AJC Ink

Sketchin.....well sort of...

2011-01-09T21:32:00.000-05:00

Here is a 30 minute sketch I did of my favorite comic character Norrin Radd (Silver Surfer to most of you)!! Did this using my Wacom Tablet which is currently not working (grumble grumble) a few months ago!! As far as the Wacom Tablet not working, it looks like I may have to pony up some hard earned $$ and get a new one.....

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!!

..........

2010-09-21T22:19:00.001-04:00

....nothing much to say here

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Smiling Faces

2010-09-21T21:39:00.001-04:00

...this started as a caricature loosely based on myself (see the shiny spot on the nose, and big-ass smile....see it?? I knew you would!) while listening to Gnarls Barkley's song "Smiley Faces" a few years ago....just added some color to it in a 25 minute timed session
Thanks for stopping by!!

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Rakim once said....

2010-09-06T12:07:00.001-04:00

"Don't Sweat the Technique", however I feel that you should "Sweat the Technics".This is a piece I've been toying around with in my head for a few days or so after listening to some Hip-Hop classics with some supreme DJs like Jam Master Jay, Spinderella, and DJ Jazzy Jeff were in the forefront of their respective groups. Technics turntables were the preferred weapon of choice for all DJs to mix, blend, scratch and turn a 37 second bridge into a 2 minute groove for all the b-boys (and b-girls)!!

Thanks for viewing!!

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Taking a break......

2010-08-03T23:08:00.002-04:00

Working and scheming on a new project for me, and a few requests, and it started to make my brain hurt so I decided to rework an old drawing that may or may not be included in my new project.......eh...we'll see!!

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Sketchy Character(s)

2010-07-16T00:21:00.001-04:00

...been using my Wacom Tablet lately to create some characters, while getting used to drawing with NO pen or pencil (its kind of strange), but since everything is one click away, its become quite addictive!! Those that follow my Deviant Art page will see a few *ahem* racier pictures that won't get posted here......well at least for now....in the meantime, here are two creations I laid down this week, while listening to a heap-load of hip-hop.....

See the full gallery on posterous

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Good Tunes

2010-07-14T10:31:00.000-04:00

I've been doing a lot of re-listening to albums lately, and one I've had in constant rotation is Leave it All Behind by The Foreign Exchange, which is the duo of Dutch producer Nicolay, and Phonte Coleman Ino relation), who is one half of North Carolina hip hop duo Little Brother.

One track that stands out is "If She Breaks Your Heart" ft. Yahzarah. A cover of Stevie Wonder's same song from the Jungle Fever Soundtrack.

Check it out

For my curvy, hippie, thick-thighed ladies....

2010-07-12T22:40:00.001-04:00

...or perhaps me!! Drew this waaaaaay back in '06. Motivation for this came a la a "curvy" young lady whom I had not to long ago befriended!!

and finally added some pizzaz to it.....

hope you all enjoy

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Still Cool

2010-07-09T16:24:00.001-04:00

I've been listening to a lot of Miles Davis lately while working/playing. Did a little photo play with a pic of Miles himself.
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Bad Day....

2010-07-06T17:11:00.001-04:00

We've all had days like this....or is it just me?!?

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The Stuyvesants — Brooklyn’s Finest

2010-07-05T12:32:00.001-04:00

The Stuyvesants — Brooklyn’s Finest

Good hip hop still lives people. While enjoying my Fourth of July celebration with family and friends in the neighborly confines of Park Slope, Brooklyn, I was introduced to a musical collective called The Stuyesants. The link above is a free download of their instrumental album of hip hop/soulful beats.

GETCHUSUM!!

Psychadelic Curves

2010-07-01T19:44:00.001-04:00

Playing around with some colors and effects...and voila!!!
Based on this previous post

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Rockin Out, Part Deux

2010-06-24T13:40:00.001-04:00

Decided to dress up this pic with some colors after the positive reviews from the initial sketch

Thanks for stopping by!

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Rockin Out

2010-06-22T12:37:00.001-04:00

Sketch inspired by dude I saw walking through Times Square....

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Respect Due

2010-06-03T00:04:00.000-04:00

Came across this vid while strolling through YouTube....glad to see some hip hop classics getting some burn in a major ad campaign!!

Photoshop Effects

2010-06-02T23:20:00.001-04:00

I did some photo effects for my homegirl, who is already beautiful, but here they are.....

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via web from ajcink's posterous

New Music!! Isis-Nu

2010-05-12T00:23:00.001-04:00

Isis Nu is a phenomenal talent out of New Jersey. Her new single ("Walk With You") is a velvety smooth R&B jam that's sultry and chock full of thick bass guitar licks that would satisfy any subwoofer.

Isis' smooth yet powerful delivery is pure Soul/R&B. Check out her myspace page for a few of her songs. Or, better yet, go on over to iTunes and buy her new single "Walk With You".

Support GOOD MUSIC!!

Urban Art ain't necessarily Black....and Natural Hair doesn't mean you down for a "cause"

2010-05-06T23:00:00.002-04:00

Today, while getting my fix of sushi, I had a brief and interesting conversation with a young lady who was getting her order to go. She had a sketch book and a duffle of art supplies, evident by the pencils and paint brushes that weren't totally secured, which is where I our conversation started. I asked what does she typically paint, and she responded saying "scenery...mountains, beaches, etc". She then paused and said sarcastically, "...and 'urban art' too!" We both laughed.

It seems that critics/society/anyone who has an opinion seems to think that if you're Black, you're "urban". Well, lets look at the word, "urban". According to Webster's Dictionary:

urban |ˈərbən|
adjective
1 in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town : the urban population.
2 (also urban contemporary) denoting or relating to popular dance music of black origin : a party that features the best in urban music.
• denoting popular black culture in general.
ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Latin urbanus, from urbs, urb- ‘city.’

Hmm..."denoting black culture in general". I have a problem here. Just b/c you're Black does not mean all things "Black" relate to you, and vice versa!!! Besides, has anyone really defined Black Culture?! If its anything that is defined by the 99.999% of what is heard on the radio, or what is portrayed on TV, then I want no parts of it. I know Black to mean how I grew up!! I grew up in the 'burbs of Henrico County, Virginia the furthest thing from urban. Approximately 45 minutes North, there is Washington D.C., which I would say is urban, and 45 minutes South is Hampton/Norfolk, Newport News, which is urban as well.

Additionally, this same young lady was wearing her hair in a afro puff. In addition to our brief exchange about misconceptions of Black artists, she touched on the subject of questions and ignorant comments she receives on her hair: "You're an artist, so a 'natural' fits you", or "Are you African?", or "What is your cause?" I never knew not wanting to put chemicals in your hair could lead to such a line of questioning and idiotic comments. My wife has is rocking a 'natural' for almost a year, but you'd never know, because her hair is straight. People have this thing that if you're different from the norm(al) Black person (or whatever your race creed or gender), you must have a cause that you're down for.....We all aren't the same, hence the different races, religions, shades, hues, hair textures, etc. We all have different interests, you should know this cause it probably took you an hour at least to go through all the interests while setting up your Facebook account. Bet if you check your friend's list (half of whom you probably don't know), you'd be surprised to find out there interests are actually some of yours....and you both probably are totally different......

Damn ignorance!! Think for self!!!

Jam of the Week

2010-05-03T16:41:00.001-04:00

Ticket for 2 by Ski Beatz feat Camp Lo is a smooth laid back jam that evokes a cool summer evening cruising the strip with the windows down. Anyways, check the link below for a listen/download of your own!!!

http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?UPC=RDF00112

Ski Beatz - 24 Hour Karate School

2010-04-29T14:28:00.000-04:00

Ski Beatz, previously known as "Ski" has been laying down hot tracks for quite some time now. You may know his work from Jay-Z' debut album (Reasonable Doubt): "Dead Presidents", "22 Two's", "Politics as Usual" and my personal fave "Feelin' It". He also worked with Camp Lo on their debut album Uptown Saturday Night and produced their hit "Luchini (This Is It)". Ski now comes to us with a new mix tape titled 24 Hour Karate School. It boasts such artists as Jay Electronica, Mos Def, Curren$y, Jean Grae and many others.

The vid below includes the title track

24 HOUR KARATE SCHOOL TEASER from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Hip Hop is Alive ladies and gents!! It no longer lives on our radios and featured in flashy ads in Times Square....but it is alive!!! GETCHUSUM!!

Sketchism

2010-04-15T10:01:00.002-04:00

Possible character sketch for a project I'm working on.....more to come...keep checking back in, and thanks for looking and reading

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Blast of the Day!!

2010-04-13T14:56:00.002-04:00

Don't Sweat the Technique was the last album released by Eric B. & Rakim in 1992. The album featured some classic unheralded bangers like "The Punisher","Know the Ledge" (featured on the Juice Soundtrack as "Juice (Know the Ledge)"), as well as the title track, "Don't Sweat the Technique".

The title track, known for its jazzy hook utilizes the following samples:

Section 1.Soul

Kool and the Gang
Kool and the Gang: (De-Lite 1969)
* "Give it Up" (Drums)
Eric B and Rakim - "Don't Sweat the Technique"

Mayfield, CurtisBack to the World: (Curtom 1973)
* "Right on for the Darkness"
Eric B and Rakim - "Don't Sweat the Technique"

Section 2. Jazz
James, BobTwo: (CTI 1975)
* "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" (Drums)
Eric B and Rakim - "Don't Sweat the Technique"

Young-Holt Unlimited (Trio)Born Again: (Cotillion 1971)
* "Queen of the Nile"
Eric B and Rakim - "Don't Sweat the Technique"

Samax is Killin it

2010-04-06T09:42:00.000-04:00

My dude Samax (pronounced Suh-MAX) is doing his thing with this Herman Heed strip. Peep the work dude is flexing on this strip here.

For more info, check out his blog at ghetto Manga.

We got Logos too!!!

2010-04-04T16:41:00.000-04:00

Here's a preliminary logo design I've been working on for a client (sans the "AJC ink" watermark)

Thanks for looking!!

Re:shelled

2010-03-25T22:16:00.003-04:00

So, my sis requested a customized look to her Shell Toes....so here is a sneak peak of em....a lil work in progress shot....and yes, that is a scented candle!!!

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