Thursday, August 09, 2007

Some Recent Works

I'm waiting on some pictures from a couple friends before doing a recap on July, so I thought I'd show a small selection of work I've been up to recently.

This was done the week Alex and I got back from Europe back in April... okay, not so recent, but I still like it! It's our garden shed in the backyard. Notice the overgrown weeds? 9" x 12" Watercolour.

This one's been sitting on the easel forever, but I finally finished it in time for an upcoming cityscape show. 30" x 40", Oil on Canvas. It's a scene in the industrial area of West Oakland. Just to the right of the overpasses, roughly a hundred yards away , a section of freeway collapsed the weekend I resumed working on the painting. I drove back to this spot to see if this was where the collapse happened. Would have been kinda weird, huh?

Aside from the landscape paintings above, I've been into doing a lot more things out of my head lately - though still based on my own experiences, places I've been to, old memories, or just things I've seen. Applying it to children's book work has been the most rewarding way to do this (such as the sketch from the previous "Comic-Con" update).

Small sketchbook page. Based on Dillon Beach and old fences along houses by the Mendocino coastline.

The Wrong Shoe Size - 12" x 15" Acrylic on Illustration Board. Based on rooftops in Nottingham, England, and all those boots you always see flung over telephone wires, and me wondering who collects them.

Some of my favorite little pick-me-up's - my cat, music, and coffee - get a pick-up of their own. 7" x 14.5" Gouache on Illustration board with some digital touch-up.

Fresh off the easel... actually, it's still sitting on the easel, but it's considered done. Another bird in a Venetian style mask. 5" x 7", Oil on Canvas. I'll do a better scan when it's dry.

The cityscape show I mentioned, by the way, is taking place at the Studio Gallery in San Francisco, beginning August 15th, with a gallery reception taking place on August 18th. I'll be stopping by the reception at some point, so if you're in the area, stop by. The Studio always puts up a great show, with a lot of great local artists.

Also, some of you may have noticed something new on this blog: my shameless capitalistic impulses manifesting itself in the form of Featured Items from my new Shop on the sidebar. The site itself is actually pretty cool, boasting all hand-made items by a community of artists, artisans, and crafts-folk alike. Some of the journals I've seen are really tempting, but I should probably fill the one (or six) I have lying around first. I don't know how most people classify digital prints, but I do consider mine hand-made, since I create the original images and I manage the printing process, though I do plan to put up originals and limited edition pieces as well). Anyway, have a look!

11 comments:

Julien alday said...

Hi, Mike !
That last Venician bird is great, I LOVE it ! Glad to see you're done with the painting... Ha man, I wish I can be here and watch it in person. The shop is cool, easy to look at, a very good thing you made here, in my opinion. And the selection of pictures is tasteful.
Hope all is well, mon ami.
Julien.

Bruce said...

Wrong Shoe Size and your favorite pick-me-ups are wonderful, the kind that are ingenius in their playfulness. They make me wonder why my thoughts haven't gone done those paths (or high wires) before, ha, ha.

Tim Bye said...

Wow - really wonderful stuff! fabulous

littlebird said...

hi mike

thank you for visiting my blog - we haven't met before i don't think. i didn't go to art school...
but anyway, your art looks great! the buildings in watercolor are super nice! you are lucky to visit so many places in europe.

Unknown said...

Fantastic stuff Mike. I love the watercolors and you know I just love those masked birds.
You need a children's book - in a big way.
I think you could really shine if you get the right story .

singinghawk said...

MIke! I am so sorry for not stopping by for a while...I have been distracted and lazy lately! My God! Your blog is beautiful -- you've redecorated! And your latest illustrations! Just lovely! The garden shed reminds me of Wyeth's work...nicely done. I recognize the building in the cityscape painting, neighbor! -- a lot of charm and vibrancy. And gorgeous are the three illustrations on the bottom! Oh my! the birds... beautiful! I love it all! I know I'm going to see your work on a children's book soon, yes? And the venetian bird...lovely...! okay...now I must look at the rest of your blog...but I think I will come back tomorrow, my friend. Thanks for visiting again.

Alexiev said...

Great art work... and blog...

Best wishes from Buenos Aires...

http://www.alexiev.com.ar
Alexiev Store

Unknown said...

WOW!! BEautiful!

fantasyartbyglenn said...

Man your landscapes are cool, I reckon you'd enjoy painting australian landscapes.

Anonymous said...

Really love your style. Inspiring!

Em, Swe

bog_art said...

You have a lot of amazing illustrations here.. your oil paintings are excellent, and your watercolor is full of life.. great blog!!..