Opossum in a Pear Tree - Christmas Card 2011

With land development nearby, there are quite a few opossums running around our city neighborhood. With them and Gerry's current penchant for pears, I did my own version on the first verse of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The partridge is a little miffed that his spot has been usurped by the opossum, but maybe the partridge doesn't mind a Christmas break?

Xmas Rabbit - Christmas Card 2010

This was an idea I drew on a whiteboard for a friend, Joe V, ages  ago. With more skill now, I defined the character better and used it for my 2010 Christmas card. I think of this Christmas rabbit as a bit of a misfit and the uncle of the more widely-known Easter Bunny.

The Sack and the Black Letter

Sack Pantomime school project. The criteria: 1) Sack sees an object 2) Sack reacts to it 3) Something happens. This animation is a statement on how the world isn't fair to naive do-gooders.

New Hampshire Coffee Shop

[2008, Pencil on paper, 8.5 x 11 in] Back in January 2008, after Hillary's loss to Barack Obama AND John Edwards, she kind of "teared up" at a New Hampshire coffee shop. She quotes, "I just don't want us to fall backwards... This is very personal to me... I see what's happening and we have to reverse it." In my opinion, she didn't really tear up, but was just tired and who wouldn't be (especially after a surprising loss)? She's tough, but I'm for "change" and donuts (that's me reaching for the chocolate sprinkle one). Someday, I'll get around to coloring this drawing.

Jack Nicholson Caricature

[2006, Pencil on Paper, 8 x 9 in] Caricature of Jack Nicholson from a Rollingstone photo reference.

Jack Bauer Caricature

[2006, Pencil on paper, 6 x 7 in] Caricature from a Rollingstone photo reference of Kiefer Sutherland when "24" was hot.

Costa Rica Rainforest - Painting in progress

[2007, Acrylic on Illustration Board, 26.5 x 12 in]

I'm still working out the colors and need to resolve the middle and far grounds. Hopefully, I'll finish it before the Spring semester begins.

Costa Rica Rainforest - Preliminary work

[2007, Pencil on Tracing Paper, 26.5 x 12 in]

These images show some of the preliminary work for an environment painting of 30 different species. The thumbnail (top) is meant to establish major value areas in an interesting composition. The actual-size pencil drawing (bottom) is meant to establish the details and values for the painting.

Leaf Meets Rock

[2007, Acrylic on illustration board, 10 x 8 in]

Object study for preparation of enviroment (see upcoming rainforest posts)

I Killed Kenny, I'm a Bastard

[2007, Acrylic on illustration board,
10 x 8 in]

Egg decoration assignment.

Orchid Fantasia

[2007, Acrylic on illustration board, 7 x 9 in, each]

Photo rendering assignment where I painted a black and white value study, then painted an "intuitive" multicolor scheme.

The Switchback MP3 Player

[2006, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, 11 x 17 in ea.]

MP3 Player Product Design boards (Presentation Shots, Orthographic Views, Preliminary Sketches). Yes, I definitely "borrowed" the La Cie Disk Drive design for the MP3 Player. I thought the rubber border would be a cool, protective design for my MP3 player since MP3 players can easily be dropped. After much traditional drawing and painting, it was enjoyable to balance that with some graphic design this past semester.

Watergun Designs

[2007, Marker and Colored Pencil on Marker Paper, 11 x 7.5 in each]

I designed these waterguns for a fun product design class. The first was inspired by the "Lost in Space" tv series, and the second used a Black Caiman crocodile motif.

Sun Rising News Building

[2007, Pencil on paper, 13 x 18 in]

1950’s Building Design assignment

Albert Schweitzer Reversal Drawing

[2006, Charcoal on bristol board, 27 x 17.5 in]

Charcoal drawing from W. Eugene Smith’s "Schweitzer at the Lamp" photo, 1954;