Thursday, April 30, 2009

Baby Bigfoot T-Shirts

Just started building my store featuring my original characters and designs. I have to find a way to support my art and this seems like a win-win arrangement.
You can purchase this T-shirt design at my Zazzle store. I will be adding to it as I go along and incorporating the work into my main Bunnygo store.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

IF - Theater


I did a quick illustration this week just to get in on Illustration Friday. The theme as you probably guessed is 'Theater'. I chose to do some Comedy & Tragedy Masks.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Overcoming Creative Block

You sit down to work on your latest project all fired up, excited about the possibilities, then proceed to stare blankly at the computer screen for an hour. Yep, you’ve got a creative block. Creative block is intimately similar to the all-to-familiar “writer’s block”, but is a much broader definition, encompassing all creative types. You can’t seem to focus your thoughts, nothing comes to mind that you can grab onto and run with, everything seems blank and crappy.

This is actually the easiest problem to beat out of my list, as creative block is typically an immediate threat and not a chronic habit. Of course, repeated bouts could quickly lead to the more permanent habit of procrastination. Here are several techniques to try to overcome this obstacle:

Just keep moving.


The key here is to get momentum on your side. Even if you can’t focus on your chosen goal, just get started on something. Doodle on a piece of paper, write a short poem, and visualize your favorite movie with you in the lead. The idea is to keep your mind working in some creative way. Sometime the blank paper or screen can just be too overwhelming. If you can find a way to start putting something out, you can then move your focus onto the main project. It is easier to direct your creative flow once you get it moving, then to try and hit the mark from a standstill.

Look for inspiration.


When I can’t find the right idea to solve a particular problem I’m working on, I turn to the Internet. I’ll look to other’s work to get my creative juices flowing. Looking at beautifully designed sites, painting, books, etc. can give you ideas for your own projects. One must be wary though not to get so caught up that you spend all your precious time admiring other’s work and never get to create for yourself.

Start by copying.


If you’re really stuck, try imitating a design you like. I find if I try to copy or remake a website I think is great, it usually ends up being something of my own anyway. I will learn from the example but ultimately my own creativity finds its way in and I’ll end up with something new and wonderful. By starting with a finished design, I don’t have to worry about coming up with a totally original idea. Eliminating this requirement makes it easy to get moving.

Walk away.


Sometime you can’t force it. By walking away from your work, by going and doing something else, you allow your subconscious mind to work on the problem. You may find that inspiration will strike if you let you mind have a little space to work.

Collaborate.


Working with a partner or by group brainstorming is a great way to inspire new ideas or to flesh out the ones you are working on.
Hopefully, this has given you good tips on how to overcome and move past your creative blocks and onto the task of making your dreams a reality.

Happy Creating.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Spider Illustration - Monday Artday


I finished my 'Spider' Illustration for Monday Artday. I really challenged myself on this one. I'm trying to create more complete scenes including the main subject, secondary characters, background elements, lighting etc. I also tried to do a more painterly-style as well instead of my usual vector art. It was much harder and more frustrating to move out of my comfort zone. I'm happy with the result but I need more practice with this type of illustration.

Let me know what you like or (even what you don't).

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

IF - Impossibility SPACE WHALE


Here is my latest illustration for Illustration Friday. The theme is 'Impossibility'. What could be more impossible than an intergalactic space-traveling whale?

I'm really trying to work on illustrating complete scenes rather than just my characters. I hope you enjoy this.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Mini Whale


I was inspired to create this illustration using my whale character by a poem (Mini Whale) by Carrie Heyes. You can view her reading the poem in this video clip. I think they go well together.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

IF - Talisman Illustration


This is my latest illustration for Illustration Friday. This week's theme is 'Talisman'. I was quite excited this week when I heard the theme, it conjured up several possible images. I sketched out one that I really liked. Below is the original sketch. Normally I do my illustrations using the scanned sketch as a guide, but this time I didn't have it with me so I created the artwork from the memory. I also did most of the artwork in Photoshop instead of Illustrator. I'm really happy with the results.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

BUNNYGO Portfolio Site Launches

I recently got a new updated version of BUNNYGO.com done. This new portfolio site better showcases my illustration skills in conjunction with this recent blog addition. Check out the new site.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

BUNNYGO Flash Game



This is a test as to whether I can post Flash Files to my Blog. This is the first part of the Bunnygo Interactive Game/Story 1.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Working on New Portfolio Site for my Bunnygo Brand

Currently I am working on designing and building a new portfolio site that better showcases my illustration, design and character work. Should be up by the end of the month if all goes well. I'll keep you posted.