Holiday Commissions

The holiday commission thing went so well that I thought, because a few said they hoped to get some cash for Christmas, that I would extend for one week (gotta finish some big things). I have two copper squares, 3x3, prepared (the square grid offers examples) which will be $300 each. I can do two or three of the small, 3x4=$200, 4x6-5x7=$300, drawing/paintings on paper (rectangular grid for examples. One or two word catalyst and off we go. 50% on Paypal gets us started, the rest on finish.

Suction Teats

My Merry Christmas post is something commissioned by my daughter's boyfriend for her. The words were medical and climbing, two things close to her.

"She Knew the only Hope was the Rare Suction Teat Climbing Pig"

Turbo

Another example of a small commission gone haywire. I went way overboard again. Supposed to be a small simple copper piece. Turned out to be a small, but bigger than agreed, copper piece that just kept growing in detail. I just can't seem to help it.
"With Double Red Bird Turbo Drive"

Minion Stew

It's a good day when I find a stack of Clayboard among the piles in my studio. I really enjoy experimenting with this surface. I just started sanding and painting and this is what happened.

"Minion Stew"

Commissions

I am offering a deal on small drawing/painting commissions for Christmas based on a one or two word catalyst, over on my FB page. If you are interested just let me know but do it fast. The day is coming.
"Neurotic"

Yet Another Small Drawing

Another wee drawing.

"Bifocals"

Another New Drawing

If I tried  hard I could probably post one a day. Good thing I'm lazy.

"Full Body Masque"

New Drawing

For those of you in the Boise area, I will be having a show at the Brumfield Gallery (formerly Basement Gallery) in Hyde Park in March. There will be some high-end paintings but most of the exhibition will be drawings in the more affordable range. This is one such drawing. About 3.3 x 3.5 inches on paper.

"Masque?"

Smarter Art School

This is a great opportunity for those who can't go and attend classes somewhere. It's an online program started by Rebecca Guay. Very intense with focused learning from specific artists. You can take the 13 week class from me or other of the faculty involved. It's a unique opportunity for me to be included with such distinguished artists. Click on the picture or title below for link.

SmArt School Mentorship Class with Bill Carman

“I live on the fringe of mainstream fantasy/sci-fi, dip a toe into surrealism, flirt with symbolism and even occasionally scratch the surface of mainstream illustration…”

A highly experienced college professor, teaching painting and Illustration at Boise State, Bill Carman also regularly enchants followers of his work at shows at The Society of Illustrators, NYC, and at numerous galleries throughout the country.His most recent solo show was at the Animazing Gallery in Soho last fall.In his SAS mentorship class Bill will be teaching painting and Illustration and bringing his own unique perspective and technique to the students taking his class.

OcTOPLASTY

Just finished new painting. Sometimes I feel like my voice slips away a little. I need apiece like this to bring it back. Cosmetic surgery seems to be a recurring theme for me.

"Successful OcTOPLASTY Demands the Correct Complimentary Accessories"

Idaho Fish and Game Poster

Please support Idaho Fish and Game by purchasing one of these Watchable Wildlife Posters. All the info is on the card, just click on it.

New Quick Narratives

Partially as exercise, breaking in new stuff, and partially as show material, new local show coming up, and partially as trying something new I am doing some things based on random reference. It's a fun exercise that I never get to try because of time but these will work well for an upcoming show here. A little more based on reference than my usual work but always with something. . .

"Well, It was on Fire"

Long Painted Journey

This has been an epic painting. "Tangled Lances" was done for Artifact Puzzles, the same company that did the "Narwhal Rain" puzzle. Stay tuned and I will let you know when the puzzle is available. I included a few process shots for you die hards. Obviously this took the Flemish, Northern Renaissance route. Just wish I could paint like those guys.

And Finally a Painting

This is what happens when I work on a few more involved paintings at the same time. Fewer epic posts. Any way this is the latest and was a commission.
"Panda Bomb Squad"

New Drawing

Just a new drawing from a series of animal self-defense ideas. Painting is coming. Almost done.
"It Grows Back"

Asian Princess

I posted this older piece on FB so I thought I'd share it here too.

As part of the Circus show I wanted to do an "Asian Princess". Subconsciously I would use my mother who had passed away. I hardly ever do portraits and never of loved ones. Maybe there is another artist out there who understand this maybe not. I can never seem to get it right. Trying to capture a near perfect mother with an entirely flawed process, anyway. I painted this small and a little different stylistically. A bit looser with some dry brushiness. If nothing esle I do see my mother as a young woman when I look at this.

Piece of a Blockbuster

Just a little sneak peek at a small piece of a larger painting which I should finish in a couple of days if I can get over this fever. Oh yes, this is a blockbuster.

Begging for Forgiveness

When I work on several large paintings at one time, as I am now, it leaves gaps between posts. I try to post as often as I can but things just get away from me. Here are some new sketchbook pages, which I always have, and you can go to my Facebook page to see regular posts of pieces from my past. Know this, I still love you all. Well maybe not love. I have kind of a black heart. But I appreciate you all for sure.

Sketch Funnery

More sketchbook. Taking stuff and doing some magic; evil magic.

Just messin' around a little.

"To Be a Milker of Giant Bees One Must Be Well Armored"

Alien's Lazy Uncle

I'm working on some heavy duty projects but in the meantime I will post things like sketchbook excerpts and drawings. It's always fun to revisit the sketchbook and find things that work. This was one of the stream of consciousness doodles for my ongoing BCT project. Thought it reminded me of Alien's lazy uncle.

Latest on copper. I won't be doing as many of these. Copper is getting pricey and it's pretty demanding. What can I say, lazy.
"State of the Art"

New Sketchbook

 It's always exciting to start a new sketchbook. Fresh book = fresh ideas right? I'm trying a book that I've never used before. We'll see how it goes. I've added another sketch page from the monster thing I'm doing with BCT. Maybe post some more refined stuff when I get permission.

New Painting

Brand new painting. I have a few in the pipeline. Want it? From here on out I am going to try not forget to do beautiful. Sometimes I feel, whether consciously or not, I forget beauty.

"But I Don't Like Bird"

Commissions

Part of my survival rests on gigs between shows. I don't do as many illustrations as I used to, not that I don't want to just that my work seems only to be commercially viable on other planets. So occasionally I go into commission mode. My most greatest thing would be to get a really big commission from a rich party so that I could do my life's greatest big painting but I will also do great smaller paintings for those not quite so rich. Email me at bcarman@boisestate.edu if you are interested.

Monsters!

Don't want to give away too much but I'm working on a completely cool project with the Boise Contemporary Theater. It has monsters. This is just one page of many showing first doodles. Probably all that I'll share until I get the go ahead to release stuff. MONSTERS!

We Love Our Pets

Sometimes a quick study develops into something more. As I worked this painting on a piece of birch it started to do things that I liked. I worked a little harder and now wish I had done it larger.
"The Martyrdom of Nearly Saint Stanley" Long suffering lover of pets.

NPR Calendar 2013

The NPR 2013 is now on sale. I had the honor to be a part of this. Sales will support NPR and that is cool. Here is the link to buy: http://shop.npr.org/fun-finds/2013-npr-wall-calendar/

Field of Fire

This is me just trying to get better. Another sketchbook thing made into an illustration. I built this from an autobiographical story. My brother was something of a pyromaniac when we were young. He burned down a few things. I remember walking away from one of our lizard hunting fields and all of a sudden when I looked back the field burst into flames. We ran. My bro swore he didn't know what happened.

Charge

Do you remember the Fish and Game poster I did a little while ago? Well I couldn't just leave the painting the way it was. There is something wrong with me.

Things Between Paintings

Once in awhile as I work on paintings I'll take something from the sketchbook and make a little illustration out of it. Since it's been a week since my last post I thought I'd show you all one of these that I particularly like.

Sketch Excerpts

 I noticed it creeping up on a week since my last post. Trying to stay regular here and in life. Instead of sketchbook pages I thought I'd sort out the madness and just give little excerpts this time. I realize those whole pages can overwhelm and literally burn eyeballs out of their sockets. By the way I'm working on several paintings at once so the updates are fewer and farther between, as if you are really paying attention.

Muddy Colors Guest

Check out my guest post at Muddy Colors. They have a great and very informative blog with incredible artists.
Muddy Colors

Squeeeky Neck

I'm trying to leave some brush history on a few of these larger pieces. I think it makes other areas pop.  "Maybe a Little Oil" 11x14 on birch.

Chest Burdster

Pretty sure I need help. I'm on the downhill side of sanity.

Another Narwhal

I tried to do a decent process progression. Sometimes I get going and forget to scan. 9x8.5 inches on copper: "Amended: Albino Narwhal Synchronized Swimming Doping Law"