Edgar Allan Poe - SOLD!

 

6x9

watercolor on watercolor paper

Just a bit of shameless self-promotion here, but at Saturday's Meet The Artists event at the River's Edge Gallery, I found that my portrait of Edgar Allan poe has sold. 

I'm not sure how long the current art will be up, but you can see more of my watercolors if you hurry.

I just love seeing that red sticker!

Beach Party At The River's Edge Gallery

 

George Herriman

6x9

watercolor on Arches watercolor paper

Starting tomorrow, January 18th and running sometime through February, the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte MI will be having their annual Beach P-ART-y exhibit. You know, an anti-cold type extravaganza. 

The exhibit will feature some works from their stable of artists (including me!) along with some newer talent. On the second floor, some of my watercolor portraits will be on display, including the George Herriman (creator of Krazy Kat) shown above. Recently, the gallery sold my Diego Rivera/Frida Kahlo watercolor, so here is your chance to see and maybe purchase a portrait from this series. Support local art!

Unfortunately, I cannot be there for the opening and will probably stop in during the next week, or so, and I will probably be there for the closing in February. But, don't let that stop you (pshaw!), go check out the show. I'm sure that there will be a whole shoreline of great artwork. See what I did there? 

Frida and Diego

 

I just sold this watercolor yesterday through the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. Glad to see this painting of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from 2019 finally found a home. I will have more available with them soon. 

A Talk With Bruce At The River's Edge Gallery

Gallery Director Jeremy Hansen, Owner Patt Slack and Gallery Dog Duchess.

Tomorrow from 3-5pm I will be at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI to have an informal talk/Q&A type thing about my show of watercolor paintings. It's open to the public and you can check out the details on the Facebook event page. I do believe that this is the closing of the show, as well, so there will be pizza and beverages. 

Facets Of Inspiration Gallery Show and Talk

My show of watercolor portraits has been extended until June 8th at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI, on which day I will also be doing a live chat with Gallery Director Jeremy Hansen. Should be interesting and the public is invited. 

Facets Of Inspiration Opening Reception

Tonight from 6-9pm is the opening reception for the Facets of Inspiration show at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. Come one, come all. And if you can't make the reception, the show runs through May. 

Albert Kahn

Growing up around the Detroit area it’s hard not to be aware and appreciate the works of Kahn, known as the ’Architect of Detroit.’ 

Parts of my life have beens spent in and around the buildings that he designed, including the Belle Isle Aquarium and conservatory, the Russell Industrial Center, Willow Run and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Manor. 

This piece and over 30 others will be shown at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte MI as part of my Facets of Inspiration show. The opening is tomorrow from 6-9pm and runs through May 23.

SOLD

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

Frida and Diego

6x18

watercolor

The Mexican couple has a Detroit connection, as they spent time here. During that time Frida's works strengthened, as she explore different themes and narrative styles.

Diego, of course will always be connected to the area via his murals, Detroit Industry, at the Detroit Institute of Arts

This painting, as well as over 30 others will be shown at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. The show opens this Thursday (6-9pm) and runs through May 23. Stop on by, if you can.

Crepuscule

Crepuscule

16x20

watercolor

When inspiration strikes or just plain need to work through a problem, one can go to that place between thought and expression, the twilight of consciousness, a place where solutions can be found, thoughts explored, depths sounded.

This painting and many others can be seen at my show (Facets of Inspiration), which the opening night is this Thursday from 6-9 at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. The show runs through May 23. 

Facets Of Inspiration Gallery Show

So, I have this show coming up consisting of portraits of people who have inspired me in some way at some time. Most times I can't quite put my finger on it, but I do know that creativity can come from many sources. And these people inspire creativity in me in some ways, be they writers, poets, actors, musicians, athletes, painters, sculptors, artists all.

The show starts on April 18th and will be up through May 23 at the River's Edge Gallery. Come on out for the opening reception, if you may.

Owner Past Slack and gallery director Jeremy Hansen are very generous in giving me a slice of space and time at their cool gallery. Much thanks, as always!

Click on the image above for the details.

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop

9x12

watercolor

To say that Mr. Pop is an inspiration is kind of a weird thing. Just what has he inspired? He's kind of a nut, seems to have always been one. It could be his relentless punk/rock middle finger extended at the sterile, corporate banality of a certain way of thinking that has infected our culture. That would do it. But, to probe a little deeper, I think there is something more going on in his music that was appears on the surface. Brick By Brick, the song and the album have a lot of that. A search for character, for a truth that remains in the distance, something better. That's what I find inspiring. Combine that with that middle finger and you just might see it.

And if you don't agree, well, his version of Louie, Louie is rather entertaining.

This and more portraits will be part of my Facets of Inspiration exhibit at The River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI starting on April 18th.

SOLD

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne

6x9 (unframed)

watercolor

Are we inspired by the person/actor or do we just connect with the roles that they play? In the best of both worlds, I would like to say both. I've always liked Laurence Fishburne and the roles that he has given us. In interviews, both in print and on camera, he seems genuine. There is a consistency there. I like his voice, very distinct and I'm drawn to the cadence and sound of it. And as for the roles that he plays in his movies? From Apocalypse Now (he was only 16 when he began filming) to the Matrix, there's an impressive body of work there.

He was Morpheus, for Pete's sake... 

This and many more portraits like this will be on view and for sale next month for my show at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. More details forthcoming.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker

9x6 (unframed)

watercolor

That voice. He told us to leave his wife alone. He told us that the Motor city was burning. He told us to huckle up, baby. He told us about one scotch, one bourbon and one beer. And he even told us that he eats heavy metal. And we listened. I know that I did and still do. If there is a musician quite like Hooker was, I'd like to see her or him. Of course, there have been imitators and those inspired by him, but there really was no one quite like him. And one cannot copy that voice. Only mimic it. 

This piece as well as others will be a part of my watercolor portrait show coming up in April at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. 

Witches of Wyandotte

This Saturday, the 13th, you will find me at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI for Shop The Dotte's event Witches of Wyandotte. So, I am hearing that there will be a parade of witches through the downtown area and maybe some kind of zombie event later in the day. The event goes from 11am to 6pm, so join me and gallery director and all-around fun guy Jeremy Hansen for the festivities. I will be doing sketches and will have my more horror related prints and such for sale. I will even bring some copies of my latest collection of cartoons, The Feral Cartoonist, which does have a horror/crime section, so it fits. 

So, click on the above links for details and if you are in the area, stop on by. It should be interesting.

Star Wars Sketch Cover (General Akbar)

This is a drawing that I did while at the Star Wars Days at the River's Edge Gallery last month. I thought it turned out rather well, so I'll color it. I just wanted to show it beforehand.

Thanks to John Marroquin for the cover!

Star Wars At The Edge

Tomorrow, starting at noon and going until five, join me along with Bill Pulkovski, Tony Miello and John Marroquin at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI for the Star Wars at the Edge event to celebrate the release of the new film. We have all worked on official Star Wars properties, so the gallery has brought us in to sell our works with Star Wars in mind. We will have originals, prints, sketch cards and will be doing commissions of your favorite Star Wars characters.

Then, after that join us for the Motor City Sketch official Holiday Party. Bring your sketch books or bring yourselves and have some fun rewinding after a day of shopping and visiting.

General Ursus

General Ursus
colored pencil on tinted paper

General Ursus
acrylic and gold leaf on canvas


This week is the last chance that you will have to see the In A Gallery Far Far Away show at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte. So, get on down river to see all that is sci-fi and pop culture, including the Byzantine-esque General Ursus. The top image is the prelim drawing that I did before the actual painting. That one is not featured at the show.

Darth Maul

                                                                 An in progress shot.

                                                                            Chasm
                                                                       app. 12x3x3
                                                         wood, varnish and colored inks

                                                                             Detail



All this month up until the 23rd the In A Gallery Far Far Away show at the River's Edge Gallery is still going on. One of the six pieces that I have in the show is the one shown above, called Chasm. The character is Darth Maul from the movie The Phantom Menace and the Clone Wars animated series. I chose to depict him with an oversized cloak, filled with darkness, thus calling it Chasm. As far as I know, this piece is still available, so head on down to Wyandotte to get your Star Wars, sci-fi and pop culture fix from some artists such as Bill Pulkovski, Kelly Nemzek, Matt Busch, Lin Zy, Jay Shimko, Anne Garavaggio, Slaw, Bill Morrison and others.

In A Gallery Far Far Away

                                        
                                     General Ursus
                       acrylic and gold leaf on canvas

No Canaries Here

acrylic on canvas

Although, the show actually started last week, tomorrow is the opening for the gallery show entitle In A Gallery Far Far Away. The show is sci-fi/fantasy/pop culture based and features some of Detroit's best illustrators and fine artists, including Alex Buechel, Matt Busch, Anne Garavaggio, Jeremy Hansen, Bill Morrison, Kelly Nemzek, Bill Pulkovski, Jay Shimko and myself. The speed painter Dave Santia will be doing his thing at about seven in front of the gallery. All proceeds from his auctioned paintings will go towards Benefits For Backpacks (I think). 

Here are the details:

A Gallery Far Far Away

The River's Edge Gallery

3024 Biddle Ave.

Wyandotte, MI 48192

www.artattheedge.com

The Star Wars costuming group, the 501st will also be on hand to make the evening even more festive. So, come on down river tomorrow evening, view some cool artwork, socialize with the animals, I mean the artists, and maybe hit one of the local eateries for dinner or a late snack. See ya there!

Bruce Vader

So, I was down in Wyandotte today to drop off some artwork at the River's Edge Gallery and my gallery director gives me this print by John Long (I'm not sure, but he may be the one that does or did the syndicated cartoon strip, Lumpy Gravy).

Nice to know that Jeremy's thinking of me.