SI-LA 48

I recently was notified that the web version of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles's illustration annual #48 went live. My painting, "She Loves Me (she loves me not)" was selected to be in the gallery section. You can see it here.

She Loves Me (she loves me not)

Process: The Painting That Took A Year

Once I start a painting I usually have no problem with it, the paint flows and it almost seems to finish itself. I finished "God Bless This House," the subject of this post, in January, and I was very very happy to be done. For some reason, it took me forever.... a year.

PROCESS - God Bless This House:

Process: Rough thumbnail sketches. I went with a version of the 2nd.

Process: This drawing was the final stage of planning.

Process: stopping point

When I got to this point in the painting, I painted over the figures and stopped for 5 months. I had never done this before, but something (I couldn't have told you what) was wrong with the painting.

Process: Whiteout

When I finally tried to tackle the painting again and save it, this is what I came up with.

And I ran with it.

Process: final

Detail

Portrait of a Promising Young Artist

I just wanted to share this awesome drawing made by my 6 year old very talented nephew yesterday. Once he finished, he got out some scotch tape and taped it to the front of my shirt.

Yesterday he came over to see our new house and found himself very much at home when he saw my studio. He immediately asked for paper, pencils and crayons and sat down at my drafting table and began to work. Next time I'll break out the paint!

Piece for Yuri's Night 2010

Finally got my studio installed and found the time to crank out this drawing for Yuri's Night tomorrow. I apologize for the poor quality of the image, I didn't have a chance to scan it before I dropped it off for hanging.

Glory Days (sold)

Yuri's Night 2010

With any luck (due to the craziness of our move) I'll have one piece in this show!

Countdown To Yuri's Night
Takes Flight Third Straight Year
Saturday, April 10 At 8 P.M.

WASHINGTON, DC (February 4, 2010) Countdown to Yuri's Night, an out of this world art extravaganza that combines visual art, performance, and music to commemorate the first human space flight, is back for a third year.

Countdown to Yuri's Night, a 21-and-over event, takes place Saturday, April 10, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Capitol Skyline Hotel (10 I Street SW). Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Visit http://www.outofthisworldparty.com/ for tickets, artist links, and event announcements.

Returning to the event to are Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey, an award-winning acrobatic superduo who dance, flip, fight, and strip for the opposing forces of good and evil. Their adventures have taken them all across the United States, and now they are charting a course to conquer the galaxy.While the complete 2010 line-up will be announced shortly, past performers include Miss Saturn, L'il Dutch, and The Atomic Mosquitos.

In an "Astro-Pop" art exhibition organized by artists Scott G. Brooks and Jared Davis, approximately 20 visual artists will exhibit work that celebrates, reflects, and imagines space, from hard-core science to the lowbrow culture. Confirmed artists, in addition to Brooks and Davis, include Dana Ellyn, Matt Sesow, Stephen Blickenstaff, Greg Ferrand, Linas Garsys, and Andrew Wodzianski. The exhibition will be available for viewing prior to the event at http://www.outofthisworldparty.com/.

Countdown to Yuri's Night is an artistic spin on a high-science holiday. On April 12, 1961, Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin embarked on the historic first manned space flight. Every year around April 12, Yuri's Night parties are held all around the world; it's like St. Patrick's Day for space.

For art, please contact Deb Fiscella / Center Stage Marketing at DFMPR@aol.com.

New Illustration

The following commentary illustration was done for Education Week and accompanied an article that explored the idea of predicting the viability of educational reforms.

rough sketch

final drawing

final illustration (color added in Photoshop)

Colors

I have been painting painting painting. Not canvases but my new house. Not everyone has loved the color choice, but I do!