David and Goliath is such a fantastic story. The  battle between the underdog and the overbearing giant is as exciting as it in insightful into a characteristic of the Lord. Despite all odds the boy is triumphant and wins the day.  I have decided to retell some of my favorite Biblical stories and will be posting my ideas here.  If you are interested in a print please don’t hesitate to let me know.

This year I made illustrations for my Mom and Dad on Father’s day and Mother’s day.  This piece for my Dad is special as he used to enjoy skiing with one of his boys in a carrier on his back. He said that he wouldn’t go very far before he would feel my tiny head hit his shoulders.  I would be asleep.  I guess skiing rocked me to sleep.

So cheers to my Dad for his love, guidance, humor, and support for me an my family.

Thanks Dad.

Gnomes are so silly.  I can’t look at one and not laugh. This year I thought it would be fun to talk about how the real world in rather a light hearted manner.  With so many things in our lives we pretend we live in other worlds. This can happen by spending too much time with entertainment.  Although I love fantasy and all that goes with it, the reality of our existence is that we need to live for God.  So get your heads out of the clouds. Stop watching so much TV.

What little girl doesn’t like unicorns.  Here is an example of using something fun like a unicorn, and have a downright fantastic teachable moment.

This year’s theme and logo were put on a tshirt and sweatshirt…hurray for zip hoodies!

Thinking back on my childhood brings fond memories of my mother.  There is no way I can possibly imagine all that she has done for me.  One of the biggest gifts my mom ever gave me was her time.  Endless hours of attention, playing, and care-taking for us children.  This Mother’s Day I wanted to tip my hat to my mother and the special time we have had together.  This of course, even the simple things like pulling us in a wagon.

Cheers to Mom!

I recently launched my latest web design project, Cal Rice Photography.  It was  fun project because I realized that with photography portfolios, less design is better.  I really wanted Cal’s photography to do all the talking. This project also marks my first collaboration with Matt Vickers from Envexslabs. Matt is a great developer, fast and efficient, thus I would recommend him to anyone.  I really enjoy not having to code, but allow Matt’s expertise to shine through.  Thanks Matt.

Ben Stable spot from Fuzz Studios on Vimeo.

I had the privilege of creating some matte paintings for a short animation a few months back.  This was my first take at matte paintings and I feel like I have learned a lot.  The cool thing about matte paintings is that the backgrounds are always secondary, however, without them the whole thing just doesn’t work. I worked with a great studio out of Texas called Fuzz Studios. Nate from Fuzz Studios did a great job in making the animation, paintings, and characters all work together.  Check them out if you are ever looking for some video or animation productions.

You may have never known why were aren’t to swim at Deeper Life Bible Camp.  All these many years a secret has been kept in the depths of Blackduck Lake.  May the Lord protect you as you venture out into the mirky waters.

Wow, what a fun piece to put together.  So much of this I feel was done in my head.  Below I have a few images documenting my process.  Enjoy

The watercolor/digital process.

Everything starts with a sketch. Coming up with the idea can sometimes the most fascinating part of the whole journey. The sketch is scanned into the computer and I draw on it a bit digitally to get it ready for projection.

My latest illustration purchase is a brand new Artograph.  This projector allows me to project quite nicely a sketch for enlargement.  I place my paper below on the table and draw away.

This is the final drawing before I watercolor on BFK printmaking paper.  BFK was my favorite paper for printmaking as an an art student at the university. The drawing is scanned and will be kept to lay over the watercolor so I don’t loose my lines.

Let the watercoloring begin!  This is the most difficult of the process for me, because I am new to watercolor…and boy do I have tons to learn.  I do my best here to stay consistent with color, so I have less to do in post production on the computer.  The watercolor is scanned and ready to go.

And now the really fun part is the digital process.  From the scanned watercolor I place my previously scanned line drawing on top of my watercolor so as to get back my lines lost in the watercolor process.  Then comes color correction, and layers upon layers of painting. I enjoy using custom brushes, airbrushing techniques, and other various layer types to achieve the above image.

So that is my watercolor/digital process in a nutshell.  My next painting will be of my crested gecko, ThimbleTack.

Hey friends.  DLBC Update: With camp rolling around the corner I have painted this piece for the cover of the brochure and the huge poster.  I can’t wait to show it to you in action.

Watercolor and Digital

My buddy Seth is putting on a little show at Dunn Brothers on the 18th. This  poster is going up around town to promote the event.  Seth has a fantastic ability to blend catchy melodies with meaningful lyrics.  Come check out my friend, the singer/songwriter, the amazing, the very single (that’s right ladies) Seth Bjornrud.