GB Land

I've Moved

2006-09-25T14:17:00.000-06:00

GB Land... Funny Farmer... Blogspot... ah, I shall remember you fondly.

I've moved my blog yet once again, this time to my own website. Although I would update my blog regularly, my website would sit neglected, this time for a whole year. It was time to put an end to that and put everything together, my portfolios, my blog, contact info, into one easily digestible site. You can visit now at Art of Garth. (http://www.artofgarth.com)

My archives will remain here, unless I feel a desire to figure out how to move it all over.

If you've bookmarked me (how presumptuous am I?) please change them to my new blog. And I hope to see you all there! And I promise, if you follow me, I won't call you a groupie.

Thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday: Change

2006-09-19T10:39:00.000-06:00

Hearing all about my buddy's make-up experiences at a local haunted house has got me all excited for Halloween this year. (You gotta see his work at Mordacious Art Blog). Thus the early Halloween theme.

Hey, even mummies need a little gauze change now and again, especially after Halloween.

Illustration Friday: Safe

2006-09-06T10:12:00.000-06:00

I can't tell you how much experimentation went into this illo. Every step of the way I was wondering if all the work I put into it was really worth it (do other artists go through this?). I might revert to regular 2D art for a while, as I'm feeling a bit burnt out with sculpting, and trying to figure out photography (over 30 shots to get the right one, whew).

I am pleased with how this finally came out though. Any suggestions? Sure would love bad as well as good critiques!

Oh yeah, does anyone know where I can get some colored LED lights? I'd love to be able to focus some colored lights on my subjects to add some atmosphere. Would LED flashlights work for something like this, or is it too low tech? Or even a regular flashlight with colored filters... I don't know, I'm just brainstorming with my untrained brain.

Empty your ash tray, make a child happy

2006-09-03T22:46:00.000-06:00

My advise for the day: Always stop and buy something from kids selling stuff on the side of the road.

My son saw that several yellow pear tomatoes were ripe for the picking in our garden the other day, and had the uncontrollable urge to sell from our front yard. It reminded me of me when I was a kid, always the entrepreneur, so I decided to help him out. I helped him pack the tomatoes in little baggies, and made the sign for him, to which he added several small pear tomato drawings.

Normally by this time, the preparation deflates his urge, and he's on to something else. I guess he's growing up a little (8 years old) and his attention span held out. My daughters felt his enthusiasm and wanted to take part as well (they are 5 and 3).

We live on a semi-busy street, so I told him that I would be sitting on the porch to watch, but the rest was up to him. He ran back and forth waving his arms as the cars passed, and the girls followed right behind. I just smiled to myself thinking that people would stop just because they looked so darn cute.

People looked alright, but no buyers. So my son grabbed a couple baggies and waved them around. After several cars drove on by, his brain began coming up with marketing schemes. "I need to move closer to the street"... No, I wouldn't let him. "Maybe I should tie the baggies to the end of a stick and stick them out right in front of the cars!" Hmmmm...

It was getting to be dinner time and not a single taker. I felt bad but had to pull the plug. Our street is not the safest place for young children to hang out all by themselves. My son was reluctant, but relented, totally bummed.

My kids would have gone apes if just one person stopped to buy, just one. But there wasn't a single person willing to empty their ash tray to make some children happy. It just reminded me to make sure I stop and buy lemonade, or tomatoes, not for me, but for the kids.

Illustration Friday: Match

2006-08-23T17:27:00.000-06:00

Another attempt at sculpting an illustration. I had a tough time coming up with this idea, and it kept developing until I was completely done. It started as just a fat man and his average wife, both with handlebar curls in their hair. Then it developed into this. He's a multi-millionaire with his wife he robbed from the cradle, and with his funds, created a voluptuous woman.

Or, he's the mayor of Stepford.

Turned out to have a better story behind it.

Here's my son's idea, with matching lightning strikes everywhere. I love it when he does these with me.

Blick Studio Catalog

2006-08-22T06:08:00.000-06:00

I try at all costs to avoid the local brick and mortar art supply store. With the high prices and the snobby teenage sales associates who hover over you while you browse as if you're a potential starving artist shoplifter, it's more "high-class" than I can stand. And besides the mega craft stores around, there's no competition for them to make them change their ways. What this town needs is a Blick Studio art store to stir things up a bit. Until then, I'll goggle and drool over the latest 384 page Blick Studio annual catalog.

Just got it yesterday, and it stays with me all year. Sure, I can go online to their fabulous store and peruse over every item, but a paper catalog is just more relaxing and enjoyable to read. It's like the Sears catalog for art geeks like me! It has everything! From Sharpies to kilns. From kids' supplies to uber cool and complex art easels. Ok, it doesn't have paper clips, but this isn't an office supply store.

I love reading the small articles that describe many of their products, and sample artwork using the different media. It also profiles some of the artists who create these products. Just fascinating stuff that no snobby teenage sales associate would ever know. At least until they ordered this catalog themselves.

Busy Bee

2006-08-18T21:21:00.000-06:00

Boy, I've been busy. Unfortunately my Illustration Friday posts have been the victim of neglect. So I thought I should post at least a little of what I've been doing. I'm working feverishly to update Insect Lore's whole website (you can see how my illustrations have pretty much taken over) and here's a sketch I did for some packaging, which I hope I don't ruin when I add color. If it turns out ok, I'll post the finished illo.

I just love the range of things I get to do at Insect Lore. From web site design and Flash games, to cartoon illustrations and toy design, to illos like the one here. It's quite the dream job.

Illustration Friday: Clean

2006-08-01T16:13:00.000-06:00

"But... but... my HANDS are clean!"

This is an experiment that I was really excited about, that turned out not quite like I had hoped. I'm so deflated by the results, but I really don't have any more time to devote to it. It looks pretty cool in real life, but everything gets lost in the photograph... or doesn't get lost, rather. The photo shows every flaw in my sculpting and painting, which, in real life, your eye forgives.

It's my first attempt at a sculpture illustration, so I can't be too hard on myself. Anyone have tips on photographing something like this? Any help would be grand! I'll love you forever, I promise!

Here's another angle:

Potty Training

2006-07-26T10:17:00.000-06:00

My 3 year old is resisting potty training, so when she asked mommy, "Should I go potty in my pull-up?", Mommy enthusiastically said, "No, sweety, go on the toiliet!"

A couple seconds went by, and she was sitting on the toilet!

She then said, "I need a book".

Illustration Friday: Sacrifice

2006-07-17T20:21:00.000-06:00

I've been sitting in a trade booth in Atlanta since Thursday, and the last day is always the slowest. So I decided to give my computer a break from regular work, and I sketched up this week's Illustration Friday.

Serving a mission in Japan, I learned that the Japanese people are the most amazing people, ready to give the shirt off their backs at the drop of a hat. I just love that culture!

WOW!

2006-07-08T19:52:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to say THANKS to all you who visit my blog! I've just reached a pretty big milestone (at least for me)! My counter (which I put on only a couple months after I started my blog) has reached 10,000 visitors! Yipeeeee!

Illustration Friday: Skyline

2006-07-07T22:51:00.000-06:00

During the Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games I worked for The O.C. Tanner Company, who manufactured the medals for those games. I got deeply involved in the games by designing the US Olympic Team rings. Pin trading was (and is) really hot during the Olympics, and I designed over 2 dozen pins for that occasion. If you'd like to see all those designs, you can see them on my website, Art of Garth, as well as ring designs for the Sydney Summer Olympic Games, and the Athens Summer Olympic Games.

Now, onto Illustration Friday's theme, Skyline. I had the opportunity to design an Olympic Commemoration medal to be presented to President George W. Bush. The medal was manufactured with the same materials as the gold medals, pure silver core, with gold plating. It represents Salt Lake City's skyline. It's quite a heavy medal. I had a blast being so involved!

Here is the O.C. Tanner CEO, Chair of the Board, and IOC President presenting the medal to President George Bush and his lovely wife.

Nest Hair

2006-07-06T14:14:00.000-06:00

Chef

2006-07-06T09:22:00.000-06:00

My 5 year old daughter was drawing next to me yesterday and came up with this funny chef "toy". She drew all the body parts then had me cut them out, and she glued them together. Notice the shirt is unbuttoned and his belly button is showing. She said that he's not fat, just funny. I love the eyes. What a sense of humor!

Sketchbook

2006-07-05T15:51:00.000-06:00

Every so often while perusing the web portfolios or looking at books, I get so inspired to just doodle. Here are a few things that never really popped into my head, rather just came out of my pencil. Strange how that happens.

Illustration Friday: Sticky

2006-07-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

This didn't quite turn out like I'd hoped, but got to move on to paying jobs.

Illustration Friday: Rain

2006-06-28T09:35:00.000-06:00

... and that, it did, every day he reigned.

Illustration Friday: Dance

2006-06-21T11:25:00.000-06:00

This is just my little guy (on other posts) transmogrified into a robot.

Illustration Friday: Portrait 2

2006-06-02T14:14:00.000-06:00

This is a small maquette I created to help me with illustrating this little guy. He was inspired by a sketch I did for Illustration Friday: Spotted. I'm writing several stories about him, and it's based loosely off what I was like as a kid. I hope they see the light of day.

Sculpey, 4" tall

Illustration Friday: Portrait

2006-06-02T09:37:00.000-06:00

Boy, this goes way back! It was a college assignment on color. I'm much more of a cartoonist than I am a realist, and you can definetly tell here, and I have a really hard time taking myself seriously, especially when it comes to self-portraits.

The only serious part of this painting is the red strip, representing the migraines I suffer quite often.

Acrylic on illustration board

Illustration Friday: Cake

2006-05-31T23:01:00.000-06:00

I just received a Disneyland annual pass holder's newsletter all about the updated Pirates of the Caribbean opening soon. I was so inspired by the artwork I just had to draw a pirate. This sketch was just to work out the composition of a much more elaborate illusration full of scandal and treachery. I just couldn't find the time to complete it, so I just colored up the sketch here, and I'm calling it good.

insectlore.com

2006-05-25T16:56:00.000-06:00

I believe I have one of the most versitile jobs as an illustrator. My first year at Insect Lore, I've designed kids' gardening tools, illustrated a coloring book, designed product packaging, manned trade show booths, designed logos, illustrated and designed games, animated banner ads, and now I'm on to their web site... oh, and I work at home. Doesn't get better than that!

I've just finished the home page for insectlore.com using a load of fun illustration and flash animation. The backend stuff is still pretty antiquated, so that's my next project. I love my job!

Illustration Friday: Sorry

2006-05-20T12:13:00.000-06:00

I've been so burned out lately that I missed the last few Illustration Fridays. It took a great idea of my wife's to get me going again.

Illustration Friday: Angels and Devils

2006-05-17T11:01:00.000-06:00

Just by coincidence my little 5 year old girl drew this picture when Illustration Friday's theme was Angels and Devils. It was amusing to watch her draw this. She sat on the floor facing a full-length mirror and made faces for reference. She's so creative!

A few fun things I have to point out: I love the happy curly eyelashes on the "happy" side, and on the mean side she added a spider and a bloody nose. The smile/frown is great! I also love the deliberate line down the middle splitting the personalities.

In my opinion, this is more creative than I can get on most days!

"'Cars' Road Trip '06"

2006-05-02T18:36:00.000-06:00

"'Cars' Road Trip '06" stopped in Salt Lake City today, in fact just down the street from my house. So I just had to take the family to see the real live Lightning McQueen and Sally the Porche.

The weather was perfect, and we got there before most people got off work, so not much of a crowd.

My wife and I had a great time looking at all of the details on the cars, and talking to the truck drivers hauling these masterpieces all over the country. Really nice guys. They were happy to shared some fun facts with us and help take pictures. A perk for them is that they were able to see the final touches of the creation of Lightning and Sally, and they've already seen the film.

Lightning's body is completely fiberglass, so pushing him out of the truck is quite a trick, nowhere to grab except the roll bars inside. His tires are racing prototypes and Lightning has 4 of the 5 ever made. He is driveable, but not street legal.

Sally is an actual Porche, but her front is fiberglass. Not as much work done on her, but features added to characterize her.

They were passing out free trading cards and posters as well.

Illustration Friday: Spotted

2006-04-15T23:56:00.000-06:00

A good opportunity to practice my ink washes.

Illustration Friday: Spring

2006-04-03T10:25:00.000-06:00

I have a couple of pieces I'd like to share for Illustration Friday's theme this week.

Years ago at bed time, my son would give me 5-10 different topics out of the blue to make up a story about. I would pick just one, and rack my brain for the most creative story I could. A great creative exercise. Unfortunately, it was right before bed, and many of my stories were just boring enough to get him to go to sleep. Fortunately, this one about a raindrop inspired me, and I just had to write it down. For years I sketched up what "Drip" might look like, and was never satisfied... until this weekend. He's so darn simple, but was so hard to get down. He may change again before I finish putting the book together, but this is what he looks like today.

This one was done... holy cow... 6 years ago for a magazine cover. I've posted it before, but it fit well with this theme as well.
HAPPY HAPPY SRING!!

I Use Priceless Freeware!

2006-03-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

I just have to share a few freeware programs that I find absolutely priceless (pun intended, of course) and all run on Mac OS X. There’s TONS of freeware (free software) out there for the Mac, and a perfect place to find them is at FreeMacWare.com. I use their handy widget on my dashboard to get the latest freeware they feature, and it’s updated almost daily, sometimes more!

Anyway, here’s what I find indispensable (click on the links to get more info and to download for yourself!)

Cyberduck
This is an FTP client that I not only love, but need every day. I work from home for a company in another state, and I’m frequently submitting artwork to them. I’m also working on updating their website. This little ducky allows me access to their server in the simplest way, and cheapest. It’s awesome!

GMail Notifier
An unobtrusive little envelope icon resides right on my toolbar where I can access it at any moment. It lets me know when I have a new email in my Google Mail inbox. This is where all my notices come when I get nice little comments on my blog. It’s so much better than getting online and checking my gmail account all the time. Instead, it comes to me, and all I have to do is click on it and decide which new emails I want to read. So handy!

iScroll2
I have a PowerBook G4 that I bought late 2004 which didn’t include the nifty two-finger scroll ability on its touchpad that the newer models have. iScroll2 takes care of that little problem. Now I can’t live without it. Thanks RazzFazz! You’re a finger saver!

Konfabulator (now called Yahoo! Widget Engine, dumb name)
This is just like Apple’s Dashboard, but it resides right on your desktop! I wish Apple’s Dashboard had that feature so that I can see the weather, my photos, my Mail status, without ever having to push F12. I know, I’m lazy. But Konfabulator caters to that wonderful laziness!

VLC
VLC was a life saver for me. I recently recorded some video of my kids on my Palm Zire 72s, and found out that the video was not Mac compatible. I was so bummed, almost so much that I wanted to get rid of my Zire. VLC to the rescue! It’s a video player that plays so many video formats that I’ll keep my Zire for a while longer, I guess.

There are so many more useful and fun free programs out there! Just get yourself a Mac, and head on over to FreeMacWare.com. You’ll be so glad you did!

Illustration Friday: Tattoo

2006-03-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

This illustration kinda took on a life of its own, and kept growing and growing! I didn't even get a chance to ink it in and color it before Friday, so a sketch is all I have so far. You gotta click on the image to see it larger so you can read all the signs posted on the walls, and I'm sure I'll come up with more before I finalize the thing. I'm just having too much fun with this one!

And here are the inked version, and the colored version. It didn't quite turn out like I'd hoped, but my free time is very limited, and I need to leave it so I can post it. So... here ya go!

Moonroes 19

2006-03-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 18

2006-03-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

Olympic Creed

2006-03-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a handwriting assignment my son brought home from school. It has a great message I thought worthy to remind us all.

Moonroes 17

2006-03-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Here is where I ran into a glitch in this premise. It's extremely difficult to draw a comic about the future and its technologies when technological miracles are being invented every day! What used to be absurd ideas, now are common household items. It's very difficult to come up with "futuristic" inventions that haven't already been created in better ways. Oh well...

Moonroes 15 & 16

2006-03-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ooops... I missed a day, so here's two for you.

Illustration Friday: Insect

2006-03-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I suppose this would be a good time to present what I've been working on the last 10 months. I've had to keep it under wraps until now, and Illustration Friday gave me the perfect opportunity to give it a proper debut! If you'd like to purchase these fun little garden tools and accessories, go to Insect Lore's online store!

And now, Introducing...

And this last image was brilliantly created by my comrade Kurt Hettinger for our booth in the Toy Fair in New York last month.

This line was so much fun to create, and I worked very closely with the most creative and knowlegable people in the toy industry. I was blessed to be able to learn so much, and I also thank my dear wife for putting up with all the extra hours I had to put in to get this out in time. She's a god-send.

Moonroes 14

2006-03-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 13

2006-03-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 12

2006-03-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 11

2006-02-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 10

2006-02-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

Free polls from Go2poll.com

Moonroes 9

2006-02-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 8

2006-02-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 7

2006-02-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

Moonroes 6

2006-02-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

...previous comic

Moonroes 5

2006-02-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

...previous comic
next comic...

Moonroes 4

2006-02-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

...previous comic
next comic...

Moonroes 3

2006-02-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

When I was very young I came up with a turtle cartoon character that had an unlimited number of items in his shell that he could use. Orbit became my medium for using all those ideas which is introduced here.
...previous comic
next comic...

Illustration Friday: Song

2006-02-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

I'm sure the song sounds much worse than they look.

Hey, while you're here, would you mind checking out my comic I did several years ago and let me know what you think? Click here to see the first one.

Thanks!

Moonroes 2

2006-02-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

...previous comic
next comic...

Moonroes Comic Strip

2006-02-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

I am such a kid. I'm just stuck in some strange grown-up body, that's all. I still dream of being a cartoonist, just like I have for the last 25 years or so, but I'm not so naive anymore to the fact that drawing comic strips is a dying profession, at least as far as newspapers go. It's always been extremely difficult to become syndicated, and it's getting harder all the time, but for many, many years I didn't give up. I have a drawer full of rejection letters from syndicates to prove that.

Well, it dawned on me the other day that I have a forum here to show some results of all my hard work so many years ago. Not only that, but I can get immediate responses like never before! So, with that dawning realization, I went through my archive of comics and I was... well, you could say I lost some of my enthusiasm. They were embarrassing! There really is something to be said for experience, and my comics clearly showed that I was lacking.

I'm tossing my pride aside and I've decided that I will be very selective and show some anyway. Now, just because I'm being selective, don't expect what I show to be any good, just enjoy them for what they are, disposable comic strips.

Without further ado, introducing the world premier of:

Moonroes is about a young family living in the confines of planet earth in a time when technology has brought the impossible within the dreamer's grasp. The human touch, which is ever present in this futuristic society of flying minivans and robotic friends, lends the premise to boundless situations and follies.

The characters:
Stecky: He's a good father who's having a tough time at being a grown-up. Although he is a responsible adult, he longs for the simple days of his childhood. (Ok, a bit of me in this character)

Syd: The mother of the Moonroe clan. She's a patient, loving wife and mother, but is forced to have the firm hand in the family to keep house and home together. (How stereotypical, hmmmm)

Ferris: The 10 year old son. Although a good kid, his childlike curiosity and naivete occasionally cause trouble. Nothing a youngster with an imagination can't handle.

Orbit: Although Orbit is the only purchased member of the Moonroe family, he's as much a part of the family as everyone else, to a point. His ego and mix of computer chips and emotions create a dynamic contrast in personalities within himself.

And here is my first comic (click to see it larger, and remember to come back often for more!)
next comic...

Illustration Friday: Simple

2006-02-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing more, nothing less.

Illustration Friday: Chair

2006-02-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

I was a bit uninspired by this week's Illustration Friday topic "Chair" until I iChatted with my good buddy Patrick Kendall about a magazine that we really got into when we used to hang out together as young teenagers called CARtoons. I've been doodling ideas about a nerdy kid coming up with some contraption that would intimidate his personal bully, and as ideas do, this one, the CARtoons, and "Chair" all mixed together until I came up with this. You can see a larger version by clicking on the illo.

I'd sure like a chair like this for my birthday... vroom vroooooom!

New Kid

2006-02-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

It's always hard being the new kid.

Just a sketch to keep the creative side of my brain exercising.

Illustration Friday: Glamour

2006-01-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

My 4 year old daughter's favorite pastime is dressing up, and rarely a day goes by that she doesn't ask her daddy to marry her. I just take her by the hand, dance with her a little, and we're married. ;) Her next favorite thing to dress up as is a vagabond.
And here is her version of my illustration. I love the little thought clouds with hearts in them. My heart just melted.
My 7 yr. old son wanted to get into the glamour action as well and drew this very rich house made of gold and diamonds, with colored glass windows.

Illustration Friday: Cat

2006-01-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

I truly think that cats have ulterior motives. Maybe not quite as sadistic as this one, but their thought processes are a little too human if you ask me.

Illustration for Play Therapy

2006-01-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a little illustration I did for the Association for Play Therapy, Utah Chapter. I was thrilled to be able to do this for them.

Illustration Friday: Flavor

2006-01-01T22:43:00.003-07:00

This is my first foray into Adobe Illustrator. I've been a Freehand man for 10 years, and because Adobe bought Macromedia, I'm sore afraid that Freehand is going the way of the Dodo. So, I thought I'd better learn this program and learn to love it. Since it's my first, it took me 3 times as long to illustrate it than it would have otherwise.

Vanilla is still my favorite.

My 7 year old son and 4 year old daughter got into the spirit of Illustration Friday this week along side me. They just love their daddy.

This is my son's. It says "The Funnest Place in the World is Candy Land." Everything here is made of candy. Chocolate sticks holding up the sign, which is made of a chocolate bar. The rollercoaster is made of two candycanes, and has a gummy worm for the car. The seats are made of straight candycanes. The wheels are Life Savers. There is a trampoline made from a cake, and a gingerbread man is standing next to it. The clouds are made of frosting, and the sky is water. The grass is green Jolly Ranchers, and the dirt is chocolate ice cream.

This is my daughter's. She says that it's a princess giving a prince a brain M&M because, apparently, his brain is asleep. Those are M&Ms lining the bottom in a pattern as well.

Illustration Friday: Holiday

2005-12-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

Click here to see a little animation I created a few years ago for a little contest. It's a fun little snowman that has a little personality.

I hope you enjoy it, at least a little.

May your holiday season be filled with laughter, family, friends and the love of Christ.

Garth

I'M FREE!!

2005-12-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

I'm free of the tyranny and oppression of steel bands and porcelain! No more raw gums, no more surgeries, no more hardware and latex bands. No more discomfort, no more stuck food, no more talking funny through large gaps. No more bruises, no more milk shakes (well, only when I want), no more straws to help me breath. 5 years of bondage, and I'm free!

BRING ON THE POPCORN!!!

Here are some photos to show what I had to go through to make my bite a proper one, and my smile something to smile about. I debated posting these, seeing how they aren't very flattering, but maybe someone will find it interesting.

No, this photo is not upside down. My upper jaw was so much more narrow than my lower that I had a great underbite. You'll also notice my back teeth don't hit. I only had two teeth in my head that actually hit. Really hard to eat that way.

This is a "before" shot of my mug. My face was quite narrow. Of course this WAS 5 years ago, and I did add a few pounds since.

No, I'm not missing a middle tooth. This was the result of splitting the roof of my mouth and a lot of cranking of the hardware that was anchored in there. The roof healed at this point and the front teeth moved back together. A process of about 8 months. With the large gap, and a wire spanning the chasm, I was a human cheese cutter. I've spared you some gruesome photos here.

The second surgery was breaking the lower jaw, moving it back, and correcting the position of the chin with a lot of metal posts to hold it all in place. I swelled a bit here as you can see, and the bruising was hideous.

My dear son in unabashed mockery of my discomfort.

5 years, 2 months later, my bite is corrected, I'm not self-conscious about my smile, and I'm thrilled not to have so much hardware in my mouth.

Here you'll see a bit more width in my face, and it's not ALL fat, just some of it.

Hope I didn't gross you out too much, but it's so liberating to have that behind me now. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat.

Illustration Friday: Small

2005-11-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday's topic this week is "small". I haven't completed this illustration yet, but thought I'd show a progression of one using this very small Santa sculpture.

My extended family picks names each Christmas, not for gifts, but to exchange ornaments. Because of my newfound love for Sculpey, I thought I'd make a homemade ornament this year. This Santa is what I came up with, and it's my first shot at sculpting with this kind of detail.

While I was creating this, my mind started working on other uses for him, and I've been inspired to use him as part of an illustration. I have a grand idea, and this is the first step. I'll share my progress, or show the final when it's done, whether or not it turns out good. It's a real experiment for me, and I'm so excited to try it out.

So, if you're interested, come on back, and I'll give updates.

Enjoy! I know I will!

Illustration Friday: Free

2005-11-24T00:55:00.000-07:00

Here's one I did for a book cover for Insect Lore where I work. It seemed to work well for this theme.

Art of Garth, Funny Farmer, GB Land... a blog's identity crisis

2005-11-23T23:25:00.000-07:00

The nice thing about Blogger is the ability to update and change things on a whim. The bad thing about Blogger is the ability to change things on a whim. My blog in the last year has gone through a bit of an identity crisis. I've gone from a blog with all sorts of info about me personally, to a totally anonymous blog with nothing about me but my art, to just inbetween... And that's where my blog is today. I think I'll be happy here, finally.

Illustration Friday: Strength

2005-11-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'll tell you what, it takes an immense amount of strength of character for an 8th grade boy to play the violin in the Jr. High School talent show assembly. That audience is scary when you can't see them.

Illustration Friday: Night

2005-11-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

While I was sketching this illustration for Illustration Friday this week at the breakfast table, my wife said she could tell which face I was working on just by looking at my face. I think that's why most artists work in solitude.

Elizabeth Jones

2005-10-26T14:14:00.000-06:00

A pale little brood
was so picky with food
and her name was Elizabeth Jones.

T'was her mother's foretellin'
that now she is smellin'
of nothing but ol' skin and bones.

This little quip came to me just as I was about to fall asleep the other night. I just had to come up with an illustration to accompany it.

Click on it to see it in better detail.

I've been tagged

2005-10-21T11:56:00.000-06:00

Two of my favorite artists, Daniel Davis of Secret Creatures, and later in the same day Dennis West tagged me. I now get to divulge 20 facts about myself, time myself, and tag as many people as minutes it took to write. I'm only going to do 20, even though I was tagged twice... I'm not THAT interesting.

1. I can speak Japanese fluently (at least I use ta could).
2. I can ride a unicycle (at least I used ta could).
3. I have three beautiful small children, and a beautiful wife.
4. Little House on the Prairie is a guilty pleasure.
5. I love new wave music.
6. I'm a Mac addict.
7. I have 6 sisters, one brother.
8. I've had braces on for 5 years now, encompassing two jaw surgeries, and enough latex to brand me "Edward Elastics Mouth".
9. I will learn to "gulp" love golf just for my son.
10. I work at home in my own little studio... a dream of mine.
11. I'm a sucker for art supplies.
12. I love vintage Disney, and Warner Bros.
13. Sculpey is a new-found love of mine.
14. I love family reunions.
15. I love having my kids walk on my back, just not all over me.
16. I love autumn.
17. Chocolate gives me migraines.
18. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I'm a Mormon)
19. I love canoeing.
20. I'm not a nerd.

Now I need to go find some friends to tag.

Illustration Friday: Remote

2005-10-21T10:43:00.000-06:00

My favorite kind of remote. Ahhhh, sure would love to be there now...

You can click on the image to see it in better detail.

Illustration Friday: Cold

2005-10-18T10:39:00.000-06:00

Illustration Friday's topic, cold, reveals two things about penguins. They know how to throw a good farewell party, but don't know how to pack light.

10 Things I Learned at Disneyland

2005-10-17T16:07:00.000-06:00

I just got home from a week-long vacation to Disneyland with my wife and 3 small children. Three of my sisters went as well, with their spouses and kids (children totaling 16 under the age of 10). I learned a few things, and thought I'd share.

1. A child CAN have too much fun.

2. The happiest place on earth on the first day can easily change to the grumpiest on the fourth.

3. The child-swap-pass and fast-pass are the best inventions since the coon tail hats.

4. Wagons are not allowed, no matter how far across the country you drag it.

5. Pluto doesn't like to be mistaken for Goofy (My wife's mistake).

6. The best thigh-master is lugging a loaded backpack and a tired two-year-old through Tarzan's Tree House.

7. The bathrooms ROCK! Clean, great soap, and stocked with ample supplies of TP, seat covers and changing station disposable pads!

8. Buzz Lightyear has to have African-American blood. That guy can dance!

9. A $2.50 wedge of watermelon seems like a steal on a hot day when you're junk-fooded out.

10. There are some truly ingenious imagineers behind the magic at Disneyland!

Illustration Friday: Float

2005-10-01T15:26:00.000-06:00

My submission for Illustration Friday. I always wonder what's down there.

Illustration Friday: Fresh

2005-09-28T10:43:00.000-06:00

Illustration Friday's topic only has me thinking of one thing. Nothing overshadows the ambience of a freshly soiled child. This is a quick pencil sketch colored in Painter. I didn't have time to come up with a completed piece, so I just went for the idea.

Illustration Friday: Escape

2005-09-16T09:40:00.000-06:00

I did this quite some time ago, and finally I get to use it! Perfect for Illustration Friday's theme this week.

Illustration Friday: Roots

2005-09-10T17:24:00.000-06:00

I'm late. I guess I've been so preoccupied with work, that I thought this week's Illustration Friday theme was Roots. I finally give my self some time to do this illustration, and I blotch the timing. Oh well, better luck this week.

I wanted to capture the moment when a parent struggles between rage at the mess and the undoubtful disaster in the flower garden, and the desire to show appreciation for the child's thoughtfulness. I've been in this situation too many times, on both sides.

Illustration Friday: Reflection

2005-08-19T11:28:00.000-06:00

Illustration Friday's topic may have expected more of the thoughtful kind, but at least you have to think twice.

Get a Mentor

2005-08-08T09:44:00.000-06:00

In high school I was privileged to have had a few teachers believe in me enough to offer themselves up as mentors in their respective fields. I was a shoo-in for track, because the coach himself asked me to join the team. The drama teacher stopped me in the hall and told me if I signed up for drama the next year, he would allow me to jump right into his advanced class. My yearbook instructor gave his time up many times to talk to me personally about special projects that he would like me to take on, and he personally tutored me on how to accomplish such tasks. I had a gold mine of resources and years of valuable resources at my disposal to accomplish anything I wanted in high school.

Youth is wasted on the wrong people, at least it was in my case. I rejected every single one of those offers on the idea that they would interrupt my valuable play time after school to be with my friends.

The memory of lost opportunities is painful, but the pain has been very useful to my career and family life. Through the many years since school, I have grasped at every opportunity to learn from more experienced and talented people. Currently, I have been presented with such an opportunity. With my employment at Insect Lore, I am in daily contact with a man that has decades of experience in toy design and marketing. Marc has spent hours pruning and weeding my talents, and I feel like I'm regaining the many years of lost opportunity. It has humbled me, exasperated me, and revitalized me, and I'm immensely grateful for the energy and time he has spent on my account.

"Marcs" don't come along every day, unfortunately. So I've listed a few ways to find mentors to help advance your career as an artist.

Art Biz Coach
Alyson Stanfield is an artist's coach with 14 years of art business experience under her belt. She knows the ins and outs of promoting yourself as an artist, and she generously shares her knowledge. You can hire her as a personal consultant, or sign up for her free weekly newsletter (you'll love it!) She mainly works with fine artists who want to exhibit their work in galleries, but her insight is valuable for illustrators as well.

Picture Book Junkies
Artist critique groups are wonderful as well. This group of talented ladies put their pride on the line for the other ladies in the group to critique their work, and they are better for their efforts. They each have personal business experiences to share, and they realize that a comfortable "Well done" isn't always the best critique to give. Not only have they improved their craft, they've become good friends.

Maybe other artists are looking for a critique group as well. Because of the web, your location doesn't really matter anymore. Find someone who is working in the same genre as yourself, who's work you respect, and ask! Couldn't hurt! I'm not a part of any group, but would love to hear anyone else's insight on how to form one.

Happy illustrating!

Illustration Friday: Metropolitan

2005-07-08T15:45:00.000-06:00

Here's my entry to Illustration Friday's topic "Metropolitan". This little Pollyanna of a girl keeps popping up in my pictures. She makes me smile.

Illustration Friday: Sport

2005-07-05T14:56:00.000-06:00

Here's my entry to Illustration Friday's topic "Sport". I never got a chance to see a real Sumo match while I was in Japan, but I was very close once. Oh well.

This version of David and Goliath San won't last long. Of course the small guy wins.

Star Wars-Made In China

2005-06-26T01:49:00.000-06:00

"Made in CHINA?! WHY-IS-EVERYTHING-IN-A-MER-ICA-MADE-IN-CHI-NA?!" (with fist hitting down to emphasize every syllable).

This quote was by my 7 year old son when he saw that the Star Wars figurine he got from a Burger King kid's meal was made in China. My response to him was, "Son, if you can figure out how to make things cheaper in America, you'll be a rich man."

Studio Friday: Collections

2005-06-20T15:47:00.000-06:00

This week's theme on Studio Friday. is Collections. When I was younger I got my hands on as many miniature Smurfs as I could afford. I'm glad now... they keep me company in my lonely studio ;)

Studio Friday: Ugliest

2005-06-06T14:07:00.000-06:00

This is my first submission to Studio Friday. This week's theme is Ugliest. It's a photo of a clay head I was given when a coworker quit years ago. He said that it was surely the only thing that could fill his place. As ugly as it is, I could never get rid of it.

Illustration Friday: Digital

2005-06-03T12:57:00.000-06:00

It's about time I got back to submitting something for Illustration Friday. This week's theme is Digital. I'm reusing some of my favorite magazine covers that I illustrated several years ago for a now defunct local magazine. I hope I wasn't the cause of them shutting down :(

Today's sketch

2005-06-01T11:12:00.000-06:00

Here's just a sketch for a fun book I came up with today. It has hidden items all throughout. These are just details of the full illustration. I'm having a great time with my new job, drawing things for children. I'm listening to an audio book of Anne of Green Gables while I work, and it's just, well, not very "guy" like, but I'm enjoying it splendidly just the same.

New Direction, New Life

2005-05-12T22:24:00.000-06:00

It's a bit surreal thinking about the events of the last two months, and how they have had a profound change on my life and my future. Until last Friday, I was employed with the O.C. Tanner Company doing web animation, web designing, jewelry designing, and I even designed a toy. How's that for diversity? It was a fun 14 year ride. I made many, many close friends there. I miss them dearly already.

For the last 3 weeks, I've been working full-time for a company for whom I've been freelancing for several years called Insect Lore. They are based out of California, but I've negotiated being able to work for them from home in Utah. This job has been a dream-come-true for me. I've always wanted to work in the children's market and this is exactly why they hired me. I'm amazed at how much I get done working at home. My wife and children have been very supportive, and know that when daddy is in his studio, he's at work. They've adjusted very well to the change.

My new coworkers are a real fun group! Although I don't work right next to them physically, I really feel welcome and already fit in. That means the world to me, and I'm excited for what the future holds for my career.

Illustration Friday: Alone

2005-04-12T15:44:00.000-06:00

I've never felt more alone than when I feel like I don't fit in. This is for Illustration Friday's topic "Alone".

Illustration Friday: Travel

2005-04-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

Here's my next illustration for Illustration Friday's topic "Travel". My initial thought was that I wouldn't be able to come up with something funny for this topic... well, I ended up with something that was really fun to draw!

Illustration Friday: Crowded

2005-03-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday's topic hits very close to home. I'm really tired.

Illustration Friday: Bloom

2005-03-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

Maybe not what was intended for the topic on the Illustration Friday site, but my wife's idea struck me as funniest. Hey, and I like funny.

Illustration Friday: Fragile

2005-03-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is my very first post for the site Illustration Friday! It's a site created just to spark ideas and imagination. I love seeing all of the illustrators' interpretations of the weekly topics, which this week is 'Fragile'. Here's my interpretation. I grew up with 6 sisters, so I have plenty of experience watching this sort of thing.

Inspired

2005-03-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

Lately I've found so many illustrator's sites and blogs, and I've been totally inspired to improve my work. I've been actively posting on the Drawing Board and have been exposed to so many brilliant artists there.

Through another fun site, Illustration Friday, I've found so many other illustrators' blogs than I ever knew existed. I just love reading their experiences and seeing their work.

I've just joined a Children's Illustrator's Web Ring that I hope will bring more people to my blog (and maybe, someday, someone will actually leave a comment...who knows?). Just click on the links below the logo on the right column to see who else is a member of the ring. They're wonderful!

Being an illustrator is so solitary sometimes. It's good to at least find friends through the wonderful world wide web.

Junie B. Jones: Twice as good

2005-03-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

If you are lucky enough to have children between the age 5 and up to their young teens, you owe it to yourself to check out the many adventures of Junie B. Jones. They are a hilarious set of stories told first person by a sassy kindergartener (and later, first grader) named, you guessed it, Junie B. Jones. Her grammar is humorously incorrect, but so natural. Barbara Park, the author, is so talented to be able to suck you right into each story and laugh out-loud. I can totally relate to this poor little girl's parents' exasperation at Junie B.'s latest problems.

Maybe it's because I'm an illustrator, but I enjoy the wonderful illustrations by Denise Brunkus just as much as I like the stories. They remind me of the pencil sketches I've seen from Norman Rockwell.

My 6 year old son checked out two of Junie B.'s books from his school library this week. When we saw that both were the same exact story, we asked him why he got two of the same thing. He replied with a sheepish grin, "In case I wanted to read it again."

Bambi and Dead Goldfish

2005-03-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

World War III broke out at our house on the release of Walt Disney's Bambi on DVD. My 4 year old daughter was convinced that Bambi was a girl, and trying to get her to think otherwise only broke down all hope of rational conversation. To put it bluntly, there was much screaming and gnashing of teeth. Bambi is now a girl.

Her outcry could also be the result of both her birthday goldfish floating to the top just the day before. She got the goldfish to test all of us on our competence with pets. We failed miserably. My 1 year old daughter decided to share her milk with the fish, and our lack of knowledge on how to handle such a situation didn't fare too well. They lasted only three days in the Bruner home. They were scrawny and pretty lethargic when we first got them, so who knows how well the "Walmart associates" took care of them before we adopted the poor things. They were doomed from the start.

A National Tragedy

2005-02-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

My 6 year old son was sitting in the car holding his sides today. He was groaning, complaining that he had a bad tummy ache (we later found out it was just gas). As he was grimacing, he looked up and said, "They should lower the flags because my tummy hurts so bad."

I still break out in giggles when I think about it.

The Debate is Finally Over

2005-02-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

The classic debates of Mac vs Windows, Freehand vs Illustrator, cats vs dogs, reminds me of my past ignorant stance against using computers for art. Almost every statement I hear in defense of one's beloved hardware, software, or animal, comes down to that person's ignorance of the opposing... whatever. Now, not to say that there hasn't been many thoroughly researched debates. Of course there has. But just read some of the debates flying off the cuff in any forum, and you know darn well that most debates are heated on pure preference.

That being said, I go back to my computer vs art stance. I was ignorant. I never thought that a computer could help me in any way concerning my passion for art and cartooning. You see, the only thing I'd seen up to that point on a computer was the classic game Lode Runner. A boxy man ran around doing something or other (See? Ignorance once again).

Then one day, in my sophomore year in high school, I got to play with a crazy little computer called a Macintosh. I could actually draw on the thing, and add waffle textures, and bubble textures, and type, and... and... it did what I wanted it to do. I even printed my scribbles out and had quite a time convincing my family that it was done on a computer. Even then I was ignorant to the computer's real potential. My art teacher got after us for wasting time on the computer rather than using it to accomplish real projects. I was confused as to what he meant, and he never did teach us anything on it. I never saw then what a change it would make in my future, and the real projects I could really pump out of a machine like that. That was the last I touched a Mac, until the mid 90s, and I was still ignorant about how much a computer could help me.

Now here I am. Much older, yes, but much wiser as well. My Mac has shaved days off illustration projects that I once believed could never be helped by a cold, mathematical, and impersonal computer. I'm now able to show off my work to hundreds of people I'll never see face to face. I can experiment with color and media faster than ever. With my trusty Wacom tablet and some incredible software, my work can look like it was never a digital file at all. And my stubborn stance against the use of computer in art has all but vanished. The debate is finally over, and I lost. Or I won, rather.

Humorous Illustrator, Garth Bruner, Launches New Portfolio Web Site

2005-01-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

January 15, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Humorous Illustrator, Garth Bruner, Launches New Portfolio Web Site

Sandy, Utah – January 15, 2005 – Humorous illustrator and animator, Garth Bruner, has just launched a new portfolio web site, http://www.artofgarth.com. Shown are samples of newly created illustrations, fun animation clips, motion graphics clips, information on his involvement in the Olympic Games as an employee of the O.C. Tanner Company, and miscellaneous accomplishments in his art career.

The site is designed after the familiar look of an elementary school class room with a pull-down projector screen showing off the portfolio pieces. A working wall clock and a couple of other surprise clickable areas help the visitor enjoy their visit. Updated news about his most recent accomplishments are presented on a bulletin cork board, as well as random images on the honor roll.

For more information, please contact Garth Bruner at garth@artofgarth.com.

ArtBizCoach.com features my illustration!

2004-08-10T14:29:00.000-06:00

Alyson Stanfield, the owner of Artbizcoach.com publishes a fantastic email newsletter each week that is full of inspiration and tips for artists who actually want to make a living creating art. It's aimed towards the fine artist, but as an illustrator, I've found her words extremely helpful and timely.

In this weeks newsletter she features one of my illustrations! Thanks Alyson!

ArtBizCoach.com - Artist Business and Career Resources

Infomercial trouble

2004-08-09T17:38:00.000-06:00

My 6-year-old son was flipping channels the other morning looking for his shows and he got snagged by an infomercial about these "amazing" knives. He was absolutely glued to the charisma of the presenter and was sold to the idea that no other knives in the world could do what these knives could.

"Wow! That knife is so flexible!"
"Can our knives cut tomatoes too?"
"Look at that 'Flavor Injector'! You can put flavor just where you want! Do we have one of those?"
"Yes son, it's called a 'baster'."
"That knife can cut bread slices so thin that your unwanted guests will want to leave! Ha ha ha!"

And on and on and on through the whole show, and for an hour afterward. I just hope he never flips across an infomercial for Viagra.

4th Book Done!

2004-08-09T17:36:00.000-06:00

I just finished my 4th book! Yipee! It's a teacher's manual for instructing 1st grade children how to raise butterflies. I've got a transcript for a book on the same topic but for 2nd graders. It's challenging coming up with fresh pictures for the same topics. The children have to look older on each book too (I also did one for kindergarteners).

Insect Lore has been a wonderful company to work with and they like my stuff enough that they asked me to illustrate and design their whole 2005 toy line. This has been a wonderful learning experience. I'm going to be working with my next door neighbor's son, Eric Wilson, who is a brilliant sculptor, to model some of the toys from my concept sketches. We are in the contract/negotiating stage right now, and I hope it all works out. Here's a sample of his work.

The August 2004 People Magazine will be featuring a story on the rings I designed for the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games, and my name will be mentioned! Next, the cover of Time! Just kidding.

I just got me a beautiful Apple PowerBook last week. I can't believe how much more productive I am with this thing, now that I'm not glued to the corner of my room or studio to get things done. Heck, I'm writing this while sitting in the bathroom... no, not that... but being a lifeguard over my 16 month old daughter playing in the tub.

Where I get my inspiration

2004-08-09T17:32:00.000-06:00

The other day I was getting ready for work when I saw my son peeking through the bathroom door. The light from the bathroom was glaring in his eyes and he couldn't quite focus up on my face. So I crouched down to his eye level and greeted him with a good morning. He rubbed his eyes. I suggested he get back in bed to which he declined, saying he wanted to be with me while I was getting ready for work.

I shaved while he waited patiently on the bathroom stool. Then I went downstairs to iron my shirt and he followed. He then spoke up and asked,

"Dad, where's the fire in the iron?"

I smiled and said, "It's not fire that makes the iron hot, son."

Before I could explain further, he asked, "So, there's salsa in it?"

This is where I get my inspiration.

News

2004-07-31T18:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my new blog where I will keep a journal of all my illustration work, news, finds, and challenges. Who knows, it might even be interesting.