Charles Bronson

Steve McQueen, Lee Marvin & Charles Bronson...nothing more to say!

Christopher Lee

Sadly most people only recognize him now with a prosthetic nose! He definitely would make a great Don Quixote...no makeup necessary!!!

Holly Color

One of the great things about blogging is our ability to share links that we enjoy and find interesting with our friends and followers. Well Holly Ann Sibley (aka Creative Holly) has a very unique way of doing so.

CREATIVE HOLLY COLOR has an ever growing list of very talented people involved in all the creative arts (which I must say I am very honored that she has asked me to participate in). Holly will ask her subject to provide five of their favorite CMYK colors and if they like, include why they find them appealing. It's definitely a very interesting way to be introduced to the work of all these wonderful artists.

http://creativehollycolor.blogspot.com/

http://www.creativeholly.com/

Notorious Big

Pete Townshend

Ralph Steadman

I was really happy Jan Opdebeeck chose Ralph Steadman as one of the subjects of the "Happy Birthday" thread. Right up there on the list of the ten top books I own is "I Leonardo" by Steadman!!! The book is an illustrated history of the life and work of Leonardo. Rumor has it that in preparation for this project, Steadman went to all the places Leonardo worked, studied and repainted his paintings, built flying machines from his drawings, and generally obsessed about him to the point that when it came time to actually write the book, he wrote it as an autobiography, a first person narrative and of course sprinkled with Steadman's humor. I've included a few scans from the book (apologies for quality) and the Amazon link to purchase the book...I definitely think it's one of his best!!!



www.amazon.com/I-Leonardo-Ralph-Steadman

George Lucas

Stevie Wonder

Billy Joel

Bill Murray Update

Getting close to finishing this thing off...some areas need a bit more work but I'm trying to keep it fairly loose.

Inspiration / Arthur Szyk

Arthur Szyk (pronounced "Shick") was a Polish-born American artist, famous for his anti-Axis political illustrations, caricatures, and cartoons during World War II. Szyk was a brilliant draughtsman and I'm sure his work influenced many Illustrators and Cartoonists (I can definitely see elements of his style in the work of the greats, Mort Drucker and Jack Davis)!


Szyk.Org

Szyk.Com

Szyk Images (Google)

Szyk Online Exhibition / The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Francis & Marty

Scarlett Again?

Since I wasn't too happy how the first one turned out I gave her another shot. Tried to stretch it a bit but of course I always have a problem with that. Anyhow, I'll put her to rest now...well maybe :)

*...Okay, I'm still obsessed with this one...it's so damn frustrating when you feel you can't get it right :(
So I'm updating this post with another (still a W.I.P.) and my wife likes this one so at least that's a good sign I'm on the right track.

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