On a lighter note ~

Click on the squares to start them playing, click on them again to stop them playing.
Hit the space bar to clear the whole pad..
Click on one and drag your mouse around and go completley crazy. I do..

If this doesn't play on your computer, you need flash player, its free here;

Good Luck babe!

My wife has surgery on her hip today, please have a prayer in your heart for her!







M.C.'s rootin for you too!

High Life for Melinda

A fun commision and a good test of ability to paint a straight lines. Melinda over at High life called me up after seeing the sign I did for the Frosty Darling down the street. For starters she wanted a new sidewalk sign, or an A-frame as they are called. This is what we came up with >>>------------->









 

Sign Doodles

This weekend I had a few hours to sit through a confernce meeting, so I brought along the doodle book, and sharp pencil.. I started a little sign saying and then another and another, and before I knew it, I had filled up 9 (small) pages! I've been really into Steve Powers' & Jeff Canhams' sign work with catchy sayings on them. These things are addicting!

Shop talk

This weekend I have been working in the shop. My dad's shop to be correct. It's fully stocked with wood, wood working tools, and many other things a man needs on a Saturday with no plans but the plans he drew up.  I spent a few hours putting together a set of drawers, flat files if you will, to store paper for the press and signs that are drying that want to keep out of the dust but still give air flow. I didn't take any photo's of making it... so this is all you get today.

Enjoy ;)

Cap'n Riley

This was the location we found for my last assignment in my oil painting class



This was the shot we got that worked..



And so it was, oil painting is now an option.. I still need to work on it though. It made for a good Post Christmas gift once it dried and I got to see him again with the misses. Merry Christmas Riley!

Amazing

David A Smith - Sign Artist from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.


This is amazing. I hope to someday, no matter what artistic pursuit I end up focusing on.. to be near as good as this guy. Amazing!

Should I work for free?

Link to Her Site

I saw this today, it got me thinking, what am I doing? I've been working in the professional art field for the last 8 years... I'm over not being able to pay bills and go places while everyone else gets to save a buck off me. Sorry 2011, this is not going to be the year of pro-bono, unless your my mom or I owe you a kidney.. or your my Church or maybe my school.. Sorry folks, I'm going to try and do this year right, and my hourly rates have gone up, I've been spending thousands of dollars on learning better art skills, so you, the reader & possibly future client, if you want what I've got, let's trade what you've got, money. Unless you own a building I can live in, or own a food store chain that can shell out food, or know politicians that can write off all my taxes and student loans. Artists are called starving artists because people without creativity are stingy with their money and don't want to pay a fair price for fair skills. Sure you can run your business with un original computer generated signs & advertisements, or go abuse someone who is just getting started, but don't you want good karma and for your business to look good? So treat your business like a star athlete and spend millions so it can make you billions.

~Colt

Measure Twice

My dad has a heated shop in the back, that is where I have been finding solace in this freeeeeezing cold  winter! This is a saying that I have heard many times throughout my life, so I thought it would be a fun one to paint and put up in his shop.. if he lets me ;)

2011! With DJ M.C. Hamster! {is that a type-o??!}

Ok, getting ready for the countdown.... the New Years resolution was for better lit photos.... are you all ready?! 

5..



Ok, getting ready for the countdown.... the New Years resolution was for better lit photos.... are you all ready?! 5


4...




3..



2...



1..

HAPPY NEW YEAR! {{{wink!}}}

~From M.C. Hamster & The Bowdens ~ 

 >>>------------2011------------>