Bardo Artblog

Sandals on a shoestring budget

2012-05-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

In my search for DIY minimalist and easy shoes, I came across the huaraches made by Tarahumaran runners. My sister, who is also a barefooter, wanted to make these so thanks to her or I wouldn't have bothered with this post! The Tamahumarans use old car tires for the sandal, but I had thick leather so that was my material. I'm sure you could use any number of things, I would like to see one made from tree bark. So avail yourself with some sort of "bottoms" and cut them a little larger than the shape of your foot. Punch a hole between where your big and index toe would be, then a hole on either side of your heel/arch. Then you will need some string or cord. I used shoestring in this photo because it was handy but I will switch it out with some more comfortable leather lace (I think the flat lace will hold better than round cord).

Lady Hawk

2012-04-04T17:58:00.004-07:00

A hawk perched upon a telephone wire peers down at the misty field below. The hawk is lady Freya, donning her cloak of feathers in disguise.

Another Beer Label

2012-03-05T13:14:00.004-08:00

I've been keeping busy recently but not with what's most important: drawing. So to start things off anew, here is a little personal project to accompany my latest homebrew. Happy birthday, dad!

This beer is called Tripel Spiced Monk. While I am not entirely sure if it falls in the Tripel style range, I based it off an Abbey style recipe. This was my first all-grain beer and also the highest alcohol percent. Not content stopping there I added star anise, chile pepper and clove. The result is a little sweet, a hint of spice, and rather pleasantly intoxicating. Prost!

Hit the Pavement

2011-12-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I'll try not to do that but if I do I might as well look good. So added a layer of black design over the base coat color. Just some mindless aesthetics, trying to go with the flow of the shape of the helmet and make something bold that stands out. I would like to do commissioned helmets, if a client has a requested theme or image to work with. It could make for some interesting headgear. Thinking of just getting some cheap used helmets and selling to shops for display art.

Helmet Painting

2011-12-08T17:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to the blog! I have been keeping busy and away from the computer as often as possible, but it's also good to share. My most recent personal project was decking out my motorcycle helmet with some acrylic color. Here we see the base coat of color, bright and visible. I just started painting based off some various images of warrior helmets and with my choice of color the result looks ironically like a turtle shell. Next up is coat #2

Featured Artist

2011-09-09T11:52:00.001-07:00

I got my art and a little about myself featured on the NorCal Graphic Artist Guild site! Happy to see my art getting around on the interwebs.

Stories

2011-08-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

"Heavenly Book of China, Chapter 6"
By Mu Pan

Mu Pan's portfolio was selected as winner for an open call contest. The introductory statement is interesting, talking about how fact and fiction are irrelevant in storytelling; the storyteller becomes part of the story as does the audience and the stories eventually become considered facts. Wild imagery, too.

Classified Furniture

2011-08-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

I'm so classy even my table and chair are classified. Below are the Craigslist links for them both:

Barbarian Throne

Viking Ox Table

Let's see who is interested... Now to other business. I found out about an Adobe program that's currently in Beta: Muse. This software is designed for designers to craft websites, allowing you to forgo ever having to look at code if you so choose. It features a page layout overview which dynamically affects menus, which can be quite handy. All the CSS styles are applicable, you can insert oversized Photoshop files directly and go back and forth editing them and Muse will export the properly optimized files for the publishing. More stuff to learn about but I'm definitely giving it a try. I want to redo my website, add a store and integrate everything better and this looks like it will make my life easier.

Let ya know how it goes!

Bassackwards

2011-08-17T17:30:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything in a while, here's a butt. Ink and colored pencil, 8x10

Stuff the Streets

2011-08-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be in San Francisco showcasing and selling my art alongside other local artists at Stuff SF Antiques.
Event Info:
"Stuff the Streets"
Aug 7 12-6pm
150 Valencia St, SF

I will be bringing my furniture; the Viking Ox Table, the Barbarian Throne, and the Top Shelf Ladder. Also arising from the woodworking scene are 4 "wizard staffs" of unique and interesting shapes. I have 25 T-shirts with the illustration below screen printed (thank you, Reflective Images). There's also an assortment of industrial/natural jewelry to be had if you are into tiny shiny stuff. Pics of the jewelry and staffs to come tomorrow. Come by and check it out, bring your friends!

The Making of the Viking Ox Table

2011-08-01T08:07:00.001-07:00

Watch ▶ A slideshow of the creation of this wooden-legged friend.

I've also got a couple wizard staffs on the run and a throne in the making.

Listed at $550 for those interested. Contact me

Viking Ox Table

2011-07-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

The final Viking Ox Table.

There's a couple minor tweaks to fix before someone can take it home with them, but what you see is what it looks like. This is a sturdy beast of burden, lay it heavy with food and drink! It is made from recycled redwood (thanks, Recycletown!) so you will be supporting a community artist and local sustainability if you buy this table. I also was thinking a set of benches would accomodate this well, you have to fill the table with people somehow. Now that I have the hang of this one, I could even quicker build some matching benches with a natural wood brace and trim.

Continued Viking Table

2011-07-22T21:58:00.001-07:00

Yes, I called it an ox table last time due to its legs, but with the rest of the piece quickly coming into place it looks decidedly more viking (surprised?). The surface is inspired by fields of crops, and the swastika. Before y'all get offended, Hitler bastardized this sacred symbol, used across continents and centuries in Buddhism, Hinduism, from Iceland to Iran. To me personally it resonates as a symbol of Thor and his whirling thunder hammer Mjolnir. Don't be afraid to take back the swastika, WWII is over.

Ok, symbolism rant is over, the table needs trim on the other half, then I can sand and finish the surface! I'm expecting the oil base finish to bring out rich golden hues, and I will dull and rustify those shiny bolts. The bolts secure the legs and can be removed to make transportation easier. The tabletop measures approximately 44x66" at a height of 30" intended as a dining table. I suppose if you wanted a huge badass desk to write decrees and seal letters with wax it would work for that as well. I will have 2 candlesticks made from branches that will match the table quite well, pics to come later.

More woodwork

2011-07-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here is another shot of my stairway to gardening ladder-shelf. Now it's covered in flowers and chicken poop (thanks, Romeo, you cocky featherball).

And here I am now working on a reclaimed redwood table of my very own design. I think I'm gonna call it the ox-table due to the telltale shape of its curved legs. No pics of that part finished yet so you'll just have to stay posted.

Inferno

2011-07-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Went to the Crucible to bask in the warth of their Inferno Fire Circus. There were some sick pulsating glass sculptures, wild stage performances by the Lucent Dossier Experience, and some entertaining fire based games around the warehouse. Great show, great crowd, awesome energy, the costumes were ridiculous. I feel inspired! I am going to try and make some custom poi, check back later on that.

Watch some videos

Official page for the Inferno

Top Shelf

2011-07-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

After a few days working under the "Alchemic Furniture Master," Bryce McDermott, I spad out my own version of one of his shelf prototypes. This one uses a combination of found natural wood with recycled barn for a "geometric-organic" duality. Place plants on it in a gradient of color. Organize your hats from sappy to posh. Throw a bunch of spiders on it and see what happens. Any of these ideas sound interesting to you? Contact myself or Bryce if you consider buying it. Oh, and also check out Mr. McDurmott's art.

Vik Muniz

2011-07-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

A TED talk by artist Vik Muniz, who has used many commonplace materials to give new meanings to his artworks. Clever stuff, I found it inspiring.

[Watch Video]

Fenris

2011-05-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Some more sketches of Fenris, or Fenrir as some call him. I still need to simplify the design to something bolder, but I'm not rushing this drawing.

Rearranged site

2011-05-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

bardoart.com

I moved some of the stuff around on my site. Now standalone ilustrations are under "Illustration" and things incorporating type, layout and product are under "Design" and there's an added sketchbook in "Concept Art".

Getting published

2011-05-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

This editorial illustration I did will be published in the June 2011 Charleston Magazine for an article about encountering snakes while gardening in the southeast.

Concept Art Sketchbook

2011-05-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

I have now added a bunch of concept art sketches to my site. I am redesigning my website to better accommodate these and more concept art sketches, but for now this page at least has some new content.

Visit the new section

Burn Bones

2011-04-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

Flames shall consume the skeletons of the dead, with the help of some butane.

2011-04-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a armband tat design for my upper arm. Fenrir the wolf bites the hand of Tyr and is bound by chains, then at Ragnarok is released and consumes Odin. The fires of Surt burn the earth only for new life to grow again, the cycle restarts.

I'd like comments if you have any. I'm still not sure how I want to render the chains and flames. Any reference images of tattoo styles of either would be awesome!

Damn, Frank!

2011-04-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

The set photographer shares some awesome pics of the film shooting which I learned will be in 3d! There's me in the top left, far away from anyone who didn't want their eyes gouges out by an antler.

Hair

2011-04-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

This poster was made for a SCAD production of the musical, Hair. It didn't get chosen but I figured out a way to combine vector and pastel drawing.