What's This Blog Thing Anyway?

So what do I write as a first entry - my first foray into blogging? I am what most would consider old school. My experience with art began with strictly traditional disciplines, and much later integrated digital work. In recent years, I have been reluctant to delve into new internet technologies like Instant Messaging and Blogging. Stop laughing, it's new to me. Anyway, the old dog is learning new tricks and here is my blog (cue the heavenly music.)

I am the son of a career commercial artist, now retired. I have been pursuing my art since 1985 - my first year in the Air Force. As my skills improved, I began trying to get published in the Small Press (an underground distribution of fanzines and homemade newsletters - kudos to Janet Fox.) I picked up a used Amiga 500 in 1989, and started playing with digital graphics including 3d. My wife has always been a staunch supporter of my work, and has always found house money to fund my desire for different mediums. I have experimented with pen & ink, marker & pencil and digital painting to name a few. The most fun, however, is to be had from mixing medias.

Whether it be scanning pencils or inks and coloring in the computer or printing a photo and finishing with rapidograph and paint, mixed media can be very gratifying. 'Aeris and the Chocobo' was scanned as a sketch and colored in Photoshop. It was then composited on a Bryce 3d background. Shadows and color correction rounded out the process. I really enjoyed this one.

Lately, I have picked up photography with earnest. I've been shooting for years, but the film processing thing always seemed to drag it down. I STILL have rolls from 10 years ago I haven't processed. Now I have a DSLR - film no more. I started shooting models in October (07), and have a portfolio on ModelMayhem. I find that professionals seemed to feel threatened by me, and models always want to shoot again. Must be doing something right. Bottom line is - art first. If the shoot has no creative direction, I'm bored. (Group shoots I have no control over.) I will be integrating my model shoots into my art.

I have also rediscovered fractals. One of the programs I am currently using is Apophysis 3d. It's an amazing little program and very powerful. Here is an example:

I intend to share my artwork here, and share the process as well. There will also be an occasional tutorial posted as well. I am constantly asked, "How did you come up with that?" Well, read on. I'll update when I can. And check out the rest of my offerings on

Thanks, -Dave