I'm Back!

After a year and a half of neglecting this blog, I've decided to get back on it.  What have I been up to?  Well, sir, how kind of you to ask.  I've been freelancing like crazy - doing design, animation and illustration.

I recently animated the end title sequence for Mr. Popper's Penguins (starring Jim Carrey) at Picture Mill.  I'm now represented by Creative Circle for freelance animation/illustration gigs.  Since late 2010, I've been repped by The Masses for directing music videos.  (Trivia: The Masses started as a collective co-founded by the late Heath Ledger.)  Here are two music videos below that I've recently directed:

I co-wrote and co-produced a children's puppet TV show called Imaginus Zoo. We made a 22 minute pilot, then Panasonic sponsored us to make a 3D skit. Panasonic is currently in negotiations to broadcast the show in Japan. I'll share some clips when I can, for now look at these cute characters:

Since my last post, I made a new portfolio, which you can see on my website. Here's a taste: an illustration job I did for the show Damages (starring Glenn Close):

My friend Barney and I started a belligerent brand of drunk cartoons called Hammered Company. Feel free to like it on Facebook and/or follow on Twitter. Here's a poster we made featuring 2 of our characters:

I'm making comics now and posting them on Tumblr. I'm tweeting, and still eating burritos. Bleh! That was quite a backed-up blog dump. Now back to your regularly scheduled program!

Pucker Up

I'm redesigning the forest in Midsummer Night's Dream for my portfolio.  Here's a sneak peak of the mischievous little fella, Puck.

Deep in the Photoshop Forest

I messed around with shape layers in Photoshop to make this forest.

Some variations on the lighting:

www.IfNotNow-When.com

I made a website for my thesis film:

Click this link to check out the site

I also just put the trailer online. Watch it on YouTube.


 On another note, for Hallow's Eve this year, I dressed up as Prometheus from my film.

  I really enjoyed discovering fire. That kinda made my weekend.

Nightmares & Love Affairs - Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

Upon the eve of Sunday October 18th, you shall be haunted by Nightmares & Love Affairs.

Here's the flyer I made for ze show:

And below is an alternate flier using Heather Hoxsey's photo texture for the background:

I'm selling some prints and original illustrations, recession prices for you and yours along with some talented friends.

Come on down to the opening and check out this creepy collection of work, just in time for Halloween.

Opening's 7-10. @ Sirens - 657 N Spaulding LA 90036...

Other Artists in the show:

Chris Wilson

Heather Hoxsey

Amber Wilson

Foreplay

The Countess

To The Greatest Mentor I Will Ever Know

E. Michael Mitchell, a brilliant artist and beloved teacher at CalArts, passed away early this morning. Mike was an incredible inspiration to so many of us. I first met Mike when I was still in the Fine Art department at CalArts in 2005. I was unhappy and wanted to leave CalArts. I took a few classes in the Character Animation program. One of them was Mike's Life Drawing class. After 5 minutes of drawing in his class, I knew I had to transfer into the Animation department and study under Mike. A couple years later, I became Mike's TA. I drove him home after class and I became close with this mysterious man in the eyepatch, who I used to see in the CalArts hallways. Mike gave me the confidence I needed to claim my artistic voice and refine my skills. He always challenged me to break through my own personal boundaries and continue to push myself. I used to love sitting with him after class to discuss art, animation and the film industry; or just listen to him tell his captivating stories. A piece of advice Mike gave me once stands out in my memory. I was showing him storyboards for my 2008 film "The Pearl Necklace", and he said to me "Don't illustrate words, capture thoughts." Mike left CalArts after the Fall 2008 semester. Luckily my friend Chris Wilson (a fellow CalArtian) and I were able to visit Mike in his Santa Barbara home a few months ago. Mike was still just as sharp as ever and could remember very specific details in his old age. Mike was in pain and struggling for quite some time, until he finally found peace around 3:30 this morning at the age of 89. Mike was a great mentor to so many and he will never be forgotten. Although I only knew Mike for a few years, he has made a remarkable impact on my life, as he has done with so many others. I wanted to post some of his art here as a form of therapy. From conceptualizing Ferngully to countless other credits in animation and live action (half of which aren't listed on his IMDb), Mike Mitchell is a legend and his legacy will live on forever.

Here are some self portraits Mike did:

Here I am with Mike and Chris Wilson, when we visited him a couple months ago:

I will always cherish the fond memories I have of you, Mike. Thank you for changing my life.