From Sketch to Finish

A small drawing in my sketch book...

turned into this...

48''x66'', torn canvas glued on plywood, acrylic paint

I got the idea to tear up canvas and make a small type of collage thing with it from a my Production of Art class I had last semester. The assignment was to make a self promo mailer and I used torn canvas for that because the texture of the fibers on the canvas gave it a "homemade" aesthetic.

This is so much more fun than just buying a pre-stretched canvas and painting on it. I enjoy the building process of just making the canvas itself and then painting on it afterwards. It is gratifying to make an entire piece yourself. The torn canvas just helps show the handmade quality of the piece.

Acoustic Tidal Artwalk 2011- Colorado Lagoon

- 66''x48'', torn canvas and acrylic

Last Saturday, July 16th, was the 3rd Annual Acoustic Tidal Artwalk at the Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach. It was the biggest one yet. Seven different community organizations were a part of the event this year including Surfrider Foundation, Green Long Beach, Produce Exchange, and a few others. Along with the organizations there were about 6 live bands that played none stop from 5-10pm and over ten different artists displaying all different types of art such as, drawing and painting, photography and installation pieces. I was fortunate enough to be a part of this event.

The Acoustic Tidal Artwalk focuses on using art and music to bring awareness to the beauty and benefits the Colorado Lagoon has to offer the community. Friends of Colorado Lagoon has been working for over ten years to clean up the lagoon and help stop the pollution that has plagued the lagoon for many years. The biggest improvement is soon to come. As of November 2010 the Colorado Lagoon was granted permission to connect an open waterway from the lagoon to Marine Stadium. This small open water channel will run through Marina Vista Park to connect the two bodies of water. This will be about a 5 year process but once the channel is complete it will provide the lagoon with a better circulation of water. Which will help keep the lagoon clean and user friendly to everyone in the community.

Boat, Lure, Fish

My final project in my illustration class last semester was to illustrate an alphabet. The alphabet just had to have one overall theme, so I chose fishing. While painting this alphabet I was trying to think of a way to make this into more than just a school project, but more of something I would enjoy myself or possibly sell to others. So I decided that within my alphabet I would take certain letters and spell out words that related to my theme of fishing. Here is what I came up with:

- the individual paintings are 3 1/2" x 5" painted with gouache.

Finally Finished!

After about 6 months of school work and other priorities I finally finished board #9, 5'7'' fish. I posted more about the design and shaping of the board in early january and this is the finished product. This was my first time doing glass on fins and a resin tint. The resin tint was tough because the pigment accentuates any flaws you may have during lamination. So to cover up my uneven lap lines I decided to paint the bottom :). Glassing on the fins went pretty well to my surprise. I set the fins with hot glue to get my angles even and then used UV resin so I could take my time laying up each one. Overall I am happy with the board. It certainly has its flaws but I think it is going to be fun for the small summer swells. Can't wait to ride it!

- Glass on fins. Al Merrick wooden keels.

-top

- bottom

Projects From Last Semester

Here is only a small portion of the work I did last semester. There is more coming soon.

These guache paintings were meant to illustrate a short sentence emphasizing something different in eat painting:

- The man

- in the yellow submarine

- sank

- to the ocean floor.

Costumed Figure Drawing-

- 2 minute gesture

-ink w/ brush and bamboo pen

- more ink w/ brush and bamboo pen

- and more ink / brush and bamboo pen

-graphite

Feel free to comment on or critique anything you see. I know everything on here has its problem. But I would love to here some feedback.

2 new custom hats- SOLD!

Summer is finally here. Sorry it has been so long since the last post. School was the toughest its ever been this semester. Having 4 studio classes makes it nearly impossible to do anything besides school projects and homework. (Stay tuned, I will post some of my many projects I completed this semester) But summer is here so I can finally catch my breath and enjoy what I am doing. Here is the first product of summer. Two new custom hand painted hats for a repeat customer.

2 More Hats Sold on CruxSurf.com

-2 Jellyfish hats painted to order for a worthy customer at CruxSurf.com