New projects

Finished after another 20 hours of work

This is a project that I've been wanting to do for a while, trying to get as much detail as possible in as small of an area as I can. although these are 18 x 24 I can reproduce these a 1/4 this size and twice the detail.

These are practice pieces that I've done for the my new project coming up.

I had 10 sheets of steel 24 x 30 powder coated double thick snow white.

Then I'm going to etch the images into the powder coating with a single needle. I had the coating double thick so there is no need for clear coat over the image. Any image can be done in this technique. Using a needle I will be able to gain ten times more detail and realism.

My first project to to practice on will be a motorcycle tank. Pics will be taken at every stage of development

The Casket

“The Casket” is a project I’ve contemplated working on for many years, but for some reason it sat on the back burner waiting for the right time to make it come to fruition. The idea of turning a casket into an individualized artwork seemed a very cool concept.

Recently I have been buying old toolboxes at a local swap meet and painting them with designs and themes. Since the toolboxes were not always available, I decided to check out a metal shop about making them. As fate would have it, the owner waited on me. I explained that I was an artist and recently opened my own gallery. When I presented to him one of my toolboxes (painted with the face of Frankenstein), it really appealed to him. I asked him if he wanted to make a trade – he would make some boxes for me and I would give him one of my artworks. Suddenly I thought about the casket and I asked him if he could cast one instead of the boxes and without missing a beat he said he could create anything. We struck a deal where I would get a casket and in return I would do a family portrait for the shop owner. “The Casket” was finally off the back burner.

My mind raced with ideas in the same genré as the Frankenstein – zombies, cemeteries, skulls and myriads of other horror, occult and fantasy figures for this casket project, which I will keep for myself. As I sketch and draw my ideas for the casket, I will post them. The casket will be constructed like a vintage-style “toe-pincher.” This particular style was always constructed to fit the client’s body dimensions. My casket will be 6 feet in length by 2 feet in width by 18 inches deep.

As to the aesthetics of the casket, I plan to use a base coat rusty in color with the edition of a gritty texture denoting an aged appearance. My coffin will have the addition of copper feet for standing upright. I will also apply the same gritty texture to the feet. The hinges will also be copper with an aged patina (I found a way to oxidize copper over night). The front will have two lids instead of the traditional one lid. The upper lid will be a third of the length of the coffin and the lower lid two-thirds of the length. I’m considering creating a window in the upper lid so a viewer will be able to see my head, neck and shoulders. Each lid will have individual locks.

I’m also thinking of adding one-inch thick steel panels to the exterior of the box, three on each side and one on each end of the coffin. The panel will also be given an aged effect and then clear-coated. Lastly, I will airbrush my own design images directly on each panel.

For the inside, it will be lined with the classical satin lining, but with a twist -- all white satin layered with white spider-web lace.

I am always open to new ideas. So if you have some thoughts on this project or suggestions for a future casket that you would like to convey, please contact me.

Sea scape (work in progress)

Sea scape (work in progress)
This is my first sea scape. Clipper Ship at sea, 18 x 36 Done in sepia tone oil pastell and other media. Drawn on my own custom made paper.

New oils

These are 8 x 12 sheet metal oil painting not finished yet. These pieces scare the crap out of me, I've never done oils before and I felt I needed to grow a pair and finely start. These are Winsor Newton water mixable oil colors. They are just as good as the real thing (from what I've been told) without the oder or clean up, soap and water that's all you need. looking forward to finishing them and start a whole new chapter in my career.

Ishmael

WORK IN PROGRESS
18 x 24, Pin & ink on paper, Silver back Gorilla.
Work after about 40 hours.Finished,
For sale, $4,500
"There's nothing fundamentally wrong with people. Given a story to enact that puts them in accord with the world, they will live in accord with the world. But given a story to enact that puts them at odds with the world, as yours does, they will live at odds with the world. Given a story to enact, in which they are the lords of the world, they will act as the lords of the world. And, given a story to enact in which the world is a foe to be conquered they will conquer it like a foe, and one day, inevitably, their foe will lie bleeding to death at their feet, as the world is now."

New Gallery

In February of 08 I was contacted by the Jennifer Main Gallery that there was a space available at the arts factory in downtown Las Vegas. It took me about ten seconds to make up my mind to take the leap to open my Gallery. I moved to Vegas in 05 with this dream in mind hoping that for the chance to show what I can do. I immediately had ideas on what I wanted the gallery to be, not only a place to show my art but a place to work so everyone can see my technique in creating these pieces. The day before I moved in I had gone to Lowe's for supplies and saw the the coolest shelving unit and new what to do, needing a drawing table this was perfect. With a little adjustment and a little creativity there it was. It's 6 x 6 x 2 with a 4 x 6 sheet of plywood, It's adjustable and breaks down in seconds. This was only $130.00. After a day of working in the studio having no stool or furniture I had a great idea, Back to Lowe's, I picked up another shelving unit and cut it in half to make 2 couches. It was a perfect match to my drawing table. I gave myself an A+. On my first First Friday I sold the John Lennon piece to an upholsterer in down town Las Vegas. I immediately told him my idea for my new couches. These are a must see. they are perfect for anyone and in almost any home and affordable. I've been drawing for a long time and I've been used to working at home, in a comfortable environment. That's what I wanted to create in my studio. Pretty much for me rather than any one else. Sense opening in February I have had a phenomenal response to my work and that's a dream come true. It's allot of work but it's worth it, but I could not have done it without my friends and those who believe in me. I give a special thanks to Jennifer Main, one of the most beautiful and talented artist I know and for giving me a chance. Another thanks to Mike Gill and Sherry Kissee for giving me a friendship that cannot be replaced.

Monument valley

Monument valley, 2008. Pin and Ink on paper 36 x 36 avalible
$ 2,000

These are pin and ink Drawings done on water color paper and in pilot pin.
Sold

Bulldog

flamenco dancer

This is the beginning sketch of one of my most popular pieces. The frame was attached to dictate the tone of the piece. This was done live at the Beauty Bar in Las Vegas.Beginning the color with Derwnt Aqua tone water color (no water)

These were done in mixed media. Charcoal, Pin n ink and Oil based charcoal. These were just sketches in the beginning to see what would happen using these togather.

Sold

Finished

Adding texture.

Pin & ink sketch, finished

Pin & ink sketch. Not finished.

Sepia tone sketch.

Cuban

Beginning Pen and ink sketch.

Creating new pieces at the Beauty Bar

36 x 48 the frame is done in over 2,500 Pennys, the drawings are done in quill, brush and ink.
Sold

Beauty Bar quickie.

Sold

Spy on Vegas Magazine Photo shoot.

Beautiful Joe

This piece was done in charcoal on my own paper.
Beautiful Joe was done during a movie by the same title. (Great movie)

Close-up image

Portrait

This portrait was done in Dewalt watercolor and China Marker.

Concept drawings for future projects. Click on picture to inlarge

Watercolor nude

I'm working on this Pinup live at the Beauty Bar. More pictures @ http://mojorepublik.com/

Frankenstein

Derwit watercolor on hand made paper.

Pinup

Sarah