Scrunched Face

I didn't have any specific stylistic intent for this drawing of my grandmother, but I am very happy with the results. 

This is what happens when I sit down and draw something quickly and intuitively. 

Jellyfish Tattoo

In keeping with the conversation started last week on style here are two stylistically different versions of the same drawing.

Which do you think is more effective?

Stylin'

I've been experimenting with different styles these days, which also means revisiting some old styles. One common misconception about art is that every artist has one distinct voice, but the truth is that art is never a stagnant thing. It's always moving around and changing. A single piece of art has the possibility of going in a hundred different directions and who knows if the final product is the best incarnation of that idea? I'm constantly struggling with which direction to go in in my art, which probably accounts for the erratic nature of some of the pieces you see on this blog. Sometimes you just want to do it all!

Above is a drawing of a friend of mine from a photo I took over four years ago. If you're curious, here are some drawings I was thinking about when I did this one.

Drawing #1

Drawing #2

Root Beer Dog Redux

 Hey Everybody! Well, October is over and with it goes all the dreams of more pumpkin carvings. With that my jack-o-lanterns slowly rotting away in the compost, breaking down into nutrients for next year's garden, it's time to quite literally get back to the ol' drawing board.

Months ago my wonderfully creative fiancé left me this delightful drawing in my art studio of an exposed dog rootbeer genie/party animal.

I've always been a fan of visual conversations and thought it would be a fun exercise to reinterpret her line drawing into my more realistic style. Check out the results below!

This was a lot of fun to do, so expect to see more collaborations like this on here in the future. And be sure to check out her artist statement and blog HERE and HERE!

In other news the Advanced Style Coloring Book can now be purchased at New Seasons grocery store on NE Killingsworth and 33rd here in Portland, OR. For those of you outside of Portland have no fear! The coloring book is also newly available for sale at Urban Outfitters! It's only on their website at the moment, but if it sells well there maybe they'll start stocking it in their stores. If you could help us out in making that happen we'd be forever grateful. Thanks anonymous internet user!

Pumpkin the Third

Yeah that's right, I carved a third pumpkin this year. If you follow my blog you probably know that for the last four years I've carved "celebrity tribute" pumpkins; i.e. pumpkins in the likeness of a celebrity who has passed within the last year. The first was Michael Jackson back in 2009. Then came Dennis Hopper, followed by Macho Man Randy Savage. Then finally last year I payed tribute to one of my favorite illustrators, Maurice Sendak.

This year I decided to go with film critic Roger Ebert, known as the partner of Gene Siskel in their television show "At the Movies with Siskel and Ebert."

The day I carved this I learned that Marcia Wallace, the voice talent behind Edna Krabappel on the Simpsons passed away. Then the next day we lost Lou Reed. Both would have been fine candidates for my celebrity pumpkin tribute, but at that point I was pumpkined OUT. Perhaps next year.

What do you say? Would you give this Pumpkin a thumbs up or thumbs down?