2012 Artist

Ahhhh…. Another year comes to a close. 2012 was beautiful. And in its honor, we once again have invited some of our favorite DFW artists to contribute to a collection of standout works created in the last 365 days.

A variety of artists answered the call, from many different mediums. There’s been no effort here to order them into any categories. What follows is a mash up of Dallas area artists from illustrators, to painters, photographers, and even sculptors.  Also included are a few former Dallas-ites who’ve now moved around the world and still have a connection to artlovemagic.

Enjoy!

Kari Sams
“Playing”

This painting was a “happy accident.” I was using left over colors that I had mixed together from another painting that I had just finished, and was trying to get it done for an art show. I did not even think about what I was painting, so really, I was just playing with the colors. I usually do abstract color fields with a few forms/lines that are not really defined.  Sometimes my color fields give a feeling of one of the elements coming through (Earth, Fire, Water, Air). This is the most colorful abstract I have ever done and it looks like everything at once (all colors, all elements). I usually just stick to a few colors when I do this, sometimes even monochromatic , and I rarely use black. I like how the black turned out in this though. I see my color fields as an expression of spirit coming through. They communicate a feeling or an essence and are better experienced in person. They are open to interpretation by the viewer. Everyone sees it or feels it through whatever their perception or state of mind is at that moment in time.

To see more of Kari’s work, visit her on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100224516284600.2598110.23913914&type=3

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Brad Albright
“Texindigenous”

In total contrast to the suburban sprawl and retail conveniences surrounding us today, as an illustrator in Texas I’m inspired by the mythology of the Old West and the idea that the state was once a brutal wasteland.  In developing ‘Texindigenous’ I challenged myself with exhaustively researched at the Fort Worth Zoo and Historic Stockyards, and the final illustration was carefully drawn with ink and etched on clay-coated masonite.  This image will appear in 3D for those with red/blue glasses!

www.AlbrightIllustration.com

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Jonathan Davis
“La Lumiere d’Aline”

13 x 20 in. / December 2012
mix medium on cotton paper
model: Aline Allen”The Light of Aline”, is distinctive of my style and my subject matter. It is a mixture of watercolor, acrylics, indian ink, colored pencil and glitter. I leave this year, with this painting being one of my most enjoyable. The first in a series of a new muse, Aline Allen.

facebook.com/jonathanmichealdavis

http://davismichealjonathan.wix.com/seventhswan

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Paul Hammerquist
“Water & Balls: Stillframe”

This is a still frame from one of my 3D Animations Water & Balls. It was created using Blender a free (Open Source) 3D modeling program. The animation took 1 week to render a 45 second animation.

https://www.facebook.com/DeepEllumHammer/photos

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Samax Amen
“Andre”

Here’s a look at one of the pieces I did for the Undead Celebrities issue of GhettoManga Quarterly. When I started the call for “Undead Celebrities” submissions, I was hoping somebody would choose to draw iconic wrestling star Andre the Giant. Since no one did, I had to do it myself!

I did three pieces for that issue, but this one is my favorite, because it feels so light and whimsical. I don’t do whimsical nearly as much as I’d like.

Peep more of my work at Ziontific.com

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Harmony Witte
“Recycle Revolution Mural”

March 2012
Acrylic on cinderblock

This is an approximately 18 foot tall mural I did on the side of the Recycle Revolution warehouse at the corner of Chestnut and Davis in Deep Ellum. This project really stands out to me because it was a huge stretch to accomplish. I had never tackled anything so large and I didn’t have the first idea about graffiti! It turned out as something that makes me proud and was recently used as a backdrop for a HGTV commercial! I began working on it during the Occupy movement and it felt so appropriate to be painting the word “revolution” on the side of a building. It really amazed me how many people from the neighborhood would approach me and talk while I worked. People love to talk about the art they have made or seen that has been stamped on their soul. They would stand and watch me work for hours. I hope that each of them sees this sometimes and feels like a little piece of them is in the wall–I know I do.

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Patricia Rodriguez
“The Path of Intuition”

24″ x 24″

acrylic/krylon on canvas

I completed this piece in 2012 and it’s the second in a series I’m working on called “The Path Of”. My pieces are like meditation for me and I approach each piece with no sketch or plan in mind. Sometimes dream images are the inspiration but I paint spontaneously and let the symbols, colors and images just pop into my brain and canvas at the same time. This piece is about following your Intuition and finding the fruits even though you’re blind.

For more work please visit:

http://www.tigerbeearts.com
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Lawwrence Alexander
“Captain America”

Prisma Pencils and black Ink

This piece done and donated at the Dallas Comic Con for The Wounded Warrior Project. Lawrence was one among many local and profession comis artists that donated and perform at the event. The piece was then auctioned off to the final bid of $1025.

To see more of Lawrence’s work, visit: http://www.lawrence-alexander.com/fineart.html

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JC Barbara
“Anatomy Studies”

There was once a time when understanding human anatomy, hierarchy, structure, perspective and design where essential practices for the artist to master. In the 21st century this philosophy seems to continue to dissipate. For this reason I find myself trying to rediscover the spirit that drove the old masters. My focus in this piece centers on the beauty of the back. Studying how the forms stretch and compress depending on which major muscles or bones are pulling or contracting, gives the human back a near infinite reservoir of appealing poses to observe and admire.

Link to website …. http://ironturtlestudios.com/sketchbook/

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Alexandria Quinn
“Lament for the Nations”

36″ x 24″(plus installation of cascading paper flowers on floor below), February 2012.

Lament for the Nations came about as I was seeking to further surrender my artistic talents to the Lord. Last year as I studied the book of Acts I was moved by how willing the first missionaries were to give everything for their Father, MY Father. I learned about Gladys Aylward, who left everything she had known to pursue the Lords will. I also read the words of Susan Bergman who once wrote: “How to draw close to them?” speaking of those who are suffering in Christ. My heart was grieved, how could I connect with those living with persecution and oppression? As I contemplated this prayerfully many scriptures came to mind including these words of Paul: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27) We are ONE WITH THEM. We share in our sufferings and rejoice in the hope of Jesus Christ, who saves us all from our sins and redeems us to the Father. This piece of art is my prayer, my lament over all the nations to mourn over those that are still lost, but also bring attention to those that have given their life for our Lord. There may be much persecution, but even in that our hope, our love, our faith and God’s kingdom is ever multiplying.

http://calledtobeanartist.blogspot.com/

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Jose Ramirez
“A girl smoking a cigarette in space.”

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Khalid Robertson
“Attack the Block”

One of my favorite movies that I saw this year was Attack the Block. It was epic! I made posters to sell for people, hoping a lot of folk would get it, when I sold them at shows. Alas, all I got was “hey he has a sword!”. The iconic scene in tho movie was when Moses, the kid with the sword, was running from a stack of furry black alien dogs. They made those aliens dark like ink. So I figured, it would be cool to make a piece where that black tone integrated with the letterbox frame and played with the negative space. I dig it, but like all things I see changes I can make.”

http://www.behance.net/khalidsteelob531

https://www.facebook.com/khalid.steelo

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=11926026&trk=tab_pro

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Kevin Obregon
“Mus(i)ca Domestica”

“This 22” long sculpture, “Mus(i)ca Domestica”, was a prized auction item for Art Conspiracy 8’s SEED event, and has an embedded digital music player/amplifier built into it’s body, along with a pair of 2″ speakers, which can be found behind the “compound” eyes. The idea came to me when I first heard the selected artists were going to be given speakers as a common thread or theme for this year’s event. The house fly, which oddly enough has the latin name “Musca Domestica”, seemed beautifully serendipitous when it came time to naming it. The piece was auctioned off at $950.”
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Kathryn Petroff
“Just Passin’ Through”

Mixed Media on Panel, 30″x48″,
For Sale

The painting I am most proud of this year is “Just Passin’ Through”.  It
is the first painting in a new series I began in 2012, with many more to
follow.  I believe this piece has allowed me to find my voice as an artist
and has awakened a drive and creativity I have never felt so intensely
before in my artworks.  Each of the trinkets she carries has a real
personal story from my friends and family.  The pocket watch belonged to
my grandfather.    The thimble on a string belongs to a friend of mine and
is one of the few items found in her family home after Hurricane Katrina.
I love the idea of “collecting” memories and thinking of the stories these
trinkets carry with them.  I am currently working an a second painting of
this woman, on a new part of her journey.  Many people have asked about
her, and I wanted to know as well.

Visit my website, www.klpfineart.com,
for more portfolio images and to see progress on this new series.
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Eddie Walker
“Kaitlin: Dia De Los Muertos”

I really enjoyed doing this piece for the last ArtLoveMagic Art & Coffee I participated in for the 2012 year, held first Friday of November, where the theme was Dia De Los Muertos. The face started out as a white in keeping with the face painting agenda that was the celebration. I didn’t actually know what kind of design to  go for. After looking at several examples, I just decided to wing it. So much fun. The face belongs to Kaitlin Epperson. The design is all mine.

View more of my art at

www.eddiewalkerart.com

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Carolyn Collins
“Rewind To A New Moment”

In order to appreciate where we are going, what we are capable of, and the possibilities our future holds… we must take into account where we have been, what we have learned, and what we have experienced in our past. Every component of our past is waiting to be rearranged into a new and exciting field of discovery… of all that surrounds us and all that lies within us. I love to collaborate, especially when it’s for a great cause! Borrowing some old watch & clock parts from a friend, I felt like an imaginative & curious child, as I carefully built this temporary sculpture… solely for the purpose of shooting this photograph. 50% of the proceeds from ANY item featuring the Rewind To A New Moment image (including boutique gift items) will go directly to ArtLoveMagic’s Kids Music and Art Workshops. Why? Because KIDS NEED THE ARTS!

www.carolyncollinsphotography.com

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Cal Slayton
“Gotham Girls”

I’m very grateful that I got to a lot of illustrations this year. This piece is probably my favorite. I wanted to create an 11 x 17 print I could sell at conventions and decided on doing a Gotham Girls illustration. I also knew I wanted to do a limited color palette. I sketched it out by hand, scanned it and then recreated it using Adobe Illustrator. It took forever to do, but I finally finished it and am really happy with how it turned out.

http://calslayton.deviantart.com/
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That’s it! May 2013 produce amazing local art as well.
This blog was put together by Michael Lagocki for artlovemagic.

To see last year’s collection of 2011 art, click here.

Underground 2012 Press Release

Contact: David Rodriguez
Tel. 972-743-3105
Email: david@artlovemagic.com

“Underground 2011”
“Dallas’ Largest Live Art Event”
February 11, 2012
Janette Kennedy Gallery within
South Side On Lamar
1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215
8pm – 12am (7pm open to VIP’s)
$15 door

Organization Website: http://artlovemagic.com/

Event Website: http://undergrounddallas.com/

facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/UndergroundInDallas

facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/315895895088242/ArtLoveMagic, a Texas NFP organization proudly announces Underground.

Underground has a tradition of being the biggest, loudest, freshest show ArtLoveMagic does every year at South Side On Lamar (1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215). In 2012 you can expect no less than 50 live artists, dozens of art forms, and absolutely incredible live performance acts. The show will be for one night only, Saturday, February 11, from 8pm to 12am. A two week long exhibit containing works from artists performing in Underground will be on display prior to the event within the Janette Kennedy Gallery (1/27 – 2/11). Like all ArtLoveMagic events, this experience will be live and interactive. Each artist whose work is in the two week long exhibit will be creating live on February 11th, 2012. Audience members will watch artwork come to life, while musicians, dancers and poets entertain on the stage. Live performances by Spoonded Tribe, Katsük, Keisha Hunter, Ashley Falgout and more. In addition, Underground will also feature the Blue Room once again, a 21+ room where you can see bodies painted, various sensual art, and unique presentations.Entry is $15 at the door.  But you can buy discounted tickets right now at www.artlovemagic.com or at http://underground2012.eventbrite.com (discounted tickets available only through midnight 2/9/12).

   ArtLoveMagic was founded in January of 2007 with the belief that a staggering amount of artistic talent in Dallas was going unrecognized and/or underdeveloped.  We have created more than 100 live experiences, involving over 1000 artists and performers. What generally is missing from gallery shows is so obvious that we usually take that lacking for granted – the creators responsible for the artwork. Thankfully, our artists are always present and creating live, which offers a unique opportunity for audiences to learn, co-create, and for perspective clients to inquire about the creative process.For more information on Underground and the artists/musicians involved, please visit www.artlovemagic.com or http://undergrounddallas.comWe hope to receive your support at this, our most anticipated event of the 2012.Visit our amazing sponsors:

Astounding Sounds & Lighting –

http://www.astoundingsounds.com/

Big D Party Rentals –

http://www.bigdpartyrentals.com/

DART –

http://dart.org/

Rock and Roll Tacos –

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-And-Roll-Tacos/249777585040391

Eventbrite –

http://www.eventbrite.com/

Titan Comics –

http://www.titancomics.com/

Southside on Lamar –

http://southsideonlamar.com/

Poor Vida –

http://www.poorvida.com/

Rec Shop –

http://www.recshop.net/

Ufilmhouse –

http://www.ufilmhouse.com/

2826 Arnetic –

http://www.club2826.com/

Deep Eddy Vodka –

http://www.deepeddyvodka.com/

Absinthe –

http://www.absinthelounge.net/

Deep Ellum Brewing Company –

http://deepellumbrewing.com/

Red Bull –

http://redbull.com/

We love drawing.

It’s not all paintings and sculptures, you know. The foundation of art is really drawing. Here are a few hand drawn images from local illustrators that have caught our eye recently.

Kevin Steele’s linework is just beautiful. And those smart choices of where to lay the color in, leaving the rest to line and paper, really make her face and tattooes pop. A beautiful drawing.

You can see Kevin do some of this live live at February 11th’s UNDERGROUND show.

This pencil drawing by artist Will Klein was a commissioned Christmas present for ArtLoveMagic’s Michael Lagocki. Click on it to zoom in, and really catch the details and the softness of the drawing. Also, check out someone’s best friend hanging out in the clouds.

This image currently welcomes visitors at the frontpage of www.artlovemagic.com.

Cartoonist Khalid Robertson recently posted the above sketches for an upcoming project that he’s still working out the ideas on. When Khalid does get everything figured out in sketches, he’ll usually complete the drawings in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

You can see more of Khalid’s work, and meet him, and watch him create art live at February 11th’s UNDERGROUND show.

Jason Kinney’s pencil drawings fool the eye into thinking another medium is being used. But his tools are simple (probably in your desk drawer now). He manages to get all those soft gradations simply through careful drawing and erasing. Smart use of dark and light is very important here. Look at the difference between the lightest white on the drawing and the darkest black.

This above drawing, a re-creation of William Bouguereau’s painting ‘Innocence’, was recently featured in our 2011 artist blog as Jason’s selection for one of his favorite works of the year.

Cal Slayton has done a variety of freelance art in his career including plenty of published comic book work. One project Cal has recently been active in is the creation of original hand drawn comic book covers. Marvel has taken to publishing comics with pure white covers for artists to draw on. The inside is a normal comic, but the cover is blank bristol. Cal’s done dozens of these using lots of different themes and characters.

Cal Slayton was a featured artist in the very first ArtLoveMagic show. To commission a comic with a hand drawn cover from him, hit him up at www.calslayton.com

The Night Art & Coffee Stole Christmas

We had an amazing night on Saturday 12/17/11. We celebrated Christmas with the artlovemagic fam and about 150 our of closest friends.

Thankfully, event photographer Robert Hold documented all facets of the evening and took some beautiful photos while doing so. And photo booth photographer Kelsey Paine set up one of the most amazing booths we’ve ever had, complete with winter snowflakes shooting at the attendees from a canon-like-object.

We mixed up some of the best photos from both photographers here, and have links to the full sets at the bottom of this post. Enjoy.

The full set of Robert Hold’s event photography can be seen, downloaded, and ordered here:

http://roberthold.photoshelter.com/gallery/Art-Love-Magic-12-17/G0000cXKk8KaDna4/

The full set of Kelsey Paine’s winter photobooth photography can be seen, downloaded and ordered here:

http://lostandfoundfocus.smugmug.com/Photobooth/ArtLoveMagic-Holiday-Show2011/20669114_bLKxVc#1639085302_ZR8hrF9

A special thanks to the good people at Life In Deep Ellum & Mokah Lounge for providing space for this event.

Xavier’s School

post by Michael Lagocki

ArtLoveMagic has purchased about 30 copies of this special blank artist’s cover of the XMen #1 comic. The cover is made from illustration bristol. The rest of the book is a normal comic book featuring the Xmen.

Saturday NIght (9/10/11) at Synchronicity, we’re going to pilot the idea of using these special comics to raise money for local children’s causes. Artists David Rodriguez, Will Klein, and Khalid Robertson will take the first 3 comics and draw original XMen covers on them. Will’s drawing the character Nightcrawler, Khalid will be doing Marvel Girl.

I don’t know who David’s decided to do yet.

The comics will be auctioned off during the night. Money collected will benefit local kids (I have a first target in mind, but haven’t spoken to them yet). Attendees of Synchronicity will be able to bid on the books. One of a kind. Originals.

If this all goes like I expect this will be an ongoing program, with many more artists. I want to call it Xavier’s School.

We’ll post pictures of the first 3 results here at the blog after Saturday Night’s show.

-ML

The XMen are, of course, the property of Marvel Comics.

Artist Spotlight: Khalid Robertson

Tell me a little bit about yourself..

Well let’s see. I’ve been drawing and making stuff since about 7th grade. I think that book Dark Knight Returns got me started. After that, that was all she wrote. I set off to do this comic/art thing.
I ended up at Prarie View A&M after high school, at L.C. Anderson in Austin Texas, where I’m originally from. It was a good school. Made a lot of friends, but it wasn’t what I was about. I think this is around the time I started getting my never ending requests of : Can You Draw My Logo?
After a while, Prarie View couldn’t give me the education I needed, so I went to University of North Texas. My major was Communication Design (i.e. Graphic Design). It was cool also. I met plenty of people and learned a lot. HOWEVER, none had as much of a profound effect on me as the mighty Ghostwerks crew; Mario Cauley, Samax Randolph, Corance Davis and Michael Lagocki!
I learned a lot about comics, art and focus. I saw my faults and my strengths, and in the process, I developed strong life long relationships. I graduated in 1997 from UNT, andstarted in the web design business. I kept drawing and still do, and I hope to keep growing as an artist as much as possible.

As you have grown within your talent, what inspires you to create?

Animation does a lot. I need a better computer so I can get more of what I want. 3D, 2D, After Effects, Game design, and movies. All are inspirations, from Turbo Teen to FLCL.

How long have you been producing your craft and why did you begin this form of expression?

I started in about ’84. I remember I got back from a Boy Scout camp out and went to the mall after washing off  Boy Scout funk. I’d gone to the book store and found a book called “Drawing Comics the Marvel Way”. I’ve never been so hyped. I think I was on that thing from 4 to 11pm. From there I got into a lot of the Image Comics’ guys and grafitti.
I never really picked up a krylon can, but enjoyed the aesthetic all the same. After that I try to apply as much as I know can fit into whatever project I can do.

What do you ultimately want to accomplish with your talent?

I would love to make an animated movie for myself, direct a big budget animated movie, have my own product and company and keep working to make comics.
The ultimate goal of all of this though, is to realize who I am and learn to trust it.

Outside of your artistry, what other interests do you have?

I have typical interests: basketball, women, religion and learning how to cook.  A big one is music, and how beats are made and the applications people use these days. People use iPhones to make beats now. Crazy.

What was your first experience with ArtLoveMagic?

Wow. I suppose a big one was Samax and I teaching kids about art from ages 5 – 15. I had a drawing of spider man and one kid was so hyped to be there, that he asked me how to do it.  That and the third until I finally just gave him the picture. I thought to myself,” he’ll figure it out.”

What web address can one go to to view more of what you do?

http://www.khalidoscope.com

or my Facebook: Khalid Robertson (that has a lot)

How can someone contact you?

khalid.steelo@gmail.com
PEACE!

Did you feel that?

A collection of truth experienced at Underground 2011.  Feel free to add your own thoughts. Gratitude, grace and inspiration all around.

Arazeli ‘Sally’ Torres –
“Underground is packed! If you not here yet…come on over!”

Amberly Russell –
“Spoonfed Tribe! holy holy damn they are good!”

 

Jerod Alexander –
“holllly crap yall are my heroes!!..realtalk- … proud”

Dee Hill –
“omg, omg, omg. off the chizzzain wonderful!”

Elizabeth Fieler –
“:) I wanna do it again!”

Cathy Hutchison –
“I know you guys are exhausted, and that often after the high of a successful show you can emotionally crash.  I just want to reaffirm what you did last night for all of the artists and musicians that participated.  You guys, through sweat and personal sacrifice created something amazing.  You valued creative people as artists and not only changed the way Dallas sees each of those people, but more importantly, the way those people see themselves.  I am amazed by all of you.”

Bear Claw –
“It was the biggest one they have ever had. It was awesome to see so many people there appreciating and supporting local art. It was a beautiful sight.”

Sarah Fulk –
“Underground was beyond imagination! Thank you to everyone that came out , supported and showed love. ♥”

“Konichiwa” Zach Schrotter -“A lot of folks I love put their heart and soul into making Underground happen. this single is a perfect culmination of those people coming together to get their voices heard. ArtLoveMagic moves people to create and work together. I love seeing what happens when a unique vision of collaboration comes to fruition. David, GOAT, Josh, congratulations on a job well done.”

Patricia Rodriguez –
“That was insane, amazing, inspiring….I can’t thank you enough. Everyone was so nice to work with- thanks to everyone for all their hard work and efforts in making the night MAGICAL! ♥”

Fatimah Reaves –
“Loved it! Artists doing what they do, musicians jammin, spoken word flowin, photographers on point, everyone was so cooooool. Again, loved it!”

Amoa Soleil –
“Underground last night is more than my heart can digest this morning .. it’ll take some time.”

Christopher Garcia –
“To all those who had a hand in birthing the awesomeness that is ArtLoveMagic, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Underground was an amazing experience and it was an honor to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see my work and for all the kind words. Love all around.”

Khalid Robertson –
“Underground: WOW! I didn’t know it was gonna be that thick! DAMN good time. Sold some product, hung out with friends, good music and more fine chicks than a strobe light. I need to make big paintings, more shirts and another book. Good times all around. Props to ArtLoveMagic!”

Sarah Zamora –
“I love ArtLoveMagic. Brilliant event, thanks.”

Kevin Obregon –
“Had an awesome time last night at ArtLoveMagic’s Underground Show. Bravo producers, volunteers, artists and art lovers! You people are out of control! Thanks for the opportunity, ArtLoveMagic. It was so fantastic seeing all my friends & fellow artists! I finished 4 out of 5 canvases.”

David Rodriguez –
“I look forward to jammin’ with you guys again. I don’t even know how we can top this years Underground but 2012 will come around and we’ll get to enjoy this madness again. Blessings to you all!”

photo credits
Justin Nygren, Brandy Nicole, Luis Torres, Sally Torres, Sherry Smith, Dee Hill, Christian Ward, Vanessa Bates
– THANK YOU!!!

Comicpalooza – a live art benefit

ArtLoveMagic has some good roots in comics. Founders Michael Lagocki and David Rodriguez have both been fans and active participants in the Dallas comics scene for many years prior to artlove. So it’s with no small amount of enthusiasm that we approach this new event on January 22nd that will raise money for veterans of the comics industry facing serious needs.

 

Samax Amen - creating live

Comicpalooza, a very cool Houston based show, reached out to artlovemagic because of our ties to the local art community and asked us to be involved. They are coordinating a multi-city live art event to raise funds for the Hero Initiative, an organization that protects veteran comic book creators in medical or financial crisis. This is a wide spread problem among golden and silver age comic creators who worked before fair contracts and royalties came to comics.

 

James O'Barr - creating live

The early response from artists has been fantastic. Already involved are an impressive collection of artist who will create comic themed work live:

David Rodriguez - creating live

Live artists include
James O’Barr (the Crow)
Samax Amen (ghettomanga.com & magazine)
Khalid Robertson (Champion of Children)
David Rodriguez (renowned Dallas painter)
Jerod Alexander (graffiti artist)
Isaac Davies (graffiti artist)
Bob Luedke (Eye Witness)
Michael Lagocki (ghostwerks, artlovemagic)
Trayce Cochran (street artist)
Lawrence Alexander (painter)
Cal Slayton (Shades of Blue)
Christopher Garcia (Marvel/WildStorm/CrossGen colorist)
Joe Skilz (graffiti artist)

All artists will be creating work that will be auctioned off night of the show for the Hero Initiative. (Auction starts at 11pm). Doors will be open as early as 8. We’ll be rolling full steam by 9. Music will be handled by an awesome host of Dallas DJs including Hologram Dagger, and DJ Dean Dillenger.

18 and up.
Only 3 bucks to get in.

Bob Luedke will be there creating live.

Come be a part of a special night that benefits the people who created the characters that shaped our lives. Incredible music, mind blowing live art, and rare comic collectibles for sale to benefit the charity.

Saturday, January 22 at 9:00pm

at Arnetic (Deep Ellum)

2826 Elm Street

Dallas, TX

Want the face book page?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178387758858842

You can also help us spread the word, by sharing this page or using this flyer image:

Have access to photocopies? Here’s a two-sided print version/ with our big UNDERGROUND show. Click the image. Print out on both sides of the same paper and cut in half. It makes 2 sheets with each event on one side.

If you want to help with this event, here’s the best things you can do:

1- Got a rare comic collectible you want to contribute to our buy it now table? Email mike@artlovemagic.com

2- Help us spread the word and bring a crowd!

3- We’re still looking for one or two more sponsors at the $100 level to help pay for art supplies. Contact mike@artlovemagic.com if you or your business is interested.

Open House + Love Pancakes (dec 2010)

We did it again. The last time we opened our office doors and shared some art and pancakes with the world was a blast. It called for another run of greatness. So last night (Dec 1st, 2010) we brought out the paintbrushes, the guitars, and the pancake batter once again.

Artists in the house! Ashley Jones spins up a new creation while Khalid and Samax make noise!

Of course, David blows everyone away again with his gorgeous work.

The young artists aren’t having it. They prove that the marker is mightier than the brush.

Ahhhh, Mama Nye. You can taste the love in her cooking. It’s delicious.

Pancake lovemarks.

Uh… don’t ask.

The first Wednesday of the month is usually a meeting for us. This is about as “meeting” as we got last night. A dry erase board with the next four events listed on it.

Live music is a must, so Deborah Driscoll and Matt Baron brought some beautiful rhythms and vocal to us.

Speaking of beautiful vocals, do you know Eric Tipton? You should. You really should.

Fear not Lawrence, we’ll definitely be doing this again.

Of course not everyone wanted to leave when the night was over.

So we headed to 2826 Arnetic to listen to dj36t spins a few beats.

Thanks everyone for what was a pretty brilliant night. Open Houses are fun! Let’s do this again.

The next open MEETING (ie – we actually get stuff done) is January 5th. Come out and help us revolutionize local art, music, poetry (and occasionally pancakes).

Tools – Photoshop and Illustrator

post by Michael Lagocki

A quick word about artistic process and tools. I’ve become a huge fan of Adobe’s programs Illustrator and Photoshop over the years. The combination of these two is incredibly powerful and allows for an artist to maximize their time by offering a mind boggling array of tools for skteching, drawing and coloring.

I’m gonna use this sketch I stole from Khalid Robertson (who also worked on our new entry page: see the post before this one).

The sketch was done with a pencil and it was the only part of this process that was done physically. Every thing after this was done inside a computer.

The next step happens in Illustrator. Illustrator is a vector tool, meaning it’s based on measuring lines, not on pixels. Open in a vector program, Illustrator images will never pixelate or lose quality no matter how large you blow them up. This is why it’s perfect for things like logos or getting a clean crisp line for a cartoon.

Using a Wacom tablet, I placed Khalid’s sketch on one layer and “inked” the drawing on the second. The tablet and pen allow me to get a line quality similar to a brush. If you look closely at the image to the left, you’ll see the lines have all kinds of line variance. Line variance means the lines go from thin to thick and vice versa, they change their thickness when they’re rounding off corners or coming to a point. Without this, the drawing will look too flat and not be dynamic enough. Illustrator leaves me with an absolutely clean drawing.

note- I honestly still think a sable brush is the best inking tool in the world. But when you take out the time of scanning it, and using messy tools that don’t transport easy, and cleaning up the image after… it’s hard not to go with a digital method on most of my projects these days.

Now that the image is inked, it’s time to take it into photoshop.

Photoshop is not a vector program, it’s pixel based. What it does so wonderfully though is soft coloring effects, gradiants, washes, tonality. I could color in Illustrator too (just as I could ink in Photoshop), but each tool is stronger in one aspect and I use them accordingly.

Selecting various areas, I begin to lay colors in, saving each selection so I can use it later. For example, once I have the entire area of his skin colored with one flat color, I might save it as a selection called “skintone”. That way I can call it up at any time I just want to work with the skin without affecting the rest of the drawing. This will become hugely important below.

I often color the lines themselves too. Especially when cartooning, this can give parts of the image a real lightness, what the whipper snappers might call today an “anime” flavor.

Coloring is usually pretty fun for me, although it can be time consuming. Professional colorists in the comic book world often hire assistants to “flat” their images for them (flat= to lay in flat colors and save all the various selections). That way they just come in later and adjust the colors and add effects.

Speaking of adding effects I needed to do something with the wand and that weird energy pack this guys was holding. I did this in the middle of the night and hadn’t talked to Khalid about any of it, so I made up my own solution. Taking the drawing back into Illustrator I created the weird energy beam that connects his wand to the backpack.

Finally I brought that energy beam back into Photoshop, placing it on a separate layer above the colored image. Putting it own it’s own layer allowed me to handle it separately from the rest of the drawing (meaning I could add that noisy gradient energy over it easily. On this particular image that’s really the only layer work I do. On a more complex image (like a full comic page), I may have dozens of layers before the image is complete.

And we’re done….

…ooops wait a minute.

So the next morning I look at it again, and I’m less sure about my color choices. That garish yellow I put in the background was a last minute decision and I liked it a lot better at midnight than I did the next morning at 10am. Fortunately, if you’ll remember, I saved all those old selections (like “skintone”) in my Photoshop file. A re-color is only a few shifts in color tone away. Using Photoshop’s Hue/Saturation tool I alter the colors one by one. This is EASY and in a  matter of minutes I have a complete recolor of the image.

Ha! And there you have it. Full inking and coloring in a digital method, complete with easy fixes when you change your mind.

If you’d like to see more posts on our blog that talk about artistic processes like this, let us know and we’ll conjure a few more local artists up to do them.

Keep Drawing!
-ML