img null null Inspired by the harbour birds near Naniamo BC. images/L_seagull.jpg images/S_seagull.jpg null null img null null My sisters and I found this raccoon on an island near Vancouver island. images/L_raccoon.jpg images/S_raccoon.jpg null null img null null Beloved Rosie images/L_rosie__small_.jpg images/S_rosie__small_.jpg null null img null null It could work... images/L_robotic_arm.jpg images/S_robotic_arm.jpg null null img null null null images/L_panda_head.jpg images/S_panda_head.jpg null null img null null I drew this character a lot in 1998 but it still doesn't have a name. images/L_Original_Panda.jpg images/S_Original_Panda.jpg null null img null null null images/L_IMG_4547.jpg images/S_IMG_4547.jpg null null img null null Inspired by the rock at <a href='../altered_photos_gal/index.htm?3' >Smith Rocks</a> State Park, Oregon. images/L_WireSphere.jpg images/S_WireSphere.jpg null null img null null null images/L_celtic_circle.jpg images/S_celtic_circle.jpg null null img null null I used to love drawing scenes like this. images/L_castle_scene.jpg images/S_castle_scene.jpg null null img null null null images/L_PerspecitveCastleIsland.jpg images/S_PerspecitveCastleIsland.jpg null null img null null IIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAMMMMMMAAAAAAAANNNNOOOOOOOOOOGGGGGRRRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! images/L_cave_monster.jpg images/S_cave_monster.jpg null null img null null One of my favs. When I stare at this is looks like her head is floating away. images/L_MysticalPsychic.jpg images/S_MysticalPsychic.jpg null null img null null null images/L_fruit.jpg images/S_fruit.jpg null null img null null null images/L_frogLeaf.jpg images/S_frogLeaf.jpg null null img null null A fractal tree. images/L_FractalTree.jpg images/S_FractalTree.jpg null null img null null Inspired by my climbing trip to Europe in 99. images/L_mtScene.jpg images/S_mtScene.jpg null null img null null Inspired by my favorite comic, Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson images/L_canyon.jpg images/S_canyon.jpg null null img null null This was one of my favorite characters to draw for a long while. I tried making him in 3D (see my <a href='../graphics_gal/index.htm' >3D graphics gallery</a>) but with unsatisfactory results. I may go back and try again now that I've learned a lot more about 3D. images/L_drRoboto.jpg images/S_drRoboto.jpg null null img null null null images/L_handGeometry.jpg images/S_handGeometry.jpg null null img null null Spooky looking into my bedroom in Prince George, BC. She was so cute, I miss her. images/L_myRoom.jpg images/S_myRoom.jpg null null img null null It's a maze! Find the vine that connects one blob to the other. images/L_twistedMaze.jpg images/S_twistedMaze.jpg null null img null null The solution to the maze (Prev) drawn for Danielle as found by Justin. images/L_mazeSolution.jpg images/S_mazeSolution.jpg null null img null null A maze drawn for Danielle back in grade 10 or 11. <br><b>Hint:</b> good and dangerous things let you know if you're on the right path or not. <br><br>Click Next to see the solution found by Justin. images/L_maze.jpg images/S_maze.jpg null null img null null null images/L_gradfinder_smile_color.jpg images/S_gradfinder_smile_color.jpg null null img null null A birthday card drawn for my friend Danielle. images/L_for_danielle_sept2302_1.jpg images/S_for_danielle_sept2302_1.jpg null null img null null A card made for my friend (/roommate, kind of?) Sam when she was sick and I had to leave town. images/L_toon1.jpg images/S_toon1.jpg null null img null null null images/L_bigHair1.jpg images/S_bigHair1.jpg null null img null null Just a doodle that I did in MS Paint. Looks kinda disney'ish. images/L_Cartoon.jpg images/S_Cartoon.jpg null null img null null A scene from my room at Li's house. images/L_dark_room.jpg images/S_dark_room.jpg null null img null null mmmmmm apple images/L_paintedApple.jpg images/S_paintedApple.jpg null null img null null Learning to paint. images/L_paintedRoom.jpg images/S_paintedRoom.jpg null null img null null Some random things. images/L_abstOrganisms.jpg images/S_abstOrganisms.jpg null null img null null Experiments with painting lizard skin. images/L_lizardColorTest.jpg images/S_lizardColorTest.jpg null null img null null A color test for my grand lizard drawing. images/L_Organic_Cage.jpg images/S_Organic_Cage.jpg null null img null null Probably my greatest creation. Just got this framed, I'm pretty excited about it. A lot of inspiration for this image came from the rock at <a href='../altered_photos_gal/index.htm?3' >Smith Rocks</a>, Oregon. Also check out the smaller original version of this <a href='index.htm?55' >here</a>. images/L_lizardDrawing_small_.jpg images/S_lizardDrawing_small_.jpg null null img null null I call him Baxter. He's a grumpy character. I think someone must have been asking me to do the dishes when I was drawing this. images/L_FurryMonster.jpg images/S_FurryMonster.jpg null null img null null null images/L_businessman.jpg images/S_businessman.jpg null null img null null null images/L_monsterCharacter.jpg images/S_monsterCharacter.jpg null null img null null Another female character attempt. images/L_cutie.jpg images/S_cutie.jpg null null img null null A figure drawing of a mannequin made for a homeworks assignment , Engg 393. images/L_figure_drawing.jpg images/S_figure_drawing.jpg null null img null null This is a tile from our old bathroom floor. I always thought the little patterns looked like gorilla faces. images/L_floor_gorilla.jpg images/S_floor_gorilla.jpg null null img null null null images/L_spaceCadet.jpg images/S_spaceCadet.jpg null null img null null Some image plane drawings for an easterhead character that I hope to model in 3d. images/L_easterHead.jpg images/S_easterHead.jpg null null img null null null images/L_looking_man.jpg images/S_looking_man.jpg null null img null null null images/L_long_hair.jpg images/S_long_hair.jpg null null img null null null images/L_monster_painted.jpg images/S_monster_painted.jpg null null img null null null images/L_strongMan.jpg images/S_strongMan.jpg null null img null null You know what's on my mind. (For the non-climbers out there, the big green thing is supposed to be a climbing hold of some kind). images/L_climber_hand1.jpg images/S_climber_hand1.jpg null null img null null The first digital illustration that I was really happy with. images/L_snail1.jpg images/S_snail1.jpg null null img null null null images/L_newt_creature.jpg images/S_newt_creature.jpg null null img null null null images/L_worm_sm.jpg images/S_worm_sm.jpg null null img null null null images/L_superpanda_s5_sm.jpg images/S_superpanda_s5_sm.jpg null null img null null Big hair day. Inspired by my own hair after a day of snowboarding. images/L_big_hair.jpg images/S_big_hair.jpg null null img null null An illustrated version of my original wire sphere. images/L_lizard_ball_b.jpg images/S_lizard_ball_b.jpg null null img null null This is an illustrated version of my original lizard Ball drawing which has slowly deteriorated into one big smudge mark. A lot of inspiration for this image came from the rock at <a href='../altered_photos_gal/index.htm?3' >Smith Rocks</a>, Oregon. Also check out the much larger and more impressive version of this image <a href='index.htm?35' >here</a>. images/L_lizard_ball_a.jpg images/S_lizard_ball_a.jpg null null img null null null images/L_new_char_face.jpg images/S_new_char_face.jpg null null img null null My new gargoyle character. He wears a funny suit to protect him from the sun during the daytime. images/L_gargoyle_winged.jpg images/S_gargoyle_winged.jpg null null img null null null images/L_gargoyle.jpg images/S_gargoyle.jpg null null img null null null images/L_elvis_dude.jpg images/S_elvis_dude.jpg null null img null null This sketch came from something I saw in the floor pattern of our bathroom when I was living in rez. I posted the drawing on the wall so that people could look for it while sitting on the can. images/L_mole.jpg images/S_mole.jpg null null img null null Sand worm. Eventually made this in <a href='../graphics_gal/index.htm?33' >3D</a> and did a <a href='../animation_gal/index.htm?25' >turn table animation</a> of it. images/L_sandWorm.jpg images/S_sandWorm.jpg null null img null null I got inspired by some of the paintings done by Mark Behm and tried to give this illustration more of a painted look in comparison to my previous works. I kind of like this style so you might see more photoshop paintings in the coming months. I've also been playing with names for this guy, I think I will call him 'Titus'. images/L_bigMan.jpg images/S_bigMan.jpg null null img null null This started as a doodle that I made in archeology class. I think I'll call him Zak. This was my first attempt at a full digital painting instead of just coloring a sketch. I really like the jets and heat waves. images/L_flyindAlienDude.jpg images/S_flyindAlienDude.jpg null null img null null null images/L_insect_color.jpg images/S_insect_color.jpg null null img null null null images/L_football___sunsetting_career.jpg images/S_football___sunsetting_career.jpg null null img null null null images/L_gregor_1__small.jpg images/S_gregor_1__small.jpg null null img null null Wicta images/L_victa__small.jpg images/S_victa__small.jpg null null img null null Blip's Dad images/L_Blip_s_Dad.jpg images/S_Blip_s_Dad.jpg null null img null null A cheerleader. One of my first attempts at drawing a female character. images/L_cheerleader.jpg images/S_cheerleader.jpg null null img null null Frank Rocko images/L_Frank_Rocko.jpg images/S_Frank_Rocko.jpg null null img null null A Space Chicken. I painted this with real ink and water color while on vacation. Funny story: this character was inspired by a hair I saw in a bathtub somewhere. images/L_spaceChicken__small_.jpg images/S_spaceChicken__small_.jpg null null img null null An armless Tiki Monkey. This was also painted with real ink and water color pencil crayon. images/L_tikiMonkey__small_.jpg images/S_tikiMonkey__small_.jpg null null img null null Testing, styles and colors for a tribal theme drawing I'm working on. images/L_tribal_sign.jpg images/S_tribal_sign.jpg null null img null null Playing with different colors for, Borf, a character in a story that I'm working on. images/L_Borf_Colors.jpg images/S_Borf_Colors.jpg null null img null null oneBotPeople. Done in ink then scanned and colored in illustrator using livetrace. They remind me of the "one's" from the cartoon called Reboot. images/L_oneBotPeople.jpg images/S_oneBotPeople.jpg null null img null null Grumpy bear/monkey type animal. Done in ink and watercolor pencil crayon then tweaked in photoshop. images/L_grumpy_bear_sm.jpg images/S_grumpy_bear_sm.jpg null null img null null A cyborg skull. Done in ink and watercolor pencil crayon then tweaked in photoshop. images/L_cyborg_skull_sm.jpg images/S_cyborg_skull_sm.jpg null null img null null A tribal bouncer. images/L_tribal_bouncer_sm_.jpg images/S_tribal_bouncer_sm_.jpg null null img null null An angry worm type creature. Also done in ink and watercolor pencil crayon before touching up in photoshop. This method is much faster than trying to paint completely in photoshop and I like the textures and end result much better. images/L_angry_worm_sm_.jpg images/S_angry_worm_sm_.jpg null null img null null A character that I named 'Blip'. This was done in record time for me (<45 min) using photoshop. Check out the <a href='../animation_gal/index.htm?12' >short animation clip</a> that I made of him and also several other illustrations of him <a href='../artwork_gal/index.htm?98' >here</a> and <a href='../artwork_gal/index.htm?84' >here</a> as well as a 3D rendering of him <a href='../graphics_gal/index.htm?24' >here</a>. images/L_Blip_sm_.jpg images/S_Blip_sm_.jpg null null img null null Some practice with painting metallic objects in photoshop. images/L_botArm_sm_.jpg images/S_botArm_sm_.jpg null null img null Fall 2006 A Sad Man. I've been experimenting with getting different emotions into my drawings. This one is sadness/agony. The style is something I was experimenting with for a while. The colors were inspired by what I saw at the 'Body Worlds' exhibit because the style reminded me of a body without skin. images/L_Sad_Man_hot2.jpg images/S_Sad_Man_hot2.jpg null null img null Fall 2006 This is, believe it or not, a poster that I made for a friend who organized an alternative music/theater event to be held at his church. He came up with the concept of using a semi-nude female with flaming angel wings. I drew the character and made the illustration. The event was meant to push beyond the boundary of what is stereotypical christian art and that is one of the things we tried to do in this poster. images/L_Sapphire.jpg images/S_Sapphire.jpg null null img null 2007 This is another illustration of my character named Blip. This one is an experiment to see how he would look charcoal eyes. I'm pretty happy with the result (although originally, he didn't have eyes). I think this drawing suggests Blip's personality much better than the last one that I posted. Check out the <a href='../animation_gal/index.htm?12' >short animation clip</a> that I made of him and also several other illustrations of him <a href='../artwork_gal/index.htm?98' >here</a> and <a href='../artwork_gal/index.htm?80' >here</a> as well as a 3D rendering of him <a href='../graphics_gal/index.htm?24' >here</a>. images/L_Blip_Eyes.2.jpg images/S_Blip_Eyes.2.jpg null null img null 2007 A concept drawing of Borf, a character in a story that I'm working on. images/L_Borf_climb.2.5._final1.sm.jpg images/S_Borf_climb.2.5._final1.sm.jpg null null img null 2007 A quick painting of an Olmec Head. Believe it or not, this was inspired by something that saw on a bathroom wall. images/L_Olmec_Head.jpg images/S_Olmec_Head.jpg null null img null 2007 Some sort of Pilot or Crook type character. This was an experiment with some new painting techniques to get a purely painted look without the sketch lines. images/L_Pilot_Crook.jpg images/S_Pilot_Crook.jpg null null img null 2007 Another concept painting of Borf, a character in story I'm working on. images/L_Borf_stand.jpg images/S_Borf_stand.jpg null null img null Fall 2007 A confused fat man. I've been experimenting with getting more textures into my paintings, this is one of them. I know this is kind of an odd drawing, but I liked his facial expression so much that I had to paint him. images/L_bigbellyman.jpg images/S_bigbellyman.jpg null null img null 2007
I (much) later learned that part of the reason this image makes me dizzy is that several different colors share the same luminosity so the brain has difficulty locating them properly in the image. This is explained in this post and illustrated here.]]> images/L_Larry.jpg images/S_Larry.jpg null null img null 2007 Another version of this tall haired character (I'm still looking for a name). I couldn't decide which version was best so I posted both. I like the attitude in this one, it makes me laugh. images/L_TallHairDudeCwMonster.jpg images/S_TallHairDudeCwMonster.jpg null null img null 2007 I'm learning new ways to get textures into my illustrations and I'm pretty excited at how this one turned out. This is another one that was inspired by something I saw on a bathroom wall. images/L_TallHairDude.jpg images/S_TallHairDude.jpg null null img null 2007 One of my first attempts at creating a digital painting that looks like a real painting. images/L_slaveBoy.jpg images/S_slaveBoy.jpg null null img null 2007 Another experiment with digital painting. images/L_Paublo.jpg images/S_Paublo.jpg null null img null 2007 Another one inspired by patterns I saw on a wall somewhere. images/L_wall_troll.1.sm.jpg images/S_wall_troll.1.sm.jpg null null img null 2007 Done completely digitally. I'm excited about this because it is usually very difficult for me to get lines that I like when drawing with a mouse. images/L_071112_Sketches1.sm.jpg images/S_071112_Sketches1.sm.jpg null null img null Dec 2007 Some sort of fishman type creature. My first image created using a tablet instead of a mouse. images/L_fishman.jpg images/S_fishman.jpg null null img null Jan 2008 Another concept illustration of my character named 'Blip'... this time he has a single eye. I like this one best so far because it really shows his emotion well. Check out the <a href='../animation_gal/index.htm?12' >short animation clip</a> that I made of him and also several other illustrations of him <a href='../artwork_gal/index.htm?84' >here</a> and <a href='../artwork_gal/index.htm?80' >here</a> as well as a 3D rendering of him <a href='../graphics_gal/index.htm?24' >here</a>. images/L_blipFlight.jpg images/S_blipFlight.jpg null null img null Jan 2008 I imagine this guy to be some sort of kick boxer or ultimate fighter of some kind. Although this is from a very old sketch, this image is somewhat inspired by the movie called 'Unleashed'. images/L_ultimateFighter.jpg images/S_ultimateFighter.jpg null null img null Jan 2008 Trying something a little more abstract, I'm really excited about how well these curles turned out. images/L_curles_geens.jpg images/S_curles_geens.jpg null null img null Jan 2008 Some more experimentation with complex textures. This was originally going to be just an experiment until Care suggested that I post it. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. images/L_080120_blockTextureTest.a.jpg images/S_080120_blockTextureTest.a.jpg null null img null Jan 2008 Some more experimentation with complex textures. This was originally going to be just an experiment until Care suggested that I post it. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. images/L_080120_blockTextureTest.jpg images/S_080120_blockTextureTest.jpg null null img null Jan 2008 Alexander. One of my first attempts at painting a realistic'ish portrait of a person. I found the eyes to be quite tricky, they could still probably use some tweaking. images/L_alexander.3c_sm.jpg images/S_alexander.3c_sm.jpg null null img null Feb 2008 A very cranky dude. Somewhat inspired by that feeling of being in a deep and cosy sleep at the moment when someone turns on a bright light in your face. images/L_crankyDude.jpg images/S_crankyDude.jpg null null img null Feb 2008 Some sort of exothermic man. This one also started out as random texture experiment. I really like the 'lava lamp' look to his face, I may try to do a series like that. images/L_080207_exothermicMan.jpg images/S_080207_exothermicMan.jpg null null img null Feb 2008 exothermic man illustration.]]> images/L_080211_lavaBall.jpg images/S_080211_lavaBall.jpg null null null null null null img null Mar-15-2008 This was originally going to be a much creepier old man but then I decided to try and make him look kinda pensive e.g. as if he was looking back on his life and evaluating it. My grandparents have been dealing with cateracts so I had to add them into this image. images/L_080116_oldMan.jpg images/S_080116_oldMan.jpg null null img null Mar-15-2008 Playing with painting shiny surfaces. The key, I find, is not to see things a lines and shapes but as shadows, highlights and color. images/L_080315_TinCanMan.jpg images/S_080315_TinCanMan.jpg null null img null Mar-16-2008 A speed painting experiment. Also testing out some new painting techniques. images/L_080315_eyeBallThingy.jpg images/S_080315_eyeBallThingy.jpg null null img null Apr 2008 Just a quick illustration of this strange worm thing. This was mainly done to test my new 'just add water' brush that I used to make the background. (I finally figured out how to mimic Painter's 'just add water' blender in pshop.) images/L_080317_wormy_face.3.jpg images/S_080317_wormy_face.3.jpg null null img null Apr 2008 Another one inspired by something I saw on a wall. I had fun doing more of that crazy hair and also getting that stippled look. I also have a female version of this... but she's too ungly to show here. images/L_greenwall_bear.2.jpg images/S_greenwall_bear.2.jpg null null img null Apr 23, 2008 null images/L_080423_crazyHeroGuy.jpg images/S_080423_crazyHeroGuy.jpg null null img null Apr 26, 2008 Another experiment with this lava ball idea... I guess these also kinda look like red blood cells (hmm, that might be a fun theme). images/L_080426 lava balls.jpg images/S_080426 lava balls.jpg null null img null May 1, 2008 Playing with my new hueco texture brush in pshop for creating patterns like those used in my <a href='index.htm?35' >lizard ball drawing</a>. images/L_080501_Hueco_Tree.jpg images/S_080501_Hueco_Tree.jpg null null img null May 11, 2008 Another Hueco object illustration, this one was drawn and painted without using patterns or textures. The inspiration for the shape came from a small rock that Care polished when we were hanging out and climbing at Ceuse in France last summer. images/L_080511_Hueco_Pyramid.jpg images/S_080511_Hueco_Pyramid.jpg null null img null May 14, 2008 null images/L_080510_RedMan.jpg images/S_080510_RedMan.jpg null null img null May 25, 2008 I wanted to try painting some human skin again, I think I've finally started to figure it out. I like the little details like the veins in his forehead. images/L_080525 Popeye.jpg images/S_080525 Popeye.jpg null null img null Jun 3, 2008
I thought that I'd feel pretty pathetic if I had no arms and only had teeth on my upper jaw... although I'd sure sleep a lot better if I didn't have arms (mine often go numb at night).

This was another speed paint that I did while watching a movie, I kind of like the black+white contour lines. I had fun painting the background and may try to do some scenic illustrations in the near future.]]> images/L_080603_YellowWorm.jpg images/S_080603_YellowWorm.jpg null null img null Jun 5, 2008 Yellow Eward but it illustrates a different idea. This is just an attempt to illustrate an alien religion or cult... although I was recently thinking about how there are so many religions in the world who all deny each other even though many of them are very similar.

I think that I used too many contour lines in this image but I do like how I rendered his neck piece.]]> images/L_080603_YellowEdward1.jpg images/S_080603_YellowEdward1.jpg null null img null Jun 14, 2008 Some sort of abstract egg or cell. I did some reading about biology and then came up with this image during a sporadic painting session. Inspired by some of George Hull's stuff, I also wanted to try some new textures and a chalky border. With biology, I'm fascinated with how even the simplest organisms are like very complex machines and how the difference between something that is living and something that is not can be quite subtle... it might be fun to do some more images in this theme. images/L_080612_Mesh_Egg.jpg images/S_080612_Mesh_Egg.jpg null null img null Jun 14, 2008 Some sort of abstract egg or cell. I did some reading about biology and then came up with this image during a sporadic painting session. Inspired by some of George Hull's stuff, I also wanted to try some new textures and a chalky border. With biology, I'm fascinated with how even the simplest organisms are like very complex machines and how the difference between something that is living and something that is not can be quite subtle... it might be fun to do some more images in this theme. images/L_080612_Mesh_Egg_empty.jpg images/S_080612_Mesh_Egg_empty.jpg null null img null Aug 7, 2008 images/L_080807 Female Mannequin.6.jpg images/S_080807 Female Mannequin.6.jpg null null img null Aug 11, 2008 images/L_080811 Martian.jpg images/S_080811 Martian.jpg null null img null Sep 7, 2008 Moab a couple of years ago. I've also been reading some of my old Calvin and Hobbes comics lately. This was a quick sketch in a attempt to get a feel for scenic painting. I found the composition quite difficult to get right and I'm still not completely satisfied with it.]]> images/L_080731 Canyon.4.jpg images/S_080731 Canyon.4.jpg null null img null Sep 18, 2008 Horne Lake), politics, religion, man's effect on the world, economic bubbles bursting and some of the climbing holds that I used to make. All of these concepts have helped shape this image in one way or another.]]> images/L_080918 Wart Balls.jpg images/S_080918 Wart Balls.jpg null null img null Oct 4, 2008 images/L_081004_Greaser.3.jpg images/S_081004_Greaser.3.jpg null null img null Oct 11, 2008 pic1, pic2) where either me or a friend (from some strange reason) felt inclined to drew a face on one of our fingers. I thought the colors would be fitting for thanksgiving weekend.]]> images/L_081011 Finger Puppets.b.4.jpg images/S_081011 Finger Puppets.b.4.jpg null null img null Oct 13, 2008 images/L_081013 Glowing Textures.jpg images/S_081013 Glowing Textures.jpg null null img null Oct 18, 2008 images/L_081018 Office Guys.2c.jpg images/S_081018 Office Guys.2c.jpg null null img null Oct 26, 2008 Horne Lake (, I then made the mistake of reading about parasites which really grossed me out). Anyways, I have always loved drawing tentacles, worms and vines because of the way flow on the page (check out some older stuff: here, here, here), and here). I may have to explore this theme a little more... but via something that is a little more pleasant next time.]]> images/L_081026 Parasite 3.jpg images/S_081026 Parasite 3.jpg null null img null Nov 16, 2008 images/L_081116 veins.1.jpg images/S_081116 veins.1.jpg null null img null Nov 29, 2008 panoramic type composition.]]> images/L_idol city.6e.jpg images/S_idol city.6e.jpg null null img null Jan 6, 2009 images/L_081224 Greedy Critter.3a.1.jpg images/S_081224 Greedy Critter.3a.1.jpg null null img null Mar 1, 2009 here. It still feels like there's something missing, I might change this again someday.]]> images/L_idol city.8.jpg images/S_idol city.8.jpg null null img null Mar 9, 2009 here and here.

Here is my original description for this image:
I've been thinking lately about how many of us build our lives around certain ideas, religions, stories/tv shows, fantasy characters, activities/sports teams, objects/money, politicians or other people. To outsiders, this idolization often seems strange, silly or to be based on lies... but that thinking tends to go both ways leaving people divided and/or sometimes willing to hurt each other because of it. I am very interested by the thought that, as humans, we no longer fight for the survival of our species but for the ideas that live inside us like parasites. I really enjoyed drawing the buildings for this image (unfortunately, some of the more interesting ones are difficult to see in this low res version for the web).]]> images/L_idol city.10d.jpg images/S_idol city.10d.jpg null null img null Mar 21, 2009 Greedy Critter. I originally wasn't going to post this but then thought that I might as well since I put the time into making it..]]> images/L_081224 Greedy Critter.3a.2.stretched w tv.jpg images/S_081224 Greedy Critter.3a.2.stretched w tv.jpg null null img null Apr 6, 2009 Warty Opponents illustration.
I like the aesthetics of this composition and also how the two bodies are positioned so that it is unclear if they are moving towards each other or not. To me, this makes me wonder what would happen if these two bodies would contact each other... will they merge/trade bubbles, bounce off each other or possibly even explode before recollecting into new forms. I like how life is full of endless possibilities even though the uncertainty can sometimes cause anxiety. ]]> images/L_080918 Warts.3.ab.jpg images/S_080918 Warts.3.ab.jpg null null img null Apr 26, 2009 images/L_090426 Sick Bunny.5b.jpg images/S_090426 Sick Bunny.5b.jpg null null img null May 2, 2009 images/L_090502 Hueco Texture.1.jpg images/S_090502 Hueco Texture.1.jpg null null img null May 19, 2009 images/L_090518 Crook Master.0d.jpg images/S_090518 Crook Master.0d.jpg null null img null May 31, 2009 Edward Burtynsky) which got me thinking again about how far and how quickly humans have stepped away from being part of the natural ecosystem... and how some suggest that our species is best classified as a malignant parasite or a planetary virus of some kind.]]> images/L_090531 celestial serpent.2e.jpg images/S_090531 celestial serpent.2e.jpg null null img null Jun 7, 2009 images/L_090607 Hot Wire.2.jpg images/S_090607 Hot Wire.2.jpg null null img null Aug 8, 2009 images/L_090808 PrimalMind.7d.jpg images/S_090808 PrimalMind.7d.jpg null null img null Aug 16, 2009 Okotokes as a reference but made the atmosphere a little more dramatic looking). I thought that this image would also be fitting because it is symbollic of the feeling that I am about to finish one phase of my life and start a new one soon. I think that I will try to do more scenic images like this in the future and also try to learn how to use photos as referemce more often.]]> images/L_090812 sunset experiment.jpg images/S_090812 sunset experiment.jpg null null img null Aug 22, 2009 images/L_090822 lake tree.3b.jpg images/S_090822 lake tree.3b.jpg null null img null Aug 23, 2009 images/L_090823 Iddlebert.2c.jpg images/S_090823 Iddlebert.2c.jpg null null img null Jun 15, 2010
I find that if I look around or stare at this image a bit then the red lights appear to float around and sometimes pulse and/or appear to stretch away from and towards each other in this blue backgroud. After reading the book called 'Vision and Art: Biology of Seeing' I learned that this illusion is created because our visual positioning/tracking system (a.k.a. the 'where' system) is color blind and operates using only the luminosity/brightness information captured by the eye. Since the red lights have a very similar luminosity to the blue background our minds have a difficult time locating them relative to each other and hence they appear to float. I've illustrated this idea a bit more here (if nothing else, you can at least see how noticeably different colors can have very similar luminosity/brightness values).

This illustration is more of an experiment but was originally inspired by my experience of driving through a snowstorm at night last winter where all I could see were the tail lights of the car ahead of me in the moonlit snow.]]> images/L_100101 snowstorm nightdriving.jpg images/S_100101 snowstorm nightdriving.jpg null null img null Sep 1, 2010
This image also includes some optical illusions and techniques that I read about in the book called 'Vision and Art: Biology of Seeing', such as when you stare at the center of the image, you should see some sort of rays angling out from the center in your peripheral vision (that may even appear to be moving) but they disappear when you try to look at them directly. Also, the concentric oval lines tend to push the eye outwards while the logarithmic spirals draw it in creating a balance/tension that is also analogous to the description of the sun being a balance of explosive nuclear force held back by the inward pull of gravity.]]> images/L_100901 sun tribute.6a.sig.jpg images/S_100901 sun tribute.6a.sig.jpg null null img null Sep 5, 2010
This is a pretty silly sketch but it was good practice coming up with ways to illustrate the trees, branches and water.]]> images/L_100905 Leopard Frog Revenge.3.jpg images/S_100905 Leopard Frog Revenge.3.jpg null null img null Mar 14, 2011
In the last couple of years I've read a bit about various eastern inspired ideas relating to the mind and consciousness. Of these ideas, I was most fascinated by the concept of there being multiple components to the mind of which there is a thinking/ego driven part as well as a separate observing part (that can observe one's own thought processes and emotions while they are happening). This image is an attempt to illustrate the thinking/ego portion of the mind enlarged and going wild with the observing component shrunken, pushed off and all but forgotten in the back of one's head. Some have said that most people are unconsciously trapped in this state (to some degree) and that being there can lead to a lot of suffering and unhappiness for one's self and for others around. It is also said that the only way to escape this mind made misery is to use and thereby strengthen the observing portion of the mind… which when fully awakened is usually referred to as becoming enlightened or reaching nirvana (or is at least part of what is needed to reach that state).

I've also had a couple of other goals and influences during the creation of this image. First, I wanted to try using a chaos approach and to make use of a bunch of graphic elements and experiments that I've collected or made recently (a process used by Andrew Jones that inspired me). On top of that, just before I started this piece, my uncle suffered some brain trauma (which thankfully he seems to have recovered from but) which also got me thinking about the mind again. ]]> images/L_110122A.5d.Mind_Overdrive.jpg images/S_110122A.5c.Mind_Overdrive.jpg null null img null Jun 19, 2011 images/L_110317 Beluga Monster.1i.jpg images/S_110317 Beluga Monster.1i.jpg null null img null Mar 6, 2012
This image is inspired by the idea of black holes and gravity's effect on objects and space itself even though it more of an abstract space illustration rather than a realistic image (i.e. I don't think you could ever actually see a black hole's shape because it would be surrounded by other objects that would obscure it). Accurate or not, it was fun creating the warped starscapes and thinking about how gravity might affect the clouds of gas. I couldn't decide which version of the image I liked better so I posted both of them together here.]]> images/L_120305 Black Holes F, Fa.merged.jpg images/S_120305 Black Holes F, Fa.merged.jpg null null