One of my favorites.

visual funk: jim mahfood from dope vinyl on Vimeo.

Jim Mahfood does some amazing work.

Thought's on 2013

It's that time of the year again. Another year just seems to have flown by, it seems like just yesterday that I was still living with my parent's, planning a wedding, and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. This time of year always seems to bring me down, it feels like I didn't really accomplish anything. I'm still working the same deadend job, still trying to figure what I want to do with my life. But you know a lot of great things have happened this year. Even through all the anxiety and depression, I made a lot of good memories this year.

This year was probably the most important year of my life. Jackie and I finally got married. The six and a half years we've been together is nothing compared to the life time we will now have together. The wedding was beautiful, and I had a lot of fun seeing my friends and family. I can say it went by too fast, just a giant blur (and thats not because of the drinks). I know I was really stressed leading up to the day and even that morning, but it wasn't  because I was nervous, I had no doubts about what I was getting myself into. I knew I wanted to marry Jackie, I just wanted to make sure everythying was perfect for her.

As far as my art goes, I've been slowly working on that book for my grandmother, I've done some painting, and of course I'm always drawing something in my sketchbook. My goals for the upcoming year is to finish the book. Maybe I'll finish a few paintings, but I'm starting to get the feeling that I really want to start making more illustrations, do more drawings, that's what I really love anyways. In a week or so I start back to schoool, taking a class on computer graphics (photoshop, illustrator, etc.). It'll be exciting to learn how to do more with the programs I've had for years.

When it comes to work, I'm just working to keep my bills paid. Petsmart is moving their warehouse to PA and I don't plan on moving with them. In fact Jackie and I are looking at the option of moving to Texas. Ricky moved down there a while ago and everytihgn he's told me about Houston makes it seem like a great place for her and I to get a fresh start. There is an art scene down, so having access to galleries will be a big plus for me. I doubt I'll be looking into hanging up my work anytime soon, but just being around other artists and art work will keep me motivated. 

All in all it's been a busy year, I've learned a lot about myself. I may not see my parent's as much as I used to but I know they love me and they I know I love them. I've grown closer to Jackie's family. The lose of Gene, her grandfather, made me realize just how much the mean to me and how I mean to them. I'm not that cocky boyfriend form highschool anymore, I'm the son-in-law who is part of the family now.

As the new year approaches, remember who you were, who you're becoming, and all the people that have been there along the way. Always keep your head up and stay focused on the future, because event hough today may suck, tomorrow has the chance to be amazing.

Autodesk: sketch book x

So my wife surprised me for Christmas with an iPad, the first thing I did of course was download a sketching app. I went with autodesk's Sketchbook Express. So far its not bad, I wish the touch screen was a little more sensitive to the stylus, so that the lines would turn out smooth and naturaul. Here are two sketches I did yesterday. I like being able to just working on character poses and proportions, but I'm starting to like over laying actual pictures with line work and blocks of color.

Oblivion: bullet points

So for Christmas I got a few movies, one of which was Oblivion staring Tom Cruise. Now I now he gets a lot of heat for his off screen antics, but when it comes to watcxhing movies i ignore things outside of what i'm watching on the screen.

So here it is, bullet points on Oblivion.

- This is my second run through of watching this movie 

- I am a fan of anything that deals with life after any "end of the world" scenario.

- why did the ginger have to die?

- i liked the progression of the story, the pace of events seemed to flow very well.

- I want that house in the woods.

5/6 bullets.

Legend of six character design

Keeping up with the story idea I had from high school. Here is the current character design for the main character.

Here is the new tattoo design.

Enjoy.

Hammer and Saw

So going along with my post the other about just drawing out short stories, I decided to draw some characters. These two guys are dragon hunters. The style I drew them n allows for tons of options when it comes to story telling. These characters could be used in comic strips, video game concepts (kid's games), or they could be use in a shonen manga style (comics directed at a younger male audience). If I'm feeling adventurous they would be contrasted with a very serious story line, filled with blood, guts, and violence (toward dragons).

sorry for the quality, I really need to start using my camera, not my phone

the colony: bullet points

I just finished watching "The Colony". Here's a quick review in bullet points.

- I liked it
- The whole post-apocalyptic theme always draws me in
- It's a fun watch, hough the trailer basically spells out the whole story.
- The only complaint I would have is that the style of the cannibals is too similar to the vampires of "40 Days of Night"
- 3/6 bullets, it's not going to be winning any awards, that's for sure

just an idea

So that little comic study I did the other day has me thinking that if I really want to start making comics, maybe I should start making quick "one-shot" stories. If I start drawing out some of my ideas in a few short pages maybe I can find an idea that I really want to stick with.

Guess I should start on that asap... after I finish that children's book, oh and after I work my butt off through the holiday season.

Quick comic

So I had this thought about how cliche it is to have a scene of two old men playing chess in a park. Here's the first page of a short comic in response to this thought.

The holidays

So first and foremost, I'm not sure how often I will be updating over the next month or so. The christmas season means lots of overtime at work, and as everyone knows you have to work hard for your money.

On the subject of the holidays. Please, for the love of all that is good in this world, spend thanksgiving with your families. This idea of stores opening for "black friday" on thanksgiving is bullshit. My wife has to work that night, but she works at a hospital, jobs such as that are critical to maintaining civilization. Increasing your sales for the quarter is not. So if you can, stay home. If you can't good luck.

The return of K.O.I.

I had this idea in high school called king of imagination. A young boy who can bring I life anything he imagines. This piece illustrates a rebel, a samurai, a lion, ghosts, and a monster. These are items that frequent my imagination.

the workings of my mind

Many people keep journals or diaries. The idea of writing down the days events helps individuals remember specific events and helps them understand my they think the way they do. I've kept a journal sense high school. But instead of words, my thoughts are visions; images that depict concepts and ideas that I cannot put into words. I remember once in high school, I lost one of my sketchbooks. It was about half way full and it killed me inside to know that I could never look back and see what visions and ideas I had had during that period of time. I started marking the outside of my sketchbooks with the month/year I started and ended drawing in the book. I don't keep specific dates because usually the thoughts i sketch out are ideas that build up for a few days, most of the time they are just random thoughts though. Here are some sketches from between 2010 and now that I don't think I ever posted.

NEW JOB

So I start my new job in sales and marketing on tuesday. I'm scared and excited at the same the same time. It's something I've never thought about doing before, but it provides me the opportunity to actually be a leader and an active member of a team. The down side for now is the hour and half drive to DC, but I'm hoping it all pays off in the end.

Horizontal triptych

After cutting up some older paintings I decided to start on some new work. I loved the look of the figure in "Angel of Judgement" so I want to carry that style into the figures in this painting. The 'ghost' figures have become my constant motif, so why not throw them into this work as well?

As per usual I started by laying down some newspaper on board, the ripped it off. This leaves fragments behind which create texture in the background of the canvas. Then I attacked the boards with spray paint to tie all three boards together. I sketched out the underlying structure of the painting in marker. The last thing I did today was put a wash of grey over the 'ghost' figures.

Layers

Added more layers to my new ghost painting.

Above. I added some spray paint and started repainting the skull.

Inktober monkeys

Started drawing a monkey.

Ended up making a short story about monkeys learning to fly.

Self identity

Did some painting. This one resembles how our phones have become so ingrained into our lives that they become reflections of ourselves. In some cars they are extremities of the self.

Ghosts

I started a new painting. It's sort of a graphic design test for something that I want to put on my longboard. Something simple and fun.

Experimenting

So I started painting again, if you can actually call it that. I'm experimenting with different techniques and mediums. This studio is an old bandana that I used as a rag when painting during college. I sketched out a skull ad threw some paint down on top of that.

A friend of mine at college used needle and thread to make some "drawings" on canvas. I liked the way that looked so I decided to put a little bit of that in there as well.

Finally, I took a turkey feather I had found in the spring and some orange spray paint to the canvas. It created outlines if the feather and then I just smacked the feather around on the canvas, kind if like an abstract artist would with a brush, but I found a new type of brush.

Over all I got some good ideas flowing. Now to think out an actual painting instead of this mess.

It ends the way it begins.

Skulls

I don't know why, but I have thing for skulls. Maybe its that they're just easy to draw. Or maybe it has something todo with the fact that skulls are the foundation of every face and they all look the same to me. Or maybe I just like drawing skulls.

Knot

So I recently finished watching the history Chanel's "Vikings". It inspired me to create a Celtic/Viking knot drawing. I'm hoping  to make a piece which incorporates roses and snakes. But for know all I have is this skull. It was something new I've never done before. It took a good bit of time, but it was a lot of fun.

Frat Chair

My parents bought these chairs a few years ago. We were all supposed to paint one. Me being me, I kept forgetting about it. Then one day I came home to see it sitting on the burn pile in our back yard. Why waist a perfectly good chair! So I took a few cans of paints, a marker and brush to it.

Chosts are just an old motif. 

The skull and roses are a tattoo design inspired by my brother and my fraternity. 

Down by the river

So I've been taking advantage of the nice weather and have been doing some sketching down by the river. I'm still hooked on this character design.

What's new

So I've got a lot of project ideas going on in my head. My main focus right now is a children's book written by my grandmother. I bought a new iMac and have some concept sketches done. But there's a wedding to plan! Jackie and I are getting married in september, pretty exciting stuff. Hopefully I'll have work to post soon.

Socialism v.s. capitalism

In college I believed that socialism and even total communism could work in the right circumstances. Now I'm eight months into my job and something has dawned on me. The harsh reality is that everyone has role to play in this world. I do not agree with companies hoarding away money and handing out bonuses to execs while the bottom tier of employees struggle to make a living. But look at things this way, if everyone was paid equally, no matter what their job duties are, how would the world work? I think it'd be like a world full of dogs. All the dogs get the same amount of treats, good dogs and bad dogs. Would the bad dogs strive to improve themselves when they know that no matter what they do they'll still get as many treats as the good dog. Being at the bottom gives you something to strive for, to work your way up to improve your life. 

Without anything to work towards, what is the point of giving a hundred percent. Being at the bottom sucks, but remember there's something better to work for.

Launched into space!

We all are the space monkey, launched into a brave new world, not knowing if we'll survive.

Stencil

Today I played around with a stencil I cut out real quick.

4-23-13

I did some prep work for some paintings today ( newspaper and spray paint on some board). I'll post those when I get some actual content on them.

For now, enjoy these two drawings.