Rodney Pike Humorous Illustrator

Bill Cosby - A Quick Caricature Study

2013-05-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

I've been very busy lately and haven't made a post in a while so I took a little time today and did a quick caricature study of Bill Cosby. I've always admired Cosby for his incredible sense of humor and just for the kind of life he's lived. I loved those Jello Pudding commercials and the shows he did with children. I didn't have the heart to mess his face up too much so this one is pretty mild.

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Featured Artist Donna Bell - Quadriplegic - Artist and Much More - Please Read

2013-05-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Today I have the pleasure of featuring a good friend of mine and fellow artist Donna Bell. I met Donna about two years ago on facebook but it hasn't been until very recently that we've connected on another level. Let me tell you a little about Donna's personal story.

Donna Bell is a native of Denham Springs, Louisiana which is how we first met because we are virtual neighbors, about 45 minutes drive between us. When I first met Donna on facebook and checked out her profile pictures, there were several albums, one with pictures of this day in her life that changed every aspect of her life. There were other albums with drawings she had done using only her mouth and even a couple of examples of crochet done also using only her mouth. I was absolutely astonished at what she is able to do with art using only her mouth. We chatted off and on over the past couple of years but recently there was a post that caught my eye and my heart.

Let me start by saying Donna has never had a powered wheelchair, nor a Custom Handicapped Van with a lift, required to transport a heavy chair like that in the 34 years since her accident. For 34 years, her family has had to lift her in and out of standard vehicles.

Last week I happened across a post Donna made about a contest with a grand prize of a new customized van with a lift. I have entered several of these types of contests in the past with my art and never got close to winning. Internet voting can be very unfair. Regardless, I set out to get Donna some votes. Even with my vast social network over many social media platforms, I was only able to generate approximately 1% of what is needed for one of these vans. That fundraiser is now in affect at gofundme.com. If you are in a position to give to this great cause, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/DonnaBell which is Donna's donation page. If you can't give; this is very important, sharing this post could make a huge difference. Please at least share and tweet this story. We need $60,000.00 to get Donna in a new custom van.

On June 28th 1979 Donna was is a horrible car accident. She was only 15 at the time of the wreck which broke her neck leaving her a quadriplegic C3-C4, unable to move from the shoulders down for the past 34 year. I tried to put myself in her shoes and think what would it be like not to feel the grass under my feet, the sand between my toes or to even hug her own Mom. We take so many things for granted and we can all lose them tomorrow. I feel compelled to help Donna reach her goals hence this post and the fundraiser link which I intend to share until the money is raised and I see Donna in that van.

Only since Donna has been paralyzed has she taught herself how to draw and crochet, by mouth, with the encouragement of family and friends as well as a whole lot of determination and commitment. Donna has a collection of her artwork on her facebook fan page if you would like to see more of her work and in greater detail. It's absolutely incredible what Donna is able to achieve artistically. It totally boggles my mind. I've also posted some of Donna's fun photo-manipulation work at the end of the post.

What now for Donna Bell? In time with the spreading of her story and helping to raise awareness of not only her disability but many others, she will be in a new custom van that will help her and her family tremendously. Donna is also scheduled for a featured interview with The Advocate Newspaper in Baton Rouge and a few other things. You'll have to hang around to see what's next. Well, enough of me and my feelings about this; lets take a look at a sampling of the work this precious lady has done using only her mouth.

Yes, with her teeth!!

Donna's Photo-manipulations - Just for fun

Donna Bell's Facebook Fan Page

Donate Today

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Pope Francis Caricature Study

2013-05-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to get around to doing a caricature of Pope Francis so I decided to get it done today. The old Pope was much more fun but this was fun too. It's a profile which can sometimes be challenging picking out the features to exaggerate. Anyhow this is what I came up with. I will definitely do more with his big glasses on soon.

I will soon be starting a new caricature of one of my all time favorite living artists, David Jon Kassan. David is a brilliant artist so this will be a treat. When I have the caricature complete, I will also post a feature of David and his work. It's mind blowing and I'm sure you will love it. Can't wait for that.

Yesterday I finalized an agreement with a brand new client, Polvaulting.com. I will be working on a project for this Political Satire site over the next days, possibly weeks. This will be the first of many commissions with this company. We hope to develop an ongoing collaborative working relationship and broaden the site and its global reach. It's going to be fun stuff so make sure you bookmark the site. My first post will probably be in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Mary M Pike - My Mom

2013-04-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

Meet my Mom, Mary Matherne Pike. My mom is 84 and in excellerating stages of Alzheimers. As many of you know, I have been taking off half a day on Fridays to take care of her, but with the rapid decline in health, I am going to be taking all day Friday and most of the day Saturday to take care of her. So as a result I won't be around to make my posts a keep my social media platforms moving. Thankfully I have a sweetheart of a 14 year old daughter who will help me during this time by making posts here and on many of my social media sites, namely Google+ and facebook. So you can look forward to my sweet Hannah to make some posts as she can without it effecting her school work. Thanks so much to all of the people who follow and support me and things will get back to normal as soon as I can make it happen.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Freepik Blog Interview with Rodney Pike

2013-04-22T09:36:00.000-05:00

Allow me to introduce my friend and fellow artist, the beautiful and talented Nicoleta Ionescu from Romania. Above is a quick caricature study of her. You know, it is extremely difficult to caricature a beautiful lady so I hope she's not offended. The picture certainly does not do her justice. She's really a gorgeous young lady. Nicoleta recently interviewed me for freepik.com which is a great web site with some very useful material. You can view the interview and feature at the freepik link or by clicking the image above. I will also be adding the site to my Top Blogs section of this blog.

A little about freepik: Freepik is a search engine that helps graphic and web designers to locate high quality photos, vectors, illustrations and PSD files for their creative projects.

Freepik tracks and locates free graphic content on the Internet and it displays the results in an orderly layout for easy access. Freepik makes it easier for you to find the files you need without manually searching dozens of websites.

A big thank you to Nicoleta Ionescu for this awesome feature and interview. I'm truly honored.

Check out freepik and get your free membership here

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Joseph Phillips Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail

2013-04-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

Check out my step-son's PCT Bolg and Hiker's Journal. Joseph Phillips is hitting the Pacific Crest Trail today and plans to hike it from end to end. Ah to be young. Joseph, or Ragin' Cajun as they call him on the trail, is 21 years-old and by the time he finishes this trail in four to five months he will be 22. We think it is great that he is trying to accomplish what relatively few people attempt. A hike from Mexico to Canada. If he does not do it now, the chances of it happening dwindle quickly. We will be following Joseph as he stops a resupply points along the way and updates his journal. Join us as we enjoy his youth with him by subscribing to his blog by email: http://pct-2013.blogspot.com/.

Of course, such a trip does not happen without support. Joseph will stop along the way where he will pick-up resupply boxes of food and necessity items. If you would like the help him reach his goals, follow the donate link on his blog and make a PayPal donation and be sure to send a message as well. We will use the money to purchase items for his resupply box. He will probably go through 3 pair of hiking shoes before it is over so any donation amount will be appreciated.

Map to the Pacific Crest Trail

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Leon Panetta - A Caricature Study

2013-04-09T10:49:00.000-05:00

This is a caricature study I did of Leon Panetta, the 23rd United States Secretary of Defense. No particular reason I chose Panetta. He just has some great features for a caricature and the source image has great detail. directly below is the source image used and beneath that is the work in progress (WIP) that I posted on facebook and Google+.

Google+ Post "What's on the Wacom" #whatsonthewacom

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BB King - The Real Thing

2013-04-05T14:02:00.000-05:00

Today I'm posting yet another caricature study of BB King. I'm not very pleased with the final outcome but it is what it is. I'll take what I've learned and move on to the next project.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Jason Seiler - A Caricature Study

2013-04-02T18:05:00.001-05:00

Today I'm posting a caricature study of Jason Seiler, an Illustrator and Fine Artist at the top of his game. Jason is the King of Political Satire and has been featured in just about every major magazine in the world. The source image was one he posted about a year ago and held a caricature contest but I wasn't able to participate, besides some caricature artists don't like me very mush simply because of my present choice of medium. Well, maybe one day they'll come around. Regardless, this is my personal tribute to a man I admire and look to for guidance and inspiration. Be sure and check Jason out on facebook and subscribe to his blog. He's very active there.

Jason Seiler Source

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April Fools - 2013

2013-04-01T10:04:00.000-05:00

April Fools!!!

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New Artist Representative - The Overall Picture

2013-03-28T12:44:00.000-05:00

Today my official portfolio is complete and live for my new artist Representative, Robert Overall of "The Overall Picture" which is based in Australia and covers the "Asia Pacific Region". This is the first time I've had any sort of representation so I hope it leads to lots of cool work. Click on either of the images to visit my portfolio.

About The Overall Picture

The Overall Picture’s team of illustrators and contemporary image makers. This website showcases thousands of samples of original commercial art created by our artists and compiled to provide art directors, creative directors and commercial art buyers with high quality reference.

Our Artists

The Overall Picture represents some of the most talented commercial artists available today.

Our team has been carefully established to provide clients with a broad pallet of artistic styles, techniques and media. This colorful team of professionals is based in Australia, the U.K. and various other locations around the world.

Our Mission

The Overall Picture is committed to working closely with our clients to ensure a clear understanding is achieved and maintained and to creating and supplying images of the highest quality.

The Overall Picture

Illustrators and Contemporary Image Makers

Suite 2, 141 Victoria Rd

Drummoyne NSW 2047

AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 2 9719 3541

Fax: +61 2 9719 3542

Email: robert@overallpicture.com

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

BayouBuzz.com Interviews Rodney Pike

2013-03-18T13:06:00.001-05:00

Only a few days ago I had the pleasure of meeting Stephen Sabludowsky on Google+. We connected initially and shortly after realized we are virtually neighbors as I live in Gonzales, Louisiana and Steve lives in Metairie, Louisiana. Steve is an Internet Attorney, Publisher of Bayoubuzz.com, Internet Teacher and Lecturer. Bayoubuzz.com is a Louisiana - based news and information site. So, if you want to know what's happening down here in our great state of Louisiana and New Orleans, it's a great resource. I will list at the end of this post the many ways you can connect with Stephen Sabludowsky.

Stephen was kind enough to interview me along with my long time Google+ buddy Tim Jones as well as write an article about me on Bayoubuzz.com. The interview was done in a Google+ Hangout and was lots of fun. So, kick back and enjoy and don't forget to check out all of Steve's links below.

BayouBuzz.com Interview with Stephen Sabludowsky

Where to find Stephen Sabludowsky:

A note in closing:

I have been picked up by an Artist Representative with "The Overall Picture" out of Australia and will be working with them in the Asia Pacific Region which covers Australia and east through all of Asia. This will work well as I am working with another company which will handle the USA and European market. Things are looking up!

On another note, I will be starting my formal caricature lessons with Jason Seiler in May which is handled through Schoolism.com. I can't wait to get started. Everyone I've spoken to about the course said it totally launched their careers.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

BB King and Lucille - Caricature Study

2013-03-13T18:18:00.000-05:00

This is a very quick caricature study of Blues King, a living Legend, BB King and his faithful sidekick Lucille. I've done a couple of quick warm-ups of him and have a study that I'm working on at the same time which will capture more of his personality. I'm trying to capture that twisted snarling face when he his a really sick note. Hopefully it will work out. I'm using several reference photos in it.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Jim Carrey - A Caricature Study

2013-03-05T17:53:00.003-06:00

This is the finished caricature study of Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey is such a caricature himself that this one seems very mild. I learn a little bit more on each study I do. I think I'm going to do another of BB King. He's such a popular subject and has great character in his face. I'm starting to practice more with my digital painting lately. I'm getting myself ready for that caricature course by Jason Seiler. Everyone I've spoken to says the course is well worth the money. Can't wait to start but I need to pick up another job to pay for it.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

What's on The Wacom - Jim Carrey WIP

2013-03-04T19:25:00.000-06:00

What's on the Wacom? Tonight I'm posting a very quick and rough caricature study of Jim Carry. I will have this finished tomorrow. This one is very blocky just trying to figure out the shapes. Hopefully it will look a lot better tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

The King of Blues - BB King

2013-03-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

This is the finished caricature study of BB King. I kept this one mild but I would like to do another and get one of those crazy expressions when he hits a really good note and really push the exaggeration. Below is one of my favorite videos of BB King.

The Thrill is Gone!

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What's on the Wacom - BB King - WIP

2013-02-27T11:44:00.000-06:00

"What's on the Wacom" today... I'm posting another work in progress of the King of Blues, BB King. This is going to be a fairly mild caricature as many of my more recent work has been. I'm more interested in trying to capture and or enhance the personality and not wild exaggeration. Gotta' love BB.

Some Classic BB King

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John McCain - JAWS

2013-02-26T19:32:00.002-06:00

Tonight I'm posting the completed study of John McCain. He looks like he just got stung by a bunch of bees. :) I've already started on the next caricature of BB King. I should have a WIP to post tomorrow.

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What's on the Wacom - John McCain - WIP

2013-02-25T18:58:00.000-06:00

I have been making posts on Google+ and facebook with the hashtag #whatsonthewacom or "What's on the Wacom". I realized I need to start posting these works in progress (WIP) on my blogs as well. Tonights post is a rough blockin caricature study of John McCain. An image where the photographer was lower than eye level of McCain is perfect for blowing out those huge jaws. I think I've got a good start here although I have no idea how far I'm going to push this or what the background will intel. I like to do these practice pieces this way and just let the image and mood lead me to the finished piece. I'll be posting the finished product as soon as it's done. Look for more of these in the future.

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Custom Caricature Portraits Available Now

2013-02-21T17:55:00.000-06:00

For those out there who think that I only do commercial work, I wanted to let you know that I am accepting personal portrait commissions. I would require head shots at high resolution and a good expression, large enough for an 8X10, 300DPI or larger file. You are welcome to email me for a quote and / or additional information. I can be reached at RodneyPike@cox.net. They make great gifts and are reasonably priced.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and be inspired!

Albert Einstein Caricature Study

2013-02-20T18:58:00.000-06:00

Tonight I'm posting a quick caricature study I did today of Albert Einstein, a man who I greatly admire and have studied quite a bit. This was just a practice piece and my main reason for this small caricature was to loosen up. I actually did this one and used a sketch I had done of him a while back for reference. I love Einstein's features; just wish there were more images of him out there.

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Dilma Rousseff - President of Brazil

2013-02-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

At the request of some of my awesome Brazilian friends, I give you Dilma Rousseff - President of Brazil. Dilma Vana Rousseff (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈd(ʒ)iwmɐ ˈvɐ̃nɐ ʁuˈsɛfⁱ] born 14 December 1947) is the 36th and current President of Brazil, in office since January 2011.

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Mick Jagger - The Scream

2013-02-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

While I'm on the subject of The Rolling Stones lately, I decided to go ahead and post this rough study of Mick Jagger. The source image was horrible so this was just a practice piece and done very quickly.

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Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones

2013-02-15T10:30:00.000-06:00

I just finished this caricature study of Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones. After finishing the last Mick Jagger caricature last week, I decided I'd better get the entire band done while these guys are still around. 50 years as a band... Wow! That's insane. Gotta' respect these guys. The background is one of Ronnie Woods paintings made for his solo album. He's quite an accomplished artist.

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Tim Jones - Sticker Price and not a penny less

2013-02-11T19:00:00.000-06:00

This is a caricature study of my good friend Tim Jones.

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