ARTEAST 09

ARTEAST went very well and I had a lot of fun. I made some new friends, visited with some old friends and family and talked about art all weekend in the beautiful Glen Carbon Centennial Library. Everything went super-smooth thanks to Tom Steinmann who brought my "wall" over in his truck and helped me set it up, and thanks to Ann Hughes and her awesome staff at the Library. The cookies and punch were a big hit! I showed with Sharon Gibson-Bly, who is an excellent artist. I loved her images. She was also very helpful, providing me with some great information. Best of all, I became re-energized about making art.

All-Star Game poster

My very first (and hopefully not the last) poster for the Cardinals!

Going, going, gone... 3 and out, but I had fun!

I had an interesting experience last weekend - I got media credentials and hung out by the Cardinals dugout prior to the start of NLDS game 3. Which unfortunately turned out to be the last game of the season (and ironically the first one I attended this season!).

When I got to the stadium I literally walked in the building with Rick Horton and Bill Dewitt! Of course I took my camera with me and took a few good pictures - but I got there too late to see most of the Cardinals take batting practice. The first player I saw was Albert Pujols, but I didn't have my camera ready and by the time I did he was gone! I managed to get some decent pictures of some of the redbirds. The Dodgers came out a few minutes later and I saw all of them, including Manny Ramirez. He really does hate the media (as I pretended to be) as evidenced by a scowl he gave me:

I chatted with Jason Motte for a second or two which was really fun. He was kinda geeked-out about being in the NLDS and having his family there to watch - he asked for help looking for them (as if I knew what they looked like...) Colby Rasmus was hanging out around us too. Other guys that came around while I was there were Adam Wainwright, Jason LaRue, Jose Oquendo, Dave McKay, Ankiel, Wellemeyer, Thompson, DeRosa, Glaus - that's all I can think of right now.

Then I went up to the press box and saw all kinds of local and national sportswriters and TV analysts. I ended up hanging out with Steve Lyons and a guy who I think was his producer. He used to be on Fox Sports but now he's an analyst for the Dodgers. He said his job consists of being on TV for around 2 minutes a day! Frankly I used to think he was kind of a tool when I'd see him on TV, but he turned out to be a pretty regular guy. It was a pretty cool experience!

arteasttour.com

I'll be showing my fairytale illustrations and my "Halloween Monsters" at ARTEAST on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday Oct. 18 from 11-5 both days at the Glen Carbon Centennial Library. Come by and have a look and say hi!

Er...

I'm bummed. I haven't made any new artwork for a while! I've got a project I'm doing with a friend that just hasn't taken off yet - I need to get INSPIRED! I just get involved or focused on whatever seems to grab my attention. Must stay focused. Must stay - what was I saying?

I live to serve

I owed my friend Lara a favor (she's doing some sewing for me) so I designed her sand volleyball team's shirts for this season. Ace!

Making a (Back) Splash!

After 3 years of watching HGTV, I finally got the nerve up to install a glass tile backsplash! My good friend and father-in-law Fritz helped me by cutting some tile and helping me work out some of the logistics - thanks Fritz! And thanks to the off-duty Home Depot lady who happened to be shopping in the tile area. She was a big help.

Reaching my goals

I'm just about done with my last of 6 illustrations that I'm going to submit to some publishers. After some final tweaks, (to all 6) I'm going to put myself out there. Wish me luck!

In honor of swine flu

With all the swine flu stuff in the news, I thought it was ironic that I just completed my first pig-related logo. Coincidence? Yes.

Phase 1 done

I've completed the first 3 weeks of P90X. I've lost 6 or 7 pounds, so that's cool I guess. This week is a transition period that is more core and cardio based. Then a new 3 week session begins. I have to say I was hoping to see a little more of a difference than I have, but my clothes are fitting a little better. I really miss running, but I don't miss the pain in my joints.

Geh...

Day 1 of P90X — DONE! Holy crap it was tough. But good! Except I spent the better part of the following hour trying not to barf. Who knew you could get nauseous from push ups and pull ups?! Anyway, I've dropped running for the time-being to try and heal up some old leg injuries, so this will be my new fitness routine for the next 12+ weeks. I hope to get back on the road soon after though.

I got your goat

This is one of my goats from the aforementioned illustration I'm working on. I'm finding it is harder than I imagined to create flat images actually. I'm probably using gradations a little too much - but still sparingly enough to make it okay. I'm still happy with my flatness!

Trip-Trap!

I've been working on some illustrations in the "flat" style. Here's the troll from The Three Billy Goats Gruff!

Flat is Where it's At

Okay, I'm off colored pencil and back to digital. It's what I do best. But I plan to continue experimenting with different media as I think it will inform my digital work.
This time around I have foregone dimension and ventured into the realm of the flat. Very flat. I'm embracing the flat. Flat is where it's at.