I recently created my two home states ornaments; Michigan where I was born in the Tip of the Thumb until I graduated from WMU, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and Florida where I moved after college, taught Art in Manatee Schools, Bradenton. I also met my beautiful wife soon to be 29 years, March 29 one spectacular child (I am somewhat opinionated š Ty, who will be 29 in December.
This is my first attempt of creating an optical illusion effect with a drawing of a mammal. I love the effects and the complementary use of the pattern and colors of metallic golds and greens to emulate the powerful turtle shell form as well as its head and legs. I photographed the progression of this from the beginning to the finished piece.
I first create a drawing of a Mexican Petunia and then draw an optical illusion that will hopefully work with the flower. I then break each petal up into a design, using large shapes to small shapes and use similar colors as the original petunia. You can see the development as the flower gets colored. The beginning coloring are a different shade of color because they are taken inside the house on sometimes a stormy day, whereas the final pictures are taken in the sunny outside lighting. Also photos never look as good as the quality of the art piece.
My “Snowman Basketball” ornaments have a realistic painted basketball with a choice of a Santa Hat or a Baseball Cap. The Baseball Cap can be chosen to be made with Cedar or Pine. They are 3 1/2 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches deep and polyurethaned to a gloss finish. A unique, original, hand-made, hand painted, very charming ornament to add to your ornament collection. These would be perfect for a sport loving child or grandchild. Other sports will be available soon. Custom orders welcomed.
This white color pencil on black paper was inspired by a trip to Seattle in 2018 to visit our son and daughter in law. We took a Ferry on Elliot Bay to go to Alki Beach Park. After departing our transport we decided to enjoy the walk to the beach. How far could it be? We later came to realize it was miles, and miles away. The sand was uncharastically hot comparative to the air temperature and the water was freezing cold. Thirsty and fatigued, we purchased water and in need of shade, so we bought an umbrella. The view and company was extraordinary. I recall laughs, small talk, smiles, eye contact, all while enjoying the view of sand, the bay, Seattle, the mountains and the bright blue sky. We spent our time walking the shore, no more than above the ankles for obvious reasons (not to mention the slimy green seaweed), before thermal discomfort set in, all while looking for rocks. Next, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at a 5 star seafood restaurant with a few iced cocktails. A Uber drive back (too long of walk, we realized LOL) and we were again on the ferry toward home. Looking back toward our ferry departure point as the sun is setting, revisiting the simple spectacular moments of life together as family, the day responded with its magnificence. I will draw this someday with hopes we may share another day as heartwarming as this one again.
I am doing my part with: “Stay At Home” orders and creating my own artwork. I just entered these two pieces in an Art Quilt Challenge @ ArtCenter Manatee. “All for One,” I had to thank all the people that make America/our Community; Loving, Caring and Special. “Optical Illusion InToo Southern Blue Jay,” I am using the Optical Illusion techniques from the Op Art era and incorporating it with, my design skills, and talents to create a new unique art style all my own. Both are done in colored pencil. https://artcentermanatee.org/2020-giving-challenge/
Here are some of my latest ideas that I have been toying with. Light boxes!! They measure 6 inches square and 3 inches deep. They have a latched back to make it simple to change the light if you choose. The light is a small Christmas bulb that can be changed to the season: Spring; green, Summer; red, Autumn; orange, and Winter; clear or blue. What you think?
I gave the center Unicorn Heart Ornament “Unicorn I” to my niece and it was pleasing to see her excitement. Amelia wore it around her wrist the rest of the time during her visit. She also wanted to hang it on the Christmas tree. I suggested she could even hang it in her bedroom or on her bicycle as I do on my car mirror. That thrilled her too.
I added a Santa hat to several of my snowman ornament. It gives them a great touch of Christmas color. Next I’ll have to figure out how to give some of them with a scarf instead. Only a limited amount of them available. Inquire soon.
I created this patio coffee table with left over wood from the Trellis I made for Ty and Sandra’s wedding. The aesthetics of the wood tone and wood grain is stunning. The light and dark tone, wood grain and color gives the table a beautiful design. It also holds my drinks on my back patio while reading, watching wildlife, or sitting with my wife in conversation more relaxing and enjoyable.
I work with several art mediums: clay, colored pencil, pastel, and wood, among others. Of those, wood tends to create the most unique/original pieces, since wood has its own Character: artistically speaking. Wood may have a knot or a grain that makes the cut react to its desired motion with the scroll saw or carving, making a personality to the āSnowmanā distinct. Every one created is exclusive and I might add, so āDarn Cuteā too. Since I recently retired in August, I have had limited time to make these āAdorable Creatures,ā as a result I have a limited supply of them.
Snowman are even reversible. They have slightly different looks on the opposite sides. The eyes and buttons are wood burned and their nose sticks out like a carrot. The snowmen are made out of Pine and the hats are made from either White Pine or Cedar. The variety of hats are; Baseball, Bonnet, Cowboy, Top Hat and Ranger. Cost is $25.00
Let me know at carvemyart@aol.com if you are interested at getting one. Thanks and as always āKeep On Creating!ā
I work with several art mediums: clay, colored pencil, pastel, and wood, among others. Of those, wood tends to create the most unique/original pieces, since wood has its own Character: artistically speaking. Wood may have a knot or a grain that makes the cut react to its desired motion with the scroll saw or carving, making a personality to the āSnowmanā distinct. Every one created is exclusive and I might add, so āDarn Cuteā too. Since I recently retired in August, I have had limited time to make these āAdorable Creatures,ā as a result I have a limited supply of them.
Snowman are even reversible. They have slightly different looks on the opposite sides. The eyes and buttons are wood burned and their nose sticks out like a carrot. The snowmen are made out of Pine and the hats are made from either White Pine or Cedar. The variety of hats are; Baseball, Bonnet, Cowboy, Top Hat and Ranger. Cost is $25.00
Let me know at carvemyart@aol.com if you are interested at getting one. Thanks and as always āKeep On Creating!ā
I added these two pictures because they depict an attitude a creative person explores. Something new and different/unique, yet still unsure how it will be perceived. “Love ?” Is a piece I created when I first started in 2015 and I incorporated the ? into the heart. It signifies putting the heart or someone struggling with their idea of putting their heart out to be different/unique/accepted: the vulnerability of one’s created art/love/feeling in the same context of Andy Warhol’s quote: implying create and “LET EVERYONE DECIDE IF IT’S GOOD OR BAD….” From all my Education, and Teaching I believe and know, That Art: Is good for the Mind and Soul.
Being accepted for an upcoming art show “Ornament Extravaganza” at the ArtCenter Manatee in November, I decided to get my inventory updated. That, and since there was an outside temperature of 95 degrees and a feels like (record) of 112 degrees, I decided to work in my air conditioned room rather than the outside shed. Message me if you are interested in anything you see. Be on the look out for my adorable snowman ornaments too…with very cool hats.