It doesn’t matter how you get there — as long as you get there. And the fact that I can paint digitally, have my images look as if they were created conventionally, and get a little more sleep — is all just icing on the cake. 

Ho, ho, ho

Seeing how the holiday season is upon us, inspiration has kicked into high gear with a portrait of Santa. Faces are such fun to paint. 

Turkey Time!

It's that time again. 

Is it Fly-day yet?

It probably would have been better if I posted this sketch before Halloween. 

Just a fun monochromatic drawing for the portfolio. 

Just Warming Up...

Book Signing

I will be signing my book Jump! this Friday (10/12), from 6 to 8 pm at Tucson Meet Yourself. My table will be set up at  the Folk Art & Global Market (In front of the courthouse). Jump on over!

Prairie Anna Book Cover

I Finally received my advance copied of Prairie Anna. Here is the cover, I painted it digitally. 

New Portrait...

Charcoal on watercolor paper,  approximately 18" x 24". Faces are so much fun to do particularly when it comes to bringing out the personalities.