I.F.-Burning

Campfire- by Greg Newbold- 5" x 10", acrylic

The pleasant glow and it's welcoming warmth belie the true peril facing the builder of this fire. In the story that this piece was a part of, the traveler had to remain vigilant all night long, stoking the flames in order to keep the ravenous wolves at bay. Sometimes I feel the same way, only my wolves are other predators such as discouragement, self doubt, fear and failure. The current economy has many in the same precarious position as our traveler, but we can make it through the night. As an artist, one way I find to do this is by finding a personal project that keeps the juices flowing. Whether it's a painting I have been meaning to do, working on writing a picture book, or even a home improvement project. Having something to look forward to keeps me focused on getting through the not so exciting times.  Keep the fire burning!

A Good Frame Makes A Big Difference

Rabbit Brush- by Greg Newbold, 8" x 8"- Oil

It never ceases to amaze me how a good frame or the right frame can really make a painting look finished. I really believe that a good frame should enhance a picture without drawing attention to itself. I have been having some custom frames made lately for my landscape and livestock paintings. I searched around and found Gold River Frames in Cedar City, Utah. Travis Humphries custom makes frames for artists, galleries and museums across the country. I love the seamless corners and the custom finishes. He'll make anything you want and finish it however you want, anything from black to finely polished 24k gold leaf. I do a lot of odd sized paintings anyway, so I was always needing custom sized frames, so I am delighted to have found Gold River. He'll ship your frames anywhere in the country, so if you like what you see, consider having him make your next frame.

Gold River Gallery
This painting in progress on location

Chameleon

Just a fun little doodle. Messing around with colorizing ink drawings in Photoshop, adding textures and trying to get more comfortable with the brush tools. Nothing fancy, I mainly focused on color and pattern rather than modeling. This critter came out of my sketchbook.

Seeing it Printed

Seeing your work printed is part of the fun of doing illustration. Although I don't always get to see what something prints like, it's fun when the client sends a copy of the final product. I have had the pleasure of doing several covers for the works of Diana Wynne Jones. She writes wonderfully entertaining young adult fantasy stories in the vein of Harry Potter (though a great many of her books preceded the J.K. Rowling phenomenon). These books have been released in many incarnations and under several imprints both in Jones' native England as well as here in America.I created a whole series of covers for the Chrestomanci series as well as a few of her other books. I always ask for copies of the covers I create, though not all publishers oblige. I was glad to receive this one.

Creating a Sense of Place

Wire Sitter- by Greg Newbold, Acrylic- 9" x 18"

Illustration is about telling stories. It's about creating something that makes the  viewer ask what happened just before this, or what will happen next? What is the story behind this place? Illustration, and art in general is about crafting an image that the viewer can immerse himself in, that he can relate to. Sometimes a picture takes you back to a place in your childhood memory that you have not visited in a long time.  Howard Pyle, one of my favorite illustrators, very eloquently touched on this topic in the following quote:

The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived. -Howard Pyle

The emotional response  we get from viewing a painting is often less about the painting than it is about the emotional connection that we as observers bring to the viewing of the work. I try to create in my work an environment in which one can visit for a while, perhaps rest or even contemplate.   I think great art of necessity is a participatory experience. If the viewer doesn't bring their own experience into the equation, if it elicits no response,  is it really art? I am not talking about art whose sole purpose is to shock or offend- that type of response is a subject for another day. I am speaking of a real connection, where you feel the soul of the work. Many times people will comment to me that something I have done "reminds them" of a certain place or time, that it speaks to them. This is when I know I have done my job well and that satisfaction doesn't come until afterward.

This painting is from the book Spring Song written by Barbara Seuling.

Autumn Rhapsody

Autumn Rhapsody - by Greg Newbold - 20" x 14" - Acrylic

Fall is in full swing around here. Crisp morning air slaps me a little wake up call each morning as I run the kids to school. Most of the fall color has already turned in the foothills and the garden, save a few potatoes and carrots yet to be dug, is spent. Man, I love fall.We already had the first snows of the season and more than a few leaves await raking, but hopefully the brutal cold will hold off for a few more weeks and we can enjoy the sweatshirt weather a little longer. This picture is one of my favorites from my book The Touch of the Master's Hand. It seemed appropriate to welcome in the best of autumn weather. The art from this book won awards from Communication Arts, The Society of Illustrators and was also included in The Original Art Show. 

Read more about The Touch of the Master's Hand here.
Order your copies here

GO VOTE!

Patriot- Ink on Bristol, 6" x 3"

Get out and vote today. Remember that freedom isn't free. This piece was originally done for an article about Texas, so please no grief about the Texas flag, the sentiment is the same. I voted earlier today- I hope everyone will be responsible citizens and vote for those people you feel will best lead our great nation in the right direction.