Noir

“Untitled”
March 2011
7″ x 10″
Ink

“Pear and Fig Strudel”

“Pear and Fig Strudel”
March 2011
16.667″ wide x 6.25″ high
3B pencil drawing, scanned and colored digitally
(Click image to view larger)

Are you familiar with the site They Draw and Cook? Developed by brother and sister Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell, They Draw and Cook is an innovative site that features illustrated recipes from artists all over the world.

I first came across it last year and knew I wanted to submit a piece. That’s when I submitted Heavenly Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Most recently they had a recipe contest for California Figs (Winners will be announced on March 26th). I had a lot of fun with my entry. Turning ingredients into characters is quite the experience. I’m planning on creating some other recipes using the same concept.

There are a lot of awesome pieces that were submitted to the contest. Be sure to take a look at them.

“I Want to be a Warbler”

“I Want to be a Warbler”
March 2011
11″ x 14″
7B pencil drawing, scanned and colored digitally

Ever since the Dalton Academy Warblers made their first appearance on Glee, I knew that I wanted to attend. I mean, just think of all the soulful serenades I’d get!! Picture it: a female character starts attending Dalton Academy because she wants to be taught by their art professor who is a world renowned artist. Even though Dalton Academy is a private all boys academy she believes that she should be able to learn from this respected artist and fights for the chance to get in and gets accepted as the first female student in Dalton’s history. Because of this she is viewed as an outsider and is ridiculed by the students. Kurt understands all too well what it feels like to be an outcast and befriends her. He quickly finds out that she has the brains, the looks, the talent but not the voice. Kurt takes her under his wing and teaches her how to sing.

Yes… I fantasize about these things… judge away!

But, since Dalton Academy isn’t real, *sigh,* and since Ryan Murphy isn’t going to write me a part, I decided to make my dream come true through the world of illustration. Don’t Kurt (Chris Colfer), Blaine (Darren Criss) and I look cute together!? And, yes, I realize that I have made myself look ultra glamourous, but it’s my fantasy so lets just let it happen, okay?

“Muppet Love”

“Muppet Love”
March 2011
11″ x 14″
7B pencil drawing, scanned and colored digitally

Artist BT Livermore and his studiomates at Tranquility Base decided to “muppet themselves.” They challenged others to do the same… I couldn’t refuse. I present Cory and me in muppet form!

Just a Few Threadless Designs…

Have you heard of Threadless? An artist can submit their design and over a period of 7 days, the public will score and comment on the submission. These scores and comments will help Threadless decide which designs should become the next Threadless tees! I have some designs that are up for scoring right now. I would appreciate it if you went and scored them now so they have a shot at getting printed!

Rate “Flowery Frida” here!

Rate “Waffles” here!

Rate “Brother Bear Battle” here!

“Melvin and Gladean, 1950″

“Melvin and Gladean, 1950″
February 2011
8″x 10″ matted to 5″ x 7″
Matboard and Strathmore Bristol (Smooth)
7B Pencil, Ink and Gouache

Last month, we attended Cory’s grandmother’s surprise 83rd birthday party. I thought it would be a lovely idea to make a piece of artwork of her and her husband. I decided to add the flower boarder because Grandma lives on a huge farm and one of her favorite things is to plant flowers every year. It was the perfect thing to give her: we found out later that day that she was telling Cory’s mom early that week how much she wanted a piece of my artwork.

I asked Cory to write a little bit about his grandparents:

At a dance at Cover Orchard near Gaston, Oregon on New Years Eve 1949, Gladean “Dean” Dick and Melvin “Spike” Lardy serendipitously met. Little did they know that 6 months later on June 24th, 1950 they would be married (they were married for 50 years). This photo was take within that six months at a Rodeo on Division St. in Portland, Oregon. My grandpa got his nickname “Spike” from working on the railroad all around the Northwest, from Portland to the coast. A few of his stories were even published in a book about loggers and the railroad in the late 90’s.

“Ron Swanson”

“Ron Swanson”
February 2011
11″ x 14″
8B pencil drawing, scanned and colored digitally

Any TV I watch is seen via Hulu or Netflix. A couple months ago, Cory and I noticed that they were streaming both seasons of Parks and Rec on Netflix so we thought we might as well check it out. We became HOOKED.

I want Leslie to be my aunt and teach me all about Pawnee. I want to go have breakfast with Ron and ask him to bestow his wisdom upon me. I will never go to the Snakehole Lounge no matter how much Tom begs me. I’d enjoy “working” in an office with April. Our pessimistic views of the world would gel quite nicely. And I would let Andy and his band “Mouse Rat” play a song or two for me. I would give Jerry hugs since no one else seems to care and I would gossip with Donna and go get my nails done with her. Ann and I can be friends as long as she stops being so wishy washy and realize that she doesn’t always have to have a man in her life for things to be good. That’s right, I said it! And if you haven’t seen the show, you have no clue what I’m saying so just stop reading and go watch it now!

Above is my rendition of Mr. Ron Swanson. I really tried to focus on his love of breakfast food, hunting, and his overal residual anger in this piece. I’m trying to branch out when it comes to subject matter and am having a lot of fun. I think I’m going to draw April next. Stay tuned.

Be sure to also follow my work at See What Jade Creates!