Creepy!!!

So I have this idea book with this multitude of project ideas. One of the ideas that I had came from this creepy picture that i seen of this creature that was all white. The artist used only light and shadows to give it this ghastly look. So of course I was encouraged to do something that was creepy yet used just the shadows to make a 'something". My art ideas tend to wander as i draw and take on a life of their own and this one did just that. Below is what I end up doing with my Wacom Tablet its my what i would consider my first piece of real art work created with it. Again if you havent tried one out its cheap enough you should it has literally changed the way I do my work and I am just getting started!! I hope you like it. Till next time. -If you don't already do it keep an art journal you never know where you next big idea will come from

Lubdub... Lubdub... lubdub...

I think I have finally found my rhythm with consistently doing my art work.  The key for me is to not work on one thing for far too long.  I have maybe an hour or more to concentrate than I find myself getting distracted by outside influences so I have decided that when  I work I have to have two items to work on not just one.  Once my times up with the first I can go to the second and I will have done much more than I normally would have and if I'm not too sleepy cause I tend to work at night I can go back and forth.

My work with the tablet has been growing.  I have already done my first couple sketches.  Hand/Eye coordination is a must with this item being that I want to use it not like I would photoshop but as a digital canvas.  The coral program that came with it is way beyond anything I have ever worked with so the adjustment is going to be extreme but I feel I am up to the challenge.  This by no means means that I am giving up my real life projects if anything I've rededicated myself to the idea that I want to be a comic book artist.  I feel super inspired at the moment.

I did want to share some awesome work i seen online with you all.  I am a lover of paper and as you know I do cards once a year ( this year being excluded).  Anywho there is this awesome artist who has managed to sculpt paper.  The link is below with the screen captures of my latest stuff... I hope you like. Until next time.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2014/jan/23/chinese-artist-sculpts-stretchy-paper-carvings-video

The Return

My Hiatus is over... I was having creators block and an emotional down turn.  Who knows what was going on, but I am going to find out ( when I find out I'll let you know).  NOW that I am back to driving my own vehicle to my future again as opposed to sitting on the side of the road.  I am happy to report I am back to drawing and taking pictures.  I have several projects that I am working on outside of doing the interior design of my apartment. Here is a few snap shot of the work I've done over the last couple weeks.

FYI if you do not have a Wacom Tablet you should get it, I just bought mine and its literally going to change my artistic life.

 My Version of One Piece - Monkey D. Luffy

 A foggy morning before work

My Ribbon Wall Entrance....I love this wall!!!

New Spaces... Pathways?

Check my video.  Sorry its been a little while.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10103253878064094&notif_t=like

Art Museum....

Hello peoples,

I hope you have been great out there in the world.  I have been pretty good, I discovered something awesome.  The Philadelphia Art Museum actually has a pay what you want day.  So I decided that I am going once a week.  So, in addition to my normal rigorous study I am taking trips there.  I think it'll be a great experience and I hope to learn loads.  Anyway todays blog post will be pretty short.  I just wanted to show you some of my progress since starting this adventure. The first, I did in one hour and the second took seven.

Its actually a trip to me because I was truly using the techniques I learned.  Well enjoy.  Have a great week.

Toodles...

Resources... Resources... Resources...

I was thinking this week i would share some resources with you guys/gals.  This journey is rather unique in a way.  I am not being taught by anyone currently, but i figured i'd break down what i am doing so that if anyone else decides to venture out and teach themselves for the hell of it they would have some place to start.  

1. You need a game plan.  You should be asking your self what you want to accomplish.  For me it was simple i want to be a better artist and obtaining the necessary foundation is key.  I learned a long time ago that when you go to school you aren't really taught often what is given is lots of information and critiques, you can get both for free all you need are some "experts" to give you feed back so look to friends and colleagues or if its more standardized  look for tests

I personally have a course list for a particular degree at the Art Institute here in Philly.  That's my game plan it covers a wide swath of everything I will need to know.  Honestly you can get it from the school itself or lots of time its already on line for download to perspective students.  

2. if you have a course list ( if thats what your aim is), it is time to do a massive search on line for Syllabi relating to each of the courses listed in the program.  This may take a few months so take your time.  there is no rush.  In addition to wanting a syllabus you want home work as well as tests.  Its almost pointless not to have the home work.  The syllabus normally provides home work but its usually not detailed.  If you can find tests for whatever you studying, thats literally perfect.  

There were two major sites that i found where they offered free courses online.  MIT Open Courseware is a awesome spot and they have videos as well as text and some have tests  and definitely homework.  This is a Aplus site.  Donate if you use their resources its helpful.  

www.saylor.org/ is another place that although not as expansive as MIT gives you a nice round list of courses .  What it does that MIT does not so far is give you a programs list for different subject you might be interested in and lays it out for you.  So if you say wanted a "degree" in history it lists the courses on their website you can take that would amount to having a bs in history.  

Be mindful that not every course on your list will be this easy to find many of the courses that I have, i had to pick and choose, for instance i have three syllabi for the Design Fundamentals course i am doing.  Some with home work others with out.  

3.  Now you need books!!! $$$$$

If you were thinking that this would all be free OOOPS you were wrong.  Remember this is a investment in your self and although this is significantly cheaper than going to any college you will still have to buy some things.  

With books you have to be resourceful, much of what you need can be found online for cheap prices: Ebay, Half.com and other such sites will allow you to buy used books that amount to much of nothing out of pocket.  One of the major books i had to buy normally cost over one hundred dollars i found it for ten.  Although some books no matter where you look will be expensive.  

Free books: don't stop at buying the books, try your library and try finding a PDF of the book.  Remember this is self directed and although it is beneficial for you to have the version mentioned on the syllabus you don't have to.  Having a earlier version is usually cheaper and typically has much of the same information that the newer version has.  in addition much of the time you can find books at your local library why pay if you don't have to.  Also don't stop at having one source have multiple sources it will make the information you receive well rounded.  

4. Video's 

"You are your own teacher" Most of the time.  Depending on the nature of the subject you are studying visual information will be just as important and as virtual as reading the books that you now have.  As i stated earlier do not be afraid to use your resources.  Youtube often is touted as great place to find a good laugh but it is also a great place to gain much information.  Many people post many useful things.  Invest in a program that allows you to upload youtube videos if you need them for later use or save them to your que on youtube itself.  Youtube has been my saving grace for many different topics within the courses i am now taking.   Sometimes you just can't figure it out alone.  Also do not be afraid to use blogs/group sites that deal with courses you are taking.  They may have many of the answers you are looking for.  The internet is a big place with many people and lot of information don't be scared to get out there and look.

5.You Game plan.  

Ok you got your books.  You got your syllabus, you even have found videos to go with some of your courses and your ready to start.  At this point you need to choose wisely about what you are going to take together and how long you want this to go on.  If your like me you need an actual time table and honestly its a great way to learn.  It will stop you from procrastination as well as help you retain this information.  There is no point in doing this if its going to take a you a year to finish one course.  Although you don't want to go too fast you will end up becoming frustrated.  I say take only 3 courses at once and do it 12-14 weeks.  Thats about the length of a regular semester at a university.  You can go slower if the pace is too fast.  Remember this is your independent study don't waste your time and efforts.  

6.  MIS_INFORMATION

This is probably the most important rule you can forget about the internet, but none the less this is the most vital part.  There are plenty of bad sources of information out there.  Plenty of bad youtube videos as well as plenty of just "I thought i was right but i was dead wrong" sources.  Being that you don't know about what you studying its better to use well known well transversed sources which is why i tout using the books.  This is why i advise getting the syllabus, you don't want to spend three week learning the wrong way to find the derivative only to take the test found on another site and get all the wrong answer.  If you get adventurous and do chemistry and add the wrong chemicals together and blow your self up  THATS BAD!!!  Its a great world out there but be sure of your sources and the best way to do that is get the books and get multiple sources.  For those doing actual physical stuff like chemistry BE CARE PLEASE!!!  

Be Aware that whether you find fully realized courses online or you have to pick and choose from a variety of sources this is all self directed.  This is your journey I hope you learn plenty.  Remember this also doesn't have to be about gaining a degree MIT has many courses that can be used to further your current career.  HOw valuable would you be if you knew Mandarin, how valuable would you be if you could write script, how valuable would you be if…. The possibilities are indeed endless.  I was told long ago information is ammunition…  I plan to have a stock pile of bullets.  Good Luck!!! and HAVE FUN... your learning ;-)

Toodles!!

Granny's Painting... among other things...

Hello GUYS/GALS and who ever else is listening...

This has been a crazy week.  

Last saturday, after I posted my blog, a guy I know contacted me wanting to restart a project he was excited about last year.  Its my first big commission so now , I am super excited.  Its a two year project recreating the God's of Greek Legend with a modern twist.  I stand to make a large sum of money which will go directly to supplies and this will be a great way to incorporate all the new things I am learning.  This starts in march!!! My saturdays are gonna be nuts for the next two years if this goes where it should.

My old flame asked me to photograph him NUDE… i was like OK… i figured this would be a great opportunity to photograph people which i rarely do, and not only did we have a great shoot.  I took some great shots.  AND... He wants me to do some more work.  By May!!! Not to mention the drawing of himself he wants me to do.  Can we say when it rains….  

My frat has me doing two pieces for him thankfully there is no rush, I have finally finished the pre sketch so we can maybe get started on the actual items.  

Soooo... what I've been waiting to show you guys for a couple weeks, is the picture requested by granny.  ITS FINISHED I am so proud of myself.  It took forever it seems but its done.  I finished last night.  I want to send it off to her ASAP!!!.  So more than likely this coming saturday.   It normally takes me months to do something once I have gotten started so this is AWESOME!! 

I also thought I would throw in a few photographs of what I been taking this year.  Some manipulated, so not.  

Oh yeah… the independent study is going off like a rocket.  I have so much to learn and so much to do… This year is going to be monumental. 

It's been a helleva week… until next time. 

Toodles ;-)

Oil Paint...

Afternoon people,

I just kicked myself in the ass seriously...

So last year my Grandma asked my Mom whether I would give her a painting I had recently done.  My mom naturally called me to tell me.  I was so touched by the gesture...  I was like "Ma.. imma do one for her... you think she would like that?" Of course my Mom said yes.  So I started researching what I would do for my favorite Grandma.  Who by the way called me to thank me for the Christmas Card I sent her.  She loved it!!!  So me in all my wisdom thought to my self.  "Self do another mixed media picture for grandma it will be awesome.  Why don't you use oil paint this time. You're not using a lot it should be dry really quickly."  STUPID!! STUPID!! STUPID!!  I painted part of the picture last night and the part thats oil is STILL WET.  I just hopped on line  and the part thats oil might take up to TEN DAYS TO DRY.  WHO HAS TWO WEEKS TO WAIT FOR THIS TO DRY. AIN'T NO BODY GOT TIME FOR DAT!!!  I can't go forward until that part drys.  I feel like Sokka right now in the cave of two lovers.  UGH!!!  I wonder if throwing it over some heat will help things dry faster..... Yes.  I have a patience problem you should see me on the road.  SO ANYWAY....

Instead of uploading the painting I am doing for granny.  I uploaded the one that granny wanted originally. Its my first mixed media work, and its also my first Official painting.  I hope you like.

By the way computer science is HARD... MIT ain't no joke... but free classes online you can't beat em.

Toodles talk to you guys soon.  Oh yeah I already started designing next years Christmas Cards... FUN STUFF!!!