And the 2nd runner-up to the Winner Isssss.....

This is a photo taken by the event organizer Kathleen Baker after I won 3rd Place at the Hale Hot Air Balloon Festival's art battle, also known as Magik Mind Tattooz Art Battle. I chose the Three Stooges because,well, they're awesome and popular. The drawing (which is charcoal, by the way) sold in the silent auction after the battle ended.

PAINT IT NUTTALL NEW TRAILER

This project is still in the works...

Battle to the DEATH! well, not really...

I'm competing in an art battle in Hale ( http://haleyes.org ). Gotta be honest, I hope I win. I actually NEED to win. I have bills to pay and might lose the studio if I don't win or sell what I make at the silent auction (which takes place during and after the art battle). And I worry that it'll be more about the numbers than the quality of the artwork. I won't have alot of people in my corner, so I have to rely on my talent, and sometimes that just isn't enough. Wish me luck and if you're in the Hale, Michigan area, stop by and vote!

Chick-less cartoons

It's been brought to my attention that there are no animated super hero shows with females in the forefront. My daughter like comics and rarely gets to watch any shows that aren't directed towards boys (Super Hero Squad, Batman:Brave and the Bold, etc). If she's lucky, Huntress might have a cameo on Batman or Ms. Marvel shows up on SHS. Even the Justice League cartoons didn't have alot of female-based storylines, but they had more than what's on now! I think DC should come out with a "Birds Of Prey" animated series and have guest spots of other DC heroes, like Batman: Brave and the Bold.
They came out with an animated feature of Wonder Woman, but it was too violent for my 8 year old daughter to watch! I'm hoping that they'll come out with "Tiny Titans" cartoon, based on the comic by Art Baltazar and Franco. It's fun for all ages, very innocent and directed towards boys and girls. Waddya say, Didio and Art? :D

Where I Work

For those of you who can't make it to my studio, here's a glimpse of it. There's more, but I don't wanna spoil it for those who CAN make it!

Not so easy Easy Rider

This is a work in progress. I've been working on it off and on for a year as part of my Jack Nicholson series. I originally chose this image because I was told by a gallery associate that I should do scenery or landscape pieces because that's what sells in their gallery. This was as close as I could get! I always lean towards portrait of figurative work. I did say that I wouldn't do the classic Jack images, and this one is one of the first iconic scenes of his career. But, It's also 36x48 and graphite, so it's a challenge. It also has personality to it. The stern, determined expressions on Nicholson and Fonda's faces along with the precision of the chopper details is very serious, and then you look over and the expression on Dennis Hopper's face,and the fact that he's looking back at the other two breaks through the stern scene and adds charm (As I began drawing Hopper's face, news broke within days that he passed away,making this drawing mean more to me).
I will not post a better photo of this, or any other photo, so if you want to see it, you have to visit it at the studio.

Put the candles in the Cheese Dip!

As soon as I try to take a break from mentioning his name, his birthday pops up!!
Today is the day we Groopers celebrate, not as Labor Day, but Sergio Aragones Day, as it's his birthday! I can go on and on about what this man means to me (and I have here , here , and here ), but the great Mark Evanier summed up some of it on his blog here

Bittersweet: So hard to say goodbye

With every piece of artwork I create, I get a little attached to it. Especially when it's artwork not made specifically for somebody else. It's rare I create work for myself, but when I do and they come out as I want, I get very emotionally charged and connected to the work. And when I sell that artwork, it's very bittersweet. I am making money to support my family, but I'm handing off work that was close to my heart. Case in point: I just set up to sell two of my Popeye series, one of which is one of my favorites. However, the buyer is from the hometown of EC Segar, Popeye's creator, in Chester, Illinois, AND is owner of Segar's childhood home!! the works, shown below, are going to THE PERFECT home! MY Popeye artwork in the town where Popeye was created, and MAYBE even in the house his creator lived in!
If I can mail the painting in time, it might be displayed during next weekend's Popeye Picnic! If you're attending the picnic (this Friday, Saturday and Sunday), ask at Spinach Can Collectibles about the Popeye movie painting!

Tiny Heads

I'm thinking of doing handheld ceramic rattle heads to sell. Could be celebrities, could be personal. Here's an example.

How do you know?

Ok, here's a question and I'd like your opinion. I'll get to the question in a moment.
What makes artwork gallery worthy? Is it quality or subject matter, or both or neither? I have a big problem with celebrities who feel the need to express themselves beyond their comfort zones by presenting themselves as artists (painters, ceramicists, etc). Now, some are quite good and some even went to school for art but chose another career path. Others, however, seem as though they have this "I'm (celebrity name) and I draw perty pictures. LOOK AT THEM and tell me I'm good" kind of feel to them (to me, at least). They are not very good, though but still get attention and even gallery exhibits because of who they are. Bob Dylan recently unveiled an exhibit of his artwork (where I don't remember) and got international attention for it. I saw only 2 of his pieces, and they were good. I like them. But are they gallery worthy? How is his art different from artwork hanging at Enchante Gallery in West Branch, other than the name attached? The work doesn't stand out to me like you'd expect of an internationally published exhibit. BUT, I could be wrong, and I'm sure I am, but why aren't the artists displayed in Enchante Gallery getting such attention?
What work is gallery-worthy?
What piece is better? This one

Or this one?

What about this one

Compared to this one?


Are any of these gallery art? Why or why not? PLEASE give me your opinion!!