One step closer....

I can't remember if I've posted about this, but I've been in contact with an art dealer in Northern Michigan who is interested in my work. She's said that she would like to see me do some figurative oil paintings because her gallery is missing that kind of work. Recently she mentioned that she has clients interested in black and white work as well, which opens up my opportunities a great deal. I have ideas in mind, and a couple models lined up. However, I still have commission work to finish before I can focus on the work for the art dealer. I'm very excited about this chance and REALLY don't want to blow it! I have alot of old photos I can work from from my photography days, but I also want to work with live models. My hands begin shaking as I think of all the things I can be working on! Then I remember- I don't really have any studio space for these models to pose or space to work with good lighting and, well, space.
Hmm.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

If you are reading this due to my Twitter post about skin, I really don't know what to say. If you're checkin' ME out for fleshy visualization, then I tip my hat to ya! You are brave, curious or just desperate for Nuttall lovin'!

I'm in a mood

Ok, I'm feeling kinda down and VERY smart ass/snarky. I've decided to randomly make wise-ass comments on Facebook, Twitter and whereever the hell else I can. DO you know why?

Me either. But it's what I do well.

Office Space in my dreams

Recently I've found some office space in my hometown that I thought would make good studio space. The rent is fantastic, but I just can't swing it. It is VERY reasonable. I invited other artists to come in and share price. They can come in whenever they want and use the space without worries, but nobody seemed interested. I know that it seems dumb to be so upset about this, but the price is perfect and I'm ashamed that I can't take advantage. I need an open studio where I can have models, set up shoots, paint in a well-lit area, and display work. I can't continue to work the way I'm going. But in the condition things are in, I will have to suck it up and pass on this great opportunity. Even my wife thinks it's a great deal and would be good for me, but the money just isn't coming in regularly enough to pay monthly.

Prowling the streets...

This Halloween was a good one, except for the cold and the kids being sick. My wife and I worked together to make 3yr old Logan's Popeye costume. I could NOT find any kid's Popeye costume in stores OR online anywhere. Not even Ebay! I made my own costume, including the corncob pipes Logan and I sported. I asked him if he wanted me to be Bluto, Wimpy or Poopdeck Pappy, Popeye's dad. He insisted on Pappy.

This was Mikey's first year as Spider-Man. He had a tough time with the mask so spent half the night without it. Rebecca was Batgirl. I can't BELIEVE how slutty the costume looks! Because of the cold, we had her wear a long sleeve black shirt and black pants, which I think looked great! I don't know what the hell the designers were thinking for this outfit for little girls!

Logan wanted to go home after the 3rd street, and Mikey was WILLING to go home after the 4th.

Popeye Painting update

I'm not quite done with the painting but here's the difference since the last posting of the Popeye painting. The current image (the lower one) isn't a great photo, so the colors are the same as before if not more vibrant.

As Good as it gets

This is the oil pastel I drew at the Art de Combat 3, winning the 1st Place prize (well, kind of. I tied with someone else).

Thank you to documentarian Pauline Johnson for filming and sending me the photos!

And the co-winner IS....

The Art de Combat 3 went very well. I had a blast. I think returning artists stepped up their games. It was nice to see some different artists there. I did win First Place. Well, I tied with First Place and we split the winnings. And last I'd seen, the drawing at the silent auction was bought for $75. It's always refreshing to hear the positive reactions to my artwork, even if I'm not thrilled with the piece. I liked the final project, but I was working in dim light for an hour and a half and I can easily see myself working on it more, but se la vi (spelled wrong. I can say it, not spell it). I will be part of the next combat, which will be April or May 2010 at Enchante Gallery.
I do have to admit that I feel bad when other artists tell me they won't win because I'm competing. It's nice to know they have that confidence in me, but then I don't want them feeling self conscience about their abilities. An event like this is stressful enough. Hell, I didn't even choose what I was going to do until 2 minutes before the shotgun start! No pressure, eh? I didn't know what to draw and I didn't know if I was going to paint, draw in graphite or charcoal, or draw in oil pastel. I eventually chose oil pastel and did a Jack Nicholson portrait. Photos will be posted soon.
I want to congratulate all the artists involved for surviving Art de Combat 3! It takes balls just to sign up, and it takes talent and inner strength to complete a project with judging eyes on you in a 3 hour period. Good job!

Kids and Combat

Well, tomorrow is Saturday, Oct. 17, my little boy's 3rd birthday. It's ALSO my daughter's and older son's last soccer games for the year, my wife's Girl Scout meeting (she's a Brownie troop leader) and the Art de Combat 3 at Enchante Gallery.
I'm still not sure what to do for the battle, although I'm NOT worried. I just have to figure out what medium to work with that allows a finished project in the 3 hour time frame, and the subject I'll be portraying. It's between Jack Nicholson, Popeye(from the live action movie), get a live model, or Curly from the 3 Stooges.
Last time I didn't decide on medium or subject until the starter gun went off. I used charcoal to create a Sean Connery drawing. I don't really want to repeat the medium, but who knows?

Aragones MADness

I just found some footage of Sergio Aragones during his "Cartooning with Sergio" segment of his exhibit at the Ojai Valley Museum. It got me nostalgic for my meeting him and Stan Sakai in 2007. I posted about that great day here .
Thank you, Eric, for posting your footage on Youtube, for those who could not make it to this great event at this great exhibit.

I Yam What I Yam and it is what it is

This is the graphite drawing I'm working on based on the "Popeye" 1980 film with Robin Williams and Paul L. Smith playing Bluto. It's not quite done to my satisfaction, but I couldn't wait to share it. Please let me know what you think.

Blow Me Down!

This is the first piece of my Popeye series. This is a photo of the unfinished oil painting. I love Popeye. It was the first thing I remember drawing as a kid, and this movie is one of the first things I remember seeing. As I grew older, I began studying Popeye's history, and found that the 1980 movie, with the exception of the musical numbers, was pretty accurate to the EC Segar comic strip of the 20s and 30s. Hell, the musical numbers actually pay homage to the Fleischer Studios Popeye cartoons too.
I've been doodling Popeye my entire life, but I wanted to do Popeye as I can. I've done my comic book style of Popeye, but my artistic focus is in portraiture. So, I decided to do a series of Popeye artrwork based on the live action movie. I'm also working on a graphite drawing of Popeye and Bluto simultaneously.
Feels good. Feels right.

I PASSED!

Do you recognize the object in the photo? Yes, that is a pencil. And what is that next to the end of the pencil? That is what has caused me great pain for the last 2-3 weeks. It is a kidney stone. Yeah, that's right, I took a photo of my kidney stone that passed through my urinary tract (which is uber thin. Thinner than thin spaghetti BEFORE being cooked) and out my clinically proven narrow urethra. That's right, I shot rocks out of my wang. AND a shard that was smaller and kinda see-thru.

Truth to tell, I'm damn proud of this lil guy. This is the 4th time I've had kidney stones. The last batch was bigger than this one and had to be blown up while still in my kidney so it could be passed, using vibrations. Hurt like hell. The pain doesn't come just from the passage but the build up from the stone blocking the passageway; like stepping on a hose before it's turned on.