Iraq part 3

Iraq part 3

Iraq part 2

Iraq part 2

Iraq part 1 Where I found my inspiration (Spring 2003)

Well at least the large scale art and full color pieces. I was on deployment to Iraq just as the city fell in 2003, we moved around a bit and finally settled into our little area. Myself and my guys scored a former servants hut, it was ok, all the wall fixtures, toilets, sinks etc where ripped out by looters prior to our arrival. It worked well enough for us and it had nice clean white walls.

My wife sent me several hundred permanent markers and highlighters. I used all of the free time I had to make my geometric designs. Creating art really allowed me to square my mind away for the important work I had to do. My guys were very successful and all of them came home alive.

The inspiration that I was blessed with on that deployment stuck with me and finally in the spring of 2007, I found new ways to translate the inspiration and visions that I was having using new mediums for me paint, first acrylics, then oils and now a combination of the two. My techniques are getting tighter, and my focus remains on getting the visions in my head on to the canvas.

I'm going to include some pictures of me in Iraq and the house we lived in, it will be in the next two posts.

with aloha,

Todd

Dancing with the Anemone

Everyone,

18" X 24" Oil and Acrylic on stretched canvas. This one was another fun and very whimsical piece. I hope you guys enjoy it.

with aloha,

Todd

Rush Hour in the Abyss III "The Gathering"

All, This is one of the most enjoyable pieces I've created. It's 48" X 60" Oil and Acrylics on Stretched Canvas. I've added in some new characters and am evolving some of the previous ones.

with Aloha,

Todd

Black Heart Red Beats

12" X 12" 3D Acrylic on stretched canvas. I wanted to try a contrast with the red against the overwhelming black while retaining a strong connection to the theme.

Aloha,

Todd

Crosstown Traffic

All, 12" X 18" Acrylic on stretched canvas. After a brief discussion with Kelly I decided to create a 3D piece that works in some harmonizing colors. I chose this style as I was sitting in morning Honolulu commute. For those of you who have experienced the H1-H2 or the Middle Street Merges, you may feel my inspiration. I hope you all enjoy it. I threw in some oblique shots as well, I think they give you some more facets of the personality of the paint.

Aloha,

Todd

Out of the Darkness

12" X 12" 3D Acrylic on stretched Canvas. Laura get's the credit for the idea, she mentioned coming up with a 3D piece that looks like branding (the new tattoo), kind of a raised skin effect. So I took that and went to work, this is what I came up with. It is exactly what I had envisioned. It kind of looks like welding beads.

Phoenix

Hey Everyone, I'm sitting at home today suffering through one of the worst flu's I've ever had, so I am on the computer trying to spin the clock faster so I can feel better. This is my latest, it's among a couple, which I should send out today as well. It's 18" X 24" 3D Acrylic on stretched canvas. I shot a couple of oblique angles to give you an idea of what else is going on with it.



Aloha,



Todd

Twisted Fate

15" X 60" Oil and Acrylic on stretched canvas, with some 3D paint work. The foundation of this one is the Tree of Fate in the center flanked on either side by trees twisting as they grow out of the heavens with an unseen force pulling them off the canvas in opposite directions. Twisting and swirling energy abounds all over this piece.

Aloha,

Todd

H2Overdrive

12" X 18" 3D Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.