Graphic Design isn't isn't always about fun. Sometimes (most of the time) it's functional. But why not make it cute to?

Gaston was a big hit!

So my dad LOVED it!! I found the perfect frame to; Shiny gold with waves and texture with a gold and black mat. In fact he loved it so much that it was apparently worth the two month wait! PHEWW

I heard, via my mother's facebook page, that my dad was singing Gaston songs non stop much to the delight of his coworkers. THat actual picture has a proud spot in his home office,.....behind him because Gaston is such a creeper my dad didn't want him staring him down all day :)

Let's get this party started!

Oh hi. So this is my art blog in an attempt to showcase my journey from scattered to professional. I am a 30 year old artist with a degree in Animation during the recession. This translates to: makes burritos. Don't get me wrong I love my job and coworkers, but I didn't spend 70,000$ in higher education to work nights in a kitchen. (or rather my parents didn't....thanks mom and dad)

It was my passion in comics that lead me there. I love to illustrate. Then one day I found photoshop and figured it was only a matter of time until I made my fortune. Unfortunately one has to support themselves, ya know, pay bills and buy food and such. When working full time with labor intensive jobs I have found its hard to muster the energy to work on projects while home. I'm tired.

So here I am a decade later and anxious to get this fire started again. I'd like to show this as I work on them, stuff  I've done....etc.

I'll start with the project I just finished. I did it for my dad for his birthday, (which was a month ago...well worth the wait I'm sure). You see my parents LOVE all things Disney. My dad, like myself, has a soft spot in his heart for the villains. One villain in particular, however, has the favorite spot: Gaston. Here's a fun little fact about Gaston, there is practically NO merchandise for him. My dad, and my dad alone is his fan club. Several years back I was able to find a collectors pin with a group of villains on it, Gaston being one of them. That is the ONLY thing I have ever found with his likeness.

Now one of my FAVORITE things to do with my art is digital portraits. I figured what better way to honor Gaston than a portrait with all his cheesy glory. It turned out fantastic!! For the most part it is done so I'll show you the process beginning with the original sketch.

Isn't he glorious? I am also lucky enough to be dating this great guy with a super freaking awesome cintiq, (large touch screen drawing tablet). He was nice enough to let me use it for this project. Here is the under painting before I added any color:

He's quite the looked that Gaston :)
And the (nearly) finished product:

Probably going to add some lighting in the back like my man suggested and dull down some of the colors, but here ya go. By the time you see this I will have it printed and framed for my dad. Not posting this to the public till her gets it since it's a surprise!