If you’re into Chaos and Theory… and Art – read this!

WHAT IS CHAOS THEORY?: Chaos theory began in 2009 as a concept exhibit which would allow artist specializing in various mediums to display their work without being limited to a specific theme. The artists were encouraged to bring anything from landscapes to tattoo art. The theme for CTII: Chaos Reigns has been narrowed down to feature art inspired by motion pictures, cartoons, videogames, and television shows. In keeping with the spirit of Chaos, we will consider artwork that does not fall within this theme.  We strongly encourage artists to challenge themselves and attempt to create a piece within the theme.

If you were upset to see no Artifix Noctem 8 or 9 post… it’s because some of us are currently working on submissions for the CTII: Chaos Reigns Exhibit.  I know what you’re saying…”But Erik, how come you can’t post any of the work being done during that time?”  A very valid point indeed ‘opposing voice in my head’.  So in the later posts I will attempt to gather up some of the works created and post them for everyone to see.

Pacaderms and Appreciation

505 imports in lake Charles, la is one of my best clients. They sell imported hand made furniture from India and Indonesia. Rebekah Dressler and Sharlene Boyle are the mother and daughter team that runs 505. They’ve made the experience working with their company a very enjoyable one. Their 5 anniversary was coming up and I thought it would be a great chance to drop off an appreciation gift I had been working on. It has been art project going over a couple of months with a little bit of work here and there when I had the time. I started with a pencil sketch on watercolor paper. I then inked it and erased the pencil lines. My color started with markers then pencil colors. I used water color for the diamond board behind the elephant. The background started as clouds and then watercolored it. It didn’t look right because the elephant wasn’t popping like I wanted. I roughly painted over the background with white acrylic – no good. So hesitated to go any further but it had to look awesome! I went with darker acrylic colors and ended up with great results (thankfully). I then brought it to the fine people at frameworks to get it framed. With a matte color of antique green and a dark brown frame we came up with a great piece of art. At their anniversary party I was super excited to give it to them and they loved it. It’s for this reason I think artist love what they do – for the reaction and praise of the client. I love the people at 505 imports and enjoy working with them and wish them the best success in life! -Erik

Kraken Killz

I had the itch tonight… not the itch that can be cured by ointment or cow bells (“i need more cow bell”)… the one that’s cured by getting on the wacom and doing the “do”.  I can’t remember the last time I did a 100% digital piece. This is all photoshop and wacom tablet… no pre-sketch or scanning involved.  This is a really good method to launch right into a piece and get it done in a decent amount of time. I’ve been anticipating the upcoming release of Clash of the Titans, a remake from an old cult classic.  I remember watching this movie allot as a kid, it really sparked my imagination to see giant scorpions, Medusa, Pegasus, that magic shield that Perseus wielded that ended up melting in Medusas blood…remember that?  Such an awesome movie for its time.  That inspired this piece… “Kraken Killz”  I wanted to do some sort of pop-art poster with the cult icon coming out of the water as it first appeared to the roman soldiers.  After drawing the Kraken I wanted to put in big letters in the background “KRAKEN”… then it came to me… Kraken’s do kill… and… Crack Kills… so… Kraken Killz – I thought it worked!

After the Kraken piece I’ll also post some other works that I did 100% digitally using Photoshop and my wacom tablet.

Supernatural work

Using my copic black and fabers – moleskine work entitled ’supernatural’

iPhone wins custody battle over iPad… MacBook cries BooHoo!

So I figured I’d give my 2 cents on this iPad situation. “Yes” I am an Apple Fan-boy, but I do see every side to every story.  This iPad was introduced as the “merger product” between the iPhone and the MacBook… there’s obvious problems with this transition. It was mentioned that the iPad had to better at doing browsing, email, photos, video, music, games, eBooks.  Is it better? or just bigger?… what’s better? that’s subjective. In the keynote I did notice some interface modifications from having to deal with a touch tablet – that was expected.  As an example “How is browsing photos better than my iphone or macbook?” My iPhone is extremely portable AND can TAKE PICTURES!, my macbook can alter photos and network share them with any computer on my network… so… there is no “better”.  The things I see being better with the iPad is games, books, movies, and reading… in relation to the iPhone.

In my graph below I point out that there are some short-comings to the iPad from being the true “central transitioned” product. There’s a lot missing! My biggest one is the USB port. Really, how about connecting an external DVD drive or a card reader to transfer pictures.  Become a more independent device rather than a slave device to a central computer… that’s why it’s more related to the iPhone or iPod Touch than the MacBook.  They need to close this gap more to actually have the central device.  Add a camera to the iPad… really?!  I understand Apples position on this to test products at their most stripped down version then as other versions come they add more stuff (i.e. GPS and Video on the newer iPhones).  And where the heck is Flash Support?!! This is the most embarrassing blunder I have seen so far with a mobile device and Apple. The iPad is still lacking but has a lot of potential of being a great portable device. I know without a doubt that Apple will address the “missing features” in future versions… you must understand that Apple stretches the life of all their products by holding back features in first released products.  My bets always go on the 3rd version – that’s usually when they get it right.

New Year!… Here comes the work!

So November and December were pretty much dead for me when it came to business and projects.  Everyone checked out and so did I… not very smart move.  This year i’ll be sure to fatten myself up for the business hibernation.  The new year has brought a total 180… the phone starts ringing and people start requesting design.  Yay! Now I have to get my butt back in gear and start doing what I do best… making things look good?  … who knows … but I am making a living doing it.

Somewhat related (because i need to post a picture here), my pal oran wrote about the clients ever relenting need to bark, act like a parrot, or grind the organ box… however you put it we can all relate somehow to this image.