Stuff

Aint got much to blog about. Besides been busy tattooing, and had only a little time to paint. And drawing has been all about clients as of late, so on that note.
These keen new stickers did just arrive at Hope. Pretty syked. They came out really nice. Check out http://hopegallerytattoo.bigcartel.com/for ordering info

Finally done with this "Not, Vamp Gal"

This piece started out as a Vamp Gal, for a Leslie West collector/commemorative guitar thing. It turned into more of a straight up Pin Up Miss America/Mississippi Gal. All in all a pretty fun, but frustrating as Hell project.
Thinking I was doing myself a favor, I laid the piece out on Mat Board. I've had much success on this medium in the past. But alas, this time, Not.
Started with the background, and had a ton of fun doing the Mountain Scape. Not something IM known for, and as it turns out Fun. Than the Skull. Always a blast rendering a human (or any other kind) Skull. Played around a bit with color, and was really pleased with the results.
Now comes the gal. Should be easy right? Hell this is what I do. I don't know what my problem is, but it seems every freakin time I start one of these things lately, its like the first time i've ever done it. The skin tones started out tough, and just got tougher. Starting out too red, than too dark, than not smooth enough. Hell it was just an uphill battle from the Gal part on.
But finally after several hours, I called it quits. Made a scan, and sent her off. Only too be told that they thought the gal was a bit dark, and if I could change her. Hah, I wish. But I do have a friend who's pretty savvy with Photoshop, and sent her to him. He made some adjustments to her. and here's where my chosen medium bites me in the ass. Seems that when lightening the gal up, all of the Keen texture (that I like so much in an original piece), just became more noticeable. I can only hope that when she prints it looks good.
IM certain that this is far from the last post about this particular piece of art. And IM certain not the last post with my frustration about my art in general.

Wow, 2 in 1 week

yup, thats right. Managed to spend another evening doing a bit of painting. And Im quite excited bout it.
I had a client in about a week ago, and I dod a smallish tattoo on him. I was kinda diggin the Sketch so I decided to paint it. heres the results.
Im Calling her "Bloody Mess". She's pretty small, Maybe 8"x10", and is acrylic on Gessoed board.

Been to long

It seems that every time, I find time to Post here, the first thing I think is finally! I started this blog to put out the art IM doing, outside of tattooing. Well it seems as of late all IM doing is tattooing, leaving very little time to create art off of the skin. Mind you not a bad thing, as I do make a living as a tattooist, and if I had to rely on my art to put food on the table, well lets just say I'd probably not have a weight problem.
But needless to say, I finally managed to put a bit of time in front of the easel, and get this lil baby down. I've always had a thing for the image of a gal and an octopus, perhaps it goes back to the first time I heard the Japanese fable. Regardless this is an idea that I've been kicking around for sometime. And its an image I plan on revisiting soon, as this only scratched the surface.
She'll debut at Hope Galleries "Holiday Hangings" Saturday December 4th.

Trials, and Tribulations.

Well October 22nd, Hope gallery Hosted its "PeepShow, Pin-Ups", to much success. What many did not know was the hassles involved of putting the show together. The worst (for me at least) was a insanely busy schedule (work, and travel, which is still work related), and very nearly ruining (well really ruining) my piece for the show.
Yup she nearly didn't make it. With only 2 days to go, and a full schedule of appointments. I went at my painting with gusto, only to shake an open bottle of black Golden acrylic over it, and proceed to cover said painting with it.
Amazingly I did not freak, or even scream, yell, or break anything. Nope I took it in stride, and worked my ass off the next 2 evenings (after a full day tattooing), to finish her.
She's titled "Electric, Day of the Dead", Measures 12x16", and is Acrylic, on Clay board (this will probably be the last time I work on that stuff). Check out the rest of the show at www.hopegallerytattoo.com

Waaayyy Too long

Wow, been a while since I posted any thing. Let alone, anything cool.
Well I've been swamped with tattooing, and stuff at Home. But I finally managed to do a bit of sketching (that didn't involve a tattoo). Here's a couple of things. IM hoping to paint the day of the dead gal this afternoon. We'll se how that goes down

Back From Dragon Con.

What can I say, it was one Hell of a trip. Lots of driving, Lots of walking, lots of standing around, and a shit ton of lines, and oh did I mention the Standing, and walking! But all in all Dragon Con was a blast. We had a killer booth location crammed between Camilla d'Errico http://camilladerrico.com/ And Greg Simkins http://www.imscared.com/ More inspiration there wasn't!
There were all sorts of kooky costumes, and nutty folks all around. And lets not for get all the artists. Again insanely inspiring. Got to Meet some great folks, Dan May www.dan-may.com and Brian Despain www.despainart.com and friend Matt (sorry Matt, IM an ass, couldn't find your card). Even got to do a collaboration tattoo with friend Greg on Brian. All in all a killer weekend, and entirely too much to write about. But do feel free to check out Hope's Baroness's site for Picts http://www.flickr.com/photos/toybaroness/sets/72157624909760908/
Most likely more on this as time allows