Happy Holidays....

Christmas is only a few days away, and then it's New Years! Of course, let's not forget Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and who knows what else. It's like the Holiday Olympics this time of year and I just hope everyone is enjoying themselves a little more, and experiencing a little less of the stress from it all.
I'm doing alright myself (thanks for asking), and thought that it would be a good time to share with you a little drawing I made recently on a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. I haven't been there in years, and I forgot what an amazing place it is... and I didn't even get to the second floor! I spent the entire afternoon gawking at the ginormous Christmas tree they have set up. There were hundreds of angels covering the tree and all around it (what looked to me like) Victorian figurines of various shepherds, kings, commoners, more angels and what-nots everywhere. It was a bit of a cluster-fcuk actually, but in a beautiful way. You could pick a different spot and view an entirely different scene. In the dead center there was the classic "Birth of Jesus" creche scene, and I tried sketching that, but there was just way too much going on that all I could manage to do was capture the layout and positioning of the characters. The highlight of it for me was the donkey and a cow peeking around a corner thru the brush at the baby. Awwww... I would have also put a couple of kittens in the scene, but that's just me.
Here are some pics of the (what they are calling "Neapolitan Baroque") tree that I stole from various online sources. Funny how there are all these pictures when there's a huge "NO NOT TAKE PHOTOS" sign in front of your face. Hmmmm...






























Anyways, there was also this lovely statue not far from the tree of "The Holy Family" and I sketched that, too. I was able to get pretty close, and got lots of good detail. I figured it made a nice Christmas card, too... so I scanned it in and digitally added a watercolor background to give it a more "umph". Here is the final product:

Clash with my TItans

OK... I have to post about this cuz it makes me mad.

I heard the Clash of the Titans was being re-made... but haven't seen anything (or heard too much about it) until just now. I just saw the poster campaign and teaser trailer online... and I'm NOT happy. WTF happened? It's all super dark and serious... hard edged and raw. I know we're in a recession/ depression, fighting a war, everything sucks, (blah, blah, blah) but does it have to seep into one of my most beloved fantasy films of all time?

ex #1: Why is pegasus BLACK? Is it just to be different, or perhaps better match the bleak movie poster campaign (see #3 below)? Well, fine. The myth says Pegasus was born from Medusa's blood, so maybe Pegasus should be deep red, or a dark, ruddy brown and not that lovely white stallion we all know. I'll accept the color change, but why not make it glistening and beautiful? After all, it's a known fact now that even vampires sparkle in the sunlight.

ex #2: Why do the Stygian Witches look like something from Hellboy/ Pans Labyrinth/ Alien? Here is a picture of what I'm talking about (left).

If you're going to make a crazy monster, then make it unique and amazing. Why bother if it just reminds you of another movie. ....zzzzzzzz

ex #3: Myths are supposed to be a source of wonder and inspiration. The movie teaser and posters just make me think of kicking someone's ass while the world around me is at an end. Everything is bleak and dark, and gigantic monsters are just waiting to crush everything in sight. That just makes me scared and tense.

Now look at the original movie poster campaign. (below) Right away you know who the hero is and even though there are some terrible monsters about, the heavens are shining on him and you just know he's gonna make it through it all somehow. Heck, there's even a beautiful woman *gasp* that hints at perhaps a love story or human connection. It's not all about fighting and looking tough at all. There's a whole lot more going on. Poster artist Dan Gouzee did a hell of a job, but also note an equally amazing alternate poster by celebrated fantasy artists (the Hildebrandt brothers) which further enhances the fantasy genre! How amazing is THAT! Yeah!!

So ... whatever. I'm NOT looking forward to this movie as I had originally hoped for. I actually jumped up and down and clapped my hands at the thought of seeing this story reinterpreted.

Now I'm just covering my eyes and moaning. *sigh*

They casted Alcide!?

Yes! While reading one of my favorite blogs, Loving True Blood in Dallas, I saw that the role of Alcide Herveaux was given to actor Joe Manganiello. He was on some show called "One Tree Hill" which I never watched (but heard of), but I've otherwise never heard of this guy before. Oh wait... just read he was "Flash Tompson" in that terrible Spiderman 3 movie. Well, that doesn't help as I can't remember anything about that movie anyways (like a bad dream). So I googled him, and saw lots of dark, Italian looking mugshots.

Hmmm... looks like he can be scruffy and has looks like he could bulk up with some serious muscle:
But I hope he's got some chest hair! I will start a boycott ...I mean MANcott... against smooth werewolves. Those twinks from New Moon need to stop shaving their chests. Heck, they probably shave their pubes off, too. That's OK (I know it takes all types), but Werewolves need to be hairy! And no "Manscaping" werewolves either: Werewolves are not metrosexual!

Well, I won't judge. I'll wait and see what happens next season. All I know is that when I read the books, Alcide could easily be the hottest guy in the series.

I sort of imagined him something like:
Jason Stathom





Ryan Reynolds





or (the obvious) "Huge Jackedman"





Do you think I'm right? Will you join my fight to bring hairy werewoves back in style? Please leave a comment and tell me... so I know who I can and cannot sacrifice. ;)

Hire Me!

Do you know anyone that needs an Illustrator or Graphic Designer? I'm ready, willing, and able to help!

I am also here for anyone who wants to commission me for a sketch, too. It makes for a unique and fun gift idea, too. I can do pet portraits, a sketch of your favorite super hero, villain, or anything else you can dream up.

Right now (for a limited time) you can donate $20+ and I'll make a "digital portrait" of any photo you email to me. Just click on the "donate" button at the right to make the donation, and send me a picture. It's that easy! Note the digital image I create will be a 4x4 inch square jpeg file.
Here's one of me:

Rock out with your milkshake

I just found the most incredible thing... well, for today at least. It's a "Got Milk" campaign that also helps schools around the country to raise money for their arts program. Students can remake their favorite scene(s) from the movie to compete for big bucks. How freakn awesome is that! I wish this was around when I was in high school... I would have killed to have played the role of Strawberry Summers... I mean White Gold. ;)

Anyways, if you know any high school students or folks that do... then make sure they know about this epic rock opera. It's freaking amazing to watch. It's hilarious, fun, campy, and educational (well, slightly educational in the fact that milk helps to promote healthy bones, teeth, hair, and muscle.) I wish every fund-raising opportunity could be this fun. Check out this promo on YouTube:


All of this wholesome goodness and more is available online here:
http://www.milkquarious.com

I have to take the opportunity here to post clips of a few of my other favorite things here, too. It's like all this stuff was thrown into a blender to create one delicious milkshake! prepare to get a stomachache!

Christmas Woodie

I'm here to tell you all about a very talented artisan and friend, Blake Paris. He hand crafts a variety of housewares, decor, and things and sells them from his ETSY shop, "A Touch of Paris".
http://www.etsy.com/shop/touchofparis

I have to say that the wooden bowls and lamps are my some of my favorites. They just look quite handsome and unique. It's no chandelier, but check these out:
How about THIS one?








Or THAT one?









Or THIS one?










Or THAT one?










If you are looking for something special, tasteful and lasting check out his wares.
There's options for almost any price point.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/touchofparis

Happy Shopping! :)

Ahmond

Just wanted to post about my friend and talented musician, Ahmond.
I did the logo and artwork for his album "A Boy You Once Knew" and now he's come out with a new EP called "Monster & Minstrel".

If you like music artists like Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Grizzly Bear, or sophisticated indie folk art in general I highly recommend for you to check it out! Heck, just go and have a listen just to hear something new:
http://www.myspace.com/ahmondband

Download the new EP here:
http://www.ahmond.com/monster.html