Claire & Olivia

Series #015 completed in 2012

Media: Canson Paper
Size: 18" x 24"
Collection of Matt & Heather Morraye

After seeing 'A Dozen Blues,' my cousin Matt asked me to put together a piece for his wife.  He chose a picture of his two daughters laying in the grass for the subject matter.  Now even as cute as these two little rugrats are, this turned out to be a bit of a challenge to generate into a good looking piece of art.  My biggest issue by far was the contrast in their faces.  Both girls were so fair in complexion that they became washed out and mostly featureless when i first tried to generate the layers.  After some tweaks to the brightness and contrast, I finally found enough detail to make the girls recognizable.  The second greatest obstacle in a portrait like this is the hair.  I could easily have spent days cutting out strands of hair and different highlights.  The trick really is to keep the detail of the hair on the same level as everything else so as not to make the hair distract from the rest of the composition.   In the end, I am pleased with the result, though I was nervous for a while...

Golden Bell

Series #014 completed in 2011

Media: Canson Paper
Size: 18" x 24"
Collection of Greg & Gini Bayor
Gini asked me to do a piece based and Augusta National Golf Club.  This was to be my first attempt at a landscape, and it proved to be a challenge.  I had to find that fine line between minimalism and detail so that the landscape had enough depth and texture.  In the end, there were 11 layers and it took a lot of time, thought, and patience, but I am very pleased wiht the result.







A Dozen Blues

Series #013 completed in 2011

Media: Canson Paper

Size: 18" x 24"

Collection of Tim & Gina Pearson

My cousin Gina asked me to put together a piece starring her four kids and her family's boat.  She wanted to present the piece to her husband Tim for Father's Day.  For me, this meant a deadline, and a little added pressure.  Fortunately though, she provided me with a great photo that instantly inspired me.  The flag, coke bottles, and lei provided just enough color for interest without taking too much focus away from the kids.



The Kiss

Series #012 completed in 2011
Media: Canson Paper
Size: 16" x 20"
Collection of Ian & Katie Dexter

Honestly, I've been a little lazy with my artwork this winter.  A little busy, but mostly lazy and uninspired for that matter.  That is until I was looking at some of my friend's wedding pictures from earlier in the Fall.  I came across one of my buddy Ian and his beautiful bride Katie that got me fired up to create again.  Though this is certainly the least masculine of my works to this point, I'm okay with that, and I think it's one of my best.  Big thanks to the photographer, Maria Vicencio, who composed the picture that inspired me.  Now I can only hope that Katie and Ian find a sweet spot to hang it in their new house!

Gallery 788 Show

It just got real.  Beginning this Thursday, November 4th, I will be displaying my latest work at Gallery 788 in Pigtown.  Located at 788 Washington Blvd., two blocks from MLK, Gallery 788 is a cool little spot with an edgy vibe consistent across it's monthly shows.  The month of November is a group show without a theme, so I expect there to be a wide variety of subject matter and media used.  The show kicks of this Thursday evening and runs through the 28th.  I will be up there for the first part of the opening. 

Also, a Ravens' tailgate party is being planned for the gallery.  More info on that to come.  Support your local artists and check it out sometime.  Flier below...



New York New York

Series #009 completed in 2010

Media: Acrylic and Canson Paper on Canvas

Size: 15" x 30"

Collection of June Marshall

Though this was not my first comissioned piece, it was certainly the most specific and challenging in terms of the subject matter.  My Aunt June, a big fan of the arts, asked me to compose a piece that represented her three favorite venues in New York City.  Architectural elements from the three places are represented and read from left to right as the Metropolitan Art Museum, Radio City Music Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera House.  I attempted to depict iconic and easily recognizable elements of each while combining them in a way that makes for an overall strong composition.  Definitely a challenge, but I'm please with the way it turned and I believe she is too.



Artdromeda Recap

I really enjoyed participating in Artdromeda last weekend.  Met some cool people and got great responses from everyone I talked to about my work.  There was a wide range of artistic styles and a variety of music as well.  Definitely a unique mix of people, but it worked.  I look forward to going back next year.

Big ups to all my friends and family that came to see it.  As this was my first show, I didn't really advertise it too much and yet the word got out.  Anyways, it was very cool having them there.

This event also marked my first sale of a non-commissioned or gifted painting.  My cousin Karyn asked to take "Core" off my hands as gift for her husband John.  How cool is that?

All said, this was a great event and a real confidence builder for me.  I've got plenty of more ideas, now I just gotta crank them out.

Check out the pics...