Planes, Trains, Cars

I have a new screen print that I created. I'll soon be introducing more designs similar to this. This one is loosely based on the concept of travel. Since we moved to the East coast, any time we want to see family, we have to travel by an automobile, a train, and then an airplane. I didn't want anything to be too realistic, so each drawing was created with the image of a tin toy in mind. Onesies with this print will soon be for sale in my shop.

Planes, Trains, Autos Onesie
Caution Yellow on Slate

The sketch below was I originally created. I then edited it and turned it into a screenprint.

A (little) Obsession

A little over a year ago, I rode my first single speed, and I felt more attached and in control of the bike than I'd ever felt. I rode this 9•2•5 Redline at Harris Cyclery, but didn't want to spend the money on another bike. (Plus, I didn't have the room for it.) I later rode the Raleigh Rush Hour at Bicycle Bills, and I believe I liked that ride even better. By this time, I was convinced that I would one day have my very own fixed gear. So when I found a decent old bike that fit me this week, I was overjoyed. The only thing is that I have been obsessing over all of the things that I could do to make it a smooth ride. Macaframa is merely one of the sites that I found to invoke more dreams. Right now, I'm just trying to decide what type of hub I want to use.

Now back to work I shall go. There's a new screen print I'll be sharing tomorrow. For now, I think I'll be inspired by Taliah Lempert's bicycle paintings. I especially like this Bike Stack - 29.

Changes

These short films illuminate the way art can change the world ...working on some art that has something to do with the concept of hope.

A Question from Rowan on Vimeo.


Faith-The Restless Debt of Third World Beauty from Rowan on Vimeo.

Work & Play

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

New Work

This is part of a new series of paintings that I've been creating.

Our City Lives

While I was in Boston, I picked up a bunch of wood that had been tossed in the trash, and when we moved to New York a few months ago, I took it with me. Now that my life is getting a little more organized, I decided to use some of those materials. The series is not quite finished, but I thought I'd give you an idea of one of the things I've been working on.

I also decided to use some of those imperfect Looking Up screen prints, and I'm going to have a collection of Looking Up ... in my MIND prints for sale in Urbanature. Each print will have a handwritten quote layered atop an imperfect print.

Transforming Time

The times are changing. The world is evolving. Life is continually in flux. What happens when it all comes to an end?

I used a diverse variety of materials for this painting. These are a few elements that were used to create the layers: repurposed wood, latex paint, screenprint, pen, ink, krink, kremer pigments, and others.
And these words inspired me:

i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday, this is the birth
day of life and love and wings; and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth.
..............................................................
now the ears of my ears are awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened
- e.e. cummings -

Sneak Peak

This is a sneak peak at the painting I'm finishing today. I'm just waiting on the some ink to dry right now.

These are the words going through my head as I work. And this is the music.

Now, off to finish Transforming Time.

Weekend Deals

I almost neglected to mention that I'm participating in etsy's Weekend Deals. On behalf of the "Season of Love," Etsy artists and crafters are offering limited time promotions. I just happen to be one of those artists who is offering special offers this weekend only!

This is what I'm offering in my shops:

In the sHandke shop, I'm giving away a free print to anyone who spends $20 or more on original artwork. And if you purchase two prints, you get one free. Plus, I've recently slashed even more prices. Check the SALE section.

And in Urbanature, there's FREE SHIPPING on any order purchased this weekend.

Keep in mind that these sales only are good for January 24 and January 25, so take advantage now.

Things I Did... Will Do.

I spent the morning packaging and shipping stuff out to people. Then, I painted with my Kremer pigments. And for my break, I took a walk to the post office and stopped in a couple of local antique shops. I found some rather interesting things, too.

And last night I found out about this:

The grand opening of the first ever Lomography store is opening in NYC on Monday. I think I need to attend. Not only are a hawk and a hacksaw going to perform live, but the store features the largest LomoWall in North America.

Without further ado, here's a hawk and a hacksaw performing live in Paris.

This is for You...

I read this today and thought it was a fitting statement for the card that I just created.

Simply put, legendary love motivates the sweetest kind of wonder, and inspires the purest return of love... I believe a legendary love sweeps through eternity, and that love is written like poetry on the hands of the divine. When we discover it we will be swept along into the arms of the most loving and awe-inspiring...
- Ben Pasley -

Now, if you have a special someone that you've given your heart to, this is the perfect card for them. And it's a hand-drawn addition to my limited edition collection that I'm selling in my shop.

working & inspired

I've been working, preparing my professional 4-1-1 recently, and I tend to find inspiration all around me for new creative work (as I attempt to stay focused on the "office" work). So here are a few things that have recently inspired, but sort of distracted me lately.

HELVETICA

Esopus is a small creek that eventually empties into the Hudson River, and its source is in the Catskill Mountains. "A principle governs the mountains through which the Esopus and other streams like it course: the smaller the creek, the more life it has." This is the concept of the ESOPUS MAGAZINE, and it's why I enjoy the magazine; plus, I continue to find new music and art with each issue that is released. I recently put together an Esopus playlist featuring some of the artists' music that has been used in previous issues. And I discovered the artist Jason Polan with Issue no. 11.

On top of this inspiration, I have another home improvement project. I found a secretary desk that needs a little repair at the antique store the other day. It was practically a steal, so I bought it.

Now... back to work!

write me.

I'm in the process of making some promotional materials for my illustration business, and this is one of the postcards that I'm creating. If you want to receive one in the mail, send me your "snail mail" address. (Click on the image to e-mail me.)

Now back to work on the Artist and His Alter Ego t-shirt. (New photos of the improved t-shirt are coming soon...)

Recording Portraits

I've began a new series that I began once I realized I was collecting vinyl records. The album art is fascinating, and I decided to use faces from some of those vintage photographs to create these portraits.

Eventually, I will use these drawings for a complete body of work that I would like to exhibit. They will be mounted to canvases that have some of my textural abstract paintings on them. Then, I will frame each of them in vintage frames that are spray-painted a glossy black finish. Each completed piece will measure 8" x 10."

I'm currently listening to this and working on finishing this special order. And if you haven't discovered the artwork by Dustin Yellin yet, check out his installations here [via the Midwest Kern].

Self Portrait

I created this self-portrait illustration especially for my website. I'll be posting it there soon.

Long Winter Drive

It's a beautiful snowy day today, and I just got home from a long winter drive. I took some snapshots as I drove around, and now I plan on working on some drawings for a while.

Plus... Late last night I discovered the music of William Fitzsimmons, and his music is absolutely breathtaking! I couldn't fall asleep, so I listened to a lot of his music and thought I should share this song, Passion Play.

Harry's Hand

This painting was completed late last year, but it was inspired by a snapshot that was taken by fiona long art long ago. I asked her if I could use her snapshot as inspiration for a painting that I wanted to create, and she said "of course." Anyway, I've posted this piece on my website alongside several other new pages.

Here are the specifics about Harry's Hand.
Dimensions: 6" x 6" x 2.5"
Medium: Acrylic & India Ink on Canvas

And this is the music I'm inspired by today.

HOME is...

...where the heart is! This is my illustration alluding to that cheesy phrase. He wanted to go to the place where he grew up, but as he was leaving, he knew he was leaving home.

This is a completed drawing on 110 lb French Paper, using pen, ink, and markers. And I consider it to be part of my scribbles-sketches series.

Here is what the preliminary sketches looked like:

Gone is the Tree

Our tree was still standing until yesterday. Although it was a bit dry and naked, we liked it. It's sad to say that we went ahead and took all of the Christmas decorations down yesterday. But when the tree is dry and brittle, it's time to say good-bye. Now, it's time to clean and redecorate.

On another note, I cannot stop listening to the music of Alberta Hunter. Here's a sampling of her beautiful voice.

And I'm happy to say that I'm ordering this portfolio cover today.

Tribute

My mom gave us the most sentimental Christmas ever this year. I didn't want her to spend any money on us, so I suggested that she give us some items that we would cherish for Christmas this year. Well, all of that is to say that I will treasure everything that I received this year!


She gave me the record player that she received when she was a teen. And I've listened to it non-stop ever since I received it two days ago. In fact, I added to the collection of vinyls that she gave me.



Not only did she give me that, but she gave each of us a painting that my dad created when he was young. I photographed all of those paintings, and I intend to create something unique with those and some of our family photographs. Well, I wanted to share my dad's artwork, so I've posted a slideshow below.


On top of all of that, she gave each of the girls something special from her mother. All of these things may simply be things, but they are the things that help me to remember and value just how special my family is and always will be.

Thank you, mom for the most amazing Christmas ever!

Vinyl & then Some

I just bought 10 vinyls at the used record store here in town, and I'm so inspired to create now! I love music (if you haven't noticed yet), and it keeps me motivated to continue working each and every day.


Alberta Hunter

I watched this video by the Wild Beasts during my lunch hour today, and their voices are absolutely beautiful.


I also thought I'd mention that I just completed several new pages for my website! Click here to see them now.

Waiting...

I keep looking out the window of our house to make sure that the FedEx truck with my Christmas gift from my mom hasn't arrived yet. I really, really want that record player and all of those vinyls. After all, it's the record player my mom received from her parents when she was in high school. Not only is it a vintage, but it also has some sentimental value. So, come on FedEx driver... please get that truck here soon!!!

I'm also updating my website while I wait. I've updated my about me page, and there will soon be a new section of freebies. Plus, I'm consolidating my scribbles--sketches with my illustrations. (That's the page I'm currently working on.) I think the site will flow much more smoothly once all of my edits are completed.

I'd just be much happier if I could listen to some vinyls while I worked. For now, I suppose last.fm will suffice... although nothing's the same as the warm sound of a record player.

NO MORE WORRIES!!! It just arrived.

Simplicity & Life

While I was away, I sketched some while the family gathered together to celebrate Christmas, the New Year, and simply being together. We played games, drank sparkling grape juice, and some beer. We laughed, cried, and simply had fun!
I watched this before I left for my vacation, and I think the combination of this illustrative influence and my minimal tools spawned a simplistic sketching style.

Now, I'm off to work on my website. My goal is to have it updated and ready to present to potential clients by the end of this month. If you have suggestions about the layout or navigation, feel free to let me know your ideas.

Home from the Holidays!

Today is my first day back from Christmas vacation, so I've decided that I'm going to get organized in the New Year. I didn't make any New Year's resolutions, but I am making a lengthy to-do list, including things that I want to accomplish this month (and then some).



As you can see by the above sketches, I was rather influenced by the kids who surrounded me during the holidays. You'll soon see some of these sketches used in an illustration that I completed while I was visiting family this holiday season. Just wait, it will be published in Issue 2 of the Underground Art School Magazine soon.

Now, I'm just counting down the minutes until I receive that vintage record player that my mom gave me as a Christmas gift this year. I'll probably then switch from listening to non-stop Bon Iverto Creedence Clearwater Revivalor the Bee Gees.