Inside the Sketchbook II - Travels

I have been blessed to get to travel to some beautiful places over the past couple of years. I wanted to challenge myself by pulling out the sketchbook on these expeditions. To use the sketchbook as a camera. Trying to capture where I was, what I saw, and how I felt. I like this exercise and I hopefully can keep doing it on all the new adventures to come.

 Cambria, CA

 Walt Disney's Barn 

(Awesome Place!)

 House on Mulholland Dr.

 Brand Library

Inside the Sketchbook

Nickelodeon has costumed models come in for life drawing. This mad-steam-punk-scientist came with plenty of costume and props which made for a great challenge and fun subject matter.

 

  

This model came on a different day but brought her own twist to the steam punk theme.

The Adventures of Miles and Doug

Not too long ago some good friends of ours welcomed a new member into their family: a baby boy titled by the name Miles. Miles father and I go back to the early days of high school and I couldn't be happier for him, his wonderful wife, and their two pugs.

This project was an absolute blast. My friend's sister, my wife, and I worked together to come up with a unique and special gift for their growing family. We were imagining adventures a little boy and his dog would have that is unique to my friend and his family. We knew one of their dogs, Doug the Pug, had to have quite an influential role in our designs. After we came up with the four themes for the canvases, I threw open my sketchbook. Here is a page from my sketchbook where I thumbnailed ideas for the fishing, Star Wars, biking, and the music designs.

When I had locked down my ideas the painting process began. I loved putting my paint brushes to work again and I really enjoyed doing this project traditionally. Thanks goes out to my wife for all the great pictures you took to document this gift. Please feel free to check out more of her work here. ~ ElahTree ~

 

 

The final paintings. I am truly blessed to know this family and am excited to see all the continued adventures of Miles and Doug the Pug.

Rest well Miles and Doug. Many more adventures await.

42

I grew up playing baseball. I loved to play. I especially loved the snow cones, Gatorade, and/or ice cream after the games. I grew up when all the baseball movies came out too; Angels in the Outfield, Rookie of the Year, The Sandlot, Field of Dreams, and I have sisters so you bet I saw A League of Their Own.

As I got older I pursued other interests but my love for the game rounded a different base. I loved learning about the history of the game and about the players and the stories from a different day and age. Athletes who's motivation was to prove something as they played for the love of the game and not for the fame or monetary reward. One such player was Jackie Robinson. Once I learned who he was, I was hooked.

Here is a pencil on paper piece I did many years ago. I didn't plan this but I happened to find a frame to fit it the same week 42 hits theaters. All these years it finally has a frame and a part of his story will cinematically be told. Needless to say I am excited for 42.

"The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it." 
- Jackie Robinson

A Day at the Zoo

Great company, great weather, creatively inspirational subject material, and a great day to bring along the sketch book. Who doesn't love the zoo?

This little monkey was one of my favorites.

 He finally slowed down for a quick sketch.