All the Best Wishes

Red-Winged Blackbird

Bryan L. talked about Red-Winged Blackbirds one day, and that
weekend I saw one hanging out with several Brewer's Blackbirds.
It's been a while hasn't it?  Spinning plates, but never without
inspiration.  And the holidays are here!

Prints For Sale

 





Alright!  I finally have this going.  I'm happy to announce inPRNT
as my printing vendor.  We have six prints up---mostly my landscapes. 
We're still working on the birds, but Red Jungle Fowl is up for anyone
interested.  I'm hoping to sell the birds as smaller prints, or arranged
in quartets/trios.  I'll keep you posted on updates.  Sorry for taking so
long, but as always everything's a work in progress!

Also check out some of the other inPRNT work by great artists like
Barnaby Ward and Jeremy Enecio.

I Found Something Important To You

Here's another tribute to our fall season.  I've called this character
different names (based on my mother's initials), but these days she's
just Sunny.  Life has many mysteries,  and Sunny looks for things
that you may have lost.  Sometimes, they're important things you've
lost, but don't realize are missing!

Autumn Crow

Having lived on the west coast for some time now, I still miss
the east coast fall time loam, dead leaves in the wind, and the
dark, quiet evenings.

Halloween and Pink Cloud

Happy Halloween!

Worm + Apple : Gallery Nucleus Exhibition Painting

Hey Everyone!  Mike Yamada and Victoria Ying have put together a new book "Curiosities: An Illustrated History of Ancestral Oddity" and Gallery Nucleus is hosting an exhibition called "Curiosities" to celebrate its release.  The opening reception is tomorrow night, and the exhibition is up until Nov. 4th.   Here's my contribution for the show:  I call it "Worm + Apple", 8x10x2, acrylics.  Stop by the show if you have time and support these great talents.  I'm honored to be part of the show!

Lilac-Breasted Roller

...a pretty bird from the sub-Saharan parts of Africa and the Arabian
peninsula.  I like how these birds are called rollers, as if they
constantly barrel like show jets and/or like to party hard. With this
one I played more with direct light.

Jenn + Zoe

Something I did for my wife's birthday!

Saffron Finch

A little bird introduced to Hawaii back in the 60's.  I've read
that they're really fun to watch and can get quite territorial!

Night Light #1

This is a section of an older piece that I finally got around to finishing.

Pandagun is up!

The new www.pandagun.com is officially live!  There's still
more touches and artwork to update and post, but I really
wanted the site up by the end of summer.  Birdies and the
occasional painting will reside here on Pandagun Blog, but
the more illustration oriented work as well as animation
business art will go to the official web page.  I think it's
pretty nice, and I hope you'll like it too!

Right now it works best on Firefox (I'm still working on
the other browsers).  I'll also have prints for sale sooner
than later!

Red-Billed Leiothrix

Also called the Japanese Hill Robin, they're not originally from Hawaii.
Many live in Oahu!  They're super shy, but like to sing a lot.

Bordeaux

Tribute to an inspiring friend.  There's something truly wonderful
about vineyards.

'Akepa

A wee Hawaiian bird.  The 'Akepa has a cross-bill useful
for prying open 'Ohi'a -lehua tree leaves for caterpillars.
That's an Ohi'a -lehua tree leaf next to him.

Los Angeles

A change of pace from the East Coast + Hawaii.  I do get nostalgic for the City of Lost Angels. This is a variation of a painting I did for two friends that went away (good luck friends)...

'Akohekohe

Also known as the Crested Honeycreeper, these guys are few
and live only in Maui.  The 'Akohekohe has a fun variety of
calls and songs that I wish I can hear.

Animation Insider Interview

I did a little interview for Animation Insider!  Included in the art selection is an unpublished painting or two.  By the way, my webpage is taking a bit, but I really like what I see.  I'm hoping before the end of summer!

Red Junglefowl

Apparently they run around in Hawaii's forests.

Madagascar 3: Part Three

Here's my last batch of artwork from Mad3!  I have more, but it's time to go back to illustration.  My new website will have a more complete collection, and I'll definitely let you know when the site's ready.  I had a great experience on Mad3, artistically and professionally, and I look forward to all things coming next.  PDI art department rocks.  These guys can literally do everything:  paint, design, and light.  I'm lucky to work with such artists!

These are a mix of visdev and production keys:

 

© 2012 Dreamworks Animation 

Madagascar 3: Part Two

More visdev paintings!  The Moscow sequence never made it to the movie (along with a lot of other locations), but I like how the painting turned out.  Thanks to my production designer and art director, Kendal Cronkhite and Shannon Jeffries--- I had a great experience working with them.  Another set soon!

© 2012 Dreamworks Animation

Madagascar 3

After three years of hard work at PDI Dreamworks, our humble efforts are finally available for show and tell!  Here are several visdev pieces I did in the more early days of Mad3.  In the upcoming weeks, I'll put up some more posts, and within the month have a complete collection up on my website.  Cheers, watch the movie it's fun, check out our art of book (FYI it has a lot of credit mistakes), and don't forget to check out the inspiring Lindsey Olivares who I was lucky to have as a colleague on Mad3 visdev.

© 2012 Dreamworks Animation

Java Sparrow

Summer's just about here, so let's go back to Hawaii!

Weird Bird (or Where I'm From)

Good news from a small source.

Pileated Woodpecker

This is a shy Pileated Woodpecker and likes to
lie low in the shrubs.

Trust + Obey

There is no big other.  Two new characters, and I didn't think one
would be a dead tree.  I think this is my first painting that goes
right to left!  btw--thanks for the kind words.
I really do appreciate it.

Tufted Titmouse

Most songbirds are returning now to the Atlantic NE,
but this all-year resident doesn't seem to really notice.

National Kingfisher Day

Been sicky of late, so please take care!
Us? Not sure...

Sore Churchyard Pt. 2

I'm not sure of the strong yellow vertical, but I like how the effect is meditative.

Sore Churchyard

Part of the "H.S.P." adventure series!

Lepidoptera

A very good Bedhead song for those of you that remember them.
Spring's here!  Light reflecting off cement looks more yellow
around this time.

Blue Crowned Motmot

Tomtom

High Key High Contrast

Lots to do---a clip/variation from a larger painting.
Also, not my usual palette but it was really fun to paint.

Blue Fire

What two cats can do with matches!

Wilson's Warbler

B + W texture pass with some yellow.
Cool, sunny weather here in San Francisco!
Looked at some blooming Magnolias yesterday.

Marriotsville Sun Drench

In some situations, eyelashes can cause lens flare-like irregularities.  Stare at the sun quickly, squint with the flares and, presto, you have your very own private movie.  This painting is another memory that probably didn't happen...

Mountain View Road

This is a section/variation of a larger painting I'm working on.  I've been
playing with more patterns lately.  I like how the diamonds interact here
with the more natural textures.

Rainy Day Red Finch

This birdy along with his Chickadee, Junco, and Titmouse
friends regularly visit my brother's feeder.  There's also the
Pileated Woodpecker, but he's a jerk.  I'll draw him anyway.

Maryland Birds Pt.2: Blast That Damn Sun

Carolina Chickadee!