Happy Halloween!!! (Resurrecting an Old Post)

When I was a kid, the local Recreation Department held a Halloween window painting contest and every year I would enter. I recently made a high-resolution scan from the negative of this old photo. The resulting 2400 dpi scan is full of details (and memories) that until now were too small to see in the original print. I can now read what I wrote on the coffin - "Dracula's Pad." Also, I can make out a witch riding a vacuum cleaner and a Jawa (from Star Wars) onboard a spaceship.  That's my brother David stealing my limelight.

People familiar with my home town might be curious where this was painted -  that's the laundromat on Lincoln Street.

Collecting Faces from Television

Educational Work

I've been busy working on illustrations for an educational publisher. The client was looking for black and white illustrations with no outlines. My portfolio was lacking that type of work but I felt it was well within my comfort zone. I whipped up a sample and convinced the client I was a good fit. FYI: The fellow is this illustration survives his heart attack!

Mess of a Desk

This is what my drawing table looks likes when I'm painting. I keep a printout of my color study nearby as well as the original sketch. The spiral pad is there to remove excess paint from my brushes. I use Liquitex acrylics and cheap brushes. My butcher tray palette is MIA, probably sitting in the sink waiting to be cleaned.

High Five!

I'm thrilled to have my illustrations featured in the pages of Highlights High Five magazine! Look for me in the October 2008 issue, in stores now!

The Other Side of Summer: Color Study

This is a Photoshop color study for an acrylic painting I'll be starting soon. Photoshop allows me to experiment quickly and effortlessly with color. The final painting will surely take on a life of it's own – but this study gives me a clear direction before any paint leaves the tube.

Bears, Squirrels and Kids, OH MY!

I've been working on these two paintings over the summer and chronicled my progress on this blog. I've posted sketches, color studies, different stages of painting and FINALLY (?) the finished illustrations! Next, I will turn them into postcards and hopefully generate some more interest in my work!