I haven't given up blogging, though from my lack of activity you may have assumed so. I've been pretty busy with freelance design work and other things. Lots of planning and behind the scenes sketching going on though. I'll try to be better at bringing the posts.


So here's some stuff that's happening:

I'll be in a group show on May 1st at Gallery 1988 SF. The theme... a secret, but happens to be well-suited to my tastes.

In June I'll be in a two-man show at Lunar Boy Gallery in Astoria with the amazing Matthew Porter.

October will be my solo show at Bluebottle Art Gallery here in Seattle.

Vacationing in Thailand with the missus very soon. Can't wait to shed my winter clothing for some fun in the sun (and 90 degree weather).

Upon my return, I'll jump into production on Welcome to Monstroville, where I'll be doing some digital backgrounds with a slew of mighty talented folks.


Also, Chinese New Year has come and gone. Lots of quality family time spent with the in-laws and delicious food digested. Hope those of you who celebrate it had a good one!

Doodles

Hope everyone is having a good start to 2009! Sorry for the lack of posts, but it's been a busy couple weeks.

I've finally got a few photos from the show opening last month, which comes down in a couple days. Sadly, I forgot to take many pictures of the event as I was usually in the middle of talking to someone.

Some of the crowd. Lots of former colleagues and pals.

Me bredder.

Niece.

Niece.

For my first art project of the year, I was asked by my sister in law to paint a castle mural on cloud wallpaper for my niece's 5th birthday party. Used a couple tiny stickers for the castle reference, but altered the design and colors. I ran out of time to do some of the nice detailing I wanted to do, but the kids seemed to like it nonetheless.

Mixing colors.

Action shot.

Final product.

A gaggle of princesses.


Lastly, I have a bunch of goals for the New Year and beyond:

1. Get better at painting
2. Start working on my next solo art show for Sept.
3. Finish my website
4. Start selling stuff on Etsy
5. Do studies of artwork I admire (goes with #1)
6. Take a painting class (goes with #1)
7. Clean and organize the garage
8. Get into some group art shows
9. Finish watching the Looney Tunes Golden Collection DVDs
10. Finish watching My Life As A Teenage Robot episodes
11. Play more soccer
12. Be a better husband and more patient person in general
I have more, but that's enough for now...

I've had some people ask about my process of transferring the final image to my painting surface recently, so I'll share. It's pretty straightforward. Btw, this is just the way I do it... there may be other, better ways.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Final image.

Traced and cleaned-up (same step).

Tape traced image to watercolor paper. In this case, 300lb Fabriano cold press watercolor paper. Small piece of Saral graphite transfer paper (use for multiple tracings).

Carefully slide transfer paper under the tracing, while trying not to smudge the surface.

Press fairly hard (without denting your final surface too much).

Transferred image.

I darkened the transferred lines, but I used a fairly light wash, so this step was unnecessary.

Initial wash, some drybrush texture and starting in with the solid shapes. I'm careful to cover over my pencil lines.

More of the same.

Finished painting with tape removed.

Hope this is useful!

Here are the ones I didn't post yet. It was a great night for me... thank you to everybody who made it out and to all the bloggers who've been so supportive! I'll post more photos here when I get them.

Show wall at Schmancy.

Bird Condo - 7" x 14".

Tree's A Crowd - 12" x 12". SOLD.

Surprise Guest - 8" x 6". SOLD.

Bit Of A Stretch - 4" x 10".

L'Elephant - 7" x 5".

Sparrow's Call - 3.5" x 2". SOLD.

Chatter - 2" x 3.5". SOLD.

Bird Garden - 3.5" x 2". SOLD

Sorry to beat a dead horse... but, *KICK*

The online preview for my little show will be up at noon today here. Here's a taste of what you might find there:



Also, I'd like to point out that my work will not likely be this inexpensive again, and that any purchase will very likely turn this economy right around. Permanently, I bet. No pressure! I'm just sayin'.