TOM - Here is this weeks illustration for New York Press. It's about a guy's frustrating experience with a hot girl who doesn't want anything to do with him, but keeps inviting him over because she loves the attention.
TOM - Recently, I was finding myself hitting a bit of an artistic wall. I've been doing alot of art"work" lately, but unfortunately not enough digging through my head late at night to see what I can find, then spewing it out on the page. Last week though, I had one of those nights and over the course of the following couple days, I nursed this image along. I took alot of joy in slowing down and experimenting with drawing techniques, Photoshop coloring, and incorporating type into the piece, which is something I've been fooling around with in my sketchbooks recently. I also allowed myself to loosen up conceptually, resisting the urge to try and create something that would appeal to a certain group of people or potential clients, and rather try and make something that comes as directly from my head and straight on to the paper as I can. Maybe it's the weather starting to get cold here in NYC, or the days getting shorter, but I think this drawing might have something to do with missing the summer. After coloring it though, there's something about the colors and the way the letters turned out that are reminiscent of Christmas, which might have something to do with the unavoidable influence this time of year has on someone, for better or worse.
Here's the black and white version. 'Till next time!
TOM - Just catching up on some New York Press posts. Above is lasts weeks 'Flavor of the Week' illustration about a girl on the hunt for love at the CMJ music marathon which took place here in New York City a few weekes ago.
Then, this weeks is about a rocker chick who gives up on long haired,tattooed guys and falls for a preppy, khaki wearing lawyer.
TOM - I tried to keep these as honest as possible, reflecting on each of the seasons and drawing what came to mind. I also enjoyed working in the 'strip' type of format. I hope to experiment telling more stories this way.
TOM - Here is this weeks Flavor of the Week illustration for the New York Press. Looking at it now, it has a little Halloweenish feel to it. It's about a women who accidentally throws away her favorite vibrator. Ooooo, spooky. I had fun with this illustration.
This one appeared in the last issue. It's about a one night stand that turns out to be a schizophrenic.
TOM - Here's some highlights from last nights figure drawing session.
I try to play around with different approaches everytime I go. Yesterday was really focusing on the face.
His Majesty, The Umpire // edition of 75
Hangin' On A String, Girl // edition of 75
The Umpire, His Majesty (reverse)// edition of 25
^signing my prints, my hand was about to fall off by the end of the day. yes, that's a real Damien Hirst behind me.
^here are the two main prints, masterfully hung by Adam Bridgland.
^the front of the studio right before opening
^the "Menu", which went with the theme of the evening. i hand lettered both sides. quite a roll call of names on that list, an honor to be in their company
^the Jealous family. (L-R): Me, Jacqueline, Dario, Eddie King (and his latest piece - i got one to take home, thanks Eddie), Adam, and Matthew
^at full swing, the place was packed from the front door to the backyard. great food, and great company.
^the view from across the street, the place was poppin'
TOM - Here is this week's 'Flavor of the Week' illustration for the New York Press. It's a story about a young British college student in New York City who's uptight and repressed attitude keeps him from enjoying the many strange and sexual encounters he keeps falling into.
TOM - This political race is all everyone seems to be talking about, and for good reason. Here's my illustrated contribution to the whole situation. Go Obama!
TOM - A one pager I did for an upcoming issue of Dapper Chap Quarterly. Alot of great artists involved. More info to come on when/where it will be available.
TOM - This week's New York Press illustration. The story is about a guy who built his whole relationship around lies. Bad idea.
TOM - Here are some recent New York Press illustrations. Above is this week's story about a night out with Ron Jeremy. I had alot of fun with this one.
Here is one from last month. James was in town, so I didn't get to start this one 'till really late one night. I was super stressed out about it, and was ready to call it a night and go to bed, but James pushed me along and this is what came out. I'm actually very satisfied with the way it turned out.
TOM - I provided the cover art for this weeks Philadelphia City Paper. I was asked to create an illustration of Philly's pitcher, Cole Hamels in this classic Superman stance. The challenge for this was to capture the likeness of somebody that's not terribly recognizable. Other than being tall and thin, he has a very 'ordinary' face and facial features, not much to take advantage of, like a big nose, or a gap between his teeth. With that being said, I don't feel like I really nailed it, but I had fun with creating the rest of the piece. If you're in the Philadelphia are, pick one up, it's on stands now.
Here is the illustration without Logo and type. Pencil, ink, Photoshop. Until next time...
TOM - Here's a new piece I've been working on slowly whenever I got a chance over the last couple of weeks. It was nice to work big again ("14x17"), since recently I've been working on a smaller scale. It was also cool to play around with the pencil as more of tool, using it for shading and adding texture. More new pieces on the way!
TOM - Been a while since I last posted anything on this blog. Part of the reason is that I recently moved and FINALLY got internet yesterday! I have been busy working on alot of new stuff, and will return to making more regular posts. Yay! In the meantime, here is this weeks New York Press illo. It's about a guy who is trying to hide his heroin addiction from the girl that is in love with him. Check out the story here. Until next time...
TOM - Here's one I did for the New York Press a few weeks back. The story was about why some guys are attracted to women that are way out of their league, and the things they go through to try and woo these women.
TOM - Here are some recent illustrations I have yet to post, I figured I might as well throw 'em all up in one big post. Above is this weeks New York Press illo. The author recalls his gonorrhea out break while hiking through the woods. He describes the sensation like a caterpillar crawling around in his pants. Yikes.
Here was one for Time Out New York about a month ago. Girls, don't try to replace your boyfriends expensive coffee with the cheap stuff, he'll taste the difference.
Another for New York Press a few weeks back. What happens when you date someone hotter than you?
And finally, yet another for the New York Press. S&M parties apparently actually exist.
