Zonin' (pic & sketch) plus Spittin' (pic & sketch)

I know i haven't done enough fun sketches in a while that actually allow me to express my heritage. By no means have i ever figured myself to be a rapper or a writer but i'm more of a poet. I write whenever the mood strikes me and more than anything else i love the in the moment atmosphere that spoken word brings. These sketches are extremely rough because i wanted the marker lines to be in the moment as well.

Angel (pic & sketch)

Angel is one of the women that i look up to spiritually. Hands down she is more of a religious person that i can ever imagine to be. Even though we are from 2 separate faiths overall we both believe in the same goals and teaches. Since we work closely together at work and we have countless people in our store that are there to steal. Which always brings us to the topic of Karma. I know Angel is a good friend and patience will bring her nothing but the success she needs in her life

Sheilla Q... (sketch & pic)

Yet another one of my Old Navy family. I can say there's something about Ms. Shiella. I have a chance as i often to do to sit down and talk personally with associates about not just life but their lives. Shiella moved her from the Philippines and what i'm most proud about her is the simple fact that she believes in her family. So often people move away from there family and forget about them but she never has. I won 't go into great detail about her personal life but i can say that she's is an example of what it means to be a great human being. I have nothing but respect for Mrs. Shiella Q.

Norfolk Drawing Group XXXVI

This believe it or not was my first drawing session of the new year. It felt great to be among friends again. The word friend is tossed around so loosely i think kindred spirits fits a little bit better. Actually that Tues night wasn't a great night for me as an artist. I had some hits and i had some misses also but my goal is simply to get better. I put down the color pencils for one evening and picked up one of the loosest mediums i have charcoal. I want to do more charcoal drawings. I have gotten away from doing them since i've been doing various projects (some of which are still in progress).

"Simply Emily" (pic, sketch, painting)

I have many pictures tacked up on my board in my dining room/ art studio. Most of them in the early sketch stages when it comes to being complete. This drawing is not to far behind. I borrowed it from Emily's photo album because I'm always on the hunt for new material. The best thing that i like about this painting is that i completely got away from my original idea creating someone noir. I wanted something that dark and playing off the lights in the image. As i started to paint i realized that it called for color. Instead of my only introducing 1 or 2 colors i have many more. I didn't eve know that i was being taken on this journey but there i was going along with my emotions. Overall i would say I'm pleased with this sketchy style of painting because it allowed me to be free.

Old boy!

if i had one movie that i could recommend for all to watch it would be Old Boy. It's surprising how under the radar this movie to a wide base knowledge of movie watchers. Without giving away to much of the plot i can easily say it rivals any Shakespearean play.

Since i'm already on the topic of movies i would like to give my own personal list of movies for 2008 (in no certain order).

In Bruges
Wanted
Role Models
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Incredible Hulk
The Fall
Rock'n Rolla

i almost forgot this quick sketch i did in 15 mins while watching Straight out of Brooklyn on tv.

my Last...

drawing of 2008 came a couple of hours before midnight. I was tired, mental exhausted and i pulled out a white color pencil and drew one quick self portrait as a farewell to the year. I feel now the same way i felt then. If i had to label it i would call it emotionally numb. It's hard for some to believe but i simply feel nothing at all right now. No happiness or sadness but simply empty. I glad i have off work tomorrow so i can attempt to deal with it and get back to myself before work on Tues.

"Matt is Rockin' Out" (pic & sketch)

Matt, i actually met through Leah. Mon night has been designated as "Taco night" at the beach for the simple fact they serve $1 tacos. For $1 it serves it's purpose and surpasses Taco Bell. I could easy classify Matt as good company. So often you find yourself talking to people with narrow views of life and the world without ever opening their eyes. I can't say the same for him though. After Leah's going away party which we met up again, i thought it would be a good of time as any to borrow one of his pictures.

"Mickie & Rolando"

When you really think about this world is a really small place. I say this because normally you would think that two people you know wouldn't know each other. Somehow i'm wrong because they do. I had some classes with Rolando at NSU and i work with Mickie at Old Navy, two totally scenes. They managed to make it and strive in a loving working relationship which should give everyone hope.
The drawing of Mickie i did a couple of months ago but i'm been simply to lazy to post it. Actually it's drawing is actually about 3 ft tall . The sketch of Rolando in his "Malcolm X thinker" pose was actually done a year or more ago.

Rick Ross (sketch)

When i was in high school and college i was enjoyed doing caricatures more than anything else. I would attempt to take a photo and twist and turn it into my own style. Over time i got away from doing so drawing because academically it wasn't part of my major.
I sketched out this quick hit of Rick Ross the rapper while i was on break at Old Navy. I originally was going to do one only in pen or pencil but i found some lost crayola color pencils. This is the result.

Madonna (Marly) & her Daughter" (pic & sketch)

When i started this blog i promised myself that i would attempt to be as honest as possible. The story about how i first met Marly is an odd one. The entire time i went to NSU i was working as well as going to school. So i have never little or no interaction oustide of my normal school hours. It was one day before my final semester i was in the computer lab as were many student tied together their last projects. I remember zoning out staring into a project that there was no way in hell i know how to create it, but looking up and seeing Marly. I just recall a feeling of being awe struck by how beautiful she was, but still frozen at the same time. The following semester i had a chance to sit and get involved more with my classmates but that moment stands out.

This is my version of a sketch of Marly holding her daughter. Even though it doesn't have any true ties to being a Madonna and Child piece it still embodies the spirit.

Darkman (pic & sketch)

I know most people would question why i have a sketch of Darkman? The answer is a simple one. I liked the comic book style in which the movie was shot. Part of me can connect with the main character because i also have lost something important. Quite often it's due to things that were out of my control. It's puzzling how one thing can seem to push people over the edge into something new. I wouldn't go as far as to say improved but into a hyper sense of emotional interaction. The same rage and anger that Darkman feels in the movie is the same feelings i channel with i draw.

Alison (sketch & sketch II)

I have to apologize to myself for actually missing this weeks painting session. I don't like to make a habit of missing to many opportunities to draw. But something things come up that you simply have to deal with.

Alison is actually one of the regulars at Tues night's drawing session. I like to think of her as the silent assassin. While others you can't get them to be quiet more than 5 mins, she on the only hand hardly says a word. It's the quiet ones i've heard you have to watch out for. I can say that Alison is clearly the coolest vegan i know other than Moby.

"Thank you Jack" (drawing & pic)

I know it's late on a Friday and i'm watching a silly horror movie (Return to the Hunted House on the Hill) on tv. There are numerous thing i could be doing but i find myself forcefully taking a mental break from drawing. I've done my far share for this evening and tomorrow is another day (or so i tell myself)

This picture i found on AOL during their versions of celebrities at court side. As you can imagine i found it interesting the way that Jack was flashing his Kobe MVP shirt. Yes, i agree he was MVP of the 2008 season but i also saw it as a way to do a little more pop art. I've never been able to do graffiti art but if i could this is probably who i would write my name. Jack may never know that he plugged my name but i want to thank him anyway for the pose.

Holidays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX9b7vT-1Xw

Christmas has come and gone and what I've realized is that this is one holiday that i never get a chance to really enjoy myself during. I say that because since i was 17 i've been working retail. While most people have the luxury of shopping when they want to and spending time with love ones i don't. My focus has always been about simply recovering when i get the time to. I've been more emotionally drained this year than i can recall any previous year. That has a lot to do with being yelled at or pulled in so many directions on any given day that I ask myself is this really where I'm suppose to be. So on my days off i don't want to go anywhere simply sleep. For example i got off work this past Tues and everyone who knows that i go to my drawing group that night. I was so burnt out that i went home only to rest up but ending up falling asleep. I know I've missed parties, movie outing, and hanging out with friends over the past months but honestly i can't take the complete blame for it. I'm simply tired!

Overall i did have a good Christmas. I got plenty of things that i needed not only around the house but in life as well. I got to see my family, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandmothers even if it was for a brief moment in time. Until next time.

Emily (sketch revisited)

Previously i draw a simply pen sketch of my friend Emily. One thing i try to attempt to do often is draw in the same manner in which their original artist would. In this case, it's Emily and her style in itself is very mystic and imaginative. I couldn't come close to that while i attempted to finish it one early morning before work this past week. But i feel it balances out the empty background that i have and separates the foreground as well.

"Gabby Sketch"

Just recently my little niece the 2 foot terror celebrated her 1st birthday. Actually today after i got off of work i went to her birthday party. Being an uncle is actually different that i could have imagined. I guess it's a good thing that she still knows who i am even after moving out some time ago. It's funny not to long ago she wasn't just crawling now she's walking up and down steps. Who knows maybe one day I'll even have a son or daughter of my very own but until that i will cherish the fact that she is a handful.

"Brian (sketch & picture)"

I pretty much can get along with anyone working at Old Navy. There are also a few people that even if i didn't work there we'll probably be friends. Brian is one of those people. I've know him for over a year and i can say overall he's a very cool and very level headed person who never loosing himself in the moment. I have yet to see him get loud or raise his voice, that's hard to do with you're surrounded by crazy customers and insane associates. So i dedicate this to the pencil sketch to the coolest that we all should process.

Superman Doesn't Always Wear His glasses.. (Trey)

So what can i say about Mr. Trey that isn't true. That's how this blog should really start. Actually Trey is yet another one of my store opening friends that i've had a pleasure enough to meet and enjoy hanging out with in Richmond. I give him credit for doing the right thing and getting out of the Old Navy hassle when the moment was right. There's so many numerous stories i can tell about the Adventures of Trey & Tommy, for example being at a seafood dinner that actually turned into a club after hours or the infamous "Hey Girl !" story which never gets old. I can say Trey is good friend to have. So if you ever see any pictures of me in Richmond this guy isn't to far behind.

katie Lea Burchill

One thing i'm very proud of is that i'm a wrestling fan. I have been and probably always. I'm not going to justify the reason why i like it because this isn't what this post is about. This post is about a female wrestler, Katie Lea. It's a very known fact to those who know me that i'm a sucker for european women and i'm drawn to women with long hair. So when i saw her and heard her accent as well it the rest is pretty much history. I stumbled on this photo which which i simply couldn't turn down the chance to draw. I hope that my version of the original  does her the justice that she deserves. 

Leia (sketch) "She worn her faith with her always"

Leia is actually yet another one of my c0-workers that work with. Why i keep raiding there photo galleries is a small mystery to me. She's one of my fellow Portsmouth people which make me happy to know that i wasn't the only one taking the insane 30 minutes or more, never less drive to Virginia Beach to work. The best part is that she's actually going to my former high school as well. I have to lover a fellow Churchland Trucker. 

What i'm most proud to say about Leia is the fact she is one person that i know who is extremely open about everything in her life. Which is hard for most people to do and she's proud of her faith. 

The Real Reason Why I Draw....

hopefully it's clear and easy for everyone to see what that reason is by now. I do it because there's an itch within my body that simply needs to be scratched. Today i was in Barnes & Nobles which is my normal spot to unwind sitting in the cafe table sketching out of magazines. I was there not because i was attention drive but simply for the reason it felt right. It's a place that  encourages squatter to sit, stay and enjoy the atmosphere. 

To put it simply i don't draw for fame or for recognition. i just want to be know as someone who was simply working out things inside my head and mind in a creative way.  Don't get me wrong if people like my art work or i do gain fame along the way that would be just as well but there was never my reason. 

I was having a similar discussion with one of my fellow drawing mate Bernard this past Tuesday about what are the main things that give me joy. I tried to explain to him this is my joy. I idea of  having a voice that can be seen, felt, and expressed with others is the greatest thing in the world. I spend so much of my day in side job (retail) being restrained from being the person i know i am but this is my way of liberating myself. So when I'm on my break with a pencil or pen in my hand drawing it's mental meditation for me. 

Above is my mini studio, which is actually my dinning room of my apartment. I say that because my day job annual income doesn't really allow me to have second room which was to be my studio. I tacked up pics which would be future art work which slowly one by one will be pulled down. 

Mary Mary!" (sketch)

It's funny how quickly a sketch takes form. Last night i was bored because nothing good was on tv and there was nothing really to treat as background noise so i finished up this picture and began to sketch. Part of the reason that lead to me to this picture is due to that fact that i saw Mary at work this past week. It's at least been a couple of months since she's popped in but it's good to know that she's doing well. The fondest memories is that Mary gives the best hugs that i know. I'm secure enough to say that as a guy, but she makes you feel really loved when she hugs someone.

blue book (value)

a model that i missed one night during drawing because i was sick
Janette Lee "The Black Widow" not only is she sexy but she can play pool too.
Emily, during one of our down sessions with coffee in hand. this is still a work in progress because i know how she loves her abstract backgrounds..lol


I recently finished another sketch pad. It seems to happy more often as i write down my things as well as idea in scribble language that hopefully only i can understand. I made a small promise to myself that i would take i would grab a sketch pad that would be filled with nothing but serious drawings. Normally my doodles get have really little or no structure but this supposedly small jem would be different. All them of these are pen drawings.

" Brittany" (pic & sketch)

This is the quick story of Brittany. I mentioned this before i was part of a traveling store opening group for Old Navy. Before the slow down in the store openings one of the last stores that i opening in Va was the Chesapeake Sq. location. You meet well over a hundred people and some stand out and other done but i recall meeting Brittany. I guess it was her bubbly attitude towards life that peeked my attention. Over the next couple of months either i would come in to shop or work at that location and she would there. So as you can imagine our friendship grew. She was like the girlfriend that i never saw [only if i was younger j/k].

She asked me recently why i didn't draw any pictures of her and i told her because EVERY picture i always see of her is smiling. I don't draw happy people because it seems like a large production and overly posed, but as you can see i drew her that way.

Norfolk Drawing Group Sketch Session (revisited)

Everyone has there own definition of what family and friends but the closest thing I've come to that is rubbing elbows with some really talented people every Tues night. It gets my creative juices flowing and inspires me to be more creative as well watching others that are passionate about art. Some are doing this for a hobby other that are doing this as a profession but I'm simply in awe. I often invite my friends to come and draw not because it's therapeutic but for the simple fact that art is one thing that has no wrong and right answer. Any given Tues i have someone creating a massive 5 foot tall sketch on the ground , someone else beside sketching strictly with a pen that looks similar to a pencil drawing, and a human art printer that sketches from left to right as well as top to bottom. I know i talk about about samurais and respect but i'm honored to be there.

"Craig (sketch & pic)"

This past summer while i was in Richmond i had a chance to hang out with Craig who is a pretty interesting guy. This is sketch i drew from one of his pictures.

"Vi (pic & sketch)"

I attempted to keep my promise and by purchasing a camera which to attempt to feel more productive about my sketching. This sketch i actually did a while ago for one of my co-workers Vi. Vi is a little funny from time to time mainly because she'll ask you the same question 11x within 2 minute time frame. "Tommy, what time are we leaving?" "Hey Tommy, what time are we leaving?" The funniest thing is that you would think that she would change her wording or phrasing... NOPE! In all seriously, Vi is a pretty cool person to work with.

"I Sing for Her But She isn't Here"

is actually one of my favorite lines from the movie The Killer. I changed the him to her to fit what my own context. I find myself being drawn and collecting movie of assassins and professional hit man which could explain why i posted this. Recently i finished reading a collection of stories that span 28 books (of which i have 26 of them) and 2 to 3 years of buying them off and on about a samurai. Few know the tale of Lone Wolf and Cub but that is a story that's close to my heart. I sympathize with characters that has been seemingly defeated, because it gives me hope that my life will change as well. I won't go into detail about it because i have my own violin to play. I determined to get a camera this weekend i can tell you that is one thing that will happen.