Art by Patch

Assembling Things.

patchworx13 — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:11:51 +0000

I recently attended a lecture given by designer Art Chantry. I have been a fan of his work for years greatly due in part to my collaborating with poster designer James Heimer. James has been gracious enough to give a lecture on the history of poster design to my class and Art’s work is a pivotal point in the history of the gig poster. During the lecture Mr. Chantry mentioned that we are no longer designers but we are assemblers. We take bits and pieces from the past, filter them through our hands and assemble design. He went to site that all illustration today is an appropriation of different art movements. While some of the illustrators and designers in the audience felt that he was saying that nothing is original anymore I walked away feeling quite the opposite. The concept of being an assembler of ideas feels right to me. Maybe it’s the fact that as a cartoonist I am constantly looking at the way artists in the past laid out pages, inked and drew their type or maybe it is my blue-collar background that enjoys a label that implies I use my hands on the daily basis? Either way this assembler title is one I’ll wear proudly.
One of the last points Chantry made was about type. He challenged anyone listening to draw type by hand at every opportunity. Made me glad to hear a preeminent designer challenging students and professionals in this way. I try and instill this in every class/course I teach both in design and illustration. Proud to hear it echoed from such an amazing artist and designer.
Above: A recent page from my sketchbook with a logo I am designing. I did the finish inks with a Uniball Vision. I plan on cleaning it up a little in Photoshop but will leave many of the imperfections.
Below: A detail from the sketchbook page. After discussing this with hand-drawn type expert Melissa Lomax this is the treatment I will be seeing through to finish.

“There are no wrong roads to anywhere.”

patchworx13 — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:31:25 +0000

“Whether or not you find your own way, you’re bound to find some way. If you happen to find my way, please return it, as it was lost years ago. I imagine by now it’s quite rusty.”
― Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

A while back my good friend, Concetta, invited me to a lecture given by Norton Juster, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Phantom Tollbooth. Concetta is a huge fan of the book (so much so it is contagious) and I am always up for a good lecture at the library, especially when it pertains to Children’s literature. I just sat there in that auditorium sketching and listening to one of the most entertaining, smart and creative people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I became an instant fan. He spoke to children and adults alike about his process, the origin of his ideas and his passion for puns. I learned so much during that hour or so, about myself and being creative. Even now as I am typing this post I realize the huge effect that talk had on my writing and recent artwork.
A big thanks to Mr. Juster for my awesome signed copy of The Phantom Tollbooth and to Concetta for her infectious excitement for a wonderful book.
Above: My favorite sketch of Norton Juster from that Saturday afternoon spent at the library.

Wrecking Crue.

patchworx13 — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:14:48 +0000

“Say I got trouble
Trouble in my eyes
I’m just looking for
Another good time
My heart, my heart
Kickstart my heart”
- Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue
More doodles that truly “kick start my heart.” Cannot seem to shake making Cyclops drawings? Maybe there is a story or strip in there somewhere? My sketchbook is teeming with some new storyconcepts, planning on a summer of writing and drawing. Check back for more on that. Also getting geared up for conventions and speaking engagements scheduled throughout the summer months. Don’t forget you can always hit me up on Facebook.
Above: “Kickstart My Heart”, I always love how my buddy Jeffro uses song lyrics in his work. I’ve been trying to place lyrics where they don’t quite belong to push the humor angle in some of my cartooning.
Below: Pen and ink sketch in brown micron in Moleskin sketchbook. I call him “Mister Peepers,” I think he may have a glandular problem.

LP Joint No. 2!

patchworx13 — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:27:35 +0000

A Collab That’s Trying to Spread a Little Sunshine.
A while back I debuted the first of the LP Joints; collaborations between myself and the lovely Melissa Lomax. This is the second one and is quite possibly my favorite piece of art that I have had a hand in all year. The wonderful folks at Kathy Davis Studios put together the “Positive Affirmations Gallery Show” to raise money for the Sunshine Foundation. All the artists created works based around uplifting and inspirational quotes. Melissa and I drew inspiration from something her father, James, would say from time to time. A little research proved that he was quoting an old nursery rhyme all those years. The participating artists are giving a portion of their sales to the foundation, an extremely worthy cause.
On a personal/creative note, as I was working on this design with Melissa it reminded me about everything I love about being creative. We both would sit in the studio, pass the piece back and forth, giggle and laugh at what the other did, critique and push the other to make it better. Collaboration is at the heart of art, pushing aside ego in order to achieve creativity. Nothing beats that awesome feeling at the end when it all comes together; it’s a mix of enlightened surprise and casual familiarity.
After the works come down from the hallowed halls of Kathy Davis Studios they will travel a bit to local libraries and such to further the goal of raising awareness and funds. A big thanks to KDS, the Sunshine Foundation, everyone that helped put this show together and to everyone that purchased works.
Above: A pic of the final print. it is a three color, limited edition silkscreen. A ginormous THANKS goes out to Mr. James Heimer for the printing! (Go buy something from him please.)
Bel0w: A little slideshow of the pencils, inks and finished colors.
Click to view slideshow.

Frankly, all warmed up!

patchworx13 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:50:54 +0000

A Man and his Monster.
“I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel…”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
Above : I love drawing Frankenstein, always have. This one is a pen and ink demo turned warm-up. India ink, Windsor Newton Watercolor brush (series 7, #1) on smooth bristol board.