Towers II and III

Towers II & III

Ink + Digital. 2011.

A friend of mine was asking me how I make these drawings, so I'm going to extrapolate from that that other people may be interested to know. They're all done a bit differently, but essentially I start with a line drawing. This is one I did in my sketchbook while waiting for visitors at E.A.S.T. I then scan it into Photoshop, use the magic wand tool to remove the white background, and then insert another layer beneath the line drawing. Then, using either the pen tool or paint bucket, I fill in areas of grey, making a new layer for each new tone. (Keep in mind that each layer except the bottom one needs to be background-less.) Finally I select each respective layer and apply the Color Halftone filter, choosing a different dot pattern for each one. It's not much more complicated than that, and as you can see, it can yield some interesting results. Now on to self promotion:

Would you like to own a signed giclee print of one of my paintings? Does the prospect of my surviving the winter seem somewhat agreeable to you? Then check out my newly constructed online store! Give someone a really, really unique gift this holiday season! Also, anyone who purchases a print and lets me know that they follow this blog will receive an original drawing from me as well- for free. Ok, that's it.

Tower I

Tower I

Ink + Digital

Another new drawing for you and the family to gather around and gawk at this Thanksgiving.

East Austin Studio Tour 2011

The front entry way, with Melissa Cha's prints on the left. Hounds of Love crest by Hiromi Ueyoshi.

My piece at the end of the hall, Endless, sold to a renowned local artist.

All paintings tend to look about the same size online. This should give you some scale of Gothra.

My paintings will look great over your mantlepiece! Buy today!/end plug

Me doodling as I wait for visitors. EAST reportedly had a very low turnout this year compared to years previous.

Lauren Klotzman set up this teepee in our backyard as part of an installation/performance.

All photos by Melissa Cha.

Hover I

Hover I

Ink + Digital. 2011.

I'll post a report of E.A.S.T soon, but for now here's a little drawing.

Dissolution

'Dissolution'

24" x 24"

Acrylic. 2011.

Another new square-format painting. I'm working in squares partially because it's a challenge compositionally, but also because I'm thinking of record album sleeves. I'm working on the design for Single Lash's debut LP. More about that at a later time.

E.A.S.T is next weekend so I'll be fully occupied with that for the near future. Please come by and buy a painting; my house is studio #69 on the tour.

Monolith

'Monolith'

36" x 36"

Acrylic. 2011.

New painting finally completed. This one is clearly quite different from its predecessors as the initial observations for this work were made from an actual model. It was constructed with cardboard and playdough. I think the fact that this particular environment was directly observed gives the finished product an uncanny quality. Yes, this otherwordly scene was painted from observation.

I'm preparing for East Austin Studio Tour and one of my recent paintings ('Vision Thing') will be featured in an E.A.S.T group show opening on Oct. 22nd at 916 Springdale Rd., Austin, Tx, 78702 and running throughout the tour. Exciting times we live in.

Monsters

Monster I

9" x 10"

Mixed Media. 2011.

Monster II

9" x 10"

Mixed Media. 2011.

Continuing along similar lines to my recent comic, I have here two mixed media drawings of monsters. They were done primarily with acrylic, ink and Prisma. The drawings were done for the upcoming Monster Show at Austin's Domy Books. I really recommend checking Domy out if you're in the area- it's a bookstore and gallery that specializes in everything cool. (i.e. Zines, Comixs, Art Books, Poetry, Manifestos, etc.) It has sort of a counter culture vibe, but is spacious, well-curated and neatly organized. Definitely one of the best spots in Austin. Anyway, these drawings are based on celebrity photos. I'd be really interested if anyone could guess who these monsters are modeled on.