figure

Where do I begin with this one? This is a drawing of my dad and I; the picture was taken back in 2006, a happier time, I suppose. I don't commonly think about my dad, I don't necessarily think about how much I miss him or how I wish I could see him again, so it was odd for me to sit and look through old photos. I don't really know my dad; I do, but I don't. My dad was physically part of my life for 10 years, the second half of those were not the best. Mental illness, self medicating for years, debt, heroin, arguments, threats, uncertainty. I feel like I remember the negative more because I was older, my parents couldn't hide it from me like they used to. At the same time, when he was sober and stable, life was good. Life was great, things felt complete. So here I am, 6 years since he died. I don't want to say his image is fading, but I know less of who he was than I did before. I see the good from some (the ones who praise him, who act like he was a saint), and I see the bad from others (the one who felt the pain). I suppose I no longer see my view, my memories aren't there anymore. I don't necessarily feel sad, the anger has faded, and I can't say I'm happy. Maybe I'll figure it out one day, but, for now, it is what it is.

Experimenting with digital inks

Pencil drawing of a sculpture @ IU Art Museum

TheStephen Vattimo 7 mins The Three Witnesses Acrylic on Canvas Size :48"x68" Year finished: 2004-14 This painting illustrates three witnesses who are taking part in the salvation of a homeless person. the figure in the background is angled, this imposed by them being Positioned on second-floor balconies, symbolizing they are not humans, they are a higher class of beings. To the left side of the painting a demon and to the right side an angel of God . the kingdoms they serve are identified by the breastplate emblems of their armor. The demon has a dragon head overlaid on a pentagram. The angle of God has a lions head overlaid on a cross. The demon face is partly hidden by a hood which represents deception, where in contrast the angle of God is wearing nothing on his head that hiders the view of his face., representing honest. Angel is always involved in the affairs of the human race. The demon is warring against man to turn their heart against God, and lead them to destruction. God's angel is always warring lead mankind to salvation through Jesus the Christ, and lead him away from the path of destruction that comes from sinful living. The ally way is representing three kingdoms, to the left, the kingdom o Hell. The center road, the kingdom of mankind. To the right side, the kingdom of Heaven. The path of these kingdoms is represented by the direction of stairs. To go the way of Hell is to take the stairs down to the sub-level door. To the go, the way of heaven is to take the fire escape upward. The lighting and the condition of the structures of the walls also identify the nature of the kingdoms they represent. The kingdom of Hell is represented by the dark and crumbling wall. Man's kingdom is represented by a boarded up windowed wall that is a dead end. Symbolizing that mankind only has two roads to chose from, there is no such thing as a third reality. The left side of the paint is a cardboard box and a newspaper floor which serve as a makeshift shelter for the homeless man. The turned over bottle reveals which devise he had that lead him to a life of living in the street. The tipped over trash can which spills its trash onto the light source that is lighting the alleyway, which is in the shape of a cross, represents mankind's sin which Jesus The Christ paid in full the debt which God demand for the payment for sin which is death. So that The guiltless took the place of the guilty, that by faith in this truth all will escape Hell and enter the Kingdom of God as children and heirs of The Highest God. The Homeless man, who is dirty,ill-clothed, cold, tired, hungry, hopeless, symbolizes the condition of Mankind outside a flourishing relationship with God. The Christian witness is better dressed implying he is walking with God, and his life is blessed through God provision. The witness is showing compassion and the love of Christ to this homeless man by wrapping his arm around the shoulder of the dirty smelly homeless man. He points the homeless man in the direction of the path that leads to salvation through faith in the work of Jesus The Christ which is His work on the Cross, receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior. That through a relationship with the Christ, He can receive the guidance, the strength, the willpower to leave his old life of being a drunkard and living in the street. Because in Christ old thing pass away, and all thing are made new. The light that falls on the Christian witness and the homeless man and opens up in the shape of the cross in the alleyway, comes from a heavenly source outside the picture. Written by Stephen J.Vatttimo June 16, 2014

biro sketch

I’ve been working on color lately. I figured a tree was a good subject.

The fearless Ms. Sinead O’Connor. 2023, Ballpoint Pen on 5.5” x 7” (11” x 7” double page spread) Midori FO Cotton Sketchbook.

Family planning is a basic human right. Couples should have agency when planning their lives and their families. No law, legislation, politician or religious leader can take that away from you. Personal Project, 2022, 9” x 12” Ballpoint Pen on Paper, Digital.

I've already made stylized Jester, so I figured I'd make stylized Dellusion, too. This one is a full body. I did a full body because I need to develop more as an artist, and part of that is to start drawing things I'm not entirely sure of. Like, legs, or perspective, like how his claw is bigger than the rest of his body because it is closer to the viewpoint. I had a lot of fun with this, though, and I hardly ever draw something so exaggerated. Anyways, Dellusion is a private vessel for a specific soul, who works alongside Jester. They both run the pizzaria, but Dellusion is more of the co-owner. Only Jester and Dellusion are sentient, because they're both sort of possesed. Drawn with FireAlpaca.

Meadhbh in front of wall of plants. 2024, Ballpoint pens on 5” x 8” (10” x 8” Double page spread) acid free Moleskine sketchbook paper, Adobe Photoshop.

2020, Ballpoint pen on 9” x 12” archival paper, Adobe Photoshop.

8x10 white charcoal on black paper.

(I had gotten some new fine-point pens last week, and I figured this was a good way to test them out.) Two very different things have been on my mind lately, maybe there's a connection? I think it's interesting how it's taken me 4 years to figure something out, become comfortable enough to open up to others about it, and then embrace it. Yet it's like living a double life, being authentic to some and keeping secrets from others. On the other hand, to the person receiving this drawing, I know I can't do anything to change the situation even though I wish I could. All I can say is I'm forever grateful for all you do, and I truly hope you decide to take advantage of all the opportunities coming your way.

onprogress artwork 2020

"Unthought-of Frailties cheat us in the Wise." ~ Alexander Pope, Moral Essays (1731-35), Epistle To Temple, line 69. I really had to ponder this quote and figure out how to illustrate it. A spider came to mind...so tiny and fragile in comparison yet invokes so much fear. Then considered a daddy long leg.

Drawing of a female figure sculpture @ IU Art Museum Medium: Pencil on 18" * 24" paper

Figured I’d try my hand at something fan art flavoured for this one… namely in the form of my favourite tiny fictional character, Kirby! I can’t ascertain when exactly I became a fan of the Kirby franchise, although playing Super Smash Bros as a young boy may have something to do with that. Whatever the case, I got hooked on the pink (or blue in some cases) puffball very quickly!

I figured it'd be a while until I draw (in full detail) ALL of the Altitone band members, so I made each one a sprite. Their names are (from left to right): (The first one is a base), Elizabeth the hot pink cat, Preistor the sky blue rabbit, Altor the golden bear, Bruce the green mouse, Lexibo the violet elephant, Mary the short red fox, Dexter the blue-gray Racoon DJ, and the three cheerleaders: Rosette the crimson mouse, Oopsie the russet fox, and Pastelle the cotton candy short-eared rabbit. On the very bottom are the instruments. In order, they are Elizabeth's mic, Preistor's guitar, Altor's drum set, Bruce's mic, Lexibo's piano, Mary's oil drum (not an instrument, but Mary hides her bottom half in the oil drum, sort of like Looney Bird from The Rock-afire Explosion (which is why she has no legs)), and Dexter's DJ board. The last three are cheerleaders, and their hands have been replaced with cheerleading pom poms. On stage left, we have Dexter and Mary. On the center stage, we have Preistor, Altor, Lexibo, Elizabeth, and Bruce. On stage right is Rosette, Oopsie, and Pastelle. Made with Piskel. (If you're wondering where Jester and Dellusion are, they aren't band members --- but rather seperate attractions (and Jester doesn't even perform.))

An archived digital self portrait created as the first logo for my brand, Studioerin (studioerin.net).

This is a painting of a first century Galilean fishing boat, most likely the very type of boat used by Peter when he was called by Jesus to follow him. This illustration is part of a bigger mural I am working on, about the ministry of Jesus the Christ. If you notice, the boat is beached facing backward, with the fishing net coming from the back of the boat. This is to signify that Peter, like all the other apostles, except Matthew the tax collector, dropped their fishing occupation and followed Jesus, Who would make them the fishermen of men’s souls. Here is a truth about me as an artist. Two parts of this painting gave me trouble in carrying out this illustration. The fist was illustrating the ropes of the rigging. My first attempt was horrendous it took me a second try to get it right. I had to look up pictures of ropes on the Internet to overcome this challenge. The second was illustrating the rocks on the bottom of the Sea of Galilee and the reflections of the boat on the water. I must have made about five attempts until it finally clicked. Even when I kept looking at the reflections of boats on water, I could not make the breakthrough. In creating the kind of art that I do, it is very rare to find a model that meets all my requirement for what I am illustrating. So, it takes photos and imagination and the grace of God to create an illustration that looks better than a stick figure and communicates the message intended. So, I figure God has me go through these challenges to keep me humble because, without humility, God is not able to use our talents for His glory. (October 12, 2017)

8.5 X 11 cardstock

Quick pen & ink sketchbook doodle.

Graphite on sketch paper.

Howcome ghosts only wear white sheets? A group of whimsical, colorful ghosts fills the space, Each figure is unique, featuring different patterns and hues that provide a playful and vibrant contrast. The overall effect is lively and imaginative, evoking a sense of fun and mystery.

I've began to make a whole load of album covers. They don't quite correspond to an actual playlist, but they're their own thing. Each album has lore behind it, but I'm not giving it away. It's your job to try and figure things out; like a little puzzle. Drawn with FireAlpaca.