Sharp Pencil Creative

sold. GONE....etc...

2011-01-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

Final Packing of the Studio at 195.

2010-12-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

It's been a good space, but not a great space. It's been a sad space but also a fun space.

Heck I spent most of the 5 years here in it, building it, not working on art!!

Only to have it destroyed by a leaky air conditioning window unit in the last 3 months of owning it. I Feel good moving out of it. To a new easel- A sober easel and a new life. One without alcohol. Instead - lots of paintings like the one below, a lot of time in the brush.

The final painting painted at 195 is for Emily.

Here it is......

I love you and I love you my 3 little loves.

from a book bought prior to 01/02/03......

2010-12-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, i hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I HOPE YOU DANCE.

ONward! Daily posts will start today!

2010-10-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” - author unknown

To have a Professional Photographer do the work is......

2010-08-17T16:40:00.001-07:00

hey wait you are missing a shutter there, yeah I know I am it's brand new and in the garage......
Priceless....My Realtor just hired a pro to do our real estate pics, here's the results..WOWZA!

Please visit http://www.murphyphotography.com/index.html to see some more incredible work.

CBK Mountain Adventures Grand Opening

2010-06-23T03:33:00.000-07:00

This past week I was in the Poconos working on Waterpark Signage for CamelBeach Mountain Waterpark. I also had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the new Adventure Park as well, CBK Mountain Adventures. It was a hot day but very exciting for all involved. Thanks to Ken for allowing me to make the trip down. Congratulations to everyone involved, the property looks fantastic. Oh and check out that main sign at the beginning of the video.....

Visit skicamelback.com to book your next adventure!

With this post comes my first ever video that I created in IMovie.

Enjoy!

The Lumberjack Production.

2009-05-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

This is the blow down that we are about to harvest into 6' long Cherry Logs for Kibler's woodworking..... Rain, Mud, Chainsaws, & Gas.........Look and Watch at your own risk....

Thanks Constable Bruno for showing us what tree we are cutting....

The Architect has finished marking the tree precisely at 6' intervals....

The engineer is working his way up the hillside....

All the logs flopped to the side of the road, easy right?

SURE, now we just have to come back after lunch and load them..

Hey look Kibler's Truck WITH a Gas tank.....

Needless to say everything went great UNTIL Kibler's truck hit the metal above and punctured a garden hose size hole into his gas tank...no logs came home with us, neither did his truck.

It came home on a wrecker....

The old Chevy Came out on top though, just fine, with a solid gas tank and a hung-over crowd too boot!

VIDEOS

loading tomorrow!

Kirsten Gillibrand (D) , She's getting my vote next time!

2008-06-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2008

Dear Mr. Wright,

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 5889, the Orphan Works Act of 2008. Based on the large volume of mail my office has received regarding this bill, I recognize that this is an issue of great importance to the people of Upstate New York. I also understand your concerns regarding this piece of legislation and therefore if this bill were to come to the House floor, I would vote against it.

As you may know, orphan works are copyrighted works whose owners have been difficult or even impossible to identify or locate. This bill would limit liability in most cases of copyright infringement when a reasonable search to locate the copyright owner was made but was unsuccessful, provided that any known information regarding the owner and copyright holder is available. It would also require infringers to submit a Notice of Use when they use an orphan work. I believe that this bill would unnecessarily deprive rightful copyright owners of their just income.

Thank you again for contacting my office regarding the Orphan Works Act. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding any other pending legislation or other concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gillibrand
Member of Congress

P.S. Please remember to sign up for my online newsletter.

Memorial Day.

2008-05-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all our veterans serving/who served our country.

Thank you to their families who sacrificed their time with them.

SAY NO to the ORPHAN WORKS BILL!!!

2008-05-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Preface by the illustrator Jason Martin, taken from his email to me:

"Oh yeah, already way ahead of you. I ended up writing Senator Leahey, telling him, "Tell ya what--since you think it's acceptable to go ahead and take my work without paying for it (or paying what YOU think is reasonable, if you get caught) maybe I'll just go visit your house, and if I like your car, I'll just go ahead and take it. But if you catch me, I'll pay you what I think is reasonable for it, and frankly, who WOULDN'T think that $50 is a reasonable price for a BMW?"
This is just flabbergasting that someone thinks this is an acceptable ethic to try to pass through Congress!! ""

Hi all- please give me 5 minutes of your time. I never ask for much but I'm asking you all to help me as a professional illustrator and Emily as a professional graphic designer, we both also have other professional artists in our families, help protect our careers.
please forward this to everyone you know if you support artists making a living from their artwork. BUT YOU NEED TO ALSO TAKE ACTION BY SPENDING 30 sec. at the link below....

********* THE ORPHAN WORKS******** legislation that is being reviewed in the U.S. .....
As artists we DO NOT support this bill- it will take away our livelihoods !!!!! PASS THIS EMAIL ON and take action now.
keep reading but writing the people who represent you is very quick at this link, it does all the work for you..... 30 seconds max.

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

the following is just a small part of the bigger issue with this legislation.
This bill currently going through the U.S. house and senate WILL affect photographers, graphic artists, designers, illustrators, anyone who makes images in the USA....

In the most basic terms should this bill get passed the visual artist community stands to lose our incomes from creating imagery.
This is not something to take lightly, simply put (using myself as an example)- this bill in essence will take away the ownership that I have of any images I create. Anyone who comes across an image I created and wants to use it, after a "legitimate search documented" may do so without any criminal offense as punishment after they do a quick search to "try" to get in touch with me. If they have no luck- meaning "oh I tried but did not get an answer." can use my image!!!!

UNLESS OF COURSE I BUY A MEMBERSHIP IN A PRIVATELY HELD REGISTRY. YES THAT'S RIGHT I CAN GET COVERED BY PAYING TO HAVE MY ARTWORK IN A PRIVATE DATABASE THAT "WOULD--BE USERS" COULD SEARCH. IN ESSENCE WHAT IS CURRENTLY PROTECTED UNDER COPYRIGHT LAW FREE OF CHARGE TO ME WOULD ONLY BE PROTECTED IF I BOUGHT A MEMBERSHIP TO A PRIVATE CORPORATE DATABASE TO REGISTER EVERY PIECE OF ARTWORK I'VE EVER CREATED.
It get's much more complicated but this is the basic idea.

Currently any images I create are copyright protected and to use any without my permission is against the law. IT will not be against the law if this bill gets passed. PEOPLE THIS IS OUR LIFE. THIS IS OUR JOBS, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

PLEASE do not ignore this email... read below... and go here to send a message to your reps...
it takes 30 seconds and the database does all the work for you.

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Thanks,

Nick Wright
more below

Orphan Works: Behind the Talking Points

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS’ PARTNERSHIP

Backers of the Orphan Works bill are circulating their Talking Points:

“Neither the House nor the Senate drafts of the bill contain the word “registries,” [they write] but rather they require users to search non-governmental databases of copyrighted works. The purpose of any database is not meant to take the place of copyright registration, but to have a way to search for visual images. Any participation in such a database would be voluntary.”

But this doesn’t mean what it appears to say. Take it point by point:

Talking Point #1: “Neither the House nor the Senate drafts of the bill contain the word ‘registries.’ ”
Response: Correct. They contain the word “databases,” a synonym:

Registry: register: an official written record of names or events or transactions
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Database: A database is a structured collection of records or data
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database

Q: Why a synonym?
A: Because international copyright law forbids member countries to impose registries as a condition of protecting copyrights: Berne/Article 5(2) ”The enjoyment and the exercise of these rights shall not be subject to any formality.” http://www.law.cornell.edu/treaties/berne/5.html

In other words, if they used the word “registries” in the bills, it would be a red flag to other countries that the US is flirting with non-compliance with international treaties.

Talking Point #2: “...rather they [the bills] require users to search non-governmental databases of copyrighted works.”
Response: Non-governmental databases” means databases maintained in the private sector.
For users to find your work in these commercial databases, your work would first have to be in the database.
Work not in the database would be orphaned.

Talking Point #3: “Any participation in such a database would be voluntary.”
Response: Congress cannot pass a bill making registration mandatory because that would violate Berne/Article 5(2).
And that would state explicitly to other countries that the US no longer intends to honor its international agreements.
There are red flags all over these talking points.

Summing up: The Orphan Work bills would mandate the creation of registries by commercial interests.
You would not be legally forced to place your work with these for-profit registries.
But failure to do so would orphan your work.

The deceptive talking points accompanying this bill are another red flag.

— Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner, for the Board of the Illustrators’ Partnership

Take Action/ Write Congress

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Over 37,000 messages have been sent from the site in the last 48 hours. Please spread the word.

Please forward or post this announcement in its entirety to any interested party.

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Beep bee ditybeep beep beep.....

2008-04-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

We interrupt this program to bring you a great radio interview with Brianna Grant, author of the children's book we just released...

http://www.radiosandysprings.com/podcasts/FollowingYourPassionsMar25%20.20008.mp3

Copy/paste the above address into your browser.

listen and enjoy!

Watercolor, Pen & Ink, or Acrylic?..maybe Oil?

2008-01-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

I have an outdoor painting job on the table that is begging for some attention. Other jobs are keeping me at bay so maybe I'll get to paint on it tonight.....Maybe if I knew what I wanted to use for a media I would be painting it already!

Anatomy of a painting.

2008-01-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick look into my process. I never care much about what this process looks like as long as the final piece is satisfactory to my eye and the client's eye. Indeed, sometimes my process can get quite messy and hard to follow. I tend to work out the image in these phases more in my head than perfecting the pencil on the paper. Putting the lead to pape helps me do just that. Often my wife and children say, "WHAT is that???"

This piece was painted for a private client at the end of 2006. He resides in Massachusetts. The piece is quite large- 3' by 3'!

This final pic is really just a quick digital that I took when I finished the piece. Hind site I wish I had scanned it in sections. The colors in this are a little too saturated and it seems dark.

Latest from the Drafting Table.

2008-01-15T20:55:00.001-08:00

Trying to remember to update this thing more often...It's not going so well as of late!
I have a break on another project I'm working on so I thought I'd post real quick.

Painted for CTO outfitters in Texas, a non- for profit organization that is producing these awesome mags and have conracted me to do all of the covers! A great gig and Mike Arnold over there has been fantastic to work with. Its a organization that provides youth support and spiritual guided hunting trips for all kinds and all walks of life....

This one is titled "A Texas Flop".
The sale of the original is split to benefit CTO which is a non-profit org.
It truly is a great group to be a part of and I am lucky to have landed it!

Enjoy the art.
Acrylic on Board - 12 1/2" x 16 1/4"

Have a "Beary" Happy New Year.

2007-12-26T15:52:00.000-08:00

Finished this on Christmas Eve.
April 2008 "Reflections" column for Bow and Arrow Hunting Magazine.
Digital.

Christmas with Keane!

2007-12-19T05:20:00.001-08:00

All images and designs ©2007 Keane Collection.

Some more Holiday cheer (actually it's Tableware) that I worked on for Keane Company.
Some of the designs have not been made yet- but some of them have !
Find out where to buy my designs at http://www.keanecompany.com

December is almost GONE!

2007-12-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!
December has come and gone much like 2007 has!
I have not posted anything because I can't keep up....
Here's a watercolor I finished for my mother.
She hired me to do it so she could give it to her friends for Christmas.

This is just a quick scan that I pieced together so sorry for the photo shop marks.

Infertility Raffle FUNDRAISER for good PRIZES!

2007-11-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

This RAFFLE ended on Thanksgiving.....

Pre-Ordering starts December 1!

2007-11-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Balanced Steps is taking preorders on the new children's book starting December 1...
http://www.balancedsteps.com

Until then read a great review here....
http://www.kidsrunning.com/book/wearegirls.html

Not sure about the word "folksy" but I'm glad the reviewer commented on my paintings!

I was in Wal Mart this a.m. checking the Cars and they were playing Christmas Music already....
.......a little early????....

We're in a mag....

2007-10-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

Ladies Home Journal...

Some of Keane Company's Halloween products made it to the newsstand.
Check out my designs for these platters below.

Treat Yourself in Style!

2007-10-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

October is a month for Ghosts and Goblins right? Grab a treat from one of these new food safe aluminum pieces produced by The Keane Company. Check out all their lines at http://www.keanecompany.com
Lane Feuer did the sculpting from my designs and the company's concepts. We also did much of the Christmas line on there and I'm currently working on some new designs for their coastal line, which will be out in January.
All artwork/design/sculpts/ and products ©2007 The Keane Company.

New T-shirt Art!

2007-10-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

For a great client at TampaRaces.com down in Florida.
Emily and I poked and prodded at this one for sometime.
Currently working on the next one and will post when it's fini.

Dog gone it!

2007-10-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

From Cypress Knees Publishing and Outdoor Youth Adventures comes my second coloring book.
I think this one ended up being much nicer and better executed than my first.
Both can be bought at my website, http://www.outrdoorpaintings.com

You can check out all Cypress Knees Publishing's titles at http://www.outdooryouthadventures.com

BY THE WAY- my first coloring book can now be seen in any Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop stores.

"What's your favorite page in your new big game hunting coloring book?"
"Page #8, No, actually all of them are my favorite."
Sean Donovan, Age 7
Putney, Vermont

The Almost finished Cover Layout

2007-10-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Check it out.
The almost finished cover from the author, Brianna Grant.
I'm suggesting shifting the cover art back and down.
More air is needed in front of the lead girl and the staple holes on the bottom are showing.
Thoughts?

3/4 Fini pic of Cover

2007-10-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

This is a 3/4 Finished shot of the cover I took about 2 months ago. Also page 16.
The book is done and is going to print next week.
I traded all 16 paintings for the 1 month extension. Crazy I know....
but they are all getting donated to non-for-profit fundraisers.
Needed the time could have used another 2 months in all seriousness.

Finishing My first Children's Book Project.

2007-09-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Currently 3 days late- I'll be delivering my first series of paintings to the author and her company a total of 7 days late. ARGGHHH!!!
It consists of 16 paintings, 7 of them actually 2 full page spreads- 6 of them full pages and 3 of them medallion shaped.
It was SO MUCH work and time.... I signed a contract to deliver these within 3 months and boy did I underestimate the time it was going to take! Luckily for me my client Balanced Steps, has been super patient and very understanding. I have learned a lot this time around, especially not to sell my time short on such a big undertaking.
The author Brianna Grant is set to release the book nationwide at the beginning of the new year. Details will follow as they become available. Or see http://www.balancedsteps.com

I'll be sure to post scans when I get back from my week long excursion into Canada.