tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296601752011-07-07T15:36:47.136-06:00Nick Leenoreply@blogger.comBlogger5141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-37482544118174268172011-04-26T11:06:00.002-06:002011-04-26T11:44:55.486-06:00

Inspired by Jeremy Cowart, I decided to try my hand at a heavily-photoshopped self-portrait. I really like that video, though the more I think about it the more it surprises me. It's a picture of Jesus. I have been conditioned (mostly conditioning myself) to be somewhat of an iconoclast. Crosses, doves, crowns of thorns, all that stuff, it just seems like a cheap shorthand for ideas that are

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-72459141500272968692010-01-19T15:19:00.001-07:002010-01-19T15:20:51.503-07:00

Some things are automatic when you see them every day. Some things aren't.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-31723765781068796812010-01-11T10:41:00.002-07:002010-01-11T10:42:43.802-07:00

It occurs to me that Elvis Presley could be a myth that society agreed they would make up. Really, I wouldn't know any better. As technology progresses it seems this would become more difficult, but it's still essentially what happened with Paul Bunyan or Johnny Appleseed, right?

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-87765138260847948492010-01-06T10:53:00.002-07:002010-01-06T10:55:53.222-07:00

Wow. It's been a long time. I've been very busy on my paternity leave and over the holidays. I've even done plenty of art, just haven't posted it. And now it feels old and unworthy of sharing. But here's something I just did!It's sort of a visual basis for my next attempt at a children's book I've yet to write or even choose a topic for just yet. Any suggestions for a topic that children need to

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-80723141137406018552009-10-14T07:22:00.000-06:002009-10-14T07:23:32.929-06:00

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-69317774640007445242009-10-12T07:30:00.000-06:002009-10-12T07:31:10.839-06:00

Ink, watercolor, and crayon on watercolor paper.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-60385552397670542142009-10-05T13:09:00.002-06:002009-10-05T13:10:51.338-06:00

I'm trying to approach my passion for drawing with as much discipline as I can muster. And with crayons. Definitely crayons.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-82143074520610537732009-08-26T07:26:00.001-06:002009-08-26T07:28:38.567-06:00

Acrylics and watercolors on canvas, 8" x 10".This one took forever to come together, and almost claimed my favorite jeans along the way. But it's worth it. Eventually things arrange themselves, though it's surprising every time.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-68252698341791287812009-08-14T07:20:00.001-06:002009-08-14T07:20:59.278-06:00

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-91960019096912451032009-08-05T10:19:00.003-06:002009-08-05T10:22:27.510-06:00

I've been working on using my dip pen and creating from my imagination instead of photographs. There's a delicate balance between going fast enough to have interesting, sketchy lines and going slow enough to think about composition and form. I've yet to find that balance. The dance of artistic discovery continues.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-75692341624081644552009-07-30T07:46:00.001-06:002009-07-30T07:47:59.719-06:00

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-89292185003672796582009-07-23T07:28:00.001-06:002009-07-23T07:30:03.123-06:00

Los que viven al lado de la plancha morirán por la plancha. (Those who live by the bodyslam shall die by the bodyslam.)The role of Peter will be played in this case by a lucha libre lawyer. Both of these are part of my collection of small figurines on a shelf at work. The Jesus figurine is also part of my ever-growing collection of Jesus chotchkies. I figure if people feel okay making them then I

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-36065929748455723502009-07-22T22:57:00.000-06:002009-07-22T22:58:10.288-06:00

"But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, 'Do it again' to the sun; and every evening, 'Do it again' to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-6866315667772521652009-07-22T08:56:00.003-06:002009-07-22T09:00:37.554-06:00

I got a new ink pen over the weekend in an effort to bring my drawing skills anywhere in the range of Dave McKean. I really like the new range of line quality I can get, but I still have a ways to go with my actual drawing skills, especially as it pertains to people. Then it's a matter of incorporating paint/collage/whatever, then ???, then profits!

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-59578235749586763932009-07-10T07:12:00.003-06:002009-08-25T13:31:17.273-06:00

An ideal summer night, a street fair, a river, and massive amounts of public sculpture all came together for rockin' goodtimes. Thanks for having me!

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-68048672613275397642009-07-02T14:00:00.002-06:002009-07-02T14:02:11.688-06:00

Not even Hasselhoff can save summer television programming.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-31863419600145576942009-06-29T09:28:00.001-06:002009-06-29T09:29:45.193-06:00

Watercolor and ink on canvas.8" x 10".

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-60253687521581717282009-06-26T09:47:00.003-06:002009-06-26T09:48:47.007-06:00

I've been really busy with my children's book lately, and so I haven't done, well, much of anything else. But here's a black and white picture of Sasha begging for caramel corn to make you feel better!

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-74441449546985533792009-06-10T08:29:00.003-06:002009-06-10T08:33:27.721-06:00

I just can't help posting these. I guess I love the ego boost. This isn't being done in order, so don't panic if the story doesn't make sense.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-39724685745329054312009-06-08T09:01:00.001-06:002009-06-08T09:03:03.153-06:00

Happy post 500!

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-54626570782313254432009-06-05T11:33:00.002-06:002009-06-05T11:36:43.182-06:00

It's been a while, no? This is what I've been up to: my first foray into the magical world of children's literature. It's the first completed spread from a story I'm writing called "Petunia and Pops," about a penguin who loves to paint and her slightly-OCD father. Wishful thinking? Perhaps.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-86757588114399405182009-05-29T07:21:00.004-06:002009-05-29T10:23:48.442-06:00

Time for some bluegrass, grilling, and hiking. I pretty much hate summer, but I'm trying to change that this time around. Maybe if I can just stay cool and avoid hearing the crazy neighbors.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-25256915864376304962009-05-14T07:51:00.002-06:002009-05-14T07:54:17.169-06:00

Acrylics, watercolor, and ink on canvas. 12" x 24".This is the first time in a while that a painting isn't better than the one that preceded it. Not that I don't love this one, but it's not perfect. I'll get it on the next try.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-28243414639512483692009-05-06T09:25:00.005-06:002009-05-06T09:47:49.564-06:00

I took Snobatron out on the Sante Fe Trail in northern Colorado Springs last night. A bit of it was on Air Force Academy property. There were trains, and old broken down train stuff, and a creek, and mountains, and a little rain. So yeah, it was pretty much far and away the best ride I've had yet. I'm amazed at how fast this city can go from average suburbia to rugged outdoors. I guess I'm pretty

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-69156704099059518362009-04-29T07:29:00.002-06:002009-04-29T07:32:07.828-06:00

Acrylics, ink, and watercolors on canvas.12" x 24"The end of each painting I do seems to come unexpectedly. I keep working on it, it seems to be going nowhere, and then all of a sudden WHAM!!!Painting done.I'm very proud of this one. It's my favorite painting I've ever done, and I'm inclined to suggest it's the best one as well.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-49550542473176755532009-04-28T10:27:00.003-06:002009-04-28T10:31:09.986-06:00

Took a trip with colleagues to Denver last night. Good times.Buildings in the Art DistrictCheesman ParkDowntown, from the 7th floor of the public libraryInside the Mayan TheaterThe new industrial design documentary "Objectified" was screened last night at the Mayan Theater in Denver. It's from the maker of "Helvetica." Designers were out in full force. It was a pretty good movie, gave me a lot to

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-47019584471429354782009-04-24T07:38:00.003-06:002009-04-24T07:43:09.321-06:00

From Marcia's school:A couple of these are older ones, but I'm working on my tweaking and these are examples.My birthday was fantastic. I took a nice bike ride after work, had a delicious dinner out with my bride, took it easy on the couch. Thanks to everyone's well-wishes.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-25773770227293942792009-04-16T07:16:00.003-06:002009-04-16T07:21:49.395-06:00

I had Good Friday off, so I took a solo trip up to the Crags, on the back side of Pike's Peak. I had to walk the last mile of the road up to the trailhead because there were such deep ruts in the snow. There was every kind of trail condition imaginable: dry, wet, muddy, snowy, icy, lava-ridden?!?! Just kidding about that last one. There were some breathtaking views that translate very poorly

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-48602043554043267112009-04-14T07:36:00.005-06:002009-04-14T07:58:20.885-06:00

I like the show "Chuck". It's a guilty pleasure. Morgan is my favorite. He's been having a rough time lately.And while we're here, let me update my top ten favorite albums of all time. I did my top 50 a couple years ago, and there were some egregious errors. So I redid my top ten. Again, this is favorite, not best. A best list would look very different.10. Redlight by the SlackersThe only ska to

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-66691811221465434762009-04-13T07:34:00.005-06:002009-04-13T07:37:47.683-06:00

I took a stroll with Sasha off the beaten path in Palmer Park last Thursday. There are always plenty of new trails to discover, it's my favorite thing about the park. Having spent countless hours there, I think maybe I've walked half of the trails. Sasha doesn't seem to mind the exploring either.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-41452685000700905352009-04-09T07:18:00.002-06:002009-04-09T07:22:15.267-06:00

Being three states away from my beloved Twins, I have to read blogs and scour MLB sites to get all the info I need. Luckily I live in the internet age, and it's never been easier to follow a team from far away.I can't tell you how excited I am for Target Field next year. I don't know when I'll first get to go there, but the fact that it's being built is enough for me. I'm so excited that I daily

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-77563813196936963782009-04-06T07:55:00.003-06:002009-04-06T08:06:58.883-06:00

Silent Tiny Pieces of the SunApril 2009Acrylics, ink, and watercolor on canvas panel. 24" x 18"I finished this one over the weekend and I'm very proud of it. Many failed things all came together in a way that I never expected. It's further testament to my newfound conviction that any painting can be saved if you just keep at it.It just so happens that I recently found the last landscape I did,

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-32035191837187365412009-04-01T09:44:00.002-06:002009-04-01T09:45:38.170-06:00

My first entry to a collaboration experiment. Photo-based, with some sketching and watercolor.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-38225564878959650162009-03-26T07:42:00.003-06:002009-03-26T07:45:45.910-06:00

Took the day off to spend time with my brother's family. We hit up Garden of the Gods, Front Range Barbecue, and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Despite the chill, good times were had by all.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-71688685202267982442009-03-24T08:40:00.005-06:002009-03-24T08:45:29.351-06:00

Photography purists will tell you that while Photoshop may be handy in slightly tweaking photographs, it is in no way a replacement for good composition and thoughtful photography. I tend to agree, but only to a point. I say, if Photoshop isn't supposed to be a crutch, then why'd they make it work so much like a crutch? Face it, photog elitists. Your glory day in the hot sun is over. If you want

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-85760409866628816252009-03-23T08:20:00.003-06:002009-03-23T08:23:00.473-06:00

I've been inspired lately to take my photography a little more seriously. Not really in a serious way, but keeping a better eye for composition and working on perfecting my camera settings. Part of learning is experimenting, and that's what these generally are.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-90578594208380736632009-03-16T07:45:00.003-06:002009-03-16T07:47:47.687-06:00

Our calililly is finally bringing out another flower. Calling the early morning light delicate sounds very girly, but I can't think of a better word. I love the veinwork of the leaves.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-1742701591318203332009-03-13T08:30:00.002-06:002009-03-13T08:32:26.781-06:00

Had lunch at Momoko's house.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-2484090177706883302009-03-13T07:38:00.001-06:002009-03-13T07:40:33.860-06:00

Finished product.I didn't quite make it to my time goal, but I figured artificially bloating the time spent is a pointless practice. It's done when it's done. I'm very happy with the result. Marcia always seems to bring out the best in me.Acrylics, ink, and watercolor on canvas, 16 in x 12 in.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-63337342789848219052009-03-12T10:27:00.004-06:002009-03-12T10:30:49.445-06:00

I got a new camera last weekend. I've been shooting like a fiend. I feel like it's time to document life in Colorado Springs, before it slips away someday.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-61397292736495735902009-03-12T10:05:00.003-06:002009-03-12T10:07:07.396-06:00

I've started a baby blog to post pictures and tales of a disgusting nature. That way I can keep the riff-raff separated. It's at:Baby Lee Tracking DispatchThe link is also on the right. That is all.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-26430617790014737352009-03-11T08:02:00.003-06:002009-03-11T08:12:17.525-06:00

With my basement nearing completion, I've found time again (by procrastinating on other things) to begin painting once more. I uncovered some old canvases to reuse, so this is the first one. I have three goals for this painting:1. Take my time. Most of my pieces up to now have been done within two hours. This one I'd like to get to ten hours. I think I could build up a lot better texture if I

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-45588661829097773402009-03-05T13:02:00.003-07:002009-03-05T13:08:38.931-07:00

The thing about being a graphic designer is that you're at your computer all day. If another designer friend is at their computer all day, you can speak to them via the interwebs. Given enough time, things can get loopy. This story was written by both myself and Gordon (who also took this photo). The idea is that it's what a story would be like if written by someone who 1. can't write well? and 2

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-56717844027795240582009-02-12T07:12:00.002-07:002009-02-12T07:14:11.592-07:00

Want to know why no updating in two months? The excuse I'm sticking with is that my wife is pregnant. I'm going to be a father! I've pretty much become the primary do-everything guy around the house while my wife tries constantly to keep from puking. Pregnancy is an amazing, disgusting thing sometimes. That, and my basement still isn't done (hopefully by the end of the month). So yeah. Yay!

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-66304803951631348812008-12-15T15:15:00.002-07:002008-12-15T15:23:07.024-07:00

It was the night of the Old Folks’ party, a muggy evening in late August, the perfect opportunity to drape ourselves with way too much clothing, holding on to the misguided sartorial belief that no amount of money was too much to spend on a night of novelty. Around eleven that night, just as things were starting to loosen up from one too many highballs, I decided to throw caution to the wind and

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-28184374178970511822008-12-10T07:23:00.004-07:002008-12-10T07:29:02.330-07:00

They say a writer writes, always. Sure, it was an actor who most famously said that (Billy Crystal in the monumentally funny Throw Momma From the Train), but that doesn’t make it any less true. A thousand words a day appears to be a very difficult task at first, but here’s hoping it gets easier over time.Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’m a writer now. I’m a writer who illustrates. Or an illustrator who

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-58527550283740129282008-12-01T10:24:00.003-07:002008-12-01T11:22:59.017-07:00

At 2:52 AM last night I was staring at myself in the mirror.I was up at that hour because I couldn't resume sleep without going to the bathroom. After washing my hands I looked up at my reflection. I had heavy bags under my eyes, and my hair was all matted, and I looked compeltely... old.It occurred to me that I was up at that hour because I was old, and I looked old, and I felt old. I have a

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-36523857503055008152008-10-31T09:04:00.003-06:002008-10-31T09:17:01.275-06:00

Hello friends, well-wishers, and voyeurs. I wanted to update you on what the deal is with this blog.I've been forced into making some major repairs to my basement, which has raided my calendar and checkbook to an extensive degree. This also involved taking down my studio area for the time being. We've passed the rock bottom point of the crisis, and we're on our way back up now, thank God. There

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-7278991647743406322008-10-28T07:28:00.003-06:002008-10-28T07:31:08.882-06:00

The Pikes Peak Library District ranks 9th among those serving a population over 500,000. I'd say that ranking is well deserved. Their facilities and resources are well above average. Not above average is the Jeep that pulled into this picture halfway through. I learned a tough lesson about urban sketching. (Move faster.)I use the library mostly for movies, I'm afraid. That's not for lack of

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-67230269391926296042008-10-23T07:21:00.004-06:002008-10-23T08:19:40.408-06:00

I'm fighting a battle with fussiness. Apparently the black ink on a twig won't be part of the forces next time.Two things I do better when I abandon:1. Realistic depth, and2. Attempts at funky line quality.Sorry for the massive layoff, I had a lag in inspiration, followed by a homeowner crisis, followed by a "vacation". But now I'm back, and although not quite inspired, I can at least trudge

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-60015529097886698412008-10-22T12:42:00.002-06:002008-10-22T12:43:07.299-06:00

An enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a lifeless, tiny Minnesota town.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-36820509556330666132008-10-21T07:24:00.001-06:002008-10-21T07:25:31.966-06:00

He was the mayor of Grenada, MN for a long time. He was widowed by Aunt Shirley last December. It's easy to like the guy, but only in small doses. After a while your eyes glaze over.With my basement torn up and no space to paint, I figured it's time to get back to drawing. I'm a little rusty.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-24043050974730839842008-09-25T07:58:00.004-06:002008-09-25T08:08:27.415-06:00

I've been reading War and Peace for what seems like an eternity. One of the things I've noticed (because it'd be impossible not to) is Tolstoy's insistence that "great men" of history haven't really controlled the course of history. He says it's the collective spirit of many that controls things. And while I think he may go a little overboard with his historic fatalism, it's interesting to view

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-5509631450727843312008-09-24T07:18:00.002-06:002008-09-24T07:22:33.881-06:00

This Saturday is my 10-year high school reunion, which I will not attend. But it did get me thinking about ten years ago. In September 1998:1. I was just starting college.2. I had an 8-o'clock anthropology class.3. I thought I would be a statistician.4. I was seeing Amanda every weekend.5. I watched Sifl & Olly religiously.6. I was on the bowling team.7. I discovered mp3's.8. I was electrified as

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-36148485211298164682008-09-23T14:06:00.003-06:002008-09-23T14:18:53.395-06:00

From this week's Tuesday Morning Quarterback:"It took the United States 209 years, from the founding of the republic till 1998, to compile the first $5 trillion in national debt. In the decade since, $6 trillion in debt has been added. This means the United States has borrowed more money in the past decade than in all our previous history combined. Almost all the borrowing has been under the

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-71031666512009011542008-09-22T07:12:00.001-06:002008-09-22T07:13:51.219-06:00

The CEO of United Healthcare makes more in an hour than most Americans make in a year. Think about that. Do you think this comes into consideration when they ponder whether or not to raise premiums?The CEOs of major investment banks get millions on top of their ludicrous salaries when their company gets bought out by taxpayers. Somewhere to the tune of several hundred years' worth of my salary.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-78916705806991122802008-09-18T07:39:00.002-06:002008-09-18T07:41:00.402-06:00

Adrift, suspended in a primordial soup of stylistic globules. Forced by my own ambition to strain away what disappoints and unwaveringly accept what remains. Running dangerously low on coffee.----------------Now playing: Mogwai - Kids Will Be Skeletons

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-7569757857957756082008-09-16T13:28:00.002-06:002008-09-16T13:29:25.171-06:00

I anticipate winter unlike anyone I know. At the first sign of fall I rejoice. Even this week, in the midst of summer-like weather, I sun myself in the glorious light from the newborn football season. All is magnificence for the next few months.I also feel like I should start doing things from imagination if I'm ever going to get anywhere as an illustrator. This is a lot less terrible than I

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-44141094942451448502008-09-12T07:35:00.005-06:002008-09-12T07:39:49.927-06:00

What I may or may not have resembled on the day I turned twenty. The photograph has the right date on it, only some of the details don't line up with my memory. To be fair, though, my memory wasn't in top gear in those days. I remember it was also Easter Sunday, and I skipped out of family stuff early to catch "The Matrix" for a second time before I drove back to St. Cloud in the Geo. I had just

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-88142529210581461992008-09-11T08:24:00.003-06:002008-09-11T08:25:56.181-06:00

The thing about living in Colorado is that the leaves don't quite gain the same spectrum of colors in the fall here. I miss seeing oranges, reds, and browns. Here, it's all yellow. Darn aspens. Last year I raked the leaves in my lawn for the first time since I was a little kid. I wanted to jump into the pile, but my neighbor was watching from across the street. I should've done it anyway. Maybe I

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-62670904259792651592008-09-10T14:00:00.004-06:002008-09-10T14:08:31.070-06:00

To the members of mainstream American media, including but not limited to:NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, their local affiliate stations,and to the presidential candidates of both major parties and all members of their respective staffs, every concerned citizen who finds it necessary to pass on hateful email forwards to everyone they can, Focus on the Family, political bloggers, and anyone

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-1611596805884875862008-09-09T13:22:00.002-06:002008-09-09T13:25:10.963-06:00

From this week's Tuesday Morning Quarterback:For cars, SUVs and light trucks, there are two forces at play in oil-addiction trends, but only one is generally recognized. Everybody knows the fad of big vehicles increases petroleum needs -- according to the EPA, the average weight of passenger vehicles has risen 30 percent since 1988, while average MPG is down. The other factor, little acknowledged

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-680369705775010842008-09-08T09:18:00.002-06:002008-09-08T09:21:24.290-06:00

I was about to ask for the check when suddenly my coffee exploded!!! Whoa!Otherwise it was a pleasant meal.Everything is pleasant in the fall. I even love the warm days, when they have that undertone of the coming coolness. I love doing laundry on Sundays in front of a non-stop barrage of football. Soon it will all be falling leaves and pumpkin pie and fires in the fireplace. Summer can suck it.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-77341514843081217502008-09-05T06:59:00.003-06:002008-09-05T09:47:22.717-06:00

Another Rion photo turned into something else.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-21998218997829291822008-09-03T07:13:00.002-06:002008-09-03T07:14:22.179-06:00

Rion Nakaya is a fantastic photographer. You really need to check her stuff out. I've never wanted to live in Paris more, and that's really saying something. Also, Sigur Rós is unbelievable painting music.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-61979977156032996792008-09-02T14:29:00.002-06:002008-09-02T14:31:10.837-06:00

From this week's Tuesday Morning Quarterback:It is Congress, after all, that from 1988 to 2007 repeatedly refused to raise fuel economy standards for cars, trucks and SUVs, thus guaranteeing U.S. oil imports would rise, and helping push up global oil demand, increase the price of oil and channel more dollars, euros and yen to the Persian Gulf dictatorships that support anti-Western and

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-25459304029684298602008-08-29T10:30:00.001-06:002008-08-29T10:32:55.551-06:00

Kung fu yells lose a lot in translation.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-73362665359009394532008-08-26T09:23:00.001-06:002008-08-26T09:25:26.805-06:00

There's nothing about 1910s baseball that has anything to do with ABBA. Nonetheless, "Take a Chance on Me" will forever be linked in my mind with this picture. It's been in my head for days. I can't get it out. I keep walking around with a really cheesy grin on my face, talking with a vaguely European accent. It's terrible. These pictures, however, not so terrible. Part of my "do it again until

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-33565577164551345552008-08-25T07:29:00.002-06:002008-08-25T07:30:02.324-06:00

I'm going to keep at this one picture until I get it to the style I'm happy with. Maybe I won't do the next one so late at night.Sepia and crimson inks with watercolor.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-87323513298134877662008-08-22T07:05:00.000-06:002008-08-22T07:07:31.998-06:00

More old baseball photos turned illo.Of somebody very sad. Maybe I'm working out a subconscious fear of blindness. Who knows.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-9595350409047368852008-08-21T07:19:00.002-06:002008-08-21T07:20:15.729-06:00

This time with a twig.I found a workaround to get (lesser quality) scans of my stuff, so I'm going to ration out maybe one a day until the big scanner at work gets back up and running. I've been plenty busy, too.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-10029060506005704352008-08-08T15:16:00.003-06:002008-08-08T15:19:09.615-06:00

Here's a wallpaper I invented for use on my futuristic new Apple Cinema Display monitor. Shiny.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-13076306806368245182008-08-08T07:07:00.003-06:002008-08-08T07:12:57.105-06:00

The bad news is that our scanner at work has no lightbulb. Yikes. So until I come up with a feasible workaround, there will be no viewing my most recent painting of a Russian guy in a very expressionistic state. It's good, too. Furthermore, no yet-to-be-invented paintings will be shown either. I'll try to remedy this as soon as possible so as to spare you from my words.The good news is that I

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-8745440721970132332008-08-07T12:40:00.001-06:002008-08-07T12:42:43.456-06:00

That's it, I'm enhancing my illos in Photoshop from now on.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-87881218359732383442008-08-06T07:30:00.000-06:002008-08-06T07:31:45.049-06:00

In the course of creating, there was a sudden downpour outside followed by a steady rain. This hasn't happened in many moons, and thus I declared it the end of our record dry season. The timing of this work coincided with the beginning of the school year here. Being married to a teacher, I declare this time as the beginning of another dry season of a different kind. Thus I stood at a crossroads,

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-32047153786152665432008-08-04T07:28:00.002-06:002008-08-04T07:30:39.851-06:00

1. I confess to you that I've done most of my work on Moleskines because I like the ego stroking that comes with extra views, comments, and favorites on flickr.2. Baseball as a subject pulls me into itself. I can't and won't stop with baseball illos.3. It's about time for Ashton Kutcher to stop popping up on my screen all the time.4. I'm so done with record heat and driest months on record. Bring

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-6016575278382168332008-07-31T07:04:00.003-06:002008-07-31T07:05:55.987-06:00

Let's hear it for platitudes! As the good book says, who needs originality when you've got a puppy? This is the third of three.Happy end of July! Let's all just survive the next 31 days.----------------Now playing: Clem Snide - Exercise

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-37938729052520610582008-07-30T07:41:00.001-06:002008-07-30T07:44:57.830-06:00

You know how it goes. You take a trip somewhere cool, figure fall is just around the bend, and get back home only to find out that you still have the whole month of August to go. And then you cry, or despair in whatever manner seems fitting to you. We've all been there, right?I'm beginning to think my drawing skills are becoming stodgy. I feel like I hit on a lyrical style in a couple ink and

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-18660361071962347052008-07-29T07:05:00.001-06:002008-07-29T07:06:50.512-06:00

My five days off last week were the most legit vacation I've had in at least four years. It felt great to get into the October-like weather of the mountains, and lay around at home for a couple days to boot. I read a lot, painted a lot, basically enjoyed the heck out of life. I don't know if a vacation has ever recharged my batteries quite like this one.----------------Now playing: NPR - SXSW:

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-89912385513689117482008-07-28T09:34:00.001-06:002008-07-28T09:35:59.197-06:00

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-65478647601936577112008-07-21T07:17:00.003-06:002008-07-21T07:20:29.155-06:00

My wife needs three 8x8 frames filled for her classroom. Inspirational canines will be the theme. The other two will read, "Listen up, you little turds," and "You're not as special as your mom says you are." It's going to be so great.It's a little fun, no? (You know, aside from looking a little too much like Danny Gregory's work.)Unrelatedly, I really really hate summer. When you break into a

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-23597905062842900722008-07-15T07:19:00.000-06:002008-07-15T07:20:32.205-06:00

It was only eleven days, but it felt like forever. There were a couple points where I just plain forgot what my process normally was. I think the work benefited from this, however. It feels really good to get back to what I love to do.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-83887983690841576762008-07-11T08:08:00.002-06:002008-07-11T08:13:45.292-06:00

I've been hearing a lot lately, from different sources, about having a vision for your life. When I get the same message from several directions, it usually means that I need to pay attention. So I have been trying to come up with a big vision.My wife thinks I should think smaller. I can have a vision for our family, for my street, for my department at work. Whatever. And I'm not discounting the

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-80633711425014100342008-07-07T09:51:00.001-06:002008-07-07T09:53:31.807-06:00

I got a few minutes on Thursday to rock this out.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-32000104013825384872008-07-07T07:58:00.001-06:002008-07-07T08:00:14.267-06:00

My long weekend in a nutshell:

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-33378197711042732962008-07-03T09:58:00.003-06:002008-07-03T10:01:31.588-06:00

Us designers are going on a photo crawl this afternoon, and since my personal camera has about a 30 second battery life, I get to use the company's D300. (Yussssssss...) But first I have to get the hang of such a fancy camera. So here are some practice shots:More to come, either later today or on Monday.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-73143130761324776032008-07-03T08:02:00.003-06:002008-07-03T08:12:43.554-06:00

Take a good look at him.This guy is a d-bag. I'm talkin' straight up fiduciary. As a person I wish him nothing but the best, but as a football fan I hope he burns in the unquenchable fires of hell. When he retired, I didn't buy it for a second. Now come the reports that with training camp approaching, he wants back in.If you were the Packers, that'd be the dumbest move in history. You'd be

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-37532185405089985192008-07-01T08:49:00.003-06:002008-07-01T08:57:03.806-06:00

I've decided I want to try to hand write a page in my notebook every day (or as many days as I can) leading up to National Novel Writing Month in November. I need to practice fictional narrative, and small snippets seem to suit me well. Today's:The angle with which the aluminum bat flew at my leg left a nasty bruise just above the back of my right knee. At the moment of impact the only thing I

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-49121923900832721172008-06-30T13:16:00.002-06:002008-06-30T13:16:53.434-06:00

It's been a slow day. But on the bright side, I got to use my $2 letter stamps, which I bought on Friday night. Important to note is the box of Twins tissues, with many fewer of them used than I thought I would use.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-60935242157730001942008-06-30T11:07:00.002-06:002008-06-30T11:07:50.887-06:00

I just think it's time to give up on ink. There were several failures preceding this, and in every case using my usual pen would've made it look better. So there you go.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-56150363302814620122008-06-30T07:03:00.001-06:002008-06-30T07:05:02.871-06:00

The good news is that I've moved up to a commissioned work. The bad news is that it's to match the pattern on our bath towels. Oh, and Marcia reserves the right to reject the final product. It's good to have client!----------------Now playing: Insingizi - Vinqo

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-17288070115460563452008-06-26T07:33:00.003-06:002008-06-26T07:40:51.760-06:00

Last night at c-group ($20 word for Bible study) someone posed the question: If I was convinced God didn't exist, would I be drastically different?At first I said, "OF COURSE!" I wouldn't have my current job, or likely live in Colorado, or be married. And I'd probably be an alcoholic and denying it. Big changes. But would I be much different? The more I thought about it, the less I thought I'd be

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-6210053590044422722008-06-24T07:08:00.000-06:002008-06-24T07:09:43.816-06:00

I attempted the "ink on twig from backyard" method with this one. Now I will attempt the "whittling twig from backyard into something resembling a workable nib" method. Stay tuned.----------------Now playing: The Get Up Kids - The Worst Idea

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-10066521703056947752008-06-23T13:22:00.003-06:002008-06-23T14:03:26.868-06:00

Sometimes I can't continue pretending that it wouldn't be the coolest thing in the world to work for Aesthetic Apparatus. I think I consider that my dream job.[Don't show up at First Ave for this show. I made it up.][Sigh.]

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-69033576447860575652008-06-20T07:18:00.002-06:002008-06-20T07:19:35.627-06:00

I'm trying to get more illustrative and move away from the purely fine art direction by working on my hand-lettering. This one would be for a short story about a young boy who wants to be an airline pilot but can't because of a crippling fear of the color green? Maybe?

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-54657653821713411652008-06-19T07:31:00.001-06:002008-06-19T07:33:31.580-06:00

Yesterday was slow at work so I took a couple hours to do some book design research at Borders. It made me feel smug and superior to see all the horrible design mistakes. (To be fair, I was in the self-help business section.) It really also helped to get the yeasty artistic secretions going. Good stuff all the way around.Around here we (I) call it bloodfire.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-18271723680822020512008-06-16T07:21:00.001-06:002008-06-16T07:23:16.615-06:00

Are these daffodils? Or daisies? Wikipedia was no help.

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-89191886544485126132008-06-10T07:28:00.004-06:002008-06-10T07:30:23.980-06:00

It's summertime, y'allz. For me, that means cowering in the shade during the day, living it up in the evening. There really is nothing like a cool summer evening after a blisteringly hot day. It smells different. (And for me, "blisteringly hot" is anything above, say, 80 F. I'm Norse, there's nothing I can do about this.)I found a picture of this guy months ago and always knew I wanted to do it

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-87368481152389343262008-06-09T07:25:00.002-06:002008-06-09T07:31:18.310-06:00

Maybe I've found a signature style?This girl was making a silly face in the picture from which I copied. I didn't intend it to look so dark, but I think it pops."How could it have taken me so long so realize that pen drawings and sloppy watercolors are meant for each other?"This might be the drawing I point to when my subconscious screams about a white background. Not diggin' it as much as

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29660175.post-29838414650320133732008-06-06T07:36:00.000-06:002008-06-06T07:37:49.407-06:00

I never could get over her fierce fight to count Florida and Michigan AFTER agreeing not to last year."I demand you count all the votes for me when my opponent wasn't on the ballot! This is not Zimbabwe!"

Nick Leenoreply@blogger.com0