Did you ever have a page in your sketchbook that was so bad and so embarrassing that you tore it out and chucked it? This was one of those pages that made me cringed every time I came to it. So today I said to myself, "ENOUGH!" and ripped it out of my moleskine. But something wouldn't let me throw it in the can. Now, I'm not one of those artists that can't bring himself to throw away any of his stuff because each and every piece, good or bad holds some kind of sentimentality or sense of importance. This particular page was a result of a crappy angst filled day and stuff poured out of me. For some reason, it felt like I was throwing away some piece of my soul. There were parts that were overworked and others that were painfully too personal. So I decided to cut it up and put it back together in no particular order, however it seemed best. As I was pasting the pieces down it occurred to me that this had a comic book feel so I scanned the final and added the black borders in photoshop which I really dug. I like that it is cryptic and jumbled up like my brain can so often be.
This reminded me of the awesome @johnhendrix who said something in his book, Drawing Is Magic that stuck with me. He said, "Don't worry about doing anything wrong. If you're hoping your sketchbook turns into a glossy display of only your best drawings, you are not carrying a sketchbook, you are carrying a portfolio." In other words, explore, take chances, loosen up and have fun. Try your best to go at it like an uninhibited child. In so doing, you will stretch as an artist by avoiding repetition and predictability. We all know how to do what we already know.
To sum up, I created a bad page, and whether or not I was able to fix it, it expanded me. So, follow your pencil, pen, or whatever and let them take you to places you never imagined when you started. Then, maybe you will end up staring happily at the final and with childlike wonder, say, "man, where did that come from?"
Went to see Billy Strings Band live in Philly. Music inspires me so much. Although you might not like bluegrass, it's worth checking these guys out. Great jamming, musicians and show. Anyway even if you hate bluegrass, I hope you like the art that came out of it. I also included the original sketch/doodle. Enjoy. BTW: the song is "While I'm Waiting Here".
An abstract and floral doodle of mine that is available as a print on products on Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, and Threadless. Try this link for access to all: https://linktr.ee/okhismakingart
A sideways version of one of my favorite of my watercolor paintings. The print is available on products on Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, and Threadless. Try this link for access to all sites: https://linktr.ee/okhismakingart
One of my abstract mandala-type designs. It is available as a print on products on Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, and Threadless. This link will take you to all sites: https://linktr.ee/okhismakingart
Experimenting today with an oil transfer drawing technique. The red and purple lines are oil drawn/transferred to hot press 140 pound watercolor paper with watercolor applied. The oil resists the watercolor.
I'm not completely happy with the coloring on this, so I might redo it later. I really wanted to take my hand at the more colorful old comic style for Two Face, but I'm terrible at working with pinks.
This was a project I did and totally forgot about. It's a Notan style dragon I did for a 2d composition class. I kinda like out it turned out. This was my first major foray into illustrator. Time: 3 hours Medium: Illustrator on Mac
This was a final assignment for my most recent figure drawing class. There's some things I'll probably play around with but for now I'm definitely ready to set it aside for a bit. Time: 8 hrs Medium: Procreate on iPad.
Hello, my name is Kimmo Oja, 
