The role of a graphic artist

For the most part, I have been able to accomplish goals I set when I was younger through the first half (wishful thinking) of my life. In most cases I've had to take the "road less traveled" to get there and the picture was often a blurry resemblance of my vision. But I've gotten close.

As a kid, I wanted to do two things—become an Air Force officer and make a living as an artist. I wanted to be a pilot, but ended up as an Aircraft and Munitions Maintenance officer where I worked around aircraft and on the flightline.

I have been making my living using my artistic ability for most of my adult life when I wasn't in the Air Force. When I was in the USAF, I used my talents as much as possible as well. My vision was to be a painter and illustrator working in a studio full-time. The reality is that I have made it work being a graphic artist for a health care company while working on the side as a designer and illustrator. I have also worked for a long time as a fine artist drawing and painting.

Recently, I've been working harder on my painting and drawing.

I was describing my approach to my work to a co-worker recently. I said that when I work as a fine artist, I do what I want in the style that I want. People who commission artwork, do so seeking my style and my vision to their subject. When I work as a graphic artist, I have to put aside my own vision and become the conveyor of my client/customer's vision.

This creates a tough situation. Often, my customer presses for a solution where the message and the visual aren't in synch, or for an inappropriate or outdated approach. I give them my best thoughts, but they usually just want what they want. This leaves me with the task of creating my best effort to provide the wrong solution. This illustration is a perfect example.

In this setting, I hope it is a cute cartoon. I am not inclined to create trite images in my old age, but the cartoon is not too bad when removed from the context it illustrates.

I have been working on some paintings and drawings that I have to wait to post until they are delivered. I also want to post some illustrations I did for a book, but I need to see if the authors are concerned about putting something out before the book is created. I have been busy, but need to get more busy.

Beau's First Hunt

This is a drawing that I did from a photograph of Beau's first hunt for my daughter's boyfriend for Christmas.

More Christmas

Here is a sign that I did for my daughter's boyfriend's mother to give to her father. Fun sign and painting of a rainbow trout.

Busy Christmas

I had to wait until after Christmas to post a couple of pieces that I completed. This is Dover. I have used another pooch from this customer for a long time—Normandy, the black lab. I also did another dog—Beau—for my daughter's boyfriend. I will post that later as I don't have the picture downloaded yet.

I also did a house drawing, but had to do it so quickly that I wasn't able to get a scan. Bummer.

I've been working on an illustration for a book, but I will have to see if anyone will be bothered by my posting the illustration before the pitch.

So, very busy, just not able to share much visually. I will be firing up the painting effort with my new easle! (Christmas goodie from my girlfriend of 31 years) I have a commission first, then start working on paintings for next year's BFA.

IF: Prehistoric

I haven't done Illustration Friday in a while, although I follow it in lurker pretty regularly. I had the need to do a little drawing, so here are some beasties following the kill by some prehistoric hunters. Its good to draw--even badly.

Long Time No Post

It's been a long time since I posted. I finished the Marine Corps Marathon run and did some hiking in the Adirondacks this past month. I haven't been painting because I've been replacing my windows (almost done). It's time for our company holiday card and the illustration I created is here.

What's been taking up my time

Ok, hopefully none of your screens broke when you opened this post. I have been a little behind in creating any artwork because I have been focusing on my sentinal event for my 50th year--training for the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct 31 in DC. That's my chunky butt in the middle of my 23 mile training abuse last weekend. I don't know why I feel obligated to put that here, but I do. Perhaps someone will take pity on me and give me artwork to do rather than allowing me to be out on the street looking like this!

The group that I am training with, Marathon Rocks, is a part of Easton ROCKS, which raises money via marathon for after-school activities for kids in our area. We raised $25,000 for the YMCA to put toward construction of an after school facility. A drop in the bucket, but a knoble effort none the less. So, two more training runs and then the big event. I am dressing up as a scary, hairy, marathoner for Halloween. BEWARE if you are in DC!