O.K., before I go any further, let me state for the record: I'm not turning this into an art blog! I'm actually working on a new 'topical' post (to follow shortly), but I was coerced into sharing some of the stuff I do during my day job as a graphic designer and an illustrator. However, most of what I get paid for is pretty dry stuff - flyers, ads, business cards and the like. So what I've included here is stuff I've done mostly for myself, and I'm actually pretty proud of it. It's just a hodge-podge of illustrations and paintings I've done over the years, both in and out of college.
About the Art: The work I did in college is a combination of airbrushed ink, and acrylic and gouache paints. (Gouache, pronounced
gwash, is opaque watercolor.) I did the computer "paintings" by first drawing the outline in Adobe Illustrator and then transferring that image to Adobe Photoshop so I could airbrush in the colors, shadings, highlights, etc. None of the computer images are photographs.
Anyway, here's my stuff. Hope you like 'em. :-)
 |
| Wheel [airbrush, pen and ink] When I was in college, I tried to do one painting per semester as sort of a sanity check. Most of our 6 hour classes invariably involved doing stuff we didn't really want to do. (I only did 2, so I was nuts most of the time and fit in perfectly.) So this painting was something I wanted to do. My major was graphic design, but I entered this piece in a juried illustration exhibit and it was selected (a big deal). I loved this painting and, unfortunately, it was lost in a fire. (Ironically, the fire didn't destroy it; the firemen did.) |
 |
| Just Because [airbrush, pen and ink] This is another "sanity-check" painting while I was in school. Just an abstract mish-mash of images I found interesting. (FYI - My initials, "SCB", are in here...somewhere.) |
 |
Still Life [airbrush, ink and gouache] I did this when I was into a lot of New Age music. (No haters! It was the eighties.) Lots of electric harps and tinkly little bells. Anyway, this is what I "saw" when I listened to some of that stuff. I was going for abstract and airy.
|
 |
| E.T.'s Dad [airbrush, pen and ink] Before I went to art school, I went through a bit of a comic book phase. There is absolutely no "concept" about this guy. I just thought he looked strong and benevolent. I also didn't come up with the name "E.T.'s Dad", but I have no idea who did. |
 |
| AHHHH! [no. 2 pencil and ink wash] This was an in-class assignment when I was in art school. Our 'studio' classes were 6 hours, so I had plenty of time to begin and complete a project in a single afternoon. The assignment was to illustrate an emotion. (We got lots of "artsy" assignments.) Well, mine was frustration. So I had Jessica, the girl sitting next to me in class, make this face over...and over...and over again until I was done. I felt great afterward. And she was frustrated. Mission accomplished! |
 |
Maria [airbrush, pen and ink] This was the first portrait I ever did, and it is maybe my favorite painting. Unfortunately, it was of a cast-iron bitch who happened to be my college sweetheart at the time. Sigh. Choices...
|
 |
| Happy Face [adobe illustrator and photoshop] Follow up portrait of Maria. |
 |
| Watch [adobe illustrator and photoshop] Though I've actually only earned about $9 doing commercial illustration, I try to keep my skills up. One way I do that is to recreate photographs I find in magazines. I saw this watch ad and decided to draw it on the computer. There's something I like about the challenge of analyzing a photographic image and then figuring out the best way to do it on the computer. (I've actually earned a bit more than nine bucks drawing things, but most of my paying gigs are graphic design.) Click on image for enlarged view. |
 |
| My Ride [adobe illustrator and photoshop] The best way I know to learn how to use computer illustration software is to play with it without the pressure of an actual paying assignment. This geeky-cool new Photoshop filter came out that could render chrome super-realistically. So I decided to play. This illustration started out as a single, chrome sphere. Then it just spiraled completely out of control and ended up the ass-end of a Ferrari. (Click on image for enlarged view.) |
 |
Mikey-Mic [adobe illustrator and photoshop] I saw a photograph of this microphone in a piece of junk mail I got and I just knew I had to try to recreate it in the computer. Again, this was just a fun thing for me to do strictly for myself. (Click on image for enlarged view.)
|
 |
| Boom Box [adobe illustrator and photoshop] During an extended (and welcome) slow period at work, I decided to draw my CD player. I think because I started my art career learning the airbrush, I've always been intrigued by reflective surfaces (chrome, plastic, steel, etc.), something the airbrush is ideal for. That sensibility carried over into my computer work, so I that's why I find myself doing so much 'technical illustration'. It's also a helluva lot easier to draw things than people! |
 |
| Alien Space Frisbees [adobe illustrator and photoshop] Honestly, I don't know why... |
AMAZING! You already know I think you're extremely talented. ;-)
ReplyDelete@Steven..not to be down on your but I see a pattern with you and women..hope you have broken the pattern with @Christy, just saying.
ReplyDelete@Steven64 I've looked over your pieces several times. Great work! Very realistic. My favorite is Alien Space Frisbees. Maybe because I'm a geek, but it's just cool dude. Looks like it should be a movie poster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know the medium you used to create them, and for giving us an explanation of them. It helped for people like me who are artists.
@Steven64 thanks for sharing your work with us! My faves are Ahhhhhh, Mikey-Mic, and Wheel. Gotta be honest, Happy Face SCARES ME! LOL!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you have talent and I like seeing art like this with a realistic look. Like @Dino, I reviewed them several times seeing little details I missed each time before. I'll be back to look again and again I'm sure.
Thanks!
@Steven I had no idea, man! Wow! Like some of the other people, I've spent some time looking these over and will likely be back to look again. I can't pick my favorites right now. I'll be back in a night or two to let you know.
ReplyDeleteI also like the changes you made to your layout. Nice. Good addition of the blog list. Didn't know @Christy or @Hooka had blogs. Good to know. I'll check them out later. Right now, I want to take another look at your art.
Like this post a lot and appreciate you sharing. Very good work!
ReplyDeleteUm, I hope Maria doesn't visit this blog. LOL! Yowsa! The art of her was beautiful, but your wording about her, wow, especially the follow up piece! I like your art. Really nice. Thanks for telling us how you did it. Cool!
ReplyDeleteE.T.'s Dad is really cool. A lot of the others too, but that's my favorite. Nice work, dude.
ReplyDeletealien frisbees are mine :)
ReplyDeleteI think I have a copy of "Just Because" somewhere - you used that piece as a bit of self-promo. And ACKKKK! I did NOT need to see Maria that up close and personal. Hated that biatch. But you know that.
ReplyDeleteAgree @sorei. Like 'em all tho.
ReplyDelete@Christy: Thank you, Veep my Veep. :-)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: Oh, I've certainly had a history with women. Fortunately for me and @Christy, it's just that: history. I'm a firm believer that sowing one's oats – good and bad – is healthy as long as you learn something from each experience.
@Dino and @sorei: Glad you like the frisbees. I'm a geek! I'm a geek! LOL! I've got some other sci-fi stuff that I may post at a later date. Gotta tweak a couple of pieces. Glad you like the work. @Dino, what kind've art do you do?
@Blossom: @Christy said "Happy Face" would be the avatar for Stephen King's Pennywise the Clown if he blogged. LOL! Appreciate the overall compliment. :-)
@Night Owl: Dude! Missed you these past few days. Glad you like the art. And the layout changes. I felt it incumbent upon myself to show da love for some of my peeps. Definitely check out @Christy and @Hooka's blogs when you get a moment or three.
@Leaf, @A Visitor, @Junior and @Oh Yeah: Thanks! @A Visitor, I'm pretty sure Maria doesn't even know I'm still alive! LOL! I think of the somewhat…pointed caption and "follow-up portrait" as cathartic, but I don't really have ill will toward her anymore. Sort of. Mostly. LOL!
@theminx: Hey, woman! Nice to see you here. You're, literally, the only person I know who knew Maria. And other than my mom, you're the only one who warned me about her! But ya gotta admit, the painting turned out better than she did. LOL! And you're right -- I used "Just Because" on this flyer I had printed when we were still in school. I still have a shitload of them in a box somewhere…kindling…
@Steven - first for some reason a couple of your photos, and maybe it's just me this morning, are coming in as a red X. They weren't earlier. I'll try again later.
ReplyDeleteNow to the good stuff. Already told you you're talented dude! Good stuff!
My favorites:
- Wheel
- My Ride
- Alien Space Frisbees
I'm still looking them over though. I might change my mind by this afternoon. :-) I think they're all really good.
@Hooka, it could be your browser. At work (shhh...don't tell them I'm here) I use the default which is Explorer (yuck). But I secretly installed Chrome and Firefox because I prefer them. On Explorer it did the same thing with me, showed a red X. With the other two browsers, the photos show up. Are you using one browser at home and one at work?
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
Oh and my favorites are: Alien Space Frisbees, Mikey-Mic, and My Ride. Of course I really love them all.
@Steven my mistake I meant "It helped for people like me who AREN'T artists." Sorry. I'm always leaving things out that change the meaning. I wish I was an artist. I'd sell my work if I could do stuff like this.
ReplyDeleteI like it all. Very Pretty.
ReplyDeleteWicked art dude! Can't believe how you did some of it! I'm impressed. I'd hang it on my wall as posters.
ReplyDelete@Steven you're very talented. I like Ahhhhh...., Watch, Wheel, and Boom Box. You should do one of @Christy!
ReplyDeleteNiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!
ReplyDelete2 thumbs ups! Like them all!
ReplyDelete@Steven cool pictures!!
ReplyDeleteWow Steven!!! A blast from the past seeing your art again. The chrome stuff really had me in flashbacks of highschool and all the art classes we had together! But damn did you just get better and better! I love them all..."Wheel" is my fav and something I would hang on my wall as art. Plus it brings me back to you as my sweet/funny teenaged friend. "Maria" is a stunning piece that I had no idea you had in you! WOW! Impressive! "Ahh" was so uncharacteristic of your style....but it was fabulous! Loved the watch, ferrari, mike and frisbees, too! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnita
@Christy, our esteemed Veep! You're right about the browser being the problem. I've tried Chrome and Firefox, no problem. Explorer (loser), suddenly can't see all the art.
ReplyDelete@Steven if anyone else complains about not being able to see all your art, now you know why, thanks your awesome First Lady! @Christy rocks! But you already know that.
Su-weet! Art is stunning and explanations are interesting.
ReplyDelete@Steven, I wish you would have posted the one you did for your nephew's graduation. To show off how handsome your nephew is. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi! ;-)
ReplyDelete@Steven! The wife and I think you've got a lot of talent! We both like art that's more realistic like this. What a gift you have man!
ReplyDeleteI like Wheel and My Ride best, but think they're all great.
The wife likes Alien Space Frisbees, Mikey-Mic, Happy Face (I'll explain), and Still Life.
It's so funny @Christy said something about it being the avatar for Pennywise, because the wife said it looked like something Stephen King would dream up. She's a big King fan. She just loves @Christy anyway, so now she likes her even more because they had a similar thought about a piece of your art! LOL!
Keep doing what you do man! Folks like it.
Oh and meant to say that we're going to join @Christy's blog too. Thanks for adding that to your site. Nice changes! You should be promoting your lady's work.
ReplyDeleteWe think she's a sweetheart and you're a great guy. :-)
@Steven I found your initials in Just Because! Do I get a prize? LOL! Very nice! I like it!
ReplyDeleteI also really like Still Life (the musical notes are great). Mikey-Mic is clean and appeals to me for some reason I can't explain.
The one of the girl was initially beautiful, but after reading your comments and those of your friend (confirming she was not a good person), the art has taken on new meaning and it's no longer appealing to me. I think she's ugly. Isn't it interesting that knowing she wasn't a good person changed my opinion of the entire art piece?
FYI for anyone using Explorer (sucks), @Christy is right. Switch to Chrome or Firefox because you won't be able to see all the art. I tried it at work yesterday where we have to use Explorer and was missing two pieces. At home I could see them all on Chrome.
I really like your writing and art style @Steven. You keep me and my fiance coming back. We may not always comment, but we do always read. :-)
@Christy and @Hooka: Thanks for the tech tip for everyone about the browser issues. I don't want everyone thinking I painted a big red "X".
ReplyDelete@Hooka: Thanks for the kudos!
@Anita: Hey you!! I just found a photo taken for the yearbook of me holding one of my chrome airbrush paintings from Mrs. Koppel's class! Too funny. (Really? Were we that young?) Glad you stopped by to take a peek at mah stuff. Oh, and "Ahhhh" is definitely a one-off. Haven't done anything like it since. ;-P
@Dino: LOL! It's okay that you're not an artist; that's what I'm here for.
@Not An Artist, @Jonas, @Sandy, @Angel (like the 2 thumbs up!), @Amanda and @Bob: Big, mushy THANK YOU! :-)
@Amanda: FYI - I'm sitting here on hold with AT&T tech support about my Internet service. Again. Just say NO to AT&T! ;-P
@Anonymous (Tracy!): I didn't include the thing I did for my gorgeous nephew because it was his class photo, and not a painting.
@Sansarita: Hi, back at'cha! :-)
@Grey Goose: Dude! (and Mrs. Goose!) Good to see you; we missed you! @Christy were wondering how you've been. Sounds like you guys are doing a-ok. Thanks for the props about my artwork. Too funny about the Stephen King/Pennywise thing. I'm a huge King fan too, one more reason @Christy and I get along so famously. And definitely check out @Christy's blog, Booksflutterby. ;-)
@Michele: @Christy likes Mikey-Mic too. :-) What you said about the painting of the girl was very interesting. Knowing what someone's like on the inside can really change how you feel about their outside. I've met people who weren't physically attractive, but they were such amazing people that they somehow seemed beautiful. Soul trumps looks every time! I'm glad you and your hubby-to-be like coming here. It's always nice to see you. :-)
@Steven..good point about the photo of your gorgeous nephew, do love the pictures, I like the watch one. ;-P
ReplyDelete@Tracy: Thanks, sis! ;-)
ReplyDelete@Grey Goose and Mrs. Grey Goose! So good to see you back! Mrs. Grey Goose, you need your own name and avatar. Come on! Join us! ;-)
ReplyDelete@Steven thanks for the tech props, but it was really your lady @Christy who figured it out. I just tested her theory and confirmed. No wonder you said she was your tech support! LOL!
ReplyDelete@Steven & @Christy I have to agree IE sucks but at work that's all I can use, security is really locked down here. Your Alien Space Frisbees is cool too.
ReplyDelete@Steven I am staying away from AT&T as long as I can...LOL!!
@Hooka: @Christy's not just my tech support, she's my life support!
ReplyDelete@Amanda: RE AT&T: GOOOOOD! (I know, I know, beating a dead horse with the AT&T thing. I just can't help it. I hate them so. LOL!)
@Michele: I totally forgot to mention your finding my initials in that one painting! Congratulations! You win...nothin'. LOL! But you have my undying admiration. :-) Seriously, it's cool that you found it. None of my classmates spotted it. They just wondered what those weird shapes were. Nice job, Eagle Eye! :-)
@Steven I'm disappointed. I was hoping the prize for finding your initials was a trip to Tahiti for my honeymoon. LOL! I'll take your undying admiration. ;-) Honestly, it took me a long time to find them. I had to kind of lean back and look at it, and even then it was a slow dawning thing. My fiance helped confirm I was correct.
ReplyDelete@Michele: HA! Tahiti, you say? Wouldn't THAT be nice? I'll keep my eyes open for Super Saver specials...;-P
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks! We want all expenses included, please. Must have a spa. :-)
ReplyDelete@Michelle: Oh well, gee, of course. We wouldn't wanna send you guys on a half-assed Pacific honeymoon, would we now? ;-)
ReplyDeleteWheel is sharp! Also the smiley face. Evil cool! Great art!
ReplyDeleteThanks, @Kale! Glad you dig it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteTrabalho muito bom!
ReplyDelete@Norton: ¡Obrigado, meu amigo!
ReplyDeleteUmmmmm...whut? LOL! Wish I knew what those last 2 posts said. Your art rocks dude! Good showing of range and style. I like the explanations of medium too. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Junior: Near as I can figger, @Norton said "Good job". To which I replied, "Thanks, my friend!". Whether I'm right or not... (Hopefully he didn't say "You suck!". That would suck. LOL!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, your welcome! Thanks for taking a look. :-)
@Steven: He actually said, Very good work!
ReplyDelete@Amanda, what language is it?
ReplyDelete@Christy: Portuguese :)
ReplyDelete@Amanda: How the hell did you know that? Oh. Wait. Never mind. You probably won't tell me cuz you're a chick. LOL!
ReplyDelete@Steven: as Secretary of Defense I know all languages, and yes CHICKS RULES!! LOL!!
ReplyDelete@Amanda: Οποιοσδήποτε. Νέό!
ReplyDelete@Steven, Θυμηθείτε, κανόνας νεοσσών!
ReplyDelete@Steven & Christy: Now you are going Greek on me..LOL!!
ReplyDelete@Amanda, LMAO! Very good, Ms. Secretary of Defense. I knew I chose wisely when I nominated you! ;-)
ReplyDelete@Amanda: Yep, you definitely get to stay Secretary of Defense! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOops, I meant to make that to @Amanda!! :o)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I didn't even notice you had changed your name to @Amanda!! :-)
ReplyDelete@Steven & @Christy: When you're good...LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI finally figured out which ones I like the best. Tough decision because they all blew me away. In no particular order here they are.
ReplyDelete- Wheel
- Watch
- E.T.'s Dad
- My Ride
- Alien Space Frisbees
- Happy Face
I know most people seemed to pick 2 or 3 but I couldn't narrow it down that much. Keep it up and looking forward to reading your next "topical" post.
Writing this as I have the flu. (achoo!) Just wanted to say, as Treasurer, that I'm impressed with El Presidente, Our Lovely Veep, and The Secretary of Defense. I'm sorry I've missed the fun! Hopefully will feel better soon.
ReplyDelete@Amanda: Oh yeah, you're good! ;-)
ReplyDelete@Night Owl: Our Veep was just wondering whe' you been at? Like your 'picks', dude. ('Course, I like em all!) Now I gotta get my 'topical' juices flowing. LOL!
@Hooka: Feel better, dude. Listen to your Pooka! :-)
Hi again!
ReplyDelete;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat are you doing?
ReplyDeleteBusy?
ReplyDelete@Sansarita: Yes, I seeee you! :-)
ReplyDeleteDo you miss me?
ReplyDeleteOld flame?
ReplyDelete@Tammy: LOL! Nope.
ReplyDelete-and-
@Sansarita: Nope.
@All: FYI - We have another weirdo on here, so comment moderation is on. ;-P
ReplyDeleteThere's always one. Sorry dude.
ReplyDelete@Dino: Thanks, man. Hey, comes with the territory. There are always a couple of loser-weirdos with nothing better to do than bug strangers. What-EV-er. LOL! I think it's best to just ignore 'em.
ReplyDeleteWell, hell. This is no fun. I can't comment unless you approve me? El Presidente! I'm the Treasurer! Ain't I special and all?
ReplyDelete@Mr. Treasurer: Glad to see you're feeling better! And yes, you are special in a very...special kind of way. (smug, patronizing smile)
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you El Presi...wait a minute! I don't think you meant that the way my Pooka means it when she says I'm special. Hold on! Now I'm wondering about Pooka! I think you're all just humoring me! Curses!
ReplyDelete@Steven with everything going on right now, I can't remember if I responded to this or not and honestly, I'm just too busy to look and see.
ReplyDeleteI wanted you to know I really like your art. You're very talented. There are several of them I like a lot and I hope you post more some day! :-)
@Denise: No need to 'splain. I'm glad you were able to squeeze in a peek in between, well, everything. And I'm glad you like my art. :-)
ReplyDelete@Steven...Ok time for a new Blog, new topic...
ReplyDelete@Amanda: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know! LOL! @Christy and I are both like, "Um...what are you gonna write?" "I don't know. What are you gonna write?" LOL!
ReplyDeleteLike the art dude! You could totally post more and I'd be down with it. Gonna read some of your other stuff now. The dust mite caught my attention. Funny!
ReplyDelete@Eek: Thanks for the kudos! And I'm glad at least someone liked the mite. (Although, you didn't actually say you liked it...LOL!)
ReplyDelete@Hooka: Don't even start! I'm not really 'here'. Just a quickie while saving a huge file. ;-)
I think your blog deleted my comment. I really wasn't trolling or spamming. Honestly! I was just trying to pass on a site that I thought you might like. I hope I didn't offend you.
ReplyDelete@Damon: No offense taken at all! I don't know why your first comment disappeared. I got it in my email inbox, the one with the guru.com link. I don't know why it's not here, but I promise I didn't delete it. ;-)
DeleteThanks for the kudos on the art and photos. I am indeed a freelance designer, illustrator and copywriter. I'll check out guru. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks dude.
DeleteNo worries! I'm glad you stopped by.
Delete