Sunday, March 13, 2011
A few random thoughts on creativity before sleep
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Hazzardous Universe Book Launch
Sunday, March 06, 2011
A Rapidly Expanding Universe
First, Hazzardous Universe was released and the early buzz has been extremely positive (i.e.Jessica Day George, author of Dragon Slippers, gave it 5 out of 5 stars). And I have to admit, at risk of sounding a bit egotistical, the book is amazing. I can say that because Julie Wright is brilliant and did a wonderful job crafting the story of Hap Hazzard. It's a fun, imaginative book that kids and parents can definitely enjoy together. I'm very grateful to be working with Julie on this project.
Second, my art show opened at Gallery at the Station in Ogden, Utah. I've been looking forward to this for several months, but never dreamed it would receive such a great response. I don't think I've ever talked to so many people in such a short span of time. Thank you to all of you who stopped by. You made my day . . . heck, you made my week, month, and a good chunk of my year.
I'm hoping March 9th will be an equally good day. Julie and I will be at the Barnes and Noble in Murray (53rd South State), Utah, to celebrate the launch of Hazzardous Universe. If you are in the area, please come by and say hello between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Hope to see you there.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Book Release and Art Show on March 4th
Hazzardous Universe pre-orders (book or Audio CD) are available through Deseret Book.
Also through the month of March, my artwork will be on display at the Gallery at the Station (at Union Station) in Ogden. A reception will be held on March 4th, 6 - 8 PM, in conjunction with First Friday Art Stroll. I'm looking forward to this show. My illustration work, as well as much of my fine art, will be on display.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
The Hazzardous Universe book series - Set for release in March
We will be announcing the official release date and details for our launch party shortly.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The latest . . .
In the mean time, here's an illustration I did a little while back for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. It's for a story called "The Vicksburg Dead" by Jens Rushing.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Playing with Abstraction
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Isolation, revised
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Troubled Angel, Oil, 15"x30"
Friday, November 19, 2010
A "Perceptual" Approach to Teaching the Visual Arts
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photo by Hipnos |
Unfortunately, Utah's visual art standards are inadequate. While they may help students to express themselves and make cultural connections, they fail to demonstrate sufficient awareness of the skills required to create meaningful works of art and do not provide enough guidance for educators. It is this lack of structure that contributes to the devaluation of the arts in schools and is the primary reason that the arts are one of the first programs to be cut when funding is limited.
Something needs to change.
I've spent the past several months considering which standards I believe should guide the visual art classroom. This has resulted in the following four guiding principles: Perception, Knowledge, Mastery, and Creativity. I call it a "Perceptual" approach to teaching the visual arts, and it is based on precepts taught by Leonardo da Vinci, who stated that "all our knowledge has its origin in our perceptions." It emphasizes visual intelligence and technical skills at younger ages and provides opportunities for greater creativity as students mature.
Following is a brief summary of this Perceptual Approach:
Perception
Above all, an artist must develop the ability to “perceive” the world around him, which is to gain an awareness of nature through the senses, primarily the eyes. Perceiving is shaped by preconceptions and biases, so it becomes necessary for the art teacher to instruct the student how to perceive accurately. Perceptual ability can be simplified into palatable concepts (which I simply call Percepts) that should be emphasized in lesson plans. These Percepts include the "elements" of art, such as line, value, and color, as well as many more advanced concepts, especially the "behavior" of light and complex visual-spatial relationships . An extensive, but open-ended list of perceptions should be developed and provided to art educators.
(Note: "Perception" as used in Utah State's core standards refers to the ability to criticize and evaluate works of art and does not refer to the student's awareness of nature. This marks a sharp difference between the State's approach to the visual arts and a Perceptual Approach.)
Knowledge
As the artist becomes aware of nature, the door is opened for inquiry and learning. This Standard emphasizes that students should take time to contemplate that which has been perceived. Questions are asked and answers are discovered through inquiry, experience, and reason. In turn, as one gains greater knowledge of an object or concept, she becomes better able to perceive greater details and gain deeper knowledge. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the art teacher to pass knowledge (Menes) on to her students and to provide opportunity for contemplation and inquiry so that the student might interpret and adapt the knowledge to their own experiences.
Mastery
Mastery is the ability of the artist to render his perceptions successfully in his desired medium. Mastery is obtained through practice. It is the development of technique through imitation, rehearsal, and trial and error. Without mastery, the student lacks the ability to express that which he perceives.
Creativity
Creativity is often misunderstood by both students and teachers alike. Frequently, creativity is mistaken for "self-expression." Students often complain that a particular art lesson "stifles" their creativity because it requires them to draw or paint a way to which they are not accustomed and does not allow them to complete the work the way they want. But in truth, the student who limits his perceptions, knowledge, or techniques actually lacks the ability to be creative. For example, an artist who has entirely practiced abstract painting techniques may one day wish to paint a realistic human figure, but would lack the ability to do so. The artist must then seek knowledge and mastery of new techniques in order to accomplish this new goal.
Creativity is the culmination of choices that an artist makes in producing a work of art, therefore the artist who is capable of the most choices has the greatest creative advantage. An art teacher should structure lessons so that students first take a disciplined approach to developing Perceptions, Knowledge, and Mastery, and then provide opportunities for the student to use those abilities in unique and personal ways.
I propose this now, not because I think it is the best or only solution, but with the challenge of discussion and debate, and the possibility of advancing the arts in education.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Over-Confidence vs. Self-Deprecation
Monday, October 11, 2010
Hazzardous Universe Art Update
Friday, October 01, 2010
Hazzardous Universe Update
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Good, Better, Creative!
Here are some sample "designer" ping-pong balls, just to give you an idea of what you can do.
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photo credits: dzingeek |
Okay, ONE more thought . . . my last, I promise: I just found a pack of 144 balls for $11.69 from Amazon. I'm ordering that right now.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Problem With Education
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photo credit: foundphotosl |
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
DaVinci Academy Art Department
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10th Grade Student Work |
Thank you!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Balancing Act Called Success
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Photo by Brent Moore. |
Monday, August 09, 2010
Fabulous Failure
Human beings are the only creatures who are allowed to fail. If an ant fails, it’s dead. But we are allowed to learn from our mistakes and from our failures. And that’s how I learn, by falling flat on my face and picking myself up and starting all over again. If I’m not free to fail, I will never start another book. I’ll never start a new thing.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill
“I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work.” -Thomas Edison
“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” –Henry Ford
“Failure is merely feedback that there is something blocking the path of the emergence and expansion of the greatest version of yourself.” –Mother Teresa
I believe one of the most important traits a creative person can acquire is the ability to take risks. You must be willing to risk failure in order to succeed.
Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to “say something.” As stated by Mother Teresa, you are in the process of discovering “the greatest version of yourself.” Allow yourself the ups and downs of that search. And allow the same for others.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
The Spirit of Exploration
At the root of exploration is Curiosity. It’s a desire to know what is “out there.” Children are naturally very curious, but their ability to explore is restricted by parental impatience, age, ability, and fear. As children grow into adulthood, some stay curious, but many of lose their desire to explore. Exploration is risky. And when you have bills to pay, you shy away from risk. You stifle your curiosity. You settle into routine. You become concerned with comforts. You worry about entitlements. You work hard for your home, your cars, and your flat screen televisions and that is good enough.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Quick, find me some wood to knock on.
As I mentioned, The Hazzardous Universe now has a publisher. If you would like to know more about our experience of finding a publisher, I suggest you read Julie's blog. I was going to write about it, but I'm an artist and she's a writer . . . she has already said it all more eloquently than I ever could.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thoughts on Measuring Creativity in a Historical Context
In addition to analyzing the creativity of a product, we would also want to consider the creativity of an individual. Is there such thing as a "creativity quotient"? What designates a person as creative? And what makes one person more creative than others? If we identify those traits, then perhaps they could be measured independently and help arrive at a quotient. We might consider the quantity of products that an individual creates during his/her lifetime, the average quality of those products, and the breadth of that person's creativity achievements (i.e. DaVinci's interest in art, science, engineering, etc.). What other measurable traits might be considered?
I should probably explain my current obsession with creativometry (did I just coin a new word and does it work?). As I mentioned in my last post, I teach a class called History of Art and Science, and at the root of that class is creativity. And as I have taught that class, it has become quite obvious that--although I believe we're all born with it--not every individual develops creativity in the same way or to the same extent. I don't necessarily believe that creativity can truly be measured, however I would like to give my students some sort of tool they can use to compare and contrast creative individuals, products, and periods throughout history. So, I hope you'll let me know what you think of these ideas. Thanks.
BUY IT: Starry Night, c. 1889 Art Styles Poster Print by Vincent van Gogh, 36x24
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Who is more creative, Michelangelo or Vincent Van Gogh?
"Serenity" Prints Available
For you Ogden locals, I have my prints made through Fine Arts Gallery on 25th Street.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Almost Angel

Book Recommendation:
Drawing with an Open Mind
Monday, March 22, 2010
Drawing in Spare Moments
One option I've discovered is to work on a drawing or painting during school. I snag a few minutes here and there, usually in the form of demonstration. As a student, I always learned a great deal by observing other artists. Therefore, I hope my students will gain a little more by watching me.
Here is a charcoal drawing I started the other day for my illustration class.

I'll try to add updates as I continue to work on the drawing. It still has a long way to go.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Big Decisions
My last full day at Alinco will be August 7th. After that, I will probably still be involved with Alinco, helping with designs and projects, as time will allow. I definitely want to thank Terry and Lowla for their friendship and support throughout the past 12 years.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Isle of Doctor Necreaux
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Creative People Recognize and Nurture Good Ideas
Trait #2: Creative People Recognize and Nurture Good Ideas
For me, generating ideas is sheer joy. Seriously. I love to sketch new characters and concepts all the time. Quite often, those ideas go nowhere. But then, every once in a while, I look at an idea and think, "yeah, that's the one." I want to take it further and ultimately to share it with other people.
So what makes an idea stand out? What makes it good? And what makes it worth your time?
Honestly, those aren't easy questions to answer, but I hope the following points will help:
1. Let me start by saying that as you exercise your creativity, you WILL have bad ideas. You will think they are wonderful in the beginning, but in the end, they will turn out lousy. It happens, and it is a GOOD thing, because experiencing bad ideas is a vital part of learning to recognize the good ones. So, I don't want you to think having a bad idea is a bad thing.
2. The basic question to ask yourself about any idea is, "does it solve the problem or challenge?" For example, if you're building a bridge, does it span from one side to the other and can it hold the weight it's expected to carry? Or if you're creating an illustration, does it communicate the text clearly and in a way that appeals to the viewer. For every creative endeavor, there is a purpose. So recognizing a good idea is really the act of defining your purpose and then picking the idea that fulfills that purpose best.
3. Often the key to recognizing a good idea is simply to try it. Mock it up. Write it. Do a sketch. Experiment. That's how good art and good science come to be.
4. Share your idea with other people. As an artist, the purpose of my art is to communicate. So, if I show it to someone and it fails to do that, I need to rethink the idea. But remember this: some people will not like your idea, but your mother really will. So, don't just share it with one person. Get several opinions and consider if your idea is really working. If it's not, don't take it personally and be willing to go back to the drawing board. This is not rejection. It's a good idea under construction.
5. And, ultimately, a good idea is what feels right to you. While others may or may not like your idea, it is important that you do (remember Trait #10: Creative People Value their Ideas).
There are many other ways to recognize a good idea, but I hope these will help point you in the right direction.
Suggested Sketchbook Activities:
1. A Good Reworking
Look around and find three stories, characters, advertisements, etc., that you consider "bad" ideas, and rework them your way. Then share your sketches with a friend and see how he or she responds. For example, while I'm a big fan of Star Wars, I'm not a fan of Jar Jar Binks. So I've considered how he might have been improved and sketched him more to my own liking. I'm sure you've got your own dissapointments, so this is your chance to make things better.
2. Concepts #2
Basically this is the same as the Concepts activity from my last post, but with the addition of one step. Share your concept sketches with someone else and see how they respond to each one. Ask yourself, does each sketch communicate the concept clearly and which one is most visually appealing?
Creative People Generate Many Ideas
Trait #1: Creative People Generate Many Ideas
Currently I am working with my good friend and talented author, Julie Wright, on a book project. This story is not the result of any one super idea. It is something that has evolved from numerous ideas over the past 16 years. It began in my early years of college. The school paper put out an open call for cartoonists to develop and publish their own strip. To me, this sounded like a lot of fun. I began by sketching numerous characters, ranging from an over-friendly St. Bernard to a set of bungling Aliens. The ideas were diverse and I tried not to make any decisions about which were best, at least not at first. Unfortunately, school and work precluded me from pursuing the project further. About that time, I had another, totally separate idea about a boy and his adventures in space. In my spare time, I would write notes about him and his friends and the predicaments they would get into. These notes and the comic strips found themselves filed away, waiting for the time when I could develop them into something more substantial. Over the years, I sketched more characters and noted their traits and added them to my file, never really knowing what would become of them. Years later, as I was thumbing through these old files, I had the thought, what if I combined the bungling aliens from my comic strip with the young boy from my notes? Suddenly, the possibilities for a really cool story began to unfold. I later had the opportunity to present this idea to Julie, who was willing to take these ideas and characters, add her own touch to them, and create a wonderful manuscript.
The future of this book remains to be seen, but the project demonstrates the importance of creating many ideas. As you face a problem or challenge in any facet of life, it can be valuable to take the time to look for multiple solutions. The seeds you plant will provide an orchard of ideas that will grow and cross-pollinate until something new and wonderful emerges.
Suggested Sketchbook Activities:
1. Create a file system for your sketches and ideas.
For some, this may simply be a shelf where you can file your sketchbooks. As for me, I rarely leave my sketchbooks intact and most often tear out pages and file them. I use manilla folders and label them with broad terms, such as Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Costume Design, Gallery Art, etc. The important thing is to find a way to save your ideas so that you can go back to them later for inspiration.
2. Concepts.
In college, I took a class called Basic Illustration: Concepts. It was one of my favorite classes ever. The instructor would present us with a weekly homework assignment that usually involved sketching 10 ideas for a specific concept. For example, he once asked us to draw 10 animals that Noah left behind. In one image we had to show the animal and explain why it didn't make it onto the ark. Another assignment was to draw something to represent each day of the week.
Taking a general concept and creating several sketches is a great way to practice generating many ideas. It can be treated as a game, with one person presenting a concept challenge to the other and vice versa. I would suggest that you draw no less than three ideas for any concept. Concepts can be as simple as "draw three things that are blue" or they can be more complex such as "draw three aliens that could live on the moons of Jupiter." Above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the challenge.
Enhancing Creativity Through Sketchbooks #2
(Like the prior post, this information was originally posted on another blog of mine last year.)
During my presentation at the 2008 LTUE Symposium at BYU, I began by defining creativity. As part of that I listed what I consider the 10 Basic Traits of Creative People. I came up with these based on the research of numerous academic studies as well as pondering what has worked in my own creative pursuits. Feel free to comment.
Trait #1: Creative people generate many ideas.
A creative person examines a problem from many angles and considers several solutions. The first idea may be the best, but at this point in the creative process, he does not spend much, if any, time judging the effectiveness of the idea. He simply seeks as many solutions as possible. Truly, at this stage, there is no such thing as a bad idea, and arguably there are no good ideas either. There are just options and possibilities.
Trait #2: Creative people recognize and nurture good ideas.
Once a creative person has generated a number of ideas and possible solutions, she then must select the most effective option. She has a knack for selecting a good idea. A good idea solves the problem, or problems, effectively. Some ideas stand out, but require further development. She is able to take a loose concept and give it form, whether it is a painting, story, music, or any other creative endeavor.
Trait #3: Creative people are observant.
A creative person often tries to soak up the world around him. He sees the play of light on an object, notices the chirping of birds, and feels the texture of bricks. He observes with all of his senses, and especially with his intellect. He notices the ways that people, animals, nature, and environment interact. He recognizes relationships, such as the relative size of one object to another or the way a series of music notes working together stimulate a particular emotion. Observation fuels creativity.
Trait #4: Creative people are imaginative.
Albert Einstein said, “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Or in other words, a creative person is able to look for ideas and solutions that exist beyond her current inventory of knowledge. She “plays” with her ideas by mixing her observations in new and inventive combinations. She asks, “what if?” and examines the possibilities that such a question inspires.
Trait #5: Creative people are interested in many things.
A creative person likes to try things he has never done before. He likes to learn something new everyday. The broader his inventory of knowledge, the greater his ability to generate ideas and to imagine.
Trait #6: Creative people dare to take risks.
Creativity takes courage. When a creative person exposes her endeavors to the world, she accepts that others will form some sort of judgment regarding her work. However, she recognizes that she cannot let fear suffocate her ideas. Creativity cannot develop when she is afraid to express her ideas.
Trait #7: Creative people are independent thinkers.
While I don’t want to say that a creative person’s ideas must always run counter to established concepts and practices, I do believe a creative person must learn to generate his own independent ideas and form conclusions for himself.
Trait #8: Creative people welcome challenges.
Creativity is fueled by challenges. A creative person loves to put her ideas to the test. The greatest problems require the most creative solutions.
Trait #9: Creative people persevere.
A creative person does not give up easily. He takes the time to nurture his ideas and to bring them to fruition. The best ideas often encounter disappointment and rejection before they achieve success. Think Dr. Suess. Think Thomas Edison. Think of any number of great inventors and artists and what might have happened if they had given up at the first bump in the road.
Trait #10: Creative people value their ideas.
A creative person believes her ideas are worthy of expression. It’s what gives her the impetus to create. She knows her work might not be accepted by everyone, but that it will be valuable to many.
Enhancing Creativity with Sketchbooks
(I originally posted these notes last year on another blog, which I am shutting down, and so over the next few days I will be moving the information to this blog for the sake of simplicity. )
On February 14, 2008, I had the opportunity to speak at a symposium at Brigham Young University on the topic of Enhancing Creativity With Sketchbooks. While I don't have a transcript of the address, I would like to post a few points from my presentation.
In order to use sketchbooks effectively to foster creativity, it is first necessary to understand (A) the nature of creativity and (B) that creativity is a skill that can be learned by anyone.
Many artists, psychologists, and business gurus have attempted to define creativity long before I ever came along. The definitions are diverse. Some are complex and some are very simple. Some define it in one or two traits, while others outline 20, 30, or even more aspects of creativity. I spent some time reviewing many of these definitions, as well as examining my own creative pursuits, and came up with what I consider to be the "10 Basic Traits of Creative People." These are:
Trait #1: Creative people generate many ideas.
Trait #2: Creative people recognize and nurture good ideas.
Trait #3: Creative people are observant.
Trait #4: Creative people are imaginitive.
Trait #5: Creative people are interested in many things.
Trait #6: Creative people dare to take risks.
Trait #7: Creative people are independent thinkers.
Trait #8: Creative people welcome challenges.
Trait #9: Creative people persevere.
Trait #10: Creative people value their ideas.
Obviously, these are not all-inclusive, but I do believe they cover many of the KEY traits of a creative person. Over the next few posts I will expand on my ideas for each trait. I also welcome any comments and interaction.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Michael Malm Painting Workshop (continued)

I completed day four of the workshop today. It has been well worth the time. Mike is an excellent teacher and has really helped me hone my observational abilities. I've especially gained some new insight into seeing and painting warm and cool colors, which has been something I've struggled with over the years.
I'm posting a head study I painted during today's class. What you see here took approximately two hours. Sorry for the quality. It's a cell phone photo, so the quality isn't the greatest and the colors are off.
I'm sad to say it, but until this week, it had been a couple of years since I had painted the figure from a live model. I've really struggled with it and really need to paint more regularly.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Michael Malm Painting Workshop, Day 1

I'm attending a painting workshop this week taught by Mike Malm. Mike is one of my favorite artists. He's amazingly talented and as nice as they come. I'll try to post more details throughout the week, but for now, here is a photo of his demonstration painting from this morning. (Sorry for the image quality. I took it on my cell phone.)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Vanishing

This is a recent illustration I did for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. It is for a story called "Vanishing" by Peter S. Beagle. It was an honor to illustrate a story by such a renowned author.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sisters


Monday, December 29, 2008
Winter Stroll
Friday, December 12, 2008
Contemplating Christmas

Here's an illustration I finished a few months ago for a local author, but for some reason I had never posted it online. I call it "Christmas Eve", and it is meant to capture the moments before the birth of Jesus Christ. I wonder what emotions and thoughts Mary had as she prepared for the birth of the Christ child?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Posemaniacs.com
Thursday, December 04, 2008
The Latest
In the meantime, I'm illustrating a new card/board game for Alderac Entertainment Group. I had basically removed myself from the illustration scene for the last several months, but when I got the proposal on this project, I just couldn't pass. I'll provide more details when I can.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Learning Curve
