Spectrum 19 & The Art of Happiness

After a few years of having pieces rejected, it was nice to find out for the first time that this piece was accepted into Spectrum 19 this year. It will be published in November and I'm looking forward to it. Thanks to Cathy & Arnie Fenner, the spectrum jury and congratulations to everyone who got in this year!

For those who did not make the list, stay positive, keep submitting and continue creating. See it as a stepping stone to something brighter. Just because your work wasn't accepted doesn't mean you're not good enough but remember to work hard at being better. Oak trees don't grow in a day. The most important thing is to be happy with what you're doing. I play the guitar, sing and write songs because it makes me happy, it feels right. When I have the time, I carve bows, make arrows and shoot at targets because I enjoy it. I practice my marksmanship skills with guns because it's an art form I love! I cook and drink because it's an art form I respect and enjoy. Those who know me know that I like to take photos of food and drinks :)

I draw and paint because.....I'm happy doing it. Might as well be doing something else if you're not happy creating artwork. We all have our off days but you get my point. Ahhh.....The Art of Happiness, something everyone should practice.

Vrock commission in progress pt. 1

Quick photo of the final drawing ready for paint. Still have to finish painting the stone on the frame. I've been thinking about this piece for the last couple years and finally came up with a decent sketch a couple months back. It took some time to get all my reference together so I painted the boarder and worked on the drawing in stages. The archer will eventually have tattoos on his face at the end of the painting process.

The swift and deadly warrior armed with a bow and arrow is defending himself from vicious Vrocks. With an unbelievable rate of fire the Vrocks are no match. In the dark cavern, a blue stone mounted to his bow illuminates his way through orange, jagged terrain.

Stay tuned for the final painting.

Vrock maquette reference

My Vrock reference maquette out of the oven and ready for paint. Finally getting around to posting some photos and info.
A close up shot of a section of my current commission in progress on canvas.
After the acrylic paint, I varnished some areas and took some photos for reference and for the blog.
The Vrock body. It is picture hanging wire twisted together and foil underneath the clay. I came up with the idea of leaving the joints exposed so I could maneuver the limbs. It's around a foot tall. There's more than one Vrock in the painting so instead of constructing a few small models, I built one that could move into different positions. I also made separate hands and claws. Crude but it'll serve its purpose. The scene takes place in a small cavern so I built extremely small stalactites and stalagmites out of clay as well. I'm finishing up the drawing and plan to post a photo early next week. Long process but it'll help the painting in the end.

frame in progress

This is my next commission and I've been working on painting a frame around the drawing. It has been a spontaneous process. I was going to paint the bottom corners silver but after painting the aged stone, I decided a copper look would be better. I still have to work out the center stone and tweak it all out when the piece is more complete. Since the drawing is unfinished due to absent reference material, I attacked the frame. I'll post an image of the entire drawing in the future!

"Midnight's Mist" 15" x 20" Acrylic/Oil

My finished commission. I tried a different approach with the acrylic under painting. Usually I'm pretty loose and aggressive but I took a more patient path blending out the acrylic with a stiff brush creating smoother transitions in some areas. Something I've never tried but I'm happy with the outcome.

Spectrum 19 submissions

Here are my entries for Spectrum 19 that I sent out in December. I'm hoping at least one will be accepted this year. You can see these images in better detail on my website.

Illuxcon 4, 2011

Illuxcon was once again an eye opening, mind blowing experience. Fortunately I have had the opportunity to attend and display my work two years in a row. Hopefully, I'll be going back next year. Speaking with the artists, being surrounded by so much of their amazing work is truly inspiring. It definitely makes me realize how much there is to learn, how much growth I have in myself and my art.

Two of my paintings sold which lead me to some commission work that I'm currently creating. Many thanks to Paul & LizAnn Lizotte and to Greg Obaugh for enjoying my work enough to purchase it! I had the opportunity to meet Zoe Robinson from Fantasy Flight Games and Lauren Panepinto from Orbit Books. I also had a portfolio review with Jon Schindehette, Art Director for D&D. Thanks for your time and advice guys!

The Event was held in Altoona, PA. from Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 6. Thursday was the Main Show set up and opening. The artwork was on display through Sunday. Friday after the show, I attended the Showcase held in the Ramada Ballroom which was pretty incredible. The Aftershow party in Grant Cooley, Michael & Paul Bielaczyc's room is always a blast. Too many double scotches on the rocks from the bar before hand for me though :) Thanks guys!

The Saturday Award Ceremony/Music Jam was at the Ramada Ballroom this year. I decided to perform a song I wrote for my little daughter for the 1st time live. I also jammed "Helter Skelter" by The Beatles with Mark Zug and Alan Pollack. Thanks to Mark Zug and everyone involved! I wish I had video of the Jam and more pics of the entire experience but here are a few below. Trust me, if you've never been to Illuxcon you need to attend. Pat & Jeannie Wilshire, I'll never be able to thank you both enough for what you've created and what you've done for my life.
My table at the Main Show. You can see more of my work on my website.
Alan Pollack painting away.
Steve Prescott's table. He lives in the same city but I never see him around!
Mark Poole's table. Glad I got to chat with him this year.
Joe Kovach's table. I rode up with him, Eric Fortune and Johnny Pham, an aspiring artist. Next to Joe is William O'connor.
John Jude Palencar's table.
Eric Velhagen's table and Tyler Jacobson.
Jeff Easley's table.
John Harris All the way from Europe! Wish I could've seen his painting demo.
Thomas Kuebler next to one of his amazing sculptures. Turns out his wife went to the same high shcool I attended.
Julie Bell & Boris Vallejo's table.