A Texas Sized Vacation

Hi All,

Hope all you fathers had a great Fathers Day.  I did.  Well - I'm going to have to keep this quick today.  I'm  doing a quick update because I'm about to get on the road and drive to Texas.  I'm on my way out to Texas to see my parents and some other family as well.

I've got a long day on the road ahead of me so I've got to get going.  I just wanted to say Hi and I'll be back here in about a week and a half.  So have a great week - make it your best week ever.  Today is the only day we have (you know the old saying....yesterday's gone, tomorrow's not here - we only have the Present...that's why today is a gift).  Yeah - it's a little bit cliche, but very true.

Have a great day and see you soon....Aloha,

Tom

Self Portrait Cartoon - circa mid 90s.
I did this when I was an illustrator in the Air Force.
(and a few years younger)

Special Postal Event Products

Hi All,

Recently I took on a project to put together some designs and artwork for custom products for the US Post Office in Cascade, Wisconsin.  This post office branch was having a special event -- first: the zip code, or postal code was going to match the date 53011 (May 30th, 2011), and Cascade, WI is having a Centennial Celebration this summer.

So what did they want to do?  They wanted to commemorate these events with a special postmark rubber stamp, a collectors edition envelope, and they had a special postage stamp made for the occasion as well.

First I started with black and white artwork for the postmark; used to cancel stamps on mailed letters and packages.  Now - Cascade is, by all accounts, a wonderful and beautiful small town in rural Wisconsin, however, it's not a town with many landmarks.  So the Postmaster recommended we use the bridge over Cascade Falls.

Cascade Falls Bridge; Pen and Ink, scanned and touched up in Photoshop

This pen and ink artwork was then dropped into a design for the rubber stamp.  I did provide the artwork, but someone on the other end developed the final rubber stamp (postmark), design.

Final Postmark using the Cascade Falls Bridge artwork

Once we had that taken care of, we focused on the envelope.  The postmaster gave me many photos and some basic ideas for an envelope.  She sent me some examples of what has been done in the past to look at also.  These envelopes as strictly collectors items and not for actual mailing.  As most of you may know, collecting stamps and other postal paraphernalia is very popular in certain circles.

Cascade Commemorative Envelope - 3 5/8" x 6 1/2"

The artwork is the size of a number 6 3/4 envelope.  I took some of the photos from around town and prepped them for the envelope as well as the town welcome sign.  I wanted to put a map in the upper left corner to show where Cascade is.  I drew an outline of Wisconsin and colored the background in a very loose shading - to match the loose coloring on the envelope background.  The background was painted using some custom brushes, layering semi-transparent colors, using Adobe Photoshop.  In the background, a very light image of the old mill stands out in the upper center, but not be dark enough to distract.  The top and right parts of the envelope would be kept "clear" of solid or dark imagery so the stamp and postmark could be applied.

The last piece is the postage stamp.  A local Cascade artist developed artwork based on the old mill, to be on the stamp and the postmaster ordered them for the local Cascade Post Office.

Custom Postage Stamp of the Old Mill in Cascade, WI

At the end, you put them all together: purchase an envelope and stamp, put the stamp on it and get the special postmark applied to it.  Then you have the collectors item to add to your stamp collection.

Mockup of the what the final collectors edition envelope would look
like with the stamp on it and the postmark stamped on to it.

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure; my cousin Kaye Kreienbrink Kielbasa is the Postmaster of the Cascade Post Office.  I took this on to be a fun, special project and I received no compensation from her or the US Postal Service.  I hope there are stamp collectors out there who have enjoyed the custom products and are proudly displaying them in their collections.

Have a great week everyone and let me know what projects you need help with.

Aloha.
Tom

Childrens Dental Month Artwork

Hi All,

I'm highlighting a couple of fun pieces that I created while working as a medical illustrator several years ago.  At that time I not only did anatomy illustrations, but I got to work on fun projects like this one too.

This project started when some of the people in the Dental Clinics were planning educational presentations; to visit schools and teach kids about Dental care for Children's Dental Month.  So they requested some fun posters that they could use to support their  presentations to the kids.

Enamel - 18" x 24"; marker and airbrush acrylic
on illustration board

The first was a representation of Enamel.  I made the posters about 18" x 24" and used markers, acrylic and airbrush.  All totaled I created 6 posters.  The presenters could set them up in the classroom and discuss the topics on the board.  This allowed the kids to learn some good information in a fun way.

Acid - 18" x 24"; marker and airbrush acrylic
on illustration board

The second poster is Acid.  Again, the same idea as the other poster.  A serious topic - Acid - something that can be bad for teeth, presented in a fun way -- as a mad scientist.

I do have to note one thing.  I've since touched up the images in Photoshop.  Unfortunately, I have a record of the originals on 35mm slides.  I scanned them in to the computer a couple years ago - and they needed a little help.  So, I "fixed" them up using Photoshop and my Wacom Tablet.

This was a fun job and as I recall they were a hit with the kids.

Have a great week everyone.  Let me know if I can assist with your future presentations.

Aloha.

Tom

Apache Man Artwork

Hi All,

Today I wanted to showcase a piece I did to round out our Southwest style living room and dining room.  It's suitably titled, "Apache Man."  (a picture of a man from the Apache Indian tribe).

The Backstory; My wife and I moved back to the southwestern United States about a year ago.  We lived out here many years ago, and have always liked the southwest style, with the pueblos, cactus, cowboys and indians, etc...so ultimately, we wanted some southwestern art in the house.
Now, I'm the artist in our partnership, but she's the interior designer.  She listens to some of my input (and I occasionally have a good idea), but it's something she has a knack for, and it's her "baby."

One of the features we have in our house is a front living room with an adjoining dining room and we decided to go southwest with it.  Sue had found great living room furniture and I'd eventually do some artwork for the walls.  A few months ago, we took a day trip up to a town called Payson.  It's an old Arizona cowboy town up at higher elevation where it's cooler and has trees (as opposed to the hot Phoenix desert).  While up there we poked around some of the local antique and art stores, and found the frame that we had to have.  It's a great frame made from reclaimed wood with old barbed wire around it...perfect for the dining room theme.  We hung the frame, before the artwork was done.

Frame close up - the inspiration for the picture - reclaimed
wood with barbed wire...love it!

Next we needed a picture to fill that frame.  I wanted to do something very Arizona-ish.  The southwest themes usually include warm colors like oranges, yellows, browns.  I wanted to hit that color pallet, and wanted to find just the right subject.  I already had an acrylic painting of a native American woman in the living room.  When I found the photo reference of this Apache man, I knew I had the starting point for my picture.

Apache Man - colored pencil, airbrush on
Canson paper; 18 x 24

I started with a piece of peach/orange colored Canson paper.  I love the way it takes a nice soft colored pencil and graphite pencil; it has a great texture.  I worked the picture with colored pencil, using a warm pallet that complemented the background.  I used some very dark graphite black pencils for the blacks.  To finish, I added some airbrush colors, adding some dark tones and shading.  I tried to be subtle with the airbrush, so it didn't become an "airbrush" painting, but just to add some smooth colors and dark background.

Hanging on my wall

When I was done, I trimmed it up and mounted it in the frame.  And, it now graces our dining room wall.  I'll be doing more southwest style fine art in the future and will share with you.

If you need artwork to decorate your place, let me know -- I can help.

Have a great week all...Summer is here, so stay cool.
Till next time,
Tom

Memorial Day Blog Edition

Hi All,

Here in the USA, we're coming up on one of our most beloved holidays this coming weekend; Memorial Day.  For most of us (myself included), this is the start of summer, a great time to have a three day weekend and relax, go to or throw a party, or get out of town.  However, the spirit behind the holiday, is a more reverent remembrance of those who have gone before, and laid down their life in the defense of our freedom.

Pitsenbarger - Pencil and Airbrush.  This piece is in
the Air Force Art Collection.

Often, we lose sight of the meaning or significance of the holiday.  Lots of us don't think about it at all.  Many may get wrapped up in some kind of political or patriotic viewpoints, that really don't have anything to do with this.  But that's really not the point I'm hitting at today.

Tillman - Pencil on Bristol Board.

My purpose here is to honor our fallen, who have made that ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy - to them I say thank you.  Also - to my fellow veterans, who serve or have served - I also say thank you.

Al Castillo Caricature - Art Marker, Pen and Airbrush.

The featured artwork in this edition portray three guys who I consider heros.  Their actions were heroic, but the quality I admire most about them is their willingness to put themselves in harms way, time and again in service to others.  They did this not for fame and fortune, but because they shared an internal integrity to do it because was the right thing to do and it's what they felt they needed to do; regardless of personal safety or outcome.  The top piece of artwork is a picture of William Pitsenbarger, winner of the Congressional Medal of honor (posthumously).  An Air Force pararescueman, who saved many lives in a fierce firefight (in Viet Nam on 11 April 1966).  That day he lost his life, but several others would survive the day.

The next piece - I've writted a little about before.  A pencil portrait of Pat Tillman.  He walked away from riches and fame, to join the Army after 9/11.  He died from "friendly fire" - but he was a hero in many ways throughout his life, including his Army career.

The bottom piece is a marker and airbrush caricature I did for a friend a long time ago, as a retirement gift.  His name is Al Castillo.  I served in the Air Force with him.  He was a flight medic.  He served a a member of helicopter aircrews that would fly into "hot" combat zones to rescue whomever needed to be rescued.  Al is a hero who put himself at risk on many an occasion, because that was his job and it was what needed to be done...he wouldn't call himself a hero, but he is.  (he's still kickin around too - Hi Al).

So wherever you are this Memorial Day - enjoy your party, or swimming at the beach, or whatever.  But take a minute and say a silent prayer of gratitude, for those heros who've gone before (or still walk among us).

To my friends who are not in the USA, I hope you've enjoyed and learned a little bit about our end of May holiday, Memorial Day.

Have a great weekend everybody.
Tom

Medical Illustration

Hi All,

Hope you're all having a great week.  I'd recently been going thru a few of my old medical illustrations and thought I'd share with you.

Cross section of the Temple.  

From 1988 - 1998 I worked as a Medical Illustrator at two different teaching hospitals while serving in the Air Force.  The first five years I was at RL Thompson Strategic Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.  The following 5 years I was at Ehrling Bergquist Hospital, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Depiction of receding gums caused by a missing tooth

The hospitals were Air Force teaching hospitals.  The main reason I was there was to support the Family Medicine Residency Programs, but I served the entire hospital including the Dental Residencies, and clinical phase programs for a variety of technicians (X-ray, Lab, Surgery Techs, and others).

Part of a Iliac Crest retrieval teaching presentation.
Shows the nerves that can get pinched off by swollen
muscles, post procedure.  This results in the
patient not being able to walk until it heals.

What did I do?  When I started in the hospital, the main teaching tool was the 35 mm slide presentation.  My main job was working with the instructors to develop teaching tools; presentations, posters, illustrations, and overhead slides.  Initially, I did "flat" artwork to be photographed on 35 mm slide film, but as technology advanced I created the artwork on computer and then shot the slides with a digital film recorder.  Towards the end of my tenure at EB Hospital, the teachers had digital projectors that would project the slides right from the computer.  They'd develop most of their slides in Powerpoint and request illustrations that I'd drop into their presentations.

Iliac Crest - the dotted line section to be retrieved
for a jaw implant.

Although I had no formal medical training, I did have to show the Air Force that I was capable of doing the work, and apply for the job as a "special duty assignment."  I loved the assignments too and I got to do some very interesting work.  I was able to observe surgeries and photograph them (for reference), and then illustrate the surgical technique.  The docs would work with me, essentially teaching me, so I could accurately illustrate the subject matter correctly.  The Dental Residents would put together "Table Clinics" every year, and I would produce/create them.  A table clinic is a poster presentation with photos, illustrations and text - subject matter would be a dental technique or study.  They would present them at the annual Dental Conventions in the surrounding states and even won some awards for the work.  I also supported the clinics and readiness section with graphic arts products when needed; training slides, fliers, posters, etc.

Dotted line shows cuts to make for gums to be
flapped open; making roots of teeth accessible to
work on.

The greatest thing about working in these facilities was the people.  I really felt like I was going to work with 350-400 of my best friends every day.  They were hard working and dedicated. and the work was very fulfilling too.  So that's my Air Force Medical story.
Have a great day All.
Tom

Tee Design - More Beef Than You Can Handle

Hi All,

I came across my tee shirt from the 11th Civil Engineers Squardron (CE) recently and thought I'd get out the artwork and share it here in the blog.  The last three years of my Air Force career, I moved on from multimedia and became a First Sergeant.  I was assigned to the 11th CE Squadron, Bolling Air Force Base in the District of Columbia.

The shirt was to be a fun shirt that folks may want to wear to squadron functions and also to be a fundraiser for the squadron booster club.  Because I'm an artist, we saved some bucks on the artwork.  The shirt was printed with black on a grey (ash) colored tee shirt.  The Prime Beef logo was printed on the front of the shirt, on the breast pocket area.  This is a common "logo" used by civil engineers throughout the Air Force.

Logo printed on front of shirt.  Breast pocket area, about 4" in diameter.

On the back we did a Prime Beef cartoon design.  As you've suspected, "More Beef Than You Can Handle" is an Air Force Civil Engineers slogan and the Beef steer is the representative mascot.  I'm embarrassed that I don't remember what the acronym "Prime Beef" stands for.  But, it's the part of CE that mobilizes and responds in contingency situations.

Design on the back of the tee shirt.  

We printed the back one color (black) as well.  The cartoon is pretty obviously a "Prime Beef" mascot who's a CE Airman, surrounded by various aspects of what they do.  Basically, as you've probably figured out, they're the construction element of the Air Force.  Electricity, Power Production, Vertical and Horizontal construction, Plumbing and Water Treatment, Facilities Maintenance, and Plans, Contracts, Procurement, Designing, and the Readiness folks (can't forget them or I'd be in trouble :).

Tee Design with color.  Color added with Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

Just for fun, I decided to color the design.  The original design, I created in pen and ink on bristol board. Eventually I scanned it in and I colorized it using Photoshop.

Today, I look back on my days with the 11th CE Squadron with fondness.  I still count most of the folks I served with among my friends.  CE - thanks for the memories, it was great to be able to serve with you for that time.

Have a great week everyone.