Mascot Series - Duke Blue Devils

For the third installment of the Mascot Series (Sparty was 1st and Raider Red was 2nd), I chose to go with the Duke University Blue Devils. As a mascot, there is only 1 available "look" on their face, and this Blue Devil's look will make you wet your pants. His stare down can take your breath away and make your stomach turn in an instant.

BOOM!

I bet you just wet your pants.

[More images, including the step-by-step of the painting, after the jump]

Video of the Day

KAWS is an artist I've been following for a couple years and have posted about occasionally. He has been very successful in using his art on a variety of mediums - from advertisements, magazines, products, and the traditional canvas. His work ethic and ability to be more than "just an artist" is inspiring and becomes a motivation to keep chasing the dream. Someone has to live it, so it might as well be you.

Dream Impossible.

Thanksgiving 20% Off Code

As a small sign of gratitude for your support, enter the promo code: THANKYOU and receive 20% off your entire order on the T.WAY online shop.

Mascot Series - Texas Tech Red Raiders

For the second installment in the Mascot Series (Sparty was the first), I pulled this one out of left field. I have no connection to Texas Tech University and no one else in my circles do, either. I wanted to challenge and test myself on this piece. What drew me to the Red Raider mascot was his mustache, side burns, huge cowboy hat, details in the jersey, and the shooter hand-signal.

[View step-by-step pictures and MORE after the jump]

Art: City Series

This mini series of city names features: Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. I painted these about a year ago when I was first developing the pointillism painting technique (which you have previously seen in the Sparty piece). Painted with acrylic paints on canvas art boards, each piece measures 16x20in and can be framed, which means they could make for a great Christmas present.
[More images after the jump]

TEDxGR 2012 Teaser [Video]

This short video was put together (by SEI studios) as a teaser for the upcoming May 10, 2012 conference and to announce the theme "What Now?" during the launch event. [www.tedxgrandrapids.org]

Earth From Space - Time Lapse Video

Michael König compiled these images taken by Ron Garan, Satoshi Furukawa and the crew of expedition 28 & 29 onboard the International Space Station from August to October into a time lapse video. I love anything and everything space. I always find myself in complete awe at its vastness. Like WHOAAA!!!

Baby Sis Success

On Thursday, my baby sister led her team to a Regional Championship. On Friday, she signed a letter of intent to play at Ferris State University next Fall. Not a bad couple of days. Better than I ever did in high school, that's for sure. If When they win on Tuesday, they'll play in the State Semi-Finals on Friday in Battle Creek. Good luck, ladies!

[More images after the jump]

Two Years Later

A friend of mine writes a blog, and in 2009 wrote a post about the T.WAY custom sneakers. Just today he made me aware that the post he wrote over 2 years ago had a nice comment left on it. Turns out, it was someone I made a pair of shoes for years ago. I'll let him tell the rest of the story...

I love being able to work with awesome people that inspire me. Chris Martin was and continues to be an inspiration. I was pretty touched to see this because it's little things like this that can keep me going on those not so good days. Thank you, Chris. I greatly appreciate it.

Heroes and Veterans: THANK YOU. (Poster)

I find it very difficult to put my feelings of gratitude and support into words for those who have served and sacrificed themselves for our freedoms. To all of those men and women, the best way I can put it is simply: THANK YOU. You have fought for our every day freedoms, let us never forget that EVERY DAY we live to enjoy them.

To commemorate Veteran's Day on this special date, 11.11.11, I've partnered with the nonprofit [Fashion Has Heart] to create this special poster. Please hang this where you'll see it every day, so we won't ever forget their service.

This poster will be available to purchase at 11:11AM (Eastern time zone). Buy it [HERE] for $11.11.

Her First Pair

This past weekend, Adrienne and I had the pleasure of driving downstate to visit my 2-week old niece, Joelle Grace Wells. As her proud uncle, I had to make sure her first pair of baby shoes were one of a kind.

[More images after the jump]

Gnome Series: Part II

I doubt I could get away with doing just one gnome, so I had to make a couple friends to keep him company. Each one was freehand painted and thus, each is just a little bit different. If you looked close enough, I'm sure you could recognize the subtle differences. The yellow one is actually made on cardboard, so it has a little 3-D effect when you view it in person.

[More images after the jump]

EAMES: The Architect and The Painter [Trailer]

I've always been a fan of Ray and Charles Eames, most notably for their furniture design with Herman Miller. Most people assumed they were brothers, but instead, they were actually a husband and wife team. Their expertise expanded far behind just furniture design. As the title hints at, they were also painters, architects, as well as designers, videographers, and more. They are considered the greatest designers of the 20th Century. It seems there will soon be a documentary released about the duo, and below is the trailer for the film. Enjoy.