Many Mouths, One Voice

Many Mouths, One Voice (watercolour & india ink on paper, 2011)

Truth To Self (watercolour & india ink on paper, 2011)

Two in a day?!? Damn straight. Here are a couple more pages from the beginning of my sketchbook. The one at the top, 'Many Mouths, One Voice' is a commentary on corporate control of the media, and I'll leave it at that. The second image, which is the second barbershop scene from my sketchbook, is called 'Truth to Self', and isn't quite done in the photo - I recently inked his face and the hand with the clippers, which I think added some much needed contrast within the subjects. Both photos have had the colours slightly rebalanced digitally because the scanner seemed to have trouble picking up the contrast and full range of colour - the 'Truth to Self' image still isn't quite popping the way it does in real life, so I think I need to iron out a few more kinks in my digitizing process before I post any more from this sketchbook. On to the next one!

Train Harder

Train Harder (watercolour & india ink on paper, 2011)

(original sketch)

Ayo homies! Here's another page out of my recently completed watercolour sketchbook - the first page in fact. A couple of posts ago I mentioned how I was placing bits of advice and inspiration for myself throughout the work, and here the message is to train harder. The sketchbook was mostly meant to tone up my watercolour, pen-and-nib, and hand-rendered typography skills, but ended up being a great place to study composition as well. I'm fairly happy with the overall composition and execution of this particular piece but by the end of the sketchbook (I ended up doing 21 paintings and 3 unpainted drawings in 2 weeks) I was more confident with contrast and colour choices, although overall this was still one of my favourites. Check back for more soon, and tell me what you think of the new style!

Swim Good

Swim Good (8x10 watercolour & india ink)

Yo! How's things? Im back briefly with a little painting I did this morning, inspired by my 10,000th time listening to Frank Ocean's song Swim Good. I'm headed to the new Ihuman headquarters tonight to fancy up one of their walls, so I'll be back on the quick to post that... Word!

Happy October

Happy (belated) Octoberfest! Here's a happy Oktoberfest Octopus - feel free to use him for a happy Oktoberfest card next year! 4 beers at a time?!? No big deal.

Watercolour Sketchbook

Yo! Here are a few pages from a watercolour sketchbook I've been working on to practice the medium as well as to hone my hand-rendered typography skills. These pages are near the end, and throughout the book I've been placing bits of advice and inspiration to keep me going - for example the sketch at the top is a loose (and out of proportion) sketch of Gary Busey with one of his quotes from his guest appearances on Entourage - "Art is only research, it is not the final form." Classic. The second one is a bit reminding me not to be too hard on myself, and the third is just a sketch for a forthcoming piece - the barbershop has been a great place for advice in my community and I'm sure in many others. I've been busy, so many more to come!

Peace Be With You!

(pen and nib on paper)

Original Pencil Sketch

Greetings! In the words of the buddha 'Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.' This sloth buddha is here to bring peace, tranquility, love, and to party at a chill pace with Natalie McNeely today on her bday. Natalie and John are friends of mine who happen to patrons as well, and probably own almost enough of my art to hold a solo show in BC! Thanks for all the support over the years, and peace be with you homies!