The Human Canvas at the After-Party!

Meet Ralphyy.  

And that's NOT a typo.

A koi has become kinda quick by now...

Still though...

I DO like to get the step-by-step shots.

This'n turned out well, and it's a cool process...

Which makes for a cool slideshow, if yer so equipped.

So...

Meet Ralphyy Bardoux, guitarist with 

Dead End Gypsies.

I'd gone to see Cam Loves LLND 

at The Wire in Upland California. When Ralphyy 

walked into the venue, dark as it was, I thought Vinnie 

Vincent was walking up to the stage to sat hi to Cam. 

It was DARK, okay? And out here, you really, truly, DON'T know who's gonna walk into ANY club.

It was a cool night, 

with Cam's band being the best of the evening. Original material (I do believe) throughout their set.

Rounding out the group - Tommy Lopez on drums, and brothers Adam and Ryan V, on lead guitar and bass, respectively. 

I met Cam through another 

friend out here, and I have to say... 

His story got my attention.

Cam introduced himself to me by 

saying that due to some unfortunate circumstances 

(which I don't know if I should go into here), 

he had died - then been brought 

back to life. 

He did some musical reorganization, 

has been cranking out new material, and recently 

appeared onstage with Carlos Cavazo 

(you know...the guy who 

replaced Randy Rhodes in Quiot Riot? 

Now in Ratt? Yeah, him).

Cam told me all this, and my first thought was, 

"Jesus! He got to play with Carlos Cavazo? 

At THAT age?"

It wasn't until WAYYYYyyyyy... 

later that I thought to myself, "Wait a minute. 

Did he say he died, and was 

brought back?"

But that's another story.

It was great to catch this band, 

though Cam told me later that the size of the 

venue severely prohibited some choreography which 

would normally be included. 

I'd totally go see these guys again though. 

And I truly appreciate being invited to the after-party. 

This is where the Human Canvas session 

with Ralphyy took place. 

Besides Ralphyy, 

I did another canvas that night. 

Unfortunately, this is the only photo from that one. 

I think I kinda petered out on the mid-section, toward 

the tail. I DO however like the color blend on the 

TIP of the tail. I also quite like the head, 

and the little burst of fire.

Oh well. Ever learning. 

I DID crank out a REALLY nice dragon 

on a friend a few weeks later. 

We'll get to that.

Having to work rather early 

in LA the next day, Ryan was amongst 

the the first to leave. While I WAS able to get 

right next to the stage for some photos earlier in the 

evening, Ryan was always on the other side. 

So - he DID oblige me with a photo 

on his way out the door. 

But given his look, the photo didn't seem quite right... 

Until we struck a fitting pose.

Thanks again to everyone, 

canvas or not, involved in making this night a success! 

It was a great night of great music. Also, some new friends, 

and the continuing adventures of the Human Canvas... 

In all SORTS of surroundings!

Thanks again, Cam.

And thank YOU.

For stopping by, for spreading the word, 

And MAYBE even for being the next canvas! 

I'm ALWAYS looking!

The Human Canvas - Struggling With the Blues

Now normally I don't post so many sessions,

so many days in a row. I normally try to post something,

give it a few days... see what kind of traffic comes

through... then post again.

BUT, I wanted to get this ONE more

out before the end of April - and there are still

several sessions yet to post. Meantime, you can scroll

down for a COUPLE of the recent sessions, but please,

using the "search" window a bit to the right, search

for (separately) VENOM, AUTISM, THE IMPORTANCE, DRAWING ON LESSONS, WHITE RABBIT, SHARK DIVING, and definitely, BIRD OF PARADISE. 

These are all recent entries that I don't want to get swallowed up by a new post.

This session, however...

Another piece of Canvas provided by Lil' Dave.  

We had JUST finished covering a real tattoo, and working 

with the shape of the kneecap for a shot at Venom. 

This was a fun experiment which I know we'll 

be revisiting. Already talked about it... 

just haven't sat DOWN 

for it yet.

Another fun experiment 

for me is EVERY time involving the blending of colors - employing a couple of different 

methods.

So it's not so much "Struggling With the Blues" at this point. Here it's still FUN with the blues.

And reddy-oranges.

But the problem with using this blend 

of blues for the fish...

...Is that it's same blend I use to get depth 

and contrast in the water.

So... I got a good fish. 

But what to do with the water then...

It was a struggle with the blues. 

A STRUGGLE

 let me tell ya.

Oh wait. Never mind. 

Just have it coming down INTO water... 

...As if it had just jumped. Okay. Comfortable with the 

blues again.

And making this water was a wonderful, 

organic, create as you go 

kinda thing.

Except after stepping back, I decided it needed a pooling effect...

And THEN we're done. Again.

So... 

Thanks Again Lil' Dave.

And thank YOU for stopping by.

There are SEVERAL more sessions I 

have yet to publish...

...So please check back.

AND...

...Check out the beginnings of these adventures through the tabs near the top of the page.

Thanks again.