Select works of mine are now available as small prints on deviantART. deviantART is an online social network for artists and art enthusiasts. Just another way to connect, exhibit, collaborate, communicate, and share with the growing and ever-changing art and design community.
About as far back as I can remember I've been influenced by collage and assemblage and art movements such as Dada, Constructivism, German Expressionism, and Abstract Expressionism. Works by artists such as Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Cornell, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, and Louise Nevelson have always had some form of influence on my work. I find the freedom and immediacy of collage and juxtaposition of various forms and images inspiring. Often while traveling I'll build up sketchbooks with both drawings and collage and often a combination the two techniques. 
Recently I was asked to exhibit work in the 305A Gallery at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL. The exhibition will run from November 21 thru December 7, 2012. Thanks to Gallery Curator Jacob Grant and the IL Central College Art Department for this opportunity! 
Saturday, March 10 from 1-4 pm I'll be teaching an introductory cartoon/comic drawing class at Spiva Center For The Arts in Joplin, MO for ages 12+. If you are interested in cartooning, comics, Manga, and animation, this is definitely the class for you. Students will create characters and stories utilizing basic drawing techniques used by professionals. For more information and registration, please visit them on the web at http://www.spivaarts.org/classes/default.aspx#.
Recently I've been laid up and recovering from surgery (sleeping a lot and watching films). I revisited a couple of animated films I hadn't seen in years. As a kid I was heavily influenced by Disney animation (still am). Two films that I find absolutely stunning visually also came out consecutively. Sleeping Beauty (1959) and 101 Dalmatians (1961) stand out for many reasons. Both films are stylistically unique compared to every film prior to that. Sleeping Beauty was in production from 1953-1958 and was the last Disney film to use hand inked cells. The film was made to look like a Pre-Renaissance, Gothic illustrated book with sophisticated, elaborate and highly detailed environments and they also did away with the softer, more rounded look of previous films in favor of a more angular and stylized look. Production manager Ken Anderson orchestrated the films overall look along with chief background designer and colorist Eyvind Earle. He was given a significant amount of freedom in designing the settings, selecting colors and hand painted the majority of the exquisite and ornate backgrounds. Today the film is still hailed as being one of the greatest and most innovative animated features ever made. To view some of the stunning backgrounds for this film and many other animated films click here.
