Continuation on the Acey Lott Painting

This commission is for A.C. and Liz Lott. I'm wearing their hoodie we designed and printed a few years ago for them. In the background is Bennett Mountain which we can see from the studio. This is basically a custom scene in Mountain Home, Idaho. Normally when it comes to a painting this big I would paint on Masonite but the client specified canvas for a 17 foot wall in their new Nordic style home. I'm really enjoying this project to far.

New Project Started, 10 by 7 ft piece for Acey Lott

Here we began by stretching the Giant Canvas. Here I am with one of my helpers Rose.

Next was to prime and sand the surface for a smooth finish. The fumes almost drove us out of the studio, my assistant Mira had to wear a gas mask, but it ended up turning out beautifully.

Then of course sketching, which was finished using an opaic projector. This step took a total of about two days to complete. Then to begin painting...

 Here I am paining with my wife Debby and Abby our youngest.

...and of course my son Sam, who loves to help me work.

Colossal Squid vs. Abominable Snow Man ( Finished Painting)

I'm a big fan of Ray Harryhausen and I wanted the colossal squid to be reminiscent of his drawings. Other than being a great animator,I think his drawings are under appreciated. Then the Snow man was very influences by Laocoon and Sons, and the master Frazetta. 

Doing Something New

  Since the news of the Colossal Squid came out I've been wanting to do something with it. It was so intriguing. As far as the abominable snow man goes, It was the middle of winter, I left the sprinkler running accidentally and came outside to find the most amazing icicles had formed. After that I was just looking for a job to do with icicles, lol and then I thought about the Abominable Snow Man.What's frustrating about being an artist is having so many great ideas and never having the time to work on them. So I just decided I was just going to make time. My apologies to the people who are waiting for they're jobs.

  

 I once read that "The one unbearable sin is being mundane." 

I've always wanted to do plausible paintings that are unbelievable; thinking about what kind of giant sea creatures sailors in ancient times would encounter on the seas. Who knows, anything could be real. As an illustrator who has done thousands of commissions, I sometimes find myself doing work I feel is mundane at times. I just wanted to do something fun with this one though.