Self Portraits (Spring Semester)

As promised, here are the self-portraits I've done in class so far this semester. Right now, I'm taking a break from myself, doing a more surreal painting that's more in tune with my drawings and sketches (and is in fact based on a sketch I have)... I'll post the original doodle along with the final painting this week. I just want to touch it up some before I call it finished. It wasn't easy, and took at least double the time of the paintings you'll see below, but by the end of the second class period, I had reached a turning point. More details when I actually post it, I just wanted to mention how I'm finally exiting my comfort zone in terms of my paintings. Enjoy!

Maybe John

My brother John recently commissioned me to paint him a portrait after seeing the most recent ones I did of myself (I'll post those soon). This is a little more interesting, though, because it's not me and there was a bit more to the process since I needed photo reference. Ultimately, I focused on the picture that had a somewhat interesting light source and what I felt accurately represented my brother. This was done fairly quickly and spontaneously, however. In the near future, I'd like to take a more conceptual approach that in some way mirrors the music John is currently wrapping up for his solo project, titled Maybe Bomb. We briefly discussed the idea of painted album artwork which I love and would happy to help execute.

Attention music nerds and tech geeks!

One of my favorite musicians, BT, recently did a lengthy but incredibly interesting interview for Macworld. They discuss everything from his completely unique approach to songwriting/producing to the current direction of technology. Fascinating stuff.

BT, aka Brian Transeau, also just put out a new full-length album titled These Hopeful Machines. It's an epic, 2-disc, 12 track, almost 2 hour piece of music and I highly recommend it. Check out the interview here.

Self Portrait - The Double

Self Portrait - Light

Playing catch-up, Fun with video!

I'm kind of playing catch up here. Once I upload the majority of stuff in my portfolio that I like, THAT's when this place will become a stream of up-to-date art, music, etc. from myself. Though you can definitely expect a "Hey, look what I found!" post every now and then. As for now, I just want to share my recent ventures into video. Hopefully within the next week or two, I'll be posting brand new pieces, which isn't very far fetched since I'm fully engaged in the Spring semester right now.

Here's me painting a portrait of one of my favorite musicians - Chris Corner, aka IAMX. The quasi-finished piece can be seen above.

Valentine's Day playlists

During Valentine's Day 2009 I created these two playlists (one for lovers, one for lonely hearts) spent too much time on them, but had fun doing it. By sharing it this year, I'm partly justifying all that time I spent simply arranging songs I liked. I'm glad I saved it.

You'll see a lot of repeat artists, but that was to create some parallels between the two mixes... and it should tell you how much I like some of these bands. If you're bored, look up any of them. One way or another they all get my seal of approval.



"Feel The Love"



Dream On - Depeche Mode
Underneath the Stars - The Cure
Feel The Love - Cut Copy
Paris - Friendly Fires
Is It Alright? - The Lovemakers
The 23rd Boy - Ken Andrews
Morning Dreams - Ladyhawke
Tony The Beat - The Sounds
Heart On - Eagles of Death Metal
I Remember - Stabbing Westward
You're the Conversation (I'm the Game) [feat. Sue Denim] - Chris Corner
Once Upon A Time - Air
Another Space Song - Failure
Is This Called Desire - Charlotte Martin
Higher Love - Depeche Mode



"It Hurts Me All the Time"



Today - KMFDM
Misery Loves Company - The Lovemakers
It Hurts Me All the Time - Faunts
Magic - Ladyhawke
Send a Little Love Token - The Duke Spirit
Another Love Song - Queens of the Stone Age
Toward The Waves/I'm Ready - The Twilight Singers
Love Is Like - Skold Vs KMFDM
Moan (Vocal Version feat. Ane Trolle) - Trentemøller
Bloodsport - Sneaker Pimps
Goodnight Lovers - Depeche Mode
Naturally Lonely - The Lovemakers
This Will Make You Love Again - IAMX
Twilight - The Twilight Singers

Bonus Track:
I Was in Love with You - The Gutter Twins


FYI, the "Gasmask Romance" image at the top is this sketch I've had for a while that I really like. It came close to being a finished, colored piece at one point, but as you can see, it didn't quite make it. Still, I like it enough to share. The other tiny guys are doodles of mine that I threw in for fun.