Super Scarecrow
When "super clothes" get a little WORN
They're still not quite WORN OUT.
When "super clothes" get a little WORN
They're still not quite WORN OUT.
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Jun 29, 2009
Illustration Friday - Worn
Have you ever wondered what happens to Superhero costumes when they get a little ragged around the edges?
Jun 26, 2009
Hanging out with the folks
It's been a great week hanging out with Mom and Dad here in Atlanta. It wasn't all fun and games, I did get one of my boat chores done while I was here. The companionway steps on the boat were looking pretty bad and they are detachable so I put them in my trunk and brought them with me. Since last Sunday I have stripped, sanded, and varnished (5 coats). I think they look pretty darn good!
In the evenings, Mom and I have been entertaining ourselves by creating sock creatures. With lots of silly socks, a few buttons and some stuffing we've built up quite a collection. Our biggest problem now - What will we do with them all?!?
In the evenings, Mom and I have been entertaining ourselves by creating sock creatures. With lots of silly socks, a few buttons and some stuffing we've built up quite a collection. Our biggest problem now - What will we do with them all?!?
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Jun 21, 2009
We all love a Surprise!
Dad got a good one this morning!
I drove from Virginia to Atlanta, Georgia Saturday and stayed with my best friend for the night. This morning I hopped in my car, went though the McDonalds drive-thru for Egg-McMuffins and headed to Mom and Dad's house.
Just before I reached their house, I called my Dad's cell and said "Did you get the package Dad?"
Of course he said "What package?" Then I said "Look on front porch."
As he stepped out the front door I pulled into the driveway. I hopped out of the car with breakfast in hand and Mom and Dad were both grinning ear to ear. It was a most excellent surprise!
Thanks Charles and Dianna for helping me pull this one off!
Happy Father's Day everyone!
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Jun 19, 2009
Drifting...
I finished this painting a few days ago and when I saw the new Illustration Friday topic I thought it would work well. The word this week is Drifting and that is a good description of the lifeboat in this painting.
I put some thought into the composition and color selection before beginning the painting. I used the rule of thirds to place the lifeboat further up on the page and slightly to the right. I also added the discarded items in the water at the bottom left to bring the viewer into the painting.
The colors were selected as a triad. The aqua blues, oranges, and purples were selected before I began the painting. Aside from the these three colors, a little mixing white was used to lighten and soften.
I have not done many paintings in this soft, unfocused style. I hope it adds to the feeling of the piece.
"The Lifeboat"
Acrylic on paper 8x10
Acrylic on paper 8x10
I put some thought into the composition and color selection before beginning the painting. I used the rule of thirds to place the lifeboat further up on the page and slightly to the right. I also added the discarded items in the water at the bottom left to bring the viewer into the painting.
The colors were selected as a triad. The aqua blues, oranges, and purples were selected before I began the painting. Aside from the these three colors, a little mixing white was used to lighten and soften.
I have not done many paintings in this soft, unfocused style. I hope it adds to the feeling of the piece.
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Jun 17, 2009
Put down that brush! UPDATED!
"Put down that brush and step away from the painting!"
Sometimes I wish there was a little art critic sitting on my shoulder that could scream that into my ear when I'm about to go past the point of no return with a painting. Do you ever get to that point when you know you have a few more things you really need to touch up and then you just step back a bit, stare, and say "What else is it missing?"
I'm almost there with this painting. I'd say I'm 92% happy with it and if I can soften up the clouds and the area around the sun I think I'll be 98% happy. Like most people, it's that last 2% that will drive me crazy!
I'll put up a picture of the 98% version of this painting later today and by then maybe I will have decided what to do with that last 2%...
UPDATE - 2pm EST:
"After the Storm"Acrylic on Canvas panel 11x14
I did my best to make the clouds more cloudlike and brightened up the sun a bit. I threw more shadow onto the front left edge of the boat and put a few highlights on the ground. Now for the last 2% - any suggestions?
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Jun 16, 2009
Bike Repair and even more Circus Cats
I got most of my boat chores out of the way early today so I spent about 4 hours painting in my little studio on the boat. It was a great escape and I got much more done than I even imagined I would.
First off, I fixed the flat tire on my bike painting and added the final details. I think I'm finally finished with it. I'll set it aside for a few weeks so I can look at it with fresh eyes later on:
"Free Parking"
8x10 acrylic on canvas paper
After the bike repair I needed something more entertaining so I started a new "Circus Cats" painting. My first painting with kittens - "Don't worry guys, you'll grow into those noses eventually"...
"Circus Cats in Training"
8x10 acrylic on canvas paper
After the kitten picture I tackled a really big project - not in size but in the level of difficulty. I have not painted many boats or wide landscapes but I found a great picture of a boat washed far ashore after a storm and thought it might make a great painting. Here's the picture the painting is based on:
I'm almost finished with it but I'll let it sit overnight and look it over in the morning for any last minute changes before I post a photo of it.
First off, I fixed the flat tire on my bike painting and added the final details. I think I'm finally finished with it. I'll set it aside for a few weeks so I can look at it with fresh eyes later on:
"Free Parking"8x10 acrylic on canvas paper
After the bike repair I needed something more entertaining so I started a new "Circus Cats" painting. My first painting with kittens - "Don't worry guys, you'll grow into those noses eventually"...
"Circus Cats in Training"8x10 acrylic on canvas paper
After the kitten picture I tackled a really big project - not in size but in the level of difficulty. I have not painted many boats or wide landscapes but I found a great picture of a boat washed far ashore after a storm and thought it might make a great painting. Here's the picture the painting is based on:
I'm almost finished with it but I'll let it sit overnight and look it over in the morning for any last minute changes before I post a photo of it.
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Jun 13, 2009
Illustration Friday - Unfold
Jack's relaxing afternoon was notUNFOLDING as he imagined it would...
Something for Illustration Friday 6-12-09
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Jun 12, 2009
Odds and Ends
We've been working steady on the boat this week and have accomplished a lot. I'm well into varnishing a lot of different things and by Tuesday next week should have ALL of the hatches finished.
I've squeezed in some painting time and have a few projects underway in different stages at the moment. This first painting is almost finished but I really don't like it much. I'm not sure what it needs but I'm not really happy with it. Any suggestions are welcome AND appreciated!
"Harbor late Afternoon"
Acrylic on canvas 11x14
I'm at the halfway point with my "Free Parking" painting, I still need to lay in the shadows, bring in some more blue and green highlights and sort out a million little details. Does that back tire look flat to you?
"Free Parking"
Acrylic on canvas paper 8x10
These next two watercolor images I worked on a few weeks ago. They are both inspired by the art work in "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book".
And finally, I did a pen and ink illustration for a t-shirt design on the web site Social Designer. The them was Freedom so I toyed with the "Freedom of Speech" idea. I love all of the disclaimers when you find products offered for "FREE" and I thought a few of those might make for a funny image. Click the image to zoom in for a closer look.
You can view the other contest entries here and vote for mine if you like (I'm on page 3)! Part of the proceeds from the sale of all t-shirts on Social Designer go to a specific non-profit group or charity.
Now I'm off to think up something for this week's Illustration Friday. The theme is UNFOLD... Help! I need inspiration!
I've squeezed in some painting time and have a few projects underway in different stages at the moment. This first painting is almost finished but I really don't like it much. I'm not sure what it needs but I'm not really happy with it. Any suggestions are welcome AND appreciated!
"Harbor late Afternoon"Acrylic on canvas 11x14
I'm at the halfway point with my "Free Parking" painting, I still need to lay in the shadows, bring in some more blue and green highlights and sort out a million little details. Does that back tire look flat to you?
"Free Parking"Acrylic on canvas paper 8x10
These next two watercolor images I worked on a few weeks ago. They are both inspired by the art work in "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book".
And finally, I did a pen and ink illustration for a t-shirt design on the web site Social Designer. The them was Freedom so I toyed with the "Freedom of Speech" idea. I love all of the disclaimers when you find products offered for "FREE" and I thought a few of those might make for a funny image. Click the image to zoom in for a closer look.
You can view the other contest entries here and vote for mine if you like (I'm on page 3)! Part of the proceeds from the sale of all t-shirts on Social Designer go to a specific non-profit group or charity.Now I'm off to think up something for this week's Illustration Friday. The theme is UNFOLD... Help! I need inspiration!
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Jun 9, 2009
A Day at the "RIVAH"
We spent all day Sunday working pretty hard on boat projects. Charles got a lot of the filler put down on the topside and I worked on the hatches and stripped the varnish off a handrail that needs refinishing. After my work was done I played for a bit and finished another "Circus Cat" painting:
"Lenny and Lester join the Circus"
8x10 acrylic and mixed media on canvas
I love the expression on Lenny's face - it looks like the Circus thing might have been Lester's idea, not Lenny's!
Monday we took some time off and drove over to Hallieford, VA to visit friends who are renting a house on the bay for the week. Hal and Myra are actually our good friends and next door neighbors in Florida so we had a lot of catching up to do! We spent the day riding around in Jim's boat, swimming in the pool, eating and drinking. What a day! We got back to the boat at 10:30 last night and I was exhausted!
I guess it's back to work today... Bummer...
"Lenny and Lester join the Circus"8x10 acrylic and mixed media on canvas
I love the expression on Lenny's face - it looks like the Circus thing might have been Lester's idea, not Lenny's!
Monday we took some time off and drove over to Hallieford, VA to visit friends who are renting a house on the bay for the week. Hal and Myra are actually our good friends and next door neighbors in Florida so we had a lot of catching up to do! We spent the day riding around in Jim's boat, swimming in the pool, eating and drinking. What a day! We got back to the boat at 10:30 last night and I was exhausted!
I guess it's back to work today... Bummer...
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Jun 6, 2009
Drawing Day 2009
It's International Drawing Day 2009 so get busy and draw something. Go to the Drawing Day web page to find out how to participate and share your stuff!
Click on the image below to see my
Drawing Day images so far:
Hey You! Grab a pencil and get busy!
Click on the image below to see myDrawing Day images so far:
Hey You! Grab a pencil and get busy!
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Jun 5, 2009
A Craving for Cinnamon Buns...
Charles and I went walking this morning in an attempt to stay healthy and in my case, walk off some of the calories I have consumed or plan to consume later. Along the way I got a real craving for cinnamon buns. You know the kind; hot, steamy, dripping with cinnamon and sugar. This was odd for me because I rarely get cravings like this, so I mentioned it to Charles. To which he replied "Hop in the car when we get back to the marina and go get us some!"
Good thing I fought that urge because when I sat down to check my email I got the new theme for Illustration Friday. Are you ready....
Good thing I fought that urge because when I sat down to check my email I got the new theme for Illustration Friday. Are you ready....
CRAVING
We laughed about how appropriate the theme was and I said "I'll do an illustration about my craving for cinnamon buns". Then Charles gave me the idea to use the word "Buns" in another context... Here's my entry for Illustration Friday:
We laughed about how appropriate the theme was and I said "I'll do an illustration about my craving for cinnamon buns". Then Charles gave me the idea to use the word "Buns" in another context... Here's my entry for Illustration Friday:
Happy Friday!
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Jun 4, 2009
Six Weeks into It...
We've been here in Gloucester, Virginia for about 6 weeks now (Charles an little longer) and things are coming along nicely. All the bad spots on the topside of our sailboat has been sanded and primed and now we're applying epoxy to fill the spaces.
But he lets Robin give it a try too...
While we've been mostly working, Summer has arrived at the marina. The flowers have bloomed...
And the Swallows have fledged...
The Osprey chicks (two of them) are doing well but it's still a few weeks before they'll start flying.
I finished sanding and varnishing the first third of the boat...
And my reward... I get to convert the forward head (that's bathroom for you non-boaters) to my personal painting studio! Woo-Hoo!
Here's another "clown cat" painting I did in my new studio today!
"Juggling Cat Clown"
8x10 acrylic on canvas
Charles is the expert...
But he lets Robin give it a try too...
And the Swallows have fledged...
The Osprey chicks (two of them) are doing well but it's still a few weeks before they'll start flying.
I finished sanding and varnishing the first third of the boat...
And my reward... I get to convert the forward head (that's bathroom for you non-boaters) to my personal painting studio! Woo-Hoo!
Here's another "clown cat" painting I did in my new studio today!
"Juggling Cat Clown"8x10 acrylic on canvas
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Jun 2, 2009
Circus on the Brain
We had to run an errand in Hampton a few days ago and near the Hampton Colosseum I noticed a big carnival that was breaking down. It made me think of warm summer nights, nauseating rides, clowns, cotton candy, and on and on...
I thought, "don't things seem brighter and more exciting when the circus or carnival is in town"? I grabbed my watercolors when I got back to the boat and painted a quick picture of a small village in the middle of nowhere and the excitement a circus brings.
"When the Circus Comes to Town"
Watercolor on 140lb paper 8x10
Then I had an evil thought. I found a great photo of a Persian cat with a bit of an attitude and decided to clown around with it...
"We are NOT Amused"
5x7 mixed media with acrylics on canvas
I'm off to find some royalty-free cat photos - that was too much fun not to try again!
I thought, "don't things seem brighter and more exciting when the circus or carnival is in town"? I grabbed my watercolors when I got back to the boat and painted a quick picture of a small village in the middle of nowhere and the excitement a circus brings.
"When the Circus Comes to Town"Watercolor on 140lb paper 8x10
Then I had an evil thought. I found a great photo of a Persian cat with a bit of an attitude and decided to clown around with it...
"We are NOT Amused"5x7 mixed media with acrylics on canvas
I'm off to find some royalty-free cat photos - that was too much fun not to try again!
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