Art Sale

Well this isn't for the art sale. I should post the finished work for that but I don't have it uploaded yet on the computer. But this will be the cover for the yellow pages.

Art Sale is going to happen. Hope to make a little extra. Student loans are going to start soon so anything for a little padding while I settle into the life of an adult paying off loans.

Tis safe now.

Made this for the wrapping paper for a friends wedding gift. I got them a hand carved gourd with a santa riding a shell slay and some sea horses instead of reindeer. But I figured to top it off it needed custom wedding-ish wrapping paper rather then tissue paper in pink white or blue. Sooo......

Its been awhile no?

So the Ketubah is finished! This is very exciting and I'm feeling nervous and ready to kinda get my name out there and continue in this little niche I fell into. Here's the finished piece.

Here is some painter work. I fail at this still. I need to keep playing with it, but there are just so many options it makes my head spin.

Also here is digital sketch for an idea for the art sale.

Lucky Lucy

So this is in regards to the house cat of the clinic I work. She past away after living a very long and relatively healthy life I think. Our morning kennel guy wrote the ode to Lucy and asked if I could put a visual to it. Its kinda rough but I like the outcome for what it is. She really liked Green Mill Hamburger. 

Not much left to say

I will come back to Maui. I'm sure there are other amazing islands I need to fall in love with along with the amazing wildlife under water in their own reefs. But this place feels good. 

Yesterday I got back to Makena Bay. Swam all the way out to Turtle Town. Thought it was going to be a bust but given time. Out of the blue we were visited by another sea turtle. Swam along with us for a good half hour. Soon enough we were trailing behind it as it went to the South part of the bay. It brought us to this amazing reef. Nothing like Molokini or the open flat reefs we were so use to swimming over. This was that kind of reef where there are mountains and valley's!

Fish of all different shapes and colors. The clicking noise of fish eating away and the wash of the current pushing you through and along with the schools of fish through the reef. It was unreal and so enjoyable. 

I hate that MN is so far away from such sights. I would trade pine trees, snow, squirrels, deer and of course our state bird the mosquito for this every time I went out to play outside.

I head to the airport within the next hour. I'm all cleaned, packed up and as ready to go as I can be. Taking as many deep breaths as possible. The sea air is so clean and refreshing. No allergies, no stuffy or dry nose.  Clean soft rain, hot sun, cool breeze. Thick jungle and bright saturated colors. THIS IS PARADISE!

Delays, delays

I apologize for the lack of post but the last two days were pretty exciting. Well yesterday more then the last. My minimal yard work consisted of mowing the 2 acres, taking down 7 trees and dragging them over the cliff and doing some hedge clipping all around the resort walkways. Refilling the washed out gravel and collecting palm fronds from all over and bringing them to the farthest side of the grounds. 

But it was all worth the work out. I was able to leave to spend the night down in Kihei since Susan was able to line me up with a free tour of Molokini and whats known as Turtle Town. So down off Makena Bay they picked us up in an awesome 61' Sail boat and in a matter of 15 min.  had arrived to the Molokini Crater! Jumped off the boat from the diving ledge and right as the bubbles cleared away all I could see was a school of very curious black triggerfish. Below you could see the coral shelf rising all the way to the sides of the crater wall. Closer inspection showed even more!

Rainbow, and striped parrot fish, 3 different types of box fish, a peacock and spotted groupers (baby sized so about as big as my forearm) butterfly and angel fish! An ungodly amount of tang fish. More I didn't recognize. I was worried they were going to force us to use snorkel gear and flotations. But instead I was free to choose, so of course I kept my goggles and flippers which were far better then what they offered. I was able to free dive around in the deeper parts and one of the tour guides showed me under the shelf about 30 or so ft. There was a hiding place where schools of squirrel fish hide. So we get down there and from above its like that illusion in labyrinth when sara is trying to get past the entry way and the worm tells her to walk forward. It looks like the coral just reached to the sand. Till you look at a horizontal view and there is a cave! Filled with wide eyed striped fish! It was so cool!

For about an hour we were out there and then we started to head back to Makena Bay, which not a 1/2 out from shore is "Turtle Town". We parked in about 30 ft or so of water and swam out afew yards and there was a lane made naturally of coral and it was a cleaning station for turtles and other large sea creatures. They swim through and cleaning shrimp and fish jump on and clean the shells while they chill. Got an entire camera's worth of pictures of these two 400 something pound Pacific Green Sea Turtles hovering about the coral. 

The rest of the journey was spent on the boat after this. Getting food and drink complimentary and enjoying the views on and off the boat. We also were lucky enough to have some bottlenose dolphins ride along side the boat. I got some film of them. Mind the swarm of kids that were infront of me. I was filming without seeing through the viewfinder. >.>

Overall and awesome trip, but the real treat was after. Right off shore when we were getting off, there were two more sea turtles not 15 ft away from the beach. Eating the algae and whatever off the rocks. So after the tour I jumped right back in and for an hour or so got to swim maybe a little to close to these awesome gentle creatures! That is what this trip was all about, and since all beaches on this island are public I'm heading back there 2 or more times if I can to see them again!

Fish of the day!

So I need to wait til I get back to develop the underwater camera pics I have. But here is my most common findings in the reefs today. We went all over the West side of Maui. Lots of driving but also lots of fun swimming and some shopping at Whales Village or whatever its called.

I found a needle fish around where I free dove (30ft or so) 

In the shallows when I was going out for another peak around (without my camera >.<) I found a spotted and stripped adult box fish hanging in the shallows!

Lots and lots of Picasso trigger fish. Very common I guess. Exotic and territorial. They have a little trigger fin on their dorsal that shoots up in aggression. I don't recall if its actually shop or just false danger warning.

Also a school of unicorn fish!

 

Yesterday was a bust

So there was this tropical storm that was shaking up the news here. Turned into nothing more then just some "weather". Hopefully this wont hinder any further swimming experiences. I'm planning to do alot today. It is only 8:45 here in the morning while I'm posting this. No matter what the blogger says. But yesterday it was cool to see the ocean spray just keep going up and turn into the next cloud. I feel like I just witnessed the live action of something on the magic school bus. That sounds silly but yeah.

So last night though it got creepy, creepy enough that I shut the patio door to my room finally. Basically as you can in the pic, that a cloud had settled upon the property. It was crazy! I couldn't see more then 10 ft in front of me and thats with the flash from the camera!

Perfect zombie weather (also a fair reason to shut the door right?)

Then this morning there was lightning which is rare here and some really awesome archs of light and rain. I tried to photograph it but it doesn't do it justice. 

More to come!

Just for posting sake.

Today was a fun filled day. I drove down to Kihei for the first of many more times I think. Due to the fact my expeditionary native islander friend was unfortunately on the other side of the island upon my arrival. Though I made due exploring the little tourist shops in the area until his arrival. 

I must say the whole internal compass has been tossed out the window. It seems North is South and West is East. What felt like West was actually South! There really wasn't to much snorkeling to be had but I was taken to a very nice beach in the midst of the Condo Kingdom. 

The sand was different from the North coast beaches (less shells and such washing up) The water even in the late afternoon/early evening was clear and blue. This is something I'm having more and more trouble leaving. I got out far enough where when the current was coming in it would be atleast 10-15 ft.  Its so much fun just floating on the surface riding the waves. Catching a current and riding it underwater makes it feel like you're swimming 3 times faster. 

I did have a quarrel with a crab. I was about to grab this large piece of dead coral sticking out and BAM! A puff of sand and this crab the size of my hand is on the defense.  Well flipping him off (outside of pinching zone) seemed to do the trick! He shuffled back under the sand and I got my piece of coral! 

I was a little cautious though from then on. Oh the water was so blue. I actually bought some underwater cameras but didn't think to crack them open just yet. Also from Polo Beach (thats where we were) you could see Molokini! I would love it if I was strong enough and it was safe enough to just swim out there.  In the pic I posted where actually two fine ladies were exchanging vows. There were actually two weddings going on during our time at the beach today!

Also at night I've been watching Bewitched. The show I grew up on, and do believe one of the best shows to have been made. So of course doodles have occured of some of Sam's eccentric family and witchy friends. This one specifically. I thing old ladies are some of the most exciting to draw. I dont know why? The more eccentric the better? But I guess anyone or anything can be made that way.  Enjoy!

It says backwards "Way by broom is so 18th Century"

Impractical yes. Awesome? YES (for me anyway)

For the custom dream home, I think I'll have this for the bathroom. Master or shared I don't know. But an awesome treat I think. 

Self Promotion is?

So this was made for portfolio day but I was told to push it further and send it as a real mailer. So this is the rough I got going. Now if I make it a straight forward mailer the postage and such as to be figure out. If it was another kinda promo sheet how does it feel? Second issue is getting a website designed so I can put that on business cards and any other form of identity. 

I think TRTL needs to be a real studio soon.

Progress is for the sake of progress

I've enjoyed working on this little bird project and I think I've made the set. Not sure if I'll add drop or refine but right now I'm satisfied with the grouping. 

Had super spicy noodles tonight for dinner. Everything but the noodle came fresh from the garden out front.

Tried to teach one of the other guest how to swim. I didn't know how challenging that can be. But we did find out snorkel mask can slow down the process.

OOoOO I just got a new idea for a sketch. I am excited. I've spent the day milling about on illustrator making these little suckers while listening/watching Bewitched. One of my favorite shows. Hulu was and is a wonderful idea. 

Birthday boredom

Well I'm not bored really. But my birthday was nice and calm like any of the other days. Sat in the sun, swam and made my little bird a friend. Enjoy!

Stuff I have done, stuff I am doing

So there is an update of the little birdy. I took Katy's advice the best I could without having someone watching me pick out the colors. It's a headache and it deters me from doing some work sometimes. None the less I think I have some other ideas working off it now which I shall try to get together. Along with that is an ink drawing I did with a digital coloring. Simple but the line quality is fun. I was listening to music while making the gesture lines and found that scene within the scribbles and fleshed it out. I shall try that again and see if I get anything for a series. What have you been up to?

Of course! What hasn't he done?

So James Jean does Ketubahs. I give up at life. 

I guess a new book with his solo show from last year is coming out in Sept. I am excited!

Crazy Nightmares

Involved a voluntary hunt for giant Golden orb weaving spiders, cameos from my friend Anna and Dr. Temperance Brennan. Going down into some underground tunnels and being chased by a man that was faking dead. 

The scary point was coming up to this space in the wall of the tunnel about a ft. wide. This tall mexican man that was reportedly found dead (hence Bones was with me). There he was, this figure with a fully fleshed out body but the head was just a skull. I turn my flashlight for a moment on Bones so she could get something out of her pocket or whatever and when I look back, the skull was gone and the mans head seemed to be completely refleshed. Mentioning how weird that his my flashlight begins to dim, I see the man open one of his eyes. 

"He's still alive!" I yell!

But as I do my flash light goes out and the only light comes from the flashlight set down on the ground while bones was handling something else. I hit the flash light and as it flickers back on, the man is facing us straight on. 

I dont have a gun but Bones does (this is proven to be a bad idea on the show but whatever) I'm yelling at her to shoot him. She's trying to rationalize the fact that dead people dont come back to life and that he's just petrified. I'm yelling and yelling at her to prove it and shoot him for me. Just as she's about too the man steps forward without winking an eye or change of expression. 

We start to run back down the tunnel to this stairway up into what looks like an office. I get half way up the stairs and look back and see this man about 10 ft away from Bones as she runs up. I pull her up fast and try to throwing myself back onto this dead not dead guy chasing us. I just get his left shoulder and it felt like i was hitting a moving brick wall. He gets up the stair well and closes the door and all I hear is a scream. 

I wake up not realizing where I am anymore, my legs aching and my knees itching. This dream replayed 3 times last night. 

Seriously what I think about

So while I peed in the ocean for the first time, I thought about this and why they tell surfers not to pee where they surf. 

I am stumped

Another day lazying about. Not that this is anything I'm sad about. But the sun may be burning my creative brain cells. I've been fussing with this silly little design of a bird and I can't seem to bring more from it. Dead end? I think not. Just stumped. 

Fact:

Geckos and/or Green Anoles chirp to each other around dusk. That is my observation of the day.

On ward and outward

So I took myself and all six personalities on my first solo venture out from the resort. Found myself past Paia and hitting Baldwin and "Baby Beach". Both technically the same area but baby beach is like a natural made swimming pool from a natural wall of rock that blocks the waves from breaking the shore.

Warmed up in the kiddie area and then dove out into the open ocean. I've had my first sip of sea water since I was a little kid, and there is nothing to compare to! I don't to be so far away from this again honestly. There wasn't to much even as far out as I was. I of course followed the first rule of open ocean swimming sorta, since I was solo I stuck near some surfers and would body surf back in to shore to rest. 

The fish! THE FISH! THE FISH! The patterns and colors I assume were just a sample of what i will see when I get out onto an actual snorkel expedition. But it was so cool! The sand is white and soft until you get to the dry upper parts of the beach where the wind picks it up and shoots what feels like little bullets along any open skin >.

I picked up some select shells, alot just broken dead muscle shells since it carries that mother of pearl look on the interior. The danger of well, everything is how sharp. Coming in from one of the final outings from see I swam inbetween some big old rocks and placed my hand down to propel forward. While doing so I ran the side of my thumb along a razor sharp edge and like when you're shaving in the shower it cut through like I was butter. Gross! It also stung like no other. Lesson learned I guess.

I got a good dose of sun, maybe a little more then preferred. I can feel a ticklish tingle along my shoulders and back. So the later afternoon was spent refuging in my room watching Farscape season 4 on the comp. 

Tomorrow might be more beach time but I do need to make a trip into town for more food and to shop around and see what else Paia holds before I go anywhere else.  More to come!

What is hiding over our heads.

So yesterday was nice and lazy as well as today. Tanned, swam, went to town for some groceries. Though I should get a list made since its one of those co-op-ish off brand to expensive to justify ANYTHING kinda place and I dont really know I can make of the stuff they have. So its been some fruit and chips lately. I want to fix that abit. 

Though money is saved by eating off the trees! Which is what I do in the morning and sometimes lunch if I can find something. 

I guess the exciting thing of the day didn't really happen until 2 in the morning this morning. I had another giant delicious piece of steak and some fresh spinach. Passed out around 7 and woke around 2 to a half full moon and stars bursting out between the low hanging clouds. I thought the ocean would make me feel small but the sky, it seems bigger at night somehow. I'm told I should wait 15 days or so to witness a better view since the moon dampens the view. EXCITEMENT! 

Its 7:30 am currrently and the sun wont be potent for another few hours. Most like time to do some art and watch/listen to some morning cartoons. This is something I wish my camera could take but I had to pull it from online. This is a picture from the Hawaiian Observatory from the bigger island.

My first day.

Part of me being here is that I assist around the resort. Which is perfectly fine. I mentioned my energy can best be used around the gardens. If you didn't see the video is proof that everything on the west side of Maui is a luscious tropical paradise and truly no plant dies here. Just keeps growing and growing. 

I learned what trimming the hedges means. Cut everything but 1 branch off. I removed 2 Hibiscus trees, yes trees, because they get that huge here and two other tea trees. Mowed the front and back lawn, a true hindrance of such healthy thick grass is every 15 - 20 ft you have to stop because the blades get clogged. The sun works its craft of frying the yard once the grass was chopped, it was all brown and I was worried that I had overdone it and killed the yard! No, no no no. Here? It just rains and the next day (today) I'll notice how in vain my actions all were. 

Base tan is coming along. Yard work helped with that.

Dinner was made with parts of the garden. Fresh asparagus, spinach, corn and some amazing steak to make a simple but perfect dinner after working all day. 

Oh while mowing I stumbled upon a passion fruit that had fallen and was ready to eat. Never had one before, just had the flavor in the drinks. There is no comparison to such healthy fresh fruit though. Surprised? No. 

Not sure what plans are for today, might just get that tan going a bit further and continue drawing stuff.  Did find some new MUSIC though.

If you favor Royksopp  you might favor Miike Snow. I found I like their "Song for No One". Check them out!

Morning video

So since i arrived right around sunset and things go dark quick out here there wasn't much to record. When I awoke though I got to enjoy a slow and steady sun rise and decided to do my first little video! Enjoy the view!

On the other side of the planet!

It is true that for the time being, until Aug 20th I shall be in Haiku, Maui. 

I arrived around 6 last night (11 or so central) to sweet, thick, humid air. My gelled hair had no chance. I glanced at my reflection and it looked as if my hair was longer from the fro. 

A wavy drive along the coastline has brought me to Cliff's Edge bed and breakfast where I will stay and help out where I can while enjoying the facilities. 

Its amazing! The view from my porch is of the pacific and I can hear the waves while I go to bed. I have a nice private bathroom and large desk where I've spread out my inking supplies and have finally cracked open this hand made leather journal my friend Emily made me for my birthday a year or so back. 

Pictures are a must of course while I stay. I've taken pictures of plants and rock textures hoping to utilize them anyway possible as I make digital and hand made illustrations in the evenings. Sun goes down around 7 and its completely dark out!

A little hic-up in my travels came from the my connection flight from Mpls. to Seattle. We had around 5-10 min to get off one plane and onto the only one going out to Maui. I got on but my 1 checked bag had not. Somewhere between the pacific lays half a planes passengers bags. My toiletries and some of my chargers+ card reader (hence no photos) are still MIA. I've made pleasant due though with the pair of shorts and t-shirt I have while turning my awesome boxer briefs into my make-shift swimwear. 

I took a late night dip in the salt water pool and couldn't believe the difference! For one thing I can open my eyes underwater sorta and my skin has softened since my first swim. It was surreal as well the sensation of floating 300 ft above the ocean, looking up and seeing the moon peak out between light rain clouds that would occasionally sprinkle down and cause a cricket like orchestra when it hit the water. 

Today I'm going to try to acclimate to the time zone abit, do some yard work and most likely sun my self as much as I can while I wait for my supplies to come. This week though I plan to get down to Paia and further to get some snorkeling started. My goal is to get out 2-3 times a week to a snorkeling place! Molokini is my true goal before I go. 

Wildlife and flora is amazing. I guess thats no surprise since we have all experiences or have seen pictures. I have met a frog the size of my hand, a gecko as tiny as my pinky, 2 different species of spiders trying to trap me on my porch and a dragon fly the size of a small bird.

Speaking of birds. I awoke this morning to the sounds of the most amazing birds! Of course what is the first thing I see when I step out...

a pigeon. 

More to come. Here is the Molokini!

All Wrapped Up!

Kevin Akers Awesome site!

That is the man behind this book. Which is of 1960's gift wrap which I guess was the birth of the industry. Awesome book with alot of inspiration. Funny thing is for being so dated it also still timeless. Which is what I hope the stuff I make is going to be like. Not that disposable saddens me, as long as there's a paycheck!

Well here's the cover of the book. But check out his site and see the more recent stuff!

Ketubah this..

Wiki def.

So my first freelance job from my senior project. Hopefully a good start to a steady side job. Since people seem to want to get married in any economic climate. 

A ketubah is a form of visual representation of the marriage agreement between a Jewish man and woman. Or respectively to any two partners that want something to represent the agreement of their commitment to each other.

Here is the tradition form. Some are still made like this...

But there is now a niche almost for this kind of artwork. One that is far more expansive then I could have imagined. For some ideas and inspiration I found alot of unique and magnificent katubah's at this site

Ketubah!

On another note I'm buidling sketches and ideas to hopefully get some patterns and small projects together for portfolio use.

Along with that I have the chance to show my work to Carolrhoda publishing. It so happens there is a link between my boss and the Carol part of the Carolrhoda name. Small world. 

So tomorrow will be a day of getting a proper portfolio layout to present to them!

Its been to long!

I apologize to my avid readers that I have had such a long leave of absence. School is over so the idea is to make lots of stuff! 

So since my last post was Howl's and I'm actually watching it right now while I write this. I thought I would share what I have made for my sister's belated birthday gift. Since she drew me an image of Kiki, she wanted me to do one as well. SO I DID!

I dont know if I will frame it though. I might leave her to pick something out to go with her purple/pink room. 

Enjoy!

Yes, yes and yes!

So I'm sitting listening to the Howl's soundtrack for the millionth time. I was shown this by Fran a while back and thought I would share

Howls Moving Castle Cut Paper!

Blargh

So we had a lawyer come in and give us a little more of an in depth sight into that of licensing and the flow of how things go in the business world. Also got some info on how taxes are best dealt with when freelancing. In my mind I know I can handle all of it. But until I do its all very overwhelming to think of.

 Alas portfolio day is upon us. Some fair steps have been made in completing my first product design portfolio and I got a good critique from fellow classmates and teacher on my bedding. Its been revised but alas I am not opening to take a picture. Here though is an image of the dimensionalized (not a word.... yet!) of the wine box with the die cut template!

Bed set for kids! Well thats the idea.

So an assignment from class has led to a splendid (or so I feel) result for the kid (boy or girl) who might enjoy BED BUGS! 

A Dramatic Post!

Okie dokie, so this piece did well in class thought the teacher mentioned it might be easier to read from a vertical lay out. With all the frames leading to the bottom. It was a tough one since we had to design a page layout that we had never seen before ourselves. (This is experimental comics class) So I was trying to focus on that part while still keeping an interesting subject.

This was the result. Does it make sense to you.. you might think it does. BUT THERE'S A TWIST!

Because I think it was cute

So a few nights ago I was wide awake at 1 in the morning and I feel an odd nostalgia for movies made way before my time. Which I use to watch when I went to my grandparents for the day. I bet we all did that at some point when we were all kids.  But yes, this movie was called "Three Daring Daughters"  I thought it was charming and I didn't get to finish it. I would like to sometime soon. But yes the song is all very cheery! Enjoy!

Three Daring Daughters "Have you heard the Dickey Bird?"

Some pieces from senior project.

So things have been coming along. Here are some of the pieces I'm working on.

I'm a little aggravated by the fact one of the people I've been trying to reach to possibly print some pieces for me so it looks more like a real package would answer back. Time is sadly thefactor. Ok, no more talk.. pictures!

AAWWWWW

I just took a quick snap shot to show what I'm working on for senior project. It is a taste of whats kinda exploding onto everything. I just have to keep reminding myself to add other symbols that represent the Hanukah in it all. Otherwise its just Judaic. Though that might not be a bad thing?

Just wanted to share cool thing I found.

Ok so this is one of those new youtube high quality dealies. But its some short video thats making its way through the verse. 

World Builder

Think of "What Dreams May Come" and some futuristic sketch up program. It is sad in the ending, but so sweet. 

Bah Exper. Comic complete!

I am not the best at figuring a way for you to see these blown up. But atleast you get to see the pretty blue and dark shapes of my turtle comic. Yes, its based around a turtle. But there is an awesome cameo from a rabbit and a deer. Its all digital except I did sketches that I colored over.