Empire State of Mind

Gouache on canvas panel. 5x7

It's been a while since i have last updated my blog. Coming home after an 11 hour work day doesn't really make it easy to come home and paint. Also managed to injure my right hand on friday so that was fun. So this is a painting i did of the Empire State Building! Why the Empire state building? Well long story short i have lived only a few blocks away from the giant piece of stone almost my whole life so it has grown on me. And well It does stick out like a sore thumb when viewed from anywhere in the city. (I aslo have a soft spot for architecture and skyscrapers as you might be able to tell). Painted it during the first snowfall of the year yesterday, and it went through a few revisions before it ended up where it is now. Gouache is an interesting medium. I Can see myself using it more in the future. 

Old Boats and 50 Degree Weather in NYC

Today was another one of those amazing warm days in NYC. Unfortunately it is January, and it should be 25 degrees outside not 60. I miss the snow. Anyway i spent today down at South Street Seaport. I had a really strong urge to draw old boats, and as far as i know, this is one of the only places in NYC to find them. Luckily for me they recently opened up a new pier down by the seaport and it is an amazing place to relax. Its an elevated platform with grass mounds where you can lay down.

It looked to me as though this place is still a secret in NYC because it was practically empty the whole time i was there. Every now and then someone would walk by and watch me draw, but it was welcome . I have found that if you're ever feeling down as an artist, it is a good idea to go into public and just draw. Practice your trade in the open where everyone can see. You are likely better than 99% of the people walking by.

Dont know the family but they spent a good portion watching me draw.

I set up camp, put away my ipod and just drew for a good 3 hours. Listening to the ambient sound of the city is relaxing. Each neighborhood has its own unique muffled soundtrack This is what came out.

My Favorite, Spent a good 1.5 hours on it. This one needs some studio time to finish though.  9"x9" 

A really fast sketch of the boats. Maybe 20 minutes max. 5"x7"

I spent the rest of the day walking around and taking pictures of everything that caught my eye. Enjoy!

 

Today was a good day.

A Stroll in the Slope

January 1st.. what a beautiful day, 50 degrees, a few clouds. Spent most of it roaming around Park Slope and Prospect Park to get to know the area a bit better, as well as find interesting architecture to draw. I was not disappointed. Found this Church on 6 Av and Carroll Street, which is a few blocks away from the Grand Army Plaza Arch (which i have to go back to draw soon).

After drawing this, which took a good hour or so (receiving compliments from little kids  and their parents about how awesome your drawing is and having them watch you for a while is something that will never get old) i headed over to the park where i spent it playing soccer, and climbing a tree to watch the sunset. Something that is hard to do in the skyscraper canyons of Manhattan.

i wish i was on the plane that left that contrail :(

Overall, i'd say this was a pretty nice way to start the year 2012

Fall

I recently went on a nice little day hike up near New Paltz in New York, and i came back with a bunch of   ideas for little paintings that deal with repetition. I have also been super busy lately with the day job, so art has taken a back seat up until now so it is nice to have something new to show. Leaves on a trail. and a giant rock. 

I also finally got a friend to take a few pictures of me riding my motorcycle (my side hobby). For me riding the motorcycle is a lone wolf activity since none of my friends ride, and the groups in the area that do ride are too crazy for my tastes. Its nice being alone having time to think, enjoy the scenery, the smells, the freezing temperatures, crazy drivers, etc. Tons of stories have occurred because of my little yellow moto, but they are all in my head since no one would believe them as i am the only witness. Anyway heres a few pictures of me riding and enjoying one of the few things that makes me feel completely free in this crazy world we live in.

Some new NYC Postcards!

I finally got a chance to do some more NYC postcard location drawings today. And what a nice day it was for this. It must have been at least 60 degrees outside, and sunny. Unfortunately none of the postcards got colored in because i ran out of day light, so i will have to do it from reference later

Plaza Hotel

The NYPL 42nd Street

Lion head from the NYPL

Fan Art: Can you guess what movie?

I have been working on this for the last week. Played around a whole lot with photoshop, the drawing, and just seeing what looked good. overall im super happy with this even though it is one of the more simpler drawings i have made. Can you guess what movie it is?

rant: just a warning if you ever visit NYC ...

Taxis are dangerous. Especially if you are in a good mood and dont see one rushing around the corner towards you. Luckily thanks to driver noticing last second, i wasn't hit, save for my hands slamming down on the hood of that fucking taxi, and the loudest fuck you i have probably said in a while.





gah
















PS: Yes i had the right of way.

blah

More Photoshop fun/testing

Just Screwing around in Photoshop

The Sketchbook Project... Cover

I'm taking part in The Sketchbook Project, which is hosted by the Art House Co-op in Brooklyn. Basically its a sketchbook you fill out around a theme you pick. I Picked Uncharted Waters, and this is the cover. The compass is decorated with silver and gold ink, which unfortunately you can not see with the scan. I'll upload a better quality image once i find my SD card reader.