White Alligator

Here's an image that works well for a portfolio. It immediatly gives the viewer a character, and a situation. This was inspired by some real albino alligators that I had heard about back in 1995. I imagined what it would be like for the poor guy the first time he figures out that he doesn't look like everyone else.

Look what I found!

One of my favorite's from my 1995 portfolio. Simple, funny, clear. I really like this little girl, and she's just so pleased with herself. If they could all be this pure.

Nice costume, but...

He's a drawing that, while I like it, is a total failure as a portfolio piece. It's a nice character design, but that's about it. There's no hint of a story or a struggle, and, while the gesture works, it seems to be very static, conveying no movement at all. Eh...can't win them all.

What are you looking at?

More from my 1995 portfolio. Originally, I wanted this to look as if he was hiding behind the mailbox, and peeking out a bit. However, it ended up looking as if he was trying to blend in with the mailbox and not be noticed. I liked either one, but felt I should have been more in control of the image.

You've got something on your face...

Here's another from my 1995 illustration portfolio. One thing I like to think about when I create an image, is to wonder what part of the story it's from. Is this the beginning of a story, the middle, or the end? Who nose? Get it?

Sinking Ship

Here's an image from my old illustration portfolio. I am going to be posting all of the work that I showed to publishers when I first began to look for illustration work in 1995. I hadn't seen these in a while, and I'm really stuck at how bold and simple they are. If I remember correctly, they were drawn with a grease pencil on heavy watercolor paper. These drawings were all from ideas that I created myself, my goal being that they would seem as if they were pulled from dramatic, exciting books.

Looking out the window

This one was drawn one summer night while the family was eating a relaxed dinner. I remember the boys leaving the table and returning a few times while waiting for something to cool down. I don't do enough life drawing, but I really enjoy it when I get the chance. I know it's a bit ironic, but I can't wait for Grad School (Visual Arts Education) to be done in May so that I will have more time to make art.