:(

So I'm just about to leave for NYC to see the Murakami exhibit, and suddenly Mr. Tummy feels angry and ill-at-ease. Could it be the not-quite-hard-boiled eggs I had for lunch? Or the dried apricots that I precipitously consumed on the drive home from work? Is it true that dessicated fruit can swell in your stomach?

:(

It's Enormous.

New Client Work

Three images I just produced for CIVA, as page decorations.
Hand-drawn ornamentation with Rennaisance painting clippings assembled in Photoshop.

Coronation

On Sunday night it was too late to go to the studio, so I stayed home and worked on some Coronation drawings for open studios (June 20-21).
Coronation drawings are done without photo references and without erasing. In each drawing I try to highlight some fact that I happed to know about the animal, either of scientific or folkloric nature.


naga king (three great rivers.)
It usually takes me about one drawing to warm up, and the king cobra sadly got the brunt of that...I think I'll have to go back in and add some stuff...or put him in the bargain bin.


lonely bird (bittern)
I really like this one: that it's a little sparer and sad.


four-gems firefox


poison-spur tyrant (platypus. down under.)
+++


must you have battle in your heart forever?
study for I am from battles!

I'd like to do a bunch of studies for from battles! because
a) it is a subject matter that has obsessed me for a while
b) it's going to be the most obvious piece so i want to get it perfect

Persian Megature

Work continues on the Megature...on Friday evening I was assisted by my excellent assistant Susie, who's heping me for the summer, and we got a lot done. I'm hoping to pick up two more panels for I Am From Battles! and get that underway this week. Had been planning on leaving it as blank wood, but now have decided that it just needs to be gilded. But I will be using composite gold ( = fake) instead of 23 kt.


Here's an image of progress so far. I've washed in most of the clouds except in some up-in-the-air areas. I need to make some decisions soon as to how much empty space there will be vs. the clustered forms in the central bottom right (hehe). But I think more rather than less. Also, still need to work in a horse.


Here's the rabbit pieces I have going so far (and the ubiquitous sketch for Battles! in the background). I have a panel in preparation for Conquered Rabbit but really want to get back to work on Revolution Rabbit as well...so much to do! And prep for Brood Nurse is coming along really well too; I have some novel embossing going on that I think will make it quite distinguished.


Thousand-year rooster, Persian Megature


Heaven-hound, Persian Megature


Tiger, Persian Megature
***
Also, next week Philip and I are going to NYC to see the Takashi Murakami show at the Brooklyn Museum. He is my favorite living artist (probably?) and I am very very excited.

Concept Drawing

A concept drawing for an upcoming music-related project.

Saturday Studio Report

Wow, if there are any fans of poorly lit photos out there you are in for a treat today. But first, a picture of Grant and his excellent friend Natalie in Rye, NH on Memorial Day:



Break At Dawn, in progress, copper.


Brood Nurse, underdrawing on poplar


Scylla and Charybdis, very much in progress, it will end up being beautiful I promise!


Woodcut for gilding, featuring a view from Independence Park, Bevtown.


Long White Cloud, 63% done.