Mental Massage

Deep breaths...Hear the ocean and feel the warm breeze wash over you. Thank you for allowing me to take away a little stress from your day.

A Catch

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta eat.

Heart of Palm

Pencils and Pubs

Last night after work I swung by the Dallas Museum of Art and did some sketching. On Thursday, the museum is open until 9PM and admission is free! My only issue is that the crowd tends to be more than a little obnoxious, with people speaking loudly on cell phones and to one another. Apparently manners and etiquette are confined to paid nights only.


This giant Polynesian chap elicited quite a few precious comments from the aforementioned classy patrons.


Following the museum I adjourned to a local pub to meet a friend for cocktails and a bite to eat. I brought in my trusty moleskine and cranked out a few more sketches of people at other tables before my friend arrived.

In one of the more interesting moments in the evening, a young lady on the patio, who had with her a fairly large dog, pulled this beast onto her lap and proceeded to give it a massive bear hug. I rushed to sketch them as the dog (a boxer/pit bull looking fellow), hung docilely from her arms during the entire display of affection.

Thug Life

Spotted this gang-star at a fairly posh local eatery with a wife-beater shirt, over-sized cubic zirconia earing, bad kanji tattoos, designer jeans...and his mom picking up the dinner tab. You stay classy Dallas, Texas.

Wingspan

Pelican spotted over the beach in Mexico.

Stop to smell los flores

Taken poolside in Mexico. Not feeling so hot today, I think I need to take a nap and dream of soothing images like this one.

Playa del Lapiz

Here are a few of sketches I did on my trip to Mexico. I also took a ton of pictures and will post some of the best as the week goes on.

I have a strange fascination with thatched roofs. I think it's because they remind me of tropical relaxation and tiki bars (my favorite).


My vacation sketches tend to be from relaxed and stationary positions. So, I tend to draw what happens to be around, like this pool fountain or a rock. But I guess you have to practice drawing boring stuff too, right?

Boca Raton

I thought I would post this sketch of Remy (from a sculpt by Greg Dykstra, featured in the Art of Ratatouille book) before I headed off to Mexico for the weekend.

Have fun at work kids!

Monster Mash

This was too cool not to post. Over at i-mockery.com you can use their Monster Sticker Name Generator (about halfway down the page) to make any message you like out of monster letter stickers circa 1974. Perfect to stick on your locker or Trapper Keeper!

I would love to see some of the talented artists around the web do their own versions of these. Mr. Vanhoozer is already well on his way with his Robot Alphabet!

Naz-Cool

Watched "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" last night and sketched one of the Nazgul's "fell beasts" (I actually had to look that up) as I watched. They were, in my opinion, the coolest design from the films.

The LOTR films aren't my favorite but they still pretty good. They have brilliant design, direction, and pretty amazing (albeit CG) action sequences, but I just struggle with any film over three hours (upwards of four in the director's cut). The only film that can pull of three hours half hours plus is Laurence of Arabia, which does it flawlessly by keeping the action going.

Here's a tip to filmmakers: Long film does not equal great art. Keep the story moving, keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Nothing But Taillights

Speeding ever closer to the weekend, and some much needed rest.

Take a Brake

No rest for the wicked, as they say. Spent the majority of the weekend working, and have a long day and night ahead. I have been drawing a bit lately, and want to post some sketches, but my trusty old scanner is not liking my new laptop. Hopefully I can take a few moments in the next couple of days to get it figured out.

Gear Up

Working non-stop again this week. I already am feeing it and we're not even halfway done. Whew!

Time is Tight

Got out on Sunday and took a few pics around Dallas. Now that I have my sweet new camera, I seem to paying more attention to details in the things around me, and hopefully this will rub off on my drawing skills.

Imagine

Spent my birthday weekend in New York and had a fantastic time. The city is bursting with ideas and creativity. Every brick, piece of sidewalk, or window is simply full of character. I picked up a new Canon Rebel XTi for the trip and couldn't have been happier with it. I took WAY too many photos but ended up with a few real gems.

No One Behind the Wheel

Whew! It was a busy first two weeks at the new job, and I am ready to sleep this weekend. Of course, my weary disposition might also have something to do with a late night trip to Austin to see my friend, and DJ partner, DJ eXb rip it up at his first big gig. Well worth losing a little sleep to support your friends.

Movin' on Up

Today is my last day with Mandalay Baseball Properties, a company I have been involved with for the past seven years. I have learned almost everything I currently know through my work at this firm and I am very appreciative of all they have done for me.

Shortly, I will be starting with Schlegel Sports as their Creative Director. I am excited for this new opportunity and hope to start turning out some top-shelf stuff for all their teams very soon.

Daft Punk is Playing at my House

Sketched this while hanging out in the Inwood Theater lounge and waiting for the Daft Punk film Electroma to begin. Midnight movies at the Inwood rock, and are definitely one of the cooler features of living in Dallas. Local DJ Kieth P dropped a fantastic Daft-centric set and got everyone good and fired up for...a French art film.

Guess what? Daft Punk are French, and there's nothing the French like better than boring you to tears with vague "symbolism"and long stretches of silence. Although, the film had some cool moments and visual elements, moments doth not a movie make. I recommend the 13 minute remix which basically plays the whole movie on fast forward, and adds...wait for it...Daft Punk music!

He's No Use To Me Dead

Sketched this while watching The Empire Strikes Back last night. I think it's been over two years since I last saw this movie, and I finally have to agree with Dante from Kevin Smith's Clerks, Empire is the best film of the series. I can't think of another film that combines true comedy (not dark comedy, mind you) in a completely dramatic script. Brilliant.