Book Cover Illustration & Design: "The Birth of Hope"

The Birth of Hope, a novel by author Jeane Rhodes.
Front Cover:

Illustration was done with Prismacolor on Strathmore 400 series paper.

Full spread, front and back cover:

Layout and design were done with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign.

CD Cover: Ironwood Rain "TRIO"

TRIO, the new CD from my band Ironwood Rain.

Front Cover:


6-Panel insert:


For more info, visit: www.IronwoodRain.com

Bolder Artists Show!

Last weekend, I was invited to participate in the Bolder Artists Show and Sale, which took place in a beautiful private residence in scenic Golden, Colorado.
I displayed 4 of my latest pieces: “Weightless,” “Doll Face,” “Red Rocks; Afternoon,” and “Hope.”
The setting was beautiful and intimate. The food was scrumptious. The conversation flowed, I met many new artist friends, my artwork attracted a lot of interest, and I had a wonderful time.
Here is how my display looked:

And here are the individual pieces:

My special thanks to Lori Gregory for inviting me to participate.

I really like the way 'Doll Face' looks framed. It's even more dramatic and compelling.

SOLD! A gallery of commissions and pieces sold to collectors.

From the collection of Lev & Linda Ropes.

Private collector.

Private collector.

Corporate collection, Sea World Aviculture Department.

From the collection of Mr. Robert Weber.

Private Commissions:

Hershey

A commissioned piece for a client; a birthday present for her friend.
Both the horses are named Hershey.
The story of the two 'Hershey's is a fascinating tale of love, loss, and reunion.

Two Hersheys

Charcoal, 14x17"

Here is how the piece progressed.
First, I covered the entire surface with charcoal 'dust' from ground charcoal. Then, I lifted the general highlights out with a kneaded eraser, and laid in the general dark areas with vine charcoal.


Then I began laying in the general details in charcoal and lifting out more highlights with the eraser.

I developed the left side first, then the right, in order to prevent smudging. (I'm right-handed.)


Then I began to develop the right side.

After that, it was a process of push-pull; darken with charcoal, lift out the lights with the eraser. I used a paper stomp, but not to blend; rather, I used it to lift out light areas that were more subtle, where the eraser would be too drastic.


At this point, I began to develop the values in the background.


And finally, laying in the darkest darks and final adjustments of the background values.

RED ROCKS!

06/22/09

A hot day. Late afternoon, the sun low over the montains... how could it possibly be more beautiful?

Acrylic, 12x16"



06/23/09
Back up to Red Rocks with my friend, this time in the early morning. Same place, different time of day, different mood.

Acrylic, 12x16"



05/27/09
This morning I went to Red Rocks Amphitheater with a friend. While she ran the stairs, I got out my kit and did some sketches. It was a beautiful day, and the colors of the red rock formations were awesome.
Here is a small study sketch:

Watercolor, 9x12"

Goldfish

05/28/09:
Day 2:

I am really enjoying this one, having fun with the colors, enjoying the process, layering... :D

05/26/09:
A study for a potential large piece.
I enjoy working in watercolor.

Day 1:

Watercolor, 9x12"

Lady In White

05/36/09:

I found the Staedtler Mars Lumograph leads - that are less 'shiny' in the blacks - in the softer leads (B/2B) at Art Hardware in Boulder. I like using my drafting pencils. It probably goes back to my days as a technical illustrator - I just like the weight and 'feel' of the metal lead holder, and the ability to grind it to a precise point.

So now, I can work into the darks a bit more-

Day 2:

Graphite, F/B, 18x24"

05/22/09:

The other night, I found a reference photo that struck a chord. That 'little inner voice' always brings about interesting things, good things. So I skteched the photo, and as I did, I was thinking about an old song from an old bandmate of mine, about the apparition of a woman who wanders the hills at night.
The next day I was visiting with one of my best friends, and I had brought my sketchbook to share with her.
As we were talking, she mentioned - quite unsolicited - a figure that she sees in her apartment from time to time. As she described her, I listened, without commenting. The figure she described just happened to be uncannily identical to the sketch I had brought to show her.
I got up, grabbed the sketchbook and said "Does she look like this?"

Her jaw dropped.
That was when I knew I was on to something. So I started a large-scale drawing.
Here is the first day's effort:

Graphite - Staedtler Mars Lumograph/F, 18x24"

The photographer is faestock on deviantART, and the model is Ana.
http://faestock.deviantart.com/

Teaching 'Introduction to Caricature.'

This summer I am teaching my Introduction to Caricature class at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities.
The Arvada Center is a wonderful arts facility, and I am really looking forward to being a member of the faculty.

Here is the link to the course:
http://mjk-artinstruction.blogspot.com/2009/02/introduction-to-caricature.html

To find out more about my other classes, go to my Art Instruction blog:
http://mjk-artinstruction.blogspot.com/

Watch this fascinating 3-minute video clip on YouTube: John Cleese as a Caricature - Human Face, The
It is an excellent clip about the art of caricature - and how it relates to the way the human brain works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j0XRj8soYI

Artwork On Display at Bella Notte in Golden, CO

06/29/09
Noble Stallion has been sold to a private collector! Thanks so much to Nicco from Bella Notte.

03/05/09

My piece "Noble Stallion" is now framed, on display and for sale at Bella Notte in beautful Golden, CO. Along with the framed piece, a small selection of greeting cards featuring "Cupid" are also for sale, along with brochures promoting portrait commissions.
The piece had suffered damage in transit from Florida, and had to be almost completely reworked. No matter, I am very happy with the final product.
Bella Notte is a beautiful shop, smack-dab in the middle of downtown Golden, a great location. The piece goes on display just in time for the March 'first Friday' art walk.
This is my first piece on display since moving to Colorado; a good step forward for me in the local marketplace, the first of many to come.
The owner is a delightful woman, very enthusiastic about carrying my artwork, and promoting my portrait skills.
Here is a picture of the finished piece:

Noble Stallion;
Charcoal, 11" x 14"

And, in case you haven't seen it, here is Cupid:


And here is the flyer: