there is trouble in the hollow

"there is trouble in the hollow" (original version), originally uploaded by steev-o.

Here is my second entry in Mariam's Moleskine, for our Moly_x_19 Moleskine exchange (also used for the Illustration Friday theme "hollow").

shake monster shake

splotch monster 113 (inverted), originally uploaded by steev-o.

She likes her beats crunchy and her bass refried.

Here's another splotch monster from my second series of 100, inverted in Picnik and used for the Illustration Friday topic "shaky". I still have sixty-three more to go, but they'll all be done by the end of July.

sketch dump: 6/2009

It's July already and it feels like things are somewhat returning to normal around here. I've been doing more drawing again, especially in the watercolor Moleskine, slightly altering and using some of them for other various projects. The sketchbooks are very durable and convenient to carry around - along with some pens and markers, it's like having a mini-traveling art studio. With the watercolor 'skines, I usually lay down watercolor washes ahead of time, allow them to dry, and later work over the pages with pen, marker and other media. More than anything, it's been all about play lately - nothing more, inspired by music, images and the occasional daydream.

blech in pgh/ warp is 20

Recently some friends and I threw a little dance party in Pittsburgh, in honor of the twentieth anniversary of Warp Records and their former club night "Blech". It was a blast playing out (and dancing to) some of the music that has been the soundtrack to my life for the past fifteen years or so, for a younger generation of adventurous ears. It was also an awesome experience hearing some of my favorite music blasting from a big, crisp sound system. A big thanks goes out to Chris for teaching me how to use the mixer, Ian for helping me get the font color just right on the flyer, Mary for the excellent drinks, Jarret for the turntable action, and to all those who came to dance and have a good time.














By the way, the Warp Box Set is finally available, and it's a beauty! If interested, drop by HERE for more details.

"worn (by the rhythm of time)"

"worn (by the rhythm of time)", originally uploaded by steev-o.

mixed media collage made for the illustration friday topic "worn", 6/2009

look up

Lately there have been some insane cloud formations over Leesburg, VA. Last Monday evening we had the best yet, and I forgot my camera. Luckily I got these during the past week, while Kris and I were out and about, enjoying the good weather. Pictured here are some of my favorites, though they're always best viewed when outdoors.

37 more

I found some time to make 37 more Splotch Monsters, this time in the form of 2.5" x 3.5" ATC (Artist Trading Cards). I hope to finish the rest this month to get another 100 made. Who knows how many I'll make in the end, but the goal is to do them differently in series of a hundred. Maybe the next 100 will be on small square sheets, or perhaps on big canvases, or on abandoned buildings even. Who knows. Out of curiosity, I used the free "invert" function on Picnik, while further adjusting the saturation and contrast on about ten of the splotch monsters. As a result, they took on a ghostly appearance, for lack of a better description. I posted the rest of the monsters and splotches at my Flickr site, for anyone who may be interested.