One Tree Hill- On Location

The people of the TV show "One Tree Hill" contacted various vendors in Wilmington to see if we would be interested in setting up for some background shots. We arrived a little before 8am, set up our tents and watched the magic of television at work.

It really was an amazing experience. The amount of work that goes into filming is hard to grasp until you see it in action. A great group of people and a fantastic time.

I drew this in early on in pencil yesterday and inked it today.

Trans Canadian Pipeline / Painting Outdoors

This is a piece I did this past week on the topic of the Trans Canadian Pipeline.
Created with the target of keeping the topic open for debate to the reader.

The cooler weather has me thinking that I should get out and do some sketching and painting outdoors this weekend. I have not set up my French easel in a long time as I have been painting primarily in watercolors this past year. I love working in oils
but hate all the luggage that goes with it...turpentine, linseed oil, rags, wet canvas
etc., etc., Not that I have any intention of giving it up entirely, just being a tad lazy and tight on time.
Well, we'll see if I am posting oils, watercolors or nothing after this weekend.
Decisions, decisions.

College Football

This is a piece which I did on college football players receiving gifts.
I am enjoying simplifying my images as of late with an emphasis on the line work
with color being used in more of a design content.

Farming...A Tough Year

This is a piece I did on farmers and their crops.
Done in ink and wash.

Rain is expected for much of this weekend here in Wilmington, NC and I am hoping
I can get my act together to organize my studio. It's like a bomb went off in here!
It always gets that way when I am busy. That said, I suppose I should revel in the clutter...lay down and roll around in the paper, eraser bits and pencil shavings
until I am frothing at the mouth.
Or maybe just plug in the Dyson.

Texas Drought

A piece I did on the Texas drought.
Ink & wash.

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is approaching.

New Sketchbook

Received my new Passport Sketchbook in the mail today from Jerry's Artarama, my favorite
art supply store.
Beautiful paper and a eye catching red cover. This is a black marker and watercolor sketch.
Borrowed the chair from an Elle Decor and made up the rest.

Fashion

This is an early morning watercolor sketch which I took a little further.
I really had fun with this.
Since my wife is addicted to Project Runway, I just might start bringing out my sketch book. It's cheaper than paying for figure drawing classes and I can sip on a scotch while I'm at it!

Smuggling Artifacts

A piece I did this week for LA Times Syndicate.

Scrap Sheet Sketch

I always tape a scrap sheet of wc paper off to my right. This is a little
sketch I did at the end of the day while talking on the phone.

Sunday Morning Sketch

Just a little sketch I did off the top of my head this Sunday Morning.
ink & watercolor.

Retirement

A piece which I did for the LA Tribune on the topic of retirement.

Beard Wars

What next...Ear Wax Wars?!

Courier

One tough job!

Back in Studio

Back in the studio after traveling back home to Erie, PA with a stop in New Jersey.
This is a little b&w sketch I did at Presque Isle Park in Erie.
The cooler climate was a nice change and I slept under the stars on Friday night.

Farm to Fork

Spot illustration.

Temptation

Ink with wash and digital color.

Downtown Wilmington Sunday Market

Sold work at the Downtown Wilmington Sunday Market yesterday. This is a really great weekly happening and is located at River Front Park which if you are not familiar with downtown Wilmington, is located on the river walk on the Cape Fear River. It's a beautiful setting and a pleasant breeze is present 90% of the time.
The vendors are a talented group of artisans and offer fine art, jewelry, photography,
ceramics, wood working, glass, hand made soaps etc., etc., Also, live music!!
I am very happy to be involved with such a group as not only are they very talented, but they are also simply a nice, solid bunch of people.

Things started hopping at 4pm when the market started and I had sold a number of prints and five original pieces by 5:45. However, Mother Nature had other plans and soon we were all scurrying to pack up as the sound of thunder rose and the sky grew dark.
The live music had just started when a bolt of lightning struck and the first drops of
rain started falling.

Well, what are you gonna do? Looking forward to next Sunday!

Monday Sacrifice

Oh great Monday, purveyor of the week ahead...I offer you these gifts of a bowl of bran flakes (with flax) and one over priced latte. May you smile upon myself and my family in the week ahead.

Morning Tea

7am and no coffee in the house! I am forced to make a cup of Vanilla Black Tea which judging from it's exotic, beautifully decorated metal container is suppose to transport me to some higher level. A level which no doubt cannot be achieved by sipping a simple cup of Lipton's or Salada. I am not used to feeling this superior so early in the morning.
I usually don't start feeling superior until around noon after creating one of my majestic baloney sandwiches.
I need to go buy some coffee because this pressure is waaay too much to handle.
Next thing you know I'll be eating French toast with German sausage. Now that's exotic!

Broken Arms / A 24th Street Story

Every so often I will post a memory I have of my childhood and growing up on 24th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. These are usually sketched out very quickly. I actually drew this while we were at the beach this morning.
For some reason I thought back to a time in the early 70s when my dad broke both his arms trying to push his car out of a ditch. He was miserable, not only because of the obvious pain but also because he was unable to work for an extended period of time.

The image that is burned into my mind during this time is that of my dad sitting on a low cot in the front upstairs sun porch, smoking cigarettes, reading the newspaper which was laid out in front of him and an old GE fan propped in a window, slowly turning
for what seemed like days on end.

Spinning the Wheel

Spin away!!

Heat Wave

A piece for the Tribune. Finally cooling down a bit here in NC. A cool 92!

The Loan Officer

Did this piece as a warm up for the day ahead.
Bankers, can't live with 'em, .....

Beware pool side gifts!

Ink wash with digital color.

mending net

A quick watercolor & ink sketch I just did a couple hours ago.
I have mentioned many times before that I am greatly influenced by the work of the California artists (Post, Gramatky, Park) and it is very evident here.

Just trying to keep it loose is the hardest part! Hope to do some larger pieces soon.
Currently very busy with some commission work.

Wrightsville Beach , NC

We have been living a mile from Wrightsville Beach since September and loving it!