You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June, 2008.
I’ve just updated the artwork on my website, slackart.com. Man, it really takes me forever to get the thing working correctly. The new features are a “characters portfolio” and a “books” page. The characters portfolio has some of the character designs and concept work I’ve created for various companies. The books page is the place to get information on the children’s picture books which I have illustrated, with links to reviews, awards, and sites where you can purchase copies. So go check out the new work.
This week my time has been spent updating my web site (still not finished), getting a new promo printed and sent out. As I have no real news or new art to post I’ll be turning to my sketch book for this weeks content.
I’ve been playing around with new types of characters lately. Trying to break away from common associated forms. Facial features are what we use to convey and identify emotion. Stripping away (or greatly diminishing) those features it becomes very challenging to give something “character”. That said I think that some of these sketches do have some level of personality. Another way to create character is through movement. Even with no facial features at all a personalty and an emotional connection can be created just by how an object moves. These experiments in character are leading in that direction. Maybe the next step is multiple panels and of course there is the option of animation. If you have any thoughts or comments by all means, give me a shout.
I have two pieces in this show. A drawing and a rare slackart sculpture.
Find out the stories behind the artwork on the gallery’s web site at www.bearandbird.com
Opening Night Festivities: Saturday, June 14, 2008; 7:00 – 10:00pm
Show runs through July 26, 2008
Japanese Ghostly Zoology
Featuring amazing original artwork by:
Alan Defibaugh; Alessandro Echevarria; Alexei Vella; Andrew Bell; Andrice Arp; Attaboy; Brandon Reese; Brandt Peters; Colin Christian; Craig Arndt; Danielle Estefan; Duane Hosein; Eric Bryan; Greg Kletsel; Helena Garcia; James “Jimbot” Demski; Jesse Reklaw; Jimmy Krimmer; Johannah O’Donnell; Johnny Winslow; Josie Devora; Mairuzu; Meg Hunt; Michael Slack; N! Satterfield; Nancie Yang; Naoto Hattori; Nathan Stapley; Rosemary Travale; Sarah J. Pierce; Terribly Odd; Todd Nolan and MORE!
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I just received a copy of my next children’s picture book, “The Flim Flam Fairies” written by Alan Katz. The story is hilarious and the book looks fantastic! I can’t wait to see it on the shelves next month. Send me an email if you would like to be notified when it is released.
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Recently I returned from a much needed vacation in Mexico. No emails, telephones, blogging or art for that matter. Did some fishing in the Sea of Cortez, saw some humpback whales, and most importantly did tons of reading and lounging. I always forget how important down time is to the creative process. It’s easy for me to mistake production as creativity.
