PRIME SUBTITLES

Coming soon...

2012-01-28T23:34:00.001-08:00

Last Doodle from Strathmore with Traci Bautista

2012-01-28T23:22:00.000-08:00

Untitled, Mixed Media on Ampersand Panel, 12" x 16". 2012.

2012-01-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

Evo Photo, 2012

2012-01-13T20:51:00.001-08:00

Doodle Art for Strathmore Workshop Week One, Massive Mixed Media, 2012.

2012-01-10T22:31:00.000-08:00

Doodle Art for Strathmore Workshop Week One, Massive Mixed Media, 2012.

2012-01-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

Being in school online has done some crazy things to my art brain. Both of these photo's are of the same image, and strangely this doodle looks very different in person. It is a big contrast to working on a computer, which, in the end, doesn't really change from computer to print. But this, this is back to the 'old' ways of art making...what a nice return/change.

Strathmore Doodle Course

2011-12-31T11:44:00.000-08:00

"Learn techniques from experienced artists through online videos and downloadable instructions. Get inspired from other students in our virtual classroom. Keep motivated with ideas and tips from your instructor."

Ad for the Shack, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, 2011

2011-12-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

Bread Mandala, 2011. Adobe Illustrator.

2011-12-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Butterfly and Flower Mandala, Adobe Illustrator, 2011.

2011-12-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

Loves Torment Book Cover Version 2, Digital Painting, 2011.

2011-11-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

Mariachi El Bronx, Digital Painting, 2011.

2011-11-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Honoring All Who Served, 2011.

2011-11-11T11:34:00.001-08:00

Sleeping Hermaphrodite, Photoshop Digital Painting, 2011.

2011-11-06T22:03:00.000-08:00

Love's Torment, Digital Painting Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, 2011.

2011-10-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

Day of the Dead Masks, Mixed Media, 2011.

2011-10-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

"Love's Torment", Work-in-progress book cover, pencil, 2011.

2011-10-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Book Illustration in progress, pencil on vellum, 2011.

Real Objects, Reference Library, Sony Cyber-shot, HTC EVO, and Photoshop, 2011.

2011-10-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

Abstract Patterns from my Digital Image Library, made with Sony Cyber-shot, Android Evo, and Photoshop, 2011

2011-09-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

Digital Painting practice, today. Zhang Ziyi.

2011-09-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit rusty on the Photoshop painting skills. But I only realize this now....The above "painting" was turned in for a course assignment and the instructor called it out as a paint over. She said it was not acceptable to paint over photo's for this course. Fair enough, but I honestly didn't think what I had done here was a paint over.

I started with a blank canvas, but also loaded the picture, fading it's opacity under a layer to get a decent outline. Then I worked from there, without the picture underneath. Little did I know, the 'locked' original was still turned on. So when I went to smear and blend my layers and finally erase pigment, I was actually revealing the original.

I thought it was perfect, and it was because it was the original! Luckily, one of the perks of online school is feeling my full embarrassment in the comfort of my own home. Oh well, for at least one hour last week, I thought I had mastered painting in Photoshop.

Day of the Dead Paper Design, Adobe Illustrator, 2011.

2011-09-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

My Sister and Niece, acrylic on panel, 2011.

2011-08-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

PPP, pt. 2, pencil on paper, 2011

2011-08-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

Practice, practice, practice...pencil on paper, 2011.

2011-08-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

Revise, revise...still her fate is grimm. Acrylic on Board, 2011

2011-08-09T18:34:00.001-07:00

Poor, poor Barbie, acrylic on panel, 2011

2011-08-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Practice from Dorthea Tanning, acrylic on canvas, 2011.

2011-07-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

Women's Work, acrylic quick painting on panel, 2011.

2011-07-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

No title, acrylic on panel board with tons of gloss medium, 2011.

2011-07-23T22:34:00.000-07:00

Will I Ever Finish The Epic Continues. Unfinished acrylic on panel, 2011.

2011-07-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

Maybe One is Done, acrylic on board, 2011.

2011-07-06T21:05:00.001-07:00

Will I Ever Finish, Part 3? Painting, 2011.

2011-07-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

Independence Day, 2011.

2011-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Will I Ever Finish, Part 2? Painting, 2011.

2011-07-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

Trying the o'l switch-a-roo...

Will I Ever Finish? Painting, 2011.

2011-07-01T23:14:00.000-07:00

Graduate school is so fast paced, I now have a stock pile of 'unfinished paintings'. Maybe unfinished can be the new black for fall. One of my favorites...even in its undoneness...

Spotlight on Victoria Reynolds

2011-06-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Victoria Reynolds paints meat. She is a Los Angeles based contemporary artist. Her work is collected internationally and is available for viewing on the web through an image search on Google.
At first glance, her paintings have such great detail they remind one of Dutch still life work. Such as....

However, the subject matter goes beyond simple representational painting...the viewer is left to wonder about meat in general, the gore and beauty of the flesh and most poignant the visual pun in regards to our societal's graidoise displays of the human body. After all, at the end of the day...it's just flesh dressed or undressed, raw, cooked and displayed for comsumption.

Quick painting, acrylic on board, 2011

2011-06-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

Alternate Use for a Pencil, sketch with Photoshop CS4, 2010.

2011-06-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Eye on the Egg, various sketches collaged, pastel on paper, 2011.

2011-06-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

Aspiring Artist, photo, 2011.

2011-06-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

Extreme Coupon: Eureka Style

2011-06-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, the perfect opportunity to cut my food bill without cutting my taste for all things organic and vegetarian... Deals so great, I have to share, with anyone else who cares to print, clip and save.

What you need:
1. A printer, loaded with plenty of ink and paper.
2. Skill at entering your name and email address over and over and over...
3. Scissors
4. Copies of local ads, can be printed off of the web or viewed.
5. Also, if you are using Google Chrome, don't while printing coupons, it doesn't work, at least I couldn't get it to work (the Java needed for printing) so I slugged along in Internet Explorer, but it's worth it.

Here's what I did:

Cross referenced sale items from ENF and the Co-op and found corresponding coupons, for example:

ENF has Blue Diamond Almond Breeze for $1.89 and I found a coupon for an additional .55 off...hello savings.

Some surprise deals came from WINCO, with Boca products. I had a coupon for $1 off with two Boca purchases. Each were $2.49, but with the discount only $2 each. Total deal, considering that the Co-op is advertising Boca Burgers ONSALE at $3.49 each. Not all items on sale at the Co-op are in the ad this week, so it helps to be at the store.

Other double deals:
Pacific Almond Milk with coupon: $.88 at Winco.
Rudi's 7 Grain Organic Bread with coupon: $2.29 at ENF.
Annie Chun's Gochaujang Sauce with coupon: $1.29 at ENF.
Imagine Rice Dream Vanilla Frozen Dessert with coupon: $2.29 at the Co-op.

You get the idea...I could go on, but the hunting is part of the fun...
Inspired by The Thrifty Mama

Watercolors, 2011.

2011-05-26T16:55:00.001-07:00

Bunny Love, web collaging, 2011.

2011-05-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Elements:

Texture

Bunny Photo

Skeleton

Happy Birthday to ME and the MOZZ!

2011-05-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

Stenstreet Font

Collage, Multi-sourced, 2011

2011-05-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Source Material:

Jellyka Vampire Street Font

Tree Sketch

Models

Figure Drawing

Cover Art for Voltage, mixed media with Photoshop, 2011.

2011-05-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Figure Drawing Collage, NuPastel on Strathmore pastel papers, 2011.

2011-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sunset Parrish Sky, digital photo. 2010.

2011-05-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

How to Image Add for AAU

2011-05-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Young Tree, Digital Photo, 2010.

2011-05-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tree Trunk, Digital Photo, 2010.

2011-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Spring Trees, Digital Photo, 2010.

2011-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Pink Tree, Digital Photo, 2010.

2011-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Title forgotten, acrylic on wood, 1991.

2011-04-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sappho Replaces McKinely on Arcata Plaza, acrylic painting, 1989.

2011-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Android Head Found (dream), acrylic on canvas, 1989.

2011-04-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Old painting on wood, forgot the title, 1989? Acrylic.

2011-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Fairy Tales: Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, 2010. Drawing colored in Photoshop.

2011-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Colored glass bottles, watercolor, 2009.

2011-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Homage to the Lyre Bird, prismacolor doodle, 2010.

2011-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tim Gunn, fan art, red prismacolor on paper, 2010.

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thinking About Leonard Peltier, doodles in ink, 2007

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Contemplating Nude with Holy Man, ink pen on paper, 1991.

2011-04-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

I Love You, pen and ink with watercolor, date unknown.

2011-04-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Love, doodle on paper, date unknown.

2011-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lab Hotel, watercolor, pen and ink. 1998,

2011-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Best Buddies, watercolor with pen. 2001.

2011-04-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hand to Mouth, doodle on paper and colored in Photoshop CS4

2011-04-09T10:12:00.001-07:00

Music when soft voices die...doodles, date-unknown.

2011-04-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

MUSIC, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory;
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heap'd for the belovèd's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.

Percy Bysshe Shelley. 1792–1822

Skeleton in the Closet, Literally...pencil on paper, 2005.

2011-04-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Drawing, pen and ink and prismacolor, 2003.

2011-04-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

"I will be

In the bar

With my head

On the bar

I am now

A central part

Of your mind's landscape

Whether you care

Or do not

Yeah, I've made up your mind"

The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get by Morrissey

Letter to a spider that I didn't mean to kill, Prismacolor on bristol board, 2008.

2011-04-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

It's Only Letters, Pencil and Ink on Paper, 2001.

2011-04-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Stephanie, Acrylic on Panel. 2011.

2011-03-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

Sanding and Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 2009.

2011-03-17T21:13:00.003-07:00

Reposting this as a reminder to myself, to never give up on a dream.

Nupastels on Canson, 2011 class assignment.

2011-03-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sandy, Acrylic on Panel. 2011 slightly unfinished

2011-03-03T19:32:00.000-08:00

2011-02-21T23:30:00.000-08:00

ACROSS
3 Eureka's unofficial mascot
5 His x-wife cut his nails
9 Search for one with four
11 Institutional time suck
13 How some view pictures
14 Appealing look for a studious man
16 Happens only once in a life time
DOWN
1 A divine smell
2 A man who gives
4 Carries around a home
6 Vitamin D for everything
7 What may drive you crazy through a thin wall
8 May have been near sighted
10 Former mailman
12 Every novelist needs at least one
15 Providing natural shade

Solution

Lottery Card for Most Wanted, Photoshop 2010.

2011-02-06T00:33:00.000-08:00

Submission for Wired

Offensive Institutionalism, Black and White Photography, 2008.

2011-01-23T22:34:00.000-08:00

As a beginning student in the art of photography, I was unable to dodge the bullet of critique. The above photos set fellow art students into a long discussion about intent, which was fairly straight forward.

Humboldt State came recently to know that many community and faculty members were not happy with the mission style entrance gates that had been built one summer. One of my instructors for Native American Studies pointed out that he found the gates offensive. As it was a constant reminder of the California Missions and the injustices committed in the name of god and at the mercy of the Indigenous people of the California region.

I found myself thinking about architecture as a political statement. Not a new idea, in fact a very old one (The Pantheon) which began to be a reminder of the institutionalized nature of college.

On further contemplation, I searched my psyche to find what offends me on a daily basis. The first thing that came to mind was advertising. And not just any advertising, but the way that the human form is sexualized to sell products. It's been going on so long that the practice seems very ordinary. So ordinary to my fellow artist students that although they were not short of words and ideas about these photos, some were simply not even aware that this sort of imagery could be offensive. Nor did they understand the history of the California missions.

My strongest case for argument is by way of my nieces. I look at art and create art with one very solid filter. I ask myself, "Can I show this and explain this to my nieces?" With that in mind, I took it further and presented to the class that I felt the photo of Beck, in his sexy underwear would send a strange message to his children. The only young artist in the group that really took to this was a mother. She realized that she would not want her daughter seeing her father in such an ad.

Others, just didn't see the big deal and at one point I began to feel as if I had to defend myself and explain that I wasn't a prude. But I didn't. I just let them speak, as they all had so much to say.

It is no secret that imagery has a powerful influence on the human psyche. To just sit back and let it roll is fine for some, but not for me. Every visit to Humboldt State reminds me that I am about to embark into an institution with a specific agenda. Each time I open a magazine, I enter the same agreement. How I process this information is up to me and being well informed about who I am dealing with is very important in learning.

Humboldt State has a very active Native American Studies program, but does the school really understand how to be consciously involved with it's own territorial history?

Not A Self-Portrait, graphic design. 2010.

2011-01-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

Art show poster as it was published in the NCJ for the ArtsAlive! issue.

Statue Meets Hip Hop, collaged drawing, 2001.

2011-01-19T19:00:00.000-08:00

London is the greatest city in my experience on earth this far. Nothing is more pleasing than roaming the sweet streets and sucking up all the diversity in art, music, books and journalism. I doodled constantly while visiting. There was no shortage of inspiration. This is one such doodling.

Walnut Progression, drawing, 2008.

2011-01-18T18:48:00.001-08:00

Plants vs Concrete, 2008. Black and White Photo.

2011-01-18T00:22:00.000-08:00

From the streets of Eureka, the struggle between concrete and plants, is a subject matter of interest. The plants have my heart, but the concrete has an undeniable function. On a vivid day, usually during spring, the plants take over the streets. Some mind and spend hours removing the weeds, as I myself have done, but I would rather watch them grow.

"The Most Interesting Man in the World" Drawing, 2010.

2011-01-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

A friend is growing a beard. He is a young man, who was inspired by the ad's titled, "The Most Interesting Man in the World." The campaign is lengthy and reminds me of the tireless hours put into work that is viewed for minutes, even seconds. Beards are in, for some.

Welcome to Eureka Lodging, Enjoy Your Stay.

2011-01-15T21:10:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be beautiful to put a big, native plant garden here?

"Remember sunny days..."

2011-01-12T23:20:00.001-08:00

Costume sketches from the vault, 1998. Pencil and ink on paper.

2011-01-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Practice Drawing, School Assignment, 2010.

2011-01-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

Bringing it, however, whenever, whatever...

2010-12-31T23:04:00.001-08:00

Titian’s David and Goliath

2010-12-26T23:37:00.000-08:00

Titian’s David and Goliath

Figure1.

Tiziano Vecelli or Titian was born in the Republic of Venice, Italy sometime between 1488-1490. He lived a long, successful, influential and prolific life as a painter. He was greatly admired by his peers and his work influenced painters of the Italian Renaissance and beyond.

In Titian’s painting David and Goliath, the painter is referencing a story from the Hebrew Bible. David was the seventh son of Jesse and tended sheep as a young boy, according to the biblical text. He was called out by the prophet Samuel as the one who would be king of Israel.

During conflict with the Philistines, a giant Goliath demanded that the troubles be worked out with single man to man combat. David tells the king that he is prepared to take on Goliath and proceeds, killing him with a single shot to the head with a rock in a sling.

The elements of istoria are prominent in Titian’s David and Goliath. When put through the points made by Leon Battista Alberti in De pictura, istoria can serve the mind through art. The work is historical, assuming that the story from the Hebrew Bible is an actual account of the truth or it could also be viewed as historical literature. The age of the figures in Titian’s painting are easy to imagine, giving the viewer an immediate idea of the spectacular nature of what had taken place. The perspective created is one that creates a feeling of tension and at the same time gives the viewer a sense of the weight of Goliath, as he is about to fall into the viewers gaze. This action posture tells us that David had already slug the rock and the blow has been received by Goliath. The moment is idealized, yet still remains true to the story. The background is essential in symbolizing the heavens, as this is a profound clue to the divine aspect of this work.

To have a catharsis is to transform emotionally through purging. There are many ways to experience catharsis, but the one that applies here is directly related to Aristotle’s original concept.

The tension between the Philistines and the Israelites was surmounting. The solution offered by Goliath, in which David took with such brisk and effective action; the Israelites could experience a breath of relief, or catharsis. The purging of any doubt in anyone’s mind who would become the king of Israel as Samuel predicted was validated. Certainly, this event could not of taken place, unless by the hand of god. I state this as purely fabricated from my imagination, keeping in mind the nature of the stories of the bible, of which I have some familiarity. Perhaps, this was also a catharsis for David himself. If there had ever been a doubt within him about who he was, and what he was to become, then this would be a defining moment and a purging of his doubts.

It is the emotional aspect of David and Goliath that relates to Aristotle’s idea of catharsis. The use of a dramatic and tragic event to release oneself or a group from pent up emotions is exactly what Titian’s David and Goliath illustrates.

In looking at Aristotle's theory of dramatic and exemplary art through his Poetic’s, several aspects Titian’s work can be pointed out. Those of which lengthen the catharsis, which is more or less the final outcome. A broader view, can explain why this story and this painting are so profound.

The proper proportion of David and Goliath is conveyed. On the first reading of this tale, it is hard to imagine, however, Titian shows us a view in which it took place. His positioning of the characters show us just how possible it is. His mastery of realism, validates this unbelievable tale into a believable event.

It is in this moment, that we recognize the character of David. The story reveals actions that defines this young man.

The complexity of this story is another added feature of its literal girth. There is much more to tell than just this moment when David kills Goliath. We have the conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites, a prophet Samuel being validated for his visions, a son of seven who was a sheep herder, and a man who will be king, to name a few. By choosing this story to illustrate, Titian is enticing his audience to dig deeper and in essence, to read the bible.

Appealing to the emotions of the audience or viewer, is one of the finer points in a work. How an artist uses this technique, certainly defines its success. Goliath’s body, so strangely contorted, conveys real pain. David’s small body, standing over Goliath, and with his hands cupped in prayer towards the heavens conveys humility. We see a child gracious from his act of killing a very big man. Taken out of context, it is frightening. It is also impossible for me to be totally objective about my feelings, however, like most of the stories from the bible, I feel a sense of literature. I also understand that they are fabricated tales in order to teach morality. I admit, I would be hard pressed to really understand the morality in this act of killing. The Hebrew Bible is full of tit for tat and eye for an eye, a way of living that I personally do not attend to.

This exaggeration of reality, while may be a primary way to teach children to believe in god, as a thinking adult feels barbaric. Like so many stories from the bible, they make very little sense on their own. Titian’s David and Goliath is successful only as an illustration from the bible. On its own, from a modern view it stands as a beautiful work, but not one that I would show a child.

Works Used

1. Barton, Cheryl. Istoria. Module 9, Session 3. AAU Online.

2. Mataev, Olga and Helen. Old Testament Notes, Olga’s Gallery, http://www.abcgallery.com/religion/david.html 10 December 2010.

3. Titian. David and Goliath. Olga’s Gallery, http://www.abcgallery.com/T/titian/titian.html 10 December 2010.

4. Wikipedia contributors. David. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 10 Dec. 2010.

5. Wikipedia contributors. Titian. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Dec. 2010. Web. 10 Dec. 2010.

Bubbles, 2010. Pen and pencil on paper, painted in Photoshop.

2010-12-18T23:11:00.001-08:00

Stephen's Products

2010-12-11T22:51:00.000-08:00

Stephen's Award Fantasy

2010-12-10T22:34:00.000-08:00

Art Challenge

Origin of a Facebook Quiz

Inspired, much to my surprise by the ever-so-talented...Joe MADureira, pencil with flames made in Photoshop, 2010.

2010-11-26T15:14:00.000-08:00

A Boy for Claire Wendling, School Assignment (to emulate someone's style), Drawing and Photoshop.2010.

2010-11-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the image below.

Claire's girl for who?

Character sketch, non-typical villain. Pencil on paper, and some Photoshop. 2010.

2010-11-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

Requa

2010-11-15T23:04:00.000-08:00

A Weary Swan with Human Attributes, Ink on Paper. 2010.

2010-11-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

Scruffy Red Panda Looking for Human Wigs, Pen and Ink with Photoshop high/low lighting. 2010.

2010-11-02T21:54:00.000-07:00