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.

Artifix Noctem 7 – atc

Another great night with my fellow artifix’ers!
Each Artist is responsible for 3 cards and at the end of the night we randomly get 3 others in an exchange.

Enjoy the show!

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

Woops!…. Sweet!

So I thought I’d work on a new entry for my moleskine… I wanted to do some sort of fight scene between some super dudes. I started sketching the flash and was going to get some help from friends to figure out who the villian should be. Thirty minutes later I thought of a drawing that I’ve been wanting to work on… The hellhound from supernatural that you never get to see. I just finished season 3 and dean gets what’s his by the claws of a hellhound. It leaves a lot to my imagination to fill in the visual gaps. I gave it a shot on the next page of my moleskine and before I knew it a quick sketch started to turn into a full blown finished piece. I covered it with copic red and that was the killing blow to the flash piece on the reverse side. It might be salvaged with Photoshop magic or I might try it again on another page. In the end I was pretty upset I lost something that could have been, but I also made something that was and will be… Whoa that’s deep.

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.

It’s that time of the year – Family Photos!

Great photos taken by the Jason Hardesty and his Canon 5D Mark II

My Office – A Detailed Look

Shot with my Fish-Eye Lens; Most of the furniture comes from 505 Imports and Ikea.

The Living/Play area for the kids ... and me. Painting on the wall of the deer came from Ikea.

The work area... hey, i'm in the mirror!

The work station... also notice I started drawing on the mirror - It's fun!

A couple of prints by Brad Jensen, creator of Highland & State LSU Wear.

The vinyl cutting machine. My PC sits on the floor next to it.

Oil painting I was working on... It's actually my first oil painting.

An autograph from Paul Sr. with Orange County Choppers - I actually took that picture of him standing next to the bike, a skateboard from Rippers, and some decals I made.

The sunglasses are the ones Kaela wore when we got married when leaving the church; C3Po Pez Dispenser; The letters come from urban outfitters.

Picture of Me and Jay Leno, Palmer, Gram, and a water color of a website interface.

My clubs - I wish I had more time to play.

Vendor passes from L'auberge events where I would take pictures of the VIPs and the talent... I got to meet some interesting celebs!

The smaller table will be for the kids once they get more into art and we'll both have our workspaces.

HE-Man puzzle from when i was a kid. Books from Kaela's collection. IPhone boxes (we have a collection). Lots of Video Games

Old radio from Paw Falcon; Pottery from 505; How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way; Design and Web Books; Yellow VW Bug made of metal.

Adobe programs; L'auberge Vendor Appreciation Gifts; Addy Awards; The statue head is from my grandmother, Vivian Jessen; A book given to me from Harper Collins; Sketch Books; Paint Thinner (for painting); Old binders.

Storage area... see the iMac on the floor? That's the first one they made. I was 18 years old and saved up $1200 to buy it... I try to organize much of the stuff into plastic bins.

A class project we got printed at Signs Now - Thanks Scott at Signs Now!