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

New Year's Resolutions for Artists.

It is the time of year that everyone starts coming up with their New Year's resolutions. Typically these are far fetched goals that are forgotten by valentines day, if not sooner. Goals like loose weight, stop smoking, start exercising, etc... are great buy why not broaden your thinking to include more creative goals?

General Tips for Resolutions:

A couple of key things here. One: Make your goals specific and attainable. For example don't say "I'm going to get my work out there," instead make a specific goal: "I'm going to get into a gallery this year." or "I am going to create a professional web page" You can even make this easier on yourself by coming up with a plan. "I will use January to research other artist websites I like for inspiration, I will photograph my work for my web page by February, etc..."

Two: WRITE IT DOWN, and put it somewhere you will see it everyday. Putting your resolution in writing makes it more concrete, and posting it so you see it everyday serves as a constant reminder.

Three: If you fall off, get back on the horse. If you have a slip on your goal or take time away from it, it's OK - as long as you dust yourself off and get back on track. Don't make excuses you're only lying to yourself, instead of justifying things to your self like "I didn't do this because..." just get back into the swing.

Resolutions for Artists:

1. Try a new medium.
- Maybe you have never used watercolors, maybe you would like to learn how to screen print. Keep your options open, in 2008 I entered a sidewalk chalk contest without having any real experience with chalk or pastels. I have probably received more publicity and recognition locally from trying this new medium than any other single thing I did that year. You just never know.

2. Get better acquainted with the Business of Art.
- Read a book on the business of art, attend a seminar, learn from other artists. A successful artist needs to learn to divide their time between business and art. You can't focus solely on art and expect that the business will fall into place vice versa, you can't have a business with out good at to support it.

3. Keep a sketch book/diary.
- even if you can't dedicate as much time as you'd like to art make sure to at least do a little something daily. Just keep your talents fresh, creativity is like a muscle, to keep it strong you have to work it out.

4. I will help other artists.
- one word: KARMA. Help other artists by teaching a technique you have mastered, or sharing a business tip that has worked for you. This can be done as simple as post something that you have learned and can pass along on your website or blog, or can be a more hands on approach.

5. I will be "An Artist"
- This sounds simple, but typically if you meet someone and they ask what you do, what is your answer. Do you say, "I work at so-and-so," or do you tell them (proudly) that you are an artist. Have business cards ready to back your clam. You don't have to start off with the fanciest of cards. I started out with cards make on Microsoft word that were printed on business card stock from the local office supply store. Just make sure they look professional. Include your contact info, website or blog (even if its just a Myspace account with examples of your art on it) and an example of your work.

Whatever your resolutions are, don't be afraid to try new thinks and push your own boundaries. remember "Armatures built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic."

Happy New Year!

--jab

Repainting the Beach Cruiser. Part III - The Final Touches

Origonally I had the idea to put a flaming pheonix down the side of the bike, but after finishing the chain cover I decided to go with a more aquatic theme. I kept the idea of the flames, but decided to weave a fish sekleton in and out of the flames instead.
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I started out with the flames working from dark blue to light blue to white with a little green added in.




Next I roughed out the skeleton, blending yellow and white to make a creamy color.

Once the color was done I did the outline work with a bold black paint pen.

Then I went back in with fine and extra fine black paint pens to create variations inline depth and add detail.

For the finishing touch I went in with a xtra fine white paint pen to add the highlights. With the painting complete, I strung the bike back up in the shed. I made sure to wipe everything down with a lint free rag to remove the dust. Then I sprayed the bike with a clear coat. I used Rustolium Glossy clear coat. * Be sure to test your clear coat* This was my firs time using the Rustolium Clear coat and it made a weird crackeling effect on the paint pens. It actually looks really cool, but it wasn't expected and could have been worse. After using multiple coats of clear coat and letting it dry I lightly wet sanded it all with a 600 grit sandpaper to make sure it was nice and smooth. Then I removed all the tape and rea assembled everything, using the photos I took during the disassembly as refrence.

Here's the finished bike:

Hope this was helpful for any aspiring bike painters and fun for all interested in the process.

Keep on keeping on,
-jab

Repainting the Beach Cruiser. Part II - The Chain Cover

Now that the primer coat and basic paint job were done it was time for the fun stuff. I started with the chain cover since it was removable, fairly flat and the easiest part to work with.

First I traced the shape onto tracing paper so I could play with a few different designs.

Once a sketch was decided on I busted out the paint pens. First I transferred the design onto the actual piece making adjustments as I went. Once the sketch was on the chain cover I filled in all of the large areas of color working from dark to light.

Then I added in the eyes and the sea foam, again blending colors from dark to light.

Once I was happy with the colors I laid in the basic outline with a bold black paint pen.

Then came the part that makes it all come together: the details. Working with fine and extra fine black paint pens I laid in the detail work. One of the keys here is to have lots of variation in the thickness of the outlines.

I also added in highlights with an extra fine white paint pen to really make it pop! Once I put the chain cover back on I decided to add a few extra water splashes to tie the chain cover to the bike.

Next up... flaming fish skeletons!?

Repainting the Beach Cruiser. Part I

So inspiration wriggles its way into my head at all sorts of crazy times. The other day I was out in the shed and I happened to look over at my beach cruiser bicycle and think... that would look really sweet with a new paint job... The wheels in my head started turning and my hands got to work. It was very much a learning process and I thought I'd share the experience for any one else who gets this sort of wild inspiration for such a unique canvas.
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The Original Bike

The first task was to remove all of the stickers using a razor blade and some sort of sticker remover chemical to get all the glue off. I also cleaned the entire bike using some soap and water.

remove all stickers and clean it up

From there the fun really begins, I took the bike apart as much as possible removing everything that I could. A couple of key tips here:

- Take pictures as you disassemble so that you can reference them when you put it back together.

- Keep parts separated in Ziploc bags or some other sort of containers, it may also be helpful to label these parts bags (eg: shift assembly), and put them somewhere you'll remember later.

Take lots of pictures when you disassemble the bike.

Materials I used included 400/ 600 grit sand paper, water, soap, paper towels, rags, Acetone, blue painters tape, razor blades, primer, paint, clear coat, and any tools you need to dissemble the bike.

After I disassembled everything I used blue painters tape on anything still attached that I didn't want to paint. Then, I sanded everything with a 400 grain wet sand to remove the glossy clear coat.

After I taped it off and sanded it down, I had to improvise a way to hang the bike so that all paintable surfaces were exposed. With a little creativity I figured out a way to suspend the bike from the ceiling beams of my shed. Since I didn't have a tool to disassemble the chain I taped it off real good and had to figure out a way to suspend it without it touching the frame. Pure trial and error.

Find a good area to paint and string it up, remember to think about over spray.

Next I used acetone to clean the entire surface of the bike, wear gloves for this, and be sure not to touch the bike after you've cleaned it.

I love the smell of Acetone in the morning

Finally I was ready to spray!

Rock N Roll!

Since the bike was 2 toned I decided to go ahead and do a white primer coat to add durability and to make sure the final coat came out nice and even. I used Rustolium primer.

Multiple light coats of primer work best

primed up and ready for paint

After the primer dried off, I used a Rustiolum metallic black paint to coat the entire bike, again using multiple light coats.back in black

After the paint dried off I spot checked the bike for any runs or missed areas. I did find a couple, so I sanded them down and did a little touch up. Then I waited for it to dry one more time, wiped it down with a clean rag, and got read to do the custom painting.

Now I ready to get crazy with the paint job!

Daily Doodlez #30

Well, I finally did it, 30 days of doodles. A small snapshot of the odds and ends that make their way from my brain to whatever is handy on a daily basis. It took longer than I intended to complete this exercise, but I hope you've enjoyed it. Go back through the archives and you can browse the entire 30 days worth of sketches, and feel free to drop me a line with any questions, comments or remarks. Enjoy!

-jab

Skull Collage