It takes quite a long time, from my experience anyway, to recognize the subtle features in a face. Most people can differentiate between two people, but they may not be able to explain what’s different, or what makes that person stand out. I’ve trained myself to identify teeny tiny parts in a face like the length of the space between the upper lip and nose or the type of eyelid a person has. I can’t explain enough the importance of placing facial features in the right spot when drawing people. I have had drawings go from looking like weird, mutated subhumans to life-like representations because one line was shifted a few millimeters over.

This article explains a recent study into how the features of a face correlate to the amount of testosterone during a pregnancy and the ratio of length between fingers. Now, I need to point out, especially after reading the comments posted below the article, that this study does not explain the “manliness” of a male’s personality, but the look of his face. “Manliness” is described simply as having a robust face.
I’m not here to comment on the scientific accuracy of the study (although I’m not disputing its claim). I found this article fascinating because of the process of human development and the aspects of art that attract me, and so many others, to drawing and painting the human figure.

I just finished up a commissioned moose piece using a beautiful green color. Just a note – I’ve done quite a few of these animal silhouettes now, and one of the best aspects of working on them is the knowledge I gain while doing the research. The only moose I recall seeing during my life is Bullwinkle, but after gathering photos for this painting I discovered all of the subtleties of this creature.

Just as I began to skim the surface, I learned that there are two types of moose – cow (female) and bull (male). My moose is a bull moose as indicated by its large and intricate antlers. I can’t tell you how many times I redrew the antlers in an attempt to get them to look authentic. Mother Nature definitely went bold when it decided to give us this animal.

Here is the painting for sale at my store. You can also learn more about the moose here.

 

I used to believe that it was safe to be in the basement during tornadoes because tornadoes didn’t have legs to walk down the stairs.

I found this website the other day called iusedtobelieve.com. It’s a treasure trove of quirky ideas that adults used to believe as kids. There are so many different subjects to look through like “outer space, body parts, and toilets.” Some are funny- some sad. One word that I would use to describe all of them is – honest. As adults, we are constantly trying to cover our faults and pretend we know more than we do. This site reminds me that it’s ok to be honest in our lack of knowledge because sometimes it’s fun to create answers to questions we don’t know.

When I was little my dad told me when ever it thundered it was my Grandma bowling a strike.

I used to think that when people talked about the stock market crashing, they said sock market, and that everyone had to wear old socks with holes in them because they couldn’t buy new ones.

I used to believe that every day tiny little people, with tiny suits and breifcases and costumes, came to my house to work in the TV.

I once had a pet turtle named Jack. I feel guilty for having kept him for so long, but Jack was released into a park pond later in his life. He was just one of many unusual animals that lived inside my family’s suburban home.

I loved all of my pets, even the slimy ones like Jack who weren’t as lucky as some other species to receive cute looking fur. Jack was also lucky, to some degree, to live the rest of his life in a natural environment. I was recently contacted by a group called the Turtle Rescue Team, a non-profit organization run by veterinary students at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. They provide medical, surgical and husbandry services free of charge in the hope of releasing rehabilitated turtles back into the wild. I was invited to submit a piece of artwork to donate for their 2nd Annual Turtle Team Rescue Benefit Sale. You can take a look at the other artwork submitted here.

I have to admit that I didn’t see how I could give up one of my new paintings so early on in my new business venture, but I also didn’t see how I could say no. This was such a good cause, and it was a way I could finally help do something that didn’t involve time or money I didn’t have. I thought about donating a print, but I couldn’t because my turtle painting was designed in such an awkward shape as to not translate well to print form. Finally, I decided to let it go. Once I made that decision, it was easy to follow through.

The auction was scheduled for January 25th – January 29th. I’m happy to report that the painting sold within the first few hours of the benefit! Not only did I get to participate in such a wonderful event, but I helped raise money that will go to take care of medical and surgical therapies for quite a few injured turtles.

http://www.turtlerescueteam.com/

Please go check out this amazing organization and help out in any way possible. The world is a better place because of the team. I know the turtles appreciate them.

This year has been one of transition for me. This time last year I was mentoring 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, living in Texas, and working on my artwork at a level I was proud of. Now, at the end of 2011, I am living in central Virginia, socializing with my wife’s new peers at law school, and starting a small business centered around inexpensive animal paintings.

If you haven’t had the chance, head on over to my facebook page and my new online store. I’d like to revamp my website in the future so I can merge my portfolios and update it without using Flash. I think the new life style change hit me today when I ordered my new business cards and mailing labels. I’m now a brand, and that’s something I have to get used to. In the past it was solely about making great art; now it’s sorta blended in with making a living.

It hasn’t been easy, but it also has been about as smooth as it could be considering we’re living in such a bad recession. I don’t know how next year will go, but I’m hoping my business continues to grow so that I can be able to fund the passion I’ve fought for all these years. Happy Holidays!

This is definitely a unique one. I’m very pleased with the color choice and the way the patterns turned into a mosaic. Giraffe!

Alright, so my new hobby has turned into an Etsy shop. I couldn’t help myself. I started designing nonstop, and I’ve come up with a whole bunch of new designs. Here is just one of the many I’ve painted so far. I will continue to post them as I make them.

We’re still getting settled into our new apartment here in Charlottesville. I left most of my artwork in Austin so I’ve had to find ways to decorate our very bare walls. I came up with a few different designs to match the color of the opposing wall which is a very bright yellow. This is the design that I went with – owls!

I’ve been dabbling with simple design work as a kind of hobby in contrast to my highly detailed paintings. I’ve always loved silhouettes, and I love the chance to be very bold without risking too much.

These paintings are dedicated to my sister-in-law who loves owls. I had so much fun working on this that I’m experimenting with some other similar designs.

What do I do with leftover paint at the end of the day? Occasionally when my wife is free I like to let her play with the paint. She mixes and mushes like a little kid, and it always brightens my day.

With all of the new activity going in my life, I haven’t had the opportunity to work or post.  However, I figured now would be a good time to show my new painting, although this painting was completed last September.  It is up at the Wally Workman Gallery, framed and hung.