KISS+Thanksgiving+Hiking=Great 4 Day weekend

First of all, I would like to say thanks for family and friends, and for having a job. And for having a little time off from that job. It was great spending my four day weekend with everyone I love. My younger brother Jeff came home from college for some home cooked turkey and it was great seeing him.

Things started out this weekend with a KISS concert at the staples center on Wednesday. Those guys may be old but they can still ROCK! Besides how could I turn down free tickets for a suite? The best part was when Gene Simmons played his bass solo on top of the stage lights. Yes, that's right, he had a wire pull him 60 ft into the air and he stood on top of the stage lights to play his solo accompanied with pyrotechnics. It was one of the most amazing concerts I have ever seen. Those guys can sure put on a show.

Then Thursday it was Thanksgiving turkey at Grandma's and dessert at my Girlfriend's uncle's.

I think Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because there is no stress over presents. Just family and food. I love it.

To round off the weekend my Girlfriend and I went on a hike with some friends. Now its time to kick back, watch a movie rental and enjoy the last few hours of the holiday weekend savoring happy memories.

Twilighters

I was feeling a little antsy so I decided to do a little people watching, and practice my gesture drawing skills at the nearest starbucks (which happens to be right next to the theater).

While sipping a decaf Americano I watched as the coffee shop was inundated with a steady stream of annoying coeds. They were all bundled up cozy, frumpy, and in search of a caffeine rush. I think they are going to need it if they plan on getting through the latest installment of the twilight trilogy.

Just my luck to get surrounded by twilighters when trying to draw!

Forest Musing

graphite and col-erase pencil on paper 8x10

Self Portrait in Shop

Using my ichat cam as a mirror I made a rough drawing of myself with a col-erase pencil on illustration board, then I scanned it into photoshop. Strengthened the line a little with the brush tool, and then blocked in colors on different layers. The portrait is not quite finished but I got a little bored and didn't feel like cleaning up the edges. It feels great to practice using the graphics tablet. More to come! . . .hopefully soon

Melancholy Nicole

Learning how to sell the sizzle and not the steak

My latest project in my illustration class was to create an advertisement for the energy drink Xenergy. Since Xenergy is a major competitor to red bull I went with a sexy girl matador out maneuvering a dopey bull. When I told my teacher that I was concerned I wasn’t showing the product enough he said, “Who cares about the can? Show us the girl! Sell the sizzle not the steak!” So that’s what I did, and I think it came out nice. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to take a nice photo because I was rushing to class, but it gets the idea across.

Ink and watercolor, and colored pencil on cold press illustration board, 11x17”

Dancing Crocodiles

"Teaching the Reptilian Mind to be Civilized and Walk Upright like Humans" Ballpoint pen, and water color on 14"x17" 70lb. paper.

Ruff drawing, graphite on bond.


I got the idea for this composition while I was walking to my car after work. This image has a lot to do with my job.