Father's Day Artwork: From sketches to final painting

For Father's Day this year I received a commission from a good friend. Courtney asked me to paint a Father's Day Gift featuring a portrait of her husband, and my good friend Matt (and fellow Midwestern artist. See his work at: www.catswilleatyou.com) and their new creation: Arlo. I was thrilled with the project since back in college I painted my friend Matt multiple times (probably nearly 20) and I was honored to now be including their new child Arlo. Above is the final mixed media peice that I mailed to them, and below is a series of studies that will offer insight into the progression I take from idea to finished work.  

 I was given a series of photos to work from selected by Courtney. I chose my favorites and did a series of ink studies. The above one was a fun exploration of space and composition, and included the element of music which is an important thing in Matt & Courtney's world. This sketch also hearkened back to subject matter of the baby, which was the subject of a majority of my work in college while painting on an easel right next to Matt. On the wall of Matt & Courtney's home they have one of my largest "baby paintings" hanging up on their wall.

The most touching photograph in the set was a simple shot of Matt and Arlo on a couch. Arlo is staring at his own hand, seemingly bewildered by it. He may have been starring at Courtney who was taking the photo also. A narrative occurred to me immediately upon seeing the photograph. Arlo, staring at his own hands, being the offspring of two extremely talented and artistic parents, was to me referencing his own bright future and future talents to soon be crafted. This was compelling to me on a variety of levels. I decided to attempt a few more studies.

The watercolor study shown above was a collaboration done with Kenny in Portland, Maine. Kenny collaborates with me often and our styles challenge us to think up new solutions to old problems. His additions, particularly the dragon on the right hand side, to my composition study inspired the colorful section in the final piece. To me, it added to the narrative as it represented Matt Semke's ongoing artist's mind which is always creating new images and ideas, while holding his greatest creation. 

The final work was a marker drawing, with watercolors, and colored pencils layered on top. Happy Father's Day to a great family. 

Why I Not an Otter: Art Night Portraits by Asher Platts

I am passionate about art nights. "Art night" or "art group" is an excuse for artists of all mediums to come together in a common place, create, collaborate, discuss, brainstorm and feed off each others' collaborative energy.

It does not matter where I am living, Minnesota, North Dakota, Maine... art nights are a part of my typical routine. I have met incredible people during these types of events. Last night in Maine, myself and 11 other incredible artists gathered in my tiny apartment and created some incredible things together. I made a couple of brand new works that I am really excited about but I am saving those for a future blog post (mostly because I broke my camera). This affords me the opportunity to highlight the artwork of my multi-talented friend Asher Platts and his portraits:

During the night, Asher was going around the room doing expressive portraits of each person who stayed long enough to be drawn. They turned out really incredible and I wanted to feature his work here for you all to see. This drawing was done of Abbeth Russell, who is my roommate, who is also an incredible visual artist. Abbeth and I just cemented a big art show together in October.

As I mentioned above Asher Platts is multi-talented as a musician in Theodore Treehouse which is my favorite local band in Portland Maine. Asher is also running as a green for State Senate. Asher is also known on youtube as the controversial video blogger, Punk Patriot. In the picture above he is depicting Sighless (Silus aka John) when he was singing songs on the couch.

The other really exciting thing about this blog post, and these photos for me, is that these are incredible portraits done of some of my favorite people in Maine. This was an excellent portrait of Rob Korobkin!

Here is the portrait Asher Platt did of me (William Hessian). 

I met Chris just yesterday when he saw me painting in the park and decided to come join us. Chris is an art student and it was great having him at art night. 

Asher Platts portrait of Marion. An incredible depiction. 

A close up of the drawing of Rob. 

Rachel showed up near the end and Asher had time to do a great capture while she drew a picture of a Magician with a Techni color cape.

Day 698

Photo by Kris Ericson

My good friend, Kris Ericson runs a one photo a day blog. I was the featured subject matter for day 698 as evident in the photo above.

I have been the photo of the day in a handful of other photos in the past. You would have to scroll pretty far back to find them, but they are there. Me wearing a mask, portrait me (using that one as my facebook profile photo), me killing a canvas and a variety of other photos.

It is worth scrolling back to previous photos to see some of the great captures Kris has been able to get. He is now over 700 days of photos. I know he sometimes takes dozens and dozens of pictures before he is happy with the one photo he must choose per day. If you get the chance to follow any blog, especially if you enjoy photography, choose Kris' one photo a day blog.

Crazy portrait artist in Winnepeg

The Fork in Winnipeg was the location of our family vacation road trip this year. We went at the end of winter, and could write 50 semi exciting stories about crossing the border with my nervous authority fearing parents, or about how awesome it was that people could ice skate on ice paths to the Forks to go shopping in the mall. However, since this is my art blog, I just wanted to feature a unique very Waldo-esque man (especially his black rimmed glasses) who was offering to draw your portrait for free as you walk into a certain entrance of the Forks.

First of all, the Forks was a great place to visit, we spent nearly all of our 2 days there shopping and experiencing the cool things going on there. Secondly, we happened to be there during an paint-a-thon featuring a local art college graduating class. The kids spent 24 hours creating art, and then sold their work in a huge auction. It was an amazing thing to witness as the Forks mall filled up with tons of people. The mall itself has great co-op like food shops, with a ton of variety from middle eastern food, fruit smoothies and bread. Everything we had was great.

Meanwhile, we ran into this artist who drew both me and Kelsey in about 90 seconds. We felt obligated to tip him, which is his basically his business plan. The drawing were rough and fun to see. His personality was very odd and more artistic than inviting, which scared off most people that walked by him. He did not talk much, but did enjoy posing for the camera.

And here he is, the Winnipeg portrait artist:

fierce Red Hot Art Battle

Red Hot Art Festival
June 6-7
You have got to come see us create and destroy art this weekend:

William Hessian and Matt Semke face off once again, this time in a battle to create the better portrait, but this is no Valleyfair airbrush booth. The two artists will attempt to create the best portrait in a challenging way, and the loser's art will be destroyed. Last year, they destroyed art with an ax....this year....its anyones guess. The audience is expected to take part by voting, cheering, and watching both the creations and the killings. For a few lucky people, they will be painted... in the fierce Red Hot Art Battle

Announcement: Red Hot Portrait War

You've heard it here first:

The Red Hot Art Battle! Matt Semke and William Hessian will be painting dueling portraits with a twist! Rapid fire paintings every 20 minutes. Artwork will be destroyed. A gallery of the winning portraits and the losing portraits will be on display, and available for sale, at the event. Come watch the battle, be painted, vote, and enjoy the portrait war that is: Billy Vs Matt 12.

Billy Vs Matt 12
Red Hot Arts Festival 2009
Stevens Square Park
July 6-7

Here's a promo from last years event:

Abstract portraits in pastels 1-4

This is a drawing series of four. The four drawings were on display at Winona State University, my old stomping grounds, as part of an invitation only alumni drawing show. It was an honor to be a part of the show, and get to refamiliarize myself with old friends and teachers. I hope to be apart of Winona State art shows for years to come.

Also, the 4 drawings are on display currently at my own gallery in Minnetonka, Billy and the Old Man Design.


For more portrait works, see my ripple self portrait and the painting of three girls for other works similar to this one.

Abstract Portrait in pastels

This is one drawing of a series of four. I will post all four here in the next week. The four drawings were on display at Winona State University, my old stomping grounds, as part of an invitation only alumni drawing show. It was an honor to be a part of the show, and get to refamiliarize myself with old friends and teachers. I hope to be apart of Winona State art shows for years to come.

Also, the 4 drawings are on display currently at my own gallery in Minnetonka, Billy and the Old Man Design.


For more portrait works, see my ripple self portrait and the painting of three girls for other works similar to this one.

Portrait of Three Girls

Details
Three Sisters, arcylic on canvas, 18 X 24"

Portrait
One of the best parts of the holiday season for myself as an artist is commissioned paintings. Usually by the end of December I am burnt out and tired of doing them, but I always enjoy the first few. This portrait of three sisters is my first holiday comission of 2007.

William Hessian dot com
My personal art website, www.williamhessian.com will soon host a section to display a gallery of portraits I have done over the years. I am waiting until I have enough to fill a solid online gallery of works. I do slightly fear becomming just a portrait artist and never having time for my own works, however this is easily combated by simply altering my asking price.

Next commission

My next commission is a small work with a business tie theme. Following that commission is aseries of four small kitties, in the style of my bearded bunnies. both projects will be featured here.