LEGO block printing

So for the first run, now the press is up and running, I'm trying to combine some of my previous work tie's with LEGO Universe and an interest in 8Bit images by trying this LEGO block printing process. So far its working out good. Here's some images of the progress and I'll be posting some more final images as things go.

Antique Press

Well it arrived today after a long discovery and shipping journey. Reliance Hand Relief Press - 21" x 27" platen.

It weighs about 1600lbs and was built over 100years ago. I have to get the bed rolling a little quicker as its clogged with many years of grease and dirt. The bed has some rust spots from not being used in a long while . But once its cleaned up I'll be doing some larger woodcuts and hopefully this weight of press will help with the "inprint" in to the paper that I was missing in my hand barren prints.

I'm very excited to get this baby up and running. I'll try to post some stills of the clean up process and eventually some video of it in action. So stay posted.

Inspired

So for quite some time now, maybe a few years, I have not been very excited about doing “digital art”, instead opting to continue with a more hands on medium, wood cuts. I guess I had been disillusioned with whole digital painting process and how abstract it felt for me. For many reasons, to numerous to list here, I did not feel connected to the images I produced on the computer and so was not inspired.

That being said, due to my history and work, I did keep my eye on the industry, software and followed some artists work with interest.

One such artist that has inspired me!

Matt Hubel : http://www.matthubel.com/ He has been  relentless in his pursuit of “bettering” his skills sets and process. I worked with Matt for almost a year at a video game company and it’s been a real pleasure to see his skills and process grow. A couple of days ago he released a simple youtube capture of one of his drawings that made me look at the medium with fresh eyes again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq9sP8hzsVQ

I’m not sure why but after watching this video I actually wanted to sit down, open up photoshop and paint on the computer again. That has not happened in a long time.  I found a cool photo of the Onion Knight from Game of Thrones and used that as my reference for a grey scale study. It’s been a while and I need to set up more than one brush so as to get some more diverse texture but I actually had fun and whilst I’m not proud of the image per say I am “inspired” again to do a little more digital painting again.

So thanks Matt.

Lazarus

Finished up the Lazarus cut. Used the new Nolan press on its first run.

Almost ready

With the Louisville art walk show coming up and all my framed pieces in Santa Fe I tried a different approach to hanging the prints. 

Here's a sneak peek for Fridays show

Lazarus update

Progress on the Lazarus woodcut I'm working on whilst on our camping trip

Steve Schalchlin - WDS 2013

One of the speakers at WDS was actually a performance, Steve Schalchlin. An amazingly moving story that had the whole audience captivated. I hope I can keep this story in my mind on days I think dont go to well and realise I should treat every day as a bonus round.

These are a few rough digital images I'm pondering turning in to wood cuts.

Tess Vigeland - WDS 2013

One of the folks that got me to think a lot about my own situation was Tess Vigeland. She posted on the WDS Facebook page and I typed up this response. Thought I'd share.

Tess Vigeland, your story had me tearing up. I am approaching my 50th Birthday and as a stiff upper lip Brit I’m not that in to crying. But your story struck home. For the past year or so I have been feeling those same emotions that caused the “What the hell are you doing” for you but for a second time over. You see I walked away from a career in what I thought was my passion several years ago. It was lucrative and successful and so that clouded my reality. It was the right thing to do . But I floundered around dabbling with my real passion, doing my own fine art for 6 months or so. But I did not stick at it, I felt foolish for walking away from that financial safety. I let my “counter mind” win out, “why would anyone want my art work” even though companies pay good money for my “Art Direction skills” in my career.

My heart sank deeper when you talked about that new opportunity and how it was the reason you quit, it was your destiny.

I got stuck in self doubt, so when that second opportunity came. I jumped back in to my career again. Back on a path that my career had groomed me for.

But its not my passion or destiny to make “Video Game”. WDS and your talk confirmed that for me. I already knew it since my health and emotions have been suffering. After some real heart to heart talks and support from my wife coming home from WDS we now have an exit strategy. Funny how your friends and family can see what’s not good for you before you can acknowledge it yourself.

I’m not jumping off the cliff this time but walking down a hill, with a plan my current employee supports, slowly phasing out.

I’m not sure where this new path is going to take us, but I know where its not going back too again. I already have a good start in this Fine Art path from my last attempt. But I know its right because I feel a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I wish you all the best and hope you find that meaningful thing your seeking. But I think you have found it. You connected with 3000 people in a meaningful way and i’m sure it filled you up as much as you did for us?

Thank you and all the other speakers and attendees. If your interested he’s a sampling of the path I carving - www.petergrundy.com

WDS

Went to the World Domination Summit last weekend. Very inspirational.

Changed my perspective. Hoping as I act  on some of these changes I will be posting more images.

Last Gallery on the Right

Some of my work will be on display at a gallery in Santa Fe, NM on Canyon St.
Heres a link to the info:

http://santafegallery.biz/2013/03/17/reception-for-black-and-white-and/

ZBrush and the Griffin

So doing my contract work and meeting some very unique artists has opened my eyes up to try digital stuff again. I'm all inspired to take my woodcuts, possible to 3D not sure if that means renders or even STl  3D printed versions of my characters. But for now here are a few images of how I am fairing in ZBrush as I translate the Griffin. I'm really only a few hours inlearning the software but its amazing to work with. Its like playing with clay :) takes me back to my college days

Purchase Online

My woodcuts can now be purchased online here http://cherryartshop.com/artist/peter-grundy

Booth Space

Here's an official booth photo of the CCAF.

Chrrey Creek done

Took a while to post but the Cherry Creek Arts Festival was a success, all though the weather was a little rough.

All Ready

Enjoying the 4th. Got all my stuff ready for install tomorrow. IF your nearby come see my booth E7.


Cherry Creek Arts Festival this weekend...I'll be at booth E7
http://www.cherryarts.org/

Late night backing and packing

Another night of preparing for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Got the prints laid out cutting back boards and dropping the images in to bags.

The family pitched in today as well :)

Book Press

Picked up a book press a while back which has helped a bunch with the smaller print sizes

Sneak peak

Finishing up one of my final relief plates for the festival