Illustration Friday - Peace

Hand feeding dove which is the symbol of peace. Oil painting with an old world renaissance feel with a timeless subject matter and message.

Did this back in 1998 for my holiday card. It's on 11" x 14" illustration board. The type was done by transferred copier toner applied with a colorless marker blender. Crackling finish added to complete the look. Prints/posters have been selling quite well on art.com. Buy your own here.

Have a great holiday & prospersous New Year!

For over 7 years now my wife and I are faced with coming up with a clever and original holiday card. This years card idea came about by just sitting and thinking about it with my wife. It's the basic idea that all fingerprints and snowflakes are different. I always like to emphasize individuality. This was fun to do too. My wife got the kids prints as well as hers and then I did mine. I then made them into snowflakes in Photoshop of course. The text below is what went inside the card.

The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow
because it was important to them:
there ought to be as many for love.
by Margaret Atwood

Illustration Friday - Help

Cover for Tabletalk magazine. Here is a brief description of the process. I started off with 3 different pencil sketches, got approval, took reference photos, created tight pencil, transferred to illustration board, painted main shapes in oils, scanned in, added other details and color adjustments in Photoshop, sent for approval, client loved it, printed on cover. Click the images to see a larger version.

Then after all that how cool is it to see your work being scene by brave US soldiers in Iraq. This was back in 2003. If I could show you his face he is smiling in the photo. I feel I HELPED this soldier that day. I am grateful to do so.

My brother-in-law the Automotive Artist

Lawrence Gardinier is an automotive artist extraordinaire. Not only does he do incredibly detailed paintings for prints, miniature paintings on watches, motorcycles, and cars, he also fixes up cars inside and out and puts his creative painting touches to the cars in ways you have never seen. Check out his hand painted art car! Very cool!

Also he has a Automotive Art Show in Marietta, GA this upcoming weekend.
December, 8th | Friday - 7 pm to 9 pm
December, 9th | Saturday Noon to 5 pm

Location: 2140 Canton Road, Marietta, GA
click for map

I'll be there!

10 Ways To Help Charities Without Spending A Cent

Want to help but tight on cash? There are a variety of ways you can help charities without spending money: "There seems to be an assumption that the only way that people can help a charitable cause is by donating money. While these organizations are almost always in need of extra cash, there are still ways that you can help without spending..."

read more | digg story

America Freedom to Fascism Authorized version

Please visit http://www.freedomtofascism.com to purchase the DVD. This is the "Director's Final Cut" authorized version of Aaron Russo's documentary, America: Freedom To Fascism (AFTF). It is being uploaded to Google Video for the first time during the evening of October 19-20th, 2006. Aaron has listened to everyone's feedback - volunteers, students, lovers of freedom & liberty, young and old alike - and, true to his word, he is putting this up "for free" on Google Video knowing that the hour has come for Americans to either be awakened to restore the Republic or be swept aside by the dark global forces of fascism that seeks to enslave mankind. AFTF's main focus comes in a statement with six very simple words: SHUT DOWN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM!! After viewing the movie, please be sure to visit http://www.freedomtofascism.com where you will soon be able to view a much higher quality "pay per view" Internet version of AFTF, buy the DVD and sign up as an affiliate to sell/distribute DVDs to others. We also urge everyone to be sure to sign up as volunteer, register for email alerts and tell your family, friends and neighbors about this groundbreaking movie.

Cell Phone Towers In Disguise + My Cell Tower illustrations

Some folks say cell phone towers can be unsightly, so some providers are becoming masters of disguise. Seeing this on digg.com spurred me so show these cell tower illustration derivatives. Here I use the same base art for different purposes. Digitally customized to fit the clients needs.



read more | digg story | My Cell Tower Illustrations

Support the Troops Art

I am in the process of trying to find a charity or organization that their main mission or reason for being is to support the troops that can use these images for fund raising, prints, website graphics, printed material, etc. If you know anyone or company I'd could talk to about this let me know. Click the images to see them larger or see the images in static mode here and here.

Cool Slideshows

Illustration Friday - Thanksgiving

Yum!
The idea behind this Illustration was to show an abundant amount of food for just two people. It was originally painted for On Mission Magazine Summer 2005 article spread titled "Same Cry Different Hungers". Feeding believers and non-believers at the same table. I thought it was really appropriate for the Thanksgiving word for Illustration Friday.

I wanted to give it a slight fish-eye effect and the room needed to be dark and simple to emphasize the food in a spotlight of sorts.

Updated Secondary Portfolios

I have updated my secondary portfolios that I created for 5 different styles and markets that go beyond the realistic work that I mainly do. Right now it's only there for when a client needs to see more of a certain style that I do. I just send to a link at their request. It works quite well and was created in iWeb. I have an Info Graphics Portfolio, Whimsical Vector Portfolio, Technical Portfolio, Comps Portfolio, and a new engravings portfolio.

Technorati Tags: Illustration Portfolio, website, illustration

What Would Jesus Do?

With the recent majority win for Democrat's in the House and Senate it got me thinking once again about the opposing views of the religious right and the liberal left. As most people I know they believe in moderation and being somewhere in the middle of things and not one extreme or another. That's the way it should be, but it's seems that we are forced to make extreme decisions when it comes to voting for a politician by giving up on some issues to be in favor of others. You can't keep it simple by being a one issue voter, but here are several issues that influenced my vote in the Bible Belt Red State of Georgia.

This was taken from the Sunshine for Women website and I just had to post it because this is what I believe. Sorry if you feel differently, you are entitled to your own opinion. I'm expressing mine here.

---------------

One of the more frequently asked questions these days is "What Would Jesus Do?" Teens sport bracelets with the initials WWJD to remind them to ask themselves "What Would Jesus Do?" in difficult situtations. I thought I might take a few minutes to discuss "What Would Jesus Do?" in the light of current events. As part of my response, I will also address the issue of what Jesus would not do.

• Jesus Would NOT be on the Board of Directors of a Fortune 500 corporation (or of a Fortune 5000 corporation, for that matter, either).
  
• Jesus Would NOT head a large multinational corporation (or a large national corporation for that matter, either. Indeed, he probably wouldn't even head a small corporation, although he might be involved in a small, family-owned business.)
  
• Jesus Would NOT go into business (including oil, gas, gold, and diamond extraction industries) with some of the most ruthless dictators in the world.
  
• Jesus Would NOT lobby politicians on behalf of wealthy corporations.
  
• Jesus Would NOT be a Wall Street trader, a banker for a large national or international banking conglomerate, or participate in the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
  Jesus would remind rich men to sell all of their worldly goods and to follow him if they wanted to enter the kingdom of God, for it is "easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

• Jesus Would NOT wear Gucci's and schlep for corporate executives.
  
• Jesus Would NOT demand tax cuts for the wealthy and benefit cuts for everyone else.
  Jesus would do everything in his power to care for the "least of these, my brethren."

• Jesus Would NOT use the name of the Lord to advocate war, death, destructions, and spending unlimited amounts of money for those purposes.
  Jesus would drive the money changers from the temple.

• Jesus Would NOT own his own religious television network, host a religious radio show, or sell time shares in his religious theme park.
  Jesus would cry, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!"

• Jesus Would NOT support Star Wars missile defense systems, another military build-up, or expanding our "war on terrorism" to 60 nations around the world, including our own.
  
• Jesus Would NOT participate in the production of any weapons of war in any capacity, even as a factory laborer.
  
• Jesus Would NOT participate in the development of new weapons systems, including advanced military aircraft, chemical or biological weapons, or nuclear weapons (especially nuclear weapons, like the neutron bomb that are designed to kill people while sparing property.)
  Jesus would turn swords into plowshares -- convert existing military equipment into tools for improving the quality of life of existing people -- such as turning armored troop carriers into vehicles for transporting produce to market and converting military field hospitals into medical centers for people in the remotest and most inaccessible parts of the world.

• Jesus Would NOT blur the line of separation of church and state.
  Jesus would work to keep church and state separate: Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, render unto God what is God's.

• Jesus Would NOT permit big corporations to despoil the environment.
  Jesus would remind citizens that God made man stewards of her creation. Good stewards tend to their environment is such a manner that it is left in better condition than they found it for future generations.
  
  
• Jesus Would NOT wear a triple decker crown, live in a princely palace in Rome, and hold out his hand to have people kiss an enormous gemstone on his finger as a greeting.
  Jesus would wear a crown of thorns, live the life of a modest carpenter, and greet his fellow human beings with a warm, friendly, "Hi, How are YOU"
  
  
• Jesus Would NOT encourage racial animosity.
  Jesus would teach us that all humanity are one and that racial differences are only skin deep, praising the goodness of the Good Samaritan over the highest ministers in the temple.
  
  
• Jesus Would NOT limit women's horizons and aspirations.
  Jesus would encourage women to become educated and to participate in all aspects of life to the fullest, for there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, but we are all one in Christ Jesus.

I could continue along these same lines by discussing foreign and domestic policy initatives by our current administration. But I think you get the drift of my message.

Jesus of Nazareth's message was NOT to bring comfort and aid to the rich and powerful, but rather to empower the downtrodden and to bring social justice to the sick, the defenseless, and those most despised and oppressed by society. He was born of an unmarried, uneducated, peasant girl, probably just beyond the age of puberty (for it was the custom of the time to marry girls off shortly after puberty). In her own time, she was probably thought of in little higher regard than that of a slave. Yet, she was not of too humble an origin to give birth to one of the most influential people ever to have walked upon the face of the earth; a man that many claim to be divine.

Jesus would NOT be a Republican and Jesus would be a die-hard, liberal democrat. But these messages are messages you will not hear from televangelists, TV and radio "news commentators," and captains of banking and industry. It is time for liberal Democrats to ask, "What Would Jesus Do?"
------------------------------

I really think Jesus would be an independent. Unfortunately, this would exclude him from participating in US presidential debates... which is potentially the most delicious of ironies.

Other interesting discussions/articles about the topic:

• Is Jesus a Democrat?
• The weak link in Bush's triad: Jesus is a Democrat
• Democrats, Jesus & the Bible
  
  Comments and discussions are most welcome!
  
  

First Freedom First petition

I just signed the First Freedom First petition -- about the importance of safeguarding separation of church and state and protecting religious liberty. The founders of our nation believed that all Americans should have the right to worship according to their own beliefs, or not to worship at all. It was so important to them that they placed it in the first sentence of the Bill of Rights.

I believe that religion is a deeply personal matter and that Americans must be free to practice their religion without coercion. Simply put, there must be a separation of church and state.

I know that we agree about the importance of these issues, so I hope that you will ACT NOW, like I just did. Be a part of First Freedom First.

Sign the petition and encourage others to join you. Together, we will send a powerful and resounding message -- safeguard the first freedom! Please visit the website below and join me in standing up for this fundamental American freedom.

http://www.firstfreedomfirst.org/

Illustration Friday - Smoke

Cover and inside spread for America's Community Banker magazine. This was a combination of an oil painting scanned and then worked on top of in Illustrator. Then those Illustrator shapes are exported into Photoshop. I wanted to use the mediums for what they are best at.

Oils - natural texture, brush strokes
Illustrator - exact, sharp, easily edited detailed shapes with gradients
Photoshop - combining the two together, the smoke and final color adjustment.

Portfolio Show Tonight in Atlanta

I should have posted this sooner, but anyway. For all of you that are in the Atlanta area I will be showing my portfolio TONIGHT at The Defoor Center. I'd love to see any of you there. It's free with free food and drinks! You can't go wrong!

Members Portfolio Show Flaunts the Year's Best Work

See the creations of Atlanta's freelance community, enjoy hors d'ouevres and cocktails and mingle with your colleagues at the Freelance Forum's Members Portfolio Show.

Scheduled this year at The Defoor Center, this annual event features the work of illustrators, writers, designers, photographers and other creatives in a festive setting with lots of opportunities to eat, drink and wander. So whether you are looking to talk craft, check out the talent for an upcoming project or catch up with friends, the Members Portfolio Show is the place to be November 2.

Admission is FREE for members and guests; but only members may exhibit.

When: Thursday, November 2, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Where: The Defoor Centre
Address: 1710 Defoor Avenue, NW, Atlanta 30318
Admission: FREE for Members and Guests

Special Note on Parking
Please note the following free parking options for the Members Portfolio Show on Thursday, November 2, at the Defoor Centre:

Onsite at Defoor
Parking lot on the left before the Defoor Center (vacant business)
Along Taylor Street -- the first left after Defoor
At Wachovia Bank on Taylor Street

A security guard will be available to walk guests to and from their cars, if requested.

Get Directions to Defoore Centre

See you there!

Illustration Friday - Wind

This is a oil painting cover I did for Ligonier Ministries monthly magazine Tabletalk. The visual problem I had to solve was first of all the sense of spiritual revival of a person. They had to be content and the power of nature or God was renewing their spirit. I thought wind and a nice colorful sunset would help contrast the dull and old skin that's peeling away.

The original is 11.5 in. x 18 in. It and several size prints are available for sale here:

www.jaymontgomery.com/galleryart8.html

Retro Poster Art

Here is some current work I've done for a commercial real estate agency Hodges Ward Elliott. They the AD wanted some retro poster illustration for the cover of a presentation that goes out to a small list of high end real estate investors of buildings. I'm not only glad for me but for the illustration field in general that they decided to use illustration instead of the usual photography. This really set them apart and made them look extra special. I had fun creating these in Adobe Illustrator after basically tracing over the provided photos and simplifying the shapes for a screen print kind of effect. If I had more time on them I would have added a texture or slight color plate shift for a more authentic rendition to a old worlds fair poster. What's your thoughts on these from a style stand point? Should I do more?

The Secret to everything - FULL-LENGTH FILM ONLINE!!!

This movie is incredible! It's for ALL people whether you are spiritual or not. I wish movies like this would be more popular in the USA rather than all these pop culture, voilent, cops and robber, non-educational type movies that seem dominate the big screen.

FULL-LENGTH FILM ONLINE!!! (108 mins) This is The Secret to everything - the secret to unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted. WATCH IT! ENJOY IT!! SHARE IT!!! * It is HARD to find this for FREE! Only catch is you need a free myspace account.

If you don't want a myspace account or don't want to watch it on your computer then learn more about this here: http://thesecret.tv/

Buy THE SECRET DVD and see it on your TV in better quality and support the creator of this intellectual property! It about 30 bucks but worth it! I'm going to buy it myself.

Illustration Friday - Trouble

This is an old illustration I did back at Portfolio Center in 1993. I was playing around with taking my own photos and manipulating them in Photoshop then printing them out on a Canon color copier at Kinko's (before inkjets hit the mainstream). I then worked on top of the color copy with Prismacolor pencils, oils, and even sand paper. Somewhat limiting since originals could only be 11 x 17 at the largest and not archival.



Technorati Tags: Illustration Friday, trouble, illustration

Secondary portfolio pages update

Just yesterday I updated my portfolios that I created for 4 different styles and markets that go beyond the realistic work that I maily do. Right now it's only there for when a client need to see more of a certain style that I do. I just send to a link at there request. Currently it's hard to find a link these portfolios from my main site. Now that it has a look and feel of my main site I'm going to link it more prominantly. I have an Info Graphics Portfolio, Whimsical Vector Portfolio, Technical Portfolio, and Comps Portfolio. Since I do all sort of styles and techniques find it hard to categorize the works and market them. Anyone have any tips?

Technorati Tags: Illustration Portfolio, website, illustration

Illustration Friday - Quite

This one was created a while back using only oils on illustration board. About 20" square. Originally for a software company ad, but has a versatile appeal across all genres. I thought it was approopriate for the Illustration Friday quiet theme because this scene is so super quiet but the next scene is the opposite of quiet! By the way, I never have gone duck hunting and never plan to either. I don't even own a gun or let my 4 and 5 year old children play with toy guns.

Technorati Tags: Illustration Friday, quiet, illustration

Illustration Friday - Change

I have done several "change" illustrations. The ones that come to mind first is the several evolution type illustrations done over the last 2-3 years. I like doing these and I'm becoming known for them. They have never before been seen together like this on 1 page. Kinda cool. They are all created in Photoshop and Painter. Click each to see a 10" wide version.

Evolution Controversy

Becoming An Outdoor Woman

Tech Evolution

Technorati Tags: Illustration Friday, change, illustration

Making Stock Pay

Look for me in the new Computer Arts Magazine issue 126 with the tiger on the front. I contributed to an article on Making Stock Pay starting on page 33. They put two of my peices in the spread above. Can you guess which ones? Plus on the next page is a rare photo of me never published before. Feel free to give me feedback on the article.

Technorati Tags: stock illustration, Jay Montgomery, illustration

Illustration Friday - Farm

Cover for Tabletalk magazine on being happy at your job. Depicts happy family gathering wheat and grape harvest. I used the family of one of my best clients as reference and pretty much made up the rest of the scene out of my head. Oil and digital. 17.5 in. x 25.8 in.

Illustration Friday - Safe

Oil painting done for a magazine article for In Touch magazine back in 1996 or so about the unknown caring and protection of God. I love the surreal feel and the colors. It's about 20" wide created in thin oils on Strathmore Illustration Board. Comments are welcomed.

Illustration Friday - Capture

This was package illustration for a board game for kids ages 8+. It was done around the time just before Saddam was caught. Since this was for kids the gaming company did not want to show any weapons on the soldiers. So I had them holding rope, tear gas, metal boxes and such. I'm not a gun toting gun rights kind of guy but I do think the military should carry guns and I think 8 year olds can understand that.

Illustration Friday - Clean

Editorial illustration for Tabletalk magazine article about removing the dirty and being rewarded with cleaniness. My wife made the white robe and kings cape, I bought the crown at a costume shop, two of my illustration students posed for me while I shot the reference. Final created in Photoshop. I think it was worth it in the end to go through all that trouble.

Illustration Friday - Opposites

Originally done for PTO Magazine about 3 years ago. They simply wanted to kids hands doing the thumbs up thumbs down thing. I was just starting to have some fun using Painter with this. They wanted to make sure it looked more hand done than digital.

Illustration Friday - Sacrifice

This is a piece I did for the cover of Tabletalk (a spiritual magazine). They wanted the viewpoint of Christ's eyes from the cross the moment just before he died. I liked the way the atmosphere and sadness of the moment is portrayed. I hope you do too. Created using Photoshop, Poser, and Painter. Prints up to 16x20 are available on www.art.com and direct from me on my website. www.jaymontgomery.com

Illustration Friday - Skyline

For the 2007 Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta, GA. This is the main image for all the materials used at this annual dentist convention. They only wanted to show certain buildings in the Atlanta skyline representing a more classic representation of Atlanta. The president wanted to make sure that his 55 T-Bird pride and joy was in the image as well. Constructed using Photoshop CS2 and Painter IX. Comments appreciated.

My Honda Del Sol is for sale

Well folks I hate to see it go but with two kids this wonderful car is just not practical for us any longer. After Cindi having a flat in downtown Atlanta a couple of weeks ago with the kids I could not go pick up the kids and help her out with our second car. She and the kids were on the side of the road for about 4 hours until a HERO unit finally came after several un-kept promises. It was a bad situation and of course hindsight is 20/20. This was the straw that broke the camel's back.

We're officially selling our 1995 Honda Del Sol as of today. It's one of those sought after cars and we hope to give her a nice home at the right price. So if you know anyone in the market send them this link.

http://www.jaymontgomery.com/1995HondaDelSol/HondaDelSolForSale.html

We are also now officially in the the market for hopefully a 6+ passenger used vehicle. We have been researching for quite some time and considering several cars not limited to Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot, Mazda MPV, Nissan Quest, or anything else that fits the bill. If you have any suggestions feel free to let me know.

UPDATE!!! It sold in less than 24 hours for only $150 less than asking price!

Illustration Friday - Rain

Weather It Together

This was for a local Girl Scout group t-shirt. This is a side style to my more realistic and detailed work. It's all done in Illustrator mainly using the brush tool. I wanted to created a simple little weather game/dance that all ages could do that would be appropriate for the them of the Camporee. I appreciate kind remarks, but I would rather have constructive criticism about this style departure and any improvements. You can see more of this style on a alternate portfolio here.

Illustration Friday - Portrait

I'm a big believer in getting good reference for my illustrations. The best kind of model reference is usually myself because I'm free and available at any point in time, especailly at 2 AM. Instead of just showing a self portrait for Illustration Friday's Portrait entry, I'd like to show you some instances where I have used myself as reference material for my illustrations over the years. I have had the pleasure of becoming Joseph from the Bible, Prodigal Son, policeman, Army soldier, trucker, black guy, IT Guy, and lots of business corporate types. Also included is my self-portrait from 1996, and old logo, and a photo of me with longish hair. Click the picture to see a larger image of it with clickable links to the whole illustration.

Illustration Friday - Cake

This was an editorial piece I did back in 1993. The topic I had to illustrate was an article on taught racism. When parent teach there children to be a racist. As we all know racism is something you learn from others especially parents. I have a daughter about this age now and I see that everyday she is color blind and that's truly wonderful. Very few parents teach racism, but they do it in their actions and as we know kids pay much more attention to your actions than words. As for the illustration it's done with oil washes and prismacolor. Please comment.

Illustration Friday - Devils & Angels

Orginally done a separate images I combined them for this Illustration Friday's entry. Still kind of a work in progress. I wanted to meld the two images together seemlesslyfor some reason I'm trying to figure out. Why do you think they should be together or even in separate frames?

Is Illustration Dead? NO!!!

I don't want this blog to become a link place for other articles, but from time to time I come across something that speaks to the core of my beliefs as a fulltime illustrator. This is a great and honest interview by world reknowned Art Director/Designer Steven Heller with the creator of 3x3 Magazine, Charles Hively. Even though I have not bought a single isssue myself I love it and intend to at least promote it's much needed presence in today's market to further the cause of art director's using more illustrations over photography. So please read this wonderful interview that gives hope to all up and coming illustrators and ones that have seen the way the market has changed the demand for illustration. I believe illustration in advertising and other markets WILL continue to get more and more accepted due to 3x3 and many other ways.

Illustration Friday - Robot

This was for a Village Voice cover for week of 7-28-03. Inside the Movement for Post-human Rights, Cyborg Liberation Front

Based on the famous ink drawing by DaVinci, Vitruvian Man. I actually drew and completely recreated the DaVinci drawing instead of using a scan of it. From the first call to final FTP delivery was 4 days. I did do much else during that time except eat and sleep. I used this as a postcard promo so that's why my logo and # is on it.

Detail of robot foot.

POSITIVE LIFE LESSONS

This has very little to do with illustration but everything to do with everyone's life.

32 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

1. Pray or think kindly of other all the time.
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Get enough rest.
17. Eat right.
18. Get organized so everything has its place.
19. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
20. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
21. Every day, find time to be alone.
22. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you."
23. Laugh.
24. Laugh some more!
25. Take your work seriously, but not yourself.
26. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
27. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
28. Sit on your ego.
29. Talk less; listen more.
30. Slow down.
31. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
32. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

Learning and growing is being reminded and acting on what you already know to be true.

Illustration Friday - Spotted

A spotted sky.
I traditionally painted one ball and the sky and then duplicated the ball in Photoshop. Can you imagine the reasoning to actually tradtionally paint this? I would never do it! It was hard enough figuring out the dimples on one ball. See the original painting I did where I got the ball from.

Design software weakens classic drawing skills

Here's a CNN article that's worth a read. Nothing new to me or probably you but may give you some new insight. This highly publicized article may have an impact on the trend of wanting more traditional mediums from art buyers.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/04/05/arts.drawing.reut/index.html

Illustration Friday - Monster

This is a different kind of monster. An HDTV Snake!

I was sought out to do a special cover for the Oz article: "Coiled and Ready to Strike" on HiDef production. OZ: The Journal of Creative Disciplines Jan-Feb 2003.
They loved it so much that they bought rights to use it for the new Hi Def sourcebook:

Close up in your face!