Savage Woman

11x9 inches ink and watercolor on 300lb Arches cold press paper

Porcelain Tiger Shark (in progress)

Currently working on a watercolor I am calling Porcelain Tiger Shark.  It's not finished yet, but I wanted to share anyway.  It is always hard to find time to work, and this painting is taking longer than usual.  Probably because it is more detailed than my normal stuff. 

I'm pretty stoked on it, here are some photos:

Ink on Arches 300lb WC paper about 11x22" 

A tribute to Frank Frazetta

For most of my life I never knew his name, but whenever I saw his paintings I would stop and stare.

What can I say that hasn't been said already?

Frank Frazetta has passed away, yet his heroic images of power and grace will live forever.

Below is my humble tribute to the man that made warriors come to life.

Thank you Mr. Frazetta RIP

Eyes on the Back of My Head

When teaching art to high schoolers one has to keep a delicate balance between hovering too much, and not giving any instruction at all.  For instance, some art teachers like to just get out the materials and let the students have at it, while others will practically do everything for the student.  I try my best to be somewhere in between.  Which means after I walk my rounds and meet each student individually while they're working I return to my post at the front of the classroom and watch.  You would think I could direct my energies to something productive, but as soon as I get the grade books out, or attempt to reorganize the filing cabinet, 10 students all need something at once.  So what ends up happening is I doodle while the students work.  That way I can keep my mind occupied and remain available to my students' needs.  It's weird I get a kind of spidey sense when I am doodling.  My eyes are on the paper but the rest of my senses are exploring the classroom.  I think I am finally getting the teacher characteristic of having "eyes on the back of the head."  Click here to read an article that explains this sensation. 

I dunno, but here is an example of one of my doodles:

A future comic book character perhaps?  It's funny, I am always drawing gritty street characters who drink and smoke.  I do neither of those things, nor can I remember the last time I was in a bar.  I guess I act out my alter ego with paper and pen.

Skull and Oak Leaves

Sometimes it's nice just to zone out and draw something that is repetitive, and detailed.  Drawing helps me block out problems and pretty much the world in general.  Sometimes that is what an artist needs.

   Ink, pencil, and watercolor on my WC paper Moleskine 5x8"

What a Great Feeling

Today I finally did it.  I filled every page of my watercolor sketchbook!  I do not think I have ever completed a drawing on every page of a sketchbook before.  I always get bored with sketchbooks, or I tear out pages, I can never seem to stick with one book for very long.  So it feels great to have finally done so.

Now I can move on to the next moleskine and fill it up!  Oh and I included an image of my last watercolor sketch below.  A hot chick with an automatic of course!

My completed 3x5" watercolor paper moleskine.