The grand ending of Lil' Wayne.

My thoughts overall haven't changed. He's a great cross-over artist who has worked with both pop and r&b artist which makes him globally embraces. I just want to leave everyone with my final thoughts of respect for Lil' Wayne and his craft.

I was watching a documentary of the Fuse network on his artist career. The part that made me go "ah-ha i get it/ see it" is when i his creation process. He decided that he was no longer going to write this lyrics down on paper but just simply freestyle (a process of creative rhythms in the moment). He went into the recording booth one last time with a notepad full of rhythms and said ever single thing he had written down ripping out the pages as he went. That raw energy and creative juice so say i don't ever want to repeat myself again is important. Especially for any artist, when i hear things like that i get empowered. That is the same thought process that goes into my artwork. I don't like planning things out to the point i'm banging my head against the wall. I know for others it may work that way but not for me. I'm more of a mood artist. I feel what i feel and i go from there.

Lil Wayne Progress #2

five days after starting the under painting, i progressed a little bit more and into the colors and tones that i wanted

i tried ti implant more yellows and reds into the under painting of his face

Even more the more i look at it all, his face is one of the areas that gave me the most trouble. I struggled with the curvature of his face and the outer eye line that is barely seen.

I felt it was important to include his tattoos but not have them overpower the painting as well as show his signature braids.

Almost completely toned down and his checks actually look like he's puffing which is a plus and i added some color highlights from on his hairline and forehead.

All on the Line

When i was working on my Lil' Wayne painting "All on the Line" motivated me. I can see the average person having a puzzled look on their face but the shows is currently showing on the Sundance Channel. It's hosted like a well-known designer, Zoe Lee in which he gives struggling designers a chance to take their designs mainstream. That is something that rarely happens in any creative avenue. Especially to see someone that has "made it" mentor others into improving their crafts. The constant shocking factor that i find in every episode is that most designers like artist aren't willing to compromise their styles to become mainstream. The first episode i saw had a designer that only catered to a very limited select client that wants evening attire. He struggled with the concept of hearing that his clothes would never get wide world popularity. That in itself is humbling to hear that you need to try something new.


From an artist stand point i saw that as i shot of energy because i knew i needed to be working. I knew when i was drawing or painting that someone out there that was hungrier than me would be doing the same thing. I remembered the pressures that i sometimes felt in college knowing deadlines were approaching and work had to be turned in. I'm reminded this is all a process that needs to happen if i'm ever going to make it. Even if i don't make it and no one seeing anything i've done for decades it will all be worth it.

The Glory

It's funny how often people want to get inside the mind of an artist. They want to be consumed to figure out what is the driving factors that force and help them to create. I got a voicemail that made accusations about what i do with my free time. I just want to let anyone know when i'm not working. I'm not drinking because i don't even like beer plus it's expensive habit as any to acquire. After some of the bad days at work i deserve to drink but that's another topic. My favorite sport is basketball, so if anything i watching the NBA playoffs because next to the NCAA tournament this is the best time of the year. I pass out on my couch to often watching tv and i very rarely like to stay at home and draw or paint. I'm always out in public "hiding in plan sight" trying to continue my creative process.

When i first heard this song by Ryan Leslie i knew i would like it. Overall it embodies the raw emotions that i feel during my creative process.

Nicki

I'm not even sure if i drew this pic before but i think i didn't. Nickie or Laura to most is one of the girls that i meet on when Old Navy was opening store after store during the huge boom. As of lately the trend has slowed down to almost no stores in the area opening just them revamping the ones that we have. I still can recall the spring i spent on vacation with Nickie and Maria. I can recall just having fun each and everyday. Where it was going to the river, brunch or the club. Everyday was an adventure and a good one. So i guess it's safe to say that i do miss Nickie, because at the end of the day she was a truly good friend. Perhaps the next time i make it up to Richmond, i'll check in on her and look her up.

Anna (pic and sketch)

Anna is one of the bloggers that i follow. She takes really good photos and it's good to get a woman's prospective from someone that isn't in the States. I found this photo and began to draw. It was one of those photos that i had tucked away in a folder somewhere. I thought this time would be different from the previous time in which i simply gave up because the drawing wasn't a close representation.

Lil Wayne Commission piece.. progress

Now, it's time for my soapbox on Lil' Wayne. I must say i respect Lil' Wayne's lyrical ability. He's clever and a very witty artist but it isn't the best rapper alive. He isn't really on my ipod either because it's good, not great. With that being said, i've noticed mostly teens as well as others who follow only what plays on the radio as what's trendy. That's only a small fraction of really good music that's out there. Just to further my stance i have a post from another lyrical artist Mos Def.




This is a commission piece that i began for Cara's step-son, Trevor. He falls into the group that likes Lil Wayne. Originally, i was just going to do some stencil work for him. Just something that he could use to tag whatever he wanted to. Cara then approached me on his behalf about making a painting. I find this photo above and hopefully i can create something different than the photo.



after my 1st night of painting


after my 2nd night of painting, trying to lighten up the areas that i grounded to dark



after my 3rd night of painting. everything is blocked. Just need to find a way to fine tune it.

Isac (pic & sketch)

I began this sketch with little to no rush at all. It was something that i had no direction whatsoever and that's very nature. My style of creations is very random at all. The typical throw this against the wall and let's see what sticks. I had been asked some time ago to create Cara's son, Isac a door sign. Nothing to fancy but something that embodied the essence of him. I scanned his facebook page for photos trying to figure something that would work and found nothing at all that would stand out.

I scrapped that idea and pushed it further back into my plans. Roughly around the time i was creating artwork for the art fair i had something to drawing. I had a small idea of what i was going to do but not sure how it all would workout. Yet again like many other works it was tucked again. Then one April morning i got a call from Isac's 7 year old sister begging for me to create something for his door. Surprisingly everyone else in the house had something i drew on their doors except him. I didn't really think much of it because he's a guy and i figured most guys didn't take things like that to heart.

With a little bit more pep in my step i began drawing again. Like most teenagers he's in love with Lil' Wayne. I do use the words IN LOVE very strongly, and when i say that i mean in the sense that Isac would have his babies. He's even gone on record as saying that! Granted i'll save my speech on Lil' Wayne for another post but there's no denying almost everyone who knows music is aware of him. But i tried to give a small sense of his daydreaming of Lil' Wayne as well as the feeling that a lust for living life free is vibrant. That would somewhat explain why his name is on a heart monitor thumping. After a little extra effort and revamping this is what i came up with.

Lady Gaga & Tyler Swift

These are some of the photos that i used to draw for the Festival. I'm not in the same realm as your theme park/boardwalk artist but hey i try.

Searching for a Zen moment

I've been beaten and overcome with the feeling of emptiness over the past couple of months. I know the stem of it all and it has to deal with work. The constant pushing and pulling has become to much for me to handle. This would explain why i struggled to attend this years Western Branch Cultural Art Festival. I was almost the 24 hr before i decided that i was going to commit to it. Even still i didn't know what i was going to do or show. Just weeks before that moment i had tossed all my old drawing and sketch references out. They were tattered and torn so no need no holding onto bad artwork. The day the festival before i sat in Panera and draw for hours. I ended up spending the better part of 6 hours attempting to get my artwork together. It wasn't that it all was so hard but more that i felt the freedom that i don't get on my 9 to 5 (which isn't a 9 to 5 at all more like a 9 to 9). I had been warned the week of the event that there was a committee of teachers that wanted some changes done this year. Changes to a system that i've spent more than a decade perfecting with my presentations. It went from choosing one student to getting them all correlate and taught to draw within in 15 mins. Now this is elementary school students that we are referring too.. I did what they wanted, was it my best "no". I also have reservations if i'll do it again that way. The point of the entry wasn't to talk about my trails and tribulations as art wanting to leave his 9 to 5 behind. It was to share an interesting conversation that i had with a fellow artist. Mr. Nicholas is a master Chinese brush painter. This year we both agreed that we were having problems getting ourselves up for this year's fair. He told me about an demonstration that he did for some culture students on the topic of Zen. The professor told the students that the brush painter should enter a state of nothingness in order to create a good piece. A state of nothingness? I had to agree with him there is a state but nothingness isn't it. It's a state of emotional connection for me. When i turn my music on and i force my mind, energy on being creative it just happens. Sometimes it turns out well other times simply horrible but it turns out. I'm not sure where the energy comes from but it's buried deep down inside of me. The angry, frustration, bitterness, happiness, and the content all spill out at some time or another while i'm drawing or painting. The only thing i can compare to a Zen moment is driving. When you take the same path for ages and ages your mind wanders while you're behind the wheel. Sadly to say i know my mind does and i don't even have to be texting or playing with my ipod for that to happen.

Pencil test..1

As much as i love my friend Mike, he has been killing me over the past couple of weeks/months. 2 months ago, he finally gave me his Christmas gift. Anyone that knows me, knows that i'm extremely humble. I'm not use to taking credit because credit doesn't excite me. The same logic applies to gifts. I'm not one to rush to open any package or gift because i would rather give than receive. So i'm horrible at accepting gifts. Michael brought me a set of artist pencils that literally took me almost 3 months to unwrap. Almost ever text that he's sent me over the time has referred back to the pencils that i never opened. Feeling a little guilty i began to practice again. My ability to make master pieces with pencil have greatly declined but i still wanted to know if i still had "it". Therefor last week i tested myself while out, and it wasn't to bad for a sketch

Scarlet JO (pic & sketch)

I think back to the moment that i realized how cute she was. I want to say it was Lost in Translation, and i remember finishing the movie simply enjoying the moment. Perhaps it was her blue eyes, button nose, her pouty lips or a combinations of them all but she rose on my celebrate crush list.

the funny thing about this sketch is yet another one i began at Panera. For the record, i don't draw in public to drum up business, to have others in awe or staring over my shoulder. I draw in public because it's a neutral place for me to create. I don't to think about turning the tv channel, falling asleep on the couch, or wonder in the mini studio/dining room is properly lit. I guess since i manage to go there so often i'm somewhat of a regular which means i know some of the staff by face. One of the older ladies that works there that does the ins and outs of the dining area actually told me this was the best sketch she's seen me do. Not sure if it was the best, but i'll take this complaint anyways.

Norfolk Drawing Group # 85

It was Tues the first of my mid-week weekend (back to back days off) and i hadn't gone to drawing in well over 1 month. I felt worst knowing that and heading out than actually drawing. Just to magnify how my day was going i spent 15 mins waiting for a drawbridge opening before i could get there. Honestly i'm glad i came out. I laughed more than i had in a while and it was good to spend time with very crafty artist.

the model moved therefor i didn't want to mess up the drawing above, so why not sketch those around me?

The uninspirable

this photo sums up exactly how i feel. I'm to lazy and tired quite often to draw. Which would explain why the idea of me spending 1 hours a day sketching has gone out the window. The real unexplainable part is how do i get up enough energy to go to work??

Struggling to finish yet another piece

I know i often talk about pieces that i've put off, put off some more than finally put off even more. Well this is no different. My goal is to be completely done by the end of March. Let's keep our figures crossed.

this is a short version of a timeline.

Remember the old Warehouse days of the Norfolk Drawing Group

I didn't make it out to drawing last week and i feel a little bad about that. The lack of funds prevented me from enjoying the evening in the manner that i would've loved to. Still somehow i managed to ways to amuse myself. I actually had this picture for sometimes and a long time ago i wanted to draw a caricature of my friend Noah. The only bad part is that side profile doesn't always make the best subject manner so i tucked it away. Just recently almost 2 years later this photo popped up in my folder of uncreated works. I was seeking for a way to get better control of my color pencil work therefor this seemed like a suitable study.

from left to right, Renee, Mike and Noah

inside the mind of Todd

Sometimes you meet certain artist and you're amazed by the amount and level of work that they've done. Their collective works or body seem to case a huge shadow. Todd is actually a boyfriend of one of my co-workers and he has done more than i could ever dream of. He creates music and his band has played in almost all 50 states, he's a nationally published comic artist, and has online comic blog with a following. I wouldn't say i'm jealous but i feel like i have to head back to the lab to do more work .

I wanted to do something different that shows more of his character as well as his thoughts as he bounced from between part-time jobs. If you look closely you can see both of his jobs, his girlfriend, a recent book that he illustrated, a this toddbot blog. Of course this is my attempt extremely loosely in just allowing the work to happen. It's hard sometimes when you always draw from pictures or references to use your imagination.

he needs me?!

musical breaks are good from time to time. For some reason this song comes to mind and i guess it's good to feel wanted and needed. Mixed in somewhere among the action, horror, comedies and a couple of romantic movies is my only musical. Popeye is a musical to say the least but with Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall this is one of my classic favorites from when i was growing up. I'll probably always be a fan of Popeye too.

Norfolk Drawing Group # 84

I'm not sure why but i didn't bring my paints this past Tues night. I was in such a hurry to get out the door on the way to work that it was one of those things i forgot about. So slightly jealous of my artist who were drawing with their charcoals, pencils, and pens that i brought my own.
Regardless of how low my funds were running i truly needed to go out to draw that evening. My job has been beating down upon me and sucking the spiritual happiness out of me to the point that i truly didn't want to do anything fun or positive. But there i was among friends and creative minds feeling at home again. I noticed that i've drawn the model before in one of these session but i'm not sure which one. So throughout the night allowed the stress to melt away and i feel my drawings got better and better. There were others' works that shined brighter than my own and that's the continuous progress i strive for.

True words spoken in an interlude

this is one of my favorite quotes for an album that i have. It shows that the drive and determination that most creative people. i won't limit it just to artist and musicians because it's greater than that.

Norfolk Drawing Group #83

My fellow artist/painters have been challenging me for some time to paint. "Tommy bring your oils or acrylics and just paint!" Bernard told me eagerly on more than one occassion. I actually planned on doing so until a last minute schedule change at work prevented me from doing so. On a positive note i switched shifts with another co-workers so i could come out this past Tues night to paint. I didn't bring canvases like my fellow artist i simply had a large pad of canvas paper that was almost empty. Most artist will tell you that canvas paper is pretty much good for nothing at all. Yes it's easy to store but no real masterpieces are done on canvas paper. Just in case you didn't believe that the canvas paper was bad enough, i also brought off-brand acrylic paint. For those of you know don't know any acrylic paint that comes in small tubes and have a greater water to acrylic paint ratio isn't good for anything except washes.

So there i was with my paints, drawing easel and ready to work. Honestly i'm not completely devastated by what i created. Yes it's extremely loose something i can't get with my pencil work but it's expressive. Perhaps the amount of layers of paint will show the dissatisfaction i felt throughout that day. The last drawing i did because my fellow artists' pencil and marker works made me a little homesick. Maybe i should've stuck with the paints?!

Red Dawn ( pic & sketch)

It's not great surprise to anyone that i frequent Panera more than i should. Almost to the point where the management team asks me what am i drawing today as well as the cashiers knows what i'm there to do. It's my calm peaceful lake that i can sit beside and simply relax. I'm not at home falling into the couch of doom and finding everything except what i need to be doing at that moment. So on a good week i'm there at least 2 times drawing, writing and reflecting. So eager to draw something more meaningful i took this picture with me and did my best attempt at making it look like something.

Inside the Cereal Box

This cool idea i got from one of those guy that paints at the drawing group i attend. One night he was just using his oil paints on cardboard. Just plain everyday shipping cardboard and to me at least that seemed cool. Other ideas of places that i've gone to and how artist have turned their cardboard boxes into artwork. The best example would be California Pizza Kitchen. The way the boxes are mounted and displayed it doesn't seem like kids scribbling any more. It's legit artwork! I had just finished a box of cereal and i thought what better time than now to paint on it. Worst case scenario if it was so God awful i could just say i was practicing but it actually almost turned out well. At the time i was finishing i wasn't sure if i was going to save it or use it for a Valentine's Day package. Just so happened that it all came together.

I really didn't get a chance to use oils on this one it was basically all acrylic and a little marker work.

'Bullsh** & Bracelets'

Valetine's Day has come and gone and i got a little chance to put my own little twist on some pieces to bring them to life just a little.

The title of this piece comes for an inside joke that i'll share with you. We all have people who push buttons in our lives. That one person that seems to know how to tease you in the same manner that kids tease each other. My friend Cara is in that similar situation. For a while now she has claimed that she wanted to be Wonderwoman because those magical bracelets could deflect bullets. Cara also told me that she could see through the drama and lies of her past. The most encouraging part was that even though you couldn't see her bracelets they were there. So after years of believing lies and listening to fabrications she had finally escaped.

When i saw this magnetic at a local comic book shop i knew it was for her. i also knew that i could put my own small twist on it all to conform to her. The tricky part because i'm always looking for some small degree of difficulty would be using 2 canvases. For shipping purposes mainly but also for storing purposes. A long oddly shaped canvas doesn't quite fit in with everything else when pulled off the wall. I did the initial sketch in pencil and acrylic then went over that with oil. I wish i would've gotten it mailed sooner but the dry time on oil isn't one of my favorite parts.

***This is my personal disclaimer. i'm not a painter nor have i ever claimed to be one. This is an attempt at painting something special. ****

Happy to be S.A.D (Single Awareness Day)

So today is Valentine's Day yet again and i'm confronted with my own feelings. Honestly i don't like this holiday and i haven't for a very long time. I dislike this holiday almost as much as i can't stand romantic movies. I don't hate romantic movies but it has become the poor man's version of HOPE. Everyone knows that hope is a danger thing!

Hey if stand outside her window and hold a radio over your head because eventually she's come. Or if you confuse your love for her because you've been friends forever, she'll see you've always been there. Sorry, life isn't like that at all. Maybe i should work thru those emotions in another piece of artwork.

Truly what i dislike the most is the romance and magic that use to be present all the time is gone. I'm not that guy any more that would buy just because gifts or write poetry at a drop of a hat. It hurt to think who i use to be a really creative romantic guy and know that i can't be that person once again. So i turned off the romantic switch because the energy that flows to it is broken. It almost as sad as the fact that i'm in a relationship. Trust me even though i'm in a relationship, it's a long distance one and doesn't have the same feeling as the typical ones.