WINGED KING - Oscars 2011!

The 2011 Academy Awards Best Picture Nominees!

Black Swan, Toy Story 3, The Kids Are All Right, The Fighter, 127 Hours, The King's Speech, The Social Network, Inception, Winter's Bone & True Grit all represented.

Last year I did a whole character for each movie seen here [link] but this year I got this image in my head and had to do it, a winged robot DiCaprio with boxer arms etc....

Who do you think should win? My vote goes to TRUE GRIT! (Just saw it Monday night so I guess it's fresh in my head) Jeff Bridges is the BEST. Actually no, Black Swan, or Inception... 127 Hrs. was really original, Danny Boyle is quite a director. Thought all the ones I saw were fantastic, didn't see The Fighter or The King's Speech, but heard they were great as well. And of course TS3 was glorious.

Whatever happens Sunday night at the Oscars, Hans Zimmer has to win for Best Score for INCEPTION. It's so beautiful and epic, listen to the live version on Youtube here.

Part One
[link]
Part Two
[link]

Here's a screenshot of all the files I used in creating this image. Sketches, references, in-progress, the works, it's all there!

ABSTRACT McQuade

I approach these like they are landscapes - large spaces, strange environments, John Ford-esque cinematography of distant lands. Atmospheric and emotional, each one has it's own epic to tell.

Got a tad sidetracked this week but usually that's a good thing and, in this case, I think it was. In my search for some texture for digital paintings I decided to create my own. I did a series of little abstract paintings. All are roughly 5x8'' done with watercolor & gouache.

I have a natural inclination to do this kind of work, always have ever since I can remember, scribbling swirls and such on the margins. This past year has been about honing other parts of my skill set, but I will always return to doing abstract imagery. Very freeing for me, using other parts of the brain. Click on em to blow them up bigger.

Blue Valley

detail

Before/Attack

detail

PIGS

detail

Path/To

detail

I did a series of large scale work back in the day and cant wait to return to that size, but for now this will have to scratch the itch. I am going to be compiling all of the best work I have done in this vein over the years and creating a separate website for it soon.

Johnny Bennett 2011

Here's an updated version of my Johnny Bennett portrait,
now with 100% more LENS FLARE!

Check his new vid and song below
HOTNESS!!!!!
Available at iTunes

MUBARAK, The Pharaoh of Egypt

- Click to Enlarge -

MUBARAK!
Give it up, old man. It's over.

This is part illustration/part photo collage. I took some riot scenes and combined em in Photoshop. I guess I could have drawn and painted all those people but YIKES! that woulda hurt & time was of the essence. Wanted to post today. This works really well I think though, I like the combo.

The two below are straight digital paintings.

Makeshift Triage in Tahiri Square, Cairo
Partially referenced from an uncredited photo I found on the Huffington Post.

Referenced from an uncredited photo I found on the Huffington Post.

Ok, this is the Final, Part 4. Changed the upper right hand and a couple spots.

These images are in support of the people of Egypt in their revolution for freedom and democracy. NEVER GIVE UP!

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

Revolution in Cairo, Part 3 - The Final! (NOT)

- click to enlarge -

(UPDATED - Not the Final - See above post)

Here's the finished painting... for now. Need to move on to other work. It's a bit looser stylistically than usual, but I'm cool with that. It think it captures the moment and that's all I wanted to do. Will probably tweak it here and there. Will re-post if any significant changes takes place.

May the sun shine on the people of Egypt in this uncertain hour. I hope their transition to a democracy is completed quickly and without bloodshed.