Really Black Sheep

I've been at my second children's camp this summer for the past week. I love working with the kids but the four hour drive back from camp with a van full of junior boys just about did me in. I may be getting too old for this sort of thing.

I tried to post this doodle before I left but couldn't get it done. I am headed to a family reunion in Yellowstone Park tomorrow morning, so I am squeezing in the time to get this post up before I leave.

This doodle is for one John, who contacted me about creating this drawing for a group of men at his church. He wrote, "Hi Rick, My church (ufpc.org) has a loosely organized men's group called the Black Sheep Boys (in contrast to the women's group "the Buffalo Gals" that my wife says was co-opted from a song...). I'm wondering what you would charge for an appropriately tranquil (ha!) caricature for us?"

It turns out that he wasn't particularly looking for a caricature, but more of some kind of fun logo for their group. I think that perhaps John saw some of my other black sheep illustrations on this blog. He was happy with my creation. Next, maybe the Buffalo Gals will come a calling.

I'm looking forward to sharing the doodle I made while at camp, but it will have to wait.

Blaaaaaack Sheep (Again)

Previously, I posted some of the illustrations I created related to the Christian motorcycle group call "Blaaack Sheep." There are some members of the group that go to the church I aaaattend.

Last Summer the group held aaaaa conference at the church. I'm not a member, but they aaaallowed me to set up aaaa display to try and sell some of my motorcycle doodles. I didn't sell a lot, but enough to cover my cost, plus aaaa bit more.

The president of the Blaaaack Sheep liked my take on the concept and asked me if I would creaaaate some more images that he could use in their publications. That was laaast summer. Around November I finally got around to sending him the first illustration. He liked it and aaaasked me to create three more using the same raaaam figure. I was haaaappy to do so, but with all the Christmaaaas request hanging over my head at the time, I had to put him off until aaaafterwards.

(I'm sure that he said, "Baaaah Humbug!)

I was finally aaaable to create the three other concept with blaaaack sheep in various poses.

(It was a killer getting a ram in my home to sit still and model for me that long. And the MESS!?! I don't want to talk about it.)

Aaaafter seeing my work, Mr Head Sheep said that he really like it and that there would be more request in the future. I said, "baaaah."

I really did. Do you believe me?

(Also, with apologies to my egg hunting friends, I believe these are egg-less illustration. Now I hear you saying "waaaah!")

Black Sheep Do Over

Last weekend our church hosted a rally for a Christian motorcycle club called The Black Sheep. A few of the people from our church are members and so we gave them the opportunity to have their conference here on the ocean. I am not a member of the organization, but I do enjoy getting together with people who have an appreciation for nice rides.

At one point I counted 60 motorcycles in our church parking lot! On Friday evening I joined them for a "pie run" up the coast for, (what else?), pie. What a sight it was to see Hiway 101 full of motorcycles as far as you could see. I think the neighbors might have thought we had become a Hell's Angel Church. (One kind new neighbor did call about the noise, and asked if she could expect this is be a summer long ordeal. Apparently she values her sleep more than the sound of a chrome covered ride.)

I saw the event as an opportunity to try and sell some of my motorcycle themed artwork. I didn't sell a lot, but I made enough money to cover my cost, and then just a bit more. Oh well - ever the starving artist.

Earlier I have posted this drawing that I created for the Black Sheep in our church. (Actually, our church is ful of "black sheep." They just don't all ride Harleys.) I didn't like how this drawing turned out. Several agreed that the sheep on the cycle looked more like a camel. I should have drawn in some wool on the top of his head.

So, I decided to create another Black Sheep themed illustra- tion. I tried to give him a harder edge by illustrating a ram, with horns - along with wool on the top. I really like how this illustration turned out. I colored the letters to match the colors on the club's patch, which I thought worked out well with the rest of the colors I ended up choosing for the drawing.

Which one do you think sold the best? You guessed it. The "camel" drawing did! In fact, it was the only kind of print that I sold that weekend. Go figure. I guess sheep can't appreciate fine art. Oh maybe it has something to do with the fact that I priced it a few bucks cheap? How do you like that - they're a bunch of cheap sheep!

Here are some photos that I took at the event. The last one is my favorite - just in case you were wondering...

Black Sheep

Here's another illustration for my growing motorcycle collection. I have friends that have just join a motorcycle club called "The Black Sheep." I thought the name deserved illlustrating.

Black Sheep

I like how this drawing turned out. I did it while my wife was in the hospital. She is home recovering now - thank you for your prayers.

There are some things about this illustration that I don't like. The words "Black Sheep" got too crowded, but I was trying to stay within my 8X10 frame. I think the sheep itself doesn't look mean enough - it's hard to draw sheep that are mean. And, it's really not obvious that the animal is a sheep. One guy looked at it and called it a camel. Maybe I should have put some wool on top of its head. But, over all, I like the look of the piece and I don't mind looking at it.

I will probably try and draw the concept again - maybe get a little closer on the face of the sheep - make him look angry or something. What do you think?