Hey Ray! Caricature

Hi All,

Happy New Year....OK, it's a little late.  Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm), would say you have 3 days before the statute of limitations runs out on "Happy New Year."  But I digress.

Here's a fun little caricature that I did for a friend, Ray, who is a life coach specializing in helping couples work through their issues.   I had a little fun with it and turned out Ray loved it and uses it for everything.  The other day he gave me a golf ball....that had the caricature printed on it.  He told me a client had it printed for him.

The original Ray Kopakowski caricature. 

Over the last couple of years I've done a few background variations and designed a couple of tshirts for him as well, with the caricature on them.  The one thing I didn't expect, was the golf ball with the pic on it. 

Hey Ray QnA - Design for social media to go with his podcast where he answers relationship questions

 Ray's got a good little practice going; helping people in relationship crisis, a podcast, he's finishing some books, and he's planning to do some public speaking in the near future.
His practice is called: Inner Power Insights.  He works with local clients as well as folks around the country and even internationally.  Website: InnerPowerInsights.com

The "Ask Ray" golf ball. 

It's been a fun little project that keeps bringing in work.  In the near future, there's a couple of book covers that I'll be designing around the Ray pic and I'm sure there's other projects that will come up as well.

That's all for now.  Back to work.  I hope you all have a wonderful winter.  Enjoy each day.  Even if you're in cold country - relax and enjoy...summer will be here soon.  Make each day a good one and do something good for others too....maybe even for a stranger. 

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
Artist, Illustrator, and Designer
www.behance.net/tk-art
email: tom.kbrink@gmail.com

Duane "The Rock" Johnson Caricature

Hi All,

It's been a busy summer and fall has finally come to the Valley of the Sun (thankfully).  Even though it's been busy this summer, I've still been working on some artwork here and there when I get the chance.  I love doing caricature work and I have a new one to share (although I finished it a while ago).

Recently I was hanging out with my granddaughter and we decided to do a little drawing.  I love hanging out and drawing with her - and she's a pretty good budding artist.   She found a topic to draw and I found an old magazine with The Rock on the cover and decided to start a piece based on him.

I started with pencils and a piece of bristol board and started a loose caricature of Duane Johnson.  When finished drawing I put it down and forgot about it.  Eventually I picked it up again a few weeks later and decided to finish the piece.

pencil sketch/caricature.

After I bought the pencil sketch along, I took a photo of it and brought it into Photoshop and did some digital painting.  I started by giving the image a sepia tone (a light brownish color).  I tightened up just a few areas that needed it, added a background design and a border; some finishing touches that I can easily apply with Photoshop and my Wacom drawing tablet.

finished artwork - pencil and digital paint

I enjoyed this project and I like the subject matter.  Typically, D.J. makes movies that are exciting and fun and a lot of times family friendly.  I've enjoyed many of his films and used to watch him wrestle, with my sons, years ago.

In a world as polarized as we live in today - Duane "The Rock" Johnson is a guy most of us can agree on.  This is a rare quality these days.

So remember the things we can agree on and that even though we may have differences, we all share a common humanity.  Have a great week everyone.

"Can you smellllll.......what the Rock is cooking?"

Peace,

Tom Kreienbink

Farewell to Tom Petty

Hi All,

I hope you're doing well.  I'm doing alright.  I'm keeping busy with a job doing outreach to homeless folks, here in Phoenix.  I'm the EMT on the team.  Here in the USA it's a big holiday week.  We celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday.  It's a great chance to get together with family and friends and celebrate and give thanks for the many blessings that we have.  I'm working the holiday, but so grateful to be getting together with family when I can this week.

On quite a different note, recently quite a few of our favorite musicians (and other celebrities as well), have passed away.  One in particular, that I've enjoyed over the years was Tom Petty.  As I became a young adolescent in the late 70's, he was breaking out on the national music scene with his band The Heartbreakers.  Later on he did some solo work and even was part of a supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys. 

About 10 or 11 years ago I was able to catch a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert with my wife and friends in Maryland.  The crowd was so excited and the band seemed to be having so much fun...it was pretty special.  I've seen some pretty good shows, but this one was as good as any that I've ever been too.

A few weeks back I started playing around with my sketchbook and a pencil, drawing a caricature illustration of Tom Petty.  I'd like to share it with you here.

Tom Petty - pencil and digital paint. 2017.

It's kind of a fun and loose caricature.  I started with the sketch and imported it into Photoshop, where I did a little more work, some shading, some background, etc. 

Farewell Tom Petty.  We'll be here enjoying American Girl, Free Falling, Handle with Care, Learning to Fly, and the rest of your music.

Have a great week everyone.  Enjoy Thanksgiving Americans.  There's plenty of places to help out the less fortunate this holiday season, if you're inclined.  They appreciate it.  Those of you travelling this week - be safe and happy trails.

Till next time..... Peace.

Tom

Digital Painting - Mike Daniels

Hi All,

How are you doing?  Things are going pretty good out here in AZ.  It's crazy - I know that it's getting cold and leaves dropping off the trees in so many places, and here it's still around 90 degrees in the day.  But that's how it is.  It was a long hot summer - so it's nice to get a little break.

I've been working on a little more artwork this fall.  I'm just finishing another Green Bay Packer piece.  This one features defensive tackle and amazing player - Mike Daniels.  This guy is a huge, powerful lineman whose motor never stops.  This is turning out to be a big year for him, so I felt it was time to get a Mike Daniels illustration in the collection.

Mike Daniels - digital paint by Tom Kreienbrink

 I drew and painted the entire piece on my old Mac computer in Photoshop, using my Wacom tablet.  I used a line art technique first.  Drawing the images on the top layer.  Then I colored the images of Daniels on a layer below the line art.  Finally, I applied a green background, border, text and finishing touches. 



I love illustrating people.  Being a Green Bay Packers fan, I enjoy illustrating some of my favorite players.  On this piece, I thought I'd try a little bit of an old school comic style. 

Enjoy the artwork - and enjoy fall, the rest of football season and the coming winter.  Every day is a gift, so enjoy it (even Monday).  Work on something creative yourself, and spread a little kindness around you.

Have a great day.

Peace,

Tom

On-line portfolio - www.behance.net/tk-art

Merry Christmas Everyone

Hi All,

I just wanted to share my annual Christmas Greeting with you all.  I've been working on it for the last few weeks.   As is my custom, I create an annual Christmas card and send it out via social media.  As a lot of my artwork these days, this started with pencil and paper and was finished with Wacom drawing pad, Apple computer and Photoshop.  I hope you enjoy it.

I just want to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  I hope you are able to enjoy the Holiday season, wherever you are.

From our hearts to yours - may you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and make next year the best ever.

Peace and Love,

Tom and Sue Kreienbrink and family

www.behance.net/tk-art

Cap'n Pete's Midlife Cruise

Hi All,

Wow - what a busy weekend.  Had a great 4th of July holiday, got to watch a good fireworks display.  Then, we hosted a party yesterday, which was fun.  A low key get together, but hopefully a good time for all.  Whew!

Today I dug out a piece that a did a while back for a guy we call Cap'n Pete.  Cap'n Pete is a guy who would conduct transition programs for the military.  The programs help military members transition professionally from being an active duty military member to becoming a civilian again and Cap'n Pete is excellent at what he does.

Cap't Pete had developed a special transition program for career military members who were venturing out into the workforce after a 20+ year career.  I developed a design that he could use on folders, coffee cups, email and web, and various other promotional items.  One thing about Cap'n Pete; he is a huge Jimmy Buffet fan - or a Parrot Head.

Midlife Cruise artwork - Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

So with Pete being all about a laid back nautical lifestyle and the name of the program being, "Midlife Cruise," the illustration just about designed itself.  I started with Pete himself; a caricature portrait, and also a parrot and life preserver.

The life preserver is a symbol of getting help that is needed - like someone tossing you a life preserver when you're floundering in the water.  We all need that when transitioning to a new chapter of life post military service.  Of course the parrot and drink with umbrella are a light hearted nod to Pete's love of Jimmy Buffet and the laid back lifestyle and his mellow island music.  It's also representative of how this should be an enjoyable "cruise," into a new chapter in life, not a rough situation.

Like a lot of my artwork, I started with a tight pencil layout.  I then scan the pencil sketch in to the computer and work in the color with Photoshop and a Wacom tablet.

Well - gotta go.  There are still things to be done today.  Have a great week ahead.  Enjoy every day.

Peace,

Tom

Digital Painting with "Painter" software

Hi All,

How's your week starting off?  I hope well.  Things are moving right along here.  Keeping busy - a little bit of everything.  Summers starting off nicely here in Phoenix.  It's been in the low 100s and 90s recently.  Warming up!

Some of what's been keeping me a little busy - I've been working on more artwork for my friend, Towanda Allen.  She's been writing books and working on workshops for Mother and Daughter empowerment and enrichment.  The first piece I did a while back was the "Brave" artwork.

Digital Artwork for Towanda Allen's empowerment workshops.

That was a fun piece, and I knew she wanted more soon.  As promised, she came back recently with a request for a book cover design.  The book is a kids leadership development journal that she's written called, "I'm a Leader for a Great Tomorrow - Inspirational Journal for the Next Generation of Leaders."  She's finished writing it and working with a publisher now.

Painting/Design for bookcover for Towanda's kids leadership journal

The direction I got was - "here's the title - it's for boys and girls, let me know if there's an image that comes to you."  I thought about it for a bit and what came to me was clear and quick - an abstract painterly style painting.  Something a bit adventurous, but not in the traditional sense.  Above is the image.

I've been wanting to work with the program, Painter, for a while now.  I do play with it on my own, but I wanted to do some complete works with it, in a painterly style.  This was the perfect project for Painter.  I've worked with it off and on over the years, even when I was still in graphic arts in the Air Force.  It's fun and really simulates artistic media well.  You can use oils, acrylic paint, airbrush, pencil, marker, chalk, pastels, etc - all simulated thru this computer graphics software. (I think Corel is the company that owns/sells Painter now).

Painting/Design for Towanda Allen

I also did a second image - I like it and it's different from the first, but I didn't really like it for this project.  Well, as things often work out, Towanda loved it and wanted it...for the Mother/Daughter workshop.  Awesome!  So, I put some text on it, as seen below.

Painting with text - for Towanda Allen's workshops and promotional materials.

Towanda did like the abstract for the cover and below is a version with text for the cover.  I like the idea of having the translucent text box - so the text reads well and you can still see the art.  It works for my design sensibilities.

Book cover with text.

So that's it.  Since then, another friend wants a book cover also and I'm working on a painting/design for it in Painter also.  More to come on that.  You can check out Towanda's web site for info on her workshops, books, her blog-talk radio show and more.
www.TowandaMAllen.com

Enjoy every moment - be present - suit up, show up, and live it.  Make it a great day - choose to have a great day, even if you're doing a job you don't want, or whatever you're doing...it's a choice you make.
And of course - be good to each other.

Peace,

Tom

JD Salinger Photo Art

Hi All,

Happy Friday.  It's been a pretty good week.  I've been busier at my business - Holistic Therapy Solutions, doing some massage and energy work.  And - I've got some artwork projects going as well, which I enjoy.

Recently, I had a little fun with a picture of the great author, JD Salinger.  There is a documentary made about him, not too long ago called, "Salinger."  I watched it a while back, (it was pretty good).  While watching, I took a photograph of a photograph of JD Salinger off of the TV screen.  It's an HD TV and so the picture turned out alright.  I took the photo because I figured I'd do something artistic with the photo.

So I had this photo of Salinger - it was this really good black and white portrait of him.  I guess I was a little inspired by him and of course, I read his most famous work, "A Catcher in the Rye."  So I was inspired to do something with the photo and I set out to have a little fun.

The amazing thing to me, is the quality of camera that the phone has.  I don't have the most high end phone either...but the phone takes a pretty good pic and it has some good photo adjustment tools.  So in the phone, I cropped the picture, and messed with the contrast and adjustment of the image.  Then I applied one of the arty borders to it.

When I got that far, I downloaded the photo on to my computer, where I could start playing with color. I love the old black and white photos with the watercolor touch ups.  My grandfather, Arnold Vahl, was an artist, lithographer, and printer.  He used to do some great coloring of black and white photos with watercolors.  I would have loved to see him work with the digital tools I've got now....I know he would do some amazing work...but I digress.  I added some blue around the border and added some really subtle coloring to him and the background (just like Grandpa might do), being careful not to lose the amazing effect of the black and white photo.

And there you have it, an easy piece of artwork using smart phone and photoshop.  That's it.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  I'm attending a taping class tomorrow.  It's a class to learn how to use Acti-Tape - tape you apply to the body for therapeutic effect - helping to heal injuries.  Should be fun and a nice addition to my body-work practice.

Take care - be good to yourself and those around you.  Little things can help this world become a better place.  It starts with one person - you.  Have a great weekend.

Peace,

Tom

On-line art gallery
www.behance.net/tk-art

FB-Art page
www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Be Brave

Hey All,

Happy Monday!  It's a new week and another opportunity to go out there and be the best you, that you can be.  Me personally - I'm headed to the accountant's office to do my taxes.  I'm happy to get that behind me for another year.

Today I want to highlight a piece of artwork that I did for a friend of mine and colleague - Towanda Allen.  We went to school together at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.  She was on a different track than I was, though.  She studied Transpersonal Psychology - with part of it being the Coaching field.

Almost since I've known her, she's been planning a Mother/Daughter Empowerment Workshop.  I'm not sure of the title, but it's meant to uplift mothers and their daughters who may need to be given the tools to be strong, independent women.  (I'm sure Towanda would have a much better/clearer description of it).  As planning this workshop, she also has been telling me she wanted me to do a major artwork for this - a piece of theme artwork.  The theme is Bravery - or - to be Brave.  I was honored to be a part of this project.

Finished Art - Brave - digital paint

She wanted a piece that could be used as fine art (printed), and as a graphic with the theme - "Brave."  After giving it some thought, an idea came together.  A brick wall with Brave on it - in graffiti style with a little flower coming up thru the cracks in the cement, in front of it.

original sketch

As usual, it starts with the sketch, taking a photo of it and bringing it into Photoshop.  I brought in a brick wall photo to overlay the sketch and started painting the graffiti on a layer above it.  I wanted the artwork to be graffiti, but bold and optimistic.  I worked the flower in, on a layer in front.  Kind of a tough, brave, but somewhat vulnerable little yellow petalled flower.

early stages

OK - the symbolism is very obvious - you may even say it's cliche.  That's alright with me and my client Towanda liked it also.  Some of the young girls who will attend her workshops are those vulnerable, gutsy little flowers, coming up thru the cracks.  Coming up in a tough place to grow, but coming up and doing the best they can.  

Finished Art

Towanda Allen is an inspirational coach and also has a radio show on blogtalk radio.  She's written a book and working on another (first is in the process of getting published).  For more information about her seminars keep an eye on her web site:

www.TowandaAllen.com

Her radio show:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theconnector2013/2013

That's it for now.  Keep spreading the love people - be kind to a stranger today - help someone out in need.  You'll be amazed at how good it feels...and it's the right thing.

Peace,

Tom

www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

www.behance.net/tk-art

Social Media Advertising Artwork

Hi Everyone,

How's your week going?  Things are going good here.  I'm keeping busy.  In fact, I spent a good deal of the day today working on promoting my Massage/Holistic Therapy Business.

In my business, Holistic Therapy Solutions, I provide therapeutic massage, reflexology, energy work and hypnotherapy.  However, another aspect of the biz are that I have a couple of groups that meet every week (meditation and Weight Loss with Hypnotherapy), and I teach some therapy classes.

One of the benefits of being an artist is I can not only write my own curriculum, but I can do my own artwork for classes and advertising.  Lately I've been having fun doing some illustrations to accompany some of the social media promotions for these groups and classes.

Artwork for the "Holistic Weight Management with Hypnotherapy" group advertising.
Produced with Photoshop and Wacom tablet over a photo.

I've been having some fun putting some (hopefully), eye catching graphics together.  At the same time, I'm really trying to practice time management and not spend a great deal of time on them either.  So I'm going into Photoshop and putting some illustrations together.

This morning I put a piece of artwork together for my meditation group.  I figure, it'll do better with a visual, than with none.  Either way, I had a good time putting it together and if it provides dividends, that's great.

Artwork for the "Midweek Re-Set Meditation Group" advertising.
Produced with Photoshop and Wacom tablet over a photo.

It's good fun.  I'm not putting together anything too intensive, but I'm working to put together something that's appropriate to help provide balance between the artwork and the text ad, and to brand the groups/classes.

Artwork for upcoming "Introduction to Chi Energy" class advertising.
Collage art assembled and illustrated with Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

So, I hope you're having some fun in whatever you're doing for work.  It's been alot of fun creating these.  Enjoy your week.  Do something nice for someone else - just because you can.  Be easy on others - and be good to yourself too.

Peace,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Packers Gallery - Playoffs start this weekend!

Hi All,

Happy Friday.  I'm excited.  2014 is starting off pretty well in many ways.  One good thing - my favorite football team (Green Bay Packers), will be playing the 49ers on Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.

In honor of that, I'm posting a gallery of some of the Packer artwork that I've done over the years.  Go Packers!!

Aaron Rodgers - pencil and digital paint

Of course - there's the current star quarterback for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers.  However, I thought I'd dip into the archives and break out some Packers of the past.  Some of these, you may not have seen for a while.  I hope you enjoy.

Leroy Butler - Defensive back - originator of the Lambeau Leap.  Digital paint.

Aaron Kampman - Defensive End and pass rush specialist.  Digital paint.

Mike Mckenzie - Defensive Back.  Digital paint.

Ray Nietzsche - One of the baddest, meanest Linebackers of all time.  A Hero
in the Packers teams of the 1960s.  digital paint.

Bill Schroeder - Wide Receiver  - Amazing speed and ability to make
the coach furious.  digital paint.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.  If you're a football fan - have fun watching the playoffs.

Cheers,

Tom

Merry Christmas from us in Phoenix

Hi All,

Here I am - the day before the day before Christmas, finishing my Christmas Card and updating the blog.  It's been a good year and me and my family have a lot to be grateful for.  I'm looking forward to relaxing a little now and enjoying the holidays.  I've got most of the holiday prep and shopping done.

I've got a wonderful holistic therapy client coming in tomorrow morning.  She's been recovering from some serious health challenges and we've been working together for a while.  It's been such an honor and blessing to work with her and she's making such good recovery strides.

I've got dough for cookies and all the food for Christmas.  We're making our own individual homemade pizzas for Christmas dinner.  Then we'll play a board game and maybe watch a Christmas movie.  Getting together with the kids...good times.

The New Year looks promising too.  Continuing to be blessed to be able to run my holistic therapy business here in Phoenix and do some artwork on the side as well.

Merry Christmas 2013 Card - Photoshop and Wacom Tablet on Mac

On behalf of wife Sue and myself, I'd like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, or which ever holiday you celebrate.  Enjoy.  And may your New Year be a very very good one.

Peace on Earth and good will toward men,

Tom