2008-2009 ARC Salon Competition

I can't begin to tell how many times I've walked into a gallery or Museum and come across a piece of artwork that is so astounding that I can't believe it was made by human hands. The Art Renewal Center (artrenewal.org) is also one of those places where I can regularly find such a piece. For anyone who loves Contemporary Realism as well as the Classics a visit to the website is a must.

ARC has posted the work of the finalists of it's 08/09 competition (almost all in hires), so if you get a chance, head over and give your eyes a treat!!

2008-2009 ARC Salon Competition

Scarlett Johannsen

For the Scarlett Johannsen jam on the DrawingBoard
Well maybe it's her...I'll try to give her another go...since she's definitely not too hard to stare at!

Doodles

Just some random stuff from my scribble pads...and if you're in the mood for some really terrific sketches pick up Joe Bluhm's new book SKETCH INFECTUS, you will not be disappointed!!!

Bill Murray

He's been poping up alot on the DrawingBoard so it kind of fueled me to take a shot at him.

...also dropped this on in on the "Bowie" jam...having some fun experimenting with textures.



*updated with a W.I.P. Bill

Drawing Board / Per Hardestam

One more talented colleague from the DrawingBoard!

Per's Blog

Per's Reference

An American Treasure

Okay we all know that America has produced more than it's share of conniving dirtbags but in her defense she has also given birth to Paul Simon. True Genius, recognized by The Library of Congress to be it's first recipient of the "Gershwin Award"...and no surprise either, just do a search on his song catalog and you'll know it to be justified. I also have an affinity for him since he's a kid from "Queens", growing up in Kew Gardens only a short distance from the beloved "Flushing" of my youth.

I was listening to "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" a few nights ago and American Tune, the sixth track on the CD came on. I thought how relevant this song is still today and it's clearly still one of my all time favorites!

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh, but I'm all right, I'm all right
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
or driven to its knees
but it's all right, it's all right
for we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hours
and sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying to get some rest

Varmints / Marc Craste & Studio AKA

I made reference to the work of Marc Craste and Studio Aka back in '07 on this blog (Pica Tower Series and JoJo & the Stars). Well Marc has directed another animated short entitled "Varmints" based on a picture book written by Helen Ward and illustrated quite beautifully by Marc (in fact I'm guessing the book probably serves as a storyboard for the film). Of course there will probably be comparisons made with "Wall-E" for the similar theme but Marc's work has a dark, poetic beauty to it.

Studio Aka has posted the trailer to the film on their website as well as YouTube. I'm really looking forward to the full release of the film which I will definitely purchase as I did with "JoJo". I'm including a few scans from the book (available on Amazon) and embedding the trailer for your enjoyment!











Varmints (Paperback) Amazon

Studio AKA

Previous Blog Entry

R.I.P. Travis

DrawingBoard / David Tessier

Since "05 there's been a thread on the DrawingBoard forum (started by Diego Lucia) for caricaturists to do caricatures of other caricaturists. There's been a recent flurry of activity with an infusion of new blood and it continues to be a favorite thread for all who visit the "board". I finally had a chance to do one of my colleague in caricature, David Tessier

David's Reference Photo

Steve McQueen

One of the coolest "muthas" to ever spend time on this planet!!!

...can I get another Kiefer to go please.

It's been a little tough to update this (just so tired after coming home from the day job...but I guess I should be thankful I still have one at the moment). Any how I do have a shitload of little scribbles that need to be tightened up and hopefully I'll get some time to do that.
I'm a bit happier with how the likeness turned out on this one so I'll put Mr. Bauer to rest now!

Kiefer

In preparation for a possible "Kiefer" DrawingBoard Jam and a personal challenge for myself to tackle what most declare as a tough subject to nail.

Mickey Rourke

Looks like everyone is glad to see his resurrection!

Inspiration: Harvey Dinnerstein

One of my biggest regrets in life is that I never pursued formal art training...not that I didn't have the opportunity but the discipline to do so wasn't there as a young man. This is why I respect not only the brilliant work but the work ethic of young artists like Joe Bluhm and Jason Seiler who at an early age are constantly focused on improving their already formidable skills...I mean at their age my main concern was trying to find an open after hours club.

Anyhow that is water under the bridge and so back to my opportunity to study under The Contempory Realist Master Harvey Dinnerstein. I attended The School of Visual Arts for a semester and a half in 1972 and although Master Dinnerstein was unfortunately not one my Instructors he was teaching there at the time. I do remember sitting in on several of his drawing workshops working from live models and being totally in awe(...and Mr. Meltzer was one of the models he usually brought to class). Only now do I realize how I blew a really big chance to learn from a modern master!!

I recently came across "Underground Together: The Art and Life of Harvey Dinnerstein", a retrospective of his life work. It's a beautiful book and for anyone who loves realist figurative painting it's a must! His portrait work is absolutely stunning as is his documenting of the civil rights movement.

Harvey Dinnerstein / Wikipedia

Underground Together: The Art and Life of Harvey Dinnerstein (Hardcover)

Frey Norris Gallery

...and now Angie

After attemping to do a sketch of Brad I figured I should do the "companion piece". Of course a beautiful woman is every caricaturists nightmare but Angelina does have distinctive features that one can emphasize. Anyhow I hope That I've come close!

Buscemi

Brad Pitt

I've been wanting to do one of him and Angie and was inspired to give it a shot after a recent post on the DrawingBoard...I found him a little tough to do but I think I'm close. It was an older reference photo and he had close cropped hair so maybe I'll revisit this should I come across a better shot to use.

Bob Marley

Happy New Year...let's hope sanity prevails over madness!!!

Spaghetti

A quick sketch of an iconic character...guess I'm in the mood to watch some Italian Westerns!