Mural... in progress

So I'm still wondering what in the world I did when I signed up to do an 8x8 foot mural. It has been such a different experience for me, a challenge but a in a good way. Downtown Redwood City will have 8x8 foot murals displayed for the month of September and maybe October, starting on September 19th. Several artists are doing murals to go into empty storefronts. Here are some progress photos.

This project has been a huge undertaking, but very rewarding (although, I'll wait to claim success until it's installed and I see it from more than two feet away!). It has really been a good exercise not only for my body (very strenuous painting work!) but also for my mind. It requires a large idea and has given me room to really loose myself in the creation aspect. I will say, I feel a deeper understanding and closeness to God's creation of the universe. As corny as that sounds, it really has given me a different kind of respect for "creative/creation-ness".

While I have painted large before, nothing on this scale. It is something completely new for me, yet very familiar. It requires discipline in adhering to the forms and colors I've laid out, yet I feel very free and liberated to let the creation process unfold organically. New ideas are coming forth as I create and the act of creating itself is leading me in new directions: bringing new ideas to light.

I know many of you would not call yourselves "artists" in the traditional sense, but I strongly urge you to create something in your life. The act of creation brings me a new respect for and deeper understanding of the spirit of our Creator.

Anyway, thanks for humoring me and hopefully you'll get a chance to see the mural finished! I'll keep updating as it comes along and gets installed.

Detach

Just in time! I always get my illos done just in time, right before the new illustration friday topic. Better late than never. Here is my entry for "detach". I had to take a little break while working on the monkey book, so thanks Illustration Friday for the distraction! Almost done with the sketches, then I'll have time to work on some personal stuff until I start the final art around October. So keep on the lookout for new work...!

Also, redesigned the blog. It just seemed so stale before, so I thought I'd add some color!

Poof!

No time to do any new pictures since I'm trying feverishly to get my sketches done on the book by September. So here are a couple oldies. POOF!

first tomato!

The first tomato off my Roma plant. The first tomato I've ever grown, homegrown and organic yumness! Just look at that little red sucker!

A foggy situation.

So, I know you've heard the stories of Captain Morgan, William Kidd, Anne Bonny, and of course the infamous Blackbeard. The pirates of the Caribbean. But did you know the story of Captain Noah and his infamous Ark? Scholars are still a little foggy with the details, but I can assure you that Noah has been around the world and had his fair share of animal pirate booty! Legend says he had 2 of every animal aboard his rigger, and that the infamous Ark has not been found to this day!

Jack Stacks, or, hoarding

Awhile back I started working on a book about Jack, who collects and stacks stuff. In the end he learns the old adage, 'tis better to give than receive. This drawing is one of the pages. I guess it was partly a 'self-help' action, to write about someone with too much stuff so I could identify. Anyway, it got shelved and now I'm working on one of the many other ideas I have for books. Maybe I'll revisit this one day...

In the beginning...

Here is my newest painting about Adam and Eve, titled, "The Story of Us". I'm working on a couple other bible stories also. There is so much rich imagery in the bible so I thought I'd flesh out a few in my own way. Next up is Samson fighting the lion.

Also I thought this could work for Illustration Friday this week, punchline. I've been trying to think of a punchline for this and here is what I came up with: "I don't feel like making dinner tonight, maybe just fruit will do..." Kind of cheesy I know. Let me know if you think of other punchlines for this, I'd love to hear what you come up with!