raw illustration

linked

2010-04-10T12:54:00.001-07:00

"linked"

[1.5'x3']

pigment inkjet print

For Illustration Friday's same theme for this week. All I know is that a ton of servers, LAN and WAN parties and a lot of five dollar pizzas link males (without girlfriends) together.

Subterranean

2010-03-14T15:55:00.001-07:00

subterranean

[3,5'x1.5']

pigment inkjet print

Illustration Friday's perplexing subterranean theme. Enjoyed working with perspective with this illustration piece.

Glad to see that sketching roots, stumps, and fallen trees this past summer worked into this work.

Brave

2010-03-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

brave

pigment inkjet print

[1.5'x3.5']

For illustration friday. We sometimes only need one brave person to step forward for our environment. Often, you have to drop the financial and social comforts to do so. That indeed is courage.

Perspective

2010-03-01T14:40:00.001-08:00

perspective

[6.5"x7"]

watercolor

For Illustration Friday's theme of 'perspective.' Didn't you used to get dizzy when looking down when climbing trees? Makes everything on the ground just seem so small.

Propagate

2010-02-19T22:59:00.000-08:00

propagate

digital pigment print

[3'x1.7']

For Illustration Friday theme 'propagate,' or to spread, breed, or transmit

Flight of the VVotorolas

2010-02-16T02:56:00.000-08:00

Alienated

digital inkjet print

[1.85'x3']

cellular clouds

digital inkjet print

[1.85'x3']

cellular mothership

digital inkjet print

[1.85'x3']

Adrift

2010-02-14T00:57:00.000-08:00

Adrift

charcoal and conte

[3.75"x3"]

For this week's Illustration Friday theme. Something tells me that at times we're all out to sea... it just depends when we get float away from people and our regularly scheduled programs do we find ourselves adrift in our own thoughts.

focused

2010-02-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

focused

charcoal and pastel

[6"x3"]

for illo friday

Perfect

2010-01-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the perfect things aren't so perfect. Aren't so ideal. Aren't easily categorized or referenced. Aren't expected but savoured in every respect. Perfect.

macro micro XVIII

2010-01-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

macro micro XVIII

charcoal, conte, and pastel
[6"x12"]

Sometimes the tip of our thoughts... the ones we can remember are just a tip of the iceberg. Two worlds that can separated in a viewable (above ground) and hidden (below ground) arenas. If only.

macro micro XVII

2010-01-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

macro micro XVII

charcoal and conte
[12"x6"]

I wish I could contain these forms but I can't. I can't keep them still and the move constantly within their busy background.

macro micro XVI

2010-01-14T09:57:00.000-08:00

macro micro XVI

charcoal and conte
[6"x12"]

Perhaps?

macro micro XV

2010-01-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

macro micro XV

charcoal and conte
[12"x6"]

Or could it be possible to even illuminate this conversation between form and function? Would they bicker? Love? Annoy? Josh around?

macro micro XIV

2010-01-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

macro micro XIV

charcoal and conte
[12"x6"]

Would it be rash to completely absolve any indication of form or function? Abstract or representational? Size versus clarity?

macro micro XIII

2010-01-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

macro micro XIII

charcoal and conte
[12"x6"]

What happens if this 'form follows function' is reversed? Could it be possible?

macro micro XII

2010-01-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

macro micro XII

charcoal and conte
[12"x6"]

The Swiss design school advocated the theory of 'form follows function.' Should it?

New Monsters Herded up at the Etsy.com Store!

2010-01-11T10:58:00.000-08:00

Huggable new Yetis from Rawpatches in store! Grab 'em while they're still here!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
rawpatches.etsy.com

Day In the Life

2010-01-06T04:43:00.001-08:00

Definitely need click on the image for the text... but the concept and question that spurred this illustration and typographical inquiry was: "Day in the Life..." At one point in this challenge, my mind shut off and suddenly that old DOS boot-up screen came into play waaay back when Wacky Wheels was still a cool computer game out there.

Enjoy!

Renewal

2010-01-03T09:41:00.001-08:00

"renewal"

[6"x 4"]

charcoal and conte

for Illustration Friday

Pioneer

2009-12-29T03:09:00.000-08:00

for | illustration friday|

Sometimes your azimuth to pioneering your way is closer than you think.

Undone

2009-12-22T00:00:00.001-08:00

For |Illustration Friday|

If only, if only we could have a couple of "undo" buttons available, for some of the things we do. Maybe the things we want undone are rather quite grand things we need in our lives... we just can't see how grand they are yet.

For those without computer machines: these keyboard buttons are companion to basic common sense and humility.

macro micro XI

2009-12-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

macro micro XI

charcoal and conte

[11.75"x18"]

There is a certain familiar breeding that comes about when you see triplets. Maybe differences are blurred?

macro micro X

2009-12-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

macro micro x

[11.75"x 15.625"]

charcoal and conte

More movement in terms of root placement and abstraction in the positive and negative space activation.

macro micro IX

2009-12-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

macro micro IX

[6"x 12"]

charcoal and conte

Abstraction has a way of delivering space in the most of unlikely ways.

Nostalgia

2009-12-13T23:57:00.000-08:00

Inspiration design from all the old Nicktoons. Gold star if you can tell which series eash are from...

Hatch

2009-12-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

"hatch"

[12"x6"]

charcoal and conte

there is a gateway to something both cozy and wonderful. The hatch is always open in these floating worlds.

macro micro VIII

2009-12-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

macro micro VIII

charcoal and conte

[18"x12"]

Found that working with the root systems to display different reactions to the piece's frame or the image area's boundaries quite interesting. Definitely liking the abstraction rendering next to it. It gives a better view of the either detail or the feeling of snapshot memory.

macro micro VII

2009-12-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

macro micro VII

charcoal and white conte

[18"x12"]

Been looking at really good graphic design books and jellyfish when pondering layout inspiration. Jellyfish was a great concept to follow with the root system problem. More to come.

macro micro VI

2009-12-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

macro micro VI

charcoal and white conte

[18"x12"]

Simply saying "I like to explore how to illustrate tree stumps and their root systems via charcoal" is also worthy of stating "its interesting how to frame an illustration with a close-up and medium range view when looking at a structured and detailed rendering of tree roots and stumps."

Value and composition arrangements have improved. Better understanding of light to dark to light again. Good.

entangled

2009-12-01T04:26:00.001-08:00

for | Illustration Friday|

"tangled"- as in thoughts between two people sometimes... thoughts that ought or oughtn't be thought. Sometimes those thready lines of power entangle our thoughts and are just waiting to be unraveled

Great Lakes Myth Society 12/11 concert at Alma, MI

2009-11-30T23:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some poster options for the upcoming Great Lakes Myth Society concert being thrown on December 11 at 8pm in Alma, MI. Their song "Big Jim Hawkins" is such a grand homage to the Mitten, that I couldn't stop designing. Love the music!

Let me know what you think...

Music - Double Bass

2009-11-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

for |illo friday|

Another take on music.

Dali music: Music so soft you could bend it over a german bow.

Spools

2009-11-23T02:49:00.000-08:00

This is for all my sewing needlers and seamstresses out there. I would get this as a tattoo, but where would my Sideshow Bob in front of a Union Jack go?

Threads unite!

Peanut Butter Crackers

2009-11-23T02:48:00.001-08:00

For Illustration Friday's theme of 'cocoon.' Each little peanut butter cracker is cocooned in its plastic cellophane wrapping.

music

2009-11-21T02:55:00.000-08:00

for | illustration friday |

contra bass, upright bass, stand-up bass; all is music to my ears and is one of the deepest, sonorous instruments to evoke such a robust audio flavor. deep deep strums the broom-broom-broom thump, throng and rumble

Edgar Meyer, Chris Whitley, Marcus Miller, Ron Carter, Victor Wooten, Chunyang Wang are best bets

unbalanced detail shots

2009-11-19T03:00:00.001-08:00

just some closer looks at interesting line work

unbalanced

2009-11-19T02:51:00.001-08:00

for |illustration friday|

you have no idea how hard it was to get this still life. very Jenga-like.

Unbalance (B&W)

2009-11-19T02:47:00.000-08:00

for |illustration friday|

black and white version of "unbalanced."

macro micro V

2009-11-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

"macro micro V" and "macro micro V" detail

charcoal and conte, | 7"x13.5" |

Working better now that I've decided to multiple stump islands. They might be floating to some, but that technicality is still being worked on. Many questions surrounding whether to add visual depth or implied depth. Good session though. Quicker on the upper portions' form layout and editing. Better grip on the positive space in the threadlike root hairs located on the underneath section.

Influences in no particular order: waking up late; John Williams' score to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Stefan Sagmeister's website buttons; Swiss graphic design; Jessica Scott Felder; Nietzche's "abyss" metaphor; and Mr. Frederick Kruegar.

macro micro IV

2009-11-17T14:39:00.000-08:00

"macro micro IV" and "macro micro IV" detail

charcoal and conte, | 9"x14" |

Starting to figure out how best to lay down detail in the root system. Curious enough to realize that the stump, the slice of the tree, is merely a baton with the stem as the middle and the branches, both above ground and below, resemble one another for the sake of the tree organism's balance. However, I've noticed that some stumps from the shrub or bush variety produce a Koosh ball effect.

Using the eraser and white conte to emphasize certain areas of information when making the marks is as especially fun to inform around the deeper areas to enunciate depth. Changed up the way to contain the stump island mass by experimenting with definite or suggested form lines. You can see it in the detail.

Influences in no particular order: earl grey tea (yuck); Vivaldi, "Night on Bald Mountain", Stephen Gammell, and Jessica Scott Felder, and a mitten on a 7 month old oak sapling.

Inserter Machine

2009-11-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

and now for something completely different...

One of the joys of tedious and meaningless work, not production, I mean "work" in every numbing sense of the word "work," is blatantly recording for two or five hours the same images. Same machines, same stack of papers, same everything when you are an inserter for a printing company. This image was drawn on one of my breaks and definitely, absolutely, and completely off of memory.

Kevin Smith said it best in An Night with Kevin Smith 2; [paraphrased]

I remember when I'd get Mewes and be like, "Hey, come make papers with me and then we'll go do something. And for any of you who've ever made papers... (someone in the audience shouts out "That job sucks!") See? That person gets it. Worst job ever. But money's money at the time."

The machines in whole are pretty cool to stare at and glaze over. Sometimes you just zone out and think of things that might happen. Explosions, paper catching on fire, the building burning down, an arm getting caught in the presses, the strapper binds someone's leg to their face. Although if it gets really quiet, the constant thump-thump and whirring makes some sort of dysfunctional industrial symphony.

macro micro III

2009-11-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

"macro micro III" and "macro micro III" detail

charcoal and conte, | 4"x13.5" |

Advantages lay in this stump, which I had to track down about 45 minutes before I could sketch. Fuzzy memory for where it was. More calligraphic since I got a late start and the temperatures fell. Hand froze down to just slashing at the paper at one point. Good note to keep working at early afternoon when the shadows are going West-East.

Paraphrased part of my AS:

"This examination has allowed for the opportunity for the work to broaden my boundaries of how subject affects form and vise versa. Each level of design, whether it is the components of singular organisms, or the compound as a whole demands both a critical ability to capture detail while projecting a readable composition. The simple and sometimes unnoticeable tree stump is a start concept for my drawings. The challenge of using the dual media of charcoal and ink allows me investigate and build forms with an ambidextrous technique that results in contrasting sharp details with softer, grittier, and often larger implied textures. Having these dual contrasts as qualities within the composition’s layout draws the viewer into each piece to consider the curious forms. This also provides the work a sense of activated space and weight, both emotionally and physically. My works are reminiscent of a hybrid form of suggestive shape and intended information provided by the aggressive use of line in these landscapes. The unusual magnified scale proffers an invitation to experience a harmony of objects being both heightened in perspective and intimacy. "

Influences in no particular order: black beans and rice; lady grey tea; newfoundland-black lab mix; peanut butter and crackers.

macro micro II

2009-11-12T15:42:00.000-08:00

"macro micro II" and "macro micro II" detail

charcoal and conte, | 8"x13.5" |

Just finished my first rough draft of my AS for hopefully this series and my MFA application. Spent a good three hour chunk with the stump islands out in the DNR state park nearby. This particular stump island is one of the more general ones but with a clearly defined root system. Lucky to have started with this one. Another 55 degree or higher day would be amazing. Snow seems to be right around the corner.

On a more technical note, i've found that laying down the ink first then adding charcoal washes to be most advantageous. Although in a second drawing, laying down quick bursts of smudged softer charcoal led to a more calligraphic layout.

Influences in no particular order: Heironymous Bosch's outer wings of the triptych "Garden of Earthly Delights"; Stephen Gammell's "Scary Stories" illustrations; Ameriah Rauscher's works; and the ever mesmerizing traveling "Bodies" exhibit.

macro micro I

2009-11-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

"macro micro I" and "macro micro I" detail

charcoal and conte, | 8"x13" |

Starting on a new mini series called "macro micro," and hopefully understanding how to depict regenerating tree stumps as these island worlds of growth.

The whole and the parts of the subject is fascinating. First, there is the individual organisms such as the saplings, grass, and moss constructing the covering architecture of the stump world. Second, is the pulled back view of the stump island itself.

Things could get interesting.

Influences in no particular order: Heironymous Bosch's outer wings of the triptych"Garden of Earthly Delights"; Stephen Gammell's "Scary Stories" illustrations; Ameriah Rauscher's works; and the ever mesmerizing traveling "Bodies" exhibit.

blur

2009-11-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

for | Illustration Friday |

Blur- when you see motion or sounds that smear in a dream...

Self?

2009-11-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

random self portrait

Skinny

2009-10-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

for |Illustration Friday|

Skinny- as in to get the low-down, the business, the chat, the talk, the information, the buzz, the word, the whassup, the lingo, the block of oral text

I usually see communication as bad, thus the subject is caught in his tangled lines

Prompted by a phone call my sis's husband got about a bad Catalytic Converter deal

Fast

2009-10-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

Fast

for | Illustration Friday |

fasting in america can be in many forms: tummy grumbles, dieting, deprivation, drinking a 6-pack then hurling it out when you party for a 3 day weekend, religious or cleansing reasons

bear eating something in paint

2009-10-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

bear eating something in paint.

don't ask...

Fly (unposted)

2009-10-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

"he's late again! prolly making some two-bit hussy in getting through med school. dammit! it's my turn to say dammit!"

another entry for Illo Fri's "Fly"... but this one didn't feel it needed to be a closed case. It happens. Good idea, sketchy sketch, later inspiration to expand upon. meh.

Though I will say, I'm starting to like this Illo Fri thinger. Good weekly injection.

Gold sticker to anyone who know where the last two lines are from...

Fly Fly

2009-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

for |illustration friday|

'break free"

fly- insectious or avian movements that move through the air under control

don't you remember when it only took your bike to whip through the currents of air?you were the pilot zooming around blocks, stores and parks. If I were a fly, well, I'd break my wings and buy that bike.

Fly

2009-10-12T03:55:00.000-07:00

for |illustration friday|

"On the Wall"

fly- insectious or avian movements that move through the air under control

Germ

2009-10-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

for :| illustration friday |:

germ: something that is unwanted that enters a system, usually malevolent.

Pattern

2009-10-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

for : | illustration friday | : pattern

pattern is merely a repetition of marks; organized and unorganized.

2009-09-30T15:43:00.001-07:00

Eh. Microns are better. Tetra or Energels are for teh win.

2009-09-29T02:27:00.001-07:00

Not going to lie, after I set about drinking this stuff all the time, I must pay homage. And yes, you ought to know who really DOES pick and process your precious tea. About time.

2009-09-29T02:23:00.000-07:00

A very vague attempt to create an all-mighty deodorant ditty sketch. Turns out I think the outline looks a bit freakish... if you catch my drift.

2009-09-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

Little ditty I pulled out after my mishap with my phone service. I do enjoy this phone very much as it does get the best service when out in the boonies. Inked then digitally colored.