KBrink Design - Andy K Artwork

Hi All,

How's it going out there?  Hope everyone is doing well.  Things are going pretty good here in the great southwest (Arizona, USA).  It's heating up...summer will be here very quickly.  I hope its been a good Spring season for all of you reading this.

It's been a while since I've blogged and today I'd like to do something a little different.  I'd like to highlight the artwork of one of my sons - Andy Kreienbrink.  Andy has been drawing and creating artwork since he was a kid.  He has a very different style than I do, but I love his creativity.

He and I have been toying with the idea of starting a business together for a while.  While tossing around ideas, I'd been working to teach him the computer aspect of creating finished illustrations.  The designs below are his (with a little assistance from the old man).

The pen and ink above depicts The Trailer Park Boys.  This was an illustration that was part of a birthday card I recieved from him and his family.  I'd had the artwork for a while and finally scanned it and cleaned it up in Photoshop.  It's exactly as he drew it, just that the whites are whiter and the black areas are solid black.  I love the stylized depiction of The Boys.  If you're familiar with them, there's no doubt who you're looking at.

The, I Heart Bacon pic is a collaboration that Andy and I produced together.  It was his brainchild and I provided some technical guidance and the heart illustration.  It was a fun little project.

The illustration above was a fun little collaboration piece as well.  The drawing was all his and I went back into Photoshop and cleaned it up.  Cleaning it up doesn't mean the picture was drawn sloppily.  It means I made the blacks a solid black, any color bleeding cleaned up and other imperfections as well.  I added a background and border also.  As you can tell, Andy is a fan of the horror genre.

The final design is an Andy Kreienbrink original.  It's a sticker design of Jason vs. Machete.  I provided technical input to assist him in carrying out his vision.

So the Kbrink Design project is still up in the air.  Will it come to fruition?  We'll see.  It the mean time, I just wanted to showcase some of Andy's artwork.  He's done some punk rock stylized art as well, for his bands and for others.  He's a budding talent for sure.

Have a great week everyone.  Take a breath....look around, and enjoy life a little.  Enjoy each day and the people around you.  Stay present.
Until next time....

Peace,

Tom

www.behance.net/tk-art

Taking Care of Yourself

Hi All,

How are you doing?  I hope you're all doing well.  Things are going well here in the desert.  Our winter has been wonderful, (not trying to rub it in northerners).  Our summer was long and hot - so it's nice to have a nice cool winter.  I know some of you are enduring a bitter cold winter and it's cold and flu season as well.  Today I'd like to just touch on some self care basics, from a little bit of an holistic point of view.

I'm no longer a full time holistic healthcare professional, but I still enjoy sharing some info that I've learned about holistic living.  First thing - what are you feeding yourself?  Holistically this entails, your food diet, but are you taking a little time to feed your spirit?  Do you feed yourself a diet of negativity on TV - like the never ending news cycle, (too much of that is not good for the soul).

Diet is important - eating a good, well balanced diet is a great idea.  Good quality, whole foods is best - organic, if you can.  Raw fruits and vegetables should be a part of that.  Moderation in food intake is also a great idea...people write books on this topic - I'm not going to here.  Do your best and I know, (as an EMT on the road for long hours), organic, locally grown food is not always easily available.  As my Holistic Nutrition teacher would say, "whatever the food available on your plate - bless the food and eat it with gratitude, and it will serve you well."

It's fresh lemon season here.  Slicing a lemon and adding it to a pitcher of water is

 a healthy and cleansing drink

 TV/Media Diet is also important to look at.  If we over do it with screen time or constantly feed our minds/consciousness negativity, it can and will affect our attitudes and our outlook on life.  Most news shows are a constant barrage of negativity.  Its enough to keep you up at night if you're not careful.  For me, I try to stay informed, but not overdo the news.  I enjoy shows on TV to be entertained as well, and I like to just do a little reading once in a while.  Too much of any of it throws me out of balance.  Evaluate your screen time, (computer, TV, tablet, phone, etc...), is it in balance or are you over doing it? 

I feed my soul with some uplifting spiritual study on a regular basis.  I feel like this is important for me.  Traditionally, going to church has been a staple of our society for spiritual uplift - and it's good.  I'd ask, how to you feed yourself spiritually?  Reading or studying can be a good avenue for this as well as on-line videos or other spiritual media.  Another great one is to be of service, either formally volunteering or helping someone out who's in need.  There's always plenty of opportunities to volunteer all around us - it's good to give back, and it's good for you, on every level.

Exercise is always good for the body.  It may be cold outside, but there are things you can do inside.  You may belong to a gym or have home gym equipment - use it.  I have an exercise bike.  Full disclosure - I've been getting back on it again lately.  Walking can be a very effective exercise for health.  Get the blood flowing a little bit, (or a lot) every day.

Dietary Supplements - do you take them?  Do you feel they make a difference?  There are some fantastic supplements out there.  Typically I'd go to more of a higher end or health food store for them, rather than purchasing from a standard grocery store - the quality of product is what you're after.  There are certainly some very good products available from your holistic practitioner or specialty shops - herbal supplements and remedies, vitamins and minerals, CBD oils, cremes, tinctures, capsules.  Do a little research and get the products that are going to help you heal or get back into balance.

Massage, Holistic Therapies - A very good way to take care of yourself.  I recommend a massage once a month.  It's a very wonderful way to relax, decompress and release some of the stress and tension that can build up in our bodies and minds.  Find what works for you and a therapist that you like and practice some self care directly to your muscles.  If you have medical conditions there are massage and holistic therapists that specialize in types of massage that can be very beneficial.  However - if you have a cold or the flu, you should wait until it passes to get a massage.  Your therapist can let you know if there are contraindications.  Of course, if you have a medical condition and you're unsure if you can get a massage - ask your doctor.

This winter (what's left of it), and all year long -- take care of yourself.  Be gentle with yourself.  There are some really good things that can help us remain healthy this time of year, but at the end of the day a balanced lifestyle will be best for most of us.  Take good care.

Peace,

Tom   

More Medical Illustrations

Hi All,

Happy New Year to you.  I hope your New Years celebration was a good one.  I was working on NYE, but it was a good shift.  May your upcoming winter months be good ones...make every day a good one.

Recently, I was contracted by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons to do more illustrations for a publication.  The illustrations are re-creations of classifications of pediatric tibia and fibula fractures.  These fractures are on the distal (lower) end of the bones and involving the growth plate.  These fractures in children can affect how their bones grow - so it's important they are treated properly and heal properly.

pen and ink and computer: this classification shows various common ankle breaks

.

All of these illustrations are started with pencil and paper.  I then develop "master" pen and ink drawings of the bones, that I can work with.  When I have that, I take the illustration to the computer, where I can copy and modify the illustrations, showing the various types of breaks.  It still requires a lot of work, but better than drawing each one individually.

Salter-Harris - pen and ink and computer

It's nice to keep my hand in some medical illustration occasionally.  For 10 years of my Air Force career, I was fortunate to be a medical illustrator in Air Force teaching hospitals.  This is the kind of work I would do to support teaching programs and residency programs.  I worked with some really awesome people and really enjoyed it.

Triplane Fracture Variants - pen and ink and computer.

The Triplance Fracture series was the most labor intensive.  It required a little more research and a lot more work.  Each of the series had to be drawn individually.  But it all came together and shows the information needed.

Fun work - I enjoy drawing, painting and illustrating a variety of different subjects.  I'm not a full time artist or designer anymore.  Most of the work I do now days is for myself, but I still enjoy freelancing as well.  I hope you all had a great holiday season.  Enjoy winter (or summer - if you're south of the equator).  Have a great day.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
on-line portfolio: www.behance.net/tk-art

Christmas Card Artwork - 2018

Hi All,

Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays....hope you're having a wonderful holiday season - whatever holidays you celebrate.   I hope the start of winter is going well (or summer if you're way down south).  Here in Phoenix it's going good...it's a little chilly for us, but I'm enjoying every bit of it.

So every year I do a Kreienbrink Christmas Card and share it on the blog.  This year I've combined themes - birth of Jesus (of course), holly, and green/red, and also our location.  At the bottom, just like a physical card, I share a message for friends and family as well.

Kreienbrink Christmas Card design - Christmas 2018 - pen and ink and electronic paint

This years card is above.  I started with a pen and ink drawing of all the elements and imported it into the computer.  Once in the computer, I painted in the color portions in Photoshop.  The city is Phoenix, featuring the Star of David/the star in the east, and some other Christmas themes making the border.  It was a fun little project.  I don't mail Christmas cards out - this is my card and I share it on social media and in direct messaging as well (a little bit).  For me it's a nice way to try to brighten the holidays and let people know you care.

I hope you holidays are going well.  May the peace and joy of the season, fill your heart and mind all year long.  Make every day a great day.  Reach out - and make someone's day - for no reason.  Let's have the best year yet.

Peace and Love,

Tom Kreienbrink

PS - below are a few cards from years past.  Have a great day.

Compartment Syndrome Illustration

Hi All,

I hope you're all doing well and getting ready for the holidays.  I've been working on some illustrations lately and thought I'd share one quickly.

As you may know, I was a medical illustrator for about 10 years for the Air Force, supporting clinical teaching and residency programs, while I was on active duty.  I would do work for teaching lectures, print and publications, public information, murals, etc.  Occasionally I still get a little freelance work, doing some anatomical illustrations.

Pen and Ink and digital pen and ink illustration by Thomas Kreienbrink

Recently I did an illustration for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.  The illustration will be in one of their publications in the near future.  It's a simple, clean illustration depicting two openings created to release pressure from fluid build up from compartment syndrome.  This build up could be caused typically from trauma/injury that doesn't allow for healthy circulation in the affected extremity.  The incisions allow for excess fluids to be released by seeping/flowing out of the openings.

I'm currently working on more medical illustrations as well.  I'll share them with you when finished.
In the mean time, have a great December and enjoy your Christmas, or whatever holidays you celebrate. 

Tom

to see more of my art, go to...
www.behance.net/tk-art

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone,

I hope you all have a lot of fun tonight.  Enjoy and also be safe out there - there will be a lot of kids out trick or treating.  Should be a great night.

I'll be in the usual costume....EMT in the Ambulance.   But we'll have some fun out there too.

Enjoy the holiday, be careful for kids, and show a little kindness to others.  I have great memories of trick or treating - people showing thier hospitality and candy to us rug rats.  Good times.

Boo!

Tom

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