ooblog

Thanks to everyone who came out to TOAST.  I had a good time met some good people and sold a couple of pieces which is a good thing.  This week has a few exciting things worth checking out as well.  On Thursday the SVA MFA Illustration exhibition opening happens.  Also, Saturday is free comics day, so go by any participating comic store and enjoy the free goodness.  If you happen to be there also check out Nature of the Beast which is a project I was fortunate to work thanks to Owen Brozman and Matt Rota.  I realize this happens to coincide with Cinco De Mayo, but why not enjoy a comic and the festivities.

This Friday I will be participating in TOAST which is the Tribeca open studio art tour.  Below are some paintings which will be available.  The art walk will be Friday (6pm-8pm), Saturday Sunday and Monday (1pm-6pm).

Hope to see you there!

Here are some figure drawing I did a short while back.  Due to the amount of painting posts, I figured I would add some drawing stuff for variety. Don’t forget to get your taxes done.

Happy Easter Everyone!  I’m in a faculty show tomorrow at New York Institute.  The show will be up from April 9- April 24th.  The reception is from 6pm – 8pm located at the Manhattan campus on the 11th floor 16 W 61st.

In other news Matt Rota and Billy Norrby will be in a show on Saturday at Last Rites Gallery.  Check it out!  Below is a study I made yesterday.

Happy April Fools day everyone!  A few months ago I was asked to work on a cover for a compilation album.  Once I had a chance to listen to some of the music, I realized that I wanted to evoke the essence of Ernie Barnes “Sugar Shack” with a contemporary feeling.  For this project, I created the illustration along with the graphic design. Below are some sketches and stages of the image.  Black Ink MMG released the album so check it out!   Here is the link to itunes! Thanks Terry!

Under the advice of a trusted comics friend/enthusiast, I just finished reading the two graphic novels “Astonishing X-Men” by Joss Weldon.  I can’t begin to explain how brilliant it was.  As it has been years since I have read the X-men, this was a welcome return and a good break from some of the more depressing dense things I’ve been reading.  If you are a comics fan and you want some good superhero action I suggest getting them.  I bought the hard back versions and I’m glad I did as I’m sure I will read them again.  They are well worth the money.

In other news, I am participating in a benefit show for a fellow artist.  Anyone reading this who would like to participate can contact Velocity comics in Richmond VA or email me through my website. If you email me, put “Benefit Show” in the header and I will forward the details.  The show will be in Richmond VA and entries need to be mailed by mid April.  Below is one of my contributions to the show along with a detail.

Here are some demos I did recently for some of my classes.  Due to dwindling attention spans, I usually do something quickly in class talking about basic principles and finish them on my own time.  This compared to some great demo I was able to see when I was in school which might span hours.  Since having control over value is important, my first few class demos are usually monochromatic demonstrations.  Happy St. Patricks Day weekend!

Due to a conflict in schedule I haven’t been able to do the weekly longer figure paint sessions I have attended for some time.  These sessions are something which make my weeks complete.  For now I will just have to wait until my schedule once again opens itself to this.  This was painted back in January.  Looking forward to revisiting longer figure sessions in the future.

I love my laptop.  Adobe and Apple have afforded me freedom, entertainment, creativity, convenience and in some ways, a means to make a living.  In the summer, I also plan to get my first IPhone.  With all this being said, I wonder at what cost.  I realize the episode on the American Life might have fabrications in it, but one has to ask at what cost do we get the “toys” we have.  Apple is sitting on close to 100 billion and is one of the most profitable companies in the world.  Could they afford fair wages for Chinese workers? Could they afford a plant in the states where they create jobs for American workers?  Apple is good at innovation.  Here’s one.  How about setting a new standard for American companies.

Below is a piece I made after hearing about the situation at foxconn.  Also here are links to the ever famous podcasts from this American Life about Apple. The first story. The retraction.

For the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about Soul Train and the man behind the magic, Don Cornelius.  I’ve been wondering why there hasn’t been a club in New York which showcases the latest bands with great dancing televised weekly.  The closest I can think of is Saturday Night Live since it at least has live bands which are televised.  SNL however has an entirely different feel.  Below is a piece I finished last Monday and sadly Don Cornelius passed away on Wednesday.  He will be missed.