New Work: kyrie eleison

As I was working on my Agent Danger! piece for a gallery's call for entries, I got hit with the flu. As I was recovering and working feverishly (almost literally!) to complete that image, I reached a point where I was getting frustrated with AD. I took a break and for whatever reason, I began to think of this image I had I done a long time ago in my sketchbook of a woman standing with a sword with smoke behind her.

I actually stopped working on Agent Danger! and begin to flesh out this image instead. It came together very quickly (I finished it all one Friday night) and actually inspired to complete Agent Danger! the next day. Not bad getting two images done as I was recovering from my illness.

As for the title, I still didn't have a name for this image. I began to just look at the image and reflect on what it meant to me. I also had iTunes playing in the background and while I was thinking about the name, "kyrie eleison" started playing. "Kyrie Eleison" means "Lord, have mercy" and somehow seemed truly appropriate for someone who is contemplating taking up a sword, presumably to go out and dispense justice with it, albeit reluctantly, since it would mean taking lives.

Below is the original image from my sketchbook of what I originally titled "Woman & Smoke".

New Work: Agent Danger!

I've had the concept of Agent Danger! in my head since my college days. The concept was simple: a futuristic Blade Runner/Secret Agent main character that solved gritty and strange mysteries. I would tell the stories in comic book style, but not using the traditional comic book dimensions. For the 2013 version, I decided to keep the color palette at three colors: red, black, and gaudy yellow ala Frank Miller's Sin City.

I started out with a traditional panel structure, but as this work evolved, I felt having one "continuous" panel made more sense and added to the feeling of the piece. I incorporated a few interesting elements to give a sense of discovery (you'll have to figure them out on your own) as your eye moves around the piece.

My motivation for finally completing this piece was a call for entries for "comic book style" art at a gallery in L.A. that I'm associated with. However, soon after I began work on it, I got hit with the flu which took me out for a solid five days. The deadline was less than a week away and I had barely started. Still not feeling 100% I worked my way through to completion on the last day I could submit entries!

Below is the original concept that was sketched out on parchment paper. I decided to keep the feeling of the parchment paper for the update.

My original art for sale at DVAC's Art to Buy!

Over the summer, I decided to join DVAC (Dayton Visual Arts Center) as an outlet for the mounting collection of personal work I've been doing. I joined just in time for the annual member's show. This year's theme was No Borders, so my Dream Pig image seemed a natural fit. After a successful show (it sold!) I decided to participate in this year's Art to Buy.

I've worked up three prints for this sale: Dream Pig, Something Wonderful, and Dreamed It. They are available in 5x7 and 8x10 sizes.

I've also redesigned my Nap for That product line and I've got a Holiday Card featuring Nap for That's new mascot, Ned the Sleepy Sheep. This card is available exclusively at DVAC's Art to Buy and is very limited in quantity, get yours while you can! A BIG thanks to Annie at The Envelope for her help in not only the process, but making my Nap for That Holiday cards a reality—you are awesome!

Art to Buy starts today 5-8 p.m. at the DVAC gallery and runs through December 29. Come on down and see all the fantastic artsy finds for your holiday gift giving!

The Sleeping Beauty

One of my favorite pieces, The Sleeping Beauty, was chosen to be exhibited at the Gothic exhibit at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Orange County, California from February 2 through March 24. This is the first time that my piece has been selected to be a part of a juried show and I was so very excited about the opportunity. 

The only issue was that the "print" existed soley as a digital illustration. I had originally created the piece in 2007 as an illustration and poem. I reworked it so that the poem and the image were integrated, adding a texture I shot in my driveway to tie everything together. I was happy that I finally was able to take the 2 parts and make them one complete image, which had been bothering me since I first created the image.

Unfortunately, the deadline for shipping was a week away and it needed to make it from Ohio to California in that time. I received the notice in the evening, too late to start work on finding local framing for it. So the next day, I tore out of work early to search my local stores for the frame that would best complement my artwork. 

I was in luck: Michael's had the perfect Victorian style frame that fit the theme of my piece and the exhibit and it was 50% off! I then purchased the cheapest poster frame I could find that fit the frame to protect the print. I hurried home and set my Epson r1800 to print on Epson's Radiant White archival inkjet paper while I assembled the pieces to make the frame.

Framing went pretty well (thankfully), and the next day, I headed to the UPS Store to have them pack and ship the piece. They couldn't guarantee a delivery time, but I took my chances since I couldn't afford to ship it overnight.

Luckily, The Sleeping Beauty arrived safely and on time and was shown in a high traffic area of Los Angeles. While I am bummed I couldn't make it out to the artists' reception, it was very cool to have my piece included in the exhibit with other great art!

I've now been inspired to complete the other two pieces in the series: Snow White and Cinderhella.

The text of the poem reads:

The Sleeping Beauty
Darkness fell upon the sleeping beauty.
Her pale face glowed by the moon's light.
Peaceful as she lay, her secret hidden.
Until the night a charming rider appeared,
Drawn to her side.
He pressed his lips to hers only to discover
She had taken away his last breath.