Alexandra and the Amazing History Book

Ladies and Gents, the book is out!!! Thats right, the first book I've illustrated for someone else and just been issued. There was a big launch party for "Alexandra and the Amazing History Book" and the authors home.  It was a great night and this is a photo of the awesome cake. It was massive and tasted just as good as it looked. It is strange to see your artwork done by others and then getting to eat it after appreciating it, now THAT doesn't happen every day.
Anyway enough about the cake. The book features over 20 paintings I did and is the story of a magical history book that transports Alexandra through time for quite an adventure. I had to do much homework to get all the period costumes right, but it was well worth it. For more info on the book or to get a copy write the author at AlexandraHistoryBook@gmail.com

American Gothic 3000

So I was looking at the classic "American Gothic"and had to laugh at how funny the couple in the painting looks. They just seem so right for each other and you can tell so much about them by just looking at them. Of course, I had to give a whack at making my version of this awesome painting. Yeah, Robots and monkeys, I guess I'm forever attached to the robots and monkeys. Not a bad thing tho, I'm just sayin'.

Organ Grinder Turnabout

This little monkey can now get his day in the sun. If the little man stops dancing, just watch what our little fuzzy guy is gonna do with that hammer.

Shadow Art Fair

If you are looking for uber-cool things for your super cool pad then the Shadow Art Fair in Ypsilanti is the best place to find it. It is one of the best shows I've ever been a part of for sure. The people and the art and craftwork are of the utmost quality and hipness for sure.This is my entry for the poster design contest for the upcoming show. I'm crossing my tentacles with a hope to win and be a part of their show again later this year. Click on the image for a closer look.

Amy Winehouse

Ah yes, the lovely Ms. Winehouse, what else could I say that hasn't been said already. She sure can sing though, when she's not busy with the after hours activities. I painted this about a year ago, and its pretty tiny, 8" x 10" I think. Rock On Goldust woman, take your silver spoon and dig your grave.

Gnomes

Well you know what they say, "When in Rome, Paint a Gnome" I think thats how that saying goes...hmm, maybe not. ANYWAY, yeah garden gnomes, natures little helpers are some cool cats for sure. The legend comes from the Nordic folk, and they swear by 'em, and who am I to question how nature takes care of itself. I just wanted to capture them in their natural beauty, so I grabbed my brushes, layed down in the grass and waited for something to happen, and this is what I found. Funny litttle people, wicked sense of humor, but their language matches their suits, very blue....... Expect more gnome paintings soon, they're having another party this weekend, so I think I'll sit down and have a very small drink with them. CHEERS!

Fine Art Festivals I'll be at the rest of Summer

Just for your information, I am going to be in several more Fine Art shows this summer if you are in the Detroit area you can come by, say hi, and maybe get something free for stopping by- thats right, I said FREE. I am in the Brighton Fine Art Festival on Aug. 8-9th hours are 10-6. I'm at the uber-cool Funky Ferndale festival Sept. 19 and 20th. I'll also be in the Birmingham Fine Arts Festival on Sept. 27 and 28th. Probably have a few more too over the fall but don't have solid dates on that yet. Here is a link to a ultra-cool video that was shot at a show I was in last month called the Shadow Art Fair. Check it out !!
http://vimeo.com/5721887

Sock Monkeys in Space

So I'm sure all of you know that monkeys were the first ones in space, so this is my warped perception of what that might have looked like if they truly had their way up there in the big blue!

Celani Family Vineyards

I had the wonderful opportunity to paint a large 3'x4' painting of The Celani Family Vineyards in Napa California for a very good customer of mine as a present for a friend of his, the propritor of the said vineyard. I was to incorporate the vineyard itself and the wine varieties from the winery as well. The bottles are slightly larger than life size, and let me tell you that painting the writing on those labels was quite the challenge, I'm still uncrossing my eyes. If you click on the photos and look close enough, you can see that on the two bottles to the right I had to paint a miniature painting of the vineyards again as they appeared on the labels as well. All in all it was a great experience, and some day soon I hope to visit the Celani vineyard and get a better look the grounds myself and enjoy what I spent so long painting. Cheers!

McLast Supper homage

I was recently commisioned by a friend to paint a new version of the Ron English painting "McLast Supper", a fantastic take on the original Last Supper of course, but given a shot of late century sarcasm with a little huge bit of commercialism thrown in there too. This was one of the funniest paintings I've done recently due to the uber-cool characters in the painting. I have loved most all these characters for most of my life and enjoyed thinking of my favorite episodes while painting them. They were much work with much detail, but well worth it. Until next time....

Zuzatz painted legs

I was commisioned by the Zuzatz company who are launching their new line of sandals with interchangable straps. They are a local Detroit company who had their launch at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in Detroit this past Friday. The show was a great sucess and a lot of fun too. I painted two pair of legs to match the sandals I was given. The theme of the first was a nautical theme, and the second was nightlife. Click on the images and check the detail. It was quite a challenge to paint on a 3-d object, especially a pair of legs, but the customer was very happy and I was too- Thanks again Zuzatz.

custom painted toys

I am beginning to delve into the 3-D world of painting toys. I picked up some blanks at San Diego Comic Con last year and just started to paint them. This first one is for my cousin Josh who lives out in LA and is doing much work behind the scenes in the TV world. This piece was to warn him of the dangers of going in the big blue Pacific on his days off. Good luck, Cuz.

Self Portrait?. . .

Yea, some might say how in the heck is this a self portrait, and I'd say hmmmmm...... and stare blankly at the floor. No, really, I'd say that this is an amalgamation of what I have to do as an illustrator to keep things moving onward and upward. I have to balance my computer illustration skills that get most of my design work done with my true love of painting brightly-colored strange things. I dunno, it just came out my brain and on to the canvas, but I'm glad its' there now.

Attack of the Sock Monkeys

Okay. so I had this weird dream about this hauntingly silent seige of the city by a disgruntled group of enormous sock monkeys roaming the streets in search of the little people and their little socks. How'd they get that big, well who really knows? I suppose I'd be mad too if I was made from stinky old worn out work socks, I'd imagine that smell might never go away. Anyway, time to some using Extra Strength Nyquil before bed time.