Cats in the Wall Illustration

Etsy Update

2011-11-27T21:04:00.000-06:00

Hello there. Today I have updated my store on Etsy with some of my newer paintings. It also has a new name and link PopGunPlay! Check it out and maybe you'll find something for someone on your Xmas list. As always, contact me with any custom paintings or items you may want and we'll work together to make it happen. Thanks!

Coming Up

2011-08-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

Wizard World Chicago was great, and tiring, but mostly fun! Marcelo and I still have some 11"x17" prints, postcard sized prints, and comic book wallets left over. Email me if interested in any.

September 9th-10th I will have 2 paintings hanging in a show in Elgin, Illinois as part of The Next Wave Art Salon. Check out the details here & here. One of my pieces will be The Floor is Lava and the other has yet to be created.

Bits of Drawing and Other Updates

2011-06-30T20:23:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since the last update due to hard work days and having recently moved to Chicago (yay!). However, I have started a new blog where some artist friends, Marcelo and myself post smaller works based on a weekly theme with a deadline. It is DrawBit.

On another blog-related note, I will be moving my portfolio site to a blog to make it more clean and streamlined, cut the clutter, etc. Cats in the Wall, however, will still be here for process, sketches, photos, and the random crafty or construction-like things I tend do.

In more news, I may have some work in an exhibition in September, and Marcelo and I may be at Wizard World Chicago again this year. More info on these events later. Sorry no pictures for your eyes today.

Super Girl

2011-05-30T21:33:00.000-05:00

Sorry once again for the long time without posting, but here is a new little painting:

Super Girl, Ink, Watercolor, Gesso on Board, 2011

This is my interpretation of what a "Super Girl" would be if we didn't really know much about her and she wasn't into costumes so much. Basically, she is a mysterious alien girl, now in her early twenties, who has been hiding in plain sight. Being on Earth gives her powers of some sort. So, by day she's a college student, but by night she decides to use her powers to be "Super Girl".

I visualize this as a girl that, as you pass her by on the street, you notice a few things off about her looks, like radiant yellow-green eyes and a glow about her, but you carry on and think nothing of it. At night she dons a simple, classic domino mask and does whatever she wants to, good or bad, just to mess around with humans and play with her new-found powers. She has grown up in a world that is not her own, and bending the rules may be fun, but will eventually disrupt balance, and somebody will notice.

Gotta Go Back in Time

2011-02-27T15:48:00.000-06:00

Wow. Four months with no updates. Where have I been? I have no good excuse, like I took the opportunity to visit the past and/or future with some crazy guy I kinda know. Nope. It was just holidays and work and... I really don't know.

You may be happy to know that I finally have done some artwork, and have a couple of commissions I am working on right now. Working as a pre-press-print-production-designer-of-sorts has also been going well lately and hopefully I will be able to post some of the more creative work I have done for my employer soon.

In the meantime enjoy some recent and not-so-recent work I've done. Some were just for fun, and others are part of the "Tongue in Cheek" series.

Untitled, Adobe Illustrator

"Skrewered", Adobe Illustrator

"Color Tech", Ink, Adobe Illustrator

"Catastronaut", Adobe Illustrator

Untitled, Watercolor & Ink

Sketch

2010-11-19T11:02:00.000-06:00

A quick update with a still life sketch of my workspace. I've been playing around using a tablet in Illustrator lately.

The Floor is Lava

2010-10-31T19:02:00.000-05:00

acrylic and ink on paper, 30"x44".

One of my favorite games to play; plotting the course, leaping over gaps in furniture, strategically placing cushions and chairs, grasping at the edge of a table to keep my toes safe. However, there is almost always that point where you are stuck with no place to go. Filled with dread because you know there is nowhere else to run, and you will fail. The lava is inescapable.

The Floor is Lava is another piece in the Tongue in Cheek project currently in progress. I'm hoping to complete the project by the end of the year and have some ideas churning of how to get it out and seen. But that's a story for another day.

Northpilot Halloween Bash!

2010-10-25T22:00:00.000-05:00

Friday, October 29th at 8pm Northpilot will be playing at the Elbo Room in Chicago. Come in costume for a super-fun time! Another silk-screening collaboration between Marcelo and myself. Silk-screening inks on paper, 17"x11". So come see the show! It's going to be one Thriller of a Dead Man's Party at the Pet Semetary where The Living Dead are going to do the Time Warp again and again. :D Happy Halloween!

Tongue in Cheek

2010-09-12T12:51:00.000-05:00

Working on my first body of work I think. Yes, I would say it's the first group of drawings and paintings that I've consciously decided would have an overarching theme and will all "go" well together in idea, color, medium, style, etc. Most of the pieces are new and will be coming along in the days and weeks to follow. The idea for the theme came about when reflecting on my works since I graduated from art school over 2 years ago. It seems I've relaxed a bit, letting my own personality come out in my work. And that personality is one of silly jokes that I always make in my head but don't dare speak out loud for fear of strange looks and embarrassment.

The name of this body of work is Tongue in Cheek. There are many times in life when the only thing you can do is laugh or puke.
I prefer the former.

These works contain my sense of humor, poking fun here and there in the hopes of getting someone else to chuckle along side me.

I will post sketches and photos as things go along. Here are a few to get started.

New Painting

2010-08-08T14:30:00.001-05:00

I've been busy with a new job recently, but found time to complete a figure painting. I'm still working on my watercolor technique, trying to work more quickly, using layers in some areas and just letting the paint go in others, thinking about hard and soft edges, aaaaand working in line work which I do love so much. I'd love to hear any comments, criticism or suggestions!

All Systems are GO

2010-07-25T19:33:00.002-05:00

Next Friday, July 30th, Northpilot will be playing at Double Door with Archeology. Marcelo and I will be there selling these sweet posters we designed, illustrated and printed for them for just $10! Made with nice thick paper, spray paint & stencils, and silk screening inks. Limited edition of 15, signed and numbered by the artists (that's us!).

If you can't make it to the show, but want a poster, please contact one of us. Thanks!

My God it's Full of Stars!

2010-07-19T22:17:00.003-05:00

Northpilot is having a couple of shows coming up real soon: July 23rd at the House of Blues and July 30th at Double Door. Here we have the poster for the show on the 30th that Marcelo and I are working on printing. We will be there selling these posters so come on out and see these guys! They are also in the running for Slurpee's Battle of the Bands, so please vote for them. Thank you!

Who Put on the Red Light?

2010-07-07T23:22:00.003-05:00

Real quick update post here. The finished Roxanne painting!

That's a Lot of Flavor

2010-06-16T21:47:00.005-05:00

Package design is something I really enjoy. The combination of design and illustration, working with text, and having to think about three dimensions & functionality is satisfyingly challenging and very different, engaging in a different way, than drawing or painting. Unfortunately I don't work on my own ideas for packaging that often...

Fortunately, I am working on my own idea for chewing gum packaging! Below is the process so far for "Infinite Gum". The concept is to have a more artistic, illustrative approach to gum packaging to separate it from the rest of the market on the shelf. Clean colors, unique flavor names, illustrated with a dose of humor. Design elements on packaging are fine...but why not use some imagery to drive the idea of the flavors home?

I have more tweaking to do on both the design and the packaging itself, and another flavor to mock-up, so I'll post the rest soon.

Score Away

2010-06-05T16:56:00.004-05:00

Woo! My design for Threadless Loves Coffee is up for scoring. Please check it out and score it. Thank you!

Oops

2010-06-04T11:13:00.003-05:00

Here is the real design for Threadless Loves Coffee. When it comes up for scoring please score mine to your heart's content! I will post again when it is ready to be scored.

French Coffee Threadless!

2010-06-03T19:44:00.004-05:00

I have a submission on Threadless for their theme of Coffee. Please check it out and vote on it! Below is the design: Two cups of coffee falling in love. Whether french vanilla or hazelnut, nothing can tear these two lovers apart! :D

Painting Lately

2010-05-30T15:48:00.004-05:00

I haven't been painting with watercolors lately and was not happy with that. With some help I pushed myself to do a little bit of still life to get back into it, and I am very glad I did. Also, it helped me get this idea out of my head of a certain street fighter in what should be his alternate costume...TIGER!

Northpilot Poster Printed!

2010-05-16T20:29:00.003-05:00

The gig posters for Northpilot's cd release of "The Bright Brigade" are printed, numbered, signed and for sale! Marcelo and I will also be selling them at the show. Silk-screened by hand, 4 colors on nice & thick, white paper. They are limited to 23 prints. Photos of the prints below.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T14:55:00.002-05:00

For my momma! Watercolor and ink on gessoed panel + origami lilies.

Dear Deer Wolf Bear Shark

2010-04-27T20:44:00.002-05:00

Cover design for the zine, Dear Deer Wolf Bear Shark. It's the zine that covers everything deer, wolf, bear, and shark related. So, I had to make a cover that could match that amazing-ness.

South East West

2010-04-19T13:44:00.006-05:00

The Northpilot gig poster has gone through some revisions, so here it is again with all the info on it as well. Marcelo and I (collectively known as "modi") will be silk-screening it soon as a very limited run. Consider this an invitation. Check these guys out!

Updated Store!

2010-03-28T18:11:00.003-05:00

Real quick post here, I've updated the store and added a bunch of my original paintings and the little stuffed robots I made (I'm calling them Emoticons). Go there now! please.

Mega Post

2010-03-20T20:17:00.004-05:00

I feel bad for not posting in so long, so to make up for it, here are a bunch of images of things I've been working on. I have been working, (not just sitting around playing games...), on several things: paintings, drawings, colorings, and designs. Where to begin?

I'm trying acrylics some more, also painting larger. This painting is still in-progress, but you can see where it's going.

A watercolor painting with ink that's also in-progress about sleepy fairies. I sure could use more of these guys at night sometimes. I am a little stuck on it at the moment, I feel I need to lift some color in some places, and i do want to leave some areas pure black & white. Working it out.

This is a really exciting project I'm working on with Marcelo Biott. He is creating a beautiful story called Loud. He writes, draws, inks & letters it, and I'm coloring it. Above is the first page.

I'm also working on some designs, like this one, for logos, signage, and collateral. These are my own work, just some designs I would like to see for stores and parking lots/garages. More as they come.And finally, a Garbage Monster, just for kicks. Om nom nom.

Calculator's First Semester in Art School

2010-02-23T22:15:00.003-06:00

I felt like working in acrylic lately, so I did. As for technique, I wanted to try a looser way of working, blocking in basic shapes in a middle value, and working my way up in detail and definition, without ever drawing it out on the panel, nor trying to be perfect. What started as a super simple still life quickly turned into an idea just for fun. I call it, Calculator's First Semester in Art School. Here's how it progressed.

Robot Army

2010-02-22T23:05:00.008-06:00

A while back I made this guy as a gift. And now...there are more! Little ones. All completely hand-sewn with little button eyes and custom tag. More photos below.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-10T14:58:00.005-06:00

Unrequited love, the unbalanced equation.

Meanwhile, Marcelo and I are collaborating on a gig poster for Northpilot and their cd release, The Bright Brigade. Check them out! We will be silkscreening the posters, and they will be available for sale. I'll have more info in the next couple weeks. ♥♥♥

Serenity Now

2010-02-01T21:59:00.003-06:00

Here's a new piece, just finished today, A Leaf on the Wind. It came about from a random sketch that I did last week and here it is in full watercolor, pencil, and Illustrator-ness. I'll continue to work in this way for a while, I'm kinda liking it.

I've been thinking a lot about trying to get some work in galleries, juried shows, any shows. What I'm interested in is how to get info on shows that have themes on pop culture, tv, cartoons, video games, and comics. How to find out about them, to get work in them. I know a lot of people who would also be interested in participating in such shows. It always turns out by the time I know about it, it's over and done with, no chance to even go see the work. I feel stuck. Serenity now! Serenity now!

Highs and Lows

2010-01-24T20:21:00.003-06:00

Trying out mixing pencil line, Illustrator and Photoshop. I wanted to have some watercolor in there, but couldn't really figure out how to use it well. I have a few ideas with these teddy bears, so there will be another piece with them in the future.

Octolove

2010-01-19T23:07:00.004-06:00

Today I have my submission for a Valentine's Day card contest on Cool Mom Picks. It's all about making a card in the coloring book style for kids to color away and give out to everyone. I went with an octopus...because I like them for some reason. And this octopus loves you!

Valentines on Etsy

2010-01-17T22:21:00.003-06:00

I'll be making some valentines and things to sell on Etsy and this is the first one. Made with cut paper and glue. Check it out!

Boom

2010-01-05T21:19:00.003-06:00

Some not-so-great photos of a painting I'm still working on. It's my version of Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros. with some little Toad-bots. I'm not completely happy with it, especially the face. Oh my god that face. I'll have to paint the face again on a different piece of paper since I think this one's beyond repair. I am happy with myself for going big on this one. This is on a full sheet of watercolor paper, and the largest I've ever painted in watercolor. The dimensions of the painting are 19" x 27". I thought I'd be more reluctant to paint on such a large piece, but I wasn't at all. I even feel like it could have been done even bigger. That's quite a stretch for me, since I usually draw and paint very small...Like a certain teacher once made fun of me for in class...

As usual, please give any critique on this, I'm always open to some guidance and a fresh set of eyes.

Practice

2009-12-29T17:45:00.004-06:00

Today I wanted to practice painting more realistically for a bit, just to keep becoming better at watercolor painting all around. The composition is not good, but I was focusing on getting the metal part of the brush right. For having not painted this way in quite a while, this isn't bad. But I really need to keep it up.
I'm beginning to think painting realistically is the only way to get noticed, even though I also think that's really silly. Making my work look like other people's and in result making it look closer to the real thing will stand out??? Sigh. I feel like submitting to juried shows could be a great way to get my work noticed, but only if it's super realistic it seems. I want to believe jurors out there are looking for something different, like many say they are...but I'm losing hope. Sure, a painting that looks like a photograph takes a huge amount of skill, experience, and hard work, but does it do anything more than a photo? I know that it does in some ways, like, "wow I thought that was a photo but it's not" kind of reactions and the manipulation of the medium to fake the realism. I have respect for that, but I feel like, why bother making everything I do look like photos?
While I wrestle with all this mess, I will commit to painting everyday to work on my skills and become better and better. Most of these will probably be representational mini paintings, but that's the way, I feel, to learn to observe and focus and be able to apply the realism to my not-so-representational work. I want my work, whether watercolor, digital or whatever, to walk the line between representational and "cartoony" without falling into the dreaded BAD REALISM category.

Scary word lights

2009-12-15T20:17:00.004-06:00

Finished the Silent Hill piece with text today using ink for the line and Illustrator for everything else. As always I'd love any critique on it, as I'm still not sure if it's completely finished. Perhaps I should tweak the spacing on the text more so that the right side of the flashlight beam is more flush, like the left. We have a double reference today: The text is a poem, Who Killed Cock Robin?, but I'm referring to the poem as it was used in Silent Hill 3 as a puzzle. Although I have never played the game myself, unfortunately, I dug up info on the puzzles in it because they're always interesting. Again, I also printed these out on newsprint. I'm liking how it looks, but need to play around some more to find the best use of it.

Christmas Time

2009-12-15T13:18:00.005-06:00

This year I made my own wrapping paper and cards and I wanted to share them with everybody. The pink paper is tissue paper that I've been saving up from various stores that put it the bag when you buy something. The brown paper is just brown packing paper that came with some of the presents I bought online. I made a couple simple block prints and stamped the patterns with acrylic paint. Underneath the snowflake pattern I randomly placed silver paint to show through the dark blue. The cards are simple and the lettering is hand painted. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Super

2009-12-01T21:24:00.005-06:00

The Superman piece, printed a few times on newsprint with little changes in the papers on each. Turns out printing on newsprint is easy, it's just very thin so I helped it through the feeder and made sure it didn't curl up as it came out.
This is done for now, but I think it still needs some tweaks. Any critique is awesomely helpful. Below the 3 photos is the digital file. The text is from Ben Tippett's A Unified Theory of Superman's Powers, which you can find here. It's really interesting and the equations are over my head, but it all makes sense in just the right, perhaps crazy, way.

Type

2009-11-30T21:02:00.004-06:00

I've wanted to play around with using text as part of an image for a while now. It's something I really love to do. I have 3 ideas, and pictured above are the beginnings of 2 of them. Just ink lines so far, but I plan to use Illustrator for the colors and text, then experiment with printing them out on newsprint, (if anyone has any experience and can offer any advice, please let me know), maybe adding cut paper for white areas. Maybe I'll even screenprint them.
So here we have Superman using his heat vision. The text will "be" the heat vision and will be about heat vision. Pretty straightforward. The second image is Heather, the main character of Silent Hill 3. Here the text layout is similar, the lettering creating the flashlight beam. The text, however, is pretty obscure. It will comprise of lines from a poem from one of the puzzles in the game.

What could it be now?

2009-11-24T21:15:00.004-06:00

So I made a gift for someone special and just finished it today. I know it's a bit early but I couldn't wait to make it! It's a super secret gift so I couldn't post photos of it online yet. But why not have some fun with it? What could it be now? A mix CD? Tiny sweater? Fashionable hat and scarf???

Bear Trap

2009-11-21T22:57:00.003-06:00

Some figure drawings for an idea from a while ago: some kids sitting around playing a board game. It's supposed to be cheesy like an ad or image on the box of a board game from the 70s or 80s. The kids are all laughing and smiling and having fun, but this is no ordinary board game... To be continued.

Bookcases

2009-11-20T20:28:00.006-06:00

I designed and built these bookcases below (my dad helped awww) for my room and all my toys...I mean books. They're collectibles. They belong in a museum! This seems like a good way to start this blog since building random pieces of furniture is something I enjoy, and the items displayed on them are some of my inspirations for my work.

And Sagat holds all of my important papers. Tiger!