Derby

Derby. This picture started off as an interpretation of the famous Brown Derby Resteraunt in Hollywood, CA. (Which for the record, is no longer there....)

I had this perfectly sketched out the way I saw it in my head. I was excited to start this one! Out came the paints.and well, it didn't go as I had planned. It started out great, with vivid colored oils. However, it  ended up being a little darker than anticipated. I originally had a bazillion green/brown tiles that were fairly easy to draw, but another story when it came to painting them. Yep, too many, actually. I removed many of them and lightened the appearance of the place. I added a lounge area, to give a cafe effect, complete with a live jazz band and two blues enthusiasts. 

In the center, I have the brown derby, that this restaurant was made famous for. 

As you can see in the pictures, this place was awesome! Built in 1929, it was frequented by many famous Hollywood actors during the golden age of Hollywood, such as Carey Grant, Lucille Ball, Clark Gable, Eve Arden and many more. 

It is said to be the birthplace of the "cobb salad", revealing that the owner "Bob Cobb" threw together a bunch of leftovers for showman and theater owner Sid Grauman. The Cobb Salad was born!

Just a bit of history and art. Or, is it art and history?

Mosaic Village

Mosaic Village

For the Mosaic Village, I used only oils.

I've only been painting since June, and still, have not had lessons. I do plan on taking lessons, hopefully next month, and there is so much I need to learn. 

I've come to a new realization  in this "Journey Through Painting" of mine. I love this. I love painting. I love art. I'm going through paint at the speed of light, and I'm sure any artist can relate. 

This mosaic village painting is half life, half imagination. This picture is meant to be complex, but yet full of life. If I were to live a mosaic life, in a Mosaic Village, on a Mosaic Street, in a Mosaic house, this is what it would look like. Where are the doors and windows? Is that a chimney...or a path leading to the forest? Are those orange leaves, or flames? (I vote orange leaves....) Is that a mosaic path, street, or is it a stream? Is the crooked house inside-out, or outside=in? Is the only life in this village in the trees, or is there gatherings and conversation amongst the forest? You decide. Use your imagination.

Ronald Jenkees - Musician

For this painting, I used oils. Trying to incorporate more colors to his face, I ran into a bit of a challenge, but who doesn't love a good challenge? The background represents the visualization of the audio bars and waves you would see on a computer screen. Icy, sharp and precise.

Also shown in the background are his many computer monitors. His hands represent speed, as sometimes his fingers move at a lightening pace. Hence, the reason I outlined them in gold. The gentleman I'm referring to as "his" is Mr. Ronald Jenkees. For those of you who have never heard of Ronald Jenkees, just take a look at 'You tube". I've included a video of him on my blog. He is an internet sensation and a brilliant composer and musician.
I wish I had the privilege to say that I know him personally. I wish I had the honor to call him a friend. I don't know him, but his music is what inspired me to paint him.  He plays his music with such passion and a sincere and genuine happiness. He is unique and humble. A true inspiration to not only musicians, but to people everywhere. He is encouraging and is always spreading his main message..."Just have fun". Ronald enjoys what he does, and that is play music from the heart. He takes the keyboard to a whole new level.

Disneyland's Matterhorn

Here is my version of Disneyland, back when it was great! In the 1960's-1970's. (Ok, maybe the 80's too!)
Here I have the Matterhorn, except mine is just a bit different.

This one, as you can see, has the Monorail shooting out of the top of the mountain. You also still see the bobsled of the Matterhorn climbing the tracks to the top, and on the left is the famous abominable snowman, with his red glowing eyes, and his deep growl. To the right of the mountain, I've added the classic skyway, which closed in 1994 due to stress fractures in the Matterhorn's skyway tunnel.


Here, you will notice Mickey climbing the mountain to the right of the snowman (He's pretty small, so I took a close up for you)...and to the left of the snowman I've included the 50 ft tall waterfall.

Hey! Here's a fun fact. Did you know that the Matterhorn houses a basketball court???
No, really...it's true. Here's the picture! You'll also see the basketball hoop in the painting (it's super small, where the mountain is opened up).... and you'll the snowman getting ready to shoot a basket.
This court was originally a just warehouse type room used for rest and preparation area for the costumed mountain climbers. The hoop was installed for their entertainment while waiting, if the weather conditions were delaying them.

Disneyland is a true classic and even though we frequent Disneyland often today, this picture (to me) brings back old memories and a time that can never be reproduced.

"Bruddah Iz"

Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole
5-27-59 ~ 6-26-1997
"Bruddah IZ"

This is my dedication to IZ, who in my opinion is the best Hawaiian musician that ever performed.

In this painting, I wanted to capture his contagious smile, his love for music and the ocean, and even added him in his childhood years.

IZ passed away in 1997 at the age of 38. Iz brought joy, soul and spirit to his music like no other in the music industry! He traveled the world and spread a special Aloha spirit wherever he went. Iz sang with such wholesome intensity, that he touched the hearts of all who heard him.

With his two most famous recordings, "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", along with his faithful ministry to spread God's Word, Iz leaves behind a legacy of joy, peace and faith.

"Remember the past,
but do not dwell there.
Face the future,
where all our hope stands"....
-Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole

ROME

WHEN IN ROME.......


Rome is a definite place we will be visiting in the (probably distant) future. I look forward to the day when we transform from California residents, to tourists in Rome.

I have two pictures posted to this blog. The one to the upper left is the beginning stages of my "Rome" project. I painted a frame around the canvas first, then added the interior, which happens to be the Pantheon. Next, I will be including a small cafe and lots of outdoor tables/umbrellas, and busy activity. I wish to create a warm glow, surrounding the excited activity of the busyness of the Pantheon. What was intriguing about painting this, is I feel like I am a part of this place. I imagine that one would hear the murmur of conversation, including classic Italian laughter that warms the soul. It makes me smile just thinking about it. To drink coffee at that very cafe.........which is probably on the pricey side....but who cares! I will be in ROME!!! .....someday.....

Wildflowers

To be completely honest, I painted these wildflowers because I just bought all these cool colors and wanted to use them. This was fun and probably one of the fastest paintings I've done. (I did it last night....). One thing I've discovered in this new art adventure, is that nothing has to be perfect. If this is the way you see it in your own mind, then who's to say it's wrong? This is what I wanted to paint, so I did. Because it's fun.

Sumo

Here I have a traditional sumo match. Sumo (相撲, sumō^?) is a competitive sport where a wrestler (rikishi) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from the days when sumo was used in the Shinto religion. Life as a rikishi is highly regimented, with rules laid down by the Sumo Association. Most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal "sumo training stables" known in Japanese as heya, where all aspects of their daily lives—from meals to their manner of dress—are dictated by strict tradition. A sumo wrestler leads a highly regimented way of life. The Sumo Association prescribes the behavior of its wrestlers in some detail. For example, in the wake of a serious car accident involving a wrestler the Association banned wrestlers from driving their own cars. Breaking the rules can result in fines and/or suspension, not only for the offending wrestler, but also for his stablemaster. The type and quality of the dress depends on the wrestler's rank. At the tachi-ai both wrestlers must jump up from the crouch simultaneously at the start of the bout, and the referee can restart the bout if this does not occur. Upon completion of the bout, the referee must immediately designate his decision by pointing his war-fan towards the winning side.
I wish the photo captured the true vivid colors, but you would have to see the painting in person to take in the full effect.

Michael

MICHAEL JACKSON ~~~1958 - 2009


This is my tribute to Michael Jackson.
My goal was to express his hard working character, costumes, moves and moods.


Looking at this portrait of Michael Jackson, one could view it in many different ways. I see a sense of sadness, perhaps?




Obvious to many who view this for the first time, you will notice the turning of his head, and his signature dance steps.



The picture to the left is focused on the shoulders and above.

You will notice different faces, looking to the right, then to the left and down.

Of course I had to capture his final phase of hair and chose these hats out of many.



Michael's costumes were eccentric and extravagant. Basically, they were Michael. They were his image. There was no other like him. They had "entertainment" written all over them, and he wore them to please and bring happiness to his billions of faithful fans.


His fans brought him joy, as did his children, and mostly, he loved just performing in general. I outlined him in a glow of yellow to depict this joy, and surrounded him with his adoring fans.

The last of the 3 pictures focus on his signature dance steps. First you have him moon walking. Then he is doing his knee kick, then lastly he finishes with the toe stop.

I also tried to capture his hard-working character.
Always keeping his fans in mind, his shows always tried to out-do the priors. His final show was pre-thought to be the greatest show he'd done, but he never got that chance.


Michael will be missed by many, but he left a legacy in the music/dance industry that will remain unmatched by anyone.

Cafe Veronese

This was a fun project! Why? I'm so glad you asked! This place is very special to us. We've been there a couple of times and it is a nice break from the daily hustle and bustle of life in general.
In this painting, I tried to capture an abstract view of the cafe, showing it's quarky character and vibrant colors.
The view is of the night, because that is when this place comes alive. Like a lit up Christmas village, this place makes one escape from reality, even if just for a couple of minutes.

As you can see, the fruit waffle desert is as about as diving as one could dream. This photo doesn't do justice for this deccelant desert. And the taste? Heavenly! The experience of the fruit waffle alone is amazing. Combine it with a bruschetta ham panini and cranberry/walnut salad, homemade red potato salad, and don't forget the hot plum tea and the night is complete!

Venturing back to my painting, this particular project took me an all too short, three days to finish. It was probably the most fulfilling painting so far, putting it at about a 10 on the fun scale. I know it's hard to envision a place, if you've never been there. But for me, it captures the cafe's imaginative serenity. Close your eyes and imagine that place. A place where there are twinkle lights and a crackling fire place in every corner. A place where you can hear warm laughter, and quiet conversation. That place, my friends, is Cafe Veronese.

Little bit of this, little bit of that!

This was fun. I just drew and painted anything that came to mind. This is an under the sea, with a piano, saxophone, musical crab, seahorse, octopus, sea turtle, shells, water, swirls and what ever else you want to imagine. This is colorful and fun and a one-of-a-kind. You will not see this picture anywhere else. It's my own.

Landscaping......harder than it looks.

So, to start off with my new oils, I decided to to a landscape. This is not as easy as it looks. I started off with a simple sketch. Not too detailed, but I knew where my placement would be. I did my darks and sky. Then blended, added more color and softened where needed. I expanded my road and made my house more apparent. Then, voila! My finished product. This one took my much longer, but this was so great! I can hardly wait to start taking a lesson! I know that I'm no Thomas Kincade, but who want's to be like everyone else? I'm not trying to impress anyone or make millions of dollars. I'm doing this because I enjoy it.

Pirates, Pirate ships!

I I
Ok, so I know that the pictures of these are small, so it's hard to see the details . Basically, picture of a pirate ship, a pirate war and a pirate in battle. First, we have a close up of a pirate ship. I don't know why I chose to draw pirate stuff for my first projects. I just thought it would be fun. And it is!




The middle picture is a bird's eye view of pirate ships fighting in the ocean. Some are sinking on fire, and some are standing strong. There are people in the water being rescued (or destroyed, depending on how you choose to view it) and there is a small island to the lower left. I chose to incorporate a skull into the island, something I think I'll do in some of my pictures. Hidden pictures within a picture.





Lastly, I have a close up view of what a pirate would look like fighting on one of these ships. His arm is raised, getting ready to strike his target, while his belt is boastfully displaying not one, but three pistols. Look out!

My first project

So, for Fathers Day, I got a plethora of art supplies. I'm inspired by my wife's mom, who is an outstanding artist. She will teach me. I will blog about what I learn, both on my own, and from my new teacher.

I haven't had any lessons yet, and won't for a couple of weeks, but I am dipping into my new art adventure.

I'm starting off with simple sketching.
My first project is my dog Max. To the left is the sketch, which took me about an hour to do. I simply looked at a picture of him, then drew it.
This was fairly simple. This comes to me really easy and I am loving this so far! Not bad for my first drawing, huh?

I chose to paint Max in watercolor. It took me a couple of hours to paint him. I took my time, wasn't in a hurry and am well on my way to something great! I love my new hobby and am looking forward to painting more!