Monday, December 24, 2012

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Back from the Wild


I am back from Alaska and it was an amazing experience. I spent 9 days in the wilderness with the US Forest Service kayak rangers of Tracy Arm Fords Terror Wilderness. Big thanks to the rangers for keeping me alive. I am currently keeping a Facebook journal over here. Stop by and follow along as I detail everything I've learned and experienced. I'll be posting paintings once I'm done touching them up.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Secret L.A.

While I'm gearing up for Alaska, the adventure club trekked out to Escondido Falls above Malibu.
Would you believe this is L.A.?


On the trail up we encountered strange and menacing wildlife. We dubbed this the rare armadillo tree spider.


 In all seriousness the trail is a great and adventurous hike. Anticipate a bottleneck at the rope crossing and the falls can be rather packed at the top.


This is my trash haul I picked up along the way and at the falls.  Mostly stray water bottles... a selling point for reusable water bottles if ever I saw one.



No trip is to Malibu is complete without a stop to Malibu Seafood on the way home. 

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Into the Wild

I've been holding off on announcing this thinking I must be dreaming or there must be some clerical error. But after booking my flight and talking more with the rangers I think it's safe to say this is actually happening. I'm excited and honored to announce I am selected to participate in the Voices of the Wilderness artist residency program in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, Alaska. I'll be spending two weeks in July with rangers helping to perform Forest Service duties while learning about stewardship, conservation and the importance of wilderness to our national character. And as an added bonus I have the privilege of painting some of the most beautiful pristine wilderness on this planet. I feel very fortunate and honored to serve the U.S. Forest Service as an artist. It's humbling to be able to use my skills as an artist to add to the dialogue of past artists and naturalists who fought long and hard to preserve our nation's wilderness for future generations. I'm currently working on a facebook page that will document my journey into the wilds of Alaska. I will post the link when it is live. Here is a link about the program.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Quick Sketch


A quick sketch I did at my mailbox. Too hot to venture further out right now. The beach paintings will be starting soon.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Devil's Punchbowl



Recently a group of friends loosely named the "Adventure Club" trekked out to the Devil's Punchbowl located in the Angeles National Forest for a session of painting and hiking. The Devil's Punchbowl is amazing. A scooped out valley behind the San Gabriel Mountains with stunning rock formations. It's a bit of a drive but well worth the trip. A hidden Los Angeles treasure! Be sure to stop by Vasquez Rocks on the way back!

Monday, May 14, 2012

More Painting


You know how I keep saying I'm going to post some new paintings... I'm currently touching up a stack of paintings I did in the field. Here's a couple that are almost done. The top one I did this weekend over at Bronson Canyon. The area has sort of an ominous feel as you are surround by high canyon walls that echo eerie sounds. They filmed many a western here and it's the home of the Bronson caves where they filmed scenes of the Batmobile entering the Batcave in the original Adam West TV series. The bottom painting was done in one of LA's aqueducts running along the LA river. I loved how the light valued concrete vibrated this intense blue as it reflected the sky canopy above.

Monday, May 7, 2012

My Process

First I look up and then I look down and then I look up and then I look down. It's also important when painting to have your tag stick out of your shirt in the back. These are trade secrets. Shh... Don't tell anyone. 


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Now Open

My website is back up and updated with new work. You can check it out here. Thanks for visiting!




Saturday, March 17, 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Day Job Continued

A fun design project...  A series of promotional playbills handed out at preview screenings throughout the US to promote the show. 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Happy New-ish Year!





















What is New-ish Year you may ask? New-ish Year is a time honored tradition beginning with the all important ritual called "Wouldn't it be nice to illustrate my own Christmas cards this year!" Feelings of self doubt and procrastination lead to "Maybe I can do a New Year's illustration instead?"... More procrastination, guilt, guilt, lowered expectations.... "There's still enough time for Chinese New Year's"...."Holy crap its almost February!!!"...Coffee.....late night.....late night...more coffee.... inhuman amounts of coffee and Voila! ... oh what a joyous time of year. Here's wishing you all a very happy New-ish Year! Apparently the world is coming to an end in 2012. I'm pretty sure we'll all still be around in 2013 but maybe we all need the threat of the end once in a while to make us all appreciate the time we have and make something beautiful out of it. This is my wish to everyone in 2012 and beyond.

Now I need to start my Valentine's cards. 


P.S. this was done in Illustrator.