Emotions Run Wild

There are so many things that can bring out the worst in us. It's like a disease lying dormant: Given the right circumstances or environment, it can flare out into something that we will truly regret later.

Here's a collection of images I created that illustrate the various degrees of anger and what it can lead to if it's not corrected.

Caricature Exploration

The standard dictionary definition of the word caricature doesn't quite get it right: Caricature is a picture, description or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

Well, I would say a caricature screams at the viewer. It invokes passion—either negative or positive (sometimes both, depending on the world-view of the viewer).

For art class, my son and I have been exploring the world of caricature creation. It has really opened up new concepts and forced me to let go of quite a few inhibitions. This is truly been a great experiment.

Keeping Busy

Along with the regular microstock illustrations, I am currently working on a few book projects. Needless to say, I am busy. Not too busy to share a blog post, however.

Exchanging Gifts

Man Reaching Down

For the past few months I have been using a program called Manga Studio EX 4 to create a lot of "ink" drawings on the computer. Since my photo retouching and teaching work hasn't really slowed down and I'm trying to squeeze as much time into the least space available, going slightly digital with the black lines has made it easier to juggle everything. As of late, creating artwork from pencil and india ink has been a luxury for me. When I do it, it's definitely therapeutic.

The Manga Studio EX program is very "real" to me. That is, the
interface is more like real drawing. Trying to draw on a computer is difficult for me. This program has made it easier. I basically only use it for black line work. I still do all my color work in Adobe Illustrator. I am sure I'll learn more as I go. Yes, I still draw with real ink and paint. Nonetheless, the digital way has been a pleasant experience.

The above images were created using Manga Studio quite efficiently. They are currently for sale to use in your publication or blog from The Black Rhino portfolio at Dreamstime.

Fun with Words

In a set of images inspired from famous idioms of American culture, I really got a good opportunity to challenge my creativity.

We all have heard about the "Starstruck" person. This was the easiest one to create.








As a child, some of my most vivid memories of heaven or paradise—in the context of a place believers in God go after they die—was a giant apartment building in the sky. Although my drawing has more "regal" Eastern type of mansion, I really wanted to portray a peaceful place isolated from the cares of the world.














Another childhood image was the saying "liar, liar, pants on fire!" This was clearly "easy" to create. However, with some 2-dimensional flames behind and in front of the 3-dimensional pants gave it something unique.





 Have you ever been told "Get your head out of the clouds!"
 

 

  What about "King of the Hill?" So many ideas came to mind for this one and they all seemed to flow into this pompous king, alone on a hill!

Certainly, any discussion about power, leadership and controversial issues is like opening a "Can of Worms."



It's too easy to be skeptical when it seems like everyone you talk too doesn't seem to understand you. It's like "Talking to a Brick Wall"

Ninja Attack

While I was working on the computer, I felt thumping on the back of the chair. I turned around. Just a few feet behind me was a little person in a ninja uniform. On the floor were rubber shuriken. Yep, I was just ambushed by my son, the ninja. This one is dedicated to him:

© Photographer: Theblackrhino | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Tickled

Google has a neat search engine which allows us to search the internet to see on which websites our images are used. Here's a few interesting sites using drawings I made:

Micheal O. Tunnel's children's book Moon Without Magic. This fascinating book uses part of an illustration I made called A Little Near East Town.

This picture sold alot during the Muslim month of fasting known as Ramadan. Here's some information about Mr. O. Tunnel's book:

The lamp is gone! Aminah can't believe her eyes when she opens her hidden closet to find the jinni's vessel missing. As much as she hates to suspect her dear friend Idris, he is the only one who knows how to access the magic lamp, and now he has run off. But somehow Jinni is left behind, trapped outside the lamp and devoid of his powers. He is traumatized by this event and finds himself changing from acting like Omar, the kindly uncle Aminah trained him to be, and Gindar, the greedy gambler he was back in his human days. When Aminah and Jinni set off after Idris, Aminah wonders which one of Jinni's personalities will accompany her on the journey--and how they will ever manage without magic. As it turns out, they must rely on wits, bravery, luck, and a bit of sorcery from an unexpected source in order to survive thieving bandits, pirates, and their biggest challenge of all: Princess Badr, who seeks not only the lamp, but also revenge.

This French language website GreenEtVert used my Staring At Death illustration in a story about fossil fuel pollution in our precious oceans. They were also very gracious to give me a credit under the image. In today's "if it's on the internet it's gotta be free" mindset, I was surprised (and grateful).

Next, was a big surprise. My best-selling royalty-free illustration, Boulders, was used by a roofing company as its logo. The Ohio-based White Rocks Roof Services seemed to really like it!

The most distressing part of my discoveries, however, is that many of the religious themes which promote positive images of Muslims are used on so-called Muslim websites that did not purchase the image. Some of them still have the watermarks imbedded by the agency from which the blogger stole it—thank God! I will not share those here because I don't like to promote this kind of conduct.

Historical Accuracy in Religion

Moses

Resurrection Day

Muslim Holy Man

Historical accuracy is not something we humans are prone to pursue. Yet, in art, it can be easier to to accomplish than in words.

Still, we need a source—of which there are many. In particular, I wanted people to question the common belief that famous people of Near East religions were Northern European in appearance.

Obviously, my drawings portray them as quite the opposite.