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.