Ordinary Heroes

I've been wanting to post about this for awhile, but I refused to show any work during the process because it was a secret project. Then, I became very busy with work, and didn't have time. Well, I have a few minutes while I'm doing some other work so, without further ado may I present to you one of the most amazing projects I've ever been a part of. 

Again, I apologize for the graphic heavy page. Please bear with me. *GROWL*

The Audrey Lagos Superhero Experience! 

Allow me to set the scene.... 

It was a dark and stormy night, and while I was enjoying a cup of black coffee and a slice of dark cherry pie my phone rang. 

"Who is this? Can't you see I'm trying to enjoy this pie?" I wailed into the receiver.

"Blake? This is Robbie."

His voiced cracked back hard enough to leave the thunder in the shadows.

"I have a favor to ask you, " he requested.

"What's the haps, Rob?" I shot back without thinking. 

Robbie then spent the next twenty minutes telling me about this beautiful and strong woman with the allure of a bright moon low on the horizon over a misting lake in the woods. She's the kind of dame a guy would kill for, and probably has. Apparently, she got into a scuffle with cancer, and has been trudging through it with the positivity of a Buddhist monk and the willpower of a Spartan warrior. 

"I want to do something amazing for her, Blake." His voice was stern and sincere. I could tell this was going to be bigger than Chinatown. 

"You got it, Rob. I'm on the case!" I exclaimed and slammed the phone down. 

I quickly had to call him back because I never got the details on the case. 

Robbie wanted me to recreate Audrey as a superhero on a comic book cover. Robbie and Audrey both love superheros and comics, and he wanted to present her with something personal that came from his heart and soul and expressed all the memories and appreciations he has for her presence in this world. 

Amongst working two jobs, going to school full-time and the slew of other projects I had going on, I made this top priority. I started with sketches to be sent back to Robbie for his approval before moving onto the next phase of the plan. I had decided that I would be digitally painting this one. I've learned enough in Photoshop from classes, and I had been using my Wacom drawing tablet more. So, I felt it was the best opportunity to prove myself in this medium. 

Preliminary sketches

Final sketch

After the sketch was approved I moved onto preliminary coloring, which was then approved by Robbie as well. 

Color sketches

The next step was photographing the sketch, and in Photoshop, on a new layer, drawing over the sketch with the Wacom tablet. After that came the color processing. Then I laid out the background design and assets. After that I applied textures to help meld everything together. 

Phone captures of the digital processing

I put about 20-25 hours of work into this project, and I'm very proud of it. I look forward to working more in this medium, and pushing it further and further. Every time I complete a piece in a medium I tend to learn more about how the medium works, and in turn enhance my work. 

I printed out the piece at 11" x 18" and shipped it off to Robbie to present to Audrey. 

Here's the finished the product...

...and here's Robbie presenting it to her. She loved it. 

Robbie and Audrey

"The comic book cover was amazing. I really love it so much. I cried at first sight. Really from the bottom of my heart thank you thank you thank you." ~ Audrey Lagos

I'm honored and proud to be a part of this memory. I will never forget it, and I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from this project to the St. Baldrick's Foundation in Audrey's name. This is the organization her and her friends raised money for and then shaved their heads in solidarity for Audrey. That's quite an amazing group of friends and family she has. Again, I'm very proud to be a part of this. 

The world loves you, Audrey. You have the strength to get through any challenge before you. That cancer doesn't stand a chance. 

Donate to St. Baldrick's Foundation

St. Baldrick's Foundation Webpage 

St. Baldrick's Foundation Facebook Page 

St. Baldrick's Foundation Twitter Feed

As always, there is more to come...

~3

Breaking It Out

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that the more precisely the position of some particle is determined, the less precisely its momentum can be known, and vice versa. It is also commonly confused with the observer effect stating that the measurements of certain systems cannot be determined without affecting those systems. Both of these ideas perfectly compliment Breaking Bad, and the fact that Walt chose Heisenberg as his alter ego is perfect for the closer we observed his actions and motives for said actions the more out of control he became, and predicting what would happen became uncertain.

This is a commission piece I did for my friend #JustinJohnson. He's the biggest Breaking Bad fan I know, and asked me to paint something for his new place. I told him I was working on a Breaking Bad piece attempting to express a visual representation of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle with Walt as the focus. I wanted to showcase all the wonderful colors used throughout the series while at the same time encapsulating the violent downward spiral of Walter White.

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is acrylic on canvas. Dimensions coming soon. (2013)

View pictures of the progression of the piece here.

~ 3

Urban Impressions

My friend Adam Grogan commissioned me to paint him a piece for his new apartment in Albany, New York where he is moving to attend law school. He gave me a few guidelines; capture a city with yellows, blues, whites, and blacks. This is what he got. :) It's a 29" x 20" canvas painted with acrylic. I quite enjoyed making this piece, and the more I do this the faster the process goes. All and all I believe I put about 20 hours into this from concept to final product. I love watching a sketch of mine grow into something bigger and more meaningful. Adam loved the piece so much he let me take a picture of him with it. 

I realize I'm still using pretty bold colors in my paintings to create a since of friction and contrast, but sometimes it works. I think it may be time to start veering away from this theme, but I love bold colors so much. I attempted to capture the hustle and bustle of the city throughout the year by contrasting daylight and nightlight while adding a dizzying sense of ghosting layers, frenetic movement, and gritty textures. 

Urban Impressions in all it's frenetic glory. 

Adam ready for city life with new wall art for his new apartment. 

~3

Human Nature

A couple of weeks ago I finished a commission piece for a friend of mine. Nick came to me months ago and asked me to paint something for him. Of course, I said yes, but I had no idea what to do. Nothing. I was slowly slipping into a deeper depression at the time, and struggling for clarity and creativity. Finally in a moment of sunshine and lollipops an idea hit me, and I began working on it. 

I wanted to do a piece specifically for Nick. I wanted to capture some of the glory that he exudes. Nick is a fantastic guy. He's funny, he's friendly, and very protective of those that he loves. Like a fierce lion of sorts. He is also very disciplined physically. He has his black belt, and is looking to impart his skills and knowledge to eager students. Nick is young and brash, and I believe still searching for exactly what he wants in life just like a lot of people in this world. Like everyone in this world I believe we're all entangle with harmony, but never in tune with it.  

I wanted to capture the essence of Nick in a painting. Something bold. Something fun. Something displaying traits of how beautiful we all are, but also how we struggle from time to time. 

The piece I painted for Nick I call "Human Nature".

"Human Nature" - 24" x 48" Acrylic on canvas

After I presented it to him he insisted I have a beer and help him hang it. How could I refuse? Here's Nick after the celebratory hanging. 

Working on this commission piece for him was a fantastic experience. I was going through a lot during it, and I lost a lot because of my depression. However, there's always a silver lining somewhere, and I must say this was a pretty bright silver lining. 

If you're interested in an original piece by me for you then contact me, and let me work for you. :)

~3