the incomprehensible label in japanese writing makes it even more legit.

So on a whim, I bought this stuff called "acrylagouache". Holbein makes it in many colors. It's just acrylic.. but with a different binder, that emulates the texture of gouache. It does well, and it solves the problem that I've always had with gouache - it doesn't re-activate and muddy up when you build layers.

This is a silly test-painting, but I like working with this stuff. Let's see where it goes!

I am a fox.

Here's the new piece I did for the "I'm an Animal" show at Black Maria Gallery:

Vulpine

8" x 10"

acrylic ink & graphite on Arches

This, along with two others of mine, are available for sale here.

Thanks so much to everyone who came, it was an excellent show!! Lots of fun and lots of great artwork.

"I'm an Animal" - Group Show!

Good news for the new year! The first of it - I'm thrilled to be part of a group show at Black Maria Gallery, opening this Friday.

"I'm an Animal" - Black Maria Gallery

If you're in the area, drop by! I've got a couple of old pieces, and one new painting. It should be a pretty awesome show, and I'm excited (and a little bit nervous!) to be showing with such a strong group of women.

More exciting news to come, stay tuned..

in the aeroplane over the sea (part one)

Ever since the first time I heard Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, I was blown away the surreal wonder of the imagery that Jeff Mangum employs in his music. Over the years of repeated listens, certain ideas stuck and grew with me, and quietly insisted to be brought to life.

I found the perfect opportunity in Gayle Donahue's drawing class this semester. Ambitiously I planned to tackle the entire project in six short weeks. Despite thorough planning, it was soon clear that this simply was not possible. What I did end up with, though, are three pieces I can stand behind, that hopefully represent the beginning of a long and fruitful investigation.

"Two-Headed Boy"
9" x 20"; acyrlic ink & technical pen
on watercolor paper

"Communist Daughter"

9" x 20"; acyrlic ink on watercolor paper

"Oh Comely" (Part One)
9" x 20"; acyrlic ink on watercolor paper

I embraced vivid imagery of Anne Frank in her various incarnations. I loved the idea of her as a symbol of birth, youth, and then reincarnation. I found the repeated, cyclical motif of birth, youth, sexuality, death and rebirth as a source of inspiration and organization, and I hope to further use them to unify the series.

Time allowing, I'd love to ultimately finish the project and illustrate the entire album as I envision it. It's a long-term goal, but I can see how it could be a powerful catalyst for my own growth and learning in the process.

fix my bike!!

For the narrative illustration class I took this semester, I did a term project based on the bicycle repair co-ops located around the LA area. I've been aware of them for the past year or so, and I've always been curious to learn more about their involvement in the cycling community. The emphasis of these shops is not just to repair bikes, but to instruct cyclists on how to be self-sufficient in repairing and maintaining their own bikes. This small series was done partly out of my own curiosity, and partly to bring awareness to the services these people offer to the cycling community.













For more information on these shops:
L.A./Koreatown: Bike Kitchen
Northeast LA: Bike Oven
Santa Monica: Bikerowave

on location

Some on-location drawings from Jeff Smith's "Illustrative Storytelling" class.

Farmer's Market at 3rd St & Fairfax

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Chinatown ("Sincere Gift")

Scott's Tattoo Parlor

idl

The following flood of images were created for David Tillinghast's "Illustration Design Lab" class. Most images are done with acrylic ink and technical pen on sketchbook paper.