Samantha Under the Mistletoe

Based on a beloved character I created by accident in an art school homework assignment back in 2014. Her name is Samantha, reverse mermaid (half human, half striped bass), famed one-of-a-kind actress, holiday enthusiast.

The original assignment (see here) was to create an illustration of an archeological dig site where the skeleton of a magical/mythical creature was just uncovered. My teacher asked if THAT is how she was dug up and I said yes. This display was per her final wishes. Over the years I’ve noticed that no one (artsy people and non) seems to require any explanation for Samantha, the sexy skeletal reverse mermaid pinup. They just get it I guess, and I’ve always thought that was funny.

Finished Ink Emperor

At long last, the finish of the inktober piece I’d done previously. Although there are a lot of things I like about the simpler version, I was interested in trying it out with much more dramatic lighting and greater realism overall. It’s possible that I might come back to this one to add color so it looks more like a classic painting, but for now, I’m eager to move on to the next thing.

I don’t normally make my sketches this polished, but it made sense to plan out the lighting as well as possible, and it felt a little odd posting it to social media without the rest being just as finished.

The Emperor

I tend to only do works fully on paper when they’re the sort of smaller portraits that I did for 2018’s Inktober. Although it doesn’t usually produce anything worthy of the front page of my website, it’s a fun exercise and can sometimes result in something redoing more elaborately later on- like this one! I’m currently experimenting with angles and more dramatic lighting. More to come on that one!

Little sister

My sister’s portrait was done more as a gift to my parents than to said sister, But I like to think she enjoys it too. I ended ip doing a more detailed value study than I normally would for my personal work- although I doubt I’ll ever delve too deep into purely digital art, it’s a tool I’d like to be more comfortable with.

Captain Marvel

I’m not hugely into the Marvel universe, I’ve only seen a few of the related movies. But I DID see Captain Marvel and although I’d probably say the movie was just okay overall, I had a pretty good dang time and Brie Larson is incredible.

Let the bad pick up lines roll...

I used to hate the pink and red combo traditional for Valentine’s Day, but it’s starting to grow on me, you know?

Valentine's Day Cards 2019

I’ve been working on little valentines with a slightly threatening energy to them this year (while carefully avoiding anything that could be associated with domestic violence/abuse/etc). I’m not sure how many good ideas I’ll be able to come up with this particular theme, but I’ve got at least a few more bouncing around in my head. And, I suppose when it comes to Valentines day, terrible puns are more or less expected if I have a few dumb ideas too.

I had a lot of ideas for last year’s halloween card, and it was tricky to reign them in enough to pick one. Eventually, I settled on the pin up skeleton and my only regret is that I couldn’t make fishnet stockings work on leg bones.

Morrigan

A quick little thing featuring Morrigan from the Dragon Age series. Unlike many of my ink pieces, this one makes minimal use of digital editing/compositing.

Iudex Gundyr

The first boss of Dark Souls 3- and absolutely perfect for ink wash. Although this particular game isn't my favorite of the series, it had it's fair share of beautifully designed characters. 

The Good Death

I don't love thinking about my own mortality. But I do think it's important to face that reality every once and awhile to at least put thought toward the aspects of death I do have control over- like what would be done with my body. 

This one was originally for a show awhile back, and is more or less representative of my discomfort surrounding traditional burials, and how it feels like they tie people, or what we remember about them to their plot in the ground. 

I don't have any particular belief about what happens after death, but I prefer the idea that whatever we are or what's left of us goes somewhere else, becomes something else.

Carr Fire 2018

I started this piece shortly after I was evacuated. It was a really strange period of waiting- what had started with my dad and I watching the red glow in the distance from our roof had swept into town and threatened my childhood home more quickly than I could have ever imagined- I was powerless to do anything but draw. 

Typically my prints are done on linoleum since it doesn't have a grain and is easier to carve, but this one is on wood- I wanted to convey a lack of control, the crackling hunger of the fire and the deep ache of uncertainty- for myself and my hometown. 

The Coral Crown

The sketch and final versions of a piece inspired by Florence and the Machine as well as the myth of the Oracle of Delphi- with a deep sea twist. 

Dream Dog

I'm allergic to dogs so I can't exactly have one, but that won't stop me from dreaming.

At Bay Sketch to Final

It's pretty difficult as an artist to feel like I'm good enough or being productive enough. I find that it's a constant balancing act to keep that river of self doubt at bay. The best I can ever hope to do is keep it pinned down, and keep moving forward. 

Here is the color final. Florence Welch in all her glory.

I always do a black and white image and add color digitally. A little easier to control dramatic lighting that way.

And here's the black and white sketch I started with. I sculpted a mini version of the bird and took some photos of it in water to get the basic shape and lighting. I know a bit a about human anatomy, but it's a little different on birds!

Salon Valkyrie Finish

And here we have the finished product. This was printed about 44x60" onto canvas and stretched- probably the largest project I've ever worked on. I spent all of the compositing phase flirting with Photoshops file size restriction, but all things considered it wasn't too painful.

Salon Valkyrie

I can't give a ton of details at this point, so for now, here's a sketch, a few lil thumbnails, and two words: Salon Valkyrie. 

Statue Final

A few people said this end result was a little dark and unexpected, but it IS a character I dreamed up in high school, and the only thing more dramatic than the me of the present was teenage me. Basically, it's meant to be an acidic, black slime type life form that's hollowed out a marble statue to give itself a more solid form. As it moves, the marble cracks and gives it a greater range of motion. Something like that! 

Linocut Cat

I don't do printmaking often (mostly because I don't have a press, or access to one) but occasionally I'll get the urge to do a little linoleum printing because a wooden spoon is almost as good as a press for this process. Sort of. This first image is the digital sketch that I used to transfer onto the blocks.

And here we have the finished print in black and metallic gold. My only regret is that it's nigh impossible to digitally capture the glitter in it.