Uke Aloha and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Meaning to post this on the weekend. Became super busy and getting around to it. This sketchbook drawing went through lots of changes with the underdrawings and all. 

listening to my wife's Uke jam session over the weekend, while she was playing Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and feeling inspired to draw a Uke musician. Originally this sketch was to be an addition to the series, SKETCHY, but I liked the Uke player's design that I decided to go further and digitize him. The drawings below show the process of the gradual adding of colour. Would like to make him a reoccurring  character but some times a drawing is just a drawing. 

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (also known as Bruddah Iz) has contributed to the Uke's popularity resurging and to my interest in his music.  Loved listening to his version of Over the Rainbow as so many have. This sketch is inspired by a great Hawaiian musician and activist. Also of my wife who continues to be my over the rainbow.

He's the MAN, daily sketch

This sketch started off from a quick sketchbook drawing. Went completely digital on this. Really like working with Autodesk Sketcbook Pro. Used the pencil tool on this one. The results are AMAZING!!! I really love starting from a random drawing and finishing up with something totally unpredictable. This guy went through so many changes because I didn't know what I wanted him to be. 

He reminds me of a time when downtown was surrounded with people like this selling their pawn shop items or stolen goods out of their coats on street corners. Those were the days.

Maybe he will become a reoccurring character. Haven't decided but he is eccentric enough to tell a story.  

Treebeard, Mary and Pippin

Happy 2017 New Year Everyone!!!

The first post for the 2017 is Treebeard accompanied by Mary and Pippin. Had a busy Christmas holiday spending time with family and friends. Played lots of games, drank much of everything and had some post party time for much needed R & R, at least until New Year's Eve where it seemed like I was repeating the loop from Christmas eve.

The best part of the holiday is the Conga Drum- that's right Conga Drum, my wife pick up for me and displayed it with a large red bow. She felt it was necessary for me to get musical in-between my artistic work. So now as we prepare dinner she can hear the soothing sounds of my hands whalling away on my drum. Never thought I'd here the day when my kids site me for being too darn loud, haha. Our home will never be quite again...

Sketchy 02

Another post for SKETCHY, the sketchbook series. Enjoy mates.

Sketchy 01

Adding a new post series, I decided to call  Sketchy. These are a series of drawings from my sketchbook usually done on my creative jam sessions away from work, sitting in my pjs and watching a movie, documentary, or TV. It's my pure fun of the wandering pencil and the good old imagination unfiltered and totally subconscious. Sketchbook stuff is rarely seen and yet its some of my favourite times, and the drawings are meant to be raw and unedited (I do use Photoshop to modify slightly). It's important for me to have these moments where I can have some down time to just disconnect, and I admit my time is structured but I force myself to make time to grab the sketchpad and a nice B pencil as often as possible and begin. All in all WYSIWYG.

I usually draw 11 by 14 on 50 pound paper and I prefer drawing horizontally but find it difficult to format for blogger, so I stick to the vertical orientation. Enjoy. Cheers

A Charming Snake

 Out for a pleasure walk in the early morning and came across a Garter Snake. What a rare find!!! Snakes have always been my favourite reptiles.  The way they get around is really amazing and they are seriously misunderstood. I got up close and personal with this one as I got in touch with my inner Crocodile Hunter.

Wexford Collegiate Open House

Posted some pics of Wexford during their Open House as my son, Rowin, prepares for High School. Wexford is a specialized Art School catering to students who excel in visual arts, media, film, dance, and drama. Me and Rowin took a tour of the school and looking at all the cool things it had to offer hoping it will become his next school. 

We had time to engage with the staff and students and really loved how open, welcoming, accepting, and diverse this school is. I felt at home among Artists who, in my opinion, are awesome and eclectic people to be around.

Students work in groups to paint the lockers 

in diverse styles and expressions. How many schools do that...

This is the washroom facility... cool. I like a place 
that understands a toilet is just a toilet and everybody uses it.

Rowin looking at the papier mache whale and 

calf, displayed in the main foyer.

Sirius Black

Back to Harry Potter for more character inspiration. Went completely digital on this one.