Today Was Great.

I didn't let being sick hold me back. The key points (in no particular order): I started reading The Catcher in the Rye (I've never read it before), I cut my toe nails, I solved two jigsaw puzzles via the internet, I vacuumed my room, I watched my friends bowl because bowling sucks and it's for the birds, I got a new DVD player because mine broke like a week ago and I had a piece of my heart missing (movies4L), I had a single slice of bowling alley pizza, and I lifted my futon bed like the HULK so I could vacuum underneath. Also, David Hornbeck told me if you want to send YODA via text, those symbols are the necessary ones to punch in and Josh gave us that quote from his History of Rock & Roll teacher. Righteous! Click image to view it big!

If I Were A Tree.

I know I said I'd post straight up work for a week, but I didn't expect to get sick. I have a lot to scan in, but I haven't had the energy to do so. I thought I'd post something inspiring. I found this children's book at the library today. It's called If I Were A Tree by Dar Hosta. All of it is made with collage. It looks like different pieces of paper/painted paper cut out and put together. She puts so much detail into her work. I'm going to try stepping up my game with my cut outs. I want to experiment with a lot of detail. Here's some photos of the pages that do them no justice at all. Sorry about the flash. Photo booth does what it wants. Click image to enlarge!

Spot The Dog.

I'm still sick which means I'm miz. I decided to mess around on illustrator for this. I need to start using illustrator more because I'm rusty (4REAL), but this is Spot. I gave him little nails. He's hanging out and enjoying the sunshine LIKE I WISH I WAS.

Dave Chappelle.

Over on The Hallway Show, Dave Chappelle was chosen. I was going to try to draw him as Prince or Rick James, but I'm basically dead. I don't really like this, but eh.

Chat Roulette.

My friend, Rhiannon, told me about this site called Chat Roulette and it's where you get paired up with strangers and you can web chat with them. It's basically the weirdest thing in the world and should not be taken seriously by any means. Brother Chan and I had to go check it out, BUT, undercover. Every time we got paired up with someone I would just laugh hysterically and press NEXT because I couldn't stand to actually talk to anyone. This is some guy that we randomly got matched up with that had an ET toy. We did this for about ten minutes. I haven't been on since.

Sick As Hail.

I got sick Saturday. I'm still sick. It's hard to make art when you're sick. I have an insane cut-out that I'm finishing. I'll post it soon. This is the first time I've been sick in a long time. I keep drinking OJ and putting back cough drops like it's no one's business. I hope everyone's in better health than I am. Blogger killed the colors.

Birthday Post!

This post is for my friends that have birthdays around right now (which includes yesterday, today, and tomorrow)! They include: Ben, my cousin Alex, Rhiannon, and Kelvin. I hope you guys have the best birthday ever. You're a great group!

Old Fashioned Gal.

Sorry I'm so late to post today. I stayed up for 25 hours yesterday and then slept for 16 haha. Anyways, I was inspired by both Normal Rockwell and my dear friend, Vince Joy, when I drew this girl. I was at the library when I was overcome by the urge. Brother Chan was annoyed because he wanted to leave, but it had to be done.

King of the Dragons.

I found a makeshift portfolio on the table so I went through it. Low and behold, it was Brother Chan's art portfolio. He got really mad when I looked at it because he thinks all of his stuff sucks, but I found this gem; a DRAGON. I was like, "Brother CHAN! This Dragon RULES!" but he thought I was kidding. I wasn't. I think this is awesome.

The King!

Shelby and I went to Burger King recently for breakfast. It's a rare occurrence for both of us to be up in the morning so we had to take advantage of it. While at the drive-thru, I looked out of the window and, hunkering there, was this cat. We decided we had to save it. I said, "Shelby. Try to grab it and if it runs, we'll leave it." The cat didn't run at all. She's a real talker. We put her in the car, got our food, and called Janine to inform her that we were bringing a cat home. She didn't want us to, but we did it anyway. I named her The King. When we got her home, she had blood all over the bottom of her paws and she was missing her bottom teeth. Janine thinks The King was abused, but now she has a warm home, food, and plenty of love.

Art Battle/War.

While out at this restaurant/bar called Frenchie's in Ypsilanti, Jeremiah Walton (JJ) and I engaged in an art battle. An art battle takes place when two opponents draw until something is drawn that can't be killed or stopped. It all started with JJ drawing a dragon and I used Harry Potter to kill it, but then he drew Voldemort so I drew JK Rowling writing Harry Potter without Voldemort. It would take ages to type the entire battle out, but it's a lot of fun and it challenges you creatively. Click for details!

Zach Galifianakis: Part 2.

I finished this for The Hallway Show. Textures worth noting: shag carpet for the beard, wood for hair and eyebrows, and a subtle queen of spades (as a tribute to the counting cards scene in The Hangover) for the nose. Click to enlarge!

Zach Galifianakis: Part 1.

This week's pick over on The Hallway Show is Zach Galifianakis. I'm stoked. I've been drawing a lot of Zach heads, despite the fact that the likeness was rarely captured. I'm going to take that big middle one and do a cut out with the line work over top. I also really liked the way the head directly above it turned out. Either way, here's a myriad of Zach Galifianakis heads (click to enlarge).

Avatar & Stu.

I finally saw Avatar today. I think 2 of the 4 times I cried was based on how overwhelmed I was from the imagery. James Cameron, you lunatic, you've outdone yourself AGAIN. If you haven't seen it, the only way to see it is in IMAX 3D.The Hallway Show pick for this week is Zach Galifianakis so I have been watching The Hangover a lot. I decided to do this blind contour of Stu (Ed Helms) after he pulls out his tooth. I really liked the way the eyes and the tooth spacing came out.(I didn't take that Avatar picture. I found it on famemagazine.co.uk.)

Obama-Punch!

Shelby and I were at Ram's Horn and she drew a picture of Obama. I decided to try my hand at a caricature from memory. It actually turned out well; the guys we were with knew it was Obama. Here's the drawing with a graphic approach to the clothing.I started trying to color the line work and ended up just messing around with the channels in photoshop and came up with these different variations that I really liked. I put them together and here's the finished piece (enlarge to see it up close):

Coffee & Cigarettes.

Janine's birthday was a smash. We'll be eating cake forever, but I don't think anyone is complaining. I went to Ram's Horn the other night with Shelby and our friends Jason and Dane. They had coffee and cigarettes (in shifts because I was an overwhelmed non-smoker) and I had a mountain dew. While there, we discussed: The Yankees, the musical stylings of Nick Jonas, people we knew, and Obama. Ram's Horn is a good place to have beverages and conversations for hours.

Happy Birthday, MOM.

Today is Janine's birthday. She probably doesn't want me to disclose her age, but I will say she's under 50 and that she doesn't look her age. I asked Brother Chan to draw her and I'm posting them in lieu of her birthday. She doesn't really look like either of these. Although this is an oldie, this is what she DOES look like. Janine doesn't like it when people take pictures of her, but she kind of throws that policy out of the window for special occasions. This is from when I graduated in May. I know you don't think it, but I do appreciate you. Happy birthday, mother. You're grand.I just found out via google that it's also Norman Rockwell's birthday. I wish I shared my birthday with someone as BA as Norman Rockwell. I AM JEALOUS.

Alison Goldfrapp.

Alison Goldfrapp was the pick of the week on The Hallway Show. I was blown away by the work everyone turned out. Head over there to check out the submissions! This is my Alison Goldfrapp. I did this tiny portrait in my Andy Warhol sketchbook.

First of February.

I told myself that in February I would get serious about life. Maybe I will next week. I have started, but I am taking baby steps instead of giant leaps. I have been doing lots of sketching in this Andy Warhol book I found laying around my room. Andy's on every page along with his quotes. I drew a great eye on the left page and the right page you have to tilt your head to look at. It's another part of my room. I said I was done, but I was hard up for material so I had to resort back to drawing my room.

Thoreau & Twain.

I found two quotes I'd like to share: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau & "You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain. I think both of these should be kept in mind, regardless of what you do. I'll post art tomorrow.

More Fist!

I visited former professor/friend, Don Kilpatrick, at my old stomping grounds the other day. Don was teaching his letterpress class and he had been printing prior to my arrival. I had my eye on both of his posters AND I was lucky enough to receive them! Don posted/wrote about both of them on his blog so check em out.

My Room Part Deux.

This is the last of the "My Room" series. My friend, James Noellert, often draws the space around him. I'm a rookie at it. It was my first time. I used a pen and added the value in photoshop, but I only added it here and there. The adjacent piece was a "happy accident" when I was messing with the channels in photoshop.I went to a Death by Chocolate/Candle Party at Micaela's tonight with Shelby. I got to see a lot of people I've missed and it ruled. There were so many different kinds of chocolate treats; chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate candy, chocolate cookies, etc. I felt sick just looking at it, but it was great. My friend, Lindsay, got 3 vintage leather smelling candles. They smelled like an outlaw.

My Room Part 1.

I've been drawing my room lately because I'm working on my observational skills. The good thing about my room is that it doesn't yell at me, doesn't charge me, and it doesn't move. Here's a collection of scarves and bags that hang on my door.

The Music Man For France.

First off, I wanted to say thank you to everyone that commented on HOUSE. The positive response was overwhelming and I appreciate the comments. So, thank you!

I received a letter from my friend Cloe today. She's from France! She is sassy and one of my favorite people. I'm writing her an insane letter. I created this musical man for her. Thank you SO MUCH, Cloe! Your letter couldn't have come at a better time.

Paging Doctor House.

This week's pick on The Hallway Show is HUGH LAURIE. Hugh is great as House. I'm being nagged to do some Hobbit inspired work. Keep an eye out for that.

Space Bots.

I drew these robots at Ram's Horn the other night. One of my new friends, Angel, let me use her gel pens. Unfortunately, you can't see the gelly, glittery, shiny goodness that's on the paper because the scanner doesn't translate those things well.I watched this documentary called The Yes Men Fix The World. It was witty, funny, and informative. The Yes Men are culture jammers. Culture jammers are activists that disrupt mainstream cultural institutions and/or corporate advertisers (wiki).

Rex & Paper Planes!

Rex makes paper planes, watches them fly, and then eats them. Notice the Jason Curtis inspired boots. I woke up around 7 am because it was thundering. I like hanging out in the living room during thunderstorms; not my bedroom.

Friday Night at the DIA.

After pulling a 30 hour all nighter the night prior, I took it easy tonight. I woke up, got ready, and ventured with Micaela and Shelby to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts). I love going to the DIA. I especially love going on Fridays because it's open late and they have live music. Tonight I saw Phyllis Chen and Johannes Moser. Phyllis played with a tiny piano! The donkey in the following picture is the only piece of art you can touch in the DIA. I feel like a rebel, even though it's allowed. The reason for its coat changing is because of all of the people that have touched it. It's pretty cool.This is my absolute favorite painting in the DIA. I always called it "Fireworks", but it's actually called "Nocture in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket" and it's by James Whistler. He did it in 1875. This painting fills me with wonder and excitement and this digital capture doesn't even justify how great this painting is in person.Did anyone else catch the final episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien? It was incredible. He went out with so much dignity and style. His speech right before Freebird was absolutely touching and his spirit lives on. Carpe diem, Conan.

Prisma Zelda!

I have been up for so long. Sleep deprivation is the WORST. I'm too tired to hook my scanner up, so I took a picture via Photo Booth. I have such a soft spot in my heart for Link from The Legend of Zelda; we've been playing since I came out of the womb. I used Prisma Color Pencils. I also wanted to give a shout out to my parents which is why I tucked that little note in there. Hey, thanks for having and raising me.

Map of America.

I freehanded this map of the United States recently. I was actually surprised to find that I know so many people across the country. I want to go on a big adventure and visit all of them. From which state do you hail (OR country)? Holler from Michigan.

Wicket The Ewok.

I was still feeling Warwick Davis when I did this blind contour. In case you didn't know, Warwick Davis also played Wicket. I'm a big Star Wars fan. Star Wars beats Star Trek any day of the week. May the force be with you. (Click to enlarge!)

Warwick Davis.

Micaela picked Warwick Davis over on The Hallway Show. Shelby and I both posted; TEAM KIRCHOFF! I chose Warwick Davis from WILLOW. I looked at this when I drew it. Remember Warwick in Leprechaun? That movie scared the crap out of me.

One Year Ago Today...

I went to my first Jonas Brothers show here in Detroit. No one will understand how magical that day was or what that day began for me. It began a year of adventure, friendship, irrationality, and love. 1-18-09 is a day I will never forget; from the anticipation leading up to the show, to the cold, to meeting new friends, and getting main floor. I have been trying to draw the Jonas Brothers for the past 5 hours. Maybe 3 of these look like the JBs, but this blog is about the good and the bad so it's all getting posted. I am pleased with the way all of the blue bow-tie drawings turned out ESPECIALLY Kevin Jonas (far left, curly hair) because I drew that one without looking. This post is dedicated to the Jonas Brothers and the people involved with the anniversary of this day that I will remember fondly. Click to enlarge!

VIVA EL COCO!

This whole late night talk show fiasco is ludicrous."Hosting 'The Tonight Show' has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to me. And I want to say to the kids out there watching, you can do anything you want in life unless Jay Leno wants to do it too." –Conan O'Brien. I support Conan and so does my new friend, Conan enthusiast, and Leno hater Irene Tomoko Sugiura (Holla). I decided to draw Leno and Conan as blind contours (I didn't look at the paper as I drew them) and I went back in and added the shading and subtle details (while looking). The color chosen for the background reflects "late night". Click to enlarge!

Where Is The Love?

I've noticed an increased negativity and selfishness in people. Who am I to point the finger when I'm guilty as well, but recent events have caused me to stop and think. I left a comment on someone's blog. I later received an email from that person, thanking me for the comment, because no one from CCS had left this person a comment before. This stunned me. Have we become so caught up in our own lives that we don't stop to peer into someone else's? It's human nature to care about ourselves, but to live a truly appreciated life, we have to reach outside of ourselves. I think it's important to slow down, take a look around, see all there is to see, help one another, spread the love, and SMILE. What do you lose? I'm no saint, but I'm working on it. They say that attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?