Bullet Casing Art Continued

I completed my second Bullet casing artwork a few weeks ago and quickly began putting together my third. The effort it takes to make each bullet "canvas" means that I am not as quick to experiment with a style or color than if I had been using a normal cheap canvas from Hobby Lobby. For the most recent piece I did not had any white highlights, which left a more subtle image close up, but from a few feet away it takes on the feel of an old rustic photograph.

More Guitart!

This past few months I had the pleasure of working on a new guitar for a great friend of mine. He was patient enough to let me borrow his guitar for a few months while I completed the artwork whenever I had a few hours to spare...Mostly nights when I couldn't sleep and days I needed something to do to put off mowing the yard.

These guitars are always a mountain of time and mental energy to create, but I always learn so much with each new guitar I find myself looking forward to each new challenge.

Traveling Boots

I own a pair of dirty worn out boots I've had since I was 19. I picked them off the shelf of a store in my hometown when they were new, clean, and still held the aroma of fresh leather. Now, the toes have been scuffed to a sturdy velvet, and the soles no longer provide much traction. The tops are frayed and stained from sweat. They were once the color of a copper penny and held a shine, but now they have taken on the all the luster of an old piece of farm equipment resting in a field. I would be justified to get rid of them, but I can't seem to let them go. They have been all over with me. On a train through Europe I started listed how far these boots have been. Like stickers on an old suitcase, I added names in ink to the side of the boots. They fit right in some places I've worn them and stuck out in others, if the drawl didn't already give it away. They've been soaked by the snow in the Austrian Alps, and caked in mud from a dirt road in Bolivia. They held up on a cotton farm in Lubbock, and once two-stepped across dance hall floors in the Texas Hill Country. They were underneath my feet when I saw a Monet painting for the first time. That same year, I met my first niece wearing them. Theres a splatter of acrylic paint I dripped on them during a summer in Massachusetts, and a single droplet of blood I added after I shoot my first deer with my Granddad. I was wearing them that night I thought my life was going to change forever. I was wearing them when I bought the ring I presented to the woman who would become my wife. 
They have have taken a lot of steps since they first left Early, Texas seven years ago. All those steps led me here...and I imagine they will keep going. It is where these boots have been that has made them.

'We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.'

Bullet Casing Project

     Starting in the Summer of 2011, I began working at a Gun Store and Shooting Range that my uncle owned. Despite being brought up deep in the heart of gun totting' Texas, my experience with firearms prior to this was limited to a red ryder BB gun and one dove hunting trip where a friend  armed me with a single shot 410 shotgun. The experience of  working at the range was eye opening in a number of ways.  Like many people who did not grow up around firearms, shooting, or hunting, I had formed an opinion about guns and gun owner's without really ever understanding anything about them. It became clear to me throughout my first summer working there that the gun is only a tool in the hands of whoever is holding it.We all know what a gun is capable of. Just looking at one makes us visualize our own portrait of what it could be used for. A means to obtain food, a facilitator of crime, the keys to freedom, the scourge of mankind, and the voice of revolutions could all be used to describe a gun. A lone symbol that has the power to draw such emotion even without seeing it in action. It's a very powerful message for a small piece of metal.  A single, tangible object capable of evoking so many varying thoughts and feelings.
 It was this idea (and being surrounded by mountains of firearm related objects) that led me to my next  project. Gradually over the the next two and a half years that thought manifested itself in the form of brass bullet casings arranged into a "canvas".

After many trails and errors...the finished "Canvas. The actually painting ended up being the easy part

 I chose a portrait of Comanche chief Quanah Parker to don my bullets. A man I felt was very aware of the power of firearms ,but not confined to violence.

I calculated it took about 3000 .40cal bullets casings to make this portrait.

Guitar Art...or Guitart (copyright pending)

Ive been pretty busy the past few weeks working on a number of projects. I've resorted to locking myself in "the office" and even going so far as  giving myself office hours and deadlines. In the process of moving houses I misplaced my camera battery and thus, haven't been able to upload any pictures of all my new art projects...so until I find it I thought I would show some past work:

I few years ago, one of my good friends approached me with an idea he had about using one of his old guitars as a canvas. His only requirements were that he wanted something "cool looking". He even gave me an assortment of Sharpie markers to complete the task.
So ...with all the planning of a sophomore doodling in a Biology class lecture, I set about creating...something. One small doodle led to another and another, and the art work seemed to grow on its own. Before too long I had filled the face of the guitar, each separate piece flowing onto the others, like songs in a set.
 Like I've said before, sometimes I get so paralyzed trying to create the perfect work of art that I have trouble even starting. These guitars (I've done 4 and a 1/2 so far) have become an exercise in learning to just "shut up and draw".

 The first guitar- A little rough by comparison, but with zero expectations or planning I dove in and was pleasantly surprised with how this came out eventually.

Another Guitar I did for a friend. A little more planning allowed the overall design to "flow" a little better, fitting the unique shape of the guitar and reflecting a little bit more of the person that will be playing it.

A design I did for the Randy Rogers Band. He must have liked this guitar I did for their merchandise table because he asked me to design his food truck later!

"Nantucket" themed guitar.- Currently at Kristopher's in Nantucket

More Guitars to come!

Texas Dove Hunters Associaton

I just found out that I have the fortune to work with the Texas Dove Hunters Association on a few upcoming projects they have. Will continue to contribute the monthly dove hunting themed cartoons for their magazine but the next projects involve a little more artistic sweating and less clever writing. Whew!
Here are two of my latest cartoons

When in a case of writers block occurs make fun of yuppies

(That really only applies if you draw cartoons for a hunting magazine)

While doing doing some research for a dove related project I can across these old photographs taken for LIFE magazine in 1961. I can't put my finger on exactly why I love these pictures so much. I think it is because every picture screams 1960s.  Everyone is smoking. Women are dressed neatly regardless of the situation. Not a warning label in site. When my grandparents look back and fondly remember "the Good Ol Days before rules, regulations, and lawsuits ruined everything" I see scenes like this and think: This is probably the reason why we now have so many regulations.

All Photos taken by Raplh Crane-Time&Life Pictures/Getty images

To see more of these awesome photos follow this link below:

South Texas Dove Hunting 1961- Life Magazine

Nantucket Speed Sketches etc.

This summer I was fortunate to live on Nantucket, a picturesque island off the coast Massachusetts. The history of this tiny island is facinating, and one of the most unique places I've ever been to. I highly encourage at least googling it. After the island's whaling industry collapsed the island became a haven for artists, and it's easy to see why with amazing views, literally,everywhere. In the spirit of those early artist I kept a sketchpad handy most of the summer and tried to work on quickly capturing images as I saw them. It was the first time I have really sketched in real time, but it definitely won't be the last!
Most places I could only sketch for 2 to 3 minutes before the subject moved. It really forces you to quickly capture the most important things first and then work on the details later. (yet another example of life lessons in art).
I was pleasantly surprised how well these quick sketches came out and I now I have some cool souvenirs to remind me of this amazing island.

The Brand Point Lighthouse

Super quick sketches while waiting in the Newark Airport. (thats not creepy, right?)

I think I filled this whole page in 4 minutes 

The Pacific Club building  on Main St.

Monument in the center of Main Street. (until a car blocked my view)

Scene while sitting on Straight Warf. 

Sailing yacht with Brant Point Coast Guard station in the background 

To stave off the Texan Homesick Blues I sketched out the cover of my Texas Monthly Magazine 

Fishermen at "The Creeks"

(fishermen tend to sit still a little longer)