Jenny, Jonathan, et al..

Thank you [especially Jenny] for great poses

Wanted to Share.

A watercolor and ink Dia de los Muertos [Day of the Dead] piece of a festive skeletal wedding, with flower skeletogirls, a Mariachi, and an all-seeing Lady [Guada]Lupe skull honoring mi paisano Jose Guadalupe Posada.

Currently listening to:

"Preparations for the Last TV" by Yann Tiersen

Illustration Projects [Compilation].

Although I'm already a month into the semester, it brings new ideas and more work but I always enjoy illustration because there is nothing else I'd rather do than draw. Last semester I took my first full-blown illustration class at Fullerton, aside from my years at LACHSA. The class presented some interesting project assignments, from which I've compiled the finished pieces for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy

The anthropomorphic animal assignment consisted of the students picking an animal, an adjective, and a profession from 3 separate envelopes. I picked "famished cow doctor" in which I drew an emaciated cow drooling over his chubby and [selfish] cow nurse's tray o' plenty. I chose to make line a very important aspect of my illustration, where other students chose to rely on the shading and texture of the coquille board.

The second assignment was for the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach, CA. The class went to the park itself for inspiration in the form of photography and on-site drawing. This piece is definitely a step aside from my tight, linear drawings. I chose to focus on the turtles lounging on a platform. A rewarding experience, I felt relieved that I was able to experiment loosely with watercolor.

I chose to illustrate Dracula for the last book cover project. We had to choose from either horror or science fiction books [darn]. Once again, I chose watercolor because I wanted to portray a rather horrifying scene in a sexual, quiet intensity. I did not want to rely so much on the Bela Lugosi's Prince of Darkness nor Stoker's "Fu Manchu" Dracula [long white beard, hairy palms]. I opted for an androgynous character who seems to dance with his maiden.

Until then, The Gomez is out.

Currently listening to:

"Future Country" by Cowboy Clark

Anti-Cupid's Day Card

As we all know, Valentine's Day is one of America's great scams to buy senseless candy [but I suppose our ecnomy needs it..]

Anywho, as a token of my unyielding appreciation to my best friend Bobby, I decided to make him a card to commemorate our friendship. Now, why an Anti-Valentine's card?

1. We both -highly- dislike this "holiday"

2. I like the Spanish term for Valentine's Day:

Dia del Amor y La Amistad

"Love and Friendship Day"

and [most importantly]

3. It's fun as hell

So I won't lie, the idea is not original, I got it from a special little novelty shop in Long Beach that specializes in lingerie and whatnot....

"Valentine's Day a la Van Gogh"

"Whoever said it never takes a little sacrifice?"

...and with an unreal splattering of blood, I present Van Gogh's beautiful little ear to my friend.

My little message to him is none of your business, and I'm glad to report that he loved it.

Until then, The Gomez in out.

Currently listening to:

"Real Gold Glamorous" by Leslie & The Lys

Business Cards.

There's nothing more I appreciate than good business card design, but sometimes it is great to go crazy, especially when the clients ALLOW you creative and aesthetic freedom to do whatever you want. I was granted a generous opportunity to create the business cards and promo flyers for Off With Her Hair! Salon in Brea, California. The owners wanted a Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette meets the sensibilities of the 80's.

I find their choice of time eras highly interesting from a historical context. The Age of Rococo [around first half of the 18th century] and the [19]80's were both significantly complex and eras of change and revolution. The attitudes in turn influenced a style that celebrated and emphasized embellishment and over-opulence. From arabesques, intricate carvings, and gold foiling to big hair, flourescent colors, and huge bows, these two time periods harmoniously collide in terms of design.

The clients wanted a central character/figure that would repeat herself in the promotional flyers and artwork at the salon itself. She remains nameless, but soon enough we'll find a name worthy of her magnificent presence.

This is the final drawing before it goes to print.

I'm so excited!
I need new business cards, speaking of which...

Until then, The Gomez is out.


Currently listening to:
"Gunshots" by Xcoast + RQM

New, New, New.

New year, new blog!
Welcome, new and old readers-- I'm merely continuing my previous blog--
I have new works to post up, those will come shortly...
Much Love,

Gomez

Beauty of Language and The Capacity of Human Evil.

Untitled, Mixed Media on Canvas, 2008.

It's a little late, but I wanted to post up my latest painting- it's yet to be titled, haven't quite found an appropriate name. What began an exploration in color and calligraphic style ended as a study of my painting technique, as well as developing an evolving style. The image above shows the beginning phases of my painting-- I had just finished reading a book on Islamic calligraphy. I did not want to be disrespectful towards this magnificent style of writing, so I imitated the style to a certain [if lesser] degree, hopefully not actually writing something, I hope! Around this time, I had begun reading on [check blog title] the capacity of human evil... It completely influenced me in this unknown way, I just painted until I got frustrated. I don't have an image to document my frustration, but trust me-- it was quite horrifying.

After many failed attempts at completing my work, it is finally done!

As always, critiques always welcome.

Kimchurry, any thoughts?

Until then,

The Gomez is out.