Star Wars: Hidden Temple

I'm going to try something a little different and share my full Star Wars fanaticism. Here is the first photo and text for some Star Wars fan fiction I have written under the title "Hidden Temple." If you're intrigued, please return Wednesday for part two!

Hidden Temple

Cato Parasitti, the Clawdite bounty hunter, sat astride her theropod mount in a light rain and scanned the dense jungle. They were out there, even if she couldn't see them. Cad Bane's mercenaries were meticulous in hiding their tracks and the heavy undergrowth made it more difficult for Cato to find any sign of them. She knew better than most how careful Bane was. She also knew how ruthless the Duros bounty hunter could be. He had burned her once on Coruscant. Left her stranded in the custody of Jedi Temple Guards. Cato burned in her belly at the thought of it. Burned for want of vengeance. 

But there was no time for thoughts of revenge. She was one against four. Any misstep or misplaced emotion meant she might miss her bounty and perhaps lose her life in the process. This was no place for the past. This was a forgotten moon, a forsaken place on the fringes of the Outer Rim. Here, there was no Grand Republic with it's soft underbelly of sleepy-eyed faithful. 

This was Wild Space. The hidden temple must be close. The red jewels were within her reach.

Impressions of Joe #HumansForHumans

 

"Impressions of Joe"

Pencil, ink, and watercolor on watercolor paper. 

This is my sketch impression of a man I saw several times last winter on the way to my office. He told me he was a vet originally from Kentucky. He said he was just passing through and looking for enough work to make it to a cousin who lived in Louisiana. He seemed like such a gentle soul. I hope he made it home.  

You can also find this sketch at: #IllustrationAcademyContest on Instagram.  

Jedi Trooper

Jedi Trooper

Pencil and Watercolor on paper

We had a sick child yesterday, so I missed putting out a sketch on Star Wars Day. Here is a Jedi Clone Trooper sketch I finished today. Better late than never! 

May the fourth be with you, always.

Rabbit Warrior sketches

Here are two more sketches from the sketchbook for the rabbit warrior graphic.  This is a project I put on hold for a while, but I'm hoping to make progress on it this month. 

#1

Here is day one from the sketchbook. I'm working on character development for a graphic novel type story. The main character is a rabbit warrior. Here is one of the possible warrior characters.

Last Leaf of Fall

Beautiful, even in the end.

"Last Leaf"

If you should be the last autumn leaf hanging from the tree
I'll still be here waiting on the breeze to bring you down to me
And if it takes forever, forever it'll be
And if it takes forever, forever it'll be

And if you should be the last seed in spring to venture forth a leaf
I'll still be here waiting on the rain to warm your heart for me
And if it takes forever, forever it'll be
And if it takes forever, forever it'll be

Lyric by OK Go

Star Wars Snow Day

While the nation watched the snowpocalypse unfold on Atlanta streets, many of us in north west Georgia stayed off the roadways and enjoyed the rare winter dusting. Is there a better way to enjoy the days off from school and work than to play with your kids in the snow and release your own inner child? And what good is snow and a big Star Wars toy collection if you don't set up a scene from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back? Who needs a snowman?

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. 

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.

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

Watercolor: Backwater Mythology

Backwater Mythology

watercolor on arches paper

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.

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.

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.

Sketch: Robot and Bird

From my sketchbook.

Watercolor and ink on paper.

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.

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.

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?