The Completed Nursery

The Nursery Mural is all done, here are some pics of the final Project:

This was a fantastic project, not only did I have a great time working on such a large scale, but I did it with love.

This was definatly a learning experience and, I look foward to taking on more mural projects in the future.

Getting Ready for Baby Brooks!

Well... I've been slacking on the blog recently, but I do have a good reason. WE'RE HAVING A BABY! This summer we will have a little boy join our family and we couldn't be more excited!

This also gave me an excuse to do something fun, PAINT THE NURSERY! We decided (suprise suprise) to go with a Ocean/Underwater theme for the baby's room, and I thought I share som epics of the process!

The sky and water are regular laytex wall paint. I painted the sky first, added the waves, and then rolled on the rest of the water.

Then I added the crest of all the waves and the sun. This both are combination of acrylics and paint pens.

Then I added an outline on the crest of the waves and to seperate the water and sky.

What under the ocean scene is complete without a sunken pirate ship?

This is the bottom of the ocean and a little rock formation by the door, just layed out in basic colors.

... and here it is after some detail work!

I also added a happy octopus...

and a happy little Jellyfish!

This has been a fun project so far and hopefully the baby will love it, I'll post more pics as the project comes along!

Hit the Decks!

The last Wednesday of January I received my first shipment of blank decks. I was so stoked that I got to painting immediately. As I worked I thought I'd share the process for other artists.

First I sand the board down with a fine sandpaper, just to make sure there are no little imperfections, and I have a nice surface to start with.

Then I sketch the design out. I go right to sketching on the board with little to no work on paper to prep. This design did have some elements like the opposing snakes that I used tracing paper to transfer the outline to keep things fairly symmetrical.

Then its time to paint! I start out with the light colors typically, because they're easier to cover up later if I need to.

Next I start laying in the colors. Still keeping pretty loose, at this point my edges aren't refined and it often looks like bright blobs.

I continue with color until the entire board is filled in. Working with paint pens you have to go quickly blending colors while the paint is still wet. This is not to difficult if you only focus your efforts on working in small sections.

Once the color is done I lay in the black outline. I do the entire outline first, not really focusing on line thickness, just putting down a basic bold line.

Next, I go back and add thickness to some of the lines and add shadows. I then clean up smaller areas and add details with a fine black paint pen, and go over it once more with an extra fine paint pen adding the real subtle details, cross hatching and other shadings. The variation in line depth really makes the colors stand out and solidifies the painting. Lastly I will go back with fine and extra fine white paint pens and add highlights.

Finally I spray the whole thing with a krylon clear gloss finish. I give it 3 or four good coats to protect the painting and give it that shine. This clear coat really darkens the blacks and brings out the colors too. After that is dry I rub the whole thing down with a super fine (600 grit) sandpaper very lightly, just to make sure its nice and smooth.




For a look at the final piece check out my website.

Now grab some paint and a blank deck and see what you can do!

--jab

Dustin Harewood’s Recent Portraits Exhibition - Feb 11 @ The Art Institute of Jacksonville

The Gallery Group at The Art Institute of Jacksonville will host the opening reception for the exhibition of local artist Dustin Harewood’s Recent Portraits on Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

Dustin Harewood’s large-scale portraits explore the complexity of the common gaze; a gaze that can magnify both expression and vacancy. These never-seen-before works are a shift from the popular abstract paintings that have become a signature of Mr. Harewood.

“For the past six months I have worked on a show of portraits. All information that I have deemed unnecessary has been removed. The result is an isolation and examination of the most important and expressive part of the human body: the head,” said Harewood. “The people I have chosen to draw have all fascinated me at one time or another. Some are well known celebrities while others are local artists, who in my opinion should be considered just as important,” added Harewood.

The Gallery Group is a focus group of Graphic Design and Web Design & Interactive Media students responsible for curating, installing and advertising exhibitions throughout the school year. Students develop a concept, research artists and curate each exhibition with the intention of further defining the relationship between “fine art” and design.

The opening reception will include light refreshments and an opportunity for those in attendance to speak with Harewood about his work. The works will be displayed in The Art Institute of Jacksonville Gallery from February 11, 2010 through March 22, 2010. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 8 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM until 4 PM.

Getting Around (artisticly)

I've always been a fan of making your own path and doing your own thing. The next step I am working towards on my own path is to spend my summers traveling to art markets and festivals sharing my art.

Seems easy right?!

Well anything worth doing is worth doing right. Also, I am a stickler for presentation so I don't want my stuff to look half a... ny way. I thought I'd chronicle my own adventure in getting into the art festival scene to hopefully help future artists who dare to traverse the same path.

I've already learned an important lesson to pass along, FIND ART FESTIVALS EARLY . I started this endeavor as a part of my New Year's resolutions and quickly learned that many applications are due through out January. YIKES! One of the shows I attended last year and hoped to be a part of this year has a deadline in 2 weeks. As part of the application I would need to photograph my booth... which I don't have. Given the time it will take to select a tent, decide on a system to display my art, get it all shipped to me, and come up with a stellar presentation, I think I'll miss this first one. LESSON LEARNED.

So rolling with the punches I am researching more shows with later deadlines. Simple first step = GOOGLE! I have found a enough shows within a few hundred miles that I still have time to apply to.

Now to decide on presentation. I have read great things about Flourish canopies (http://www.flourish.com/), but the price tag is a little high. I want quality, but this may have to wait until we see how successful the festivals are for me. I am currently trying to decide between an EZ up and a Caravan I can get either for a decent price at http://www.elitedeals.com/canopy.html.

I also have to figure out the display system, at first I was thinking of building something, but I have read SO many horror stories. I love the look of Pro Panels, but again the price tag is high for my first go round with the Art Festivals.

So my first step in the process is to decide these two things... hmmm....
well off to do dome research.

-jab