Close Ups, in progress...

Of course, I got sick during my school break, the only time I had to start these paintings. The deadline is near and my obligations pretty abundant, so I could not afford to wait. As promised, I will try to give regular updates and maybe I'll do one recap post at the very end of the project.

For this contest, I've decided to submit two paintings (well, one triptych and one single, so four canvases in total). They will feature two different kinds of Californian poppies. I will have three months at the most to finish these, which does sound reasonable, except for the fact that I'm about to start what will probably be my busiest school semester ever! And if that was not enough, I have been considering resuming my "One Day Paintings" on the weekends, probably in preparation for these larger paintings for the contest. At some point, I would like to film some of this and try to upload it here!

My guess is I won't be sleeping much!

About Carbon Footprint and the Creative Process...

Jazz Trio, Pencil on Paper, 8.5 x 11 in. 2006

 

My sketching process has changed dramatically over the years. Even though I still use regular artist pads for sketching, lately I've been only using them to practice drawing. Most of my sketching these days is done on the computer, with the help of a digital tablet and image processing software.

Jazz Trio (cubist version), Pencil on Paper, 8.5 x 11 in. 2006

 
In the process,  I have managed to save a truckload of paper ;)... As a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time I bought paper! I have been using the stuff I already had and I'm not sure if I'm going to restock once I start running low.

Street Fighter inspired cartoon, Digital Media, 2007

 
While digital media is (and should be treated as) a whole monster on its own, I have found the technology has evolved so much, resembling traditional media is not impossible anymore. I'm in no way interested in replacing traditional materials, but I love how I can use computer applications to develop pieces of art that could not have been conceived otherwise. I also love how easily I can come up with variations of the same image and therefore broaden the possibilities of what I will ultimately paint.

And on top of that, if I get to be green and also save some green, then it all gets better.