Red Door drawing: The Steam Punk model

Red Door Saturday night drawing group: The model was one of our own, artist Jenna Tomlin. Bravo indeed and thanks so much for sitting for us.

Jack of Derbies_ large color print

another drawing for the boogeyman files.

Seven O'Clock Man or The Bone Setter

Bonhomme Sept-Heures (the Seven o'Clock Man)
in this French-speaking province, the Bonhomme Sept-Heures (7 o'clock man) is said to visit houses around 7 o'clock to take misbehaving children who will not go to bed back to his cave where he feasts on them.

The Bonesetter is an old Quebec bogeyman legend about a traveling peddler and medicine man who journeys from town to town. During the 19th and early 20th centuries when this legend arose, many Quebec towns had no doctors or nurses. There were real bonesetters, both men and women, who would perform modest surgical procedures and who specialized in reducing fractures and dislocations and, as the name implies, would set broken bones and perform manipulations that today might be done by a chiropractor.

In the days before the discovery and use of effective anaesthetics, if a large bone had to be rebroken and reset, the resultant pain and screaming of the patient would have alarmed the entire village. Kids would hear these screams and be terrified of the bonesetter and he or she could easily earn a reputation as a bogeyman. The horrid folktale adds a special fright: Bonhomme sept-heures took disobedient children as payment for his work and the children disappeared from the town and were never heard from or seen again.

the Queen of Derbies large print preview

Kingof Gears large Print

The King of Gears large print preview

Joker-X large print

Steampunk Owl Card_print

This is the second in a series of limited edition prints based upon my steampunk card deck. This is a reinterpretation of the card back; the sky pilot owl complete with smoking cigar.

Jack of Gears Large Print

The first of a series of limited edition prints based upon the steampunk card deck. This first is a reinterpretation of the Jack of Gears.

Red Door Drawing Group April 23rd 2011

I showed up a couple of minutes late and the place was pretty full... which is really exciting to see. Also some new faces were in attendance, which is even better to see. Good For Lacey.

Red Door Drawing Group April 17th 2011

we got a celebrity, a performance artist, and juggler... fit as fit could be... and could hold a handstand for a full minute.

Red Door Drawing Group April 2 2011 two week pose

Two week session, same pose. I don't know if it reflects in the quality of the drawing, but it allowed me to fix a lot of problems that were showing in week one.

Red Door Drawing Group Feb 2011

I have been tardy in posting the weekly Red Door Drawing group sessions. So starting with the February, if I remember correctly, until last night, here they are in order as I best remember.

card deck logo

This will be the short side of a tuck box design. The front/back would be a card front and back.

Jack of Windows

Steampunk Card Deck- Joker-X

Joker-X is one of two native jokers in this cast of houses. Joker-X has was originally adopted by the House of Dirigibles and accepted as one of their own, but her thirst for power and perpetuation of chaos created such an uproar within the House of Dirigibles that the House of Derbies was asked to step in, as a tutoring agent due to their abilities to work with free spirits. The House of Derbies accepted the youth for tutoring with the understanding that if the entity who would one day become the Joker-X wished to stay under the House of Derbies, that would be her choice. However the chaos tendencies were too strong for even the Lords of the House of Derbies to aid in teaching how to use her skills towards more beneficial outcomes. The whereabouts of Joker-X are unknown. But it is believed that she may have found a kindred spirit in the being known as Joker-Y.

Jack of Dirigibles

Ace of Windows

Steampunk Card Deck- Joker-Y

Joker-Y is one of two native jokers in this cast of houses. Joker-Y has was originally adopted by the House of Gears and accepted as one of their own, but his denial of structure and perpetuation of chaos created such an uproar within the House of Gears that the House of Windows was consulted. The House of Windows offered to accept the youth for tutoring with the understanding that if the entity who would one day become the Joker-Y wished to stay under the House of Windows, that would be his choice. However the chaos tendencies were too strong for even the Lords of the House of Windows to teach control of. The whereabouts of Joker-Y are unknown. But it is believed that he has found a kindred spirit in the being known as Joker-X.

Minotaur

A friend of mine asked a favor, to work up a character for their men's roller derby team; The Cow-town Butchers. They were looking for a Minotaur, or an angry bull character, and asked for something in my drawing style. While it doesn't hit the 'roller-derby' answer at all, the character is interesting I believe.

Ace of Dirigibles version 2

Version 1 started to rub me the wrong way. He looked to villainous. So, since it's my game, I redid it. I am more satisfied with this option. Yes, HE is the Ace of Dirigibles. Done... I think.

The Ace of Dirigibles

The Ace of Dirigibles is a dog-eared Commander of battles across space and time, witnessing the rise and fall of so many, for so long, yet he refuses to give in to what he truly believes to be wrong. The Ace of Dirigibles has found a loyal House to follow, and a family to call home. For this he will devote and give all that he is.

King of Derbies

The King of Derbies is one who demands as much from his entire house as he does from himself. He expects victory over all he pursues and expects the same effort in all who follow him. This does not mean that defeat may not happen someday; it is just that it has not happened… ever. The King has a charisma, an ability to reach deep to a core of the individual where the pure self resides, that which is only the defiant independent and is able to touch it, to connect to it, and do speak directly to it. During this link, ideas, concepts, solutions, whys all become known.

The House of Dirigibles: The Queen of Dirigibles

The Queen of Dirigibles is the embodiment of what could be… what might be. Ever reaching forward towards the perceived destiny of the House and herself, she sees the challenges of existence merely as obstacles in the way of the next clue on The Path. At certain times this philosophy can be a driving force of power that when spread to the masses, is difficult to match. If there are too many unknowns however, those may be overlooked for the call of The Path may be so strong as to shadow over pitfalls and warning signs, thus causing casualties, or catastrophy.

The House of Derbies: The Ace of Derbies

The Ace of Derbies has found his true calling, being the leader of battle this House. For it is this that he excels in, lives for, and is when he is complete. It is here where he knows he can finally release all that is inside without holding back. Victory is what is at stake, and must be claimed for the House of Derby. Being the Battle Lord is not what the Ace of Derbies does, it is what the Ace of Derbies is, it is all that he is. Without the fight, without the foe to conquer, he is lost.

King of Dirigibles

The King of Dirigibles (also the suicide King of this deck: normally the suicide king is depicted with a knife behind his head. Being the King of Dirigibles, knives would not be very welcome, but tie-down ropes are of abundance.) This King is one who seeks out high adventure, and sees his role as leading by example on living life to the fullest. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty by shirking responsibilities when duties become risky, or difficult. In fact, he almost thrives upon it.

The Jack of Derbies

The House of Derbies:
The Jack of Derbies-
The Jack of Derbies is the one to watch out for. His embodiment of freedom tests the boundaries of the term in every way. Of all the entities in this house, it is the Jack of Derbies that causes the most worry on the battlefield… for both sides.

Steamdeck- the cardback

This is the back of the card deck design.

House of Derbies: Queen of Derbies

The House of Derbies:
The Queen of Derbies:
The Queen of the House of Derbies is one of determination and accomplishing whatever tasks that she believes important enough to be addressed. This Queen has an innate skill for filtering out what must be done from what others believe should be done. This ability starts to filter out into what some may call influence. Whether it is a tether to the other members of the House, or an influence of those seen as a threat to the House this remains yet to be fully explored.

House of Windows: Queen of Windows

The House of Windows: The Queen of Windows

King of Windows

House of Windows:
The house of Windows deals with visions. Visions of the future tense, the present and the past all at the same time. Perceptions, possibilities, mysteries of what is, what was, and what might be are all kept and pursued by the House of Windows.
The King of Windows
The King of Windows is the mapper of possibilities. By passing though to see what has been and what might be, He observes, makes updates, and notations to the Paths of Existence. A history of the universe that is constructed in such a way that the Past and Future interlink in a construct of fantastic proportions to where it is almost... alive.

House of Gears: the numbers

The House of Gears:
the numbers cards

Ace of Gears

The House of Gears:

The Ace of Gears

The Ace of Gears is not a whom but a what. The Ace of Gears was forged from the mind and hands of the King of Gears long ago when the Houses numbered in dozens and the threat of siege was present at every turn. The Ace of Gears is the perfect protecting Knight that the House of Gears has ever produced. Its power is unrivaled; it protects the members of the Royal family as well as those of the entire House, even to the extent of sacrificing itself if necessary. It will never bend; it will never tire, never yield, and never surrender.

The Jack of Gears

The Jack of Gears is a Jack in the truest of terms, relying upon his wits at least as much as upon his knowledge and attention to details to carve out his path. The Jack of Gears is perhaps the only member of the House of Gears to not only recognize chance but welcomes it and at times will embrace it over the known. This may be his way of stepping out from the shadow of the King and defining his own identity. At this time it does not appear to be as much a defection as much as the exploration of abilities and style.

The Queen of Gears

The House of Gears:

The Queen of Gears

Ever noble and steadfast at her true loves side, the Queen of Gears is a vision of honesty, of knowledge, valiance, and confidence. She knows who she is, as much as who she is not. She knows what she has the ability to change, and how far that ability can reach. The Queen of Gears, though ruling at her Kings side, is at no means a step down in power, in the eyes of the House of Gears, or any other House. She is Queen.

The King of Gears

To keep myself busy in the lonely of the night, I have started a project of designing and illustrating a deck of cards. These will be a Steampunk deck of playing cards.

The House of Gears

The King of Gears

The master of the construct; whether it is through sculpture, or through schematic drawings. It is the thrill of the build, the unlocking of the world’s mysteries through the assembly of what his hands and mind can provide that have made him a wise and knowledgeable king. He rules through balance, law, order, and justice. There are those who say that he sees with his hands, that the elements of the build themselves can speak to him.

Sketchbook Project 2011

click on the title of this post and it will take you to my sketchbook entries for SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2011. You can also check other artists, other artists with my topic, ... you'd be home by now, and lots of other topics. Wonderful and wondrous works by a lot of great people.

Red Door Drawing Group January 1st, 2011

January 1st, 2011... What a fun way to spend an evening. Red Door Drawing group. You should come and sit in on some sessions if you are in the area.

more pages from the drawing book done while at my parents house for Christmas. I am trading drawings with my cousin... and I am behind. I got his in the mail yesterday. So these will be in the mail this weekend off to Ben. Thanks bunches Ben, I love what you sent me. Way cool stuff!!!

drawings done while I was off on Holiday at my parents house.

My True Love Gave To Me

Lee Ann and her Mother Ann Duckett the Summer/ fall of 98?

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… yeah, that one really stings a bit. Christmas songs, especially the “Seasonal” songs, the ones about sipping hot cocoa nestled by the fire, walking down the lane together, stealing that winter kiss, giggling like young first loves. It brings back so many wonderful memories.

Our first kiss, that evening there was just magic in the air. I could just feel something special was floating around. I got showered and cleaned up. I got shaved, without slashing myself to ribbons, and even got my hair to rest just perfectly after a brushing. Well, I wasn’t about to let this opportunity go unrecognized. This called for some hairspray to set the mood. Set it in perfected stillness, with just a slight bit of bounce and laughing body… you know, that devil may care hold that all the folks on those Mid 20ish fashion ads talk about. That’s what I needed, and I needed it bad. So with all the fashion plate-dom I could muster, I reached for the hairspray and let fly with a whimsical release of atomized hair hold. Oh, the aroma of fresh lemons, a couple of limes, and the ability to kill 99.9% of all household germs on contact, do your magic…

Wait a minute… since when does hairspray reveal a fresh lemony scent? Like an idiot I validate the process with another blast. Hairspray only smells that way one time and one time only, and that my friends is when it isn’t hairspray at all, but good old disinfecting tub and tile bathroom killer Lysol. Oh grand, I have 25 minutes to go and pick up my beloved and I now am a 3D scratch and sniff version of a Scrubbing Bubble. And my hair looks as if it was daintily airbrushed with Turtlewax.

What do I do? Will she notice? WILL SHE NOTICE??? Are you nuts? This is the girl who takes Mensa tests for fun. Will she notice… Why I ought-a… Well what could I do is jump in for a quick and extremely vigorous shampoo. Actually one might describe what occurred as the Viet-Kong caning of all shampoos, with profanity to match. By the time I got out, my hair stood every way but where it was supposed to, I had one red eye from shampoo running into it. Well, I had to keep checking the clock. I resembled the young pro wrestler after his first ever match with the new Chosen TV champ villain, right after the referee wakes back up from a chair to the back of the head.

Needless to say I did not use any hair products this time prior to leaving the house. I picked her up at her house. She looked stunning, she always did. I gave her some flowers; she gave me a hug.

“Well, you certainly smell, clean”, she said with a genuine smile.

“Yeah, well… it’s a new spray I am trying out.”

“Oh.” And she gets in the car.

Great first impression… Nothing weaves a bridge of confidence in a man like exuding the great romantic scent of really clean bathroom grout.

We had a really great dinner out. I honestly don’t remember where we went… Lee Ann would know. Lee Ann would know what we had for dinner. My head is telling me that we went to the Mexican Froo Froo restaurant on the plaza next near the Paper Source. The restaurant is gone now. But it had good food when we were there, and it was fun to go and just look around while you dined. My memory isn’t so good; maybe it was the Lysol to the head that wiped out my long term… um, what was I talking about?

It was late summer. I do remember that. As I dropped her off at the front door to her house, we stood by the front door and talked for what seemed like a few minutes. But it ended up being almost fourty-five minutes. As we said our good nights she leaned forward, I leaned forward and the TV guys are right. I did see fireworks. That girl flat out took my breath away. I think my voice even changed. I tried to say something cool and failed miserably, she giggled and gave me another kiss. I tried to walk away effortlessly; heck I was just trying to walk in a straight line when I fell over the drainpipe. Yep, I Dick Van Dyked it right in the middle of their front yard. I jumped up so fast that she couldn’t even get out an “are you all right?” I had already dusted myself off, waved and was in the car. I didn’t feel what I had landed on until the next morning when I found that my shins and hip, and elbow were all bruised up from the rock garden. I didn’t notice all that night. I didn’t even care the next day.

Months later Lee Ann told me how much that night really meant to her. Twelve and a half years later, I hold that memory so close, so tight that sometimes I can feel a lump in my emotions. Some days it feels like it has been an eternity, some times it feels like she is just out to the Art School and I am waiting for her to come in the door to show me what she has created.

red Door Studio Drawing Session December 4th 2010

The Arctic Luau

"We're Havin' a Heat Wave... A Tropical Heat Wave"

This image came about from some volunteering that I did this Holiday season for the Children's Mercy Hospital. Every year a group from work goes down and helps to decorate the Hospital for the Holidays. This year there was an added challenge. No fire restrictions; no paper, no lights, no hangy downies from the ceiling, no paper snow flakes, and NO KIDDING. So, a lot of hospitals just gave up and didn't decorate this year due to the stringent restrictions. Somehow our leaders found nonflammable decorations, and window markers.

I was asked if I would help decorate by painting window scenes for the Holidays. I agreed.

I asked what should I use as subject matter or stay away from?

1. No Angels... this is a children's hospital, (the whole death thing would be bad)

2. they would like a snow scene.

3. if you do children, or people, you have to do every race/ type/ creed/ handicapped/ etc... so try to steer clear of that.

4. Try to steer clear of specific "religious" iconography. Keep it light. The kids are away from home at the holidays.

5. Animals are always nice.

6. If you can tie in one of the tree decoration themes, that would be great.

Ok, Snow scene, Animals, (make them cute) and tie in the theme of the tree that the windows are near... This is a piece of cake.

What are the tree themes: Luau, and Independence Day. Those were the ones that were fire retardant that were in the volunteer budget..... Snow scene and Luau? Snow scene and Luau! Arctic Luau... why not? So at first I didn't have the penguins because they were south pole and the polar bear was north pole, but... Hey, maybe everybody was on vacation, or as somebody else pointed out... if the bear can wear a hawaiian shirt, then the penguins can be in the picture. Fantasy is fantasy.

The start of The Sketchbook Project 2011

I have joined the national touring "Sketchbook Project 2011". This touring art exhibit will tour several several libraries and galleries around the country. http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject/exhibitions

So this is my first jump into the sketchbook. I let the project choose a topic for me... I got "...You'd Be Home By Now." So the sketches that I am doing are reflecting the "..." in the beginning of the topic to start off the story. It is similar to bringing a punchline to the front of a joke... A'la "You might be a _______". Hopefully with a pinch of visual flair. I hope.