The process of a painting...

People always ask me questions on how I start a painting or wondering the next step in the process. I decided to take photos to share the process of this piece:

Adding washes and background layers is always the first step for me. 

Then sketching of the images and complete layout. 

If something needs to be added or changed, paint is pretty forgiven.

This piece took me awhile since I have never painted a snow scene 

or aspen trees before.

Fun fact: The lynx and snow owl co-exist & help each other 

get food during the winter months.

Get Away Adventure...

I am pretty behind on several updated posts. I have been working hard creating several new works for a solo show in June 2013. 

I usually post projects I am working on and art I have been creating. But sometimes I just need a break and want to enjoy the world's amazing natural artwork. So a few months ago, in October, I decided to take a trip across Colorado and across Utah. Traveling by myself and stopping to visit several parks, hike, explore, and camp. I took many photos along the way...

 I took my time, traveling the near 1,400miles there and back. Making sure to stop at random spots and just for the amazing views. Most of the time the roads were void of people & cars for miles. The two main places I stayed the night & visited were Bryce Canyon and Moab, Utah.

 I did get a bit lost while in Bryce Canyon. I was even with a friend of mine who works there and we still got turned around. 5+hrs hiking in the woods of a canyon and hearing warnings of massive mountain lions & bears is a bit nerve-racking. Plus the pure exhausting of hiking up and down wasn't helping. But that is truly living! And the adventure is what I wanted.

I am very grateful and blessed to have been able to explore and enjoy this part of the states. It was one of the most amazing adventures I have ever done.

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'Single Fare 3' NY show...

I'll be showing two new small works at RH Gallery in the heart of Tribeca, New York. Hundred of artists from around the country and abroad will be 

showcasing a broad range of work. 

* All work will be painted, printed, or drawn on NYC Metro Cards. *

 Stop by the opening for Single Fare 3 on Feb 13th at 6pm. Or shop online the day after, Feb 14th at: www.single-fare.com 

Above is my two small bird works for the show. 

Check out the write-up from Culture&Life.

Bye 2012...

Thank you for all the continued support, love, & especially 

to anyone who purchased work. Looking forward to a lot more in 2013.

From canvas to customer...

I had an idea for a painting I wanted to do for awhile. I sketched out the idea in detail first. Planning out the layout. Process photos below.

 A friend of mine, David, shot a black bear awhile ago. I'm not personally into killing animals, but many of my friends do for food. So I photographed the amazing skull of the black bear. I had also photographed a very small owl a year or so ago. The two worked perfect together. I like how owls watch in the night over the forest floor and see everything the happens around them. Hence why I named this piece 'Guardian'. 

 Two days after I finished the painting it sold to David's wife, who purchased it as a Christmas gift for him. I love seeing the work once it reaches the clients hands and how happy they are. Thank you guys!

'Guardian' / by Patrick Maxcy / 11'x14'

Drawing Series cont...

Awhile ago I started doing shaded & completed drawings again. These drawings are based on real people I know but told through a different life story. A story based on the lives of sea captains and old fisherman. I always use photos I have taken or friends have taken. 

The last drawing I did was based on a Native American from Pine Ridge Reservation. My good friend photographer, Brian Nevins, gave me access to a few photos from a recent trip to South Dakota to use. 

          Here is the drawing process for this image for my ongoing series...

LGH Mural...

A couple weeks ago while out in Grand Junction, Colorado; I was asked to paint a new mural at the Light Gives Heat storefront. They wanted some lettering done pretty large near the front entrance. After doing a quick sketch I got started on the wall. About 5 hours later the wall was complete.

 They decided they liked the mural design so much it should be used for their upcoming winter line. After a new inked design was drawn up, hoodies & girls swoop necks were printed, and finally now being sold in the online store. (Not too many are left) The design has been showing up a lot, including a recent news report on Colorado's NBC news.

This was a fun break from what I normally do & I enjoyed it.

Pine Ridge Reservation...

I recently went to the the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in South Dakota for the 6th time. Went with the organization Love,Light,&Melody.  My goal this trip was to paint a 30ft x 10ft mural in a school hallway in Manderson aka 'Murderville'. It's known as one of the most dangerous areas on the reservation. 

During the first couple days we were invited to a Pow Wow. This was pretty big and I was honored to attend my first one. Hundred of kids dressed in amazing hand-made outfits and danced traditional dances in this competition. I really wasn't sure how they could tell who was the best with all the kids but it really was great to hear the men tribal singing and seeing all the dancing going on for quite some time.

 This was one of the largest groups of friends I've gone with.

 We visited our good friend Bernard's home where we got hang and have the usual jam session. Bernard finally got his shirt that I drew & designed for his fun band. 'Barney Fife & the One Bullet Band'. Some of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen have been right from is little house and vast land.

 A couple days later I finally got started on the mural at the school. I wanted to incorporate native animals within the design. The school also had a basic idea/theme. Since it was for kids I kept it bring and fun.

 About 5hrs into painting the mural we got news of a major snow storm headed our way. Watching the weather carefully I had to start packing up the paints. Pretty bummed as I realized I might not be able to finish the wall. We slowly drove back to a safe shelter.

 The next morning the weather was 3 degrees but clear. So at 5:30am I headed back to the school and painted as fast as I could with the little time I had left to finish. (Below is a few detail and process photos.) The kids all loved the mural and were super excited to see it in their halls. Having them feel proud of their school and happy to see the mural makes it all worth it.

Uganda mural 4&5...

I decided to toss the last two murals I did in Uganda into one post. I'm getting behind on my updates. These last two images were really fun because I did them at an amazing school that was walking distance from where I was staying. The principal loved me and told me I could paint anything I wanted. So once again I gave the kids a choice.

 This one was originally an elephant holding a large stick full of birds but the kids all seemed to love the fish. Fish are very common in the area around Lake Victoria. This one only took me about 5 hours. Once again I painted as tons of kids watched patiently every move I made.

 this next mural (below) was on the main staff building. Outside of the principals office. There was going to be several monkeys also sitting on various higher parts of the windows and walls. But the wooden ladder that was built fell apart. So, no monkeys were added. :)

 As always I used animals that were local to the area. One of Uganda's main animals is called a Kob, a type of antelope. I also saw several kingfishers along the Nile River. So I added one of those as well.

The kids here were some of my favorite. I spent almost an entire day just running around with them and playing various games. Most all the kids who go to school here have left their families and live in the same buildings full time. 24/7 kids everywhere. Little adult supervision and yet still just amazing bright kids who thirst for knowledge. Always asking me about America and different things in life.

London travels...

A recently got to travel and visit some of London, UK. I got to run around with my good buddy Dave from Light Gives Heat. From Heathrow Airport we traveled through Chriswick Park, Hammersmith, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square. Running around to see the sites. 

 Dave loves the clothing company Johnny Cupcakes, a few turns and there it was. One of only five stores in the world. He couldn't have been happier. Afterwards we stopped in this (literally) underground Asian cafeteria style place:   Two Americans eating Asian food in London... Ironic.

 We saw the Westminster Abby, the London Eye, the 2012 Olympic rings, Big Ben clock tower, Palace of Westminster, Ministry of Defense, etc. I even got hit by a cab while trying to cross the road. I rolled onto his hood a bit as he lurched on by. Startled me quit a bit.

 After traveling back through London I stayed in one of the smallest and oddest hotels I had ever been in. There were buttons, lights, & peculiar things that took me a bit to figure out. But sleep was well needed.

London was very expensive but I hope to visit again soon one day.