Fine Art by D.E.West

Graphite Study: Baby Bottle

2009-11-15T22:00:00.006-06:00

I was rocking my 8 month old to sleep. After he was done with his bottle, I set it on the little table next to me. Before long, I decided to do a graphite (pencil) study of the bottle. My thought and goal is to try to do a graphite study a day. Feel free to comment.

Copyrighted (c)2009 - All art on dewstudios.blogspot.com may not be reproduced, copied, modified, and distributed in any form without written permission from the copyright owner.

MailOline: Autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire draws spellbinding 18ft picture of New York from memory... after a 20-minute helicopter ride over city.

2009-11-10T14:12:00.009-06:00

TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!

"This astonishing 18ft drawing of the world’s most famous skyline was created by autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire after he spent just 20 minutes in a helicopter gazing at the panorama.

The unbelievably intricate picture was drawn at Brooklyn’s prestigious Pratt Institute from Stephen’s memory, with details of every building sketched in to scale." Read more...

View All 902 Letter from Van Gogh in English!

2009-11-04T12:26:00.003-06:00

I can't say enough how big of a fan I am of Van Gogh's work. I was thrilled to discover that we can read Van Gogh's original letters in English! I am so looking forward to read all of them! Check it out here...

"Fingerprint may lead to new da Vinci discovery..."

2009-10-14T19:51:00.003-05:00

"Art experts believe they have identified a new Leonardo da Vinci— in part by examining a fingerprint on the canvas.

Peter Paul Biro, a Montreal-based forensic art expert, said Tuesday that a fingerprint on what was presumed to be a 19th-century German painting of a young woman has convinced art experts that it's actually a da Vinci..." - Read more...

Pumpkin and a Gourd...

2009-10-11T19:08:00.006-05:00

I was in the mood to do a still life ink illustration of couple pumpkins my kids brought home the other day. The technique I used is cross-hatching in ink.

Copyrighted (c)2009 - All art on dewstudios.blogspot.com may not be reproduced, copied, modified, and distributed in any form without written permission from the copyright owner.

Solutions Against Infestations of.... - # 001

2009-10-11T12:12:00.008-05:00

After reading few updates on my friend's, Scott, Facebook about his issues with squirrels in Colorado, I have to sketch up something about it. Who needs guns? Who needs traps? Who needs poison? We all know squirrels loves acorns. How about a built-in dynamite in an acorn. Now that's the ultimate solution against infestations of squirrels.

Copyrighted (c)2009 - All art on dewstudios.blogspot.com may not be reproduced, copied, modified, and distributed in any form without written permission from the copyright owner.

Grateful Ribs - Progress #3 - Almost done...

2009-10-08T13:42:00.008-05:00

We're getting close to completing the Grateful Ribs BBQ logo. I have sent this to the owner and anxiously awaiting to hear what his thoughts are.

Also, I would like to inform everyone that I have finished the kids book layout and it has been sent to the publisher. We were informed that our books may ready by first of November! Just in time for your PERFECT Christmas present!!! We're excited and will let you know more soon!

Grateful Ribs logo - Progress #2

2009-10-03T16:02:00.004-05:00

Almost done with "inked drawing".

Grateful Ribs logo - Progress #1

2009-10-03T09:59:00.005-05:00

I've been working on the logo this week. I want to share the progress of my digital "inked drawing" of the main pig via Adobe Illustrator. I'll post more soon.

Incredible Drawings by Joseph Stashkevetch!

2009-10-01T14:19:00.009-05:00

Yes, believe it or not. They're graphite drawings!

I grew up loving detailed drawings as I used to draw many photo realistic drawings as well. I haven't done these kind of drawings in many years. I am absolutely in awe and speechless with this artist's work! Check his online portfolio...see more here.

Do I smell some "Grateful Ribs"!?!?...

2009-09-26T09:43:00.011-05:00

I got an incredible opportunity to design a full colour logo for a BBQ Catering business, "Grateful Ribs", based in Olathe, KS. I was really excited because this job is unlike any other logos I've created in my 15 years as a graphic designer. This unique project has enabled me to incorporate my illustration skills in developing a cartoon character of a hog. The owner gave me particular instructions on how he wants it to look. He wants the hog to be a groovy, hippy-lookin' dude. I am in the process of developing few concepts. These illustrations here are the progress of my first concept. I'll post the rest soon. I'm having tons of fun with this project! Enjoy!

SKETCH #1: - The very start up of the logo concept. I could see the hog loving all the attention, "Groovy, dude!!!".

SKETCH #2: - developing the bottom portion of the logo. My idea was to incorporate wood-sign style.

SKETCH #3: - Finished off the botton "sign" with few details including the smoke and flames on the lower-left. Added the ribs on a BBQ fork on the left side. May place the typo on the upper left corner. Still brainstorming concepts.

Amazing Crayon Portraits by Christian Faur!

2009-09-23T09:46:00.010-05:00

This is absolutely crazy, fascinating and awesome! Check his work out! Website link on bottom of images.

"For this body of work I have assembled more than one hundred thousand hand cast crayons of varying colors and shades to produce a body of work that, to the best of my knowledge, is unlike anything done before in art. These individual “pixels” of wax are precisely stacked into specific locations inside of wooden frames to produce a new art form that uniquely balances the qualities of both photography and sculpture. Further, I have developed a mapping system that translates the English alphabet into twenty six discrete colors and I use these crayon “fonts” to add words and language to each of the pieces in the show." - View his portfolio online...

A Monet Sets a Record -$80.4 Million

2009-09-17T14:02:00.005-05:00

"The summer auction season here began at Christie’s on Tuesday night when a standing-room-only crowd of dealers, collectors and art lovers came from all over the world to watch and bid on one of the largest London sales the auction house has held. Early in the evening a record price for a Monet, $80.4 million, was set for one of the rarest of his waterlilies." Read more here...

"The Evolution of a Master Who Dreamed on Paper" - Michael Kimmelman

2009-09-11T08:26:00.004-05:00

This short story is quite fascinated. I believe I mentioned few blogs ago that I'm a big fan of van Gogh's work.

"By July, van Gogh climbed the hill. The mistral, the strong seasonal wind, had kicked up, making it impossible for him to plant an easel and paint without his canvas shaking uncontrollably, not to mention the mosquitoes that the wind swept in. But van Gogh boasted to Theo that while "not everyone would have the patience," he could draw." Read more here...

What!?!?! More than 120 assistants...

2009-09-08T10:50:00.004-05:00

This is mindboggling to me...this American modern artist has more than 120 assistants! Must be nice having the kind of money. Although, I'm not a big fan of Koon's work but I admit it his work is different. Read full article...

FineArtViews: "Finding Balance in a Otherwise Lopsided World."

2009-09-03T12:36:00.002-05:00

Posted by Daniel J. Keys - Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.

"Going over some of the recent articles written by various FAV contributors (myself included) you might get the impression that there’s a bit of inconsistency amongst us: Some give advice that often seems to contradict other’s instructions; their instructions go against things you may have been taught were right, by someone else; and another person’s teachings may disregard all others' opinions, including yours, still..." Read More...

FineArtViews: "Finding Your True Motivation"

2009-08-31T12:28:00.003-05:00

Posted by Lori Woodward Simons, regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.

"Let's just suppose for a moment that you have been granted to make a million dollars next year working at whatever you want. Now there are a couple of strings attached to this statement: One is that you would have to work hard at it, and two - it could only be one thing....." Read More:

Artdaily.org: "The de Young and Musée d'Orsay Announce Two Impressionist Exhibitions to Debut in San Francisco

2009-08-28T12:54:00.007-05:00

Very interesting read. I'm a huge fan of Impressionism Era. The exhibition is about the "Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay and Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay."

8-Bit Trip: Lego Bricks Animation

2009-08-25T12:31:00.002-05:00

Cool animation. These guys spent 1500 hours on taking photos and filming of Lego-bricks in motion.

FineArtViews.com: "Art - If You Love It...Buy It!"

2009-08-21T16:31:00.006-05:00

Now I'm back in the groove of blogging about art and paintings. I would like to share a blog that I've been following. This guy, Clint, has been doing fantastic job blogging very informative articles related to art marketing and fine art. Here's an excerpt that will direct you to his main blog site. It's a great read.

"Art - If You Love It...Buy It!" by Jan Blencowe via http://clintwatson.net/blog

Lately, I've been reading a lot about the twin subjects of pricing artwork (a subject for artists) and reasons to buy artwork. Pricing paintings is a task for the artist and for the art gallery. Understanding why it's worth it to invest in a piece of original art is important for everyone.

If you love it, buy it!.....Read More

Economy....

2009-03-19T17:11:00.005-05:00

Gotta love political cartoons!

As you can see, the economy is taking a toll on many of us. Today, I joined with several of my friends and brother-in-law with job laid-offs. I've really had the privilege to work for and with wonderful people at Hallmark Cards. It's been a wonderful learning experience. I am confident that I will be able carry the wealth of tools and experience with me on the next challenge. I just pray that the economy will bounce back up sooner than later for the sake of everyone. As several of my buddies reminded me "Keep your chin up, it'll get better!".

Follow Me On Twitter...

2009-02-18T15:47:00.006-06:00

Well, well, well, look at the date. It's been few months since my last post. You want my honesty? I've been pretty lazy...ha, ha! Not...well, maybe at times. Hey, who isn't, lol.

I've been getting more and more freelance projects. I've been working on illustrations for our new book that will come out some time this summer. Believe it or not, the Ferdinand Uses the Potty is already registered on Barnes & Nobles database...waiting for our book to be distributed! I just did a major logo project for a client from Minnesota. Things are starting to pick up faster than I can imagine.

Speaking of family...we're all doing great. We're loving Kansas City. DeAnn and the baby, "Quinn", is due Feb. 27th. According to DeAnn, less than 11 days now. She can hardly wait for it to be over with. Zach & Abbie are growing up so fast. They're doing great. Zach will start Kindergarten this Fall. Hard to believe he's such a big boy now. Abbie is learning just about everything Zach is doing and saying, including climbing onto everything.

I just signed up Twitter not too long ago. It's a little different. They call it a "mini-blog" where you only type few words in the "status" or "headline". I try to update it as much as I can. If any of you guys are on Twitter, be sure to follow me!

Speaking blog email subscription! Another new feature. When you sign up for my email subscription service in the upper right corner, above my profile mug. The purpose of this is to provide a high quality emailing service from my blogs, postings and new updates. It's free and you're not required to open an account. All you need to do is type in your email address, verify the security code, and make sure to confirm via email...viola, that's it.

Cheers!

Good Morning...

2008-10-17T21:51:00.006-05:00

It was a beautiful morning at my in-law's farm.

By the way, I have a new email subscription system. Please sign up for a much better email subscription on the upper right corner of my blog. It'll send you a nice web-based formatted email letting you know all about my new blog posts. It's way better and a lot more professional than my primitive way of emailing everyone in the past. Don't forget to sign up before you leave the site!!! Thank you and I really appreciate your support!

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Harvest Season...

2008-10-17T11:22:00.008-05:00

Cool weather. Warm colors. That's what I like about Autumn. We took the kids to a farmstead pumpkin patch last weekend. We had fun. I took some neat photos and this is one of them. There was walls of corn stacking up behind the panels as you walked into one of the farmstead's main barn. It was really cool.

I wanted to give this photographic art a vintage and rustic feel to it. Like several of my other rural and landscape photos. I love the look of a vintage photo. There's few more on it's way.

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Safe Haven...

2008-10-11T21:10:00.011-05:00

We visited a small town of Argentine, KS, a former silver mining town. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. This church was sitting on a corner of the main street. Pigeons were flying around the cross. I grabbed my camera, stood there and wait for the right moment. I wanted to capture a pigeon or two in flying motion. I was please how this photographic art turned out. Prints of this beautiful dramatic photographic art with frame and without frame are now available in 8x10 & 16x20!

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