Thorax Reunion

Ambitious Work Ethic

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Wed, 04 May 2011 03:40:00 +0000

comic form

Concrete Yesterdays

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:58:00 +0000

Slow Lightning

Recently, I explored some gutted downtown relics.

More pictures from the journey can be found here.

We are all animals.

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:06:00 +0000

The Silverback Snarl

2010

Poly Pygmy

2010

These cute critters can be broken out of here

Primal Gaze

2010

Plus, more photos can be seen here

Church Composition

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:18:00 +0000

Pre-Sunday Cervix
More..

SA's Anatomy: Gia

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:37:00 +0000

"Gia" from

Tuesday.

SA's Anatomy

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:37:00 +0000

The Art Center Figure Drawing Tuesday Night Session
I can't get enough of figure drawing.
No matter what field of art your in,
so many benefits prosper by this weekly exercise.
The next step is color!

Jamee (5min)
charcoal

Kenny (3min)
charcoal

Kenny (30min broken up)
graphite and white pastel

A Dark Night

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:07:00 +0000

Harder times produce darker nights
Oil on canvas block
9.25" x 5.75"

Beauty & the Beast

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:47:00 +0000

Some older drawings I neglected to post.
Maybe they have some purpose in the world.
Both are last year's jam.

Russian Circles

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:25:00 +0000

D.R.A H. Study
oil on canvas
18" x 24"

Just in a l / f / r mood...

Cruise

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:32:00 +0000

A Bat Cave

Some recent pictures from a cruise can be found here.

Discovery

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sat, 08 May 2010 06:48:00 +0000

Last week I found a ammo box in the woods...

..and after inspecting the materials,
they reveal the world of Geocaching...

...and this gold trackable geocoin!

In the end, I put everything back the way I found it,
and added some treasure of my own.
So if you want to get rich, track it!

A Trip to Terre Verte

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:17:00 +0000

Behind my suburban/post-rural neighborhood lies a stretch of woods.
A adequate getaway to admire and record nature's aesthetics.

"Are you with the Times-Union?" asks a local fisherman.
Then after 5 minutes of dialog,
he informs me of a 14 foot gator that lives in this very lake!
yesssssss.

Soon after, I took a landscape pic,
and after careful analysis, caught a osprey in a mid-air dive...

"ohhh shi-"

"Douche!"and flies away...

Finally, I give you what you want.

A Dragonfly devouring a Ladybug...

...and then the Dragonfly's dance.

A couple more pics are here, and don't litter!

Unrest

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:09:00 +0000

Unrest
2010

For many reasons, I've been working everyday till 6am,
striving to get my work where it needs to be.
Then in one of my ADD moments, I decide to take some pictures
of one of my favorite tapes I got in summer school back in '94.

The Citrus Cel Animation Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:23:00 +0000

Citrus Cel Animation Film Festival,

this weekend, April 9-11, be there!

Here's the program.

Fireworks Phase II

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:33:00 +0000

Fireworks Phase II
Ink on Rives BFK
11.5"x7.5"
2010

The process was simple.

Ditch the photo reference, rough pencil sketch,
loose/bold inking with the B-5 Speedball nib,
then clean up with a G2 extra fine pen and a x-acto.

One more picture will be produced incorporating new and used
techniques, while aiming for a slight sense of satisfaction.

Flowers of Death III

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:13:00 +0000

Fireworks
Ink on Rives BFK
11.5"x7.5"
2010

I present the beginning of something new with something old.
Fireworks,
the 3rd installment of the Flowers of Death illustrations,
is going through 3 stages.

Each stage will take on a evolutionary role,
with a goal to produce the most satisfactory Fireworks piece,
while outlining the process.

Hopefully this development will get me in better shape, ztyle wyze...

AA for Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:09:00 +0000

12 Step Recovery Program for Artists

1. Admit that you are powerless over your ARTmaking, and it is the only thing that makes your life manageable.
Many artists describe the feelings they get from making art as an almost spiritual or sexual experience, feeling a complete and total sense of happiness and being at one with the world. Much like the feeling an athlete gets from hitting the ball in the sweet spot. But, instead of it being a fleeting moment, it is a lasting sense satisfaction and contentment. It is what keeps them the sane, wonderful people we love.

2. Believe that ART is a Power, greater than yourself, and can restore you to sanity.
Making art is the way artists create order out of chaos. It is a personal order, that allows them to navigate their way through life. The most positive addiction. When you find yourself cranky or irritable, is it really just because you haven’t allowed yourself quiet time to work?

3. Made a decision to turn yourself and your life over to ART.

The term “frustrated artist” didn’t come out of nowhere. Societal pressures, parental pressures, and sometimes our own need to succeed or fear of failure, keeps a lot of artists from ever realizing their dream. You can’t escape from it forever…eventually, the need to create will overpower whatever rational reasons you have developed to keep yourself from finding the time to make art. The sooner you accept it, the better.

4. Made a searching and fearless inventory of your ART skills.
There is nothing wrong with being a self taught artist. But, in the same way your vocabulary skills can improve communication skills, so can developing your technique as an artist. The beauty of creativity is it’s never ending quality. Making sure that you are constantly looking, learning and improving your skills as an artist (and that includes keeping up to date with technology) will ensure you are working up to your potential

5. Admit to yourself and one other human being, the importance of ART in your life.
Artists are not capable of “controlling” their work hours. When you are “in the zone” your friends and family accuse you of being preoccupied and/or distant. But, it’s like a switch you can’t turn off. It creeps up on you when you least expect it, and never, ever when you summons it. You need to communicate this to the people in your life that are important to you so they can understand the importance of ART in your life and not take it personally when you are not “present.”

6. Were entirely ready to allow ART to be an important part of your life, but not your entire life.
You may not always have the luxury to work on your art when you want to. Responsibilities of real life get in the way for most artists. But, you can learn to come up with tricks to ease back into a work schedule, when it is absolutely necessary. For example, working on 3-4 things simultaneously. When you get stuck on one, you can easily move into another. Other artists have described the technique of only leaving the studio for the day only when you know exactly what you next move on a particular painting will be when you comes back…something easy, that has already been planned and you won’t have to think about.

7. Humbly promise never to ask anyone “What do you think of my work?”
Admit it. If you’re an artist, there is ALWAYS one question on your mind that you are dying to ask people…”what do you think of my work?” There is no doubt, that as an artist, getting feedback is important. If you’ve read my article Art is a Verb, not a Noun, you already know that I don’t believe any object an artist makes can be called ART until it is out in the real world and has real eyeballs looking at it. A painting that is stored in your garage or under your bed isn’t art until it has the experience of being seen. It is only logical then, to assume that once the work is out there, you want to know how people are reacting to it. But, artists need to be extremely careful how and when they submit to that urge of asking people about their work. Before you even contemplate asking the question, let’s take a moment to think about 3 things: Why are you asking this question? Of whom are you asking this question? How will the answer change your relationship to this person and/or your work?

8. Made a list of all persons affected by your ARTmaking, and be willing to make amends to them.
There is no doubt that artists are wired differently than the rest of us. At times, living with an artist can be difficult. Learning to identify the strategies that will help you move seamlessly in and out of your “normal” life will benefit not only you, but all those around you. Send my article “If you are addicted…” to everyone you love.

9. Made direct amends to such people, whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
It is true, that to some artists, their work is the most important thing in their life…more important than parents, spouse or even kids. It’s not a crime, or something you should feel guilty about. It is a part of who you are as a person…would you ever feel guilty about having blue eyes? But, remember, the rest of the world doesn’t work that way. If you find this is true for you (and not ALL artists do) you must come to grips with that reality yourself, but never admit it to your significant others.

10. Continue to take personal inventory and realize you and your ART are not the only important things in the world.
Artists sometimes need to be forced to step outside their reality. Make sure you are able to separate the art making part of your life and the responsibilities of real life. As much as you may hate it, admit that you need a job, relationships, money, housing and the discipline to manage your art career so you can accomplish those things.

11. Sought through private time in your studio to improve your work, and devote the time necessary to just “look.”
The impulse that fuels creativity is nourished by stillness, time alone. That’s why so many artists find their most productive hours are in the wee hours, when everyone else is asleep. The lack of distractions, is a must for artists to be productive. Resting, thinking, meditating, looking…this is when the creative juices are most actively percolating. And, this is one of the most difficult aspects for non artists to understand.

12. Having accomplished all of the above, tried to carry this message to other artists and those who love them

Initially this Passage came from Lola's Blog, and after reading, I had to share:)

Dynasty

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:52:00 +0000

Dad Laughing

2010

A couple days ago I purchased my first DSLR, the Canon Rebel XSi.

Since I've been showing off my new tool, pictures need to be taken.

Here are some keepers.

Block Party on a Friday Night

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:44:00 +0000

While hanging out with Shaun at his studio,

I decided to get warmed up with a drawing.

Block Party
graphite in sketchbook

Post-Punk Biker in Rural Ambience

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:50:00 +0000

Trodden Weed

Yesterday I gave a tour of the woods and took some pictures along the way, a select few can be found here.

Albedo Advertisement

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:23:00 +0000

Totally Sabulous!

I updated my flickr with some fun Nature pics... well, maybe not that fun:/

Advice from an Art Slave

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:02:00 +0000

I found this entry at Eric Fortune's Blog and had to share it immediately. There is a constant struggle of disciplining myself to produce and I'm always hungry for advice. Hope you find some nourishment as well, enjoy!

The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.” – Henry David Thoreau

You know the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.” You marketed, you mailed, you contacted. Now you have all of these deadlines looming and you are overwhelmed. You get worried, you aren’t motivated, and ideas are not coming. So you work later and harder. Welcome to the world of an art slave.

This is not where you want to be as an artist. After all, one of the reasons we love being an artist is the freedom that we have. But, if you are not disciplined, an art career can be just like any other job: stressful, mindless, paycheck motivated!

Be an artist- not an art slave. Find a ritual that works for you. Stay connected to the river of ideas…your inner voice…your muse. Whatever you choose to call it, art is a spiritual process. If you aren’t cultivating a relationship to creativity, you probably won’t have one when you need it. Here are a few tips that work for many artists I know, including myself. The only problem is: you have to do them every day to make them work.

1. Get up happy. Say some affirmations. Get rid of the negative chatter in your head-that voice that says things like, “I’m not coming up with any good ideas. I’ll never make this deadline. I’ll never be good enough to do this job.” Instead, train that voice to say something positive. Reprogram yourself. “I am illustrating books that people love. I am happy with my art. My career is going great. I am a successful artist…” This might sound too simple, and you’ve probably heard it before from the self –help gurus. Have you ever actually tried it….consistently over a few months?

2. Exercise and stay healthy. This is not an option. When you feel healthy, you are more open and ideas come more quickly.

3. Sit quietly each day, do yoga, or meditate. Get calm and peaceful so that when the ideas come, you actually realize they are there. Worry, anger, fear, and other emotions actually block the ability to grasp those sparks of imagination.

4. Create a place and time to be at work. This is important if you are working at home. Your mind needs to understand, “I am now at work. I will now be creative.” So sharpen your pencils, put on music, sit before your drawing table and begin.

5. Don’t talk too much about your ideas; this depletes some of the magic. On a subconscious level, your wonderful idea has become a real thing in the world. It’s not real, and it won’t be, until you do it. So, instead of sharing your magnificent thoughts, go make the work happen.

6. Take time outs doing something you love. Go to a museum. Sit by a lake. Walk through the woods. You must replenish yourself. Fill the well. Don’t view this as goofing off…this time is very important.

7. Don’t be a workaholic. This is difficult, because you won’t know it, until it’s too late. Your friends and family will know it before you will. ONLY YOU CAN CONTROL THIS. Be the work police and set your own boundaries. Make a contract with yourself. “I do not wok on Tuesday and Sunday. I go on vacation without my work. I have lunch with a friend on Friday every week. I only work from 9am to 2pm.“ Put up a sign. Remind yourself that you are free to set your own schedule. Work as late or as little or as early as you want, but make sure you’re enjoying the pace.

Remember, somebody you know will be published before you or more often than you. They will be more successful. They will sell more books. They will get more speaking engagements. You think you will never make it. You won’t…unless you stop working so hard to catch up. Find your own pace. Find your own style. Do what works for you. Be patient. Change happens in incremental ways. When you consciously make these daily choices, you will see a big difference in your life over time…and you will be balanced enough to notice!

Valentine Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:50:00 +0000

Spartacus Rigsby is taking forever!

Picture of Post-Precipitation

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Hemming Jewelers

After about 48 hrs of rain, Downtown Jacksonville was reflective and glowing.
So a SD300, vintage telescopic tripod, and a man dampened with excitement went on a mission.
Here is a survivor from the shoot.

Ping Pong Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Allen) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:32:00 +0000

Ping Pong Idea
11" x 7.5"
Watercolor, Rose Ink and Graphite on Rives BFK