Dec 17, 2012

IF - Snow 12-14-2012





















Here is my submission for the Illustrated Friday web site. There have been some really neat words in the last month but have been so busy I've not been able to work on them. So here we are finally. We used to live where the snow was always deep and pretty although difficult to drive on. Where we live now we don't get nearly as much so when it comes it is always a treat.

Oct 12, 2012

Seminar with Sean Fitzgibbon

Spent an afternoon last Saturday at Crystal Bridges Museum, Bentonville Arkansas, with Illustrator and Graphic Novelist Sean Fitzgibbon. Sean presented a seminar on the process for development of graphic novels. Great presentation, discussion, and hands on help with idea development and artwork. Had a chance to see the actual plates he will be using in his upcoming novel on Dr Baker's years at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs Arkansas. Looking forward to seeing that work completed next year See Sean's work at his web site.

 http://www.seanfitzgibbonart.com/

http://www.crystalbridges.org/

Sep 30, 2012

IF - Book 09/29/2012






















Suggested by the great Jimmy Stewart movie. "Bell, Book, and Candle". Love those old time movies. :-)

Sep 9, 2012

IF - Imagination 9-7-2012


















Don't we all have greater dreams in our imagination?

Sep 4, 2012



















This is a very sad post that I have to add to my blog. Our great little cat Fred, of "Fred should have known" fame passed away last week. He was a joy to have around, a funny, sweet guy who charmed everyone who knew him. He will be missed. His antics were a big part of the inspiration for many of my Fred drawings. Thanks to all who liked his influence. 

Aug 26, 2012

IF - Tall 8-24-12




















Another in the saga of Fred.

Aug 12, 2012

IF - Freeze 8/7/2012





















Here is a being with a cool disposition.

Aug 1, 2012






















Piano Man - Randy Fairbanks - Brick Fields Blues Band

Jul 30, 2012

IF - Lonely















Here is a little puzzle for your enjoyment. All these artists have something in common and it has to do with the subject of this weeks Illustrated Friday choice. Have fun.



Jun 30, 2012

Well been awhile since I posted. Have been too busy with a new venture (non art related) to have time to breath let alone do some art work. Things are settling down a little so will try to get back to working with my pen and pencils in the near future. Check out the latest happenings on Illustration Friday as they have a new format which uses actual pics and is much more colorful. Also one of my favorite local artists was given an award by the State of Arkansas for his life's works. Check out the news on Zeek Taylor a real neat gentleman and an awesome artist.

May 19, 2012

Eureka Springs White Street Walk



The 22nd annual White Street Studio Walk took take place Friday, May 18th, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Historic White Street is the working address of several local artists who will welcome the public into homes and studios to view their latest works. They will be joined by more than forty guest artists from the Eureka Springs area, who will show weaving, watercolors, jewelry, oils, pottery, stained glass and much more.
One of Eureka Springs’ most popular events, the White Street Studio Walk is attended by those seeking art while enjoying the street fair atmosphere combined with refreshments and music. White Street is on the upper historic loop, not far from the Crescent Hotel. The event is free to the public.

And a good time was had by all.  The weather was perfect, the crowd was jovial, the food was great, and the wine was plentiful. Hats off to all the artists who opened their shops, galleries, gardens and houses for a great time.

May 9, 2012

IF - Hitch 05/04/2012



















Jumping the Broom: (Getting Hitched)

Is a phrase and custom relating to wedding ceremonies in different cultural traditions, found in many diverse cultures, those of Africa - Europe including Scotland, Hungary and Gypsy culture, all of which include brooms at wedding rituals. It is particularly associated with the Romani gypsy people of the UK, especially those in Wales. There is evidence showing the wedding custom was practiced by gypsies in England and Scotland as well as by African Americans and other groups.  In the American south, the custom determined who ran the household. Whoever jumped highest over the broom was the decision maker of the household. Or, whoever landed on the ground first after jumping the broom was predicted to be the decision maker in the marriage. In England, jumping the broom was always synonymous with irregular or non-church unions while in America the phrase could be used a slang describing the act of getting married legally, rather then an informal union not recognized by church or state.  

Apr 7, 2012

IF - Vocal 04/06/2012



And the streets were full of vocal people.

Apr 1, 2012

IF - Return 03-30-12


Well, I saw the new subject for this week and the song started playing. And I said no, surly I can come up with something different. But the noise just continued and only stopped when I did the drawing. So enjoy, comments and ideas always welcome just don't step on my blue swede shoes. :-)

James

Mar 25, 2012

IF - Swamp 03/23/2012





















The dismal swamp steams -
Weeping the lonely frog howls
At the moon's rising

Mar 20, 2012

IF - Shade




Well this is a big change for me having mainly worked in pen and ink. Hats off to everyone who works with colored pencil. I have been wanting to try it out and have spent some time looking at the YouTube videos for tips and techniques. So with St. Patrick's day this week I decided to try  a Green Man style of drawing with a shade of green. So enjoy, as always comments and ideas welcome.

Mar 12, 2012

IF-YIELD 03/12/12



This is another in the continuing saga of Fred and what he should have known. I started this 9 panel cartoon in response to the "Weekly Art Challenges" web site (listed below) and it also works for the IF subject this week in that Fred should not YIELD to the temptation of playing with Molly's catnip mouse. Molly is the Alpha cat in our household. And don't you forget it!!

Mar 4, 2012

IF-Intention 3/2/12




It was always her intention to get home from the fancy dress ball before the rising of the full moon. However......

Feb 29, 2012

 Could not resist this.

Feb 17, 2012

IF - Fluid



Another study in the contuning saga of Fred and what he should have known. IF subject "Fluid" 021712

Feb 13, 2012

IF-Popularity

I was having trouble with this one for some reason until this morning. I went out to shovel off some of the new snow on my deck. On the ground under our bird feeder was my inspiration.

With the new snow the ground under our bird feeder has gained in popularity!




Feb 9, 2012

New artwork

I added some of my new art projects in the Portfolio tab above. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I have worked on these over the last year as we were working on getting my hands back into shape. Each of them took about 25-30 hours to complete, but not in one stretch. Thanks for stopping by and looking over my blog

James

Feb 5, 2012

IF- Suspense

So at the end of the day. All my reports go into the suspense file.

Feb 1, 2012

IF - Forward

What, you don’t recognize this symbol? Then pay attention the next time your friend sends you a joke that has been around the internet for 3 or 4 times!!! I know it's a little lame but it's my first try after almost a year of not being able to do anything. So enjoy.

Jan 17, 2012

A new year a new attempt.

Ok, here we go again. Hands are a lttle better and I am getting back some of my desire to work. I have been doing some drawings for my neighbors (their houses) so I start adding in some of my other drawings as I also have a new scanner which will make things a little easier.