NEW Buick Art Available!

We've just added this new version of an earlier piece now called "Straight-8 V Blue.0" to the website as 13"x19" signed & numbered prints for $20/each- Check them out at:

http://www.PinstripeChris.com/Store

Or send us an email:  PinstripeChris@Hotmail.com

The Refreshening: New Robot Art and an even Fresher Perspective

This past week was a bit of a change up for me- my wife and I got home from a full week off and it gave both of us a lot of time to think about direction, specifically for me- Artwork. Clearly a lot of what I do is automotive artwork & design, but behind the scenes of our daily lives is a lot of cartoon, comic book, and graphic novel, and video game enthusiasm that originally had a lot more influence on my early ink work. Somewhere along the line I got involved with more clean, straight laced artwork for the sake of keeping the automotive artwork straight to the point (as builders rarely want to see anything but reality). Eventually, clean artwork took over- which wasn't an issue, just not what I thought would happen. So here and there on the side (behind the cameras watchful eyes) I would sketch characters on scraps, doodle robots, sci fi snip bits, futurism- all the bits that I didnt know I was missing. As part of my daily routine I sketch something with coffee every morning to get warmed up- with the week off I left my routine to try and feel like I wasnt truly working (which was challenging) and it opened my eyes quite a bit. Now this didnt change my love for cars, it just gave me clarity on the habits I had developed. Of course on our first day back I drew and illustrated a beautiful black Kustom Merc, and that wasn't out of habit- it was out of want to create after having been away from the studio a week. As soon as I cleaned up from the Merc piece I grabbed one of our traveling sketchbooks and started sketching a character I call Robot Number 3 and it quickly took shape with what I was missing. Im not new to character drawing, but what I am new to is sharing that side of my artwork with people. There's a lot more revealed about yourself in artwork like that I think, so you're putting yourself out there more then ever. I wasnt sure I was going to share the 1st piece (Robot in the Rain), but went for it anyways since I felt there was a better connection with the artwork and maybe more people could relate to it. I was immediately taken back by the responses I got and the connection people had with the Robot, and I knew I didnt have to be shy about it anymore. I alternated Robot artwork and Hot Rod artwork throughout the week and did a Robot & Hot Rod piece to finish out the week (a fine culmination if I do say so myself). Although what I do is not dictated by what people respond the best to, it is a nice feeling to put yourself out there and get a positive response. And again- this isnt me saying goodbye to clean automotive artwork, this is just me finally introducing the real me to the world. So look out for a whole new set of artwork based on Robot Number 3, sci fi, futurism, hot rods- and we're even talking about a storybook, graphic novel and some animation! Really excited for things to come, and I look forward to sharing it all.

The moral of todays story is:
1- Take a REAL vacation and clear your mind of work long enough to see it from all sides clearly. This vacation doesnt have to be long, far, expensive (heck, we vacationed at home mostly)- just give yourself some mental distance from your routine.
2- Stop censoring yourself (like I did)- Be who you are and be the best you you know how to be. If you limit who you are and what you share, people are only going to get a glimpse of you.
3- Most Important: Do what makes you Happy.

Oh yea- all of the new artwork will be available once professionally matted and framed and we will be doing canvas & paper prints as well! When the prints are ready I will write posts that explain the story behind each piece (because of course there is one).

Have a great weekend!

"Test" pieces underway!

Working on some "Test" pieces over here with different types of markers & papers for an upcoming illustration- I could have easily just made little swatches and lines but that would have been plain boring.

www.PinstripeChris.com

Planet Express Ship for my Weekend Travels

Happy Friday everyone! I'm getting on a plane today for some cross country travels which inspired this drawing. As a big cartoon fanatic I wondered "If I were to travel by any means of my choice, what would it be?" Planet Express Ship- Oh yes. Markers/Acrylics on Marker Paper.

www.PinstripeChris.com

Truck Tuesday- Retro/Dually Chevy

For #TruckTuesday here's a clean shot of the Retro/Dually Chevy truck I inked up a few weeks back- a little outside the norm for me but a change in ideas & direction is always refreshing. Markers & Airbrushed Acrylics on Marker Paper

www.PinstripeChris.com

Monday Madness- Mondayness?

Dont let the Mondayness of Monday get you down- I say take Monday and make it in to anything you want. Literally. Freehand Paint Markers & Acrylics on Black Illustration Board

www.PinstripeChris.com

Easter Ink!

Happy Easter, fellow internet people! Enjoy the weather, see your friends and family- have fuuuun 

www.PinstripeChris.com

More Quick Sharpie Sketchies- Slammed 66 Toyota Pick Up

Here's another quick Sharpie sketch on newsprint from a few days back of a slammed 66 Toyota pick up. Once I have a high contrast sketch like this down I'll make some changes on a more cleaned up version, then move on to the final piece

www.PinstripeChris.com

New 72 Riviera Print Available

I've got a few new prints to announce this week, and first up is this 72 Riviera- The original was done using black, red and grey Sharpies. Frame ready 11"x14" signed & numbered limited run of 100, $10- available here: http://www.PinstripeChris.com/Store 

55 Buick Ink Original & Custom Matching Frame For Sale!

 

The custom 55 Buick piece is finished and for sale! The drawing was done freehand using markers, and the frame was painted to match by hand using enamels- no tape or stencils were used for either. Measures 29"x17"x1", ready to hang- $300 + shipping. Please email me if you're interested-  Cruizin4Customs@hotmail.com

Ah yes, The Sharpie Cadillac

Someone recently asked me what my 1st Cadillac ink art piece was, and as it turns out it's an actual Cadillac done with Sharpies. This was also the very 1st commissioned Sharpie job for me as well, and it was such a blast a great story. I got to fly to California for a week and do what I love, what's better then that?

68 Cadillac Ink Original & Matching Frame

I got the 68 Cadillac Ink & Airbrush original back from the framers just before the weekend and was able to get it finished before I started on the 70 Chevelle painting. The frame was completed using gloss enamels both by hand and airbrush to match the original piece. This one is one of my all time favorites- something about it is just different then the others. This guy is SOLD but a new Cadillac piece will be underway soon!

55 Buick Ink Piece Part 3 FINISHED!!

All finished with the 55 Buick Ink & Airbrush piece- this one was done completely freehand (no rulers or curves were used) on 12"x24" bristol. Next step is to have a frame made so I can do the traditional frame extended artwork. The original is available and soon prints will be too!

55 Buick Ink Piece Part 2

Here's the progress on the 55 Buick ink piece- I've got the background and road just finished up, so now I can go back in and finish all the details on the car like the flake on the roof, highlights, door edges... things like that. This one will be available when finished!

55 Buick Ink Piece Part 1

I got started on a new ink piece yesterday featuring a custom 1955 Buick- all the lines are done with pens and markers completely freehand, no rulers are curves are used. I've got the basic lines and tones of the car down so now I can start on the background, then later finish up the details on the car 

Ink & Airbrush 68 Cadillac

Had a great weekend and got a chance to do lots of organizing here, and even managed to get this drawing done. This one is an ink & airbrush mix on 16"x24" bristol featuring a 68 Cadillac- free hand as always. I'll drop it off at the framers later this morning so it can be finished off properly and will available when done!

This Weekend Only- VolksRod Original price Lowered & Free shipping on all Store items

This weekend only, this Volks Rod Ink original is reduced to $200 and shipping is free! This piece measures 22"x30" and was done completely freehand using markers on illustration board. In addition all other store items are available with free shipping this weekend-  http://www.PinstripeChris.com/Store

Page #2 out of the Sketchbook: Custom 1936 Ford

Another day another page! Today is day 2 of my travels out and about near and around San Francisco and my plan is to complete a drawing in my sketchbook daily to keep practicing, and to work in a smaller scale for fun. Today's piece is a custom 1936 Ford done entirely freehand using Sharpies and lightly shaded using pencil on 9"x12" paper. $40 with Free Shipping within the States- comes signed and dated. Email me if you're interested: Cruizin4Customs@hotmail.com

Thanks for looking!

NEW Custom Beetle Original & Prints For Sale!

On Valentines day I couldn't think of a better car to draw then a Vw Beetle, but I certainly thought the car could use a little tweaking. I own a 72, and while I love it- I can't help but re imagine it. So the roof is chopped, and the wind screen tilted back a little- not a major re imagine, but enough to give the car a little motion without being too radical. As with always, this was done completely freehand using Fine & Ultra Fine Sharpies- no rulers were used.

Prints & Original available here:

http://www.PinstripeChris.com/CustomCarStore

Thanks for looking!