Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Watercolor: Monster May I


Original sketch
ink on paper


Daisy
9x12, watercolor on Arches Cold Press Paper

Here is the genesis of an idea for a children's picture book. I'm still working on the story, but the idea focuses on the interaction of a "lost" or abandoned monster taken in by a plucky little girl. Themes include facing fears and adoption.

Watercolor Landscapes


Away #1
7x9, watercolor on Canson Moulin du Roy Paper


Away #2
7x9, watercolor on Arches Cold Press Paper

Here are a couple of small watercolor paintings I completed recently. I started out trying to capture a few landscapes that play over and over again in memory. The first painting was taken from a photo and my memory of one of the pastures we wandered as children. I hope to continue that thread in future paintings.

The second painting came as I was exploring the muted earth tones in the series and I saw a photograph taken by friends in Alaska's Denali National Park. The photo of a lone caribou atop a ridge was too good to pass up. Although I altered the color palette and landscape to suit the series, I hope the mood of the photo remains. 


Monday, November 11, 2013

Wetland: Carrollton GreenBelt

Hobbs Farm Trailhead

I've enjoyed walking the new GreenBelt trails with my family around my hometown Carrollton, Georgia. When it's finished, the 16 mile loop around Carrollton will be the largest paved trail system in the state. Here is a link to the site about the GreenBelt:  http://www.carrolltongreenbelt.com/. The photo above was taken with my iPhone 5S on a scenic stretch of wetland near the Hobbs Farm trailhead. This section of the trail has wetlands, wildlife, mature trees lining the trail, and a great dock/overlook currently under construction.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Watercolor: Cat study

Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on. 

Carl Sandburg


Cat
Watercolor on Canson Moulin du Roy watercolor paper

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Fox in Space!

Fox in Space
Ink and Watercolor on Paper

Do you love Buck Rogers and retro science fiction? Me too. Are you currently interested in foxes? Me too.

Why can't we have both at the same time? My sketchbook says we can. Yes! So here it is.

P.S.
We really have a lot in common. Cool.



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

What does the fox say?


Fox
Watercolor study
Watercolor on paper
Sakura Koi Water Colors Pocket Field Sketch Box




Mecca Bowl



I purchased this small blue bowl a couple of weeks ago at Mecca Fest Fine Arts & Crafts Festival (http://www.meccafest.com/) in my hometown. My wife and I like pottery, but I was not planning on purchasing a piece this year at the festival. I went with the intention of buying a painting, but I found this little gem instead in the tent of Tortured Pine Pottery, a local pottery business. "What are you going to use it for?" my wife asked. "I don't know," I answered, completely in the haze of newly discovered beauty, "Do I need a use for it? Isn't it great?"

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Sketch: Batman!

Rainy Day Batman Sketch
India Ink, ink, & watercolor on paper

Sometimes it's fun to go back to an old classic. I had a little time this weekend to break out the India ink and sketch while my children were taking their afternoon naps. I didn't start out with Batman as my subject, but my original sketch of a 1930's era spaceman hero (think Buck Rogers) looked pretty rough. I erased it and started again with less intention.

I ended up with a pretty detailed, modern armored Dark Knight. I didn't like that either. I erased some details and brought it back to a simpler cape and cowl. Once I started applying the India Ink, the cape took on a life of its own and the costume details disappeared.

So it goes. Intention usually gives way to inspiration and trial and error. Then, quiet footsteps across a pine wood floor told me I was finished with this sketch.

"Whatcha doing, Daddy," my little girl asked as she climbed into my lap and scanned the desk.

"Drawing," I said.

"You drawing Batman?"

"Uh Huh, " I answered proudly.

"You painted it."

"Yep. Well, sort of. I used ink instead of paint. But I used a brush. You like it."

She nodded her head and traced one of the bats with her finger.

"Bats," she whispered.

"Yep."

"Daddy, you come and play with me, okay."

She took my hand and led me away. On to other adventures.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Hunger

"Hunger"
Ink & Watercolor on Paper

Here is another ink and watercolor sketch from my sketchbook. I'm trying to work with a variety of tools and blends on these small sketches. This piece is 5.5 x 8 inches. I used dip pens and brushes instead of the illustration pens for this one.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Sketch: Live Oak

"Live Oak"
Ink on Paper

Here's another little sketch from the fantasy short story project. I may go back and add a little color to it or it may just be the template for a larger watercolor piece.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Sketch: Across the Bay

"Across the Bay"
Charcoal on Paper

Here's a sketch I started a few years ago. I have finally finished it. Inspired by driftwood at the beach or a photo of driftwood, I left it tucked in a stack of sketchbooks until I was in Florida recently and saw a storm across Perdido Bay.  Then, I remembered why I started it at all.

I have many sketches in various states in sketchbooks scattered around my office/studio. Some of them remain unfinished and may always remain that way. I don't mean to leave them unfinished, but it's often hard to come back to something I've long ignored. In some of them I see some value and the spark is renewed, but in others I have let them smolder too long in the dark. I've simply forgotten why I pursued them.

Isn't that like life?



Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Amphibian Warrior

 
Here is a Pen and ink sketch of an amphibian warrior from my sketchbook. This sketch idea generated from a short story I'm working on in the fantasy genre. The story is for a specific contest this fall. I have not done much work in this genre, so i'm finding the sketches are a vital part of the story planning. Look for more sketches or story excerpts here soon.

Pen, ink, & pencil on paper

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Peter and the Flying Turtle

While Max’s party was going on in the dining hall, Peter sneaked away from the noisy crowd and through the kitchen. His bare feet on the red tile floor barely made a sound. No one even saw him leave.

This was his moment. It was now or never. Just a few more steps and he would be free.

Peter grasped the brass knob and pushed open the heavy wooden door with one hand and squeezed Simon tightly in his other hand. They peeked out the door together.

The garden was dark and quiet except for the soft hum of tree frogs. The grass shined green and wet in the light from the doorway and he could just make out the live oak across the pond.


“This is it,” he whispered to Simon. “One more step and there’s no turning back.”

(from Peter and the Flying Turtle)

This is a small excerpt from a children's book I've been writing. The artwork is a little sketchy right now and far from final, but this small piece might give you an idea of the general direction of the book.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Pen & Ink: Cutting

"Cutting"
Pen & Ink + Watercolor

Another sketch from the sketchbook. I had a nice visit with family last weekend. In the stories told, we talked about how the land has changed over time around my Grandmother's house. We roamed the creeks and pastures (Once a dirt car track! What?!?) and woods around her house when we were children. Now the creek is overgrown and a new forest covers part of the land. I literally can't see the place where we spent our spring and summer days.

But is that more lonely and shocking than a forest clear cut from memory? Either way, it feels like a displacement of the self. Even if that self was seven years old a long time ago.

Pen and Ink: Sitting Bull

From my sketchbook. An attempt at a pen and ink + watercolor sketch of Sitting Bull taken from the iconic photograph. Trial and error on this one, but it was fun to give it a try.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Of Sunsets



Four sunsets taken in May and June in Georgia and Mississippi using the iPhone 4. I feel like I should go and listen to a Ryan Adams song now.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Family of the Year - Hero (Acoustic)

What am I listening to while I work (day or night)? Songs like this one. I'm a sucker for a nice melody and/or a story in the lyrics. I love all kinds of music, but when I'm being creative, I want something playing in my ear that takes me to another place. Another world. Another universe. An alternate reality to mine. Another life.

And a little acoustic guitar never hurt anyone.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Monsters and Flowers?!?

"Daisy"

Fun, quick sketch in my watercolor sketch book. Even monsters need to stop and smell the flowers. Right?

Watercolor and charcoal on watercolor paper.


Rocket Ride

Watercolor idea sketch for inclusion in a future children's book titled Rocket Ride. Friendship, boxcar racing, and adventure. I'm working on some thumbnail sketches and working out the middle bit of the story. Updates to come!

Watercolor and ink on watercolor paper.


Rok Story Design Logo illustration

Here is a possible illustration for the logo for Rok Story Design. It's based on my memories of my childhood. Kings, swords, pastures, capes, rocks, sticks = awesome!

Watercolor and ink on paper.


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Golden

A sketch from my digital moleskin.
Digital ink, pencil, and watercolor in the Paper by 53 app for the iPad.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Catalog

catalog

water and stone, both shimmering in the gloaming.
fingers drumming on a desk, matches in a box, a key with no lock.

squeaky wooden floor, carved oak doors
left slightly ajar so the light trickles in, catching dust.
a burgundy rug, tattered and run through, hard rubbed in the corners,
like the one under the piano stool.

sticky black keys, repeating.

a chipped, white bucket of green beans, unstringed,
glistening with beads of water, tiny prisms in the sun.
dry pipe tobacco in the drawer of the bedside table.
our checker board missing one black.
winning. losing.

a racing bike, red and yellow and rust proof.
rubber bands, because you can never have enough.

a pocket full of sand, gritty like scraped knuckles.
two pages from an Algebra book, burned with matches.

a green row boat with bleached and crackled oars.
daisies in a Mason jar on the window sill, inchworms on the tips of my fingers,
snapdragons and honeysuckles, the smell of winter, skeleton trees bending, brown leaves
in gray-muck puddles, loose barbed wire fences and secret water falls.

running in tall, tall grass. hide and seek in the dark.

the taste of Styrofoam cups, blackberry stained fingers, briar scratches that itch.
cockleburs in the cuffs of my jeans. dogs chasing rabbits in the clouds.

cows lowing. dogs barking. babies cooing. trains moaning in the night.

Her hair in a book of mine,
caught
between the pages and the spine.

skipping stones in the last light.




Sunday, February 10, 2013

All at Sea

"All at Sea"
Digital pencil, ink, and watercolor
Created in the Paper by 53 app for the iPad