TCAF 2014

This weekend will be the first time in two years I've been to Toronto!  This town is one of my favorite places in the world, and I have met way too many cool, kind people to believe that it even truly exists.  Each year there is a great little event called Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF).  I've attended it for years and made great friends.

Anyway, this time I'm not exhibiting or selling books or sketches, but I'll just be hanging out... 

This is little Joey Bluhm in 2007, at his first TCAF.  This was the debut of my first book, REJECTS.  It was where I met many of the great Canadians I know and love today, when they welcomed my art and myself with the warmth only Toronto can bring.  (thanks Sam!!!)

This is 2009.  I was a bit spunkier and cranked out as many extreme caricatures as I could, making even more friends.  I think this is the year that Manale started copying me and drawing ugly portraits... he does it way better.

Here is hair-parted-for-who-knows-what-reason Joe in 2012, my last time in Toronto.  I decided to shake it up and paint Victorian / Edwardian era portrait commissions for about half the price I should have.  I don't know why... it was fun.  I still owe one person their commissions (sorry Ray!  One left to go, I'll see you in a couple days!)  Manale cut off a finger to prove he is 'more extreme' with his penny caricatures.  I still am not impressed.

In contrast to last year, keeping my head down with acrylic paints on wood for 40 straight hours, I'll be very excited to fraternize and have a drink with all the amazing people in Toronto.  No work for me, just seeing great people and enjoying and purchasing great art.  

For those who are looking to check it out, it's at the Toronto Reference Library, it's free, and it's my favorite 'convention' (comic festival) of the year.  Make sure you find the amazingly talented Vanesa R. Del Rey and scope her work, it's incredible.

Hope to see you there!

Paintings, coming soon...

Coming very soon is an update to ObjectArtShow.com - full of original art for sale.

Nearly a year ago, Adam Volker and I decided to put on a fine art show here in Shreveport, and it was a blast. We kicked out an entirely new collection of traditional paintings in a matter of months. We now want to offer the paintings for your enjoyment and possible ownership.  

I'll let you know when the website is updated and the art is ready to be seen.  Here's a little preview:

Fargo

click to enlarge

Brad Bird interview

"Quality is the best business policy."

 This is an old interview with Brad Bird, around the time of Pixar's release of the film that inspired me to move into animation, "Ratatouille".  Brad Bird's sensibility and talent focus has aligned with mine since I've heard a word from him, and his films and work have consistently hit me with a resounding sense of 'correct'.  He inspires me and has an artist's sensibility, yet understands the function and commitment of teamwork and 'big picture' needs.  This is a great listen.

A lucky photograph

Today I snapped this photo of the smallest bird I have ever seen! At first I thought it was a brightly colored dragonfly, but when I crouched down I saw it had feathers. It was flapping around, but didn't seem too scared, so I extended my hand and it eventually hopped onto my thumb!  Thankfully, I had my DSLR with me, but even that couldn't produce a very good photo, as the wind was blowing and I didn't have it in the right macro setting.

What do you think -- have you ever seen a bird this small before?!   (click photo for larger version)

(did I get ya?)

Fine Art // Painting exhibition on November 8

OBJECT

myself and Adam Volker...

APE!

From Moonbot's "Sketch Tuesday":

Our friends over at the Center for Great Apes are celebrating their 20th anniversary! The center provides a sanctuary for apes that have been rescued from roadside zoos, research labs, the entertainment industry and the pet trade. To say congrats, here are a few sketches from the bots for Sketch Tuesday:

So here's a quick piece, done for fun!   (click to enlarge)

Dog Portrait progress

Still painting my girl Olive - this is 3 short sessions (3-4 hours each).  I'm looking to complete a painting per week by end of August, and after that two per week.  It is more about comfort and efficiency of the idea.  But who knows, for some pieces it may be a 3 hr painting, and others it may be a 3 week or 3 month painting.  Either way, this is stupid-level fun!

I should have the completed and framed painting in a couple weeks (taking time off at the beach). 

Catch you soon!

Painting.

I miss painting.

So I started to paint again. 

Artists and creatives often get stuck in a rut when they have an idea but don’t see the confident or clear angle to attack or resolve it.  I’ve been in that position a hundred or more times, and it feels like you are considering “what’s best” for your work.  Or how to “figure all of it out” before you execute.

It makes sense, right?

The issue then is that you start to noodle.  How many ways can you skin this cat?  When is the right time to schedule it?  How do you promote it to the world?  Who do you invite to collaborate?  Do you have time in your schedule to set aside regularly?  Is there a benefit?  Do you need to unwind instead?

...is this REALLY what you want to do with your time?

This last question was part of my hesitation for many ideas and projects, for years.  I decided recently that this is never going to be an obstacle again.  The thought of letting time pass by, and with it opportunity and creative want, is something that I can no longer think about and let happen.  I can’t bear it.

For whatever reason— age, position, circumstance, spirituality, or other— it hit me out of nowhere.  One day I was walking along and doing some shopping when the idea of our limited time on this planet engulfed my brain.  It took over my entire being.  Thinking of those who shaped me, and what they did.  Thinking of those who change the world.  Thinking of how over 32 years has already passed and looking at how little there could be left… put me in a place of shock.

I mulled it over for a while.  I’ll be honest, it was tough.  But there was a spark that was created… and ember grew and turned into a little flame.  A fire was ignited:  I will not pass up the chance to do WHAT I CAN WHILE I AM STILL HERE.
 
This made me happy.  This made things seem easy.

So since then I have been rekindling all of my personal projects and desires.  The art that I want to make, the experiences I want to have.  The things I feel I can effect with those around me.  It is rejuvenated.

So I’m painting again.  I’ll share more art as it comes out here, but yes — I’m painting large scale art on canvas.  Something I (for God knows WHAT reason) have not been doing for years.  It feels great.
There are other things I’m planning and working on as well, and I’ll share them as they come.

If you can do me, and yourself, one favor: don’t noodle.  Be bold.  That thing you’ve been thinking about doing?  Creating?  Making?  Exploring?  

Do it.

I Heart Vespa

My good buddy Beau Hufford is putting on a show in San Diego featuring VESPA ART!  I decided this was a GREAT motivator to paint traditionally, so I put together these pieces for the show next week.  Look it up on Facebook if you are in the area, and check it out.  Beau knows many great artists out there, so it's sure to be exciting.

(above: detail of 22" x 28" piece - will share the full painting soon)

Hot off the press!  18" x 14" - finished this Vespa utility truck this week.  Both are getting framed.