Where Are We?

Getting back into the flow of things. Keeping it loose.

I am going to get back to "Oz" I promise... I just need to get rid of a bunch of random doodles first.

Back To Work!

I am back at work today after almost a month off! It's actually really cool to be back, and I look forward to digging in.

This is a sketch that I have been picking at over the last few days. I cooked up this short story in my head of an ancient treasure that was protected by a single guardian. The location is isolated and extreme. The treasure has been left alone for hundreds of years. One night the silence is broken as a band of tomb raiders finally reach the hidden location. The guardian must spring into action and try his best to defend what he has been charged to protect. There is some magic involved. Some high-tech yet ancient gadgetry. (the best kind) I know, I know... I had some time on my hands. I would like to clean this up if I get a chance.

Destruction Halted

"But if you just listen to me for a second... there are so many cool things on this planet. Why do you have to destroy it? Have you ever even had a peanut butter sandwich?"

A Year Of Change

Hey! It's 2010! I figured since we were ushering in an entirely new year, that I would change the look of the blog a bit. I have a strange feeling that you might see little changes happening for a while, so pay no attention if things appear to be broken now and again.

I have been home now since the baby was born, and my time to draw and scheme has been a bit limited. I have been doing a lot of dragon slaying, wrestling, tea partying, dressing up dolls, dressing down dolls, playing monster, playing horsey, making delicious snacks, and building forts out of whatever is handy. My house now contains a newborn, a three and a half year old, and a two and a half year old. If you ever wonder where I get my ideas... wonder no more.

I thank everyone so much for checking the blog during this extended break, and for all of the awesomely kind wishes that you guys have passed on regarding the baby. I am really excited about 2010, and if all goes well, I plan on sharing some pretty cool stuff with you here. I hope to grow more as an artist and as a person... and this blog has become a great outlet for me.

Thank you again, and again I thank you.

My Biggest Project Of The Year

Gavin Cade Vanhoozer

Born December 24th, 2009

The Melting Of An Iron Heart

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and a Happy Holidays. Thank you so much for keeping up with the blog this year and leaving such supportive comments. I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year!

Holiday Apology

Saying that you are sorry isn't usually an easy thing to do. It forces you to admit wrongdoing, and generally lets people know that you aren't perfect. In this particular case however... it's easy.

I am SO SORRY for the ridiculous drawing that I posted yesterday. It has to go down as one of the worst pieces of poo that I have ever posted to this blog. I have been busy here at work, and I rushed to get something posted yesterday. Huge mistake. I think that my eyeballs were on break when I decided that the sketch was "post-worthy in any way. Blech, blech, blech... ptooey! I am a professional? (Cough... cough... hack!... cough)

The composition is terrible. The tangents that are created by the characters overlapping make my brain hurt. The line work makes my eye twitch. I could go on and on. Whew... breathe. I actually feel so much better now. Thank you for letting me yell at myself.

And while this is by no means a great drawing, I feel it is in some way a valid re-interpretation of my original intent. I offer it up to you as a slightly better offering for today.

I will now go practice drawing circles and straight lines.

thank you.

What Cliff?

Snowball Assault For The Holidays

May you all have a fun filled weekend.

A Quick Color

I have been really busy here at work, and my mornings have been really short... so I am cheating and throwing some color on an old drawing. I am very tired. Just saying.

Ho And Ho

It's That Time Again

Hello and howdy! Back to the drawing board!

Now that December is upon us, it is time for me to start sketching a Christmas themed drawing or two. My usual method involves many roughs, then a few that go through to a painted piece. Some may even involve robots. Go figure.

On a side note, my holiday blogging will be cut short this year, since I am taking some time off to enjoy the birth of my son! Christmas Eve is the day the baby is set to arrive... but my last day here in the studio is December 18th. I will be off for almost a month, staying close to home and spending some quality time with my amazing family. My hope is that I will be posting several times over that stretch... and I apologize in advance for the baby pictures I am sure to include.

When I return, I will move into the "clean-up" stage on the Wizard of Oz art I have been working on. No worries, it hasn't been forgotten.

Thanks so much for checking the blog, and lets draw a bunch of Christmas art before the holidays!

The Ever Growing Chamber

Thinking In The Chamber

The Wizard's chamber is slowly growing. I didn't have much time this morning, so there is not a tremendous amount of progress to show.

Going forward, I think that I will be taking more time to develop these concepts before I throw them at you. I am still more than likely going to post bits each day, but it may not be the whole piece until I feel the drawing is in a better place. I love sharing my in-between scribbles with you guys at a fast pace, but I also realize that I need to do good work. Sometimes that takes more than a single morning.

Be patient with me!

Pay No Attention...

In the movie "The Wizard of Oz", the wizard's chamber scared the crap out of me as a kid. In my version of the story, the Wizard is still a fairly normal, mild mannered guy... who creates this huge persona using what he knows. Gadgets and steam! I think I will use this as a start for something truly huge... need more smoke and mirrors.