Aubrey

sketch for a client who loves jewel tones...

walking and chewing gum at the same time

I follow a blog called The Sartorialist. This guy just goes around taking amazing photos of amazing fashions on everyday (but, amazing) people. I love it! I sat down to watch a movie, but my hands wouldn't keep still so I drew this pic as a study.

cold snowy day

Today was a very cold, and blue day. I always find it amazing that I can look outside and tell if it is going to rain or snow. By sight alone I can tell how warm I need to dress, isn't that amazing?

Veterans Day

Today I wanted to thank and honor my Grandpa, Richard K. Sorenson.

In WWII while stationed at Kwajalein, he threw himself on an active Japaneses grenade, taking the full impact and saving the lives of five other Marines. He amazingly survived. For his heroism he recieved the Medal of Honor, the highest honor one in the can receive in the US military. Of the 27 Marines who similarly threw themselves on grenades to save the lives of their fellow Marines during WWII, Sorenson was one of only four who survived.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

PRIVATE RICHARD K. SORENSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with an assault battalion attached to the Fourth Marine Division during the battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, on February 1–2, 1944. Putting up a brave defense against a particularly violent counterattack by the enemy during invasion operations, Private Sorenson and five other Marines occupying a shellhole were endangered by a Japanese grenade thrown into their midst. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Private Sorenson hurled himself upon the deadly weapon, heroically taking the full impact of the explosion. As a result of his gallant action, he was severely wounded, but the lives of his comrades were saved. His great personal valor and exceptional spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United Stated Naval Service.

/S/ Franklin D Roosevelt

Thank you Grandpa! I love and miss you.

Below is some more information on him:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_K._Sorenson

http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,MoH_Richard_Sorenson,00.html

http://www.ac-hs.org/RichardSorenson.htm

waitng for a green light

another limited palette sketch.

Have a happy day

nothing to wear

"I have nothing to wear!"
...

I felt very much this way today-let me take that back- I feel like this almost everyday. I have a closet full of clothes, beautiful clothes, clothes that are stylish, clothes that I look really good in, clothes that I spent a lot of money on! Yet I can only see what I am lacking (like a pair of camel colored corduroy strait-legged pants) until then how can I possibly ever wear my navy tops when I know that somewhere in the world are those corduroys?! And mind you I have never actually seen these pants in person, I just imagine them and believe the world would be better if I had them.You laugh, but I am serious. I really worry about this kind of stuff. How sad that something so unimportant leans so heavily on my happiness.

first snow

I am not normally a fan of snow, however I do try to find the beauty in all things. So when I saw the snow fall for the first time tonight I decided to make a illustration out of it.

I chose to make the snow looking in, instead of the people looking out. This way the snow was more a character than a object-however the snow is still a secondary character to the main figures. I also tried to play with color contrast and value- wondering what the figures nearest to the window would look like vs the figures farther away. I tried to keep in mind while this is a "cool" palette I still wanted warmth; so I focused on warm grays and shades of yellow ocher, rather than various shades of blue which would be a normal fall back for someone painting night.

I sound a little geeky, but I love this stuff!

Over all, it makes me smile.
And I hope it makes you smile too :)